Flying Flowers

These navy and peach floral prints were recently gifted to me by a lovely fabric angel. She was moving and needed to downsize, so I got a whole carload of material. It will definitely be put to good use, so thanks again for your generosity!

I cut flying geese blocks, then arranged them around a peach plaid center square to form a blossom. All the blocks are identical, separated by 2” sashing in the aqua mini floral background fabric. I added a few navy cornerstones for accent.

I used one of the prints for backing and binding. I quilted using the Elvira ruler to create flowing lines across the flowers in aqua thread. On the sashing rows, I used the same ruler for another stitch design.

This was a fun one to sew, perfect for summer. Flying Flowers is 46” x 56” finished size. It is one of many I have planned for donation to special people who need a snuggle quilt. My way of paying it forward!

Accuquilt dies used:
55006 Square 3” finished
55456 Flying Geese 3” x 6” finished
55017 Strips 2½”

Kindness doesn’t just change other people’s lives, it also changes yours.

 

Down Time

I've been a busy woman lately, and honestly, I needed a break! I couldn't get motivated to write, so I took a Sunday drive with my sweetie, then spent Monday puttering around the house. It was just what I needed. I do this blog for fun, so if I want to skip a post, I can.

I didn't stop sewing, though. This little quilt is a quickie table mat made using Blue Wren's Pine Bark die (also known as Japanese Puzzle or Japanese Jigsaw). I chose remnants to cut these puzzle pieces to test the die after it arrived last week. I used dark gray thread to quilt crossing serpentine lines. Down Time is 22” x 30” size. I'm planning a larger throw version later, probably using bright batiks.

👕 👗 👚

It's time to pull out my spring wardrobe, so a closet reboot is in progress. I'm assessing everything. A lot of unworn and unused stuff has been boxed for donation. Worn out, used up stuff is in the trash. It feels good to let go of things and gain space.

Paring down is hard work but satisfying. From now on, only the best will do. Not the most expensive but what suits me. My favorite colors. The most flattering fit. Comfort. Simple, basic, and a bit quirky. Cute shoes. I'm sticking to what reflects our lifestyle and makes me happy. And that includes clothing, household goods, and life in general.

I'm glad I listened to myself and enjoyed some down time. I intend to do that more often. Right now I'm headed back into the deep recesses of the closet to arrange what's left.

Blue Wren dies used:
6815 Pine Bark 6” finished sides

Taking time to recharge

is productive too 

 ~unknown

A Clean Slate

It's amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do! I've been meaning to paint our living area and my little office (Earnhardt shrine) for a while now. I kept putting it off because I didn't want to deal with moving furniture and taking everything off the walls. Well, I finally got around to it last week. The soft grey is a perfect neutral background. I love the results, all clean and fresh and neat. Baseboards, floors, and shelves are shining. 

 

The best part is that I edited what went back into each space. Fewer knick-knacks and pictures give both rooms a peaceful feeling. No clutter. Believe it or not, I didn't rearrange the furniture, at least not until I get a new rug. I have a few boxes of Dale 3 collectibles stashed in the closet, and a load of other stuff headed for donation. 

 

It's energizing, creative, and satisfying to freshen up our home. A little paint doesn't cost much, but it does make a huge difference in appearance, attitude, and outlook.

Useful Notion: Fresh paint is like a brand new notebook, an empty shelf, or a new day. You get a new perspective and a choice of what you want to change. 

"You have a clean slate every day you wake up.  You have a chance every single morning to make that change and be the person you want to be.  You just have to decide to do it.  Decide today's the day.  Say it: This is going to be my day." --Brendan Burchard

Out With The Old

I believe I've had enough of 2013. Yes, there were good times, fun, and happy days. But there was a lot more stress, sadness, and difficulty than usual for me this year. I am determined to put all that behind me; to move forward into 2014 with a clean slate.

To that end, I have been cleaning house, both physically and mentally. Cleaning and organizing my home puts me in a positive frame of mind. I function better and feel more motivated when things are in order. Purging things I no longer use or need gives me room to enjoy those that I love. Eliminating clutter frees up time and space.

Tossing out old thoughts and negativity clears my head and opens up space for happiness and peace of mind. I'm keeping the lessons learned but losing the difficult experiences. I'm hanging on to happy memories but letting go of sadness. I'm steering away from negative people and moving toward those who make my life better. I'm purging old habits, excuses, and time wasters, so that I can be free to explore new paths.

These last few days of 2013 are for clearing out the old, so I'll have space for what comes in 2014.  Here's hoping for a Happy New Year full of joy and laughter!

“Life is overflowing with the new. But it is necessary to empty out the old to make room for the new to enter.”  -- Eileen Caddy

Paying More But Getting Less

I just got home from grocery shopping, one of my least favorite tasks, particularly on a pretty Monday morning. I've been noticing that food packaging seems to be shrinking more and more. Nearly everything I purchased today was smaller than the same product a year ago. However, the cost of food is rising significantly.

A large can of coffee, originally three pounds, is now only two pounds, two and a half ounces. The small package, which used to be a pound, is now only eleven to thirteen ounces, depending on the brand. A pack of bacon isn't a pound anymore, and a half-gallon of ice cream is long gone.

Canned goods, cereal, cookies, cleaning and laundry products...most brands have cut the size of their packages. Unfortunately, their pricing has stayed the same or increased, so the cost per ounce has gone up.

Downsizing may be popular, but I really don't like this trend. Especially when the redesigned packaging boasts “NEW LOOK, SAME GREAT TASTE” or “VALUE SIZE” on the label. They just pretend nothing else has changed and hope shoppers don't notice. But we do notice when we run out of something that used to last all week because there aren't as many servings included.

Even with coupon clipping and shopping sales, many folks on fixed incomes have been feeling the pressure of rising food costs for a while now. Some switch to store brands to save money, but those can be even smaller sizes with fewer servings. To get the most value from their ever-shrinking dollar, people today have to spend more time looking for bargains.  It's a challenge, and sometimes it's fun to score a great discount.  But I'd rather be doing something else!

Useful Notion:  Here are a few ideas to help combat the higher cost of food and household items:

• Don't buy it if it isn't on sale – it will likely be on sale later
• Plan your weekly menu around what's on sale this week
• Clip and use coupons – and don't forget to take them to the store
• Compare cost per ounce or serving, not just item price
• Buy extra of sale items when possible – use the freezer or pantry for storage

Inflation is taxation without legislation.  ~Milton Friedman