Day 4 at WDW

April 7 – Magic Kingdom – All 6 of us are there!

This day is the one we chose to celebrate Mom's Birthday. Happy Belated Birthday Mom!

We arrived about 9:15 am. Early for us. Our first stop is at the Fire Hall to get our Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom cards. As we came out of the Fire Hall we were able to watch the end of the Dapper Dan's performance.

Next is Peter Pan's Flight with our FF+ between 9:35 am and 10:35 am.. Robert had not joined us yet so only 5 of us went on it. Suzanne quite enjoyed the ride. It is magical. Unfortunately because of the FP+ we did not get to see the new queue. It's supposed to be very special. One day, should we come back when it's not so warm, we will wait in line so we can see it.

Next was Mickey's PhilarMagic. Always a fun show. Suzanne enjoyed it even though she is unable to use the 3D glasses.

Then Columbia Harbour House. We sat upstairs where there is a bit more room and quieter. No problem getting a gluten free meal for Mom and I to share.

Off to Pirates of the Caribbean. FF+ between 1:15 pm to 2:15pm. Lots of time to get there after our lunch. No rushing which was lovely. We then took in Country Bear Jamboree, The Hall of Presidents and the Liberty Square Riverboat.

Then it was time for Be Our Guest Restaurant. Robert was there waiting for us. The CM's brought Mom and I birthday cards signed by Belle and Beast. We even got to meet Beast. 

Suzanne had talked to some guests at Pop Century and they recommended the French onion soup, a salad and chocolate cupcake. So that's what she had and was not disappointed. Suzanne says she is “almost” inspired to start cooking again.  Just so she can make that soup!

Suzanne left us to go back to Pop Century at this point.  The rest of us went on Haunted Mansion.  We had FF+ for 6:40 pm to 7:40 pm.  Jungle Cruise was our last ride of the day. We were unable to get a FF+ so we had a 50 minute wait.

We saw the fire works at the closest spot without trees and buildings from Jungle Cruise. Unfortunately not from in front of the Castle.

Then there was a mess trying to get out of the park. Not fun. Lesson....if we ever get separated again, make the decision ahead of time where outside the park to meet. Either at the bus stop or back at the resort. Fortunately Suzanne had already left so she missed this mass of humanity. Not one of Disney's greatest moments in the area of crowd control.

Day 3 at WDW

April 6 – EPCOT – All 6 of us

The forecast was for rain. No rain. But there were comments about the heat!

Our first FF+ was for Spaceship Earth between 9:25 am and 10:25 am. The plan was to meet Robert there for 10 am. His shuttle brought him there early and he said it was quite convenient. Excellent. The concern about transportation from his time share is eased a lot.

Next was Soarn. This FF+ is from 10:45 to 11:45. So we had plenty of time to get there after Spaceship Earth. Suzanne declined to go this one and had a rest at the food court. Meanwhile I talked everyone except Suzanne and Jeff into going on the Behind The Seeds tour. Our first ever Disney tour! Regular price was $20/person. Because of the annual pass I got a bit of a discount. Robert still insisted on paying the $20. Hope to pay him back...maybe with another Mickey Bar. But I think he thought they were too sweet and the chocolate didn't agree with him.

Next we saw The Circle of Life. Then it was time for our Behind the Seeds tour. We did have FF+ for The Seas with Nemo & Friends between 12:35 pm and 1:35. So Jeff and Suzanne went to that attraction while the rest of us went on the tour. Which we enjoyed, but it was a lot of walking and standing for Robert. Plus he spotted a wasp which he is highly allergic to.

After meeting up with Suzanne and Jeff at Nemo & Friends we headed over to World Showcase with a short stop at Club Cool. Robert did not like the Beverly. Mom and I enjoy it....in small sips. We did sample quite a few other beverages as well.

After seeing Oh Canada and a walk through the UK (did not stop for the music or street show) we headed for Morocco for lunch. Robert left us to find some food he could eat and then went back to the time share to rest.

At Morocco the birthday girls received free ice cream and Birthday Cards signed in Arabic.

After that we headed back to Pop Century where Mom and I went to the pool while the guys went to their rooms and got their air conditioning turned up. Not a great way to acclimate to the weather.

I received an e-mail from Cathy at Kitty City that Tina was ill. Bonnie was not coming out of her unit and was hissing at any cat that came near it. Phileas was out having adventures, making friends of the fur and human kind while “assisting” staff in their duties.

Day 2 at WDW

April 5 – Disney Animal Kingdom (DAK) – All 6 are going!

The first person that shows up on this day without their Animal Kingdom Backpacks that I made will be sent back to their room! Fortunately everyone remembers and we are good to go. Robert took a cab to Pop Century since he was bringing soda, bottled water, snacks and fruit for us. (Thanks Robert!) He didn't get to see much of our resort. But then we didn't get to see his. I'm looking forward to seeing the videos he took of Vacation Village at Parkway. It sounds amazing. But not enough to keep us from being on property and the ease of the Disney transportation system.

It's lovely, bright and no snow. Uh Oh....the first complaint is heard about it being warm!

Because of previous experiences, I booked our first Fast Pass Plus (FF+) for later in the morning. The day will only get warmer, but it's doubtful that we can get an early start.

It's always best to be at the parks early, before it gets hot and crowded. Then enjoy your resort in the heat of the afternoon. After a swim and a nap, one is ready to take in the evening events. When it's not under the blazing sun. But that's not going to happen.....so we have our first FF+ for 10:05 to 11:05.

After getting our vouchers for annual passes changed into the actual pass, we headed into the DAK park. We sauntered to the Kilimajaro Safari. Then we walked the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail. After that it was time for our first Mickey Ice Cream Bar and then the Festival of the Lion King show. (We took in the noon show.)

We then went for Flights of Wonder. Because of the birthday pins that Mom and I were wearing, and our “Animal Kingdom is a two day park” backpacks, we were taken to the VIP line with front row seats! The highlight for us was seeing Tuesday. She is the owl that in 2012 we were asked to join a mini show in the hopes that a quiet audience could help boost her confidence. A few weeks previously an idiot had tried to grab Tuesday when she was performing. After that she refused to fly over people. Tuesday would have been removed from the show if they were not able to boost her confidence so she could perform.

Then we went to Pizzafari to eat. Jeff had the meatball sub, Phil had a salad, Suzanne- a kids mac and cheese. Mom and I shared a gluten free pizza. Because I had the birthday pin I also received a free gluten free cookie. And we found Animal Kingdom souvenir mugs. These mugs are $5 each with soda. Even though I have a cupboard full of Disney mugs, at least one of these is coming home!

After this we went to Finding Nemo – The Musical. Four kids sang Happy Birthday to Mom while we were in queue. Made our day!

That was it for Animal Kingdom for the day. Back to Pop Century, and Robert to his time share.

The ladies were not ready to call it quits. So we headed to Downtown. Supper at Earl of Sandwich. They still have the gluten free chilli! Added bonus: because of my birthday pin, the cashier grabbed my chilli for me.  I didn't have to wait for the buzzer they give you to go pick up your food!

Heading to Walt Disney World

2015 Walt Disney World Trip

April 4 – Edmonton

Who's on the trip....myself, my husband Phil, son Jeff, mom Jo, cousin Robert, friend Suzanne

Cab left our house at 7:05 am. Our driver was a pleasant East Indian gentleman who was leaving for Ottawa the following week. He was going to support his brother who was running in a federal by election after a career in the RCMP. I wish I had asked for names so I could have followed the election to see if he won.

Suzanne and her husband picked up Robert at 6:30 am.  After getting rid of their checked luggage, they went through security and waited for us at the departure gate.

Our plane left at 11:30 am. Since there was sleet and snow, the plane had to be de-iced. We had Plus seats which we were told allowed us to board early. I asked at the desk if we could bring Robert's carry on with us. Three of us would not be using the overhead storage for our bags so there would be plenty of room for his. The WestJet staff invited Robert to join us for the early boarding. Unfortunately when boarding was called, they called for people with children and needing assistance to board first (which was more than half the plane – it was going to Orlando after all – everyone had kids). They never did call for the Plus seats to be boarded early. So we got into the line with the families.

Apparently Plus seats also allows us to have the snacks that others pay for at no extra cost. Wish we had known that. We didn't find out until almost the end of the flight. No wonder the golfers seated around us were ordering so many drinks. Guess we subsidized their intake. Too bad....they were starting to get a bit obnoxious by the end of the flight.

We arrived at Orlando (MCO) at 6:30pm. Temperature 31C. Instead of going to the B section of the airport before looking for Magical Express (which we did know we should do), we tried section A, first floor. There is no connection for the public between sections A and B on that level. So back up to the 3^rd floor, across to section B, then back down to level 1. Low and behold....there is the Magical Express. Can you hear the sigh of relief?

As soon as we saw the Pop Century sign on the corner of the property, we started looking for the signs: “Are we there yet?”, “Air Conditioned Rooms”, “Colour TV”. Not sure why, but we get a kick out of spotting these signs.

I had used Touring Plans room view and fax option to make room requests for Mom, myself, Phil and Jeff. Touring Plans had sent the room request 5 days prior to our arrival. Will we get our preferred rooms?

Not only did we get our preferred rooms. They are connecting! Added bonus. We are in the 70's, Building 6. Next to us is Goofy with his surf board and fancy red car. Across from that is the smoking spot for Mom. Phil and Jeff have 6306 while Mom and I are in 6307. 

Yeah....3rd floor. Would have preferred 4^th, but we're happy. We access the elevators right under the Mickey holding the phone icon. Closer to our room is a stair case which is really close to the smoking spot and Classic Hall where the food court, shop and buses are located.

Next concern is where are they going to put Suzanne? Touring Plans only lets subscribers use their faxing service so I couldn't put in a room request for her. The cast member (CM) who assisted us had Suzanne come up with us while she took care of our check in. Suzanne was put in the same building, second floor. Not facing the fun statues, but very very close to the elevators. Room 6224.

Now, did Robert get to where he was staying for the next two weeks with no issues? Yep....Next Plus app is working for text messaging. There is a message from Robert that he is in his room and heading off for groceries.

Unfortunately, NextPlus is not working for the phone calls. So we are unable to call Suzanne's husband, Robert to let him know we got there safely and that Suzanne's room is close to ours.

We ate at Everything Pop and picked up our refillable mugs. This time we each were able to get different colours. Then we walked over to Art of Animation for Jeff to see it for the first time. Not sure he was as taken with the resort as Phil, Mom and I are.

Our luggage arrived at 1:20 Sunday morning. Kind of a late night. But we knew this was a possibility and we had the option of picking up our luggage and bringing it with us on Magical Express. I'd rather wait and let Magical Express take care of it.

Fourth Block of the Month finished

Block four of Pumpkin Patch Lane went together easily.  Except, I lost a piece.  The scarecrow’s face disappeared.  It's somewhere in the sewing room.  Now that I've completed the block, it is sure to come out of hiding.  I did my best with a permanent marker.  But it's not as cute as the face that came with the pattern.

Next month will be piecing the inner border.  It will be the most complicated border I've ever attempted.  This will be the telling point....did I measure everything, from the first block on, correctly.  If I didn't, this is where the mistakes will show up!

Quilt As You Go simple instructions

We have a new member on hearts2hands who is also new to quilting.  I remember as a new quilter, the frustration of pushing three layers of a quilt through a domestic sewing machine and all that goes with it.  Then I remembered taking a class on "Quilt as you go". 

This is a quilting process where each block is quilted separately then attached by sashing.  There are many ways of doing this.  My sashing strips never lined up exactly on both sides.  So I always prefer hand stitching one side of one strip.  The rest is always machine stitched.

I have made this type of quilt from left over blocks (I do get carried away).  I lay a block on top of a piece of bat just a bit larger, place that on a piece of backing fabric the same size as the bat.  Then quilt.  Trim the bat and backing to make a perfect square.  When enough quilted squares are made for a quilt, I then sash them together.  All that is left is the binding.

The method I'm showing uses strips from my scrap pile.

The blocks were made by placing a triangle on the top and bottom of a batting square.  Then a strip of fabric is placed at the edge of each triangle.  Sew the strips to the triangles (which holds both triangles and both strips down).  Flip the strips over,  Now there is a triangle and a strip sewn to each side of the bat.  Add more strips in this manner and this is what you get:

Side One

Side Two

To join the blocks together you need a 1 1/2" strip of fabric for the top and a 2" strip of fabric pressed in half (making it 1" wide)

Strip for top sashing

Strip for bottom sashing

Bottom sashing pressed in half

Next pin the top sashing strip to one side of of your first block.  At the same time secure the raw edges of the bottom folded sashing underneath the same side of the block.  Sew the two sashings to the block.

Leave the folded back sashing as is for now.  The top sashing is pressed over.  Now pin the second block to the raw edge of the top sashing.  (Do not attached the folded edge of the bottom sashing.)

Sashing from front is attached to second block

The back sashing folded edge is not attached to second block

This is what the back looks like before hand sewing

The back sashing is pinned over to cover where the two blocks join.  The fold is hand stitched down

The front sashing is finished

Keep adding blocks until the quilt is the size you want.  All that is left is sewing the binding on.

Virtual Quilting Retreat

With International Quilt Day being celebrated this past weekend, it was time for a quilt retreat!  Being fiscally responsible (if you believe that, I have some property to sell you) we decided on a virtual retreat.

Now when you are at a retreat you usually stay at a hotel with meeting rooms, university dorms where classrooms are put to use, bed and breakfast with room to set up tables.  There are demonstrations, classes, show and tell, great food, shop hops, evening entertainment....you get the idea.  With a virtual retreat there are no restrictions.

One member of our group posted links to demonstrations and tutorials.  Forget a one weekend retreat.  We had enough for a month long cruise.  Speaking of cruise....another member posted photos of wonderful meals and snacks that we would have.  All calorie free since they are only photos.  But sure made me wish it was for real.

This retreat was held in a older historical home.  Huge, with nooks and comfy corners just waiting for guests to sit down with a cup of tea for a visit.  I loved the photos of this home.  It's lovely setting.  It would have been wonderful to stay there for real!

As the weekend progressed all of those participating posted photos of the quilting we were working on.  You would think there would be less progress because of the time spent on the computer chatting and posting.  That wasn't the case.  Everyone made so much progress and learned new things.  I'm not saying that a virtual retreat is as good as a real retreat...but it's a close second.  A big thank you to everyone on hearts2hands for making this fun.

What did I work on.  Over the years when on shop hops, I picked up a lot of fat quarters with a musical theme.  The original intent was to make quilts for my sister-in-laws.  Both are very talented singers.  But I've come to realize that they need another quilt like they need....well you can fill in the blanks.

When our virtual demonstrator posted a link for how to make a Bento Box quilt, I decided to pull out the musical themed fabric and make this quilt.  It was good experience on not what to do.  This quilt would have looked great, if I had used one main fabric for the dark and the fat quarters for the lights.  I would have liked the top then.  I don't think even fancy quilting will save this one.  This first photo is of one corner.  The second is of the entire top.

I tried so many different ways for block placement.  In the end I went from light to dark.  Got it sewn up late at night so I wouldn't change my mind and try something else in the morning.

The next project was to quilt and bind the red work embroidery Canadian Provincial Flowers quilt.  Years ago a friend made two blocks for each province and territory's flowers.  One set was made into a quilt for her.  This set was given to me as a thank you.  And I'm sorry to say, sat in a bag for years.  A quilter on hearts2hands put out the challenge to get our oldest projects finished and out of bags or boxes.  So this is the latest completed project:

I'm up for another virtual retreat in a month or two.  It's going to take that long to put my sewing room (and the rest of the house back in order.  Time to clean my machines, change the needles, clean the iron, re-organize all the quilting tools...the list never ends.