Showing posts with label magic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label magic. Show all posts

Monday, December 25, 2023

Remembering Naomi

Remembering Naomi
I made this special quilt for a friend, from fabric that his sweet mom gave to me when she moved to assisted living. Sadly, she passed this year, and I thought he would like a remembrance quilt.


The design of squares and rectangles is simple but the colors of navy, hunter green, and dark red coordinate well. I added a few squares of my own fabric as a personal touch.


Quilting was done with green thread, using both straight and serpentine stitches. Remembering Naomi is 56” square. I used my restored Singer 127 (Mary Margaret, a machine gifted to me by another friend) to piece the blocks.



One of the best parts of Christmas is giving. Over the past few years I've been given lots of fabric. I believe in paying it forward, so I've used yards of that material to sew quilts which I've donated to local assisted living and senior living homes.


I got a lovely thank you note from one little lady who said, “It was like the heavens opened up and rained down pretty quilts for us.”


So, to everyone who has provided the materials that made this possible: You are appreciated!


Merry Christmas to you all, and I hope that you can experience the magic and joy of giving all year long.



Monday, September 20, 2021

It's Magical


Nine patch blocks are quick, easy, and versatile. So many different looks can be achieved by varying color placement and layout. I chose purple, amethyst, and teal colors from the beautiful star print fabric, adding natural muslin for contrast.


Layout was done in EQ8 for this 44” square quilt called It's Magical. I used the Creative Grids Elvira ruler to quilt a curvy allover design with cream thread. I really love the result!



Accuquilt dies used:
55018 Small Value die (4½” square)
55047 Quarter Square Triangle 4½”
55031 Half Square Triangle 4½”
55054 Strips 4½”
55017 Strip 2½”


Life is full of
magical moments



Monday, January 12, 2015

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.








Monday, September 22, 2014

Believe In Magic

Magic exists, we only have to pay attention in order to experience it. We need to use all our senses to detect it. It may come as a touch, a taste, a sight, a sound, a scent, a feeling, or all of these at once. Love is magical. So is music, art, a good book, people, laughter, changing seasons, silence, joy, a cozy quilt, solitude, a kiss in the dark, and a cup of coffee. A simple meal can be as magical as a gourmet feast. 
 
There is magic in our universe. 
Look up at the evening sky full of glittering stars, watch a colorful sunrise, witness the power of a thunderstorm, wonder at the beauty and smell of flowers, hear lapping waves on the beach: nature is magical. 
 
We miss a great deal of magic because we're busy, preoccupied, or multi-tasking. Some people simply don't expect to find any.  It could be that we need to slow down, become more aware, and open the door to a magical life.


“We have to believe in magic, 
because life without it is dull indeed.” – Anonymous

“The world is full of magic things, 
patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” – W.B. Yeats


Monday, June 16, 2014

Summertime...

and the livin' is easy. 

Quiet mornings sipping coffee on the porch.

Lazy days to reflect, renew, relax.  

The scent of freshly mowed grass.

Long walks, yard sales, road trips.
 
Steak grilled to perfection with roasted potatoes and onions.

Hummingbirds and butterflies flitting around bright blooms.

Tall frosty glasses of lemonade, sweet tea, and cold beer.

Afternoons in a cool spot reading an interesting book.

Comfy, light and casual clothing.

Ice cream, watermelon, juicy red tomatoes.

Magical nights filled with starry skies and warm breezes.

Happily enjoying every moment.


“it's a smile, it's a kiss, it's a sip of wine ... it's summertime!” --Kenny Chesney


Monday, May 19, 2014

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.

Monday, April 14, 2014

Sixty Is Sensational

I'm celebrating my sixtieth birthday this week. WOW. That's an age I once thought of as ancient. Now that I'm here, sixty doesn't seem so old after all.   I'm not too fat and I'm still very sassy.   I'm healthy and have a reasonable number of brain cells left. 
 
I'm enjoying my life, my home, and my sweet husband. We're happily retired. Every morning is the start of a new adventure, whether it's  cleaning house or going camping. 
 
I'm lucky to have the power to choose how I want to experience life. I've learned to slow down and savor every moment. And that the feeling of having enough is liberating. 
 
What's not to like about all that? Here's to my magical and sensational sixties!


"You aren't really 60. Just 21 with 39 years experience!" - Anonymous 

 

Monday, December 2, 2013

Twelve Ways To Ease Holiday Stress

Keep everything simple - food, decorations, and gifts  

Pace yourself, don't over-promise your time

Who said everything has to be perfect? Good enough is fine

Enjoy interacting with people – give them your full attention

Let go of the need to control

Watch a funny Christmas movie with someone you love

Keep special traditions, but toss unimportant ones to make room for new memories

Limit time spent with negative people

Share laughter and joy

Do something spontaneous

Make time for yourself to enjoy a hot cup of coffee and listen to soothing music

Be aware of each moment, there's magic in Christmas and you don't want to miss it!


Monday, December 24, 2012

Lessons Learned From Santa


Merry Christmas everyone! It's Christmas Eve and Santa is on his way, bringing gifts to all good little girls and boys. We could learn a few lessons from the jolly old man. 
  1. Make your lists and check them twice
  2. Nice is better than naughty (in most cases)
  3. Laugh all the way through life
  4. Be merry and bright
  5. Give from the heart
  6. Keep a sense of anticipation, wonder and surprise
  7. Take a moment to enjoy the cookies and milk
  8. Believe in magic, and in yourself
 


"It came without ribbons! It came without tags!
 It came without packages, boxes or bags!
 Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.
'Maybe Christmas,' he thought, '
doesn't come from a store.
Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more.'" 
Theodore Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss)

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