Me, Myself and Memories

Recent Updates Page 108 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

• 

  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.

   
• 

  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.

   
• 

  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.

   
• 

  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.

   
• 

  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.

   
• 

  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.

   
• 

  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.

   
• 

  Noreen 2:02 pm on March 10, 2023 Permalink  

  Nothing 

  Today is March 10th.  I having nothing to report.  It is gray and cloudy with the promise of snow off and on over the weekend.  Perhaps I will have news tomorrow.  Catch you then.

   
• 

  Noreen 2:29 pm on March 9, 2023 Permalink  

  Snow? 

  Today, on this Thursday, I was expecting snow.  A lot of snow.  What we do have is intermittent wet stuff that has no idea what a snowflake should or would look like.  I am not disappointed in the least.  It may still amount to several inches of snow before the weekend.

  The Swiffer and I did corral fuzz, threads and such on the main floor this morning.  Forced air furnaces have a way of disseminating it evenly throughout . . . no corner is left without.

  This forenoon Dennis announced he was going to run away from home.  Dennis packed up his baggie of quarters, took eight Tide pods and rounded up the carpet rag rugs that we had been using over the winter months.  As they become soiled, there is a special laundry basket in the garage to collect them.  The rugs and all the kitty basket blankets were destined for the laundromat.  Dennis knows better than to go when the weekend is close.  Carpet rag rugs could be the death of our stackable washer/dryer.  While the snow hasn’t yet hit us, Dennis took his pails up to the elevator for shell corn.  It’s easier to maneuver with non accumulating and annoying wet stuff than multiple inches of snow.

  The last container of our vegetable beef soup from the freezer is thawing for supper.  It might be paired with a grill cheese sandwich.  Usually with soup a half sandwich each does the trick.

  I did have the KEYC television news on at noon.  Redwood falls was the closest to us that had a school announcement on.  That would be one hour north of us.

  The official spring date is getting closer.  It’s hard to believe that we set our clocks one hour ahead this weekend.  Hmm.

   
• 

  Noreen 3:08 pm on March 8, 2023 Permalink  

  Yippee 

  Sweet emails were opened this morning.  The Minnesota Electronic Return and the Federal Electronic Return were both accepted.  I printed off both of the submission IDs that I will put with the printed returns.  Whew!  Check that off the list of items to keep track of.

  The first round of weather came this morning with very light, but wet snow.  Dennis bundled me into the little red pickup and we headed out for several errands here in town.  Returning back home knowing this is the best place for these two older ones.

  I thought I would be keeping the studio dark until my Amazon order came with the set of four bias tape makers would come on Friday.  I did read off and on, also watching some traffic.  Here I am, in the studio with my electric heater blowing nice warm air across my legs.  It’s amazing how warm 65 degrees can feel when the basement studio is in transition from frigid winter to a wanna be spring.

  I have Dennis in the living room with the HP fired up for him.  Dennis wanted to have some reading material on a certain topic.  His granddaughter Sadie had called him at noon.  She had just found out that she has made the status of the Army Sergeant Major.  It is quite the accomplishment for this 37-year-old single mother of two.  Dennis knew she had taken on the riggers of this status and reading more about what it entails on our computer is a good idea for grandpa.  Sadie is the only family member of Dennis’ that decided on a military career.  Dennis and Sadie speak the same military  language and the two are great buds.  Sadie is good for grandpa.

  There are now three kits of fabric, all cut at 2.5″ wide for a double bed size, that I have cut up from my stashes, ready to work up log cabin quilt tops.  The three cover blue, green and burgundy.  As I have mentioned before, there are no family members in need of a finished quilt right now.  I enjoy sewing and in time if no family member comes forth, I will donate the quilt tops to the church ladies to finish them.  They know of families that have needs after a home fire or if a health situation has caused strife.

  It is three in the afternoon.  In times long gone, I could well be on the phone chatting with my mom and dad as three was their coffee time.  All I needed was a cup of coffee to join in.  After my folks were gone, my sister, Elvera, and I chatted over the phone many times at three.  Hmm.  No more chatting at three.

  Supper is leftovers from last night.

  KNUJ is on top of the snow info that may be coming our way.  Unfortunately, the weather forecasts have been right on.  Stay safe, and for us older ones on Stauffer, you can find us at home or on the end of a phone conversation if we are needed.