Prepping For The Retreat, Vest Completed

 Yesterday was a day of snow flurries and cold wind. The high got to 6C at 10 am only to drop to -2C by 5 pm. This morning it is clear and -7C (windchill -10C). Today is supposed to be sunny with increasing clouds with a high of 3C. 

Lifestyle

I did the balance sheet yesterday and all is good. I made a list of expenses for the rest of the month and all I need is groceries and 2 spools of thread. 

I did a large load of laundry also. I am trying to keep up on it as I am out most of the week. I have another load to do today. 

Daughter sent me a birthday parcel from Amazon. When I stepped out to pick it up, I almost froze. The wind was brutal. She gave me chocolate and some Mary Ellen's starch. 

I started the robot vacuum around 10 am as I was going to work in the sewing room. It took almost 90 minutes to vacuum and mop the floors. It did a great job of vacuuming though I had to take the Dyson to one spot that was dirty that it couldn't reach. Mopping was okay but it didn't get 3 dirty spots. I took care of them in hopes that it will mop the floors without any issues. 

Sewing

I spent a lot of time prepping for the retreat. First I trimmed the half triangle blocks to 4.5" and got them put away with each row marked and pinned. 

Next I cut the backing and a new piece of batting for the table runner. Then I used most of the left over fabric and made binding. I cut it on the bias. 

It is now in its bag ready to be packed for the retreat. 

I turned my attention to the bag. I cut a piece of the green for a topper for the bag. I interfaced it and the panel for the front. I then put deco bond interfacing on those pieces so it would be stiff. I stitched them in place as this interfacing does not like to adhere to the fabric even though it is iron on. Play time came next and I am going to put piping between the two pieces. 

I am now ready to do the back part of the bag. It will have the green print on the top also. I then have to cut the handles, the lining, and make the piping. Once that is done, this project will be prepped for the retreat. 

Knitting

I finished the vest and I am pleased with it. 

I also worked on the socks and now have 11 rounds done on the first one. 

I bought this yarn in Sweden and it is from Denmark. It is merino wool and so soft to work with. 

These socks are for me. I have yarn I bought in Sweden to make daughter a pair. I have yarn I bought in the fall to knit into socks so will be busy for months knitting socks. 

Thoughts

    I was surprised at how clean my floors were when I ran the vacuum (her name is Rosey) yesterday. White fluff, some of my hair, and a bit of Elliott's fur. The Dyson has done a great job of picking up everything when I last used it. I know I will be using the Dyson when I need to move furniture and clean under it and when I do closets. The mopping pad wasn't that dirty either. I know I will have to mop by hand every couple of  weeks to get the stubborn spots off. I am pleased at how this vacuum worked after one use. Today it will clean the bathroom again. 

    Our weather is going to be somewhat brutal this week. Snow, colder temperatures, and probably winds from the north or west. It looks like March will have come in like a lion and will leave like a lion. We did have a few warm days this month which was nice. 

    Prepping for the retreat has been a lot of work. There will only be one cutting and one pressing station. I am not sure how much table space we get. I decided that I should be well prepared so I can work mainly from my sewing space. Also being prepared will allow me to sew with precision and accuracy. It will also allow me to enjoy each project without worrying having to take a lot of extra items with me. 

Today

I have to fold laundry and do another load of laundry. I am going to spend quite a bit of time in the sewing room prepping the bag. I will also start packing what I will be taking with me. Tonight I will be knitting on the socks. I also have to cook dinner as I have my Chef's Plate order arriving today. 

Until the next time...................................................................