Snow and Stars and Stuff ...

What did you do over the long weekend? (That would be the Victoria Day weekend in Canada to which I am referring.) I had ideas of going camping, but it was mighty cold and promising rain. I'm thinking it wasn't such a bad thing that other factors besides the weather intervened as this is what I woke up to Tuesday morning ...... May 19th and snow! Our local newspaper reported 5 cm of the stuff. I just know I had to put socks on (and that REALLY annoys me this time of year) as it was cold enough I could see my breath. It turned to rain later that afternoon but still very cold. By today, it was back to bare feet in sandals and shirt sleeves again. I'm thinking all those foolish people who rushed to set out bedding plants during last weeks heat are going to be spending more money at the garden centre!

So what does one do when weekend plans fall thru? Let's all say it together now, shall we ... START A NEW PROJECT! Very good girls and boys, you're really getting to know and understand me.

L. and I noticed this ...... while perusing a quilting magazine in front of the fireplace (I told you it was cold!) The conversation then went something like this:

L.: I bet you have enough fabric in your bins to make a quilt just like that.

Me: No bet ... GUARANTEED I have more than enough fabric.

My buddy L. will think of something to bet on with St Peter upon arriving at the Pearly Gates, and is not one to let go of a betting possibility.

L.: I bet you couldn't make a quilt like that.

Me: Why would you say that?

L.: Cuz you're all "matchy matchy". You'd have to go out and buy a bunch of new fabric to get all those stars coordinated properly.

Me: HAH! I wouldn't have to buy ANY fabric cuz it's a PATCHWORK quilt and the joy of patchwork is the randomness. Besides, what do you mean I'm all "matchy matchy"?

L.: I bet you couldn't make a quilt like that without spending the next year sorting and planning all your fabric. In fact, you'd spend so much time sorting and planning all your fabric that you'd NEVER finish a quilt like that!

Me: I bet I could! In fact, watch me prove you WRONG!

Yup. Hook, line, and sinker! What can I say? Without further ado, I closed my eyes and reached into Fabric Bins A, B, C, and D, and pulled out the first piece of fabric my hand touched. Then I stuck my hand back into Fabric Bin A and pulled out a second piece because the first 20 inch block of this quilt required 5 different fabrics. Here is the lovely random result ...... maybe not what I would plan, but kinda cool. That's the joy of patchwork ... unplanned yet cool! Here's the second 20 inch block:And here are three 16 inch blocks:

This 16 inch block presented a bit of a challenge ...... because we all know one cannot herd ladybugs! I ripped my stitching out three times before I managed to get those little beauties lined up correctly:

That's 6 completed blocks, and I haven't even BEGUN digging into Fabric Bins. I foresee NO problem completing this quilt top without duplicating fabrics ... although I'm a little concerned that I won't have enough light-coloured bits as I tend to sew with brights and darks. WAIT! FORGET I SAID THAT! I will have NO problem finding enough interesting fabrics ALREADY IN MY FABRIC BINS!

Y'all know I live in a basement suite and this house is for sale. Well, practically the moment the for sale sign went up on the front lawn, the "looky loos" began parading thru the place. There are some RUDE people out there! I asked both house owner and listing realtor to PLEASE give me a heads up about tours and I would do my best to make myself absent. Both agreed that would be no problem. DID THEY STICK TO THEIR WORD? NO! They barge in at all hours of the day and evening. I REALLY resent "looky loos" first thing Sunday morning, although the worst ones (so far) came to see the place last night. Without warning, I might add!

It was nearly 8 pm, and I was working on my quilt blocks. My sewing machine is set up on its own little table in my kitchen, and my ironing board was in the hallway right outside my kitchen. I had fabric and scissors and ruler and stuff spread out on my kitchen table. The realtor came downstairs, "looky loo" couple in tow, and asked if it was okay to look around.

"Go ahead" I said said, "you're already down here." (with a strong touch of sarcasm and irritation)

The woman proceeded to poke through the things ON MY KITCHEN TABLE! Without a word to me. Had she said hello and expressed a tiny hint of interest in what I was doing, I would gladly have showed her my project and discussed it. She acted like the fabric and scissors and ruler and stuff on the table WAS PART OF THE SALE ... so I explained (with a much stronger touch of sarcasm and irritation in my voice) that my private belongings were NOT part of the house sale so HANDS OFF ALREADY.

If that wasn't bad enough, the silly woman then UNPLUGGED MY IRON!

Me: Did you just unplug my iron? (disbelieving my own eyes)

Madam Looky Loo: You aren't using it.

Me: I'm sewing! I iron as I go! (truly disbelieving this amazing stupidity and rudeness)

Madam Looky Loo: No you're not using it, you're over there. Irons should not be left plugged in.

At that point, I arose from my chair and explained that it was best she leave immediately. And then explained to the realtor that showing my suite was no longer permitted when I am home. The time for cooperation is now gone. Sheesh! I might be moving faster than I originally anticipated.