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

Thankful Anyway

Well, 2020 hasn't given us much to be thankful for. Between the election, hurricanes, and COVID-19, most of this year has seemed frantic and unsettling. It has definitely been a time for vision.

With my ever positive attitude, I am still thankful for a lot. My husband and I are both healthy. We have a roof over our heads, food, water, and paper products. We are retired, so we don't have to go out except for necessities. We can stay in and stay safe, wearing masks when we leave the house. I do miss eating out, but to me it isn't worth the risk.

I'm grateful that I truly enjoy being at home. I've taken advantage of extra time here to make a few small improvements. I've cleared out and reorganized cabinets, closets and drawers. Home to us is sanctuary; a cozy, peaceful place to relax and enjoy life.

Going through quarantines and shortages made me pause to think about what's really important. The extra solitude gave me the opportunity to reconsider what I want my life to be like. Simplicity and comfort are key ingredients; saying no to people and things I don't want is another.

I've turned off the news, listened to more music, read more books, explored new ideas, taken long walks, and had great conversations with my husband. I found that I don't need so many clothes, shoes, and accessories. My hair has grown out to a pretty silvery color and I just trimmed off the last of the blonde ends. I'm officially an old gal now, but still a feisty one!

Last of all, I appreciate having a lovely craft room with enough fabric and supplies to keep me sewing for at least another year or two. My sweetie has the full basement for his toys and projects.

So, we're good here. And thankful.

Wishing you all

a peaceful Thanksgiving

Out With The Old

I've taken advantage of extra time at home this year to declutter a bunch of things. Knicknacks, clothes and shoes I won't wear, outdated décor, and stuff we don't use any more are out of here. I've learned that I don't really need so much to be happy. Simplicity is my goal. The house is lighter and local thrift stores are fuller.

During a sewing room closet cleanup, I discovered this quilt top from 2015. I had put it aside, anticipating that I would add more strips or a large border. I thought about it, but I decided that it looks fine as is.  And now it's finished, ready to be gifted!

Out With The Old is made from 3” strips left over from other projects. This one was rotary cut since I didn't have Accuquilt yet. I used a cream and tan medium floral print for backing and binding on this 45” x 47” lap throw. Quilting with tan thread, I started in the center, sewing a straight stitch on either side of the seams.

I have determined that I don't really like unfinished objects (UFO's) laying around my sewing room. They make me feel stressed, end up stacked in my way or forgotten on a shelf. I enjoy my work better if I sew one project at a time. Everything stays neater: it's rarely perfect, but it is functional.

There are two more found UFO's awaiting my attention, but they've been added to my “In Progress” list. I do like to cut one or two quilts ahead of time, but I keep them corralled in labeled bins on one shelf under my cutting table. I design constantly so hundreds of ideas are stored on my computer. I guess I'll never make them all, but I will most assuredly try my best. It's what makes me happiest.  

Curate your space

to make room for

your happiness

Labor Day Relaxation

Hey y'all, I'm on a break this beautiful Labor Day weekend. 
Slightly cooler weather here was just in time to enjoy a long weekend at home. 

We did a little yard work, then spent some much needed relaxing on our screened porch.  Just the two of us, reading and kicking back.  No big trip, no stress, no plans.  Simple food, easy living. Love it! 

See ya next week with another quilt!

Points of View

My remnant baskets are overflowing, again. To keep my sewing room neat and use up some fabric, I designed a scrap quilt in EQ8 software. It's similar to the Christmas tree quilt from last December.

Points of View

Using the Hattie's Choice die, I cut only the diamonds and triangles from a wide variety of colors. I sewed them together into large triangles, combining rows of similar and contrasting colors. Then I cut light gray fabric into half rectangle triangles, and added one on each side to form a 5½” x 6” triangle in a rectangle block.

The result is Points of View, a 38” x 48” lap quilt. The points turned out very precise because of the die cuts and my Janome 1/4” professional piecing foot. Backing is white and light gray chevron fabric. I quilted using white thread, diagonally along the diamond rows with a straight stitch.

The binding is made from scraps as well, multicolored 2 ½” strips of varying lengths sewn together.

It's a such a happy quilt with all those colors, don't you think?  It reminds me of vintage feed sack quilts from the 1930's.  At least I am happy because (for the time being) my fabric isn't tumbling out of the remnant baskets.

Accuquilt dies used:

55220 Hattie's Choice

55411 Half Rectangle Triangle

I am grateful for 

my fabric stash!

Merry Trees

This small Christmas quilt is so cute! Diamond shapes and triangles are arranged to form rows of little trees.

I used Hattie's Choice Accuquilt die again to cut the red and green shapes, then added half square rectangles on each side. A bright border of red with green dots just sets it off. 

Backing is a holiday print of nested squares. Using green thread, I quilted in serpentine stitch horizontally and vertically.  Nice for a wall hanging or table mat, Merry Trees is 23” x 35” in size.

Accuquilt dies used:  

Hattie's Choice 55220

3 ½” x 6 ½” half rectangle triangle 55411 

I'm enjoying a simple, quiet Christmas season. No parties, no nonsense, no drama. We haven't wanted to shop (except a bit online), so we avoided the pressure to buy just for the sake of a sale. It's empowering to ignore others' expectations and satisfying to do what you like.

Remember, it's your Christmas,

so march to the beat

of your own little drummer boy

Calm And Bright

I've been as busy as a little elf in my sewing workshop!

A few Christmas projects were on this year's list. I used the 9” wedge die for a pretty table runner in gray and red. Calm and Bright looks nice on our coffee table with one of Hazel's Christmas Village houses and a candle globe filled with tiny red bells.

The stockings came from my July yard sale fabric, one for the laundry room and another for the kitchen wall. 

I like for our home to be festive but not over the top. I have several holiday items in every room, sometimes only adding greenery, a quilt, or pillows. 

We don't put up a tree, but I decorate our Norfolk Island pine with lightweight ornaments. Then I use some of my old favorite ornaments to add a bit of holiday bling to my regular decor. 

 

I almost forgot about the purse I made in October, probably because I've been using it. It's made with a flowering snowball block. Cutting and sewing the curved seams was easy and accurate, thanks to AccuQuilt's die. The gray prints contrast nicely with bright purple and coral batiks. I finished Snazzy Snowball in an afternoon.

Christmas 

isn't a season.  

It's a feeling.

~Edna Ferber

Twilight Stars

Twilight Stars

The friendship star block is a fairly easy one, made up of squares and half square triangles. Purple, true blue, and navy batiks with light gray centers show up beautifully against a sky blue background. This 40” x 52” size would be a nice crib or lap quilt. I sewed the top in August and finally quilted Twilight Stars on Saturday.

I put together a little bonus quilt from the scraps, called Grapesicle. I used my new equilateral triangle die to quickly cut pieces, so the front was done in a day. 

Backing is pieced in random strips of pink, purple, and gray, set in two rows. I stitched along the triangles for an overall diamond pattern and bound it with a gray stripe. It measures 22” x 26” and coordinates with the grape walls in my sewing room.

✦✦✦✦

“I just want the simple things. I want to lay on a blanket at twilight and look at the stars. I want to breathe deeply, then exhale out negativity. And I know it is within my power to do just that. So I did. I left crazy drama behind to walk straight toward simplicity and peace. I've never been happier.” – Author Unknown 

 

The Best Of Both Seasons

This time of year Is just right for simple, cozy meals. The other morning I tossed some leftover rice into the crockpot, along with a handful of mixed vegetables, cream of chicken soup and chicken broth. I sauted bite sized pieces of fresh chicken with a diced onion, then added to the pot with oregano, coriander, and black pepper. At suppertime, I served it with a topping of shredded cheese and a side of corn muffins. For dessert: homemade apple pie, made with Jonagold apples from a local orchard. YUM!

Even though we've had some cool mornings, we're lucky to still have access to end of season summer veggies. On the menu this week is a big BLT with crisp bacon, lettuce and a slice of juicy Tennessee tomato. I can't quite let go of summer just yet. After all, high temps are in the 80's and the hummingbirds are still here.  It's time to enjoy the best of both seasons.

“And just like that, summer slipped into fall.” --Unknown

Say Yes Or No

When someone asks you a yes or no question, answer it simply.

Yes.    No.    Maybe.

Then wait. 

If there's a need for additional information, let them request it. You decide whether or not to share any more based on who's doing the asking.

It isn't necessary to volunteer details, embellish, make excuses, justify, describe your history or list reasons behind your decision. Most people don't want to hear them anyway. They probably just want the simple answer.

The people who matter most will likely be satisfied with the answers you give. Who cares about anyone else? Many are just nosy and only want the drama, the gossip, or the juicy details of your life. Giving extra information makes them think they are entitled to know everything about you. And it isn't their business.

Keep it simple. Resist the urge to offer explanations. Be confident in your decisions. You choose what to share with others. Be a little mysterious. The only person you have to prove anything to is yourself.

“Don't underestimate me.

I know more than I say,

think more than I speak,

and notice more than you realize.”

--Unknown

“Don't try to explain yourself to stupid people.

You aren't the jackass whisperer.”

--Unknown

Keeping What Matters

The new year is always a time for me to clean.  I'm taking down holiday decorations, tossing things I won't use, and making our home fresh and cozy for the winter.  It's a new start and a clean slate.

One of my resolutions each year is to get rid of clutter.  I try to use the one thing in, one thing out rule.  But then I watch Antiques Roadshow and see someone who kept two party invitations from the 1930's that are now worth $25,000.  Nevertheless, it's easier now that I'm retired, because I am more aware of the things I use and love.

Other resolutions are to evaluate what works and what doesn't in my life, which adventures I will pursue this year, and who will be along for the ride.  It's not always physical items; people and situations can weigh me down as well.  Several years ago, I found this quote to help me remember that I choose my own path.

"Surround yourself with people who make you happy.

People who make you laugh, 

who help you when you're in need.

People who genuinely care.

They are the ones worth keeping in your life.

Everyone else is just passing through."

~Karl Marx

I apply this statement to people, things, and habits.  They all come and go, and have a purpose for a time.  Why would I hang on to something that has outlived its usefulness?  Or some negative person who is just passing through my life?  I only want what brings me joy and inspires me. I want to keep what matters most to me.

Sweet Simple Things

Simplify!

That's my theme for January. 

Sim-pli-fy:  
to make easier to do or understand
   a: to reduce to basic essentials

   b: to streamline

   c: to clarify

There are a lot of areas to work on, and I've already started. Home, shopping, food, clothing, hobbies, habits and goals are all under review. I'm hoping that simplifying life will lead to harmony, joy, peacefulness, fun, and a beautiful 2014.

Useful Notion: There is beauty in simplicity. 

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. --Confucius

Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify. --Henry David Thoreau

** BRRRR!  it's COLD here on the ridge this morning!  Three degrees at 6 am.