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...........................................................     

A Very Busy Day

 Yesterday was sunny and warm with a high of 21C. This morning it is mainly clear and 7C. Today is supposed to be a mix of sun and clouds with rain tonight. The high is supposed to get to 21C. 

Lifestyle

Daughter-in-law picked me up and we were at the hall by 8 am to make sandwiches. I made the cucumber sandwiches before I started cutting and putting the sandwiches on trays. I kept moving around as I was sorer than I thought I would be. The job was done by 9 am. 

Daughter-in-law and I headed to the city. Our first stop was in Bedford as she had to pick up her glasses at Walmart. We got groceries for her and the sandwiches while there. We were walking up to get cat litter and I found my book. 

I was really excited as it is something I have been hunting for. Crazily enough, I missed it when I shopped at the store on Friday. 

We did snoop in the clearance section. I bought a 2 lb weight to hold my smaller rulers in place when cutting quilting strips. I also bought a pizza cutter. 

Our next stop was the Wholesale Store. It is where you buy big batches of food. We buy certain items there for making sandwiches and for catering dinners. 

It was then off to Costco. By this time we had been in 3 communities. Costco was super busy and very frustrating. We had 2 buggies as we were buying in bulk. I went off to get lunch (hotdogs and pop) and daughter-in-law discovered that she had items on her receipt that were someone else's. She had to get a refund on them. How did that happen? The lady who will put your small orders on your card so you only have to pay at the till started ours and said it was too large. She forgot to cancel our order and went to the next person. We will never use that service as it was the last straw of our trip. But really, it wasn't. 

Our next and last stop was the Asian store. We went in our usual way only to find that the next exit was being paved and we couldn't get through. We had to turn around and go down further to get in. It was so busy with people not knowing what to do that she parked the car in an empty spot and walked down to the store. She got what she needed and we left the city. 

We got home in good time and I hobbled into the house. I was extremely sore and it was limiting my mobility. I put heat on my SI joint, I rolled it, I walked about, and nothing was working. My SI joint was tight and the muscles were letting me know that they were protecting it. It was an afternoon of pain and discomfort. When I went to bed, I gave it one good stretch and there was a loud crack and the pain was almost gone. I stretched it a couple more times. No more cracks. 

Sewing

I didn't sew yesterday as I was in pain. 

Knitting

I did knit 4 rows on the afghan last night. 

It is coming along slowly but surely. I do have all winter to knit on it. 

Thoughts

    I had an extremely busy week. Some of my tiredness was from that. Some was from the pain I had with my SI joint rebelling. This week I will be out doing things but I am going to pace myself a bit better. 

    Falling coming and it has been wonderful having cool mornings and warmer afternoons. I want to do a bit of work outside as I start to prep the yard for winter. We are lucky enough that this weather could last until mid October or even later. 

Today

I have to do the balance sheet, tidy up inside, do laundry and clean up the plants on the deck. I am going to sew the pillow cases today and get them off the list. I hope to knit tonight. It is a day at home for me after a busy week. 

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

Progress On The Table Runner

 Yesterday was sunny and windy with a high of 17C. This morning it is clear and 9C. Today is supposed to be sunny with a high of 21C. 

Lifestyle

I went into Bedford to shop. My first stop was Walmart where I got groceries and a few other sewing items. I then went to Michaels to try to get a swivel lobster clip. I got a couple of item but not what I really wanted. They will get used. The last stop was Dollarama. There I got dog treats and something for lunch. Then it was time to head for home. 

The trip home was windy. It pushed the car all over the road. But, I still was able to look at the scenery. The maple leaves are turning red and some of the other leaves are turning yellow. I always wonder if we will have a spectacular show of colours every year. I love looking at the trees when they are red, yellow, and orange. 

I was over to family's for dinner. It was a curry which we all really like. Then it was time to make the fillings for the sandwiches. I was doing most of the work as I need to do it on my own while daughter is away. While doing it, I started to hurt as I was wearing a pair of slippers. I laid down on the couch and did my stretch and I could feel the SI joint releasing nicely. I did the piriformis stretch and the SI joint cracked. I was up and back to work when that happened. Once done the fillings, I came home. 

Sewing

I finished the green leaves and am happy they are done. I now have the table runner on the floor so I can see it better. 

I am going to cut all the pieces for the yellow leaves next so I don't have to cut them while I sew. It is then the border strips between the leaves and the top will be done. 

I bought a bundles and a fat quarter of fabric from Walmart. My challenge is to make a placemat from it. I may have to buy the tan colour piece for the backing. We wait and see as I would love to use it all in the placemat before buying any more. 

I have also laid out the fabric for a first aid bag. The challenge is to use fabrics I have in the scrap bin. I did buy a zipper for it. 

Knitting

None done last night as it was late when I got home. 

Thoughts

    It was 25 years ago yesterday that I watched in horror that happened at the Twin Towers. I spent a few minutes remembering those people who lost their lives and of those who are still affected today. I also thought of Gander Newfoundland who looked after 6800 airline passengers that were directed to land there. It is hard to believe that 10,000 people took in, fed, and helped those passengers while they were there and to do it on a moment's notice. 

Today

I am off shortly to make sandwiches and then to shop with daughter-in-law for supplies for sandwiches. If I have time this afternoon I would like to cut out the pieces for the yellow leaves. I hope to knit tonight. 

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

Planning Sewing Projects

 Yesterday started out wet, by noon the sun was shining. The high got to 25C (humidex 30C). This morning it is clear and 13C. Today is supposed to be sunny with a high of 20C.

Lifestyle

It was a slow day for me. I was tired. I did what I needed to do, had a nap, and got through the day. 

Sewing

As I was tired, I did not attempt to sew. I did cut a few squares and then cut them into triangles. I am ready to start making the 3rd green leaf block. 

I spent some time looking at fabric in the sewing room. I got out the Christmas fabric and have to say it is a tiny amount. I was rummaging to see if I had enough for a Christmas placemat. Nope. I will have to buy some. 

The next thing I looked at was the fabric daughter sent me for making items for auctions. I am going to snitch a tiny bit to make a breeder's emergency bag after I finish the table runner. I have a few ideas running in my head. 

Once upstairs, I figured out how much fabric I need for the bag I want to make. The videos I watch give wonderful instructions but never give the amount you need to buy if you are making the item. It doesn't take long to figure it out but I usually make one mistake. I try to get more but sometimes I short myself. 

Yesterday blogger had a glitch and wouldn't let me post pictures. Here they are a day late. 

As I said yesterday, I may have to unstitch some on the blocks where they join to add the border, it won't be that much of an issue. 

I am really liking the softness of the colours and am looking forward to seeing how it will look when it is done. Once the leaves are made, the rest will be easy. Or I hope it will be. 

Knitting

None done yesterday. 

Thoughts

    Though I was tired yesterday, I wasn't exhausted like I was the other time I had a bad night's sleep. I was able to putter around and do things and think and calculate. I did sleep better last night which is good. 

    I have a list of a few things I want to sew over the next few months (end of the year). Some are for the breeder's bag, some for challenges for the guild, and some have techniques I want to learn. I will buy some fabric and use some from the stash or the scrap bucket. Some are easy projects and others are more complicated and need designing. 

    After a lot of rain, it is nice to see the sun again. We will be having a lot of sun this coming week which is wonderful. The bonus is the cooler nights so the windows can be open to air out the house. 

Today

I am off to Bedford to shop. I have a couple of stores to go to. Once home, I would like to sew for an hour or 2. I am out to family's for dinner and then daughter-in-law and I will be making the fillings for sandwiches that will be made tomorrow. No knitting tonight. 

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

An Evening Out

Yesterday was a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 16C. This morning it is windy and raining. It is 14C. Today is supposed to be wet and windy with a high of 20C. 

Lifestyle

I started out the morning fall cleaning the kitchen. My usual spot to start is under the kitchen sink. I pulled everything out and am embarrassed to say I have move cleaners than I need. I did put almost empty bottles into fuller bottles but I still have too many cleaners. I need to work through them all and then only have what I need. 

With that sorted out, I kept out two cleaners and started to clean the bottom cupboards. The insides were cleaned with a cleaner I am trying to use up. The outsides were cleaned with a degreaser. The first cupboard was easy. Clean and put everything back in as I do use those items. The lazy Susan cupboard was decluttered. The top shelf had nothing to go as it has my pots and pans on it. The bottom has plastic containers I use when I make meals. I went through them all and tossed a lot of them out (recycle). What I kept will be tossed eventually but I need to find glass replacements. 

The bank of small drawers was next. I started from the bottom and worked up. I don't need to buy plastic wrap, tin foil, etc. for a while. I do use them all the time but have a good stock on hand. I did the tea towel drawer. Ditto for it. Cooking utensils had one item tossed and I need to replace one item. The top drawer has my measuring spoons, small knives, and scale. All kept. 

I did wash down and shine the dishwasher and then cleaned and did the front of the stove. I was done at that point as my body was rebelling. When I go back to cleaning, I will pull out the stove and clean the sides which I do frequently. 

I was out last night to a quilter's guild meeting. It was one long meeting but the group is very nice. I am helping with their constitution next week. I am also going to make pillow cases which goes to a charity. In the process of cleaning up and setting a date for the constitution, I lost the instructions for the pillow case and my name card holder. They were left behind on a table as someone separated them thinking the pillow case kits were hers. I will get it sorted out next month. I was exhausted when I got home but couldn't settle down to sleep. Hence, I am tired today. 

Sewing

I spent the afternoon working on the green leaves. Cutting the squares bigger made trimming them easier. I got 2 leaf blocks made and sewn onto the red ones. 

I have no pictures today as blogger won't upload them for some unknown reason. 

I sewed the green blocks to the red as each green one is pressed to nest into the red one. I can undo them when I go to sew the outer band onto the table runner. 

The quilters guild is very busy. They have challenges and classes once a month. This month is a witch which I won't attend as I don't decorate for Halloween. I am hoping that the lady who showed the spicy swirling bargello table runner will do the it as a class and I will definitely take it. The challenge for December is to make a placemat to bring for the pot luck luncheon. I will do that. One lady asked me if I would partner with her to do a bag class. I have some plans in place for that. 

Thoughts

    I woke at about 4:30 am to the wind blowing in my bedroom window. I got up and closed all the windows as I knew the rain would be arriving in the next hour. I also realized that I will be putting on the extra blanket soon as we are going to have some cooler nights. Fall is definitely here and I want to be warm while having the windows open at night. 

    It was nice to get out and be with a group of ladies. I do know a few and met a few more. I will try to be active in the group and support them. There are quite a few quilter's groups in the area and this one is trying their best to have classes, challenges, and other fun things to do. They do pay people to come in and do classes and if they ask me, I know I will do it free of charge. 

Today

It is rest day for me as I slept poorly last night. I will do what I can but I won't do complicated projects like the table runner. I don't know if I will knit tonight or if I will be awake enough to do that. It is a wait and see day for me. 

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