Selfless Sewing

Thursday was a cooler day with a high of 25C. The low temperature was 17C. Yesterday the low was 16C and the high 27C. This morning it was 14C and the sun was shining. A truly lovely morning. Today it is suppose to be sunny and have a high of 24C.

Lifestyle

It has been a busy couple of days. We were down the valley to look at a home some people bought. They will start arriving next weekend. Their house is lovely. 
We didn't do much yesterday as I had selfless sewing to do. Our neighbor arrived before dinner and we sat out on the deck visiting. We had a delightful visit. 
This morning I have been shopping and got that out of the way. After cleaning the pantry, it was a fast shopping spree, 40 minutes from leaving the house to arriving home again. 

Health

I have been working on what I can control and it is helping. The mother in me has me worried about things beyond my control. All I can say is wear a mask and let it go. I am spending more time what I can control -- us following the rules set by the province which is our new normal. 
We are at day 4 with no new cases of the virus. Schools and universities start on Tuesday. Will we see a spike or not? The big question at this time. 

Sewing

Yesterday morning I hemmed 2 pairs of grandson's uniform trousers. I got both pair done in less than 2 hours and watched a bit of TV while doing it. There is one pair left to do along with 2 more masks. 
I did look at the sewing room with disgust yesterday. It is so messy that I was ready to shovel everything into a dumpster. I do not feel inspired or creative in there. It is a mess as I have done a lot of stress sewing. I've been using it as a dumping ground rather than put things away. I won't even take a picture of it, I'm so upset with how it looks and affects my creativity. I've decided to put away things for 15 minutes before I can sew starting. That begins on Monday. It will be a box that I will be mailing to daughter -- fabrics, a bit of thread, and piping I'm going to make. 

Craft

I saw this displayed in a house listed for sale. I look at houses that are staged for sale for ideas. This was a great one. 

I'll keep my eyes open for the small wooden crates. I have the LED candles and will buy white berries for the inside. An idea for Christmas. 

Knitting

No knitting last night again.

Today

With the grocery shopping done, we are thinking of heading out for a short drive and home for the rest of the day. Not sure what will be happening at home other than keeping the house cool. I may hem the 3rd pair of pants in the big mess.  
Until the next time.....................................

Two Projects Done

Yesterday was another lovely day with lots of sunshine and a high of 22C. The temperature this morning was 19C having been as low as 16C before midnight. This morning it is cloudy and we could have showers during the day. 

Lifestyle

Yesterday morning was clean the pantry day. It was an OMG moment when I opened the door and really looked at the mess. 

I had pushed and shoved things in there and items were getting lost. I emptied the shelves of everything. Everything was washed including the floor and baseboards. 

As I put items away, we filled a cloth basket with the excess and put it down stairs. We have space in the pantry now. 

If we run out of something, we can head to the basement to the "hoard". 

We will buying the basics for the next while. We have enough to get us through for quite a while. 

Health

I had a good thinking spell before I started the pantry. I am working on a few things to try and settle down my over active brain. I am coming back to this -- my circle of control. 

I finally had to deal with an issue on social media about the virus. When I replied with how we are taking care of ourselves with the guidelines here. I let go of those things I can't control and moved on. It was hard but I've done it. 
Yesterday there were not cases of the virus report. There are 6 active cases of the virus in the province. I jokingly said two days of no new cases will bring 2 new cases on Thursday. 

Sewing

I made grandson 2 new masks yesterday using this video. I made him the small size and it fits him well. 

The little triangle at the top goes over the nose and should keep glasses from fogging up (grandson does not wear glasses). 

There are three pleats at the bottom and they give the mask a nice fit in that area. I used a soft elastic and need to buy more of it as I'm making a few more masks this fall. 

Knitting

None done last night. I'm being lazy now. 

Today

We may head out this morning for a drive and stop on the way home for fabric for a shirt for daughter. I will get enough to make her a matching mask. This is her birthday present. This afternoon, I will make 2 more masks 

A Thoughtful Day

Yesterday was a gorgeous day -- sunny, warm, and a light wind. My kind of day with a high of 23C. This morning it was cool at 7C but the sun is shining. The high is suppose to be about the same as yesterday. 

Lifestyle

Yesterday was budget and paying the bills day. It started out rough as the budget wouldn't balance. I finally realized what was wrong, corrected it, balanced, and finished up in reasonably good time. Bills were paid and done before lunch. We did a run to pay utility bills in the afternoon. 

I rested in the afternoon as my shoulder was painful. It just needed to be rested and probably could use one more day. 

The Spousal Unit gave away about 12 lbs of tomatoes yesterday along with 4 cucumbers. We still have well over 100 lbs of tomatoes ripening. 

Health

I have been feeling anxious lately. Part of it was about the bags that I made. I thought they needed to be at their destination this Friday but it's not until next Friday. I'm anxious to get the yard work done, the house cleaned, and much more. My body and mind have been shutting down which is making me more anxious. While sitting with my sore shoulder, I realized that I need to look at things in smaller chunks. I have to focus on how I can do so many things that got out of control due to weather, commitments, etc. 

I have decided that I will start to breath deeply and look at my health. Being anxious is not fun. My jaw hurts from clenching it. My IBS has flared up some. I need to commit to a plan. 

I am going to  

• monitor my diet with portion control and healthy foods. 
• do something either inside or out in the mornings. 
• sew and knit more of what I want to do after I finish up grandson's school uniform

If I have to stop some things, I will. If I have to take a break from sewing and knitting test items, I will. 

Another item that has been causing me anxiety is the virus. I feel safe but know we may have to go into self isolation again if the number of cases take a spike. Are we ready (panic)? How long will it last? And what will life look like? I am not worried about what others think, I'm worried if we are ready to do this again. 

I will continue to work through these scenarios and try to calm my anxieties. 

There were 0 new cases of the virus yesterday. With 6,500 students coming in from outside the Atlantic bubble we will see how the regulation of self isolating and testing will work and if the numbers remain low. The other good thing - we have is no community spread. This has kept me feeling safer. 

Sewing and Knitting

I did nothing yesterday in either area. I was going to start a mask and didn't. I couldn't knit as my shoulder was too sore. And I felt like a wreck. So I sat and did my thinking. 

Today

I am going to start kitchen clean up. The pantry is the first area that will be done. I also want to sew a mask this afternoon. And maybe knit tonight. 

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

Second Bag Completed

Yesterday was a cool day with a high of 19C. This morning it was a cool 7C with maybe a hint of frost on the shed roof. It is suppose to be sunny and warmer today. 

Lifestyle

It was a day of me in the basement sewing and the Spousal Unit making himself scarce. I really don't know what he did except come to the quilt store with me in the morning. 
Last night we covered the tomato and cucumber plants as they said there was a risk of frost in low lying areas. When they say that, we could get frost. 
There were two cases of the virus reported yesterday. Both are at two universities. There are probable cases at two other universities. Students are arriving now to self isolate prior to classes starting. 

Sewing

We headed out to the quilt shop and got in early. I was out in no time flat with these fabrics for another reusable bag.

I was very surprised that I found the combination so quickly as when I am looking for something, my brain can go dead. I was thrilled that it went so quickly and was out of the store in no time flat. It helped there was only 3 of us in the store shopping. 
The fabric was laundered and in the sewing room before lunch. I pressed and cut out the piping. 

Yes the light is the piping which is totally not me. I usually go for darker piping. 
I kept pressing, cutting, sewing and when the Spousal Unit did his first check on me I was this far along.  

All the pieces were ready for me to keep sewing. And sew I did. At 4:15 p.m. I was done and ready to take one photo. 

The two bags were put into zip lock bags, put into a box and shipped via the postal system. We were home from the post office at 5:15 p.m. I was exhausted and sore and cranky but the job was done. 
I ended August having sewn 12.7 meters (13.2 yards) of fabric. Bigger projects equals more fabric sewn. But not all of it came out of the stash. Three were UFO's and test pattern were from the stash, and the two bags were purchased to meet a request. I've sewn 66.2 meters of fabric (72.1 yards) so far this year.
I learned that I really don't need a stash. I enjoyed shopping for the request fabrics. When told I should increase my fabric stock (aka stash), I realized it was the enjoyment of shopping for a project that I enjoy the most. 
I finished up September's to do list. I'm going to focus on piping this month to get rid of several meters of fabric and ship it out to daughter. I can do a lot of piping in a couple of hours. I am also going to embroider a wall hanging for the downstairs bathroom and finish hand sewing the binding on a couple of projects. Other items will pop up but I do want to spend time doing some non sewing projects. 

Knitting

I didn't knit last night as my hands were tired. Knitting may have caused me to have cramps. I just relaxed until we ran out to cover the plants. 

Today

I need to do the bills and budget this morning and then make a decision about this afternoon. I'm not pushing it as I'm sore from two long days at the sewing machine. 
Until the next time..............................

A Reusable Bag Made

Yesterday was warm and muggy. The high got to 25C. It seemed as if the humidity didn't want to go down even when it was windy. This morning it was 13C, cloudy, and some wind. It is suppose to be cool today with a high of 18C. 

Lifestyle

The Spousal Unit spent a lot of time picking tomatoes yesterday. The grape tomatoes are coming to an end but the Early Girl's are producing like crazy. Next will be the Roma's which are loaded. I think I will be making salsa this fall.
There were no new cases of the virus reported yesterday. This is good but we are preparing to be in our own bubble if the numbers rise. That could be mid to late September. 

Sewing

I spent the day in the sewing room. I made a bag for daughter. 

It looks very smart and will be a great prize at the dog trials they are going to. 
I attached a small light to the sewing machine and it sure makes a difference on seeing the stitches. 

I have to keep moving it as I hit it with my hands while sewing. But worth the few times I have to reposition it. 
I have not done my post for what I want to sew in September. I know I will be sewing less as I want to do more cleaning inside and out. I also want to finish up the downstairs bathroom. My focus will be on more Christmas items at this time. I will get it posted tomorrow. 

Knitting

I finished the second sleeve only to realize that I didn't change needle size after the ribbing on both sleeves. I am starting them again. This sweater is now becoming the Very Long Knit sweater. I will unravel the sleeves and use them for the cowl and the closure bands at the back of the sweater. 

Today

I am off to the quilt shop to get more fabric for another bag for daughter. She needs one more. I will do some laundry and sew for the rest of the day. I had hoped to mail out the parcel today but it will be tomorrow. Express post. Enough said. 
Until the next time...................................

A Shopping We Went

Yesterday was warm with a high of 24C. The humidity went up and the rain came down. We had about 1/2" of rain fall and the night temperature was between 17-19C. Today will be warm and muggy with chances of shower. 

Lifestyle

Yesterday daughter-in-law and I went to the city to shop. We filled our car to maximum. 

We had a great time together and were home well before lunch. 
Elliott has been an idiot this morning. He was running around and jumped into his soft sided carrier (condo) and was growling. He jumped around several times and finally has settled down for a nap. It's hard work being Elliott. 

Sewing and Knitting

Nothing done yesterday in that area. We did talk about a desk for the sewing room and are thinking about using a treadle sewing machine for it. Ideas are coming together for an October project. 

Today

I am going to be sewing all day today. I need to get the bag done and in the mail tomorrow. 
Until the next time.................................

Landscaping Project Is Complete

Yesterday was a cool one for us. The high got to 19C and the wind blew all day. This morning it was 10C, sunny, with some wind. It is to be warmer today. 

Lifestyle

The Spousal Unit was outside early getting the last of the landscaping ready to start. He dug out a bucketful of grass and weeds prior to me showing up. We hunkered down and got the job done. Lots of measuring some weeding, holding the weed barrier down with lots of bricks due to the wind, and finally seeing the job done. We did the final 11 feet in good time. 

This side of the yard is no where near level from back to front but is rolling. We have dips here and there in the brick. You can feel it when you are down on your hands and knees crawling along the grass. 
When done, I pulled a bunch of weeds the lawn company didn't spray and piled the extra bricks up neatly under the deck. They are for next year's project. We have one or two ideas up our sleeve. 

Health

Though I am not back to normal, I am noticing that I have regained a bit of strength and muscle. I wasn't as sore as when I started this project. My back (kidney area) isn't aching nor are my joints. I am getting up off the ground a bit easier also. Packing heavier items is also getting easier. Between watching my diet and landscaping, I'm feeling better. 
There were no new cases of the virus reported yesterday. There are 5 active cases in the province. 

House

I was painting a table during the hot weather and had quite the issue with it. The paint was drying too fast and leaving a rough finish and the wood was bleeding through the white paint. I am going to sand the painted finish, apply shellac to all the wooden pieces and use Fusion Mineral Paint in Picket Fence (white). I want to finish the basement bathroom by the middle of September and this table is, hopefully, going in that room. 

Comments

Comments have been turned off for the blog. I only allowed followers to comment and I was still getting unacceptable comments to monitor. I will leave the comments off for as long as it takes to stop what is happening. 

Sewing

I got started on the bag and made the piping first. There is a good 80" of piping; more than I need for the bag. 

The triangle pocket has been cut, the outer bag fabric is ready to cut as is the lining. I am hoping to finishing cutting the fabric, apply the interfacing and sew a few seams today. 

Knitting

I took the evening off and will start again tonight. 

Today

The morning I have potato salad and deviled eggs to make and to start cleaning the kitchen. Then I want to sew this afternoon and do some knitting tonight. 
Until the next time....................................