Sewing and Spiders

The Place for Everything Tote is so close to being finished. I clipped the zipper loop to the front piece yesterday morning but had to set the project aside to deal with more pressing issues:

I’m hoping to sew and bind the last two seams this morning so I can cross this one off the list.

Two sewing celebrities will be visiting the quilt store this week to give lectures. The store is hosting Annie Unrein, owner of byAnnie and designer of the Place for Everything Tote. Also visiting is Guiseppe Ribaudo—known as Guicy Guice—who is a fabric and quilt designer. I’ve got tickets to both lectures and am very excited. And, of course, we are T-minus three weeks until Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably’s visit. September is National Sewing Month, so all of this feels very appropriate.

******

Warning: If you don’t like spiders, stop reading. I don’t mind them. They eat the bugs I don’t like.

Yesterday morning, I opened the kitchen door and was dazzled by a huge web in the corner of the door opening. Sitting in the middle of the huge web was a huge spider—about the size of a quarter. I think it was feasting on the moths flocking to the porch light. I wished the spider a good morning. I also took a picture. I have been debating about whether or not to share the photo but I don’t want people to run screaming from the blog so I’ll let you use your imagination.

Just before the husband left for work, we noticed that the spider had vacated the web to hide in the top of the screen door track, so the husband removed the web with a broom. I looked for the spider later in the day but didn’t see it. I didn’t use the screen door yesterday.

This morning, I came down and opened the kitchen door expecting to see the web and the spider again. Nope. Hmmm. Then I happened to look up. The spider had spun a web above the kitchen cabinet next to the door—inside the house. I have no idea how it got in. I won’t disturb it. It can stay there and dispatch the stupid flies that always seem to be buzzing around this time of year.

Note: It does not look like a dangerous spider, at least not to humans. We’ve lived in this patch of forest for 32 years and made our peace (mostly) with the other residents. Some days I think we might as well just live outside with the rest of them.

******

I’m going to take some time today and assess the sewing to-do list. Unless I figure out a way to expand the space-time continuum, I can’t make everything I want to make. It’s time to prioritize. And we’re in that weird transition time between summer and fall. I have to check the forecast before I get dressed to make sure I am garbed appropriately. Should I make any more warm-weather tops or go with what I have and begin sewing with sweater knits? Or should I just make bags and other items until we’ve settled into colder weather? 🧐