Learning Something New

Yesterday was sunny and warm. The high got to 21C. This morning it is clear and 7C. Today is supposed to be sunny with a high of 26C. 

Lifestyle

Yesterday morning was playing with my plants. I put them into tubs and outside on the deck. I had to bring them in as they started to wilt in the heat. They sat on the counter until I put them out again this morning. I am trying to get them use to the heat as they have been in a cool garage for quite a while. When I checked them, one of the tomatoes has a bud on it. 

I worked on the family tree as I had a mess going on in one branch. I had merged the broken links and got all the children listed twice and one three times. All under the same parents but separated which was good. After a bit of research I found the easy way to move the children up to the parents I wanted them under. I had to delete the father from two lists but it worked out slick. I also had to delete one child as he had a different set of parents. My subscription is done at the end of the month and I will renew it again in the late fall. I want to do more on it over the winter.

I made a pot of rice using the chicken broth I had from cooking the chicken. It was very flavourful. I have enough rice for at least two more rice bowls. 

Sewing

I spent a lot of time figuring out what I wanted to do in the sewing room. I decided to work on embroidering the sleeve of a western shirt for daughter. 

I stitched it out and when I went to fill the bobbin to finish the A, the machine needed to be recalibrated. I am now picking out the stitching and doing it again. I have the A picked out. I will get this done. The stitching is in a cream colour called linen. 

I also decided to play around with flying geese squares. I want to make this block.

I had gotten a flying geese ruler for Christmas and wanted to use it. I did a lot of research and I learned how to use my ruler doing the "heart" method. Relearned as I had made them for a quilt last year. The ruler is easy to use and very accurate. I made 8 - 3.5 x 6.5" blocks. I have the pieces cut out for the smaller blocks. 

The ruler I was gifted is Creative Grids. 

I watched a lot of videos and chose to follow this one as I like this person a lot. The method starts at 13:50 minutes. There is very little waste which is nice and you make 4 blocks at a time.

I also learned there is another method that Eleanor Burns figured out. It is called the Easy Flying Geese method and is on the video I linked above. You are to use Eleanor Burns ruler. It has me interested enough that I want to try one block using the ruler I have. If it works, it is the easiest method to sew and cut. I have downloaded the cheat sheet that is linked in the video. 

I have a few more blocks to cut out and sew and I will need to buy more of the red fabric. I will be making a doll's quilt from these blocks. I am learning how to use the ruler and a fast method as I have a lot of blocks to make for a quilt for an auction. 

Starching fabric -- I use this starch. 

It now costs me $100.00 or more for a bottle. I am on the look for other starch which is cheaper. One is Simpli Starch. For smaller pieces of fabric I use spray starch. I can get it at Canadian Tire in Canada and buy 3-4 cans at a time. 

Knitting

I did not wind yarn yesterday. By the time I was done sewing it was time to make dinner. I will be doing it today as I put it on my list. 

I did knit on the doll's coat and am making progress on it. I am not sure if I like this ombre colour but it goes with the outfit I made in May. 

I wonder if the bottom of the coat will be in the light colour. We wait and see. 

Thoughts

    I am so happy that I watched how to make flying geese blocks several different ways. I really enjoyed learning something new. I am not afraid to try something to see if it will work or not. I am not buying a ruler (that is pricy) if I can use the one I have. 

    My fridge is, once again, making noises and the freezer is iced up. I emailed a repair shop and they are going to look at it on June 12. I really want it fixed or replaced as I am tired of dealing with it. 

    Our weather has been gorgeous the past few days and summer is coming. There are a lot of flowers blooming in people's yards which makes for nice drives when I go shopping or to physio. I am still spraying for deer as they are around. I see places where they have feasted on people's lilies and irises. 

    We did not get frost as expected. Yesterday was cooler than this morning but only by 2C. I am hoping that we do not get frost again until fall. Though I am not a lover of the heat, I am done with the spring weather we had. 

Today

I am going to head out to get some fabric for the doll's quilt and then will try to find pepper plants. This afternoon I want to sew flying geese blocks and unpick more on the embroidery. I also have to wind yarn for the next pair of socks. I will knit tonight. 

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