Busy as a bee!

So I did get to Quilts At The Creek.  The quilts were magnificent and I have to say I love them in the "old world" setting however, I was very disappointed with the numbers and I truly wish I had made the effort to get a few of mine into the show.  I will certainly consider it for next year.  I was also a little disappointed with the Merchant's Mall.  Having participated last year, I know the turnout was not the greatest but it was only the first year.  Had I still had the store, I certainly would have been interested in participating again.  

If you did not make it to the show I would like you to know that it was fabulous to see everyone and I have to thank Gillian for her stubbornness and perseverance.  She insisted that we go and that she actually push me in a wheelchair.  She has a fractured wrist so this was truly quite a feat, but we managed nicely and I did get a very decent walk out of the outing as well.

It is a fact that I am a Fabriholic, so needless to say I did a little bit of damage at the Merchants' Mall.  I have always loved Kaffe Fassett fabrics so when I saw that ‎ Hyggeligt was there (www.hyggeligt.ca) I was in heaven.....

In my defense, I only bought 12 - 1/2 yards!  Do I have a plan?  Yes!  I need to plan an outing to London, ON to get some shot cottons to go with these gorgeous fabrics, then I will decide what the quilt will be.  There is something percolating, but like a good cup of coffee, it may take awhile.

After the show we stopped at Metro to do some much needed grocery shopping and to be honest, that knocked me flat for a good 24 hours.  My energy levels are very low and when I "exert" myself, I really have to pay the piper.  I spent Sunday doing a minimal amount of cleaning and organizing and the rest of the time in bed.

Yesterday there was another outing.  Liz picked me up at 7:00 P.M. and off we went to Costco (they have a scooter which I gratefully use) and then off to have a CT Scan at Sunnybrook where I was served my gallon of "Pina Coladas" (not) and then subjected to lying flat on my back for the scan.  This is not a position I am ever comfortable in and I think between that and the lovely liquid I was done in for today......

Didn't stop me though!  When I am determined to do something, even if it takes me twice or three times as long, I do it!  I was determined to make my Sour Cream Coffee Cake for dessert tonight.  It took easily 3 times longer than usual to prepare but it looks like it was worth the effort.....

I can't wait to see the "girls" - Cathie and Gail are coming down for a visit and Liz may also come by (I hope so)!  I'm so excited, it's been ages since I've seen them.  Cathie may even be bringing Charlie (Daniel's doggie) and I always love a good cuddle.....

Will take some pics.....it is, after all, an event for me....

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann

I was determined......

....to post a blog today!  (yesterday)  Of course, nothing ever goes according to plan.  I finally had to break down and download Google Chrome in order for anything to work. Trust me, this is not a "new" computer so I have been hesitant about certain upgrades but it did the trick and that's really all that counts.

Had my second treatment on the 31st and as you can see I made it to the other side. Feeling relatively good some days, others not so much but I think better than last time. You know the old saying "what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger"!  You have no idea how I've come to hate that saying over the past few years.  I tend to look up to the heavens every once in a while and ask - "So, am I strong enough yet????"  At any rate - one day at a time is really how I'm getting through it.

The Farmer's Wife - 64 Blocks done!  Woohoo!!!!  I am now prepping the next five or ten or more....depends on the neuropathy in my fingers whether or not I can continue doing hand piecing.  Here are the last 3 I finished in the past couple of weeks....

 Block # 42 - Fruit Basket - 29 Pieces

 Block # 45 - Grape Basket - 29 Pieces

Block # 49 - Honeycomb - 24 Pieces

Not a lot done but it is progressing.  I found them a little tedious this time and I look around and see everything else that needs to be done.  Jonathan says I can't die because my bucket list is too long.....ha, ha!

Gillian came by a couple of weeks ago to take me on an outing (the week before my last chemo) and of course, she could not sit still so there we were on the patio and she started a major clean-up effort.  I should have taken a photo of the before but I really wasn't thinking....  Now I have this absolutely gorgeous place to sit and enjoy....

My view from over the hedge is the driveway and a lovely little park

This is the view as you walk in from outside - it's like having a front door

This is the view from the other side by the door

I wish I could sit out there all day but unfortunately I am sun sensitive with the chemo so my quiet times on the porch are reserved for the evenings.  It really is relaxing and I would love to have some plants out there but my thumb is not green.  My next door neighbour has that one covered, she has plastic flowers all over the place and little twinkly lights on her hedge....very pretty actually, if you don't know they are plastic.

I have been systematically going through all of the bags as I am looking for something in particular which I have yet to come across.  I was thinking I should make a list of all the projects I need to finish and at what stage they are.  (Which is why Jonathan says me bucket list is so long...)  Truthfully, I think that might be a bit scary.  At a quick glance I think that I average about 1 project per week since the store opened in 2006!!!!  It was November so you can only count maybe 2 projects for 2006 but seriously, do the math, pretty scary....  I need to come up with a different method!  Something that is not so overwhelming.  

At the moment I really can't set up the quilting area properly because of the boxes so there we are again.  The priority is getting those boxes sorted out.....

On that note, I think I will go plan a "box" strategy.

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann

Interesting.....

For some reason I thought I had posted a blog after the 12th.  Of course I could have been dilerious and come to think of it I would have had to be! It appears I blogged on the Friday after my chemo (day 2 post chemo) and that would be about the time I went comatose for close to a week.  The side effects are, to say the least, not pleasant.  I have been up and down for the past week as well, dizziness, tired, just trying to make the best of each day.  Whatever I accomplish is a huge accomplishment.  At this point in between treatments I can set minor goals for myself and try to get them done.  Some days it's fun, some days I bite off a little more than I can chew, but whatever I manage to accomplish I consider a bonus.

My oldest and dearest friend, Mucie (my sister from another mother) came by yesterday bearing bagels and cream cheese for lunch and enough energy to do two sink loads of dishes for me.  I was having an extremely dizzy day so that really helped me out.  I was then able to roast a chicken and make two banana breads!  I also managed to clean the bathtub and put down the non-skid strips Gillian kindly dropped off for me on Sunday while I was sleeping.  (Linda - did you finish the office reorganization yet?)

Mucie hamming it up for the camera in my kitchen

I have also managed to get some hand quilting done.  I continue to work on my Farmer's Wife because so far (luckily) the neuropathy is only affecting my feet.  Since chemo and despite my side effects I have managed to get 4 more blocks done - here they are....

 Block 43 - Garden Path

 Block 51 - Hovering Birds

 Block 37 - Flower Pot

Block 40 - Friendship Block

I managed to get a little done at a time and before I knew it I had 4 blocks done.  I also managed to add on another row to my "rapidly" growing quilt.  I don't have a picture as I haven't set up my "design wall" yet (the bed). 

I am really hoping to get some machine piecing done in the near future (before my next treatment, July 31).  I'm not sure which project I'm going to tackle so I'm holding back setting any goals here but there is still a load of paper work that has to be done and on the "good" days (hoping I have one tomorrow), I need to be concentrating on that.  I'm still busy going through boxes, etc.  Today I managed to sort out a large bag of plastic containers.  I know, sounds kind of dumb, but I always ask myself why I should keep the bottoms that have no tops and the tops that have no bottoms.  So I set out to remedy the situation, matched them all up and threw out the ones that are orphans.  Believe it or not, for me, this was a big job.  I have no storage space in the kitchen so this freed up a big piece of the floor!  I still have to find a place to store this stuff....

Slowly but surely I will get this place organized, one plastic container at a time if need be!

I got dressed today!  Again, a bid deal!  Rich came by to install a "grab" bar in the bathtub for me.  I can now safely take a shower without worrying about slipping and falling.  I decided to make a big deal out of it and actually get dressed!  It feels good and I think that, even if I have no plans to go anywhere or receive guests I should probably do it anyway....although some days I really just don't feel like it!  I do believe that it inspires and motivates....

That's about all the news I have to report for now since you all already know about the "Royal Baby"!!! 

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann



Uh Oh.....

4 days off may be too long for me!  Day one went pretty good - I quilted a little, I slept a lot and I finally got 5 loads of laundry done!

Day 2 - I quilted a little and then, oh my gosh, then I got stuck into organizing and cleaning my bedroom.  I knew (have known for awhile) that I needed to do a bit of rearranging in order that when I sit and watch TV I am not idle, just sitting and doing nothing.  For most people this would take an hour or two but for me, with all my aches and pains and my quickness to tire, this took all day and night.  I was vacuuming at 2:30 A.M.....

I have this fabulous antique seaman's chest which can serve as a "coffee table"but was butted up against the foot board of the bed.  I just needed to figure out how to position it in the room so that it worked for me.  This way I can have the computer set-up and also have my Farmer's Wife handy for hand work while I watch TV.  It's been awhile since I've been able to work on those blocks.  I really just want a place where I can comfortably do hand work and watch TV and this configuration now seems to work.  Of course I had to move and sort through a bunch of bags full of projects.....

 My new workspace/TV area

This is what prompted THE LIST! (That's the uh oh!)  Okay, so there were some rules!  I could only LIST the stuff in the bags or on the floor, only the stuff that didn't have a "home".  That netted 9 (yup - NINE!) projects.    When I first moved in I took out my closet doors to make room for some storage and an extra dresser that I have.  Using those see through shoe boxes and other see through containers I stacked a bunch of ongoing projects in this area.  They are not on the list (I don't have enough paper for that!  ha,ha!)

My "little" storage area

So what did I find?!?!  I'm not sure I really want to share this - it kind of makes it official - the fact that I am addicted!!!!  Okay, maybe it's a step towards a cure?!?!  No, maybe not.  Well maybe it will keep me focused on all the "bright and shiny" objects I just found.  The funny part is, there isn't one of those nine projects that I would even consider abandoning.  That only goes to show you that I love quilting....  Maybe if I share I will be more apt to get them done....(then I can add the other 20 (approximately) projects lurking in the closet, oh and then there are the projects in the "actual" sewing area in the dining room - we are just not going there!!!!

Okay - so here goes (and don't say I never share!)

1 - Yellow Brick Road - Flannel -  In 2001 I purchased a kit for this on my way to visit my grandmother in New Jersey - It was at Patchwork & Pies in upstate New York.  I had it hidden away for years, all wrapped up.  I started it about a year ago when I was teaching Sharon, a newbie, and she wanted to do this pattern.  Unfortunately I didn't get very far.

2 - YHQG Charity Quilt - This is only one of many that I picked up at the guild.  There are others that I have in various other places.  One at a time, one at a time.  This is already started so it would be nice to get it finished.

3 - Underground Railroad Quilt - started back when we initiated the Underground Railroad Club - I was planning on doing it in both sizes.  I have done a few blocks in both sizes and again, it would be nice to have it done.

4 - Pandas - that one is actually pretty recent.  I wanted to do a sample for the store.  Now with the Pandas in Toronto I really want to finish it.

5 - Therapy In Session - definitely a recent one.  Wanted a sample for the store so I could bring some in to sell.  It's a pre-printed panel type thing and it's really cute.

6 - Farmer's Wife - this one is definitely ongoing!  Started in January 2010 and since it is being done by hand, I really have no definitive end date.  The fact that I keep working on it is already a good thing.  Slow and steady wins the race!  

7 - Country Haven - okay, this one was supposed to be a store sample that never got done.  It's a design by Kim Diehl which I fell in love with and really wanted to finish.  Mostly done and still worth finishing.  It was a free pattern on the Henry Glass website for her fabric line Country Haven.  Do you remember this one?  I still love it.....

8 - Florals of Provence - I bought all the fabrics for this wall hanging (Michael Miller fabrics - I think). It was one of my early shopping trips with my friend Dov in 2001.  We used to jump in the car on any Saturday and just travel all over southern Ontario hitting quilt stores.  This was purchased at The Quilt Patch in Oakville.

9 - Queen of Hearts - a Thimbleberries pattern and was supposed to be a sample for the store but unfortunately it never got completed.  Wow - way too many of these.  Really gotta focus.....

Okay so there are my first 9 that I am sharing....I'm thinking that as I finish one I may add another - the perpetual 9!!!!  Okay maybe not!

Since I am watching Republic of Doyle I think I'll break out the Farmer's Wife.....

Have a great day everyone....

Jo-Ann  

A day in the life.......

At 6:00 P.M yesterday I put the sign on the door that we are closed until Tuesday and started packing up to leave.  Rich came by with sandwiches (dinner) from California Sandwich (FYI - not as good as usual, their buns are different I think!) so we ate them, sans buns pretty much and then off!  

I arrived home around 7:30 P.M., unloaded the car (Amish With A Twist - amongst other things) after a stop at the drugstore to refill my prescriptions.  Jonathan went out for the evening and I settled in for some "me" time.  Actually, all I did was watch TV and ended up falling asleep half way through my shows.....what else is new?!?!  Thursday night usually consists of Grey's Anatomy and Motive on CTV and then Person of Interest and Scandal on CITY.  They keep changing everything so you never know.....

The first opening of the eyes was at 6:20 A.M. and I thought I might make coffee and start my day but after about 15 minutes I decided it would be better to go back to bed......I awoke again at 10:30 A.M. and decided to start my day.

First things first, coffee!  While waiting for coffee I decided to get re-acquainted with "Sergio".  It's been awhile since he's been in service.  Before the coffee was ready I managed to get quite a bit done but then he decided, after my first cup of coffee to throw a wrench in the works.....

Now, when I say it's been awhile since Sergio and I worked together - I mean like two years!  Somehow #3 needle had come unthreaded.  I am stubborn - so for the next 20 minutes I sat and figured out what the problem was and EUREKA!  I actually managed to fix him myself (Usually I just haul him off to the store and call Zack).  I was determined and it actually worked!

We are now on a roll!  As you can see, the piles are all organized and the BIG pile at the back of the picture are done.....YEAH!

 There are 6 piles - the front pile has one side done and

I'm working on the second side - The top pile behind has 2 sides done

ready to start side 3 - pile underneath to the right 1 side done - to the 

left, no sides done - at the back DONE (that's the big pile) and to the left

of the big pile are the scraps I want to use for one of the borders

However, as you can see by the next two pics, which don't really need captions, I have a "bit" of laundry to do....  Okay, I hate laundry!!!!  Well, seriously, it's not that I hate laundry, it's really that I hate the laundry room!  It is the one thing that I truly miss about the house and the townhouse!  Whenever I wanted to I could just throw a load in and be doing 10 other things around the house.  Here, I have to plan a "trip" to the laundry room, hope that there are machines available, and then I usually hang out while the wash is being done and then once it goes in the dryer I come upstairs for an hour and set the timer on the stove.  But for me - this is an ordeal!  I realize it's a personal phobia but I have it and I hate it!

There is just no way around it - unless I go out and buy new clothes every week this has to be done....  I really did try to set a routine with this but I know that this phobia I have constantly gets the better of me, so I go through every piece of clothing I have before I venture downstairs to the dreaded laundry room.  See - I am even ranting now in order to avoid the inevitable......Okay, okay - I am packing it up and I am going!  Wish me luck!  It is now 12:55 P.M.....I'd rather be anywhere else!

To be continued.........

It's now 11:04 P.M. and I just came up from the laundry room!  I know, I know!  Yes I procrastinated - I took a nap, then I made dinner, then I took a nap and by the time I went down to put in the first load it was 8:00 P.M. plus I did a load for Jonathan so it totaled 5 loads of laundry in the end!....and for the umpteenth time I vowed never to leave it that long again!  We'll see!  

There is an upside to this story!  Had I not gone down to do the laundry I would not have known that it will be closed tomorrow all day for plumbing repairs.  On top of that there are two lines of kitchens in the building that will not have water.  Not sure if we're one of them because we live on the first floor and the numbers are different above us.  I could go up and check but honestly, as long as I can get water for coffee in the morning I'll live through it....

Looks like I'll be up for awhile after all that afternoon napping so I'm going to go see what kind of trouble I can get into by the sewing area......

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann

Time

Where does it go?  It seems to be my "theme" this month.  I have a small project at the store that I have been trying to finish for a customer this month and I just can't seem to get to it.  There always seems to be something else that has to get done first.....

I was seriously thinking of not opening the store today as the weather was really getting bad this morning but I realized that I had placed and was expecting an order to come in and if I didn't make it in, the order would come and I would have to track it down at UPS. Weighing my options - I decided to brave the weather which turned out to be just irritatingly slushy, rather than brave chasing down a UPS order.

Turns out, only one customer came in so I got lots done but not nearly what I thought I would.  How do you gauge how much time it takes to do something!  It's like when I'm quilting - I finish the top and all I have left is the borders!  Funny how long it takes to put on the borders!  I don't think I've ever gotten that right....

There has to be a secret!  I make lists and allocate time for each task I have to do.  I even add a little extra for those unexpected snags but, although some projects go exactly as planned - there is always the one that sets you back.

Yesterday I was working on some accounting (government stuff) which definitely had to balance and of course it didn't!  Took me an extra 2 hours to find a really stupid mistake!

I'm going to spend the evening drooling over quilts and quilting blogs and stuff, and maybe make another list of "Things to Do" because that much hasn't changed at all!

If you have any secrets on how to get it all done - please share!!!!

First UFO ......

My goal this week was to finish the baby quilt I was working on - Little Lambs.  I also wanted to try the Borders Made Easy on this quilt.  Well I have to say that I am more than a little pleased with the results.  Let me know what you think?!

I remember trying this product many years ago when I first started quilting and I think it may have been relatively new on the market.  Seems to me I spent an awful lot of time taking the paper out and it required tweezers as well.  I was not impressed.

This time I very carefully read the instructions, applied the paper with the adhesive strips, quilted using the suggested stitch length and my walking foot, and it all worked out perfectly.  This is a relatively small quilt and it took about 1-1/2 hours in front of the television (could have been semi- distracted) to remove the paper without a tweezer in sight.  It came out very easily with very little resistance.

I am going to do a meander around the smaller white border and then the quilt will be completed.  I've already squared it off, labelled it and last night I sewed on the binding.
Once the pattern is written up it will be kitted and in the store ready for consumer consumption!  Can't wait to share it with everyone......

My next project(s) for this New Year of 2013 are to quilt my Amish Shadow - which has been layered, pinned and waiting very patiently.  My plan is to use Golden Threads Quilting Paper to do a half feather in the black triangles, straight quilt matching the colours in the striped triangles, feathers in the black border and two half feathers in the cornerstones.  It will take awhile but I hope to get started in the next few days.

Then I need to finish my Urban Pods quilt top - will be teaching the technique on the 22nd and 26th of January so it would be nice to have something to show.....

Mine looks absolutely nothing like the actual pattern.  First I used only two colours and two solids and I believe I had mentioned before that I cut it wrong.  However I do like the way it is turning out and in the scheme of things will like pretty awesome anyway.....

Last project for the time being is my Mystery Quilt for the end of March - I'm really excited about that one as it is my own design and I'm going to get to use up a fabric I had purchased years ago to make a quilt for my mom.  Unfortunately she's gone now but I will cherish this quilt for me as the colours are some of my favourites as well....

Will keep you posted on progress -except for the mystery quilt of course!  You'll have to wait for the end of March to see that one!

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann

Enter 2013.......

First, I would like to wish everyone a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

I personally have cancelled 2012!  I'm sure you can all understand why - and I hope to make 2013 a year of accomplishment if nothing else.  I believe that is my only resolution - to accomplish my goals....it's a big resolution, nevertheless, one I intend to keep!

You set your goals, big and small, and you reach for the finish!

My first goal is a relatively small one - to complete the baby quilt I started the other day.  I began quilting it on Sunday and have almost completed half of it.  I designed my own quilting pattern, which I will include in the pattern I am writing and also did some free-hand quilting - I'm not sure which of the three pictures below shows it the best but it is a heart in a heart which I've marked with white chalk, it works out to be continuous line quilting which is nice because I truly hate patterns that are not continuous.  I like the quilting to be relatively easy and flow.....

The free motion quilting begins with a heart in the white cornerstones and then a version of a vine and leaf pattern with the leaves in the design of a heart as well.  Will have to take that into account when I give this pattern it's final name.

I have decided to do some meandering in the first border (white) and then use Borders Made Easy #102 to complete the larger border (pink).  Once I've done the quilting I will post a picture.

I have to say - it's been quite a while since I've sat down at "Bernie" (my Bernina) to do any serious quilting and I have missed her.  She does such a lovely job.  I am using the Mettler variegated thread and I am very, very happy with it.  So far it has not let me down.  This is the first time I've chosen this thread to quilt with.  I usually use the regular Mettler cotton but I wanted to try the variegated and also it was the look I chose for this quilt.

It's a baby quilt so I don't want to "over" quilt it - it would be too heavy and I have used a baby flannel as the backing.

I need to start 2013 as I start every year, making a list of things I have to do tomorrow!  Not sure how long that will last this year but as I just told my son - I need to take at least 3 of me to work tomorrow for everything that I want to accomplish.....

Have a great day everyone and I hope to see you all in the New Year!

Jo-Ann

It can't be.....

I can't believe it's been that long since I posted anything on "my blog"!!!  It's not like I haven't been working on anything or doing something?!!!  Hmmm - maybe I fell asleep for a month!

Anyway - I did want to share my latest project - soon to be a pattern and a kit at Cock-A-Doodle Quilts.

Sometimes it's a fabric that inspires the design and in this case that was exactly what happened.  These little sheep had been living in the store for awhile and could not find a place to go so I thought I would find them a home - so here they are frolicking in between pink sashings and white cornerstones -

 As you can see they are cute little things and I've marked the quilt squares with hearts to quilt.......

 I managed to layer and pin this afternoon, yes pin!  Okay - you want to know why I don't spray baste a small quilt like this - the quilt measures around 42" x 48".  I have used spray baste in the past for small quilts but honestly I don't feel I have control of all three layers when I spray baste.  With pinning I am able to manipulate all three layers or if necessary one layer at a time to make sure there is no bunching on the back of the quilt.  I find once it's sprayed it is hard to move the fabrics when they or if they start to bunch!  May be just me but I feel more in control this way....

 I have also picked out some really cool variagated Mettler thread - 4820-9912 which appears to be a pink - white - grey/green and should look awesome on the quilt......

Now if I can keep my eyes open when I get home I may get started on the quilting tonight.  That would be nice.

I had three days off this week and all I did was sleep and read and sleep and knit and sleep and read......you get the picture!  I know I needed it and finally I am no longer suffering from chronic sciatica but I really feel like I accomplished nothing so on Thursday night when I came home and whipped this little baby quilt up I had to wonder why I can't be more like that more often!  Not too sure what the answer is there except that my energy levels appear to be very sporadic!

Looking forward to tomorrow (day-off) and Tuesday (day-off) and I'm putting no pressure on myself to get anything done!  Work at my own pace and take it slow - slow and steady win the race!  Oh forget it!  Seriously - would like a hit of adrenaline about twice a day to get everything done that is on my mind (or list) each day!

Okay - off to get another coffee (doesn't help) and then home!

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann

I am baffled......

First things first - just a funny little story I thought you might all enjoy.  There are pros and cons to writing two separate blogs!  The pros are that the store blog (Cock A Doodle Quilts) deals mainly with things going on in the store or things about the store, and the "personal" blog is a little more casual and includes just "stuff" about what I am up to including projects and samples I do for the store.  The cons are - I can very easily mix things up, because I am ME of course.  The other day I was writing away on the "store" blog, talking about new stuff and things that are happening at the store - when I went to "labels" to chose my subjects for the day I realized I was in the wrong blog, UGH!  Luckily, it turned out to be a learning experience.  I figured out how to copy and paste what I had written from one blog to the other - lost the pictures and had to reload them but that was just a small glitch in what could have been a huge time waster for me!!!!  I also think that I may have learned to be a little more aware of where I am!  Phewww!

I like writing the two blogs because on this one I feel I can be more candid with my readers and so now I will tell you why I am baffled, or maybe I'm dyslexic.....not really sure!  If you read the "Doodle" blog yesterday then you know I spent Friday night - unstitching  my Lithia Park.  Why - well here's the picture of the quilt -

You can see the pattern and how the flowers point in at each other, well somehow I had a whole row pointing in the opposite directions - DUH!  I mean how do you not see that?!?!  It's a good thing Cathie noticed before I put my borders on because I seriously did not see the problem....okay, must be dyslexia or something!  I was hoping to get it fixed today and get the borders on so it could go in the quilt pile, but, alas......

I had other things I wanted to do also!!!!  Like finish my Urban Pods quilt top.  It is here we hit (BIG BRICK WALL!!!) the next reason for the bafflement!!!!  First, about two rows into the quilt top I realized I had mixed up the colours, so the grey is where the white should be and the white is where the grey should be.  Okay, no big deal - it still works with the pattern and it still looks good, so I wasn't going to go and re-cut all that fabric - I mean, seriously, what a waste.  Then, I had half the quilt top done and even had it displayed in the store yesterday with the Quick Curve Rulers and the really cool patterns and in all honesty no one else noticed the MISTAKE either!!!  Of course, it was only half a quilt so I guess I can understand somewhat why no one would really notice.

Let me set the stage for the EUREKA moment....When I originally cut the curves for the quilt I made a little mistake and needed to cut an extra strip.  I am at the point in the making of the blocks where I needed that extra strip, so I sat down to cut them.  At the same time I had a really good look at the pattern......the one below....

 Note that the images appear to be hourglass shaped until you hit the centre of the quilt where they turn upside down.  Guess, just guess what I did!  I had sewn them together in the hourglass shape all the way down - DUH!  This quilt is sewn in vertical strips UGH!  However, I was able to take out the 3 segments across because my seams matched so well - that's a good thing!!!  So I just spent the last 45 minutes unstitching yet again!!  Admittedly I have been a little preoccupied of late - what with the store moving and all that but still!!!! 

 

I am off to fix up the mistake and continue as if nothing was wrong - yet again!!!  Hopefully I will waste no more time on these dumb screw ups and just get on with the important stuff.

 

By the way - I started on the newsletter today so another day or two and we will have an idea as to what we'll be doing for the next few months.....hope you will all be joining me!

 

Have a great day everyone!

 

Jo-Ann

 

 

Finally....

I have a sewing center at home!!!!  Since my heart attack it's been a chore getting anything done at all.  Finally last Saturday night I steeled myself to set up the dining room table and surrounding area for mass production!!!  Okay, just kidding but I really needed someplace to set up and work....

 Sonia (my Janome) is set up for piecing

Bernie (my Bernina) is set up for quilting and my fine work

Sergio (my Janome Serger) is set up for other projects I'm working on

Tonight I finally got down to business - working on my 9 patch exchange blocks.  Need to catch up and get October's blocks done.

 

With the move going on at the store I have made a "list" of all the projects that were at the store and need to be completed.  I brought two bags home last night and got nothing done on those, nor did I add to the list with all the projects I have waiting at home to complete.  I truly do not want to know how much is here - that would be counter productive.....just overwhelming!

 

I even have a cutting area set up which is everything I need to become productive again.

I'm hoping to be able to report regularly on my progress....

 

Okay back to work -

 

Have a great day everyone!

 

Jo-Ann