Post Irma and Happy Surprises

Well we survived Irma just fine. We did lose power for about 16 hours but it just provided us with a lazy day. It took some effort to get up and return to work though. I really would have enjoyed a few days off. But we have entered our busy season at work. I am hoping that I can keep the hours down this week as I got very little done this past week.

I had planned to cut fabric during the power outage. What I didn't count on there being so little natural light in my cutting area and studio. Even without the curtains there wasn't enough light to cut anything accurately. I did have candle light but I wasn't getting a candle anywhere near my fabric. I am sure you all understand.

I could have worked on the design wall but we were kind of tripping over each other here in the house and that was going to take some space to put together. So instead of working on quilting I did some bead work. You see, I also make jewelry. I tookthe time to get out the Kumihimo supplies and string up some beads. I was able to do that by candle light just fine. I managed to get two necklaces woven.

Like I said I would have liked to take a few days off, but we are in the busy season at work. It's peanut harvest time. And while I only worked three days this week, they were longer days than I would have liked. But I had arranged to take Friday off at my husband's insistence. That darling man surprised me with a visit from my best friend and soul sister. Thursday after work, we drove down to Tallahassee to do some"shopping." Kim had been very insistent that we leave the house no later than 4:30pm.Which was unusual for him. He hates shopping. We went straight to the airport and picked up Bear. I was so happy to see her. I hadn't seen her since my father's funeral over a year and a half ago. Before that it was my mother's funeral and that was in 2010.

We got to spend two whole days just catching up with each other. I do miss getting to spend time with her. In the past 28 years we have lost track of each other, and found each other more than once. Now a days we keep track of each other on facebook.

 Her life has been a difficult one and she is a true survivor. I admire and love her all the more for who she is and what she has been through. We both have changed over the years but that hasn't changed our love for each other.

With all her struggles and trials Bear is still fiercely loyal to me and my family. She loves my children with all her heart and they know it. She is one of my biggest supporters. She gives me advice and encouragement. She takes pride in my accomplishments. I only wish she lived closer so I could see her more often. But alas our lives have us separated by 6 states. Still 37 years of friendship is something to celebrate. And we definitely did.

So I didn't get things on my list done but I had a great week and it was even better than achieving the goals I had set. I did manage to build the design wall and I will report on that another time. I want to bask in the afterglow of this weekend.

Here's to living a full life, Enjoying the journey, Unexpected delays and not letting goals get in the way. Have a good week everyone.

Prepping for Irma and Still Getting Things Done.

Here it is 9:02 pm on Sunday night. We have spent that past week prepping of Irma. My husband was very concerned that we be ready and well, a lot of things got done that were needing done. The large tanks that he is turning into storage buildings are usable as storage buildings. They still need some work but are usable. The yard has been cleaned up and things put away. Trash has been taken to the dump multiple times. Water has been stored. Food has been bought. Fuel has been bought and stored. Buildings and equipment have been strapped down. Decks have been cleared.

The inside of the house is a little (okay, a lot) cluttered still but we are prepared. Unfortunately the generator, we ordered did not arrive as it was suppose to. But still we will be fine. After all the work, Irma should be a tropical storm by the time she reaches us. Which is typical for us. Prepare for the worse and be relieved when it isn't as bad as we feared.

This week was a strange week for me. First, I had Monday off for Labor Day and then we had Thursday off for our company party. But we also lost my husband's Uncle Jack on Thursday. He was in his late eighties and lived with my in-laws, in Idaho. Our daughter, who is out there working for a couple of months, called in the middle of the night to let us know. So sleep was a forgone conclusion after that. Both my husband and I went into work early and came home early. So I also had Friday afternoon off as well. Despite Irma and Uncle Jack's passing, I was able to make some progress on my projects.


First thing I worked on was my friend's pants. It was an easy repair since it was just a popped seam. I did use a reinforced stitch though. I would hate for it to happen again. That project was completed rather early on Monday.

Next up on Monday were the curtains for the Studio. I found this fabric in a Walmart. It is home decorator fabric so a little heavier than quilting cotton. It wasn't too bad of a price and the colors were perfect for the studio. First I measured the windows and decided how much I needed for hems and casings. Then I serged all the raw edges. I turned the raw edges under and top stitched them down to get a nice finished edge. Then I put in the hems and casings. I hung the hardware myself. I had it all done by noon.

Since I have an air conditioner in one window I made one curtain short so the air conditioner wouldn't be blocked. It really makes that whole wall look complete. Funny how something as simple as curtains makes a room look more pulled together. Plus I have some leftover fabric that I can use for a sewing machine cover.

The next thing on the list was getting the borders on the Braid quilt. I needed to add all four borders not just the top and bottom onesas I had thought. I also had to go back over some of the seams of the braids. This top was made from scraps and some were more prone to raveling than others. I also wasn't doing as careful a job sewing as I should have. I am much more dedicated now. This quilt has been in a bin for the last four years and well was just neglected. 

I also was able to get it on the machine on Thursday morning before going to the company picnic. I didn't start quilting it because I didn't want to get part way done and lose power due to Irma. Besides I needed to get ready for Irma.

Every night this week, I worked on finishing the binding for Arianna's quilt. It is a largish quilt and the binding took some time. Plus I was only working on it as we watched TV. But I am Happy to say it is done. I finished it Thursday or Friday I am not sure now. I have it bound, labeled and packed to send to her. I sent her a picture text and asked her if she knew what it meant. She happily replied "Our Quilt is Done". Now if I can just manage to get it in the mail.

The last project I managed to get done was the Purple Quilt. I am calling it a Punch of Purple. I turned the binding and clipped it down Thursday morning before the company picnic as well. I took it to the picnic with me and started stitching it down.

I know that sounds rather unsociable. The Picnic had activities that I just wasn't going to do. I don't play basket ball and besides those young men really get into their game. I wasn't going to ride the mechanical bull. The wrecking ball's inflatable construction was just too unstable a platform for my weak ankles. And the gyro sphere really didn't appeal to me especially after eating lunch. I would have gone swimming if they hadn't canceled it. So I sat in the shade, talked with my friends, cheered on the others and happily stitched away. I had a lot people comment on how stunning the quilt was. I had a couple ask if I would make them a quilt. Anyway I got half the binding stitched down on Thursday afternoon. I finished up Sunday afternoon. It is labeled and folded and ready to be given away or used. I am not sure which yet.

So looking at last week's projects I have managed to complete five out of eight. I knew I wouldn't complete all of them but I am really happy with getting five done. Besides I was leaving the design wall and lay out projects for when the power went out. I don't need electricity for those two.

• Finish the braid quilt top and back and get it on the machine - Done
• Finish binding Arianna's quilt and add the label - I already made the label. - Done
• Bind the purple quilt and add a label.- Done
• Build a portable/storable design wall - I have an idea based on some things I saw on Pintrest.
• Sew curtains for the studio windows - I found some nice fabric on sale. It is cut and ready to be sewn. The curtain rods need put in as well. That is what my husband and son are for. - Done
• Mend some pants for a friend - she doesn't sew and it is only a seam the popped. - Done
• Lay out the Christmas Lemonade quilt - I started this and realized that my bed was not going to work since I needed to be able to go to sleep at night. Hence the need for the design wall.
• Work on the star quilt

So for this coming week we will move the projects we didn't complete down. Then maybe add one or two.  

• Build a portable/storable design wall 
• Lay out the Christmas Lemonade quilt
• Work on the star quilt - sewing machine needed so after Irma passes through
• Design and start quilting the braid quilt - after Irma
• Make the binding for the braid quilt - after Irma
• Cut fabric for the flower quilt - if power is out
• Cut fabric for on point quilt - if power is out.

Okay the last two are so I have something to do if the power is out. Otherwise they will wait until I get the Christmas Lemonade and the Star quilts done.

Planning ahead is keeping me focused. Writing it down is keeping me focused. Crossing them off as they are done is very satisfying. Hopefully I will continue to make progress.

Are you staying safe and dry? What will occupy your time this week? Will you be preparing for a natural disaster or getting things cleaned up afterwards? How about organizing your work space or just working on a new project?