I know people will think I'm complaining when I say this but I'm really not...but I'M EXHAUSTED! You wouldn't think that retirement could be so exhausting but wow. Still, I'm loving the freedom!
Let me explain...
I've been doing a lot of cutting and marking for the quilt I'm making. I'm a little space-challenged but making the best of it. But for some reason, when I'm cutting fabric, my shoulders just scream. Now, I have really bad shoulders as it is but wow, cutting just tenses me up. And marking fabric - same thing. But, I don't trust myself to sew a straight line from corner to corner yet so mark, I must.
For some reason, too, whenever I set at my sewing table and work, my ankle swells up like you would not believe. Normally, that wouldn't be a big deal but in the past, whenever I'd had swollen ankles, I've had blood clots. So I get a little paranoid - even though I am certain the Warfarin is doing its job.
I'm doing good on the quilt - I should have all the small squares done by tomorrow then I get the challenge of trying to match up seams to make the big squares. After that, I have to lay them out and see where I want them to go in the big scheme of things. I need to get some type of wall thing to place the pieces on - but Lord know where I'll hand it! :) But, I'll figure it out somehow...and my hubby is always good for creative ideas with that kind of thing! (thank goodness for his support in this new hobby).
Well, my shoulders are a little better now so back to marking. Yea!
Until next time...
Showing posts with label Quilting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Quilting. Show all posts
Sunday, July 30, 2017
Friday, July 28, 2017
Loving Life
Yesterday, I "found" a new fabric store near me. I was amazed at the selections - and the wonderful prices. (If you haven't been to the Fabric Shack in Waynesville, Ohio, go! Go NOW!)
I did buy a quilt kit yesterday because it was gorgeous but I resisted buying a Charm Pack of the most beautiful fabrics. Well, today, I realized I needed another fat quarter of yellow for the current quilt so I decided to hop over to Waynesville. Bad idea for me! I just couldn't resist this time. I ended up buying 2 Charm packs and enough coordinating material to create a full size quilt - border and backing. ARGH! I'm not exactly what pattern I'll do yet, but I just had to have it.
But, the point of this post - as seen by the title - is that as I was driving home, on a beautiful day, after picking up beautiful fabric and yarn (ok, I stopped in a yarn store too even though I swore I wouldn't), I realized that I love my life.
Let me say that again - I LOVE MY LIFE! I am not rich, I need to lose weight (lots and lots), I'm not someone that would be described as beautiful any longer, but....
I have a wonderful husband that puts up with me (for 32 years now), a fantastic son (even though I don't see him enough), I have my house with my front porch that I love, I have a crazy dog that I love (most of the time), and I'm retired. What more can a person ask for? Sure, I would love more money - who wouldn't? Sure, I want to be slim again (working on it), Sure, I would like a fancier house. But when I look at all I do have - I am truly blessed. So - I love my life! And, I'm happy to be able to say that.
Just saying...
I did buy a quilt kit yesterday because it was gorgeous but I resisted buying a Charm Pack of the most beautiful fabrics. Well, today, I realized I needed another fat quarter of yellow for the current quilt so I decided to hop over to Waynesville. Bad idea for me! I just couldn't resist this time. I ended up buying 2 Charm packs and enough coordinating material to create a full size quilt - border and backing. ARGH! I'm not exactly what pattern I'll do yet, but I just had to have it.
But, the point of this post - as seen by the title - is that as I was driving home, on a beautiful day, after picking up beautiful fabric and yarn (ok, I stopped in a yarn store too even though I swore I wouldn't), I realized that I love my life.
Let me say that again - I LOVE MY LIFE! I am not rich, I need to lose weight (lots and lots), I'm not someone that would be described as beautiful any longer, but....
I have a wonderful husband that puts up with me (for 32 years now), a fantastic son (even though I don't see him enough), I have my house with my front porch that I love, I have a crazy dog that I love (most of the time), and I'm retired. What more can a person ask for? Sure, I would love more money - who wouldn't? Sure, I want to be slim again (working on it), Sure, I would like a fancier house. But when I look at all I do have - I am truly blessed. So - I love my life! And, I'm happy to be able to say that.
Just saying...
Thursday, July 27, 2017
Lunch, Poker, and Fabric
What do these things - lunch, poker, and fabric - have in common? NOTHING! Absolutely nothing. But it's the way I've spent my days this week.
Tuesday was a fabric cutting day - cutting little 7.5 inch squares and 4 inch squares. Lots and lots of squares. I'm getting better at cutting - I'd probably get a C if I were graded now. That's a lot better than my previous D- (or even an F). But that doesn't mean I like it any better.
I did get a class from Craftsy specifically on cutting - and I have to say, it was $20 well spent. Within the first 5 minutes, I learned some things that did make it much easier. I suppose that like most things, it gets easier with practice. I still have more to cut but I decided today I will actually mark and sew. (Marking is another thing that I quickly discovered that I do not care for. I just don't have the patience but I also know that if I don't, this quilt won't turn out right. (OK, it probably won't turn out right anyway but it won't be because I did not mark the fabric!)
Yesterday, I had lunch with an old teammate. It was great to catch up with her and hear some of the things that are happening from her perspective. She's a great person with a ton of potential and I know she'll have lots of success!
But since I was already half way to Cincinnati, I decided to go ahead and hit the casino. It's been about 2 months so why not. I was stunned to see my favorite table almost empty. (I like to play Crazy 4.) I kept looking at the sign to make sure I wasn't accidentally at Four Handed Poker instead. (yes, I did that once - took me only one hand to say "Oops!" and get up.) But, I was at the right table. It was another 'not so good' day but at least I had fun. I lost $135 but at least I didn't lose it all. (ok, ok, the only reason I didn't lose it all was because they were changing cards and that takes about 10 minutes and it was good time to hit the road and beat the traffic.) Otherwise, I'm sure Jack would have all my money.
Today, I got the brilliant idea to get a manicure. I rarely do that. We're talking maybe once every 2 - 3 years. But they had an opening so what the heck. I wasn't going to get polish - just get the shaped up some and buffed but she convinced me to do a very light color that still showed the white tips. They look good but we'll see how long the polish stays on - it usually only stays for a day or two and splits my nails. Time will tell.
But, she did tell me about a fabric store in the next little town over that I did not know about. So I took a 15 minute drive over to check it out. ONLY TO LOOK! Yeh, right. I ended up buying a quilt package. ARGH! I'll be 90 before I finish all these damn quilts. But the store was HUGH! They had so many fabrics, I was in awe. Seems like some of their prices are cheaper, too, so I may be heading that way when I need fabric. I need to make a pledge on fabric like I did on yarn - NO MORE until I use up some of what I have!
So that's what I'm doing in my retirement days. Yeehaw! But, it's better that than working anyday.
So, here's to retirement. Thank you for the opportunity that I didn't know I wanted!
See ya next time
Tuesday was a fabric cutting day - cutting little 7.5 inch squares and 4 inch squares. Lots and lots of squares. I'm getting better at cutting - I'd probably get a C if I were graded now. That's a lot better than my previous D- (or even an F). But that doesn't mean I like it any better.
I did get a class from Craftsy specifically on cutting - and I have to say, it was $20 well spent. Within the first 5 minutes, I learned some things that did make it much easier. I suppose that like most things, it gets easier with practice. I still have more to cut but I decided today I will actually mark and sew. (Marking is another thing that I quickly discovered that I do not care for. I just don't have the patience but I also know that if I don't, this quilt won't turn out right. (OK, it probably won't turn out right anyway but it won't be because I did not mark the fabric!)
Yesterday, I had lunch with an old teammate. It was great to catch up with her and hear some of the things that are happening from her perspective. She's a great person with a ton of potential and I know she'll have lots of success!
But since I was already half way to Cincinnati, I decided to go ahead and hit the casino. It's been about 2 months so why not. I was stunned to see my favorite table almost empty. (I like to play Crazy 4.) I kept looking at the sign to make sure I wasn't accidentally at Four Handed Poker instead. (yes, I did that once - took me only one hand to say "Oops!" and get up.) But, I was at the right table. It was another 'not so good' day but at least I had fun. I lost $135 but at least I didn't lose it all. (ok, ok, the only reason I didn't lose it all was because they were changing cards and that takes about 10 minutes and it was good time to hit the road and beat the traffic.) Otherwise, I'm sure Jack would have all my money.
Today, I got the brilliant idea to get a manicure. I rarely do that. We're talking maybe once every 2 - 3 years. But they had an opening so what the heck. I wasn't going to get polish - just get the shaped up some and buffed but she convinced me to do a very light color that still showed the white tips. They look good but we'll see how long the polish stays on - it usually only stays for a day or two and splits my nails. Time will tell.
But, she did tell me about a fabric store in the next little town over that I did not know about. So I took a 15 minute drive over to check it out. ONLY TO LOOK! Yeh, right. I ended up buying a quilt package. ARGH! I'll be 90 before I finish all these damn quilts. But the store was HUGH! They had so many fabrics, I was in awe. Seems like some of their prices are cheaper, too, so I may be heading that way when I need fabric. I need to make a pledge on fabric like I did on yarn - NO MORE until I use up some of what I have!
So that's what I'm doing in my retirement days. Yeehaw! But, it's better that than working anyday.
So, here's to retirement. Thank you for the opportunity that I didn't know I wanted!
See ya next time
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
Retirement Blues
The name of the post says it all. Although I LOVE being retired, I am getting bored. One would think that with all the projects I have in progress, I wouldn't be but one can only crochet and knit for so many hours a day before fingers drop off! And I really like my fingers!
Currently, I'm working on knitting a sage green scarf, using some old yarn I had left over from an afghan; I'm crocheting a shawl with this beautiful light gray/dark gray yarn I got on line; and I am getting ready to start a new doily with the really cool blue yarn that I picked up on my Quilt Quest and I can't wait to use it!
I did finish my first quilt top - using Jelly Rolls. Very simple. I don't want to actually quilt it though, until I learn what I'm doing! And that can't happen until at least September since I just missed the beginning class at the Little Shop of Stitches. Bummer! I think I'm going to put a light border around it and then edge it with a rust color. Hope it works out!
I do have a pile of quilt rows to make thanks to Row by Row experience. I decided to start on a small kit I purchased several weeks ago. I started cutting the squares out on Sunday and quickly found that I flunked cutting. I mean really, who can't cut? But me and rotary cutter just don't get a long well. Go figure! I can hopefully salvage the mistakes I made when I start to piece things together. I think I'll save the Row by Row pieces until I learn what I'm doing!
Retirement is good but I do need to find another outlet besides crafts and reading. Open to all suggestions!
Currently, I'm working on knitting a sage green scarf, using some old yarn I had left over from an afghan; I'm crocheting a shawl with this beautiful light gray/dark gray yarn I got on line; and I am getting ready to start a new doily with the really cool blue yarn that I picked up on my Quilt Quest and I can't wait to use it!
I did finish my first quilt top - using Jelly Rolls. Very simple. I don't want to actually quilt it though, until I learn what I'm doing! And that can't happen until at least September since I just missed the beginning class at the Little Shop of Stitches. Bummer! I think I'm going to put a light border around it and then edge it with a rust color. Hope it works out!
I do have a pile of quilt rows to make thanks to Row by Row experience. I decided to start on a small kit I purchased several weeks ago. I started cutting the squares out on Sunday and quickly found that I flunked cutting. I mean really, who can't cut? But me and rotary cutter just don't get a long well. Go figure! I can hopefully salvage the mistakes I made when I start to piece things together. I think I'll save the Row by Row pieces until I learn what I'm doing!
Retirement is good but I do need to find another outlet besides crafts and reading. Open to all suggestions!
Thursday, June 29, 2017
Quilt Quest
So what does a retired person do all day when they have no plan for what to do all day?
They go on a QUILT QUEST!
My mother-in-law told me about this thing called "Row by Row Experience." A friend of hers is an avid quilter and had ask my MIL to pick up a pattern from a few stores near where they live. As she was telling me about it, I decided to check out the site (www.rowbyrowexperience.com) to see what this was all about.
This is a national idea that started a few years ago where quilt stores all over the country can participate if they want as a way to get people into their stores. Each store creates ONE row of a quilt. Then people like me travel to their stores and pick up the pattern or the pattern & kit to make the row and then put them together to make a full quilt. Because everyone will go to different stores, the variety of ways to piece the rows together is endless. And, you get the experience of visiting stores you may not have heard about. The rules are simple - you must actually go to the store. You can't get these on line or by mail.
I looked up the Ohio stores and there are over 70 that are participating. I mapped out 11 stores south of me in the greater Cincinnati area and then another 10-11 in the Columbus area. According to Google Maps, my southern route would take about 3.5 hours (without stops). I started out about 9:15 with plans to get to the first store as soon as it opened. It was a delightful store called "Fiberge". Unfortunately for me, it was not only a quilt store but a yarn store too. The yarns were just beautiful and I just had to buy some. Although far away from home, still a place I would go back to - very friendly with great stuff. It was a lot of fun.
At one of the stores I visited, I noted some 'jelly rolls' for sale. I've been looking at getting a jelly roll as someone said it is an easy way to start - doing a 1600 quilt. A Jelly Roll is just a big roll of pre-cut strips of material. I loved the rolls they had for sale so I picked one up with beautiful colors. As I paid, the clerk said "Oh this in grunge - you'll love it." So I asked, "What is grunge?" So she took me back and showed me bolts of grunge material. OMG! This stuff is beautiful. I don't even know how to explain it but trust me - it is beautiful. I see a lot of grunge in my future!
The theme for 2017 is "On the Go" so each row had something to do with being on the go. I will have rows with roller skate, gym shoes, trains, planes, trucks, and even Mary Poppins. One store thought it through and decided to make a quilt row featuring two star blocks and the Ohio state emblem every summer - ORANGE BARRELS! Too cute. I did see one that I will visit soon - it's an outhouse with a person in there - ON THE GO! I love it.
I ended up visiting stores in Pleasant Ridge, College Hill, Blue Rock, Pleasant Run, Woodlawn, Sharonville, Loveland, and Goshen. I had intended to hit Wilmington, Trenton, and Miamisburg too but I was 6.5 hours into this already and I was exhausted. So I crossed Wilmington and Trenton my list (for now) but I did manage to go to Miamisburg on Wednesday. Glad I did - it's definitely a place I'll go back to.
My plans were to just get the patterns and not spend money but then common sense took over and I decided to purchase the kits. Most were around $20 but add on the yarn and jelly rolls that I purchased and all of a sudden, I'm at about $300 for the day! After looking at what I spent and how much I have to do, I've decided to not go on a quilt quest to Columbus - too far, too much money. But when we're on vacation next week, we may hit one or two if there are other things to do in the area.
What's ironic about this is that I DON'T QUILT!!! But now I have lots of kits to practice on and who knows, by next year's Row by Row experience, I'll be so good at quilting that I can enter the contest.
So that's what retired people do - at least this old girl!
They go on a QUILT QUEST!
My mother-in-law told me about this thing called "Row by Row Experience." A friend of hers is an avid quilter and had ask my MIL to pick up a pattern from a few stores near where they live. As she was telling me about it, I decided to check out the site (www.rowbyrowexperience.com) to see what this was all about.
This is a national idea that started a few years ago where quilt stores all over the country can participate if they want as a way to get people into their stores. Each store creates ONE row of a quilt. Then people like me travel to their stores and pick up the pattern or the pattern & kit to make the row and then put them together to make a full quilt. Because everyone will go to different stores, the variety of ways to piece the rows together is endless. And, you get the experience of visiting stores you may not have heard about. The rules are simple - you must actually go to the store. You can't get these on line or by mail.
I looked up the Ohio stores and there are over 70 that are participating. I mapped out 11 stores south of me in the greater Cincinnati area and then another 10-11 in the Columbus area. According to Google Maps, my southern route would take about 3.5 hours (without stops). I started out about 9:15 with plans to get to the first store as soon as it opened. It was a delightful store called "Fiberge". Unfortunately for me, it was not only a quilt store but a yarn store too. The yarns were just beautiful and I just had to buy some. Although far away from home, still a place I would go back to - very friendly with great stuff. It was a lot of fun.
At one of the stores I visited, I noted some 'jelly rolls' for sale. I've been looking at getting a jelly roll as someone said it is an easy way to start - doing a 1600 quilt. A Jelly Roll is just a big roll of pre-cut strips of material. I loved the rolls they had for sale so I picked one up with beautiful colors. As I paid, the clerk said "Oh this in grunge - you'll love it." So I asked, "What is grunge?" So she took me back and showed me bolts of grunge material. OMG! This stuff is beautiful. I don't even know how to explain it but trust me - it is beautiful. I see a lot of grunge in my future!
The theme for 2017 is "On the Go" so each row had something to do with being on the go. I will have rows with roller skate, gym shoes, trains, planes, trucks, and even Mary Poppins. One store thought it through and decided to make a quilt row featuring two star blocks and the Ohio state emblem every summer - ORANGE BARRELS! Too cute. I did see one that I will visit soon - it's an outhouse with a person in there - ON THE GO! I love it.
I ended up visiting stores in Pleasant Ridge, College Hill, Blue Rock, Pleasant Run, Woodlawn, Sharonville, Loveland, and Goshen. I had intended to hit Wilmington, Trenton, and Miamisburg too but I was 6.5 hours into this already and I was exhausted. So I crossed Wilmington and Trenton my list (for now) but I did manage to go to Miamisburg on Wednesday. Glad I did - it's definitely a place I'll go back to.
My plans were to just get the patterns and not spend money but then common sense took over and I decided to purchase the kits. Most were around $20 but add on the yarn and jelly rolls that I purchased and all of a sudden, I'm at about $300 for the day! After looking at what I spent and how much I have to do, I've decided to not go on a quilt quest to Columbus - too far, too much money. But when we're on vacation next week, we may hit one or two if there are other things to do in the area.
What's ironic about this is that I DON'T QUILT!!! But now I have lots of kits to practice on and who knows, by next year's Row by Row experience, I'll be so good at quilting that I can enter the contest.
So that's what retired people do - at least this old girl!
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