What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

To my American friends - Happy Independence Day. Be strong! 

Wow --- there were a lot of comments yesterday, and this overbuying and taking on too much is a very hot topic! While I appreciate the positive comments about my teaching, I knew the only way to discourage people from taking too many classes was to not offer so many classes. But that's good for me as well, so I'm OK with that. 

Dare I say that I was at it again yesterday - sorting, pitching, and purging. But mostly sorting. 

The third shelving unit in the stash room held a ...

You all have such great suggestions. If I get frustrated by the towel moving, I can use clips to attach it below. Problem solved! 

Happy Canada Day! It's a great day to celebrate our country, its people, and its beautiful lands. Take a moment today to reflect on the freedoms we have. 

Lately, when I've been walking the dogs, I've spotted people who were most likely not born in this country. They are out walking and exploring the neighborhood. They give me a hearty "good morning," and I almost feel their joy in living here! Perhaps they ...

It warms my heart to read the latest comment on my blog. Someone volunteered at Quilt Canada to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes. That is so true! It also helps you understand why some things are the way they are. I don't know who that was, but I love you! Without volunteers, a show like that wouldn't exist. I understand that we all can't volunteer for various reasons, but I recently met a shop owner from out west who came to check things out and offered to volunteer her services. 

That makes me ...

Will the chaos ever end? I contemplate this every day! Will there ever be a lull in my life when I can work on my things and spend time as I wish? I get pockets of that, but then something crazy happens, and chaos ensues! 

Let's hope that in the fall, with fewer class commitments, that will be the case. We'll just have to see how that works out, as my schedule for September includes a Facebook Live, a two-day embroidery workshop, a seven-day quilting retreat, and the Buckhorn Quilt Show, where I'm the featured quilter. I ...

Balance - that's a good word. There's balance in life, as in work-life balance, which I still struggle with occasionally. OK - I struggle with it a lot, but I still get lots of ME time. There's physical balance, and it's hilarious because it seems like such a simple thing, but it's a critical factor in our physical well-being. As I left my doctor's appointment the other day, she said, "You are taking care of yourself, and that is good. Be sure to work on your balance!" Not that balance was an issue in why I ...

Good progress is being made in many areas. I spent the entire morning on the computer. I used to resent that time as I wanted to be sewing. I still wish I were sewing, but I've resigned to the fact that computer work is required for what I do. Get it done, then you can guilt-free sew and hopefully meet all the deadlines!

Just how the heck is there constantly something that needs to be done? I'm making progress for the fall schedule and trying hard to reduce, consolidate, and eliminate the commitments on my time. So far ...

I don't know what to say this morning, and that's a first. 

OK—I'm kidding, but I had a very eye-opening experience this morning. If I were of sound mind (which I'm not), I'd go downstairs and take every pattern in those boxes, bundle them up, and take them somewhere. I don't know where, but somewhere. I have NO RIGHT to even consider starting a new project. 

What happened to traumatize me? I'm working on this MASSIVE project for my concurrent show next week at Quilt Canada. It's called Celebrating 25 Years ...

You all have some great suggestions! I can't use my phone as a camera because I sometimes attach it to the computer to share the phone screen (showcasing an app), so that won't work. But all is good! I have an iPad that will work fine after I get a couple of accessories. 

I used the saddle chair a fair bit yesterday, and I like it, although I did find it a bit "exhausting" staying in the correct position for a great length of time. But all that shows is how badly I sit in a regular chair ...

I can cross the Facebook Live event off the list! All the prep paid off, and the technology worked like a charm, except for that brand-new camera. I could NOT figure out how to focus. Guess what? I'm returning it and will buy the more expensive one. It was a cheap camera, and I understand it doesn't have the bells and whistles, but it was a hassle to set up. All the settings had to be reset each time I turned it on. I'm prepared to bite the bullet to have an idiotproof camera. The cheap one ...

 Wow, someone mentioned another brand of socks, and they can make the left and the right in different weaves! I'm off to spin class this morning, so no time to post the link. I should do a recap of socks, but if you are willing to buy quality that lasts, there are many brands. There will be no more cheap brands in the future. 

Speaking of cheap, I didn't pay a lot for that extra camcorder, and it shows! But since I have two other pretty decent ones, I set the new one where I need it the ...

YES --- I like SmartWool as well. I have one pair! When I first bought hiking socks, I bought several brands! It was just that I noticed the bottom disappearing slowly on the WrightSock! 

My SmartWool sock

I just went to their website, and WOW—it's easy to pick what you want, as they have a checklist. It's very civilized. I signed up for the newsletter and got 15% off. I might be buying some new socks today! 

I must check with my brother, as the socks he buys have a lifetime guarantee. They are more expensive, but they ...

People always say they can't wait to go on vacation. Do you know that prepping for vacation or even a couple of days away is one of my most stressful things? There is so much stuff to prepare, so much planning. It's one of the reasons my life at home is so routine—same breakfast, same lunch. There's zero mental ability expended on those tasks!

I'm not sure how I'm going to cope with planning for this upcoming vacation. I've left it to DH, which I know I shouldn't do! After Quilt Canada ...

WOW --- I hear you loud and clear. We do not like scents. So if we don't, who are those products marketed to? Maybe younger people. Anyway -- they won't be coming into my house! Thanks for all the comments and suggestions! 

I'm happy to report that the articles are finished for now. Well, that's not true. I have one more that I need to write, but it's not super urgent, so I can stall on it a bit. That gives me some flexibility in getting back to the paperwork and the emails, and there are many ...

I have a question to ask, and I don't mean to offend anyone by asking—that is not my intent. I'm merely curious. Is there anyone out there who uses scented laundry products? That could be detergent or dryer sheets. I'm curious because the scent is too strong for my nose. And I think that's just because I've become so used to NO scent that anything out of the ordinary becomes too much. 

Even walking in the neighborhood and smelling the dryer sheets from vents, if someone is drying clothes, is too much for my ...

 Oh --- another bonus about the TruEarth laundry strips—they are Canadian (Port Moody, BC). I remember seeing that on a website, but I forgot. Thanks for the reminder! I'm excited to give them a try!

I'm almost embarrassed to show you what I did for my 60-minute-or-less challenge, but as I said, it doesn't matter what you do, and if it takes only 60 seconds but gets done, that's perfectly OK. This item had been sitting near my computer in Studio B for months—probably close to a year. I finally tackled it yesterday. 

I have ...

A clarification about the Color My World class: Yes, that class will be on Zoom, so you can live anywhere and still participate. You can even be on vacation and still attend the class. It will be a one-hour session once a month on the weekend. The classes will be recorded and available to rewatch for 30 days after the class, and I will send my notes to everyone. We'll have a Facebook group so we can share our homework. 

You will be responsible for purchasing a pattern, and I'll provide sources. Actually, I should do that now ...

 I thought someone said the weekend was supposed to be nice, warm, and sunny. WRONG! When I left the house to teach an in-person class, the skies were stormy, and at one point, I ran into a torrential downpour. And when I arrived at my destination, the sun was shining! We've had rain for the last three days—guess what? I don't get to try my new hose and water the new plants! Darn! 

Hopefully, the weather will be somewhat nice this afternoon so I can do some gardening. I know - ME! Excited about gardening! I love puttering ...

The biggest takeaway I'm getting from the comments about retiring is the ability to do what I want, when I want! YES --- that is what I want! DH sometimes travels to exotic places, and I'm not able to go because of commitments. That didn't bother me in the past, but this year - well, it did! So I'm considering that when I plan my gradual slide into complete retirement. Because of what I do, I don't have to cut everything off at once. But I must keep working on that plan!

Now, where's his next ...

I had a GREAT day. What's more important is knowing what makes me happy and what doesn't. The trick is having fewer moments that make me unhappy and more that make me happy!

What makes me happy? Well, it's finishing things and then having the time to tidy up before moving to the next project! I love tidying up! What drives me mad is when I can only complete something as much as necessary, and then I have to move on to the next without finishing the first thing. Oh my—that never bothered me, but it ...

YES -- the walker will be adjusted, and YES -- the height is often the problem. DH instructed me to pay close attention to that little detail. That's why someone needs to drop it off so it is adjusted to her, and I MUST call today to make that happen!

Well, this is the third time in a row that the FitBit has died. There was no warning; it just died. That means it is definitely time to replace it. Maybe later this week, I can make that happen. I might wait until next week when I have a maintenance appointment ...