Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from March, 2023 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 3:41 pm on March 20, 2023 Permalink  

  Thawing 

  The sun is working its powers.

  I made a solo run to Old alley Quilt this afternoon.  The t-shirt quilt top made huge strides today.  Measure once, measure twice.  The realization dawned that I had nothing left for a border to go around it nor for the binding.  The trip didn’t take long as I didn’t let my eyes wonder while I was in the shop.  One project under the needle at a time, especially a 90″ x 108″ . . . for sure a king-sized goodie. 

  I couldn’t believe how broken up highway #4 is.  The worst may yet come.  KNUJ reports that the frost is not very deep.   

  When I got home, Dennis was getting ready to leave.  Tonight is the fish and game yearly fundraising event up town.  It is Dennis’ responsibility to make sure all the kids attending get something to take home.  By the way, he does a great job.  The club usually serves a good lunch.  I am having a bologna sandwich for supper.

  We are happy for the sun’s power.  I think Dennis’ today trip to the elevator for shell corn may be the last.  The woods out east may be able to have something sprouting that could be to their liking.  The deer have had a good run from our yard.  Before Dennis started feeding and the deer came into the backyard, Dennis commented how they had goopy matter in the corner of their eyes, much like cattle when when there is a concern on their feeding ration.  As close as the deer get to the east patio slider, the eyes are clear.

  I must get on with my sandwich and tuning in to a goof PBS television program.

   
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  Noreen 2:36 pm on March 19, 2023 Permalink  

  A Balmy Sunday 

  Does it really feel like 30 degrees?  It might if the wind would go down.

  A dish of chicken parmesan pasta has come out of the freezer for our Sunday supper.  Man oh man.  I wish I had thirty such dishes to pull out of the rabbit’s hat.

  I put in five hours in the studio today.  The electric heater felt good on the legs and feet.  It was the best investment of the winter.  It is three thirty in the afternoon.  I can’t say that five hours wore me out.  What I can share with you is that my left hand has had me hit the back button more than what the right hand has done for errors in spelling.  It is amazing the telltale signs of the stroke.  When I had been making all the bias tape strips, one night I had to get up and take a pain pill.  It was needed to settle down the muscles in the left shoulder.  I had not felt anything at the time I was working my arms.  The body sure can let this ole Grammie know who is boss.

  Last week we had no trips to Mankato for appointments.  This week we have one on Tuesday.  I have a grocery list going.  I am sorry to shop out of town, but our one local option is outrageous in prices.

  I hope everyone has a wonderful week ahead for them.  Spring begins tomorrow.

   
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  Noreen 1:46 pm on March 18, 2023 Permalink  

  Brr! 

  This is beyond what we look forward to in the middle of March.  It is downright frigid.

  If nothing else perhaps some of the ice will be gone as it is freeze dries.  We do have a snowbank that looks like it is or was a time capsule.  The layers of this winter’s wonders is very apparent.  

  Today was a studio day.  Nothing newsworthy.  I am gaining on the t-shirt project.  The 16″ blocks have been done well enough that there is creative stitching needed.  The blocks line up perfectly.  Dennis came down to check.  The layout that he and I did has been followed.  All goes well when seam allowances are followed from the get go.

  It is mid afternoon and the studio will be closed down as soon as I check out some items on the internet.

  I have it on good authority Sunday, tomorrow, is supposed to be fairly nice.

   
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  Noreen 1:58 pm on March 17, 2023 Permalink  

  Sun’s Rays 

  The sun’s rays as they are shining onto the south studio’s windows is welcomed.  When Dennis comes and goes from the outside, the cold air from the open doorway sweeps down the steps into the studio.  Talk about a breath of fresh air.

  Yesterday when Dennis was vacuuming the studio floor, he commented how heavy the wand was for my old Filter Queen vacuum.  They made those tools to last.  It is ever so handy to have the Filter Queen handy.  Taking things up and down our steep basement steps is not for the faint of heart.  The weight difference is a lot different than the small shop vac we use on the main floor.

  Though it is not yet three in the afternoon, I have shut down the studio.  As the t-shirt quilt blocks were sewn together, five across, talk about heft when all six rows come together.  There is a limit in what the shoulder and hands should do in each studio session.  The measure tape read 85 inches across.  That will be increasing as two borders will be added.  The orange corner stones that are added as the rows are sewn together really pull it all together.  It is pleasing to the eye.  Once the shape flex is ironed to the t-shirt fabric, there is no stretch left when sewing the blocks together.  Yesterday when I cut all the fabric for the sashing and corner stones, I cut all the fabrics on the length.  There is no stretch on the length of woven fabrics.  At this point, I didn’t want any grief in matching up seams.

  This weekend has some weather issues left.  Sunday may be nice out and then there was mention of freezing rain mid week.  Spring begins on Monday as per the calendar.  Time will tell.

   
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  Noreen 2:02 pm on March 16, 2023 Permalink  

  Is That All? 

  So far this Thursday afternoon, we can say, “Is that all of the storm?”  It has rained with some little ice balls once in awhile.  All the schools have closed pretty much by noon today.  When nightfall comes, things could definitely change.  If there is no snow to speak of, I am sure strong winds could move existing snow onto roadways.

  We were up fairly early today.  My plan was to finish sewing what needed to be done on each of the individual t-shirt blocks.  Dennis said once I was done with making snippets of threads and fuzz he would vacuum the studio.  What a fellow!  Dennis has been very helpful in getting AJ’s project as far along as it is.

  After noon lunch, Dennis and I were both in the studio with cleared off church tables and the thirty quilt blocks.  Putting down the blocks as they will be sewn together is not an easy task.  AJ’s t-shirts to cut up to be used were not very colorful.  The thirty blocks were laid down on the church tables and then the challenge began.  I could not count how many times each of us walked around the tables, moving the blocks around for a semblance of a quilt top.  There is no wrong layout, nor is there a correct layout.  We have agreed.  What there is, is what there shall be.  

  I had mentioned early on that this was not a quilt top for competition’s worth.  AJ had kept his more desirable shirts to wear when he was on his Harley.  I can say that Dennis and I gave it our all.

  I took the time to clean the sewing machine complete with an oil and lube job.  There is a new needle in the machine, a bobbin has been filled and the machine is threaded.  I have the sashing cut to join the rows of blocks.  I can say that that is all for this day.  Tomorrow is another day here in the studio.  It will feel good to come down to a tidied floor.

  We are having chili for supper . . . straight out of the freezer.  Priceless.

  I hope everyone is safe and sound today and for the remainder of this weather threat.

   
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  Noreen 3:31 pm on March 15, 2023 Permalink  

  The Eve 

  This is the eve of our last snow storm.  No . . . I am not putting any money down on that.

  Ann needed to take care of grandchildren today, so her sewing session in the studio is being put off for a week.  Her grandchildren go to Fairmont schools and I have no idea why the school closed at noon.

  I have had a good session in the studio.  I have three more blocks of the thirty to sew on the 1/4 inch border.  At that time I will have sewn 60 yards of the quarter inch embellishment.  Yes, it has been worth it.  Satisfaction is 9/10th of the measure.

  The stitchers were set to meet tomorrow at Baker’s Square, but due to possible weather issues we have postponed that until April 13th.  Wise choice.

  Dennis had an eye injection today at our local eye clinic.  That is one item I am thankful for not having to have done.  He takes it like a trooper.

  This evening we are having Johnsonville brat patties for supper with mashed potatoes and creamed cucumber.  A little variety in the menu.

  I will catch you all tomorrow whether rain showers or snow showers.

   
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  Noreen 1:38 pm on March 14, 2023 Permalink  

  A Tuesday 

  A day when things are looking up.

  First off, Dennis had a good report from the wound doctor at our local physical therapy department.  The wound is looking good with good pink tissue.  Dennis asked if the wound still needed changing every day.  The response: “It is looking so good from what was the onset, why change what is being done.”  That was all I needed to hear from Dennis.  I am on board to a daily change out of the wound dressing.

  I had a great day in the studio.  By two this afternoon I was ready to close down shop.  Of the 30 t-shirt quilt blocks, 19 of them have the quarter inch border sewn in place.  I have all the half inch fabric cut for the remaining 11 blocks.  Many of the sewn blocks need to have the border fabric trimmed down.  When things are going great it is time to take a break before I screw something up.  Dennis came down to check on things.  He is ready to see how these blocks will be aligned one unto another for the total quilt top look.  That may happen this weekend. 

  Tomorrow afternoon, my friend Ann is coming back for another sewing session.  I know myself well enough that that will be the end of the studio time.

  Before I shut all the lights off in the studio today, I need to give my machine some oil and check to see if there is any of the threads and fuzz to be cleaned out as well.

  As wonderful luck would have it, there is one more sunset meal left of the tuna dish.  Sweet.

   
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  Noreen 2:41 pm on March 13, 2023 Permalink  

  A Feel of Spring 

  Man oh man.  It only takes the sun to come out and I can feel spring coming . . . by overlooking the piles and piles of snow.  What?  One more weather system coming in later this week.  Oh well, what’s a little bit more.

  Today was a good day spent in, in part, in the studio.  A little bit of reading, a load of laundry and working my magic with threads and fuzz.  It is a world not understood by many.  It is my world.  Flights of fancy, sewing yet to be done and also some day dreaming.  There is plenty of the real world to avoid.  Taking in only a small amount of the news of the day, feeds the avoidance.

  I can add that the pasta, Alfredo, tuna and pea oven meal was very tasty.  We have begun adding cubes of cream cheese when the pasta is still hot.  It doesn’t take much and the melting and co-mingling is done, followed by healthy splashes of soy sauce.  Dennis rolled his eyes the first time I used it, but it does add a bit of zest to the pasta oven meals.  I am tickled that there is going to be a second meal of it for this evening’s supper.

  We only have one clock that has not been reset.  It doesn’t really bother me as the time of day is and can be immaterial.

   
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  Noreen 1:15 pm on March 12, 2023 Permalink  

  Sun 

  The sun shining amid huge snowflakes is a great site.  The flakes are outlasting the sun.

  With the clocks springing ahead, I was up at 6:30.  The coffee pot was turned on and the aroma did little to to snap me into attention.  I must say the taste of the rich coffee helped.

  One load of laundry . . . done and folded.

  Dennis was on board for an oven meal.  Albacore white tuna, peas and pasta.  It made a large enough batch that one container for two found its way into the freezer.  About five fifteen this afternoon there will be supper on the table with cranberries as well.

  All is going well in the studio.  I must say for such a small tool, it does great.  Feeding a strong half inch of fabric into it, a sweet quarter inch comes out the other end.  A steam press right behind as the tool is pulled along will make for a great looking addition to the t-shirt quilt blocks.  At this point I am thinking of sewing the bright orange boarder 1.5 inches from the edge allowing for 1/4 seam when joining the blocks.  Time will tell. 

  Right now the body is telling me that it has had enough of bending over the ironing board.  I do have enough strips for five of the 30 quilt blocks.  Realizing a successful solution to brightening up drab t-shirts has made my day. 

  A bit of reading will wind down this afternoon and as well as myself.  Sometimes quitting when everything is going well is the secret for further enjoyment and the task not becoming a drudge.

  Have a happy Monday everyone.

   
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  Noreen 3:12 pm on March 11, 2023 Permalink  

  A Better Day 

  It is still having snow/sleet outside.  The good thing it is melting as it falls keeping the driveway clear.

  I am having a better day than yesterday.  Nothing I tried yesterday was in synch.  Yesterday was best left to read and watch traffic. 

  I thought I would be using twin needles in my machine to add an orange border to each block.  Of the two needles that I had on hand; one was too wide to stitch the quarter inch strip and the other left too much of the strip unsewn.  If my quarter inch strip was not perfectly folded, a raw edge could sneak out.  

  I had made a sample of the quarter inch orange strip and decided on a zig zag stitch that would sew from one side to the next, insuring all was covered.  Dennis agreed with the choice.

  I am spending way too much fussy time on this t-shirt quilt top.  But . . . I have nothing else on my plate and I am doing it up with the same “quality control” that is usual for me and makes me happy.

  As the rotary cutter and I got together this afternoon, it is a task for patience.  Dennis offered to cut strips but I declined his offer.  Though Dennis had helped and done a wonderful job of cutting 2.5″ inch strips for the three log cabin quilt tops.  Pulling the fabric through the bias tape maker . . . it needs to be spot on cut at a half inch.  I have been busy cutting and need to share a photo tomorrow of my new tool in progress.  I have enough strips cut for eleven of the thirty quilt blocks.  I have decided on all cutting and ironed strips ready for being sewn down before I begin sewing.  You never know if Grammie has a change of heart. 

  Dennis is slowly cutting back on the amount of shell corn he is feeding every night.  In yonder groves, there are spots that have areas either blown free of snow cover or thawed patches.  The deer need to develop a need to begin scavenging on their own.

  Speaking of scavenging, I have no idea what supper will be.  It has been gray and raw out.  I think a steaming bowl of oatmeal and top dressed with cinnamon, brown sugar and milk would hit the spot.

  It is time to turn off my electric heater and all the lights.  Better days are full of positive thoughts, deeds and prayers.