Trial Bag #1 is Finished

 Yesterday was warm and sunny with a high of 20C. It rained last night. This morning it is foggy and 14C. Today is supposed to be one of showers with a high of 20C.

Lifestyle

Yesterday morning I did a bit of clean up before heading into Dartmouth with daughter-in-law. We first went to a restaurant supply store for items for the hall. I bought 2 new paring knives which I needed. Two old ones I have are rusting and needed replacing. We looked around the store at all the goods they have. I enjoy looking when we go there. I have bought 3 paring knives from them. 

Our next stop was Walmart. I did my grocery shopping plus I bought 4 more balls of yarn for the blanket, a spool of white thread, and a grape tomato plant. When we were done, it was time to start our journey home.

On the way home, we stopped at Giant Tiger in Sackville. Daughter-in-law wanted to buy a pair of pants for work. We looked and looked and found nothing. From there we went to Mucho Burrito and I had a quesadilla for lunch. We headed for home. 

Once home, I spent time watering pots and planting pepper plants. Those poor plants are wimpy looking. I put them in the pot and gave them a drink of sugar water. I also hauled up the last pot for the tomato and planted it. I did put a tent over the peppers to keep the sun and wind off them and took it off last evening before it rained. 

I had a nap in the afternoon. I was falling asleep in my chair and knew I was running on empty. The tissue around my knees were inflamed and sore. They had fluid build up thanks to the storm coming in. When I woke up I did feel better but knew it was going to affect my sleep last night. I won't be sleeping today even though I know I will want to. 

Sewing

I did hand sew the top binding down on the bag and am calling it finished. I do like it and will make another one before the end of June. I need to perfect a few things before I do the contest bag. 

I do like the heart on the inside but the block needs to be on the outside. 

I am back to the drawing board designing trial bag #2. 

Knitting

I did knit 7 rows last night and am loving how the ombre is starting to show. I have still not knit the first ball of yarn. 

Thoughts

    I am feeling better with the house being tidy the last few days. Though I didn't want to do dishes last night, I did them and immediately knew I had done the right thing. Putting all the groceries away as soon as I got home was another positive hit to my brain. It makes me want to do more cleaning which I really do need to do. 

    The lupins are coming into bloom. They are so beautiful but are also an invasive species. We see them along side the roads when travelling. The best displays are on the way to New Minas. We have a small amount in our subdivision though they are contained to one ditch. The colours are purple, blue, pink, and white. 

Today

I am going to make a batch of cookies for Friday. I want to clean up the sewing and family rooms so I can vacuum the floors. I am not sure if I will sew or do reindeer this afternoon. I want to knit tonight. I have to pace myself as I didn't sleep as well as I had wanted to last night. 

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

Finishing Up The Tote

Yesterday was a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 20C. This morning it is a mix of sun and clouds and 10C. Today is supposed to be a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 24C. 

Lifestyle

Yesterday I tried to be productive. In the morning I put away all the clutter and it helped me feel better immensely. I then headed outside and watered the tomatoes. They are doing well. I hauled three more containers up onto the deck and poured water into them to hydrate the soil. The 4th container needs dirt in it. 

I did pull a few weeds and checked on the Spousal Unit's rose. it is healthy and growing. My neighbours are looking forward to enjoying all the blooms it will have this summer. I will enjoy picking them and having them in the house. 

Once I was done with that, I gave the kitchen a good wiping down. I put away anything extra on the counters and am happy that the kitchen is now tidy. When I stopped at noon I was pleased with everything I had gotten done. 

I didn't plant the peppers as the soil was too dry in the planters and I thought it was going to be too hot. I am watching the weather and may get them planted tomorrow as it is going to be cooler. 

Sewing

I spent quite a bit of time hand sewing the bindings on the side seams down. I did add the binding to the boxed corners which I also hand sewed down. I didn't fold the ends correctly so may go back and redo them this afternoon. 

I also added the binding to the top and have half of it hand sewn down. 

I am pleased with the bag so far and am going to make one more trial before I do the bag for the contest. I have a few things to improve on.

Knitting

I knit 8 rows on the blanket last night. Bonus - no unknitting a row of mistakes. 

I have a good 4" knit at this time. 

Thoughts

    My brain was so happy when I had done all the clean up of clutter upstairs. It made me do more than I had planned on. Though I call what I did procrastination it really isn't. I needed to put my systems back in place so the house is tidied up after each project, meal, etc rather than doing it later. 

    I have my total protein set for each meal and I am feeling much better with that. My blood sugar is more stable with me not feeling tired in the afternoon. My biggest shock is how little meat gives me enough protein needed for a meal. I think my one craving will be a big portion of meat which I will allow once in a while. I do have cravings for items that cause my joints to become inflamed but I am ignoring them. So far I have been successful and those cravings will become less as time goes on. I am in withdrawal right now. 

    I have to clean up the sewing room once I finish the bag and sew up the scraps. I came upstairs covered in thread. It is on my to-do list. Once the cleaning is done, I will start a new project. 

Today

I am heading into the city with daughter-in-law. I will get a few things I need and help shop for the sandwiches we make on Saturday. Once home, I want to finish the bag and figure out what I can make with the scraps. I will knit tonight once I plant the pepper plants. 

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

Satifying My Fantasy Self

 Yesterday was hot and sunny with a high of 28C. There was not humidex as the relative humidity was at 26%. This morning it is mainly sunny and 13C. Today is supposed to be sunny with a high of 25C.

Lifestyle

Yesterday was another busy day for me. I did some cleaning in the bathroom and out to do some running around for daughter-in-law. I forced myself to rest and do some planning of what I want to sew later on. 

Mid afternoon I was to the hall to start peeling potatoes and was on my feet a lot until 7 pm. I helped dish up the dinner and did clean up -- aka washing the pots. I also made sure the kitchen was spotless when I left. 

From the hall I went to my friends to do a delivery and we sat and talked. We had some good laughs and she has had a few problems. Nothing disastrous but enough to have her on the phone getting clarification. I got home late and was really sore. I took Tylenol, sat for a while and went to bed. I did sleep in this morning. 

Sewing

My play planning is to make daughter some items for the living quarters of her horse trailer. She desperately needs more storage which she will do over time. Things like shelves in the lower cupboards towel racks, etc. My ideas started with a hand towel and these two fat quarters. 

I am going to make her 3 jar toppers which I have a pattern and video to watch on how to make them. I will buy her 3 jars so she can put her coffee and what ever else she wants in them. I want to buy some fabric to go with these two as I only have a fat quarter of each. I also want to make her pot holders, jar sleeves, and a mug rug. I want to get another tea towel, some 3 M hooks and maybe some S hooks. I will put it all into a basket for her. I may repeat this idea with two more tea towels and 2 different fabrics for her house. 

I did work on the bag yesterday. I carefully measured the lines for the bottom of the bag (1" apart) and quilted it. I carefully folded the bag in half and cut out the squares to box the bottom. I sewed on the binding which was a success. When I turned it over to sew down, I was not happy with the results. I ripped it out and will hand sew it down today. I have to as my OCD kicked in. 

Knitting

No knitting last night. 

Thoughts

    It was nice to have warmer weather. I have been watching the tomatoes to make sure they have shade. They did well yesterday and I kept them outside overnight. They have been watered and are ready for today's lovely weather. 

    I ate well again yesterday and I think I got enough protein. I have not eaten any foods that bother my joints or are triggers to binge eat. I am loosing weight and will soon be at my first mini goal. I am trying to move more each day as I know it is good for my joints and muscles. 

    It was fun planning items to make for daughter. It satisfied my fantasy self as these are items I wanted to make for craft bazaars. Now I can make them and not have to do a craft bazaar. Win, win. 

Today

My plan is to get the planters onto the deck so I can plant peppers tonight. I am hoping to do a bit of cleaning downstairs this morning. This afternoon I will work on the bag and I hope to knit tonight. A quiet day for me. 

Balancing Life

 Yesterday was sunny and warm. The high got to 21C (7 pm). This morning it is clear and 8C. Today is supposed to be sunny with a high of 28C. 

Lifestyle

I had a busy morning. I was out to get groceries for the dinner at the hall tonight. Then it was over to family's to take the meat out of the fridge to warm up prior to it going into the smoker. I got home and put the tomatoes out on the deck so they could enjoy the sunshine. 

I folded laundry and got it all put away and decided that I wanted to see what they had for tomato cages for pots. It was off to Dollarama as they can have some unique things there in their gardening center. 

I wandered the store a bit and found a few things I needed. A jug for flavoured water as I have a nice collection of Crystal Lite from Montevideo. I found what I wanted for the tomatoes and got daughter the mini greenhouse pots I use to start cucumbers in. I also found a lovely checkered dish towel for her. I saw a few things I am thinking about getting for the living quarters in her horse trailer. 

I stopped at family's on the way home to return something and had a late lunch. I did put together the cages for the tomatoes and got them outside. 

I draped a blanket over them to keep the sun off the tender plants. 

I know I have to buy 2 bigger pots for tomatoes next year. These ones are one size too small. 

I was out after dinner to help daughter-in-law take everything to the hall for dinner. It is easier if we both do the job as it is less trips in. 

Sewing

I hand sewed the binding down on the mug rug and am not happy with it. I have stitches showing on the front. I will take out the parts that show and restitch them. 

My idea of making items for daughter's horse trailer came from the tea towel I found. One is buy her 3 pint size jars with lids and make fabric toppers for them. I would fill the jars or include items like coffee, sugar, etc. I would buy her a basket to put them into along with the tea towel, matching mug rug, and a couple of items I still need to think and find. 

Knitting

I did get to knit last night and knit 6 rows. The blanket is growing and I am loving how the ombre looks. 

Thoughts

    I was on the verge of exhaustion yesterday and almost allowed myself to nap. I didn't and I did have a good sleep last night. I do feel better this morning and hope that I can sleep well for a couple of nights. 

    Daughter got some free advice from a retired paralegal and she has a bunch of homework to do. The advice is great and she needs to spend an hour a day working on the list. She also knows her rights and now can mediate at a more efficient level. Her situation is not uncommon and this lady has seen it all in her many years of work. 

    I got my level of protein up to 100 grams yesterday. I read labels, weighed food, and calculated everything. It has given me a baseline to work on every day. I did add some carbs and I had a snack of tomatoes in the afternoon. Today will be difficult as I eat dinner at the hall and I usually don't eat a lot. 

    Along with adding enough protein, I am back to loosing weight. Portion control, no unnecessary snacking, and tracking is helping me. I have set mini goals and hope to attain them. Keeping trigger and inflammatory foods out of the house seems to be helping my joints be less sore. Do I have food noise in my mind? Yes I do and I have to do some self talking to get past it. 

Today

I am going to do a few things this morning and afternoon but am going to make sure I don't over do it as I will be out from 3:30 to 7:30 pm working the dinner. I may do some sewing this afternoon and knit tonight. 

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

Mug Rug is Ready for Hand Sewing

 Yesterday was a mix of sun, clouds, winds, and showers. The high got to 17C. This morning it is foggy and 6C. Today is supposed to be mainly sunny with a high of 22C. 

Lifestyle

Yesterday morning was very busy. I did 2 loads of laundry and cleaned my bedroom. It wasn't dusty but I wanted to do it. I dusted, swept, vacuumed, and washed the floor. I made the bed later in the afternoon and was pleased with out clean it smelled last night. 

Once that was done, I took out the recycling and put it into its proper bins. On the way back in from the garage I grabbed my gardening gloves and a trowel. I was going to transplant the tomatoes. I did the job outside in the sunshine and when they were in their big pots, I gave them a cup of sugar water to help them in case they had a bit of transplant shock. 

When the wind came up, I put them under the table. I brought them in last night as there was a risk of frost. They are sitting on a mat at the back door waiting to go out this morning. 

Sewing

I did not allow myself to sew or cut the bag yesterday. I was tired. Instead I hand sewed the heart block onto the inside of the bag. 

I see I need to be more precise with the block on the contest bag. This one isn't bad but there is room for improvement. 

I decided to fold some of the fabrics on the shelf. I used a 6.5 x 24" ruler to fold them and I do like how they look but am not sure how I would store them. The cube doesn't look like it will fit in the closet as I had hoped.

The pile on the right is all the Christmas fabric I own, the middle fabric is yardage I handled, and the left fabric is .25 meters of grey fabrics. 

This is a pile of scraps I handled. I still have lots to deal with and will work on it slowly. 

My question at this time is how to handle scraps. They are the hardest to keep looking neat and tidy. 

I did make a mug rug out of some the of bag scraps. It took no time at all to make. I just need to hand stitch the binding down. 

I still have scraps of this fabric to sew up and the bits will go into the trash. The group I gave my extra fabric to has disbanded. 

Knitting

I did knit 4 rows last night and spent the whole time counting so I wouldn't make a mistake. 

I am loving how it is going from dark to light. It is a loose knit but I am okay with that. It is for the couch and to throw over me when I get cold. 

Thoughts

    I was tired yesterday and I had to be careful with what I did and ate. My energy was low and I lacked in sleep due to worry. I stumbled several pieces of information stating I need about 100 grams of protein a day. I wondered if I was getting enough. I'm not. Some days I do get enough protein in one meal. I have a few things to change in my diet to up my protein. One thing that surprised me was how much protein 3 oz of chicken has. More than beef. 

    I have done 2 days of portion control and eating healthy. I have noticed some changes. Though I do crave sweets, I can avoid them. I notice that I am slowly having less joint pain. The inflammation is going down some and I can do more with less pain. I am also not fighting sugar highs and lows during the day. One may say 2 days isn't enough but I am feeling the change slowly. 

Today

I have to go shopping for the catered dinner tomorrow night and then take out the roast to warm up so it can into the smoker at noon. I need to fold laundry and try to sew this afternoon. I will knit tonight. 

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

I Didn't Sew Much

 Yesterday was mainly sunny and warm. The high got to 16C. This morning it is a mix of sun and clouds (rained not too long ago) and 7C. Today is supposed to be a mix of sun, clouds, and rain with a high of 16C. 

Lifestyle

I was out to make sandwiches at the community hall yesterday morning. It was fun and we got done in good time. I came home at around 9:30 am and sat down to do the balance sheet  so I could close the month of May. I went to log into my online account and I was locked out of it. I phoned and gave them the code. I had to update my system. I did that and successfully logged in. I got the balance sheet done in record time. I had a low spend month but not as low as the previous months. 

Once the balance sheet was done, I took back the sandwich making supplies to family's and then came home to type up the minutes of the meeting last week. They are done and ready for me to read again today. Then print and send to the president. 

I visited my friend in the afternoon. I had to take over the 9 fabric bins for her cube unit. She will be using them when she moves. We had a great visit with her talking about her plans when she gets to her new condo. She is burnt out from volunteering here so will not be doing that again. She wants to enjoy her sewing, make a few quilts for the NIC unit, and sew her sister's quilt kits up. She wants to be free to do as she wants with no commitments like she had here. I don't blame her as I know it has taken a toll on her this past year. 

Sewing

I finished putting the binding onto the heart block and pinned it onto the inside of the bag. I didn't take a picture as I was rushing out the door. I will once it is hand sewn down. 

My goal with the left over fabric from the bag is to make a couple of mug rugs and maybe a small zippered bag which will let me try out a new technique. The small zippered bag will be gifted. 

Knitting

I knit on the afghan last night and completed 4 rows. No picture as it has only grown by an inch. 

I need to get up the yarn and needles for the doll's sweater I want to make. I just need to remember to bring it up when I leave the sewing room. 

Thoughts

    It was so nice to have a sunny warm day. I enjoyed it so much after so many dull, dreary, and cold days we have had. With warmer days in the forecast, I am going to plant my tomatoes outside in their pots. I can either cover them or bring them in if it looks like we could get frost. Same with the pepper plants. 

    I had a poor night's sleep last night so will have to monitor myself carefully today. I will have to make sure I am eating properly, moving about doing things and resting if I need to. My poor night's sleep was the result of talking to daughter as she was stressed over the next part of mediation. She has calmed down, responded professionally to the mediator, and will sit and wait for the next step. 

    The house across the road from me has an offer pending on it. Another house across from family's also has an offer on it. I had thought the market was flat but it isn't. These two houses have been on the market less than 45 days which is great. We will see what they get for them which will tell if the price has remained stable or dropped a bit. 

Today

I have to do laundry and clean my bedroom today. I want to plant the tomatoes this morning so they can get use to being outside on a cooler day. I want to hand sew the heart onto the tote and make some items from the scraps. I don't want to sew the tote while I am tired. I hope to knit tonight. 

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

Progress On The Bag

 Yesterday was another grey misty day with a high of 10C. This morning it is a mix of sun and clouds and 5C (4C at 5 am). Today is supposed to be a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 15C. 

Lifestyle

I was texting with daughter about a funeral she has to attend when daughter-in-law texted asking if I would come and help her with the fillings for sandwiches. I was over there for the morning mixing them and learning how to do it for the next time. I cut my hand a blade but was really successful when I used the mandolin to cut the cucumbers. I got home at noon. 

I picked up my friend and we went to family's for dinner. It was a curry chicken with pasta, a bun, and salad. It was delicious. After dinner we watched two shows on Indian food cooking. We learned a few things we can use in our cooking. I got home about 8 pm after dropping my friend off. 

Sewing

I spent the afternoon sewing on the bag. I sewed the handles into a tube and turned them. The webbing was inserted and top stitched. I then marked the bag where the handles were to go and sewed them down. 

I had googled how to do the X in the square and I had success in doing all 4 of them. 

I put the bag on the chair to look at it. I am pleased with it. 

Next up was to make a 6" square. I found a heart block that seemed to be simple to make.

It was a bit of a challenge as the fabric is slippery. But I got it made. The next challenge was how to attach it to the quilt. The block was too big for the front (or was it) so I decided to attach it to the lining. I took some strips of fabric that I had miss and pressed in half wrong sides together. I cut them down so the finished edge was 1/4". I sewed one to the top and pinned it on to the lining.

The binding gives the block a finished edge and it will allow me to appliqué it into place (better known as hand sewing). When the binding is all on, I will pin it onto the front of the bag and see if I like it or not. Once the heart is appliquéd on, I will then quilt the purple fabric. Straight lines which will be 1" apart.

While making this bag, I know I can do quilt as you go on the bag for the contest. I know I will make a 6" seagull block and bind it to appliqué down. I am still working on the piping and where it will go. Ideas are floating in my head. 

Knitting

I knit one row and had to unknit it. I did my own pattern as I was not paying attention to what I was doing. 

Thoughts

    I am starting again this month on what I will do and not do. It is self care for me with hopes that if I push myself I can move forward happier and calmer. I started yesterday by eating healthier. I sewed on the bag which I really am enjoying and knit on the blanket. I had less social media time which kept me from sitting on the couch and vegetating. 

    I am really paying attention to the videos I am watching on YouTube. Three in particular jumped out at me. All three repeat the same thing over and over again. They seem to annoy me with their complaining and I have limited watching them. The ones I watch regularly have more positive content and they never complain not matter how hard their lives are. One I watch that is so-so is about renovating a chateau. Another one on renovating a small chateau is humorous and leaves you wondering how much they do get done in a day. I find that I am getting more selective on what I watch. If I don't like it, I leave it. Pure and simple. 

    My friend is leaving on June 9 and I have to schedule a time to take her out for lunch or dinner. She was telling me that she will be doing less volunteering when she gets settled. She wants to do more fun sewing and take part in little contests. Right now she is spending 3 - 4 days a week at one place helping the owners set up the sewing area and training someone to take her spot. She does it all for free. 

Today

I am out to make sandwiches shortly. When I get home, I want to do the balance sheet, type up the minutes and do some cleaning. I will sew the binding strips down on the heart before I go out to take some items to my friend. I have dinner ready for tonight and I will knit this evening. 

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