Weds check-in

I'm afraid that this is going to be a picture-less post this time.   Sorry about that but I know a few of my Belles were going to check here to see how my eye surgery went yesterday.

I had right cataract surgery done at the Same Day Surgery Center of one of the local hospitals.  DJ and I used the same doctor but he went to the other hospital.  We were not impressed but that facility is going through a much needed expansion of their SDS set up so hopefully, one day it will improve.  I reported at 0830 and left about 11.  DJ and I stopped to get something to eat before we went home---the man is NO cook. 

It seemed as though I was awake for the procedure though I had been given some IV sedative meds, so who knows.  Maybe they woke me up at some point or the twilight deal made it seem like I was awake;.  Anyway, nothing objectionable about it---I was a nurse for years so some of that professional curiosity remains.  

After calling my parents who were waiting to see how things went, I went to bed and took a long 4 hour nap.  Me--who rarely takes a nap because I have a hard enough time sleeping at night.    Between not being able to turn to the operative side and Skyler being a bed hog we both had some wakeful times, LOL.  What else is new??? 

The doctor asks his postop patients to return to the office for a check of the operative eye the morning after surgery.  Vision 20-20 now where it was 20-40 preop but the right eye was my better eye to start with.  Closeup is now fuzzy and distance vision is great!  Readers will be required but I am not sure about the strength I will need.  Of course, I have several pairs of those already if they will do the job. 

I don't know about sewing, embroidery or quilting for the time being.  It is a little disconcerting to have one eye be so good and the other, such a disparity.  Not today anyway.  I have another hat about to the shaping point so I will no doubt just keep knitting for now.  One more and I'll probably be ready to mail a box off to my friend Cindy.

It is still pouring down rain.   We have about 3.5 inches in our rain gauge over a two plus day period.  Tomorrow there may be snow.   Oh, boy!   I just want to stay home and hibernate, LOL.

guild meeting/Stack 'n Whack

Yesterday was Friendship Quilters Guild meeting--2nd Saturday of each month over in Pell City (AL) starting off the 2013 program year.  As it turned out Jane and I were the only ones that went as others either had plans or were not feeling up to the trip.   The group had gotten an email that the sewing machine guy would be coming.  If  anyone had a mechanical machine or serger that needed cleaning or repair, he would pick it up.  My older model Singer needed some attention after my last use, trying to use the cams.  He agreed that it was probably something the feed dogs, some gear or belt or some such thing and expect a call in a week or so.

We also had the fund raising raffle table set up.  It was also time to complete the membership information sheets and pay our dues.   I had various things to hand off to some of the gals at the meeting.  People to make connections with, chat with.   A lot going on!  

You might be wondering what is with the Michael Miller fabric samplers I am showing you.  Well, when we had our retreat this fall the girls had contacted various fabric companies and suppliers for promotional materials and anything they wished to contribute.  We had some great swag bags!!  This arrived AFTER the retreat but the organizers didn't want this to go to waste.  Jackie W set up bags with a fabric grouping and it will become a challenge project instead.  You were to reach in the larger bag but were not allowed to dip in there again if you were not crazy about what you drew.   I loved mine though!!   Cupcakes and daisies on a chocolate brown background.  

There was one last bag left and break time was over.  Jackie couldn't get the group's attention to say there was one more available.  I told Jackie I would take the last one and see if one of the absent Belles would want to participate.  If not, I will do two of them. 

The rules are simple----just make something, anything but you have to use a bit of however many fabrics are in the little packet, adding as much of your own fabrics as you wish.  The object should be done by the April meeting.   They have something else in mind for the later part of the year.  I know a good portion of the group was hopeful we would do another paint chip challenge. 

(For the pieces on the right--there was only one piece of fabric in one packet so they put the "berry" toned one in with the other "cocoa" toned piece. ) 

We got the meeting done at least 30 minutes earlier than usual and did not stop for lunch before heading home.  I walked back in the house a few mins after 12!  I had some grocery errands to run and a few things to tend to once home.

Jane had received a bunch of bags of fabric from one of the gals in the Piecemaker group that meets on Thursday evenings.  Rita had mentioned that she might have some stuff for Bama Belles when I saw her at the Gadsden Quilt show set-up or take-down but more or less, forgot about it.  When Jane arrived and we were working out who was going to drive,  she was prepared to empty out her trunk into mine.  Six bags about this size!!!  I only had DJ bring in one of them to start with when I got home.  

Before I turned in for the night I sorted through the bags.  I may be issuing a challenge of my own for Belles by mid year, LOL but not telling them just what yet.  There are still some "Tons of Black" challenges in the works, after all!  Some things we can use, some things I can use at home for various project, pro bono and otherwise.   Some will be donated elsewhere and a few odd things were tossed.  A couple of the gals work with flannel making rag quilts so I set that aside for them.   I thank Rita for thinking of us!  As far as me hauling it in from the car, I may need some help with that, due to the eye surgery activity limitation.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now on to why I titled this post Stack 'n Whack, LOL

I caught up with my friend Norma sometime yesterday afternoon chatting as we often do on Windows Messenger.  It started off innocently enough with a simple question. "What was your program about today?" No blame can be assigned for leading the other astray---just one of those offhand comments.  Oh I could say it was Jackie C and the program committee but why?  LOL

It went something like this---edited a bit.  You can read her version of this story on her new blog location:  
http://silverthimble.ca/blog/2013/01/stackn-whack/

Norma says

What was your program today?

Linda J says

stack and whack

they are going to do a class on the stack and whack fans...............................................

she was talking about what fabrics were appropriate, what a repeat is, and some idea about how much fabric you would need

they will be doing it the same time as the next sew in scheduled in February

Norma says

so you would be prepared for the class?

Linda J says

right BUT I have a stack and whack the hexagon type, just the blocks.  I could get the top moved along so I decided maybe I better work on that instead.   

Norma says

I have one too

lol

no surprise

I made a hexagon stack and whack table topper for my mom several years ago

AND you can almost tell where this is headed, right???

Norma says

i have enough blocks to make myself one

mom had it on her table today

i saw it in the camera  (they were using Skype)..............I forgot about it till I saw it today 

Linda J says

well then maybe I need to challenge YOU to finish yours next month too

Norma says

lol

maybe

Yep, here we go----again, LOL

Linda J says

do you know where yours is?

Norma says

oh yes

safe and sound in a box

Linda J says

I have a pretty good idea where mine is----though it has moved over the years

Norma says

what size are you making yours?

Linda J says

oh my---who remembers?

Norma says

lol

Linda J says

like the book

Norma says

ok, that does it - we both need to move these projects on

Linda J says

yes we do

Norma says

i didn't remember i had one, you aren't sure about the details about yours

Linda J says

seriously we do

Norma says

they have been ufo's too long

Linda J says

if that is not a sign of too much water over the dam I don't know what is

And really that is how we get ourselves off track,  so to speak.  If I were to decide to do one later, a couple of the Belles have the pattern and ruler and would let me borrow it.  I'll quote Norma here as she put it rather well 

"And so it always starts–from a small spark in a conversation.  Before we know it, we have plans for the next project.  We keep each other motivated and on track to completion.  We are also responsible for creating a few new UFO’s along the way.  But given that UFO’s are a part of this creative process, this should not be a surprise.  We both have way more ideas about what quilts we want to make than we have time to finish them."

We were telling our FAB friend Cher about this today---and even she said she has a stack 'n whack somewhere in her home.  We may have roped her in as well as soon as some of her current projects are completed.  

Norma posted pictures of her experiences with stack 'n whack and I told her that I would do the same, by way of showing her what I have to work with.  Her parting comment to me on our saying "good night, see you tomorrow" was that we would be "dreaming about UFO's".  I replied THAT idea was more like a nightmare, LOL.  Maybe it was more like haunting my sleep but she knew what I meant.

So more pictures----I have 24 blocks so apparently I hoped to enlarge it from the book that called for 18 or 32 if you want it huge.  I marked my book 25 though for some reason as it is arranged in row groupings of 4 and then 3 ending with 4.  Do I make another block???  Do I have enough fabric to do so??  Or enough background on hand---I think so.  BOY oh boy did my notes get cold!  I can't even remember how I cut the 60 degree triangles out--surely not how she shows in my ancient book!


My fabric choices---Michael Miller main fabric

First half of the blocks on the background fabric----------

2nd half of the blocks-------

I believe that this is a circa 2002 or 3 project.  Several of us Belles took a class at Heart to Heart in Trussville.  3 people I know for sure----Betsy B, Joy, Mary Frances, me but perhaps one or two more.  Betsy used the same main fabric that I did but her background and contrast colors were different.   Mary Frances follows my blog so I imagine she might have some insight into this.  More importantly, did she finish HER version???  Anyone else out there in the same boat we are in???

Norma and I were bandying out about dates to possibly sew and encourage each other as that really works well for us both.   I don't know that we came to a firm decision on that score but it WILL happen.  I can't find my 60 degree ruler and in fact, ordered one so that will cause a little lag time on my end.  I know I had one at one time!  She has some projects that need moved along first as do I.  Tree Skirts, anyone?

It is doubtful that any sewing will get done before Tuesday and my first eye surgery.  It also remains to be seen if this is any deterrent to my sewing.  I know that there is no bending, lifting, stay away from steam, etc and tons of eye drops.  Guess I wait and find out!  Plenty of knitting at the ready to get through the hospital waiting and doctors follow up.

Till next time----------

check-in

It has not been a particularly productive week but I have been busy---mostly with things on the home front, I guess.   It seems like one of those weeks were you look back and you have to ask yourself "where did I go when I don't have much to show for it?"

I have not sewn a lick all week-- I did a little embroidery on the Halloween row but really nothing to show there.  I know a bit more of one of the witches is done but you could barely tell.  I've knit a good bit---maybe added 3 more hats to the box that I will be sending on to Cindy.  I am sort of saving some of that for next week though as I have a good bit of wait time ahead---same day surgery and no one can really tell me where I am in the order---1st or 6th or somewhere in the middle.   Hospital are so helpful (not!)

 Tuesday was Bama Belles day.   I do have pictures to share with you in a moment.

 Wednesday my preop doctor visit, get the preparatory meds and go for the preop lab and history taking.

Yesterday paperwork and closet rearranging to make room for some yarn that followed me home from Belles, thanks to a generous donation from one of the gals who came to visit us.  Cindy said she was covered up with yarn right now and I WAS able to make some room.   I also had to go BACK into the eye docs office to pick up some sample meds.  We found out the one med was generic and cost 30 bucks--the other two were not and cost $105 and $155 respectively.   Are you kidding me??  I figured I had to pony up the bucks as I have to have it to prep for the cataract extractions.  Didn't sound there was a substitute for it either.    (They were out the day I was in the office, I guess)  DJ had a cow, called the office about the samples and made Wal-mart take the meds back that I had picked up as they were still sealed, unopened.    While I was out and nearer the meeting place, I took the bulky boxed up batting that we will be needing soon.  Seems to me that there are lifting and bending restrictions after the surgery?  Trying to remember what DJ was cautioned to do when he had his done.

The laundry is all done, turkey is cooking in the crockpot, the rest of the paperwork pushing is done and now I can play.  The car is packed for guild tomorrow.  As luck would have it, the sewing machine repair guy will be at the meeting to clean/pick up machines.  He works on sergers and mechanical machines----my old Singer needs some attention so we'll see what he has to say.  The guy lives about 20 some miles north of me for pick up later---whether it can be fixed or not.  Funny thing is that it runs if you hit the pedal with yoru hand or foot but put something under the feed dogs, no go.

Back to Belles---considering that we are right in the heart of cold and flu season it was amazing that so many of us were there. We are right back in the swing of things now that the holidays are passed----7 quilts pinned, I think??  (Hence the need for the batting I have had in storage in our shed, LOL)  We also had two visitors and one of our friends who used to attend the group but we all still know her from another guild.  Ada laughed and said she might have to re-introduce herself when she introduced us to Donna, her guest.  Nancy M was able to come this time too after contacting me a couple months back about the group info.

Nancy met Bev, Teresa and me online in a Facebook quilting group though they are far more active there than I am.  But she had been cleaning out her sewing room a bit and brought some things that she thought we might be able to use.  There was a bowtie quilt top someone gave her that might work up into two kids quilts if I get out the seam ripper.  Some fleece fabric that would make a nice tied throw.  A little bit of cotton yardage along with some materials that she thought Teresa could use for some crazy quilt things she has going on.  And yarn---as she knew I had been knitting those hats along with a sock loom and circular knitting loom in various sizes.  Some books for our little quilt library cart and a few smaller items that were distributed for use.  So sweet of her to do that but Nancy said she would rather give that stuff away to people that will use it rather than take it somewhere and it gets tossed.   I think we sent her home with just a few odds and ends and the container which she said normally holds her Christmas decorations.  THX again, Nancy!

Several of the girls had machines fired up.  Rosa needed help getting some backing together.  Donna needed to cut borders for her first quilt.  Nancy had some heart blocks she was sewing to interfacing, grid work similar to how watercolor quilts could be done.  Bev and Teresa were exploring some silk ribbon embroidery and such.  Marilyn had her machine out too but I am not sure what she was sewing on---mostly because she was helping to pin and such.    Me?  Pinning and helping the others out a bit.  I didn't even touch my embroidery other than to drag it out of the tote bag.  Next thing I knew it was time to go home, LOL.

Bev had to take pictures for me again(!)  I had remembered the camera but did not check the battery status as it had been working just fine at home.  Lois had 4 to turn in.  Two look a lot alike but the border fabrics are switched out.  I do not know the names or pattern source.  I asked but Lois just replied that it was out of a magazine.  I told her I might be labeling them all "out of a magazine 1, 2, 3 and 4 " on my quilt document, LOL.  I should tell you that the pretty chaining star below has 4 patch posie centers in the stars.  Really lovely quilt!   The other one is just a fun sporty themed one--good for boy, perhaps?

So I guess I'll see what Friendship Quilter's will have in store for us tomorrow.  Raffle table, pay the dues and fill out membership forms, take the machine, take the row quilt section, deliver a few other items, take my stuff to take notes as I am still the secretary, etc.  There was a executive board meeting today but one of the girls emailed me to tell me she would be happy to take notes so I would not have to make an extra trip.  Good thing too as I had a little tiff with DJ about quilt groups and my being gone "so much"".  The blow by blow does not bear repeating but I don't know why my being away for only 3 days out of the month for 5-6 hrs bothers him so much.  It could be far worse as I could be gone almost every day of the week, some weeks if I went to every group I am invited to.  Trust me, I need this time away from the house---and my girlfriends!  Men can be such small boys sometimes, no matter how old they are!!

Guess that is it for now-----------

wordle

Just fooling around with wordle.net

Screen capture version

What the heck? EDITED

Back in early December I was working on the photo re-sizing/editing of the archived blog material.

At that time I mentioned I had whittled things down to    

You are currently using 699 MB (68.3%) of your 1024 MB. 


I was thrilled because it had dropped from about 98 % capacity, thanks to my efforts.  Now today I had planned to work on my hand quilting but my thumb is still a bit sore to be pushing a needle-thimble combination.   I did a bit more on my blackwork embroidery instead and THEN decided to edit a bit more---about two months worth of material.   I'm into late September 2011 now so slightly one year of blog material. 

Any guesses what my capacity is now???  I was allowed 1024 MB and now it is 5120  MB??  How did that happen?  Change of policy?  I didn't pay for anymore storage.  If I had then I wouldn't bother resizing the old stuff. 

You are currently using 654 MB (12.78%) of your 5120 MB

  So what is my true standing in this area, I wonder?  Anyone else out there seeing weird numbers??

EDITED:  I may have found an answer to my question on this page
http://support.google.com/picasa/answer/1224181?hl=en&ref_topic=30179

it says something about the photo size so that fact that I am making mine 800x 600 pixels is a good thing.

It makes a difference if you do or do not use Google +  ( I tried it but I didn't see the point of it when I use Facebook)

For us hold outs then it goes as follows----. 

Free storage limits

Photos up to 800 x 800 pixels and videos up to 15 minutes won't count towards your free storage.

Automatic resizing

All photos uploaded over the free size limit will count towards your 1 GB of free storage. When you reach your storage limit, any new photos you upload to Picasa Web larger than the free size limit will be automatically resized to 800 pixels (on their longest edge).

Note: If you reach your storage limit when uploading from the Picasa desktop software, you'll only be able upload at free storage sizes. Larger uploads will not be automatically resized to the free storage limit.

Saturday sewing

A little more progress had been made on the Criss Cross quilt.  The two block components I wanted to add to get to the half way point were pieced with just sashing bits to go. 

Then I added some sashing bits to the left hand side of the block---that didn't need left handed sashing.  Only the first block in the row gets those.   That was last night.  I was tired, it was late and just quit.

Then today---I took off the part I goofed up, patched up the seams and promptly sewed the block on---to the wrong side and rotated a quarter turn clockwise. I meant half way horizontally, not vertically, LOL.   I was beginning to think that sewing was not meant to be on today's schedule.

If you are going to sew, you have to be ready to unsew as mistakes will be made.  I got it straightened out and the last block added in so I am officially half done with this.

Not entirely sure that I like it but you know what?  It will NOT be living at my house when it is done. Maybe one of the teens at Gene's Ogden House project will be the beneficiary of this one?   I am half done and the rest of the colors will blend in with these choices as I know there are couple more gold to mustard colored ones, more of the rusty red too. 

As part of my Christmas gift from my husband, I had ordered a walking foot for the Kenmore electronic machine.  It arrived yesterday and I am going to test it out but nor more sewing for the day.  I had promised myself that I would do some redwork (blackwork, greenwork, whatever color floss I am working in, LOL) on Saturday's.  I'll be pulling that out of its tote bag shortly after play time with the machine.

Nothing else to report, I guess.  I hope YOU have had a good day creatively-------

Thursday check-in

When I left off on New Year's Day, I talked about the old quilt list adage about what you do on NYD, you will do all year long.  I am striving for a balance in the aspects of my creative life so I did a little bit of everything.

So I knit----and did a little bit on hat number #2 out of this Mexicana yarn.

I finished all but the gathering yesterday on a run over to Springville with Aline and Jane to deliver a couple quilts to one of the gals from Friendship Quilters that does long arm quilting.  It looked like I had a bit more yarn leftover than usual (change in the needle size) so I started hat #3 casting on as we were about home.  I posed the question on FB about  how far I might get that ball I rolled up.  A pal offered to send me some of her leftover yarn the same color if I didn't have enough to finish the job.  But it's done too, LOL.  Started another more girlie looking one.

Tuesday also found me putting a few more stitches in "Witches Hooray" from Bird Brain Designs.  This is supposed to be a table runner but I am going to use it in my Halloween row quilt. 

Then I pulled out the hand quilting----this design is also from Bird Brain Designs called "Here Comes Santa".  I love hand quilting and I don't know why I don't make more of a point to do it especially since I would love this to be hung above my bed next Christmas.  It would make a nice quilt show entry as well.  My plan is to hand quilt on Sunday afternoons-----then I will be able to put a little time in towards getting this done and have a more laid back day.  Maybe work on my embroidery on Saturdays.  Unless I am on some sort of deadline or push on a sewing project I think I can make that happen.

Next up was a few blocks of the re-sized Patience Corner blocks that I am going to use for Allison's tree skirt.  I KNOW for sure now that I am on the right track and she saw the pic I posted on facebook---and loves it.  That blend of traditional and non-traditional holiday colors will be fine. 

Finally I got another block of the Criss Cross quilt foundation pieced.   That one with the red half square triangles in the middle and started sashing some of the blocks.  Today I got the top row joined and that lonely block in the 2nd row.   I was trying to get a picture taken so I can post it to the Wrap Them yahoo group or point them over here.  BUT look who had to come in and see what was going on!  When I pulled out the camera he was sitting in the upper left corner but then decided to try crawling under it.  The colors are way off---that brown is more a milk chocolate color and the greens are brighter. 

So here is the official shot once he decided he was tired of that, LOL.   I am going to foundation piece and sash two more blocks to get this to the half done point and then put it up and get back to the Christmas tree skirt(s).  I can work on this at the Belles' meeting next week if I want to haul my machine.   Ignore the filthy floor!  You know what a mess it is pulling paper when you foundation piece even though the newsprint sheets from Dick Blick come out pretty easily.  ( Get it by the ream, 8 1/2 x 11 sheets that I can put through the printer and use my EQ project files.)

And sew it goes----just like that it is time to go fix supper.