Quilting

 My bed comforter is over ten years old.  It is starting to tear in a few places, and I felt it was time to change it out.  While there are some good options, at the store, I decided to make a replacement, rather than purchase one.  Here is my Bargello quilt, Cosmic Twist, as outlined by Eileen Wright's kindle book.

The hardest part was selecting the fabric.  I didn't have a lot in my scrap pile, so most are new selections from the local day market.

It took 23 selections in all.  Not pictured are the two I used for edging and the backing.

It was helpful to make a chart to remember the order of the fabric

Step one: you cut the fabric into long slices. 

Then, sew them together two by two.

Then, four by four

Then, eight by eight

Until, you have a large panel like this.

Then you slice the panel into their individual rows.  The hard part is making sure it stays straight.  Dalia is helping me check the angle.

Here, she is nodding off for a quick snooze from loaf position.

Then, you line up your rows and start sewing them together.

I found it easiest to work in groups of twelve.

There was definitely a lot more ironing, than I had anticipated.

Dalia probably added to the ironing that needed to be done.

The edge I made up on my own after viewing a bunch of google images.

Perfect it isn't, even with all of Dalia's quality control inspections. However, it is made with love.

Updated later, to include pics from basting.

Step One: Wash and iron the back.

Step Two: Lay out/stretch out the back, batting, and top.

Step Three: Put in the pins; lots and lots of pins.

Step Four: Roll it up, so it will fit in the sewing machine.

Step Five: The sewing begins

And keeps going

Step Six: create a throw with the left over scrap pieces.

Samui

 Ok, it is a little embarrassing to have two beach vacations posted back to back.  However, because of the current COVID situation, travel is low cost and highly encouraged, in Thailand.  Also, I had a couple of opportunities, which meant my biggest expense for the travel was my meals.  So, after that disclaimer, here are my photos of another island beach trip.

On the way there, I realized my friend and I wore the same type of shirt.  Then, I looked over to see our other friend enjoying her Krispy Kreme.  They don't have a Krispy Kreme in Chiang Mai, but we had a plane change in Bangkok and it is the most popular shop in the airport.  I always bring Krispy Kreme back to the office when I fly through Bangkok.

We listened to a sales pitch for four hours and received vouchers to go on a snorkeling day trip.  I had never been snorkeling before, so it was a real treat.  The water was beautiful, as were the fish.  It also included a small hike to this picturesque island.  Then, we stopped at this fancy restaurant, which I am told is normally full of people.

There were some great restaurants.  One offered a fire show on the beach, in the evening.

A friend of a friend had a sailboat.  This is my first time on a sailboat and the first time fishing.

The hotel we stayed at had a paddle board and kayak that we could use free of charge.  I had never done either, and I had varying success.

I thought the airport was pretty cool, too.  In the top photo, you can see our plane taxiing in.

Phuket

A friend invited me to join her in Phuket for a few days.  It was a great opportunity to go and relax.  Covid almost non existent, in Thailand, and the government is encouraging local tourism.

Day 1 was spent throwing the coconuts into the waves.  Unfortunately the water was too rough to swim in.

The beach was empty

The hotel was empty

We went to watch the turtle feeding.  They had three turtles being rehabilitated.  One is completely blind and will likely never be able to make it on his own.

In the heat of the day, the lizards would hide in the shade of the lanterns.

Mostly, I stayed in the shade and read, as I listened to the sound of the waves.

One day I got a scratch.  It was probably the only thing the lifeguard did that day.  The little kids in the pool came to watch.  I am pretty sure that is the most attention my leg has ever received.

The sunsets were gorgeous everyday, but on this day we went to the city and it was probably my favorite sunset.

 

My Classroom

This is actually my room last school year.

 

Drive to English Class