Peach Mango Mist

I bought a new Accuquilt die during this month's sale and started cutting pieces immediately. Bow tie blocks are so pretty, especially this one with the tiny center triangles. I paired warm colors of peach, orange, coral and mango prints with cool shades of gray.

I added two borders: one narrow medium gray solid and an outer border of alternating peach and gray rectangles. Peach Mango Mist finished out at 44” square, great for display, table topper, or baby's room.

I quilted with light gray thread on top and white in the bobbin, using a meandering stitch. Quilting went quickly using the Flynn frame. I'm getting better at free motion stitching with practice. The backing is a white and gray circle print with a side border strip of coral.

Dies used: 

55768 and 55769 4 ½” finished bow tie

55107 2 ¼” x 4 ½” finished rectangle

By the way, today's post is late because I went out for a leisurely breakfast with my favorite guy. A date with my husband is first priority, even after all our years together.

Be happier!

Spend more time

with the people you love,

doing the things you love.

Whirly

Whirly

Some quilt designs express a feeling of motion, and these two fit that description. You can almost feel the breezes blowing.

Little windmill blocks in red, turquoise, black, and blue contrast nicely with crisp white. They are set with light blue dotted sashing to complete Whirly, a 35” square quilt bound with black & white dots. It's quilted with a decorative cross stitch pattern along the sashing and through the centers of the windmills. It sure brightens up my dining room table. 

Summer Pinwheels

Cheery pinwheel blocks are placed in diagonal rows with white sashing and a row of white blocks, creating lots of open space. Bright yellow and orange prints contrast well with the cooler greens and blues.  

Summer Pinwheels is 44” x 54” and quilted with white thread, creating swirls on the pinwheels and square maze outlines on the blanks. It is framed with a bright blue random mini-dot that I also used for backing and binding. 

 

Over the weekend, I took advantage of cooler temperatures to tackle weeds in my flower beds. All this time I've spent sewing has given the weeds a chance to take over. I may have to use a flame thrower or a 50 gallon drum of Roundup.

🔶🔶🔶

Fake people are like weeds.

They stunt your growth.

Remove them from your life,

and you'll have space to flourish.

Sticky Note Wisdom

5 x 5 Rule

Solitude

Sometimes there is too much going on in life. Crazy politics, media frenzy over horrible news, rude people in crowded stores. Traffic jams, interruptions, distractions. It can be an assault on your senses.

Maybe it's time to turn off the noise. Put aside the to do lists. Sometimes the only thing that makes sense is to retreat and reflect. Sit alone in a quiet place and just be. Release worry and embrace calmness.

Escape for an hour or a day or a weekend. Take a break and enjoy solitude.

“This was my moment to look for the kind of healing and peace that can only come from solitude.” -Elizabeth Gilbert

Independence

What a concept.

Independence means freedom from control, influence, support, aid, or interference of others.

In other words, standing on our own two feet and being proud to do so.

This includes not expecting handouts from the government, our parents, or our grandparents. Independence isn't easy, nor is it guaranteed. The world doesn't owe us anything: not a place to live, an inheritance, a job, or an education.

Too many people think they deserve to have everything provided, so they feel disrespected or offended if things don't go as they wish. They just don't get that we have to actively pursue and earn our independence.

Independence is being responsible for ourselves: learning, working, bringing home a paycheck, using these funds to pay bills—on time, and putting some aside for the future. It's planning, making decisions, using common sense, enjoying life, and finding our way on our own.

I believe that it is a privilege to have the opportunity to be self-sufficient and self-reliant. I'm proud that our forefathers fought for our freedom and our right to pursue happiness and independence.

“Freedom cannot be bestowed — 

it must be achieved.”

Elbert Hubbard

Lessons Learned From Sam

My mama is a feisty, outspoken redhead. She grew up on a farm and worked hard all her life in many different jobs to help make ends meet. I learned these important lessons from her over the years. 

Be smart. Acquire skills that will help you find a sustainable career. Develop a wide range of interests. Life is more fun and you'll never get bored if you enjoy what you do. 

Be self-sufficient. Don't depend on others when you can do things for yourself. That includes knowing your way around the garage as well as the kitchen. 

Be frugal. Live within your means. Anything worth having is worth working and saving for. Don't waste time or money. 

Be pretty. Always look your best, smile, and wear cute shoes. But it's fine to get dirty when you're fishing, digging in the yard, or working on a car. 

Be determined. You can do anything you want if you put your mind to it.  Remember, some roads don't lead where you think they will, so... 

Be practical. Life isn't always fair. If you can't fix it, to hell with it.  Get over it and move on.

Happy Mother's Day, and thanks, Sam!

Loose Ends

I was in the sewing room last week, putting the finishing touches on two small quilts that had been sitting around for a couple of months. As I worked on the binding, I thought about how easily things get put off. I could have finished these many times and I would have benefited from the escape to my sewing retreat. Instead I let them hang there and taunt me every time I walked into the room. Why didn't I make the time?

Later on I found a group of fat quarter fabrics that I bought last summer with no particular use in mind. I picked up a quilting magazine, chose one of the patterns and began to cut. I totally enjoyed focusing on my sewing and listening to music. The next day I finished this pretty little lap quilt: Bohemian Rose.

Maybe I have a theme for 2016. No unfinished business here. Tie up loose ends. Do what needs to be done. Say what needs to be said. Use it or lose it. Embrace it or toss it. 

Make time for yourself.

I've already started.

"There are always going to be loose ends in life.  You just have to decide whether they need to be tied up, woven in, or cut off." ~Katie Scarlett

If The Broom Fits

It's nearly Halloween and I've seen candy and witches everywhere!

Do you remember how excited you were as a child?  Picking a costume, getting ready to go out trick or treating with your friends?  

Let go of all your stress and find that playful state of mind for the rest of the week.  

Watch scary movies, laugh at Young Frankenstein, and by all means treat yourself to something delicious.

A Useful Notion

A Year From Now

Excuses, Excuses

Can you believe the excuses people come up with?  Most everyone has used some excuse or another during their life; it's just human nature to try to explain or justify action or inaction.  People usually recognize when they are being brushed off with a lame excuse, and most would rather hear the simple truth.  

The bottom line, though, is that each of us should take responsibility, own up to mistakes, and commit to doing our part, without excuses.  

“Nobody is impressed with 

how good your excuses are.”  

--Unknown

“He that is good for making excuses 

is seldom good for anything else.” 

--Benjamin Franklin

Star Wars Wisdom

During last week's snow days, the mister and I enjoyed a movie marathon, complete with pizza, popcorn and beverages. We watched of all six Star Wars films, and I was reminded of a few favorite quotes.  They may be handy (and appropriate) to use in daily life. 

Enjoy, remember, and gain wisdom from the force.  

"Who's the more foolish, the fool?  Or the fool who follows him?" -- Obi-Wan Kenobi

“Your focus determines your reality.” – Qui-Gon Jinn

“I find your lack of faith disturbing.” - Darth Vader

“Do. Or do not. There is no try.” – Yoda

“Your feeble skills are no match for the power of the dark side.” – The Emperor

"Never tell me the odds." – Han Solo

“Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.” – Han Solo

“The ability to speak doesn't make you intelligent.” – Qui-Gon Jinn

“I have a very bad feeling about this” – everyone.

Contentment

 

con·tent·ment

 : the state of being mentally and physically satisfied with things just as they are

: peace of mind; satisfaction

: a happy or pleased feeling with one's circumstances

It is comforting to be at place in life where you know you can handle whatever comes along. You've cleared unnecessary things and exasperating people out of your path so that you can go your own way. That's contentment. 

 

Some people always strive to be somewhere else or someone else; they will never be truly content. You have to be comfortable with who you are before you can find your way to where you want to be. 

 

Happiness and satisfaction in life come from knowing you are where you belong. That doesn't mean you're stuck in one place, but that you trust yourself to go forward confidently and enjoy the journey.

“When you can think of yesterday without regret 

and tomorrow without fear, 

you are near contentment.” 

– unknown

“At some point you gotta let go, sit still, 

and let contentment come to you.” 

– Elizabeth Gilbert

I Don't Have To...

follow the herd.

impress people.

fix everything.

tolerate fools.

get frustrated.

feel obligated. 

 

explain myself.

listen to lies.

keep everything.

pretend to like someone.

seek approval.

always say yes.

wait for the perfect time. 

 

agree with everyone.

offer excuses.

be perfect. 

 

act my age.

    ...if I don't want to.

I'm just trying to be me. I didn't ask for anyone's opinion.

“Don't put the key to your happiness 

in someone else's pocket.” - Unknown

Excellent Suggestion

What's In A Daydream?

Solitude. 

 

Creativity. 

 

Relaxation. 

 

Random Thoughts.

Peacefulness.

 

Answers.

Renewal.

Magic.

Insight.

Daydream, because the soul needs to fly.

The next time your mind wanders, follow it.

Today I Will

If You Can't Say Something Nice...

Don't say nothing at all, according to Thumper the bunny rabbit.  On that topic, I found several more interesting quotes. Enjoy!

If you can't say anything nice, you obviously haven't had your coffee yet!

If you can't say anything nice, then at least have the decency to be vague --Susan Andersen

If you can't be kind, be quiet

If you haven't got anything nice to say about anybody, come sit next to me. - Alice Roosevelt Longworth

It doesn't matter what you say about someone once they're gone;
What matters is how you treat them when they're here.

Remember, if you can't say anything nice, just point and laugh.

It's not always what you say that matters, sometimes it's what you don't say. And some people wonder why I'm so quiet around them...

Cat Nap