Still Organizing.

 The first week of January is almost over.  I am still working on decluttering and organizing my studio.  I have got to the part where I usually quit.  It is hard to know where to store things so I don't forget about them.  I have drawers, bins and shelves but I need to see what needs to be done.  Even clear plastic bags or bins don't really help. I am hoping labelling will be the key.

What is your storage solution?

Here is an idea for keeping scissors and rotary cutter safe.  My granddaughter left a pencil case behind when she was here and, as she didn't want it, I put it in the pile for thrift store donation.  When I was getting things ready to donate, I saw it, and looked inside.  It has mesh pockets on either side and is the perfect size for my rotary cutter and packet of blades!

Hubby is still  congested and hacking up his lungs.  He is, thankfully, getting better.  It has been a long haul for him.

Have you seen the new on line store called Temu?  I have ordered a couple of small items from them to see whether they are legit and worthwhile.  I will let you know how I make out.

                                                View from my Studio.  Isn't it Beautiful?

Blessings,

Welcome 2024

It is snowing.  Of course, it should be as we are well into winter.  This has, so far, been unusual winter, weather-wise as it has been much warmer than normal (even today it is plus 1c) so we have only had bare ground everywhere.  Those that know me well, know that I really enjoy winter with lots of snow and crisp sunny days.   They make me feel alive and I could use some of that right now as I battle through the aftermath of a respiratory virus.  It feels as though the whole world is coughing as this bug makes it nasty way amongst friends and family.

Did you watch the first professional women's hockey game.  I did and I was bursting with pride.  Another major step for women.  I can remember when I joined marches demanding that women get equal pay for equal work.  I was at the forefront of female transit and highway coach drivers and got my share of hassling-not from my male coworkers or their wives but from some older women passengers.  It did settle down eventually but I was often asked it I got paid the same as the men.  Of course I did but I also remember a time not to far back when not only wouldn't I have had a chance at the job let alone make the same wage.

I think it is important that we keep reminding younger women that everything they have had to be fought for-voting, driving, certain jobs, the right to not be sexually harrassed and so much more.

Welcome 2024 and welcome further progress in rights not only for women but for all those who are still fighting for a right to live, a right to clean water, a right to be treated with respect, a right to have a home, a right to live in peace and many, many more.

Blessings,

A Lovely Christmas

I hope everyone had a good Christmas.  I got the virus that has been going around, but, fortunately was well enough to go to the in-laws were we all had a great meal and every better time of fellowship.  We don't see the children very often so it is always a surprise to see how much they have grown and matured.  

I got the second memory quilt finished and took both of them with us to give to the new owner.  She was pleased with both which is always a relief.   I am attaching a photo of the quilt.  I tried to remove the people as I am posting the photo without their permission but it was to involved to do the photoshop thing.  As they are family, I don't think it is a problem.

We took our little Heidi with us and I could see how her age was affecting her.  A lot of time she didn't seem to be sure where she was but everyone was patient with her-even the youngest children who usually like to talk her for walks around the house.

I had been hoping to get a lot of quilt related work done this week but that didn't happen.  I hope I will be able to get it next week.

Have a Happy New Year and I hope 2024 will be full of blessings,

 

Christmas Tidings.

 This has been quite a couple of weeks.  Last week was mostly Christmas dinners, get togethers and shopping.  It was hard to get anything on line done because my internet was acting up.  I was, however, getting a lot finished on my last customer memory quilt.  I just needed to print the photos on the special printable paper.  I got two done without problem and then ran out of ink.  No problem.  I ordered some from Staples and it was to be delivered on Thurs.  This was Tues so I still had a lot of time.  Thurs. came and went and so did Friday and the weekend.  A query resulted in the information that they were backed up because of Christmas and please wait until Monday.  I had some shopping to do on that day so, while there, I bought some store brand ink.  Nothing from Staples on Mon. or Tues so I used the new ink.  However, when I rinsed the photo under cold water, the ink ran.  Contacted Staples again and today which was a week after the original order.  Got an email saying the order was cancelled and my money returned.  

That was good but I still have a problem.  I am now going to try a different method.  I have paper that is used for printing pictures on sweat tops.  If that doesn't work, I will finish the quilt and do over the photos later.  I am not quilting over them so it will be easy enough to remove .

Everything else is done.  We had a nice fresh snowfall so a white Christmas is all but assured (temperature is supposed to go up again).  I don't have to cook as we are going to hubbies family for the day.

Merry Christmas to you all.  Remember that what doesn't get don't this year can be left until the next.  The important thing is that you are with those you love.  If you don't have family close by, take advantage of the organizations that are serving the big meal.  You may meet someone who will become a great friend.

blessings,

Christmas preperations.

 How are you coming with your Christmas preparations? I have been sewing all day getting the top of the last memory quilt finished.  Yesterday, I baked.  I still have 2 more batches of cookies to make and then the tree etc. to do. My cards and gifts will be sent tomorrow.

We had a lovely Christmas dinner with the Quilt Group on Monday.  We usually have it at the Legion but they were so busy this year that a member offered to have it at their house.  Her hubby is a great cook and another hubby offered to help serve.  They have a lovely house and the scenery driving there was wonderful.

I don't think anyone had an evening meal as we all ate so much.  I especially enjoyed watching everyone enjoying themselves and exhibit the care each person has for the others.  Some ladies made little gifts for everyone and they are fun to get.  I gave  holders for used machine needles.  I received a variety of items-crocheted candy cane, dish scrubby and cloth, candies and a lot more.

We are planning on going to hubby's sisters for the big day.  I look forward to seeing how the little ones have grown.  

May peace reign in your home midst all the hustle and bustle,

blessings,

Great Friends

 I am sorry to hear, Karen, that your arthritis is preventing you from enjoy quilting now.  I am glad to hear that you can still knit.  Creativity brings peace to our spirits.  We got a lot of snow on our side of Algonquin National Park but it isn't too cold today.

I did well at the craft sale selling two quilts and two handbags.  I brought home one large quilt (I have a lady interested in it) and a small modern design wall hanging.  Hubby has given me a great idea to make that quilt a bit more whimsical so it might be more saleable.

It certainly is the season for craft sales.  There are two big ones in the area on Saturday.  I am going to one of them as a member of our quilt group has a table in it.

I bought a new light for my quilt room and am looking forward to having greater illumination.

I joined a few friends for lunch today to celebrate a birthday.  I really enjoy getting together like this with good friends.  We understand each other enough that we can tease, laugh together and share our ups and downs.  I hope you all have friends like that.

blessings,

Money Saving Idea

 I make a lot of memory quilts that include photos which means I use a lot of the printable fabric sheets.  I noticed the last time I used them, that the backing paper was still sticky and I had an idea.  I cut a piece of fabric the same size as the backing and then created some labels on my computer.  After I hand pressed the fabric to the sticky side of the sheet, I put it into my printer's paper tray (fabric side down) and printed the labels onto the fabric.  It worked perfectly.  

I serged around the labels before removing the paper but I could have removed it first.  I found the paper gave the fabric more body so it was easier to serge.  I removed the paper by, gently, making a slit in it with a stitch ripper.

If you try this, let me know how it worked for you.

We have a nice skiff of snow this morning.  It should stay for the weekend which may put shoppers into a buying mood for the art clubs sale.

Isn't this an adorable wall hanging.  I much prefer St. Nicholas to Santa Claus.  I hope it finds a buyer who likes it as much as I do.

Blessings,