Shattered Chambray

Shattered Chambray

I love this soft blue quilt! I finished it last month as a gift for my husband. Broken dishes blocks in chambray and blue prints are laid out in diagonal rows and bordered with chambray.

Backing was cut from an upcycled 100% cotton sheet that I found at Goodwill for 99 cents (no stains or rips, perfect condition). I used blue thread in a serpentine stitch across the blocks in both directions. At 56” square, this one is just right for a nap in the recliner.

I read a lot when I'm not sewing. Recently I finished How To Stop Time, by Matt Haig. This quote from that novel seems appropriate to consider for the new year.

“You have to choose to live. Everything is going to be all right. Or, if not, everything is going to be, so let's not worry.”

Here's to a year of optimism, of choosing to live life as it comes.

Lemon Lime Spritz

A refreshing little quilt in bright greens and yellow, this one was quick to sew. I cut the pieces with Accuquilt's bow tie 4” die by Alex Anderson. Turning the blocks made a pretty lattice pattern on this 32” square called Lemon Lime Spritz. 

Free motion quilting was done in a swirling design, diagonally across each block with bright lime thread. The backing and binding are a lime print fabric. Cute baby quilt, I think, or a cheerful table topper.

It's a hot August day in my corner of Tennessee. I'm inside, drinking coffee, doing a bit of Monday morning cleaning, and contemplating which design to start next. And, best of all, there are two dudes outside painting the trim on our house. Better them than me!

Just because you CAN do it yourself

doesn't mean you have to,

or that you want to.

~Christine Brummell

44 Years And Counting

When I went on my first date with my future husband, to a high school football game, I was fifteen years old. I had no idea that a mere four years later, we would be at the church house getting married. I figured out pretty quickly that he was the one and he apparently agreed.

I'm so glad we made those choices. We've had some fine adventures.  

Forty-four years, just the two of us. 

I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Happy Anniversary week, sweetheart!

If you really know what you want,

and how to get there,

then everything else falls into place.

Sewing...and More

Lately I've been spending my spare time doing what I love...sewing! After my last project, I freshened up my work space, put away scrap pieces, cleaned the machine and changed needles. Beginning a new project in an organized space helps me engage more creative brain cells. Several more designs are already awaiting my attention. I'm looking forward to a retreat to my own sewing room several times a week. It may be cheaper than therapy.

Once I finished in the sewing room, I focused my efforts on the kitchen pantry. New shelf liner and a couple of graduated racks for canned goods make it look nicer. Labels keep things organized and easy to find. Soon, I'll work my way through the rest of the cabinets—laundry room, bathrooms, hall closet, office—to sort and purge.

What's the upside to all this organizing? I'll have more time to spend living life, doing what I enjoy!

Useful Notion: Being organized isn't about getting rid of everything you own or trying to become a different person; it's about living the way you want to live, but better. ~Andrew Mellen

Thoughts Of Gratitude

As we enter November, with the Christmas frenzy already in full force, I would rather focus first on being thankful. To me, this month is a time of reflection and beauty. The season is changing; the last colorful leaves are falling. Here in Tennessee the temperature can be warm one day and downright chilly the next. I'm grateful that I can enjoy all of that.

My life isn't perfect, but I'm thankful for everything I have.

Adventure Awaits

ad·ven·ture

:  an exciting or remarkable experience  

:  a bold, risky, or unusual undertaking

Life should not be boring. Planned, unplanned, big, and small adventures should happen often. Don't miss them when they come along.

Most people think of adventure as travel, and there's an entire world of magical places to see. Go when you can. But, you don't have to be Indiana Jones chasing historic finds, or Jack Sparrow sailing the wild seas. Adventure awaits in your recliner, in your back yard, and in your hometown.

"There's no end to the adventures we can have 
if only we seek them with our eyes open."  
~Jawaharial Nehru

You see, it all begins in your mind. You can make even the most mundane activity into a marvelous adventure by changing the way you see or do it. Slow down, then look around for opportunities that present themselves. If they don't appear, make your own.

Say yes to new things.  Learn or try something inspiring.

Change your surroundings.  Redecorate. 

Listen to a different genre of music.  Create or admire art. 

Experiment with food choices.

Go on a road trip with someone fun. 

Take a wrong turn now and then.

Have an escapade!  Laugh and be silly.

The world is full of marvels.

Ready For A New Start

Rowdy        1999 - 2012

I am definitely ready for a new year. The past two months have been a blur. I experienced sadness, stress, and frustration mixed with moments of sweetness, friendship, love and reflection. I put one foot in front of the other and got necessary things done. 

On the last day of the year, our sweet old Rowdy dog left us to go run through the fields of doggie heaven.

After such an unsettling finish to 2012, my resolutions for 2013 are simple.

• Live in the now
• Keep special memories
• Enjoy life every day
• Do things that bring happiness
• Focus on what matters most
• Avoid negativity
• Choose my own path
• Accept what is
• Listen to what life has to say 
• Time is precious, so use it wisely 
• Aspire for balance between being, having, and doing

Resolutions should be like a mission statement.  Refer to them as you go about your life and decide if what you're doing or thinking fits your current mission.  Whatever doesn't fit, doesn't get into your life. 

 

“If your thoughts are mostly in the past or on the future, 

  you cannot enjoy the present.” – Author Unknown 

“The first thing in all progress is to leave something behind.” – George MacDonald 

 

Happy Where I Am

I overheard someone the other day wishing she could go back to her early twenties and start her life over. That got me to thinking...if it was possible, would I go back? And to what age?

I certainly wouldn't do over my teen years, since I have many fond memories of high school, dating, spin the bottle in my basement, my first job, and fun with friends. Although I would like to send myself a message to keep my red '69 Camaro instead of trading it in.

There are a few decisions other times in my life that I might change, but everyone has those wishes. Eventually everything turned out ok, so I must have learned from those mistakes. Who's to say what else would have changed if I had done something differently?

I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't go back and start over if given the chance. I like where I've been and I'm pretty happy where I've landed. This reflection on whether to do life over gave me inspiration to enjoy what I have, where I am, right now.

Happy is the person who knows what to remember of the past, what to enjoy in the present, and what to plan for in the future. ~ Arnold H. Glasgow

Reflections and Resolutions

So...2011 is nearly over. For me, the last week of the year has always been one of reflection and planning. I look back at the highlights and significant happenings of the past twelve months. How did I spend my time? What fun and exciting experiences did I have? Did I try something new? Which part was my favorite? What do I want to change for next year? What did I learn from any challenges or negative experiences? What gave me the most happiness, peace, and satisfaction?

I recently read this enlightening quote from Charles Richards.

"Don't be fooled by the calendar.
There are only as many days in the year as you make use of."

Makes you think, doesn't it? Whether or not you use each day wisely is your choice. You can mindlessly trudge through life or you can meet it head on with enthusiasm. That doesn't mean going full throttle every minute, though. Everyone needs to recharge batteries, assess where you've been and where you want to do next. The key is to think positively and actively pursue the things that make you happy.

2011 has been a good year for me. I realized some dreams, learned new skills, and met some goals in my second full year of retirement. I started this blog and have written fifty-two blog entries. Jerold and I spent over sixty relaxing days in our vacation home on wheels; a retirement goal for both of us. I enjoyed time with my mama and gave her the peace and quiet of our home while we were on the road. I designed and created forty-five items: quilts, crafts, home décor items and clothes. I loved staying home, planting flowers and walking in the woods with Rowdy dog.

I hope 2012 will be as satisfying and fun. The resolutions I make will be guidelines to continue a happy and comfortable life, making use of every day's opportunities.

“One resolution I have made, and try always to keep,

is this:  To rise above the little things.” 

~John Burroughs