Be Kind to YOURSELF

Hello Hello my fellow blogging friends!!

I came to realize that it's almost been FOUR months since I've even blogged.
Yet, after getting my hair cut today and chit chatting with my hairstylist...

(I just LOVE getting my pixie cut...especially with the onset of Summer!)

 

...I was inspired to write this post...as for the first time during this pandemic I felt like I wasn't alone in finding myself needing to navigate unknown terrain yet internally frustrated in NOT finding comfort and motivation in all that use to motivate me. For example, when this pandemic started I had  an ambitious list of all the things I was going to accomplish with this new found time on my hands....especially when school "officially" let out in June! BIG plans I had listed, because there was nowhere to go and nothing to interrupt my progress. Yet, in four months I've only "loaded" a test quilt onto the frame and completed a quilt top started six years ago (Well, I guess THAT's an accomplishment isn't it! LOL!)  But, the sewing room more often than not, remains dark:

There are honestly moments where I feel as if I'm failing this "stay at home" thing after being so use to an active work/social "routine". Why don't I want to quilt like I use to??? My hairstylist and I talked about this...as she is going through the same thing! We're both use to feeling productive. We both have ambitious list that we have NOT gotten to...nor do we care! We have found comfort in new hobbies. Hers has been bullet journaling and pen pal lettering. Mine has been my Sue Spargo Homegrown stitching:

I L O V E this project. I was able to sew during my school ZOOM meetings and continue to enjoy working on it, now that school is "out for the summer". The bright happy colors, creative stitching offer relaxation and fun!  It's not overwhelming. It's a perfect distraction from the news that at this very moment fills my background announcing: "Will face masks be on student's back to school lists?" It calms any anxiousness as like you, it seems like daily we are trying to navigate an unknown terrain. A text from my principal just dinged reminding me of our "blueprint" meeting as we as our school's leadership team, begin to outline the reopening of school in the Fall according to ODE orders. (We hope!!) I will begin my 32nd year as an educator in a very new normal that's for sure!

My hairstylist and I talked about how we just need to show up with kindness. PERIOD.

And not only for others but I'm here to say, for yourself as well!  My mind and body shout daily: "Fresh air! Fresh air! Exercise" so I have been intentional about that. I'm trying new things and added a different variety to my fitness regiment. I'm trying yoga. I bike ride. I walk. I golf.

I'm being kind to myself. I finally gave myself permission to NOT accomplish anything at all if that's how I'm feeling. My number one priority has been to be healthy and take good care of myself. And I'm doing that. I do exercise a minimum of an hour a day. I eat well. Annnnddd, I even sleep in a little longer if I awake and being under a cozy quilt makes lingering a little longer rejuvenating. 

But I also give myself permission to stay in my PJ's all day long! As often it's discouraging to continue to keep a calendar that has actually morphed into a document of everything that I didn't get do and people I didn't get to be with. Of course, that makes me sad.

So I guess what I wanted to share, is if you feel like you have no idea what you are doing, if you feel like you are failing at this stay at home thing, know you are not alone. You DON'T have to do it all. You don't have to clean the kitchen drawers. You don't have to learn anything new or even accomplish something. Nope. You don't, Just BE. Reach out to a friend to let them know you are thinking of them. Go for a walk. Watch an old movie.  But know you are doing the best you can in this moment you are in. And honestly, THAT in itself is incredible! BE safe. BE healthy. BE present. BE happy. Yes! Even if it means staying in your jammies all day!

With SMILES! Val

When Life Gives us Lemons....

Each morning....

...and throughout the afternoons....

I'm feeding my body with the:

When Life Give Us Lemons...

...take control of the things we can! Green tea with a twist of lemon has always been an afternoon treat...but I've been remotivated to get back to my daily juicing routine too. It feels good to be feeding my body with nutrients that will build my immune system. Along with being intentional about what I put in my body, I'm also boosting my immune system by reducing the stress of the Coronavirues impact on our daily life by limiting how much we actually watch the Covid19-News...enjoying some creative stitching when we do decide to watch.(Smiles!)

Soooo... do you find yourself being a little bit more intentional during these uncertain time to nourish your mind and body?  If so, do share in the comments how. Oh! And check this out! I recycled my lemon mesh bag as a new thread catcher for the birds:

 Hoping it attracts some new birds this Spring.
With SMILES! Val

Sunday Stitching....

Sometimes a project that is old, can be new again!

Starting Sunday with some morning stitching, a hot cup of coffee and a sappy 

Hallmark movie as a skiff of snow covers the ground outside. 

Feels good to be finding my sewing "mojo" once again.
This is my Sue Spargo Forest of Trees BOM that just ended this month and will easily bring me through the next year as well. (Though I will miss my monthly happy mail.)

Sharing with everyone else at Kathy's. 

With SMILES! Val

A New Project!

I finally found a project that my ol' vintage sewing box is perfect for!

I joined Sue Spargo's Forest of Trees BOM this year and each compartment 

is just right to keep needed supplies on hand: 

 I also found the perfect little spot to set it all up so I can conveniently pin the next

 layer  of the piece and enjoy stitching each day after work for a bit. 

I haven't been sewing or quilting but am enjoying the peacefulness many of us find when hand sewing. Linking up with everyone else at Kathy's to celebrate and share. Happy Stitching!

Next Jan. OMG Anne Downs Flimsy Finish!

A year and half ago I set out to stitch this adorable BOM by Anne Downs called

 Dancing Chickens and Flying Pigs. I've had so much fun stitching it and sharing it's progress with you here on the blog. It's kinda exciting to see it finally transform into a flimsy, ready to be quilted.

 It's finished size is about 48"x 50" and I plan on keeping the quilting simple by
using a running stitch, just sewing 1/4" on each side of every seam.

Maybe a few quilted butterflies will find themselves fluttering from one block to the other...we shall see. It's just one those happy finishes we often can't wait to enjoy having hang in our home soon. 

Sharing with everyone else at Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching linky.

Winter Stitching

With Winter on our doorsteps and evenings starting earlier and earlier, I spent this morning inventorying my many hand stitching projects that are a WIP and those I'd like to finish by years end. For evening stitching, first up is to put the finishes stitches on my Anne Downs BOM:

This one has been so much fun to work on this past year. I'm admittedly beginning to look forward  to have it finished and hanging in our home.

Next up, is my Sunny Side of the Street wool applique:

I love the combination of cotton and wool. I want to finish getting the birdies and flowers stitched on and the patchy grass lawns sewn so this one is done and ready for some whimsical quilting over my upcoming Winter Break at the end of December.

And finally, some fireside binding on my Snowman Jelly Roll Finish:

Thank you for your patience with my slow blogging this Fall. I have truly enjoyed this time of transition as I took on a new position at work and found myself enjoying the process of change in my work life. Yet, now that I'm settled into some routines, I'm grateful to find my stitching as a peaceful comfort at the days end. Linking up and sharing with everyone else at Kathy's Quilts.

PS: Enjoying a good Holiday read too. (Thanks Mom!)

Progress....

Having a stitching project nearby is always soothing isn't it.

This one sits at our kitchen table where my Ott Lite is easy to use and 

I can stitch as hubby and I catch up at the end of each day.   

I almost have all the birds and flowers stitched onto their rows.

It's fun to watch the bright wool flowers and birdies brighten the wonky houses.

Happily stitching this morning and quilting our grand-guys SuperHero quilt this afternoon.

Evening Stitching

With Fall knocking at the door, it was so nice to end my busy week stitching at the kitchen table. The  windows were open and with a glass of "cheer" nearby, I finished my wool birdies and started to trace templates for the flowers that will all be added to my Sunnyside of the Street quilt.

Here's a peek at the birdies finished and blocks awaiting to be stitched together:

A happy weekend of stitching for sure. This week's plan: Once I get these blocks sewn together and it's flowers pinned and prepped for my evening hand stitching, I'm cutting into a bunch of SuperHero fabrics to make our grand-guy's birthday quilt. Luckily with his birthday only three weeks away, I found a quick layer cake/jelly roll pattern. (Hmmmm...I may have procrastinated on this one a little bit!) I tell ya, it sure feels good to be stitching and sewing again...especially as I'm able to open the studio windows and enjoy the Fall crisp air that has finally found it's way to our little part of the world. Hope your days are filled with a little bit of stitching as well.

My Hand-stitching Tote Finish!

Ta-Da! I finished the cover for my new little hand-stitching bag this morning:

It's a little Yazzii tote I got on clearance earlier this month. Closed, it measure 7x9.5x3 inches and will make the perfect keeper of all my hand-stitching supplies and travel projects. 

It has eight  zippered compartments that have see-through panels.

Here's a peek inside mine:

 Needles, pens, pencils, nail files, binding clips, mini rulers: 

Applique pins, seam ripper, scissors, and there's another pocket for my thread:

My travel pin cushion, thread catcher, and project are kept in the final pouches:

In my previous post, some of you questioned how I as going to attach my cover.

Once I got the "cover" done....which is really just a mini quilt, I clipped it to the bag:

Then just hand stitching it to the tote using a small whip-stitch:

(It's surprisingly really secure.)

I've been searching high and low for the "perfect" travel bag for my hand-stitching and I think this one is going to be the perfect solution....plus it's so darn cute that I love using it!!!

Curious is you have a "go-to" tote for your hand stitching and what you keep in yours?

Sharing with everyone else at:

A Little Creative Stitching...

THANK YOU for your kind comments and support as I make this big transition in my teaching career. Your comments are a continuous reminder of how valuable our quilty friendships are. And not being one to be without a hand project, I had a "Squirrel moment" and I bought a Yazzi bag on clearance and started yet, a new project without finishing that which is already at hand. LOL!

I dug out this adorable Sue Spargo Needle Keeper kit I've had in my stash for years and am using it to create a cover for my new little supply bag.

It's been the perfect little project right now.

Today I'll start to play with some creative stitching during my afternoon down time and am looking forward to using this as my new travel stitch bag.

 Sometimes a quick...and yes, cute....project is just so rejuvenating! 

I'll be sure to share my finish soon.

A Little Sunday Stitching...

My husband unknowingly snapped this picture of Jackson 

and I enjoying the warm, morning sunshine that greeted us today.

I continue to enjoy picking up my Anni Downs BOM and 

getting in a little stitching each week. I need to check, 

but I think I only have two blocks left to stitch in this series.

Then, I'm getting antsy to start a new applique quilt for summer.

I've been looking at Cheri Payne's collection of primitive patterns.

I'm loving her Baskets of Plenty and Country of Seasons patterns. 

Both would fit the decor of our home perfectly.

Please do share if you've ever made any of her patterns and if you have a favorite.

I specialize in edge to edge pantographs with over 100 designs to choose from.

Check out my Long-Arm Quilting page for details.

I offer FREE Return Shipping on all quilts in the U.S.A.

Prepping the Final Block...

We started the day having brunch with friends and are avoiding a dreary, cold afternoon outside by watching movies and I'm busy prepping the final block of my Anni Downs BOM.

Looking forward to relaxing and spending the rest of the day just stitching. 

I specialize in edge to edge pantographs with over 100 designs to choose from.

Check out my Long-Arm Quilting page for details.

I offer FREE Return Shipping on all quilts in the U.S.A.

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Wool BOM Progress

This past summer I set out to stitch this Anne Downs BOM. As I put them on my design wall this morning I was actually surprised how much progress I've made since summer:

 Only half of them are stitched  but now that the cutting and pinning are done, I look forward to the stitching that awaits each evening as the nights get darker and life slows down earlier than those long days of summer. It's truly my very favorite project right now.

Happily stitching and linking up with everyone at Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching linky.

I specialize in edge to edge pantographs with over 100 designs to choose from.

Check out my Long-Arm Quilting page for details.

I offer FREE Return Shipping on all quilts in the U.S.A.