ideas abound

The Tall Short Person's quilt top is stitched together.  Koda Bear likes to keep pointing out the bugs, spider webs, mushrooms, and bone daddies.  But it fits who she is.  

The back is going to have a water/ocean theme.  Mostly mystical ocean.  And a hug.  It is going a bit slower because I am putting two Halloween quilts together and I am trying to stitch nine squares a day.  Just thoughts and possibilities.  To be a dirt bag, how many quilts would I have to sell to cover property taxes and expenses?  Those type of thoughts.

And then Koda Bear's favourite colour changes back to orange.  So, I sit there making nine squares and see all this orange fabric.  I need to make him a quilt.  A physical hug.  Hopefully I will have time before the next curve ball or idea comes through.

Yes, I am feeling scattered.  Yes, I feel like life is full of curve balls.  It is too bad I am not much of a baseball player but I do know how to meet life straight on.  That is the plan.

long seams

Long seams.  I only seem to have time for long seams.  I bought some Halloween panels while I was in the Pacific Northwest and I am trying to get them put together.  One for me and one for the Tall Short Person.  She has decided she wants hers to be a quilt.

This one is going to be mine.  I have not decided if it is going to be for the bed or the wall but I do think I am going to change the original design.  Again.  I have already chosen different fabrics then the original design.  I think I am going to change the lettering for Halloween.  Something that is integral so I do not lose it.  Then I could use it as a quilt or a wall hanging if I put a sleeve for a pole in the back. 

That is the thought.  I have been spending time at my machine this week after work.  I am trying to stay sane for the last eight days because it is becoming more toxic.  The industry may not be in the best place but I have noticed more and more people are looking for different opportunities. 

Not my worry eight days from now.  It is just a relief at this point.

overboard!

I went a bit overboard fabric shopping while I was traveling.  I went to two quilt stores I liked and Ragfinery.  I bought enough flannel for two Christmases!  I can say it was for a non-profit and by the pound so I got a good deal.  I spent more on thrifted fabric then new!  But that is life.

I do admit that for the last bit of the trip I surely wished that I had packed sewing machine.  My "portable' sewing machine is not very portable.  If I am tired, I need help carrying it.

But the first day home, I did get a chance to sew.  I am making myself a Halloween wall hanging quilt with new and old fabric.  I am enjoying myself.

I am exhausted.  There has been no time at work for anything.  I do not even feel like I am caring for myself for in ten hours of the day it has been so busy.  People are freaking out that I will not be there soon.  Nothing I can do about it.  But it is making me tired.  And the stress is such I think I am not eating enough.  It wil get better.

My brain is starting to turn in crazy directions.  Who knows where it will turn up!

traveling

I am getting very handy at making a dropped egg on a camp stove with homemade bread.  I like traveling this way.  Eating my food means I get to travel more.  Wahoo!

It was an interesting week.  The day we left for the mountain I was told that the company I work for was ending my contract at the end of the month.  The corporate answer is that they were cutting costs.  The real reason is that I told the truth to a customers.  I was told I needed to share lessons learned.  I did.  Well that was an oops.  But I had a co-worker call the corporation evil today sooo . . .  It is just a paycheck.  It was just a paycheck before I was told that they were ending my contract.  They ran with the "fire me if it is that important."  I find that truth is but that is not the corp.

The mountain was about maintenance, eating ice cream, family, books.  Relaxation was much needed.  I am thinking that I will sleep for a week after my contract ends.  I have sent my resume out but I am thinking about other things.  Sick stomache feeling but excited at the same time.  I might set up shop or see if my butcher would take me on as apprentice or if the sewing repair shop would be interested in a home quilter geophysicist.  Many ideas.  

Maybe I should travel more and perfect camp cooking.  Sounds like a plan!

strange request

I had the strangest request from Koda Bear.  He wanted a nightdress.  Light blue.  I was like okay.  Historically, small bears of his age would still be wearing nightdresses.  Not a problem.  I had coupons and I made him a nightdress.  

I come to find out that it was not quite what he invisioned.  He wanted a cross between a nightdress, a mummy wrap, and a ninja covering.  Toes and hands could not be seen.  His head and face needed to be covered.  I do not even know where he got this idea.  I may try again but next time I will have him draw me a picture of what he wants!  

He was kind and wore the night dress once.  He pulled the hem up over his head trying to make the mummy suit he really wanted.  That is what he calls it.

But, while I was making the nightdress, I made Koda Bear a light blue heart.  I used scraps and wool roving for stuffing.  It is one of his favorite things now.  He wants to sleep with it and hold it.  Something was a success!

Mummy suit.  That one will be interesting.  Maybe he will pick out the fabric this time.

I am off to the mountain.  I am so excited and so ready.  I am going to take Koda Bear's advice and sleep while travelling.  Sleeping between visiting with friends.  Sounds like a plan.