Remembering the Classics

I had to get away from the sewing machine for just a bit. I know Christmas is just about a week away, but the poor thing has been working overtime! 3 gifts down, 2 to go and then I can call it done! I wasn't made to be an elf.
In the light of all this I've been keeping up with the little postings of both of my girls. First born had some musings today on watching classic Sesame Street DVDs with friends. She mentioned the crayon factory, and the mailman delivering mail in the applachian mountains on horse back. Kind of took me back to those years when the kids were young (and so was I!). Then I wondered if one of MY favorite clips could be had for the looking...sure enough there it was! Anyone remember this one?? Will anyone besides me get a huge smile on their face as the song plays? Will anyone sing along with me and just feel happy? I asked my hubby if he remembered this, or the crayons, or the MAILMAN?? The answer was always no. Hum....oh that's right. I got to stay home and raise the kids while dad went off to work. I felt a momentary pang of guilt...then I hit replay and sang again....
those were the days!!

Because you asked!

I mentioned taking a few photos of the fabric drawers, and because First Born asked to see, I felt it necessary to do so *smile*. I am also still very much thrilled by looking down into perfectly organized drawers and seeing exactly what I have, fabric -wise! Doing all this re-organization also has made me realize I NEED to go on a fabric diet. "Yes, a fabric diet is definitely needed", I told myself that as I folded, refolded, cut odd sized fabric pieces into useables- putting the rest into the scrap bin container. Naturally, no sooner did I tell myself this would be a good thing than I walked into work yesterday to find the newest Jo Morton collection had arrived. I tried hard not to look and kept remembering the following mental pictures:

1. The stuffed fat quarter drawer #1




2. Stuffed FQ drawer #2

3. First drawer of half -yard cuts:

4. Second drawer of half-yard cuts:

What I'm not showing you is the drawer of straight quarter of a yard cuts (not too many- not a measurement I'm fond of!) and third yard cuts. Both share one larger drawer, and there is room for more- IF I liked those cuts! I go for the bigger is better school of thought! I'm also NOT showing you the 2 full drawers of one-yard cuts...just imagine the above photos and think more of the same!

So the organization is complete, I'm happy...and I am promising myself no more fabric until I use up (most of) what I own! There! I've said it. Now I have to stay honest and stick to it. Wow..a resolution and it's not even the New Year .

organizing, decorating and finishing up

Tis the season...The Santas have returned to grace the mantel and Christmas decorating is underway. I've decided to down size ALOT, and am pleased with the results...tomorrow, my day off this week, I'll put up the tree in the dining room and call it a job well done!

Speaking of jobs well done- I've felt paralyzed by the mess the sewing room had become. I've been totally embarassed by the amount of fabric I had carted up to the attic since I ran out of room in the shaker cabinet in my sewing room. The small dresser I was using just wasn't adaquate either so I got a bright idea (helped along by the fact that mice had gotten into a fabric bin in the attic and had a field day with several pieces).... I would change out the dressers! With Youngest Daughter off on her own, she really didn't need the large triple dresser that was taking up the wall in her former bedroom- in fact, the small upright dresser would be perfect for her visits home which are few and far between. So I purged, cleaned and moved furniture all weekend. Here is the result- and please over look the tack hammer I left out!

This is a perfect arrangement. The wide open space on top of the dresser is ear-marked for my new lap top. I felt I was worth it, and Santa agreed, so it should be arriving in a few short weeks! I'm excited, and will now have EQ6 at my finger tips so to speak. But back to the purpose of the dresser. The left-hand drawers are packed with fat quarters standing straight and tall three rows wide. I can see exactly what I have now! It is a good thing. The bottom left drawer holds FQ collections (3) and my special group of "Worn and Loved" that I hate to cut into. The center drawers hold one yard cuts and the right-hand drawers hold two side by side rows of half -yard cuts. It is a visual feast for the eyes. I should have thought to take a photo of the inside organization! Maybe tomorrow.

This is a close up of my favorite Pincushions! They now sit eye level on the dresser top. I don't have the heart to use them for their intended purpose. I just love looking at them!

And below is my new favorite book!! I picked it up from "The Boys" at Woodstock last month and couldn't wait to make at least one little project. Since I had ordered copies for the shop and knew they were on the way, I did just that so I can make a small display now that we have the books as well.

This is the pink and brown quilt I decided to do first. It was fast and easy and I just loved the use of buttons to tack the cream squares ! I hand quilted this one primitively and just love it. Wonder if Youngest Daughter would mind if I took over the little bed I painted and dressed years ago for her American Girl doll. I have visions of it holding lots of little quilts! Hummmm....

Now if there were just more hours in the day, more days to a week, and more weeks to a year! Just think of what I could accomplish! But alas...

Organization is a good start however. Now I feel I can actually finish those projects that are 95% done...and need to be finished asap!

returning to blogland

Your fairy is called Hex Goblinfly

She is a bringer of riches and wealth.

She lives in places hexed and tainted by black magic.

She is only seen at midday under a quiet, cloudless sky.

She wears black feathers and rose petals. She has gentle green wings like a butterfly.

Get your free fairy name here!

for some reason, I found this little exercise totally delightful and the jumpstart I think I needed to return to blogland! I've been reading blogs- just not commenting or writing anything on my own. I think I've felt a bit paralized- don't know from what (other than too much to do and too little time?), but I am feeling a bit less disjointed and think it is time to crawl back out from my self imposed oblivion.
Since my last posting I've enjoyed little pieces of life's treasures. My son's wedding, having my girls home- ever so briefly- family, friends. Halloween-that day I think should be a national holiday- brought smiles and giggles as the hords of very poliet and appropriately dressed children rushed to the door. Thanksgiving has come and gone. Again this year we- meaning husband and I- spent the day with family and friends. It was a delightful day which made up for not having any of my children close by and celebrating with us. "The newly weds" had their own Thanksgiving feast for family, while the girls either entertained a dear friend who came to visit or worked all day doing what she does so well- caring for those horses she loves so much. That in its own way is a blessing...knowing that all the work put into raising well-adjusted, productive children was worth every minute of staying home all those years and being "mommy". I've also seemed to have traveled back in time, re-nurturing friendships years old. In a note I recieved from one of those friends just this morning. I had to smile and nod in agreement- she was quick to say that we all chose to take on selflessness in order to raise our families, and now it is time to become a bit selfish and nurture ourselves. Part of that nurturing is going back to beliefs and values instilled in me as I was growing up in a world that was totally different from today's. Gives one much to contemplate along the lines of what it is we want for ourselves now at this latest stage of our lives. I think I know, but the journey is still unfolding!
For now, I'll just be happy in the (not so) little things in life- family, friends, the ability to make each day count. I'll also continue to smile over silly things- like fairie names!
I hope today finds you smiling over something silly and counting your blessings as well.

Gray?

What color is your soul painted? Grey Your soul is painted the color grey, which embodies the characteristics of elegance, humility, respect, reverence, stability, subtlety, wisdom, strong emotions, balance, and cancellation. Grey falls under the element of Water, and symbolizes the moon, tide, ebb and flow. Click Here to Take This Quiz

Quizzes and Personality Tests

How does the time go by so fast?? I keep telling myself I'll try to keep up with the blog, but it never seems to work out. Maybe because things have been a bit "boring" of late?! Now, don't get me wrong, boring can be GOOD!
I found this interesting quiz as I was surfing around last night. I think it captures me pretty well, although I don't see "gray" as a color that I would have associated with myself. That brings up a whole other set of thoughts: how DO we see ourselves?? It's easy to pick from a list of attributes, but when we think about ourselves what do we actually focus on?? Hummmmmm...food for thought. Think I need another cup of coffee to delve into that!

Playtime Is Over

Well, it is coming to an end... day #4 of 4 off in a row! I must say I got a lot accomplished over the past few days- I even knocked out another runner sample today, so am now almost up to date on commitments! Can I say I really feel good about it. It will probably take me 4 more days to clean the cyclonic mess the sewing room has going for it, but I guess that will have to be one of those "all-in-good-time" kind of things. Tomorrow it is back to work for all of two days before I return to my regular 3 day weekend. I'm getting spoiled and could get used to this easily! Saturday is the start of my Quilt Guild, and I'm excited. It is always a great girl's day out. Next month Kaffe Fassett is coming to lecture! Now that is one show-and-tell that will be of great interest!!

I'm anxiously awaiting the photo of child #3's latest project. She called last night at 9:45 to announce she was a "binding fool" and had completed 3 of 4 sides of the "couch quilt". Wanted to know if she should keep on stitching,or call it a night. I think it was just a guise to let me know she was "this close" to being Done-Done! It is always exciting. I think she decided to call it quits as she did call again today at about 2:30 or so to announce that she had taken her last stitch and was pretty proud of herself. Photos! I want photos!!


Weatherman is telling us that we're headed back into the hot and humid 90's beginning tomorrow. Yuck! Where is my beautiful fall weather? Ok, so it is only September and it is traditional in this part of NY that when the school bells ring on the first day of school the weather should turn hot, hot hot! I for one would love for that tradition to go the way of the horse and buggy.



And just a last bit of musing- look what is living part -time under my Japanese Maple tree! Oh so cute, and best yet, Goober Beagle could care less!

Labor Day

The end of summer...but that only means my favorite time of year will soon peek around the corner. I love fall, and can't wait for cool days and even cooler nights. I love crawling under the covers and pulling them up around my chin. Must be some left over childhood comfort thing, but it sure does make me happy. We had a very quiet holiday weekend. Mine has been extended until Thursday as today is the first appointment with the Rheumatologist and then tomorrow is a normal day off. I've made some use of all my free time since new classes at the shop will be scheduled and the Empire Quilt fest is getting closer!
Sunday evening hubby and I attended a lovely wedding- the first born of a very dear life long friend. Sean was extremely handsome as were his brothers and his dad- decked out in their tuxes! The bride was "radiant". I know they say that about all brides, but Jessica truly was. She smiled so much and laughed happily during the ceremony, as did her groom. They were so happy and truly saw no one other than each other. It was so apparent. We all were delighted.
The wedding was outdoors on a clear beautiful night in the gardens of an old mansion in Altamont NY. The Inn is not far from the fairgrounds and that evening the Scottish Games were still going strong. Everyone got a huge chuckle when just as the bride and groom completed their beautifully written vows, a roar from the neighboring crowd erupted and full bagpipes went into play! It was a marvelous moment...unplanned, but totally in sinc with the happenings up the road at the wedding!

On the home front, I got to spend a lazy Monday in the sewing room. We had a quiet day planned and it was wonderful to be so relaxed. I completely finished one sample and made up the top of another. Unfortunately, I didn't have batting for the second, so will have to pop into the shop later and pick some up. I still have tonight and tomorrow to work on things!
I also got to give into guilty pleasure and settled in front of the TV and finished up most of the applique on a fall swap piece (so no photos until it reaches its new owner, just in case!) and watched a marathon of Design Star on HGTV. I think I could get used to being a "slug"!
Off to see what I can accomplish this morning before heading off to the doctor's office. Here is a peek at the Monday projects. Enjoy!


The Christmas Table runner made from Atkinson Design's pattern Waffle Time Table Runner

Disa Design's Snowman Table Runner- lots of fun to do!

Close up of the cute snowman. I think I'm keeping him for myself!!