Busy Sunday so far

I've got so many different projects in the works that I can't hardly keep up.  Some are still in my head (meaning I want to get to them) but there are only so many hours in a day.  Yesterday I spent hours working on this new sewing technique I saw on YouTube.  (my new favorite person to watch -- Darlene Michaud)  She showed this easy demo on finishing up a quilt piece or a full quilt and I thought -- I can do that. I prefer the quilt-as-you-go method as I don't have enough table space but more importantly, my back kills me if I have to stand up bent over too long on trying to pin and baste layers together.

Well, they say you get better with practice.  I made a small four-square table top just to make sure I knew what I was doing.  Naturally, it took me a couple tries to realize what worked and what didn't. Didn't turn out exactly as I wanted but I realized I didn't actually need to put a batting inside.  As it was, I only used pieces of flannel sheeting but I think I would have had more success if I'd just used the top and bottom.

Those designs are another technique I learned on Darlene's videos called crumb quilts. Similar to crazy quilt but done with tiny pieces with a slightly different way of putting them together.  Actually quite fun to work on.  I may head to the kitchen craft corner later and see about working on wrapping wire around beach glass or rocks.  Another instance of practice makes perfect.  Or as perfect as I'm going to get it.

I'm already having my doubts, however, if I'll get to the rocks.  Kind of wore myself out with a two-hour (or was it three?) mission to clean out paper work and receipts.
One thing led to another and I ended up thinking I needed to straighten up the hallway shelving while I was at it.  Interesting to find things you forgot you had.  One of the boxes in my closet was various sewing notions and bags of this and that I intended to use at some point but I see now a lot of those little doodads are decades old.  I probably bought them at estate sales and Goodwill.  I have supplies of clamp on snaps (with the clamp gadget, no less), a ton of bias tape and quilt binding, rolls of elastic, iron-on patches, velcro pkgs, ribbons, all the list goes on.  I really should post them on the free website I belong to as I'm sure somebody could use those little odds and ends I'm never going to use.

I did manage to clean out my file cabinet of old receipts and such.  Now I have to pull out my shredder and send a lot of it through the blades.  Way too much junk.  Irritates me that the drug company I signed on with (and regret but you have to have drug insurance even if you're not taking any because you never know.....)anyhow, they send entirely too much paper. Heavy paper too.  Same ole crap about how to file a complaint and pages in different languages to boot.  I hate that.

I decided it was stupid to be saving my electric bills and cable bills. Tossed 'em all! I did keep my Visa and Amazon bills (I pay them off each month) but I like to look back and see exactly what I was buying so I can convince myself to STOP THAT!  I came across several user manuals of stuff I don't even have anymore so that was easy to dispose of.  The more I found on the closet shelves, the more convinced I became that downsizing isn't that easy.

While cleaning out sewing supplies, I did manage to discard two rotary cutters that I haven't used in years (because they don't work worth a darn!)  I have three pair of pinking shears (which I seldom ever use) but I don't want to get rid of them because I don't really know which ones work the best and if I'll need a pair one day. This whole routine goes on and on. 

I'm not giving up yet, though; I just need to get in the groove.  I plan on gifting some of my knickknacks (maybe for Christmas) and some I'll just plain give to Goodwill.  Same with my clothes.  Not that anyone would LOVE to get any of the stuff I've been wearing but somebody might.....

I downsize my book collection every few years.  It's time to do it again.  Problem is, I have some good books and I refuse to donate to Goodwill. I may end up giving them to the friends of the library. That's where I buy a lot of my books anyhow.  I'll have to think on it.  I'd just as soon give to friends if I had a way of getting them delivered or picked up.

My son-in-law came by and put my bed together in the back bedroom. It'll be for guests (which I have few of) but mostly that room will be a storage area for my material, and other things I want to keep onhand but not in the garage.  I put an afghan on it that Jenni gave me. Something she received several years back.

Since I got this small tv (it's here in the sewing room now) that has a built-in VCR, I've been stocking up on old movies to play while I'm sewing.  My collection grew as Goodwill was selling them for 2/.99.  I switched out where I had them stored and now they're in the entryway just around the corner from the sewing room.

The shelf that they had been on I decided would make a good knickknack spot so I hauled it in here near my office area.

I have more in a bin in the garage but I may see about thinning them out and letting them go by the wayside.  Easy for me to say, harder to carry through. Same way with Christmas decorations.  I haven't put up a tree in years but I still manage to set out various Xmas decos I can't let go of.

Took a picture of the houses in process across the street this morning.  Happily, they decided to take Sunday off.  I'm thankful as that hammering wears on you day after day from 7 am. to dark.

Port Angeles High School had their homecoming this weekend. Jen got a picture of Hunter and Maddie before they took off with their dates for the dance.  So cute....

Guess I'd better head to the kitchen now and get busy on shredding. Would be real easy for me to put it off but I want to get up tomorrow with no chores list so I can PLAY!