All Day Sewing - With Friends

This morning, it was sew days with the group. We had 5 of us. Colleen had to leave early to get her granddaughter. We had a routine going that worked out. We had Martha who came a while back and a new gal, Patti. Debbie and I were there as well. I was running around from one thing to another to keep it flowing right. 

 We had some pillowcases for the Bazaar, veterans and children sizes. 

By the time we were done, we had 21 pillowcases done and 5 that were close. Those will be finished at the next sew days. I will make more veteran pillowcases for the next one. We need more of those than the Bazaar stuff. I'm not sure if we will sell many but it's worth a try. Patti took 2 kits and hopefully she will do great. 

I got a message quilts are ready at the church, so tomorrow I will pick those up. I have a few things I want to get at the store, so will stop at Safeway as well. 

After they all left, I worked on finishing the last few pillowcases by ironing them. I'm beat! We watched "Finding Your Roots" and I was falling asleep. I will probably go to sleep early again tonight. I was asleep last night by 10 pm. I usually don't sleep till 11:30 or later. lol 

It's been a long day, but we got a lot done. More to come. I need to go downstairs and clean the room. Picking up stuff and putting them away is next on the list. Getting organized again is what I want to do. When I went down there, I was spinning around trying to figure out what I wanted to do. So, now I can go down and clean it up. Then MAYBE I can get back to finishing the quilts down there. ugh. But at least today we all were Happy Quilting/Happy Stitching!

Busy Cutting & Pinning

This morning, Colleen came over to help me get ready for tomorrow. We wanted to have stuff ready to start right away, rather than waiting until they arrived. 

 First, we pinned the pillowcases that were grouped and ready to go. Once we had this bucket done, we started cutting more pillowcases to be pinned tomorrow. That way we had 2 stages started and should be easy enough to go from there. 

Colleen has done her pillowcases a little differently and she likes that method better. I watched her, and I found we waste material as well as doing twice the amount of work. But she thinks it works a lot better and she prefers that method over ours. I let her do a couple because I really had no clue how she was cutting them out. So, I went ahead and worked on the "old" method that we use. The pink and green material is her method and as one can see, you need 2 accent pieces as well as 2 cuffs. She has it so one sews the accent and cuff to both the top and bottom of the fabric, sewing the sides together. I think it's less work to do it the way we have been doing them. 

We kept at it till about 2:30 pm. It was a long day and my back was killing me. 

After supper we headed to moms' house to visit with my nephew and his daughter. He was the one who last his wife with cancer. They both look good and have handled everything so well. It's awesome to see them. We visited for a couple hours and came home. 

Today turned out to be a long day trying to be Happy Quilting/Happy Stitching!

Taking A Quilt Apart

This morning, it was BE day. I didn't do any BE work. Instead, I help mom by taking out the stitches on the anniversary quilt. 

It was the one I did. 

It was given to a quilter that is new and said she has quilted for years. I'm not showing the whole quilt that was quilted. I think even mom said she does good work. BUT this time she did not! 

I did get some work done. It's coming out easily and the quilting was done by regular thread not quilting thread. That actually made it 100% easier to take out. We got a lot done. We had to cut off the binding. It wasn't done at all right. As a judge, I wouldn't have given it a red or blue ribbon. There was a pucker on the back that was stitched down!! I couldn't believe it. So, instead of seeing a pucker, you saw a stitched line. Since it was my quilt, I made the decision to take it apart. Even Colleen agreed. I would not give a quilt in that condition to a veteran or family member. 

Came home and went downstairs to cut some more white fabric for the wreath. I also cut a couple pillowcases. I have Sammy's pillowcases set to sew. They are not exactly alike but they have the same fabrics. It is a little different because I didn't have enough to make the main part the same. She will love it I'm sure. 

Patrick helped me with my new ironing board. I told him I bought the wrong one, but he suggested it when I bought it. We didn't realize it wasn't adjustable. It's high but "just right" for me. We will see on Wednesday how it goes with the group. Val is bringing a tabletop board so it will be fine. He had to put a zip tie on the leg because if one wasn't careful the ironing board would collapse. He fixed it so it wouldn't collapse if someone came up on it the wrong way. I said we should take it back - but this is a guy I'm talking about! He doesn't return anything! I usually do. So, to make sure I didn't return it, he throughout the plastic and the bar code sheet that came with it. UGH!

I decided I was done for the day. I seem to be a bunny when I get home and have to do stuff till I can calm down. I don't know what it is about going to moms that has me moving as soon as I get home. I did what I needed to do, then I came upstairs and sat to play my war games. 

I'm so frustrated with my war games. I don't know what I will do. I'm going to just play my game and call it good. I will keep upgrading on my own and see where that gets me. I'm tired of the BS. AND I'm tired of the one gal that caused all the problems! She came back!! I am so ticked about that. She was part of the problem in the first place and just because she's keeping her mouth shut, they want her back. UGH UGH UGH! She's a mean gal that wants her way. She's never been that nice to me. Oh, well. I will play my other games and call it good. I can play on my own, I've done it before. 

Now! Search and Find games are fun too! I play that almost as much as my war games. I don't have to deal with bad players. LOL 

Just because I was taking out stitches, doesn't mean I didn't enjoy myself. So, yes, today was a day of Happy Quilting/Happy Stitching!

Casino And Home

This morning, we cleaned and headed to the casino. Mainly to get our gifts. Patrick had to add money on his card to get the gift. But we did. While we were playing together, a guy came up and asked if he could play on my machine. I told him sure and moved over. He stood there waiting on me. I said, "go ahead." He said, "I want to sit down and play," pointing at my chair. I ignored him.  He walked off in a huff. Patrick and I play together and get have been tired of players coming to kick one of us out of the chair we are sitting in, then play for about 5 minutes and get up and leave. So, I decided today I was not getting up for anyone. That much have been my mistake because I think karma bit me in the ass. We stopped winning. But I'm sorry! If a couple are playing together, it's very rude to ask one to leave their seat so that person can play there. I realize it's crowded but still! VERY RUDE!

We came home around 2:30 pm. I got laundry going and sat to listen to my book. Patrick read his book next to me. We had a quiet afternoon. AND it was really nice to have. I get tired of the news. 

We watched some TV after about 5pm and I played on my tablet with my games. I may take the box of red, white and bed material with me to try and finish up that wreath. I'm so tired of doing other stuff than mine. So, once this is done, I'm done for a while. I need to cut more white too. 

And as much as I should have been, I was not Happy Quilting/Happy Stitching!

Went To Lewis County Pageant Today

All day I tried to win in my game on the tablet. In other words, I wasted the day by doing nothing!

Debbie picked me up around 6 pm and we went to the Lewis County Pageant. We were there to support 2 of the gals that Debbie knows. They had Lewis County and Lewis County Teen pageants. So, it took a good 3 1/2 hours! The good part is that the gals we were there for won Miss Lewis County and runner up Miss Lewis County Teen. It was a long process, but it was interesting. I think they could have done things a little faster or started a little earlier. lol 

So, NO, today was not a day for Happy Quilting/Happy Stitching!

Another Friday That Feels Like Saturday

I almost said "another Saturday" just because it feels like it. 

We started the day out by going to the casino. We played for a while and waited till 2 pm to get our gifts. Patrick had to play on his card and get more points in order to get the gift. It's a Bissell Steam cleaner. Not sure if it's a good one or not. But we ended up with 2 of them. The pot/pan is Sunday. So, yes, we are heading back over there on Sunday. 

We got home around 3:30 pm which surprised me since we left at 2:30 pm. Apparently there was an accident on I-5 between Chehalis and Centralia. We got off around Chamber Way and come home through town. Since we live about 10 mins out of town - or we used to, but they annexed this area and I believe we are now part of the City of Chehalis. We were a subdivision just outside of the city. I'm not sure, but they said we would be in Chehalis after January 15th. Trouble is that the fire stations have a lawsuit regarding the annexing. 

Anyway, after supper we watched "Death in Paradise" where they changed out the police inspector. So, we get the 3rd inspector since we started watching this. 

I worked on this while playing my games. I wanted to be number one in the challenge, which I was, but realized it doesn't end till tomorrow, so I may not stay there. 

I need to cut some more white. I've been using more white on this than the other 2 colors. It's turning out interesting, but not what I thought it would be. I learn something new every day. 

Mom called to say the Friday group has been asking about me. They wanted to know why I wasn't coming. Then they wanted to change the dates to the 2nd and 4th or the 1st and 3rd week of the month, and mom said no. Guess they really really tried. Told her I quit because of that, and I knew they would do that. They were the original Tuesday group that "muscled" in on the Friday group. I was the last of the Friday group when I quit going. I may go visit but I won't stay. I don't care for their manors, in otherwards, they don't have any.

So, I spent time being Happy Quilting/Happy Stitching!

Presentation Day For 9 Veterans

Today we had our presentation. Brother Patrick and Christine came to visit beforehand. Then we met up with them later.  

We had 9 scheduled, one didn't show, but one did that I told to be there and thought he was on the list. So, we were back to 9. We had a couple quilts on the side just in case we needed them. But when we were going to put them away, there was only one. I'm not sure, but I think something happened to one of our quilts. I can't say and I may be wrong. 

I didn't load my photos, so the pictures of the presentation will come later. We had an Elder from the Chehalis Tribe who served in the Air Force. 

Came home and worked on another wreath. I will get this one done and call it quits! I can't be doing all this stuff for the Bazaar. More members need to pick it up!

It's not halfway but it's about 2/5's. Not sure if I like it or not. Everyone liked the purple one. Gave it to Colleen to keep for the Bazaar. 

Then I pretty much played games for the rest of the night. Wasn't in the mood to do much but work on the wreath and play my games. Chatting more than playing. At least I was Happy Quilting/Happy Stitching!

A Day At Home

This morning, Patrick and I slept in. I went downstairs to get the fireplace going so I could work down there getting stuff ready for the sew days next week.

I played my games for a bit, then I headed downstairs to work on the purple I needed to finish the wreath. Once I had those cut, I started working on the pillowcases that we are going to try and sell at the Bazaar. I just hope we can sell them. 

Later this weekend I will work on getting them ready to sew. That way I will have a stack to sew while some of the others will cut more fabric for pillowcases. This is not fun! I had to use some of my fabrics to go with the fabrics they had. The top main fabric and green are mine. The yellow on top is also mine. We didn't pick colors that would work together before I brought them home. So, I have to find colors that work together and that's not my favorite job. 

Once that was done - for now - I came upstairs to work on finishing the wreath. 

Good news is that it's done. I've finished one and will do one more. Once I had this one finished, I started the red, white and blue one. 

Patrick was checking out my work. So, he thought he would be funny and told me we need to make the as hats. 

So, the goof ball put it on his head! Cute!

I have everything ready for tomorrow. I finished my speech that needed to be fixed. I also finished a couple other things for QOV, so that I could relax and work on the wreaths. I need to get them done and out of my way. Bad enough, I have to get the pillowcases ready for next Wednesday. When we are done with this, I'm done! I can't keep doing all this stuff the group wants to do. They are going to have to pick it up! And yes, I did find myself Happy Quilting/Happy Stitching!

Trip To Olympia And Back

Today, Patrick went golfing, I slept in. Then I got moving on doing the laundry while playing my games. I was able to get a lot done before he got back and we had to head to Olympia. 

We went to his Oncology appointment. Like he said when he got out, it isn't that he has cancer, it's that he is living with cancer. There is a difference. He is doing great and the doctor even commented on his weight gain and looking better. He asked him if he thought we wouldn't make it, and the doctor said, no, but he was way too thin last year. He just looks a lot better. Maybe it's the type of cancer - kidney - that he's had it better than most. This is the high part of the cancer, and yet I know it could go downhill fast when it comes. But right now, we have plenty of time and are thankful it's been 6 more year than it could have been if they hadn't caught it when they did. 

Came home and it was already 5 pm. It rained the whole time up there and back. I walked around in Kaiser to get a few steps in. I then waited outside the office for him. 

When I could, I worked on this. I need to cut some more fabric to get it done. It's down to about 4 colors and I need more than that. I have them downstairs and will cut more tomorrow. I need to cut some pillowcases as well. It will be interesting what I do tomorrow. Getting to the point I want to work on my stuff and not everyone else's right now. 

Sue called and mom called. So, the evening went fast. We watched 'Death in Paradise" but we had to pause it a lot to see it. Made some homemade ice cream. It was okay. I need to get a better recipe. lol At least I found a few minutes to be Happy Quilting/Happy Stitching!

Yet Another Monday - Just Mom & I

This morning, I was running late. I picked up some tea for both of us. Mom was happy with that. I took in my grab bag for when I am at doctor appointments. I took our quilt with the bear and gave it to mom. We worked on what to quilt around the border. She wants to put it in the quilt show come September. We worked it out, and she's going to get it ready to quilt after she's finished with the veggie cats quilt. It's really cute!

Then we sat and I crocheted while she quilted. She was telling me the story about when my sister died a birth. She didn't go to the funeral in Seattle because she was in North Bend, OR. Her kidney had collapsed. It was a sad story and we both were in tears as she talked. But I think it was good for her to get it out. Dad was a saint from what she said. I learned about how he turned down the officer's training and went back into Security Service. It is interesting. They lived in CA for a few months, which I didn't know, but makes sense since I saw pictures of Disneyland when Chris was about 3-4 years old. 

I worked on the second set of leg warmers. I'm getting the top part done. Will try and work on it tomorrow while Patrick has his doctor's appointment. 

We then went to the Firehouse Sub shop and got a sub sandwich. It was really, really good! I will go there the next time I want a sub!

Came back to her house and ate. Then I left after that. It was hailing when I left so called Patrick and told him I was taking the long way home. I forgot I needed to see Colleen. When I got there, she had good and bad news. The bad news was the new gal that we had to quilt my 250th Anniversary quilt did a really bad job on it. So, I am taking it to mom and having it taken out. I hate to do that, but I can't give a veteran a quilt that has puckers and bad tension in the quilting. This is the first time I gave in to have it taken completely apart. I feel bad, but I can't have that quilt go to a veteran as it is right now. 

Came home and went downstairs to cut more strips for this wreath. It's coming along, but it does take time and I really do have other things to do. I had to interview mom about the Sons of Norway and then I sent a message to Alice to see how the Grange is doing on getting members. It's a hard thing to do, but they do. Then I had to put those in interview forms and send them to Judy for her to have for the BE board meeting. I still have a few other organizations to ask how they are handling the changes in members. UGH

Once all that was done, I sat down and worked on the wreath. Every once in a while, I had to go downstairs and cut more fabric of the color I was missing in the tub. 

It is now half done. UGH, more to go! I was able to get this far before having to go back down and cut more fabric. 

I was thinking about friends I knew when growing up and wondering what they are doing now. When I have time to reflex, I will try and put it down on the blog. Who knows, maybe someone reading my blog will know about the person I talk about. Would be interesting if they did. 

I was able to find the time to be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Hello Sunday.....

This morning, we cleaned house and then left for the casino. We are going on Sunday to get the free gift of pots and pans. The pan we got last week is really nice and works great. We can use it and I do. Today we got a Dutch oven with lid. So, I'm looking forward to seeing how long these last. 

We played our usual games. But that wasn't working out. So, we went back to the game we played last week that we really liked. Right off the bat, Patrick won $862. So, we stayed and played. When it was going down, we left and the games we played didn't last long at all. So, we went back to the game and won more money. After a while we decided to call it done before going through all the money we won. We came home with plenty of money to play later. 

We decided to go to Safeway and pick up some meat for sandwiches. I had crab left over, so I got some cheese and a little of the seafood salad. Came home and fixed our sandwiches. I added the crab to the seafood salad and made a sandwich out of it. I have a little left over for another sandwich tomorrow if I want it. 

Mom called to say Georgie and Bonnie weren't going to be there tomorrow. I know Gerilyn won't be there either. So, mom thought I wouldn't go. I told her I would see her tomorrow. 

We didn't get home till about 5:30 pm, so we were at the casino most of the day. I didn't want to do anything, but I did go for a walk and listen to my audio book. It's a good book. I was able to get 4 laps around the neighborhood before I couldn't go farther. I will try and get back to my 7 laps, but at least I can get that far right now. 

Tomorrow is another day. Today was not Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!