Snowshoe Adventure

 The day began as usual...with coffee. And I used that time to take care of today's tasks...watering plants, paying bills, doing banking, updating records...

This afternoon, I was invited to go snowshoeing on a local trail. I have not used these new snowshoes yet. In fact, I don't remember the last time I actually snowshoed. It was definitely pre-new knees! It might have actually been as much as 30ish years ago :0

I grabbed my things and headed across the road to the neighbour's place. We loaded the car, and headed out.

This is my "ride" partner, Kaiser :)

Kaiser was rescued by my neighbours. He was supposed to be euthanized for being an aggressive dog. He's about the most chill puppy (because he is still young) I have ever met. He is not at all aggressive that I've seen. How sad that he could have been put down :(

We arrived at the trail, put on our snowshoes, and headed out for a lovely 5km walk :)

When I got back home, I spent some time on my iPad. Facebook put this memory on my Home page. It's been exactly 2 years since the quilting cabinet project began. The shelf brackets needed to be altered because I made a mistake....not a big one, but an annoying one nonetheless. Kinda neat to see that picture come up! The second coat of paint went onto the backside of the door today. This project is almost done now. The scariest (for me) part is coming up....installing the European hinges. Hope I don't make a mistake or I'll be starting all over again :P

The next thing I did was check out the free issue of Quilter's World that came to my mailbox. That led me down the rabbit hole to other magazines, and I found this in A Needle Pulling Thread. The right image is a table runner created by my teacher and friend, Elaine Theriault (crazyquilteronabike.blogspot.com), and the left image is from a new quilter I met through the Zoom Quilting Retreat.

The quilters were challenge to choose a word...something significant for these COVID times...and create a quilt project with that word. Peter chose Family (because his family has been so important to him) and Friend (in Braille....because his friends are also important; and...he wanted his blind friend to be able to feel it when visiting). At the end of Peter's description, he encourages us "to make a word quilt with a word that has meaning for (us)." I'm feeling like I just might have to take up this challenge sometime. I think my word would be Believe.

And on that note, I wish you all a very good night!

TTFN

Sunday Is Super

 Today's "Myiwanna Day" was ALL about quilting :)

Today was the first day of Elaine's "Out Of The Box" class.

Our challenge for this month is to use "Log Cabin" to create a block in our favourite colour. For me, my favourite colour is purple. In watching the slide presentation for the class, I got excited by this challenge. I wanted to think of a way to create a wonky log cabin. I figured that the easiest way to accomplish it...X4...would be to create a paper piecing pattern....which I did during today's Quilting Retreat Zoom session.

Once I got started, I couldn't seem to stop. What I love about this class is that the projects are going to be small, making them easy to complete in a relatively short time. I made the 4 identical blocks, and then I rotated the wonky square (#1) to become the centre. I sewed the blocks together....twirling the centre, of course.... was very happy with end result. Next, I layered and quilted the block with straight lines 1" apart, and then added the binding. I'm not sure what I will do with it, but I like it :)

By the time I finished, it was about 5:30 and time to start thinking of dinner so I said goodbye to my fellow quilters and headed up to get prep under way. Supper...brisket, beans, and roasted potatoes...ended up being rather late (8:00ish), but it was well worth the wait. The Instant Pot is definitely the best way to cook the brisket. So tender!!!

After supper, I decided to act on a blog post I read that had come to my mailbox. Patti (pattispatchwork-blog.com), who is somehow affiliated with Northcott Fabrics, is going to be offering a sew-along called "With Glowing Hearts" using the Oh Canada 10th Anniversary Collection. The quilts that are made are donated to Quilts Of Valour, which are then distributed to veterans. I LOVE this idea! So....I signed up, and ordered the pattern and quilt kit. I chose the left quilt kit, with the maple leaf panel in the centre. The first class isn't until March 7. I can hardly wait!!!!

It's getting late now, and is time to unwind for the evening.

And on that note, I wish you all a very good night!

TTFN

This & That

Today was definitely a day of a bit o' this, a bit o' that! But first, a bit about last night. Jade loves it when himself puts the leather fire gloves on and entices her into a "wrastle".

The flash reflecting in her eye really makes her look evil!  :O

As this was going on, I was working on adding the skinny diamonds to the fat stars. By the end of the evening, I had finished 2 and gotten started on the third.

On to today....

I decided to keep moving forward with work on the cabinet door, First, it needed to be "filled" with paintable latex caulking. This is what it looked like before the caulking. Notice the gap between the trim I attached and the door face.

And this is what it looked like after the caulking.

The caulking fills all the seams and gaps beautifully, making for a more finished looking end result when everything is painted. The caulking I like best....especially if it is a smaller job...is this one.

 When you cut the tip on an angle, it is so easy to do a run with very little waste. You can also squeeze bits out on your finger to fill nail holes. The next task was to paint the front and back with primer. We really like Zinser B-I-N. Out of all the primers out there, we have found this is the best one for coverage and for avoiding bleed. It also only takes 30 minutes to dry...but it is a bit stinky because of what is added to speed up the drying. 

Once that was done and had time to dry, it was time to put on the first coat of paint. I only got the edges and the front of the door done. Paint requires longer to dry, so I will leave it at that for today.

I spent some time this afternoon working on my UFO homework....machine quilting the sampler I made when I first began learning to quilt. This photo only shows the backing. I'll post a picture of the front once I finish the homework. I managed to get all the sashing "stitched in the ditch". Next I'll be working on machine quilting each of the 12 blocks.

This evening, before Steve got home, I popped in the the Zoom Quilt Retreat. It was very lovely to see the ladies and listen to the conversations. It's moments like this that make me realize how much I miss contact with others. Even more important is that these are people of like-interests. I did cut out, however, once SW got home from work. I would have felt guilty NOT spending time with him this evening since we hadn't spent time together yet today. I think it's time for some hand-stitching and TV now.

And on that note,....I wish you all a very good night!

TTFN

Procrastination Past

Lady Jade does get VERY excited about going for her walk, especially if himself and I are both going. The only problem is that we a-r-e  n-o-t  f-a-s-t  e-n-o-u-g-h getting ready. She has her fur coat on, but we have to get dressed, layered up, coated, and properly covered (earmuffs/hat, mittens/gloves, boots,...). She definitely does not behave with patience! She prances, and paces back and forth...whacking us with her tail as she goes by.

 As Elaine said in her blog earlier today, not every day is a sewing day, and that was the case for me today. When we came back from our walk, we worked on bringing wood into the house...it always burns better if it's been in the house for a bit before use. First, we empty the rack into the stove box by the downstairs wood stove, and the wood rack beside the fireplace upstairs. Then, it's time to fill the rack back up with fresh wood from the shed outside.

Then, we fill the bins with kindling.

This is a routine we have to do every 2-3 days depending on how cold it is outside. Lately, it's been every two days :P  Once that was done, I made a trip into the village to the Post Office to post all those parcels I prepped yesterday. When I got back, it was time for some lunch and some "down time" :)

This afternoon's project was to work on the door for the cabinet that has been taking up space in our basement for the past 2 years. I confess....I have REALLY been procrastinating on this project. It's because I've never attached a door with European hinges. There are directions with the hinges, and no doubt I can find and watch videos on the internet, but still doesn't stop the trepidation. After all, if I mess up, I'm pretty much back to square-one! My Grade 8 teacher really did hit the nail on the head when he once said that I prefer to avoid things that I can't do proficiently...even perfectly. But....I decided today that I can procrastinate no longer. One step at a time and I will get there!

1. Laminate the open edges of the plywood. Trim the excess off the edges. Sand smooth.

2. Cut and add trim pieces to the door.

By the time this was done (including putting away all the equipment/tools), it was time to walk Her Ladyship again. The next step will be to caulk the seams with paintable filler, and then...once it's dry....primer the door. That'll probably happen tomorrow...after a run to town for groceries et. al.

On our walk, we noticed that the neighbour's first order of logs has arrived. We order our firewood from him, so it's quite likely some of those logs will become our next order of firewood. We always try to stay 2 years ahead, but it's been so cold this winter, and we've burned so much wood, we are likely going to have to dip into next year's supply that is currently curing along the garage and the driveway. We decided to up our order for wood in the Spring.

Our neighbour was also just receiving a tractor that he'd purchased in order to be able to clear his driveways and the track into the woodlot he is currently working. We got to chat with him and he is very excited! I would be too! :D

I know I said that today was not a sewing day, but I do plan to get some of my hand-stitching done now.

And on that note....I wish you all a very good night!

TTFN

Wednesday With My Ladies :)

It was another really cold morning here today, but that didn't stop me from getting together with my neighbour, Lyn, for our Wednesday sewing sessions....and to bring our furry girls together. 

It's such a lovely way for all of us to spend some companionable time together :D Of course, not only did I take up space on the table, but I spread myself across one of her sections of counter space.

Today, I was continuing to work on joining the sashing to the blocks for the 100 Modern Quilt Blocks quilt. I managed to get 4 rows done now....almost half way now!

When I got home, SW had the wood stove AND the fireplace going. It was soooo cozy. I decided to park it on the couch for a while to read. It wasn't too long before I was actually snorking myself out of a doze, so I just curled up and had a lovely nap.

Once I got up, I decided to get a bunch of things ready for the mail....including the next Sweet Reads box for my friend, Mary (whom I call Maalt, and my girls call Aunt Maalt...even though she's not their aunt). Normally, we recycle/resend in the same box, but because of what I was sending this time, I needed a larger box than I've used in the past. The only box I could find that was large enough was in my sewing room....which meant I needed to empty it. I now have another pile of scraps that I will need to deal with tomorrow.

I also have quite the pile of "mail" that I need to get to the post office tomorrow :O

Each evening, I often work on hand stitching while watching some TV. Last night was no exception. I was able to finish putting together all the fat and skinny stars for my Tula Nova. Now I'm ready to attach the skinny diamonds to the fat stars.

And on that note....I wish you all a very good night!

TTFN

Zipping Along

Before I begin, I have to confess....I took very few pictures today :(

Today was another day spent on the road. "Elder", as our youngest daughter calls our 14-year old KIA Spectra, needed to go in to KIA Bracebridge and get a head gasket replaced. We took both vehicles so that we could drop off Elder and head on to Orillia. As we were on the road, we received a call from KIA. It seems that the spark plug wires were quite brittle, and they recommended replacing them as well....while they had things apart. We do need to keep this car on the road so, yes...go ahead. To be honest, this car has faired VERY well in its life. She still has the original muffler!!!...although the rest of the exhaust pipes needed to be replaced this past  Fall.

While in Orillia, we did the usual Costco run. We also picked up my lesser sewing machine, which was in for cleaning/servicing at Thimbles & Things, and the material I needed to finish the pillow covers I was making for my friend on the loop. I also picked up the backing for the "100 Modern Quilt Blocks" quilt I've been working on finishing.

Once back home, I got the second pillow cover done. They are now both done and ready to be delivered :)

I'm pretty happy with how they turned out. Finishing this project emptied a bin for me.....which is good because I needed one for the up-coming "Free-Motion Quilting" class that will be beginning early in February. Since the bin was empty, I decided to go ahead and prep the layered patches, even though I won't need them for a couple of weeks yet.

They are now in the bin along with the cranberry thread I plan to use as I learn how to do free-motion quilting. I still have a few articles to read before the class, and I need to get a clipboard before then, but otherwise...I am ready.

When I went to cross of "Homework" tasks, I was very pleased to see that I am almost done all the January homework.

In fact, I'm well on my way with the February tasks that have been assigned so far, too! So awesome! It'll allow me to get more work done on some of the UFO's that have been hanging over my head.

It's time for Jeopardy now. Boy....I'm VERY impressed with Amy! She's doing amazingly well :)

And on that note, I wish you all a very good night!

TTFN

Here's To You, Mr. Leslie...

 SW worked today, so it was just Jade and I for her trip to the vet today. 

As you know, she's been shedding like a bad shag rug, but she's also beginning to look a little thinner. Off to the vet we went just to be sure that we weren't dealing with any health issues. When I arrived, the technician came out to pick her up (we aren't allowed in with her atm). A general once-over did not reveal anything to raise any alarms. The vet wondered if I'd like them to do in-house blood work to see if it showed anything....diabetes, thyroid issues, cancer, pancreatitis,.... Of course, I said "Yes please." That did, however, mean waiting around about an hour for the draw and results. No problem! What do you do when you have to wait around? I had brought along my hand stitching for Tula Nova. I was able to get 2 stars fully done, and had begun work on the third when the vet called once again.

Turns out our approximately 12-year old dog (best guess...she was adopted from a Humane Society) is really very healthy. NONE of her stats were "out of whack". And, she'd only lost 3 pounds since her visit last Spring. The fact that she looks skinnier could be attributable to the loss of muscle mass due to the arthritis in her hind end. It doesn't mean there isn't something going on, but it's not presenting itself with a general check-up or through the blood work. The vet said to keep and eye on her, and if we were still concerned to bring her back for further tests...like checking her stool for parasites.

Of course, vet visits are quite traumatic for Jade....she needs drugs (Trazadone) to keep her calmer while in the office...so once we returned home, she was VERY happy to just sleep the day away. Even as I write this, she is still somewhat derpy!

This evening, SW and I will be doing our annual shot of Scotch in honour of a very special friend who passed away to cancer 7 years ago. He and his wife, and my other half and myself were such easy company. We even did a 3-week driving trip to the East Coast and still liked each other after it was over. I texted his wife today to let her know I was thinking of her. We still get together....just not as much what with COVID. She's been having a difficult time this year missing him. Not surprising...He was a phenomenal friend...a "brother from a different mother" to my other half. We miss him dearly!!!

Here's to you, Mr. Leslie! We love you! We miss you! And yes!...we will see you again! I HAVE to believe that!

And on that note, I wish you all a very good night!

TTFN

Lake Walk

 This morning, SW and I headed out together to walk Her Ladyship. We decided that today, we would walk ON the lake. Always lovely when things have frozen enough to know this is safe.

Jade absolutely LOVES walking on the lake because she gets to go leash-free. She becomes like a puppy, running to-and-fro.

She'll head out and do a bunch of sniffing, and then run back to us :)

Once we got back to the house, SW got the snowblower busy (he does our driveway and our neighbour's driveway), while I headed in to take care of some things inside. We've had so much snow lately that it's getting harder for Jade to take care of business out in the bush. I looked out the window and one point....when I heard the snowblower where I didn't expect to hear the snowblower....and I saw this.

Jade's man was busy blowing a loop-path in the bush to make things a little easier for her. He's such a good man!

Of course, Jade was very appreciative when I sent her out to investigate.

Small note about that cabinet door we were trying to "unbend"....it didn't work. You need to be able to wet the wood and bake it in the sun to reverse a warp. While we have had sunny days, the temperature has been such that "baking" was NOT going to happen. So...we bought another piece of plywood (the ladies would like the cabinet sooner rather than later), and cut another door. Hopefully sometime tomorrow, I will be working on getting laminate on the edges and trim on the front. Then it will need to be painted with primer to seal the wood.

For sewing today, I decided to set aside my work on the 100 Modern Quilt Blocks quilt and get busy on the homework for the Barn Trail class. The instructions during the Zoom were a little complex and I wanted to get it done while it was still fresh in my mind. This is block #5 of the 12.

I downloaded and printed the pattern, got all the fabric pieces cut, and began to sew. This piece was the one that I was most worried about forgetting how to make, especially with the odd lines to mark and the cut to make.

With all the components of the block made....

...it was time to assemble the block.

Although I followed the pressing instructions on the pattern, I did not like how MANY of the interesting seams did not nest. That makes it very difficult to have the points come properly and neatly together. It also made for some REALLY thick areas where too many layers of fabric were ironed over each other. This wasn't so much an issue on previous blocks in the series, but it was a problem today :(  Even so, the end result was pretty good. The block is done, and I'm leaving it at that. Hopefully it doesn't come back to haunt me when it needs to be quilted. Fingers crossed!

And on that note, I wish you all a very good night!

TTFN