Friday, November 24, 2023

I can still get around in my sewing space but just barely. And I can get into the room across the hall but, again, barely.

My cutting table is littered with Christmas fabric. A lot of it has been sitting there since I cleared out my Christmas bin; I’m gradually using it for my cards. I still have another set of cards to make so I’m glad I didn’t get carried away and put everything back in the bin.

I have Christmas wrapping paper all over the floor in both rooms. This morning I wrapped up all but the last package for 12-Days. I was waiting for one more parcel to arrive and it came just after lunch today. I guess it is a good thing I didn’t put the paper away.

I also have mailing boxes all over both rooms. Some of them have been cut down and I have three set aside with the 12-Day packages. I thought (for a minute) I might break down the rest of the boxes because it is recycle day next week. I’m glad I didn’t move ahead with that plan as I remembered I still have several boxes of dishes and ornaments to send along to Elizabeth.

As if I didn’t already have enough of a mess I dug out a box of 2.5″ strips that came home with me when I took over the Program Committee at the Guild. I thought I had returned everything to the Guild after my diagnosis but I found this box hidden away. It is full of scraps, some width of fabric, some less, as well as some pre-cut squares. I’ll be using some of them in a quilt I’ll be working on over the weekend as the Guild gets together for our Community Quilt session. The ones I didn’t pick to use are loosely stuff back into the box they came from.

I got some of my cards bound yesterday at Gail’s but I still have three left. I also have some embroidery stitches to add to all of them. I wasn’t going to do that but Gail thinks it will look better if I do; it was only because it was more work that I decided not to do the extra step. Last night’s demo was fun and I learned how to do a proper blanket stitch. It is so much easier to learn from someone than it is to try to pick it up from youtube. It turns out to be another (small) project that isn’t finished!

I might continue with some hand stitching this afternoon or I may sit and read. Pat picked up a book at the library for me this morning and it is brand new so I only have it for a short time.

Whatever I decide to do it won’t be cleaning up this (glorious) mess!

Wednesday, November 22, 2023

When I had my CPAP appointment on Monday I made a doctor’s appointment for first thing this morning. I was in the examination room before the doctor was even in the clinic; I didn’t wait long though.

As usual he wanted to know what I was there for. When I told him he asked what I was worried about. What? I got to thinking though that before my diagnosis I had probably been in the office once in about three years; since Covid my prescription renewals have been done over the phone. Since I finished radiation I think I’ve been to the doctor four times. I wonder if he noticed that and now thinks I’m a hypochondriac? Apparently there is nothing to worry about even though he doesn’t know what is causing the pain in my head – we’ll monitor it!

I’ve spent the rest of my day in the sewing room. I wrapped up a few more 12 Day packages and then got started on one of the batches of Christmas cards I took to Texada but never started. I have seven put together and I’m hoping that I can have all of them quilted by the end of the day.

First thing tomorrow morning I’ll sew down the binding and that will give me some hand stitching to do when I go for coffee with Gail tomorrow afternoon. I have a Guild demo tomorrow night – a session on some felt Christmas decorations (or maybe cards).

Monday, November 20, 2023

Yesterday I carefully planned what I would take to the Guild sewing tomorrow. But somewhere in the middle of the night I changed that plan. My new plan meant that I would be hand stitching and wouldn’t need my machine, making packing up much easier.

I started the morning by wrapping up a few of my 12-Days packages and then I printed all the envelopes that accompany the gifts. I changed my mind for one of the days and got the new gift ordered; it will be here in plenty of time to send.

I stitched the extra border on the two quilts that I’m donating. Our quilting weekend is coming up on Saturday and I have five quilt tops to donate. The Guild has a really good and efficient method of sandwiching; I may get some of them back to quilt or someone else may take them on. Either way I’m fine.

Next up were two birthday cards that I took to Texada but never touched. They are both quilted and ready to have the binding hand stitched. In case that hand stitching isn’t enough to keep me busy I’ll take along another hand-pieced Manx block. I have some prep work to do before I can say it is ready to go though.

I have the final Book Circle tonight. I’ve enjoyed the discussions but I’ll be glad to have my evenings back. I’m realizing that I’m not enjoying a weekly commitment; I prefer something that I can do if and when I want to.

Sunday, November 19, 2023

I spent the morning in my sewing room putting the binding on my Remembrance Day runner. It is ready to take to the Guild on Tuesday for hand stitching. I also have borders pinned on a couple of Community quilts that I’ll attach on Tuesday as well.

I had a bit of time before lunch so sorted out a few packages for my 12 Days. I hope to have them ready for the mail by the end of the month. I have a bit more shopping to do for them but it can be done the next time I’m out running errands.

I didn’t get to my chickens yesterday afternoon so I’m working on them now. Pat has a guitar that needs to be repaired so when he delivers it south of town I’ll go along for the drive.