Quilting Has Begun

 Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day with a high of 16C. This morning it is mostly cloudy and 5C. Today is supposed to be a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 16C. Tonight we will have rain. 

Lifestyle

It was out the door to make sandwiches. Four of us got them done in an hour. Once home I had my second cup of coffee and sat on the heating pad to help my SI joint relax. 

I was out the door around 11 am to go to the quilt shop closest to me. It was quite the drive. I went out Exit 5 onto the highway and it was busy, busy. Exit 5a ramp was full to the highway. I peeked down and saw the road Exit 5a goes into was backed up. I was happy I wasn't going down into that traffic jam. The highway was busy though as many people from the Halifax area were going to the wineries. It was a perfect day for that. 

On the way home, I noticed that Exit 5a was busy where I normally go when coming home from shopping in New Minas. I went by and the exit that was full on the way out was still full with cars backed up onto the highway. I heard it was taking people 45 to 60 minutes to get to the fair grounds. One good reason not to attend. 

I had to go out to the grocery store for daughter-in-law and I was worried about their parking lot. Usually people park in there and walk to the fair grounds. I actually was surprised that I got a parking spot close to the store. I got what I needed and headed to the hall. I visited with daughter-in-law for a few minutes and came home. She was bar tending and it was slow. I sold a water and a pop while I was there. 

Sewing

I spent a lot of time working on the table runner. Before going to the quilt shop I sewed the last border together and got it on the table runner. 

I decided that I was going to do diagonal stitching and needed thread to match the pumpkins and leaves. The reason for me going to the quilt shop was to get the thread. 

After lunch I sandwiched the table runner and got busy quilting it. What a lot of thread changes at the beginning. I got into a groove and got 9 rows done. 

The lines are hard to see and I have a few lines drawn which are the three you can see in the light blue/grey pumpkin. I have figured out I can do three rows of quilting at a time. Start at the bottom and work my way up which means less thread changes. Still a lot of work. My goal is to try and do 10 rows today. 

While at the quilt shop, I looked at the Christmas fabric. I found this fabric for the placemat challenge in December. 

The placemat I found is not a pattern, only how to make the flying geese. I will make the flying geese with the red and light fabric (flying cardinals). The print is for the center part of the placemat. I have figured out what I need to do but it won't happen until after I get the table runner done and the sewing room cleaned up. It is a mess. 

Knitting

I did knit on the afghan last night and got 6 or 8 rows knit. It is slowly growing and showing me how it will look done. The ball of yarn is getting smaller which is exciting. 

Thoughts

    My house cleaning is on hold until after I get the table runner done. It isn't bad but it isn't how I like to keep it. Once done, I will start doing house work and fall cleaning in the mornings. Until then, I am trying to keep areas clean when I am in that room. 

    I picked the peppers yesterday afternoon and enjoyed the sunshine. I got a medium sized zip bag filled for son. We were under a frost warning. It is cool and we got our first frost. The cool nights will help the leaves turn red which will be stunning to look at when out and about. 

    I realized yesterday that I have been stressed out. The table runner has consumed my life. It was a lot of work to get the top done. l know it has affected my IBS which had been pretty good all summer. I have decided that between now and the end of the year I will not be taking part in the contests. I will do the placemat challenge and a table runner class. The rest of it will be sewing with no deadlines attached. 

Today

I am out to make sandwiches this morning. Once home, I want to quilt on the table runner for most of the day so I can get it done. I have to stop early as I need to make dinner for two nights. I would love to knit tonight. 

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

Almost Done

 Yesterday was sunny and warm. The high got to 20C. This morning it is clear and 10C. Today is supposed to be sunny with a high of 16C. There could be a risk of frost tonight. 

Lifestyle

I spent a lot of time sewing yesterday but I did go get groceries just before noon. I went my usual way and realized it was a mistake. The exhibition started yesterday and people were parking on the road and going into the grocery store parking lot to park. People were walking everywhere and it was slow going. I realized this too late as this weekend and the next on are not weekends to be shopping in town. 

The grocery store was busy but I got everything I needed and came home another way. I put it all into the fridge as most was to go to family's for sandwiches. 

And stupidly enough, I went the same route to pick up dinner. It wasn't as crazy as it would have been an hour later when people would go for the evening. The restaurant where I picked up dinner was nearly empty though it was only 4:30 pm. I am sure it would be busy with take out orders. 

Daughter-in-law and I finished making the fillings for the sandwiches and took them to the hall. We got it all put away and then we did the cookie trays. It was back to their place to watch some videos on houses in Uruguay and Argentina. These were the luxury homes where we said we might be able to afford a banana off one of the banana trees. What was surprising was how big the rooms were with some having dining room tables to seat 10 and outdoor bbq areas to seat 15 to 20 people. The kitchens were smaller in size relative to the size of the houses. It was interesting to look at the videos. 

Sewing

I worked on the table runner in the morning and afternoon. By lunch time, I had the border on the other end. I was pleased with how well it went together. 

After lunch I thought I would get two remaining yellow leaves cut out and one sewn. I was surprised that I got both the leaves sewn and attached to the table runner. 

I made great progress on it yesterday and am ready to get the thread for quilting it. This afternoon I hope to do that. 

Knitting

None done last night as I got home after 8 pm. 

Thoughts

    The exhibition held here each fall is a very long running fair. It started in 1765. It is the oldest continuously running fair in North America which goes back to 1815. I don't go now but when I did, I enjoyed watching the oxen pulls and the tractor pulls. My favourite is the oxen pulls. The owners are fabulous as they know when to stop their animals so they don't get hurt. One of the owners told us that a team can pull a specific weight one time and not the next. He said that the handler has to know when to stop the pull. 

    I am on call for the bar tonight. It is a small family reunion and daughter-in-law thinks she can do it on her own. I also put the catering for dinners into my calendar. I am not able to do one as I am out of town that day. I will help with the other 3. 

Today

I am out shortly to make sandwiches. Once home, I will finish the table runner and then head out to get the thread for it. I want to look at fabric for a class I am taking in November. This afternoon, I want to sandwich the table runner and then start quilting it. Tonight I will knit unless I need to help with the bar. 

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

A Fun Afternoon Out

 Yesterday was a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 20C. This morning it is raining and 14C. Today is supposed to be raining until noon and then cloudy with showers. The high is supposed to get to 19C. 

Lifestyle 

I spent a bit of time reading and fixing up my copy of the quilter's guild's bylaws before going out to get my hair cut. I had a nice visit with my hair dresser as we talked about gardening and decluttering. Her mom is my age or a bit older and she is decluttering her house. 

Once home, I finished looking at the bylaws and then emptied the dishwasher and folded laundry. By then I noticed my SI joint was very painful. I laid on the couch and did the 3 minute stretch for the joint and a 90 second stretch for the piriformis. Then it was on the bed to do another stretch and the two types of windshield wiper stretches. I got a good crack just as I was almost done the last windshield wiper stretch. My SI joint was really tight.  

After lunch I picked up the other lady who was helping with the bylaws and we were off to meet the third person. We met at a small coffee place which not only sells coffee but roasts their own blend of beans. We went through the bylaws with a fine tooth comb, read another set of bylaws to help us with our thoughts, and finally went through some notes that needed to be dealt with. It was then time to come home. I got home around 3:30 pm. I was tired as I was still dealing with the SI joint being tender from its workout. 

Sewing

I was downstairs to the sewing room and cut the top border fabrics. It is ready for me to sew. 

Knitting

I did knit last night and got 6 rows knit. The afghan is growing in length. 

I am glad that I ripped it apart and started it again on smaller sized needles. 

Thoughts

    It is the start of crazy for me. We have to make sandwiches for 4 celebrations of life; 2 this weekend and 2 next weekend. We also have to man a bar this weekend and next weekend. Top it off with having to go to the city to get more supplies. I know we will be tired by next Sunday afternoon.

    Yesterday morning I saw a deer in the yard 4 houses down. It was a doe and she was grazing quietly on the grass. I am sure she went up to the next street to have a feast on some lush hostas. The deer are still around but in smaller numbers. They haven't been in my yard. I am wondering if I am exempt due to being closer to housing development. 

Today

I am going to work on the table runner this morning before I go to get groceries. I will do more on it this afternoon. I have to pick up dinner for tonight as I am at family's to help finish up prepping for sandwiches. I am sure we will be at the hall doing sweet trays as we are going to take the fillings to the hall tonight. I may or may not get to knit tonight. 

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

Progress On The Table Runner

 Yesterday was another sunny warm day with a high of 22C (humidex 24C). This morning it is partly cloudy and 13C. Today is supposed to be cloudy with showers and the high is supposed to get to 20C. 

Lifestyle

I got outside and swept the deck down. Then I washed the table and put it away on its side against the house. I also picked some of the ripened jalapeño peppers. I will pick the rest next week and put those tubs into the shed. 

I got the sheets laundered and the bed made in the afternoon. I did a few small chores and then went down a rabbit hole for a while. It was time to do some research on Canadian history. 

How Canada grew from the 4 original provinces to what it is today is interesting. Some provinces joined with defined boundaries. Two provinces were created after Canada bought the land from the Hudson Bay Company. This area became two provinces as they were heavily populated farming areas and could support themselves as provinces. Canada also bought the land which is Yukon and the North West Territories. These areas are not provinces as they cannot support themselves due to climate.  

I did learn a lot. Some of it was review as we did learn some of it in high school and university. Some of the information was new as they didn't teach it to us. Digging into our history is interesting. My last trip down a rabbit hole was when I read about the Confederation of Canada when in PEI last summer. We learned all about it in school but the tidbit that is skimmed over is that the paperwork was signed in PEI but that province did not join Canada until 6 years later. A whole other story. 

Last night I was at the hall to help out with the "Jam" session. This happens once a week where people come out to either listen or play music or sing for a few hours. They sing mainly country and western or old tunes. Two or three people volunteer to make coffee and sell some snacks to the people. They also do some work that needs to be done. Last night we put silicone covers on the feet of the chairs. I was there for 2.5 hours with daughter-in-law and another person and will go a couple of times a month. 

Sewing

I fixed the one block that was wrong in the green leaf. I then cut out the pieces for the next yellow leaf block. I cut and sewed that yellow leaf together trying to figure out which way the seams needed to be pressed. I had to walk away from it for a few minutes as I was not getting it. The break worked wonders. 

The other short side was put together. I am making sure that I have the leaves turned the proper way before I join it to the main part. 

The downside of having the leaves all attached is that I have to rip open half a seam when I attach a leaf. If I don't have them attached, I spend too much time running to the computer to look at the layout. It is a pain either way but I find having them attached is easier on my brain. 

The next step is to add the border piece to the top of the runner so it is finished. Then two yellow leaves and the border on the bottom. Then it can be sandwiched and quilted. 

I sat for a bit looking at the table runner and asked myself why I chose a pattern with so many small pieces in it. My study in using soft colours has worked. I didn't realize I had add a challenge of doing an intricate piecing project. At the moment I have 10 days to finish it in. I am hoping to have it done before that. 

Knitting

I did none last night as I got home after 8 pm and was sore. 

Thoughts

    I have not done a lot of fall cleaning in the kitchen as I have been trying to get other things done. I still have a few things to do outside and then I can focus on fall cleaning. The remainder of this month is busy with other things and I need to find a balance of home and volunteer work. 

    As I write this, the fog has rolled in fast and thick. I can just see across the road but not any further than that. If it keeps coming in, I may not be able to see much of anything. This is fall in our area. 

Today

I have a hair cut this morning. Once home, I need to fold laundry and do a bit of cleaning up. I am out for a meeting at 1 pm and I hope that I can sew the binding onto the top of the table runner. I hope to knit tonight.

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

Progress On the Table Runner

 Yesterday was sunny and warm. The high got to 20C. This morning it is mainly clear and 8C. Today is supposed to be sunny and 22C.

Lifestyle

I decided it was time to clean the deck. I started out emptying the pots of tomatoes and found that the wasps were enjoying the fruits. They were quite upset that I was taking away their food source so we had a talk with the spray can. They left and I finished the job. I also emptied the two containers of cucumber plants. I picked 6 cucumbers from those plants. One container's dirt was emptied into the compost bag as it was a mass of roots. The 5 containers were then put into the shed for the winter. 

I went around to the garage and got my wagon and loaded the big bag of compost into it. I struggled it down the deck stairs as it was quite heavy. I then emptied the 3 flower pots of their flowers and put away all the solar lights. I also put away my little bbq as I won't be using it. I hauled the wagon back to the garage. I was done, tired, and a bit sore. I still have to sweep the deck, clean the table and put it on its side against the house for winter. 

Just as I was finishing up, the fellow arrived to seed the lawn. He wrangled the big machine around the yard and down into the ditch. The machine slits the ground and puts seed into the slits. He also threw some seed on the worst part of the lawn so it will come in thicker. I sat and watched him for a few minutes and then rested on the couch. It took me some time to recover from the cleaning I did. 

Though I was stiff and sore, by the time I went to bed, I was fine. No tight SI joint or sore muscles rebelling from having to work. I am happy about that as I have to weed, once again, behind the shed. It is a mess around the rose bush. 

Sewing

I worked on the table runner yesterday. All the yellow and off-white squares are cut out for the half triangles. I cut out all the remaining pieces for one leaf block. I sewed, trimmed, squared and got the first yellow leaf block done. I carefully picked back part of the seam holding the green and red leaves together and attached the yellow leaf. 

Next up, I cut the strips for the border along one side. I carefully sewed the border strip onto the leaves and attached it to the main part of the table runner. 

 

It looks wonky as two leaves are not sewn together properly. I did sew them together to start with so I knew what they would look like and so the seams nested when sewn together. 

I also need to check the right top green leaf as I have a half triangle sewn in wrong. It is an easy fix. The next leaf will go onto the other end so I can finish it. We are getting there slowly but surely. 

Knitting

None done last night. 

Thoughts

    I just started sewing pillow cases for the quilter's guild. They supply the fabric and we do the sewing. It is for a good cause and it involves children. The other sewing I do is for one or two field dog clubs. The club the apron went to is the first time I have sewn for and donated to them. The other club I have sewn and donated to twice. I won't be doing anything for them this year as daughter won't be attending it. 

    I am trying to figure out if we had a shower go through last night. Everything is soaking wet and we don't get dew that heavy. The sky is pink this morning as we have rain coming tomorrow night. Perfect for the newly seeded lawn. 

    Daughter-in-law was over last night and brought my order of C-light drink that she ordered from Argentina. I also got 3 packages of cookies. We had a good visit and a couple of good laughs. 

Today

I want to sweep the deck and put away the table after the deck dries off. I need to fold laundry and do more laundry. I want to sew on the table runner today. I am out at the community hall tonight to help with at music night (called jam sessions). It is just selling water, pop, and snack food. It will be an easy day today for me. 

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

Pillow Cases Finished

 Yesterday was mainly sunny and humid. The high got to 21C (humidex 26C). This morning it is clear and 8C. Today is supposed to be sunny with a high of 20C. 

Lifestyle

It was cooking day for me. I made a batch of meat sauce which turned out really tasty. I am trying to use up what meat I have in the freezer so I can get stock up again in December. I got 5 dishes of sauce for meals and put 3 into the freezer. 

While the sauce was cooking, I tidied up the kitchen. I did a good cleaning of the counter tops and they were dusty. With construction across the road we have dust floating in and around all the time. I also made sure that what I had fall cleaned was still staying clean. I want to get back to fall cleaning soon. 

I went out to get a couple of items from the grocery store. It was then that I felt the humidity. The grocery store wasn't very busy and I got done in good time. 

Dinner was easy last night. I had gnocchi with the meat sauce and a salad. I do enjoy meals that I make and am going to be doing more. It is time to start thinking about soup even though it is going to be warm for the next few days. 

Sewing

I spent the afternoon sewing the pillow cases. I almost have a system going for them. I am not a fan of the trim as I can't get them to match at the side seam. I am thinking I may have to baste them down before sewing the cuff. They seem to shift a bit on me. 

I did stitch the trim piece down as these pillow cases will be washed a lot. The last pillow case I made, I was a bit worried as I couldn't find the rust thread. I had some on a bobbin so I used it for the top and didn't change the bobbin thread. 

I now need to put them into a zip bag and return them on October 13. 

It will be back to the table runner and the yellow leaves. It was good to have a break from it as I am now ready to work on small pieces of fabric. 

Knitting

I knit 6 rows last night and the afghan is growing slowly. I enjoy watching the yarn go from dark to light and back again. 

Thoughts

    I went down a rabbit hole researching recipes I can make that are flavourful and nutritious. I do have a list of soups I can make as I do eat a lot of soup for lunch. I have a few ideas in place for dinner. Most recipes are large and if I can't freeze them I have to eliminate them. I hate eating the same food for 5 days in a row. 

    I saw two mature deer with two babies the other day. There are a few of them still around but most seem to have moved on to a quieter area. I did notice less damage of plants in the area this year and they certainly did not come into my yard at all. The biggest reason is all the development going on around us. 

Today

I am going to start putting everything away outside. The lawn is going to be seeded today which will be nice. I want to work on the table runner this afternoon and knit tonight. 

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

Making Pillow Cases For Charity

 Yesterday started out sunny and then was cloudy in the late afternoon with rain last night. The high got to 22C (humidex 25C). This morning it is cloudy and 18C. Today is supposed to be a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 23C (humidex 28C). 

Lifestyle

When I went to do the balance sheet, I discovered I was locked out of my bank account. I tried twice and it was locked. I then spent some time cleaning the kitchen to see if it was a glitch in the system. Kitchen was nice and clean and I was still locked out of my account using the web but not on the app. 

I placed the call to find out what was wrong and the lovely lady asked me to try another web browser. I had to go into the vault to get my password and when I clicked on it, the web page opened and all was good. The lady was just as surprised as I was. We chatted for a few minutes as it was slow at the call center. 

I did the balance sheet with one stupid mistake on my part. Found it, fixed it, and finished the balance sheet with no other issues. I then spent some time printing out the osteopathy receipts to make sure they are all in the medical fine for when I file my taxes. It was 11:30 am and all the paperwork was in its right spot. At that point, I put the laundry into the dryer and called it a morning. 

I did not get the plants pulled out yesterday as it got too warm and humid. There was a storm coming in and it was definitely tropical. I did water the plants as I have cucumbers and jalapeño peppers to pick. My last job of the day was to take out the garbage. 

Sewing

I decided to sew pillow cases yesterday. I didn't have the lady's pattern but know there are many out on the internet. I turned to one of my favourite channels -- The Fat Quarter Shop -- to see how she made them. I watched the video and then did the steps as I watched it the 2nd time. One pillow case got done. 

I wondered about the cuff being cut like it is but I saw on Pin Cut Sew that is how she does hers. This pillow case looks short but it is folded in half. 

I did start the 2nd pillow case and have it ready to sew the French seams. I did stitch down the little accent piece as I heard the lady say she likes that as these pillow cases go to hospitals. 

I need to take it apart and turn it so the print is the other way (heads to the left), then finish it and the 3rd one today. It is a nice break from the table runner and all its tiny pieces. 

Knitting

I did knit 4 rows on the afghan last night. My shoulder has been sore so I am knitting slower than I usually do. 

Thoughts

    I wasn't as sore yesterday but my SI joint did rebel some. I wondered if it was the way I sit on the couch. I forced myself to sit back into the couch and straighter. It did help a lot as my SI joint didn't rebel as much. I did do my rotation stretches and had a small crack (release) when I went to bed. I slept all night and have very little pain this morning. 

    It rained hard last night. I read it was over an inch that fell in about 4 to 5 hours. We knew it was coming and there was a rain warning for the west half of the province. It has brought in some warm weather with it which can happen. One good thing is that the nights will be cool until Wednesday night when the next small system will move through. 

    Daughter spent the weekend showing dogs in Saskatchewan. The youngest one (under a year old) won 4th in his age group. That is quite an accomplishment for her as she is training this dog with the help of a friend. She is learning as he is learning. 

    The apron and placemats were auctioned off and they raised $175.00 for the club. I am truly shocked they got that much for them. But am grateful that I was able to donate something for the auction so the club has money to do the things they need to do. 

Today

I have a list of items to do -- fold laundry, do laundry, get a few groceries I need, and clean some more cupboards. I also have to make dinner for the next couple of nights. This afternoon I would like to finish sewing the pillow cases. Tonight I will knit on the afghan. 

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