What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

I see that Elle has her quilting goals set out for next year. And after yesterday -- I can see that goals are going to be very important. Not only goals, but priority setting and some deep thought as to what I need to keep. Let's say that I'm a bit shell-shocked. 

I had to prep for a couple of presentations on the software. While I am FAR from being an expert in this software, the more I play with it - the more I learn, and I realize that it's possible to modify or create ANYTHING!! I've ...

OH DRAT!!!  I should have checked that the links I posted yesterday actually worked. There was an issue with the sound, and so that video was replaced. 

Here are the NEW links.  Just tested, and at least the Facebook one works. So sorry for that!!!!

Facebook Video Link:

https://fb.watch/9y8NaEshwe/

YouTube Video Link:

https://youtu.be/8XazTq3jzSo

As usual, I tried to cram too much into the day! In addition to the last class for two of the sew-alongs of this past year, I signed up for a Kimberbell class that I could participate in virtually. 

I'll ...

I did it -- I survived the crazy month of November. OK -- so I know that November isn't over yet, and I still have things to do, but the worst of the month is over, and I can sort of coast along now! It was loads of work, but I learned a ton of stuff, and always great to stay in touch with everyone via Zoom. 

I said goodbye to three different groups this past week, and after being with them for four or six weeks, you feel connected to them! Thanks to everyone who attended the classes, and I ...

Where is the week going? It's now Thursday, and there are two days left of the sewing marathon. Well, not exactly, because Saturday and Sunday are jam-packed as well, but it's not the same. Those are FUN days where I get to sew and embroider and NO MORE PREP. 

Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends! Don't eat too much turkey!

The spin class was crazy -- it's starting to get busy, and I was surrounded by people on all sides. That hasn't happened in a while. But no worries -- we just get in there and turn ...

Phew -- -that was a crazy week last week, and the weekend wasn't much better. However, the good news is that all the writing assignments are done. OK -- that's not exactly true, there are still four to write, but they can wait a wee bit. All the homework from the weekend classes has been sent, and that's an awesome way to start the week. 

Yep -- it's another week heavy on the presentations, and five (well, technically four, since one presentation is given twice) requires some prep work, but three of them won't require much time. So ...

 OK -- something is wrong! I have had no issues with my internet connection for a long time. I did two presentations yesterday, and there was no issue. But when I went to open up the computer last night to do the third one of the day, things just didn't work! I managed to get the call open, but not until I moved the laptop to the office and even then. I had to abandon the call! That's the FIRST time that's happened. 

I'm not sure what the problem is. It still doesn't seem 100% right ...

Well, that was a whirlwind day! And I was super productive! 

I got this bee in my bonnet about the "state" of Studio B, and since I had done such a great job at prepping the work tables, I was bothered by the state of some of the other areas. SO - this is what happened. And I will say that it didn't take all that long to make this happen. Why? Because there isn't as much stuff laying around as there used to be. 

Here's a view of where I sit when I do my Zoom calls ...

 It's going to be a GREAT day! Why? Well, I'm super ready for anything that comes along today, but more importantly, yesterday was a SUPER day, and that makes me very happy!

My calendar is almost completely up-to-date, with events firmly booked or rescheduled as needed. Personal days are booked off between January and June. The appropriate people have been contacted, contracts signed (OK -- so there are still two that need to be signed - today!), Zoom links created and sent. Yep -- it's a lot of administration, and thankfully, I'm a somewhat organized person. 

I was, and ...

I've been whining about my cutting table and how I can't seem to get it completely clear. Well, I've been whittling away at it, and this is what it looks like. Well, I should say, this is what it looked like last night. It looks even better this morning. 

The cutting table

The nice thing is that's it now only ONE layer that covers it! I hope you notice how much of the cutting mats we can see! Not a bunch of stuff stacked up. I'm going to keep whittling away and try to get ...

Well, there are days when things work like a charm, and then there are days when - well, yesterday seemed to be one of those days. 

I had big plans to get so much done, but why does everything take so much time? I really can't complain because it was a good day, just a few frustrations thrown in to keep me humble.

And I'm a stress eater. When things do NOT go well, I seek food. Thankfully, we have almost no junk food in the house, or life would be different! I was tempted to stop at Tim ...

Those darn pictures arrived in my inbox about an hour late. That rarely happens! Oh well, you know me and technology - some days I'm smoking, and other days, I'm cold. 

Let's start with the missing photos from yesterday!

Here are the running shoes and the ones on the left - the old ones look in excellent shape - slightly dirty, but in good condition. 

The old and the new

 I'm not sure how to put this politely, but the younger generations of today (at least at my house) feel entitled to EVERYTHING. 

Let's just say that I'm grumpy this morning. I'm very grumpy -- I'm behind in my morning schedule, and I'm exhausted. Certain people feel it's OK to do laundry in the middle of the night, have a shower, and eat. Doors opening and closing and my two dogs were terribly upset with the entire process, and Murphy, in particular, couldn't settle down. That resulted in THREE trips outside in the ...

Hmmm --- there's a price to pay for being cooped up during COVID. I also want to mention that I got outside every day during the shutdown. That's just part of my daily routine -- rain, snow, sleet, sun, heat - whatever, I'm out there. 

But here's what I'm learning - while walking is a great exercise, it doesn't compare to cycling. I must have pushed extra hard in the spin class to get my 30 KM, but I was exhausted for the rest of the day! 

Well, it didn't help that I ended up having breakfast ...

Oh my -- there needs to be a handbook for new homeowners. Some people have bought homes with things that they really don't know much about, or it might be their first home and no clue. The item in question is the sprinkler system. I'm not an expert on the subject, but I do know that you shouldn't water your lawn every day, and it's best to water it really early in the morning or late at night. Why? Well, there's less evaporation if you water in the late evening or early morning, and the darn ...

During Quilt Canada, I stumbled across some demos from The Sewing Room in Calgary. I really liked the teachers and what they were demoing and just their entire setup. I found out that they had a T-shirt class in August and well, I want to learn how to use my serger better. So I enrolled. I believe we are 15 in the class - that's crazy!!! And they have a perfect set-up for multiple cameras. Very well done, but then they have a techie person who works for them. 

The first day we chatted about sizing and drafting the pattern ...

 Yes -- I could tackle this office with gusto and get it done - probably in one day? NO -- my whacky attention to detail and having to touch every piece of paper - this won't happen in a day! I'm the turtle. Slow and steady is my pace, and well, that suits me just fine. 

As usual, I did NOT take pictures before. I just plunged in and got some work done. All the boxes that were on the floor in here are gone. OH -- that's so not true. The ones that were ready to go are gone. There are ...

 One by one, the stuff that needed to get done is getting completed! All the quilts are trimmed and ready for pickup. The classes are done, although I still have to do the follow-up for them. I'll get to that this week and I have two small quilts to quilt later today or at least load one. The last major writing assignment is almost edited, and that will be done for a while as well. Phew -- and they thought it couldn't be done! 

Yep -- I've got to start right into the class homework assignments for August. There ...

 Do you ever have one of those days where everything you sew just seems to go together wrong? Yep - that was yesterday!

I had a great day with the two classes and the demo. I do a lot of prep work to make the class a success, but the students really make the class. It's their "show and share" that we ooh and ah over. Their questions make the presentation that more interesting and I swear they try to stump me! So far, I'm doing not bad in the answering question department!

But what happened? Well, I was ...

No, this isn't going to be about upcoming classes! Although I do need to get myself organized and try and figure out everything coming for the fall. Several of the clubs I run were set for six months, and they end this month. I think it'll be an excellent idea to take the summer off for some of this stuff. I need a break, and I'm sure some of the participants do as well. 

It'll be interesting to see what happens this summer. The official "stay-at-home" order expires today, and for the first time in months ...

I know we've all had those days. You have the best intentions, and you're fired up to get lots done. Then POOF! You need a mental health day! 

After I finished the writing assignment, I couldn't get myself motivated to do anything. I had to laugh, though, as I needed one last picture for the article, and I was going to take it outside. As I went to go outside, it had started to rain! So I had to wait! 

I wonder if my motivation had to do with going for a car ride. It was something ...