HAPPY BIRTHDAY PATRICK - SEAHAWKS WON

   Today was Patrick's Birthday. He didn't want anything and said it's just another day to him. I'm not that way when it comes to Birthdays, but then he treats it the same. lol 

This morning, I wanted to get some stuff cleaned. I got started on laundry, that didn't get me far. 

I had the Roomba going in the bedroom, bathroom and kitchen/dining room. We then mopped the floor. I kept finding things that needed cleaning and was doing that. I think all morning was nothing but cleaning here and there. Like spring cleaning, I guess. 

Patrick's siblings called and chatted. Then we watched Graham Norton show. 

Seahawks game was on, so we had to watch that. I was worried a couple times because they messed up! But in the end, they are going to the Super Bowl and hopefully will win!!

I decided after the game to try and see if I could do a pansy flower in embroidery. I wanted it to look like a pansy and not something different. I needed it for the Round Robin. So, I went downstairs and pulled out some floss, a scrap of material and drew my design. Then I went to work to see how it came out. 

I don't usually do that. But I found that I like how it's coming along, so I'm happy enough to work on the Round Robin piece. I need to get it in the mail and out of the house. lol I also decided to try and get the colors I needed as solid and not variegated as it's easier to work with the solid colors than the variegated. I ended up using 2 strands, working the dark first, then going back with the lighter color and work it in. If I wasn't careful, I would have a lot of the lighter color sticking out waiting for me to use. So, I found some lighter blue/purple colors and will do that for the round robin.  At least I can do it, and I think I can do it well. We will see. I need to get into doing stuff on my own and not relying on a pattern. 

So, I'm happy to say, it was Happy Stitcing/Happy Quilting!

Cleaning Saturday

This morning, I was expecting Jo Pope to come over. She came with her quilt top to get backing and batting. She also took another panel to work on with some fabric. She's kicking butt, and her quilts are the hand quilted quilts we give out. 

After she left, I worked on cutting backing and batting for 2 quilt tops. I will deliver them to Colleen on Monday. We are doing pretty good with getting quilt tops in and out. 

Then I played my hour-long game. After that Patrick and I went downstair and got into the pantry area. It was so crowded that you couldn't walk in it. Now you can. We pulled out stuff we haven't used, won't use, or just didn't know what to do with. I got boxes and boxes of dishes and things that we will take to the garage sale with the grange. Good thing we have 3 tables. May need more. lol 

Once all that was done, we went to Phil's to get Patrick's Birthday cake. Phil is such a good cook, that he told Patrick he would do that for his Birthday. 

Came back home and I worked on the Roomba to get the floor cleaned. Had to check the filter. lol I'm learning! 

I decided to just enjoy the rest of the night. I was tired of the news. It's sad and makes one wonder where we are headed. 

Other than that, I'm trying to get a few things done, and playing my games. There are good friends in the game I play, and it takes one away from real life, even though we talk about real life. 

So, yes, in a way, I was Happy Quilting/Happy Stitching!

Trip To Tacoma - All Day

 This morning, I enjoyed being able to sleep in. Had some trouble with my thumb last night. So, it was nice to finally get some sleep.

We left around 11:30am to head to Tacoma. We decided to get lunch at the Spaghetti Factory. We arrived around 1:30 pm. It was the first time in a long time that we were there. Must be about 10 months at least. It wasn't crowded, as I thought it would be. We sat and enjoyed our lunch. We had plenty of time because my appointment wasn't till about 4:30 pm. I had the lunch size and Patrick had the full size. He ended up bringing some home. 

We could see Mt. Rainier the whole time we traveled north. It was awesome to see!

Heading how was just as pretty! Before the sun went down. 

After we were done, we headed to Tacoma Kaiser. There we were about 40 minutes early. The good news was, I was in early. We talked with the doctor about my thumb. I had an option of a shot or surgery. If I got the shot, I would have surgery the next time I came in. Since he told me he is 3 months into surgeries, and if I got the shot, I would have to wait 3 months before surgery can be done. So, I told him to do the shot, and we will schedule for surgery in 4 months. He agreed with that. OMG!!! That shot hurt so bad!! I was in pain, but not as much pain as I was in when I had the breast cancer shots. Still! I can take pain, but crap, that was real pain! It finally got numb as we were leaving. It's a little (I mean little) numb now. Last time it took a day to get rid of the numbness! Oh, well. 

By the time we drove through traffic on the way home - leaving around 4:45 pm and arriving at 6:30 pm, I was beat! AND I didn't do anything but be a passenger in the car! Weird!

So, as much as I would love to say it, I wasn't even close to Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Getting Lazy - But Still Crocheting

Today, I was up and Patrick was waiting to go golfing. I hate it when he ends up waiting to go. I like having my mornings to myself sometimes. He didn't leave till about 10:30 am. 

I had my game to play at noon, so I played getting a few things done on my war game. I'm getting closer to upgrading but it takes forever. 

After Patrick left, I turned on my audiobook and played for a while. 

Mom stopped by for some fabric to work on some blocks for QOV. She stayed a short amount of time. She wanted the bright colors that I have little of anymore. I need to get more bright colors to work with, but that isn't easy when all the donations are a little duller. We have darker blues and reds, but most look better with the bright colors. We will have to work on this in the future when we order fabrics to us. 

Then I decided I could do both playing and crocheting at the same time. 

I was able to get this much done in a short amount of time. I started it, got the cuff done and Patrick walked into the house. I was able to get most of the cable done while watching "Murder in Paradise" or something like that. British show. I'm wondering when this guy leaves. The don't seem to keep the same gay. I did see a newer series and the guy they have, I didn't care for, but haven't gotten to that series yet. 

I need to.......work on my genealogy........work on another quilt top.........work on my Hawaiian quilt.......my cat beading......etc. I can't seem to get my butt in gear and get stuff done! I will try and work on that this year. I need to see what I can finish and not get carried away to start something new. I did contact the Stitching Shop about the order I placed. I received the email saying it went out in the mail today! Woo Hoo! I can get back to my cross stitching when that comes in! I also need to get my beading out too......Oh, Crap, here I go again.....need to do this.....need to do that....and I'm still not doing any of it!! 

At least today, I did find a way to be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Crocheting Today & Casino

This morning, Patrick was up before me. He waited till about 10:30 am to go golfing. The weather is cold and the frost is out there in the mornings. The golf course doesn't want anyone out there before the frost is cleared. He ended up waiting till 11:30 am to go out. 

I enjoyed the morning by doing nothing important. I decided to listen to my book and enjoy the morning. So, I pulled out my crocheting and worked on the leg warmers. 

I finished the one leg, but don't care for the way it was put together. 

The left side is the finishing, and the right side is the work I started. I have an idea of what I need to do to fix it, but right now, it will do. I'm going to change it up and do another set of warmers, but this is good enough for now. I just need to make a matching one. Not too thrilled, but if it keeps my legs warm, won't complain. The next set will be better. 

Then Patrick got home and we went to the casino. I won $750 which was on the money we were given from the casino. We played on that for a while and then came home. We ate at the casino as well. I brought 2 turnovers home for tomorrow. They are really good! So, our trip to the casino didn't cost us a thing. Then Patrick said he figured the amount wrong, since he had a $1 in his wallet from the winnings. I gave him a dirty look! He wanted to play the drums game again, and I'm so sick of that game! The last 4 times we played it (costing a lot of money), we didn't get a bonus once! I told him I would never play that game again. He told me it happens on all the games, I told him, nope, just that one! 

At least today, I found time for Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

 

Tried To Be Lazy

This morning, I was up after Patrick. He was waiting to go golfing. They were told it would be about 10 am before they could get out there. He texted me later to say it would be about 11 am. I just laughed. It was really cold today. I don't understand how they can go out in the weather!

I headed up the downstairs. I was going to do some work down there but ended up waiting a couple hours while I played my game. 

 

I first started with the 2" strip on the top and bottom to find that it wasn't big enough. So, took out the borders and put in 4" strips. That got it closer to the 80" that it needed to be but was still 2" short. I'm okay with that. The side borders are the 2" strips I started with. There is a binding strip of red that will work great for this. 

Came upstairs and played my games. Just wasn't in the mood to do much today. I listened to my books, and that seems to keep my interest. I need to get back to it. 

Tomorrow's sew days in canceled. We just didn't have enough people coming. Think it would have been just 3 or 4 of us. Not enough to get much done. I will have the pillowcases ready for the February 7th National Sew Days. We can work on them then. 

So, all in all, I was Happy Quilting/Happy Stitching!

Embroidery Today

This morning, I had a few things I needed to do before going to moms, but Patrick was kind enough to do them for me. So, I headed to Colleen's to pick up 3 quilts that needed the bindings done. Then I stopped at Dutch Brothers for tea. Got one for mom as well. 

Arrived at moms to drop off 5 quilts that needed binding. She had 4 others that she needed to do as well. She sewed on one that was Georgie's, so she could do her own quilt. There was another one that was Georgie's as well. 

I worked on my embroidery. I wanted to do a Pansy for the Round Robin, but I need to draw it on the piece in order to work on it. I will try and get it done this week. I need to get it in the mail. 

So instead of doing the round robin, I pulled out the rose pattern I have. I need to work on the center now. It's satin stich and need the flower drawn on the batting. I will do that later. I need my lines to help me with the satin stitching. There is a lot of detached buttonhole stitch, so I'm going to have to work on my stitches to get it right. It will take some doing. 

Came home and worked on my leg warmers. I really want to get those done. I'm close! 

BUT I have another one to make when this is done. Of course, we need 2! I will do another one, my way and see which one I like better. I think this doesn't show the cable like it should. So, I will have fun with the next pair. Right now, this is close to having one done. 

I posted on Facebook the veterans we honored. Now it's a waiting game to see how many quilts we can get done to keep moving. lol 

My days was a lot of fun with Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

 

Signed Up For A Virtual Class

 Here I go again. As if I don't have enough going on, I signed up for another Brazilian Embroidery Class! Just what I needed. But I do love the Stumpwork Glads that Loretta Holzberger designed and is teaching! She's so much fun. 

Today I was working on the laundry. Then forgot about it. I was playing my games and then decided it was time to get moving on my leg warmers. I seriously had trouble reading and seeing the pattern! The more I did what was told, the more it didn't look right. Once I figured out what and how I was trying to get the twist, it was easier to do. I don't like the "back" stitch method. So, I'm thinking I will do it the "normal" way next time and see which I like better. I can use a couple leg warmers and as much as I don't like the yarn, I have enough to do 2 sets at least. 

It took me a good hour just to figure out my stitches and where they went. When I started it didn't do what it was supposed to. I think if I did the double stitch again, it will be the front way and not the back way. I think it would look a lot better. 

While I was trying to stitch, I had a visitor that decided she wanted me to pay more attention to her than my crocheting. She even got a part of it wet for me. UGH! 

She had to relax on my yarn I was using. I keep it in the plastic because of this. Of course, she had to sleep on the plastic! Purring the whole time. 

The stuff I put up with! lol 

So, today was working on my leg warmers. I need to get the last round robin piece done but haven't gotten there yet. Which doesn't keep me from saying I was Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Getting A Few Things Ready

 This morning, Patrick was up early. I'm betting it's because he gets up early for golfing and now it's hard to break the habit. 

I heated up downstairs, thinking I would go down there. I played on my tablet for a while and Patrick watched his western shows. 

I cut and got pillowcases ready to be sewn. We will be doing them on Wednesday. I will need to do a few more. It was fun getting fabrics that will work better than the fabrics we were getting. 

After putting pillowcases together, and calling it done, Patrick asked if I needed to get the kits ready. So, we went downstairs - again - and he helped me pick colors for 4 quilts. One is complicated but the others are pretty easy. We did 2 panel ones as well. They should be easy enough to work on. That was going on while the first set of football games went on. 

My yarn arrived yesterday, so I decided to work on the leg warmers. I pulled out the instructions and got started while the Seahawks game was going on! WE WON! But then it wasn't hard from what I saw. I am so ticked!! I ordered Lion yarn and it's CRAP! I couldn't believe the yarn was so loose and is easily broken or split! I have had better yarn when I was growing up and the Lion yarn was supposed to have been better than Red Heart, but NOPE! I'm going to keep making this, but it's going to take a lot longer than I normal do, because of the yarn splitting. A major pain in my rear. I like good quality, but this isn't it. I will go to the Ewe & I shop next time and get what I want. It will cost more but will be worth it. This isn't cheap in price, but it's cheap in quality. I will know better next time. 

The good news is that my day turned out pretty good. I worked on a few things to be prepared. AND I was actually Happy Quilting/Happy Stitching!

Quiet & Busy Day! All In One

 This morning, Patrick went golfing and I just cleaned a few things. Then I played my games. I was listening to my audio book and didn't want to do anything else. BUT I did go out and walk 2 laps around the neighborhood. I will try and get back to making it a habit. 

Patrick got home and we had to head out to Olympia for his blood tests. I was waiting in the car for Sherry, since she was delivering the last quilt, we had up there. It's a panel, so I'm happy about that as well. Things are looking up with the panel quilts and quilts in general. Debbie sent me a text about the message Mossyrock put out there for donations. I don't know why they spend that much money on their stuff when we pay half of what they do and our donations go a lot longer. But then it's not my worry. Sherry and I chatted till Patrick came out from having his blood drawn. Then we headed over to Costco. 

It's interesting when you go to Costco. One can spend a ton of money without realizing it. We spent $300 and I remember giving dad a hard time when he spent that much. Ours was mostly food - go figure! We picked up stuff we needed. And we always get cat litter. Anyway, some of the stuff was on sale and yet we spend more than we used to. Guess prices are going up faster than I thought they would. 

Speaking of prices going up! We are now going to be part of Chehalis, so we will be paying Chehalis prices. Plus, our water is a well. So, the city is looking into taking over the well. Not only that, but we have also been in a "sew district" since we moved here. We pay $35 a month. When it goes over to the city, we will be looking at $100 or more a month. BUT that is usually water and sewer. They will have to figure out how we only pay sewer. It's really going to be a pain in the butt! More money out of our pockets at this rate. 

Once everything was put away, we had supper. Then we sat to watch TV. I had to order my floss and stuff I needed to finish my cross-stitch piece. Once I had that, I ended up paying $10.95 for shipping!!! OMG, it should have only cost me about $5! BUT then again, postage has gone up as well. UGH UGH UGH!

I decided to balance my stuff for QOV and it took Patrick and myself over an hour to figure out what the mistake was! They put my recent expenses into 2025, when it was supposed to be 2026. That kicked my books in a tailspin! Patrick had it all worked out and now I need to contact them to get that fixed as well. My days aren't getting any easier, but they are moving along. 

Today, went from slow and quiet to fast and busy! Now, I'm sad because I didn't get the chance to be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

What A Day!

 This morning, I woke with a sinus headache. Not my favorite thing to wake up with. I thought last night when I went to bed it was a migraine, but NOPE it was a sinus headache! Lucky me!

I took the day easy. I didn't feel in the mood to do much, so I enjoyed the morning watching my shows I had recorded. Patrick came home when I was done with the first 3 and he watched the other 2 with me. Now, I'm caught up. 

After my tablet died with 10% energy left, I decided to sit and work on my cross stitch for a bit. 

I added the white area on the top left. Then I went looking for more of the threads to find that every online site I went to was out of the thread. Apparently, it's popular and is sold out. I must have looked everywhere, including Etsy and eBay. All sold out. 

I think went to the right bottom area to find I needed to use my 730 DMC floss. Of course! It wasn't in my box, and I couldn't find it anywhere - yet I used it when working on this last time!! What the HECK! So, tomorrow I need to stop at Micheals to find the thread. At least I hope they are still carrying the floss! Could things get any worse?! So, I stopped working on it. 

Patrick had a meeting to attend, so I decided to try again and work on this. 

I started working from the top, down. I was able to get some more done. Just not as much as I would have liked. At least I'm getting there. I will need to roll the fabric again soon. I'm frustrated that I didn't have enough of the white area to do this piece. I'm not sure what I'm going to do to be able to finish it. Not much luck at this point. May have to take it all out and find another color that will work. But DANG, that's a lot of work!

We'll see what tomorrow brings. At least I was able to be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!