Life Happens...

Just when I've planned to get so much accomplished, Life happens. (I'm not complaining. It's important to be flexible. Spontaneous, even!)   The client who I thought would require three hours for a graphic piece ended up taking closer to twelve hours over two days. It's finished now.
The laundry that would usually be shuttled from our master bath to our laundry room, wasn't. The washing machine is on the fritz and won't be repaired until next Monday. Instead, I drove our laundry to be cleaned.  Even using the double load washers,  I was away from the studio for  another four hours (from the time I drove out 'til I got back home again).
So, if you're wondering what I accomplished yesterday...I've got a photo for you. I started cutting the fabrics (and choosing zippers) for the organizers.  That's it.
What's on the agenda for today?  I am definitely going to get into the studio again... but I have a couple of things I have to do first. If you want to know what they are, you'll have to come back again tomorrow. I'm not even giving hints today.
Seeeee yoouu tomoooorroooww!

Setting New Goals...

Web Image

I'm not one to make resolutions. I'm really not. I prefer to call 

them goals...things that I want to accomplish during the year.

I call them "To Do" lists. I write things down, then I check them

off as I finish them. I usually do them day-by-day, but I've

decided to write down three long-term lists for this year...

1) Personal goals

2) Creative goals

and

3) Home project goals

Now, I'm not going to bore you with all the things I've written

down, but I'll share one or two things from each list of ten items.

Personal Goals

I don't know if you've even noticed, but I've had a running total on my 

right sidebar of a healthy lifestyle program I started last September. 

(It's under the "Working Toward A Goal" caption below my profile.)

Since I started, I've kept track of how far I've ridden my bicycle, walked (or

 other activity), and how much weight I've lost. I managed to shed twenty

pounds before my birthday, and I got through the Christmas and New Year

 holidays without gaining any of it back! I'm going to continue my program

 through 2014.  I'll keep track over in my sidebar in case you're interested. I

change it weekly, but won't start again 'til I've healed from my recent surgery.

If you write a comment to me asking for details, I promise I'll write

back with an answer. If you're a "no comment" blogger, make sure

you add your email address so there's a way for me to reply.

Image from hikerinheels.blogspot.com

I've chosen my word for 2014. 

I chose "GRACE".

You already know that's Mom's name. I've been learning from her

for over forty years, and believe me, she's the living embodiment

of her name. Before I chose it, I looked up the definitions.

As a noun, it means poise, agility, finesse, courtesy, decency, 

politeness, respect, generosity, kindness, blessing, and goodwill.

As a verb, it means dignify, honor, distinguish, enhance, glorify,

elevate, adorn, embellish, decorate, enhance, beautify and enrich.

It seems to me that there are many different ways that I'll be able

to embrace this word in 2014...both in my personal and creative life.

Creative Goals

I'll share a lot of these in the coming months, but my most short-term

goal is to make an assortment of Kindle and iPad cases for our quilt

show Boutique (in February). I have all the supplies, and I'll start soon.

I'm also going to set aside time each month in 2014 to make a gift 

for my Christmas list. No more procrastinating until the end of the year.

By November, all I'll have to do is make jammies to fit our grandkids.

Home Project Goals

I'm going to make a set of slipcovers for the Flying Cloud seating areas.

and

I'm going to work on decluttering - beginning with my closet.

I've learned from living in the Flying Cloud that we can live with less.

(Well, except for in the studio!) So, I'm going to start in my closet 

and proceed to the next area or room from there. I'll embrace the 

concept of "enough" instead of "a lot" - making for definitely less stuff.

Image from a greeting card I received last year.

You'll be seeing my 2014 word in future posts as I strive to live a 

life of "grace" this year. I'm blessed to have Mom as my inspiration,

and I'll be sharing more of my lists in upcoming months, too.

I love the hope and anticipation that comes with the beginning of a

new year. I don't want to waste a single second on regret over days past.

(Nostalgia, yes, but no regret.) Look forward with me as we embark on
another 365 journey. It's going to be an adventure...I just know it!

Time Just Flies...

Shadow Play by Elly McKay

 I can't believe that it's already APRIL!!!

I have been working on my list and now, many of the items that were 

weighing on my mind have been finished or resolved. I still have

a list, but it's nowhere near what it was at the beginning of March.

This week holds a celebration and more projects to finish.  I'm optimistic 

that I'll meet my last few deadlines and will enjoy a clean slate in no time.

 I just know there will be a happy dance at Brynwood in the near future! 

I'm looking forward to you joining in the fun.

Happy Spring, my friends.

Looking Back on 2011...

As I reflect on 2011, I look back upon a year filled with joy, sadness, anticipation, fun and new experiences.

I promise not to dwell on the moments of great sadness, but I can't close out this year without remembering the beautiful lives of my Labrador, Kes - and my first Corgi, Fezzik Inconceivable. They filled our days with unconditional love and laughter.

Both left me this year. I miss them every day, and will never forget the lights they brought into our lives.

We had the adventure of our lives when Handsome, Kes and I embarked on a four month trip last summer. We packed our essentials along with too many extras into our Airstream and set off on our travels.

Together, we covered nearly 11,000 miles, 13 states, enjoyed friends and family, and were a part of some incredible music performances. We learned that we can live happily together in a small space, and that less "stuff" is actually liberating. We're already planning our next big destination!

Brynwood's Taggart (aka Tag) joined our adventure mid-trip (July 4th) and he immediately fit right in. He was a natural for traveling, and did his best to make friends with Kes.  We're so glad that he's a part of our family now,  and we're looking forward to spending many more years with him. Even now, he considers the Flying Cloud his home, and he gets quite animated when he realizes we're going out to spend a little time there.

Although Kes didn't return home with us, she'll always be with us in spirit. I miss her silly ways, and her ability to teach the puppies by example.

I also had fun creating beautiful things in 2011. If you click here, you can see my 2011 Completed Projects Flickr album.

I want to thank all of you for the comments, love and support you've given me. You help lift me during the most difficult days, and made them more bearable. You shared all the good times with me, too. You may never know the true effect that blogging has had on me. What started as a little personal diary, grew into new and wonderful friendship and a celebration of my creative and personal life. Thank you for being a part of this adventure.

Lots of Paint...

I've done so much painting this week that I find it difficult to walk by the end of each day. All the calisthenics - up and down ladders, reaching over my head to cut in the top of the walls or on my knees to cut in the bottom of the walls. It's been easy to fall asleep at night!

I have a few photographs for you. I'm sorry that I forgot to take the before photograph of the guest room. Close your eyes and imagine a sort of 1970's acid yellow. There was a lot of furniture all lined up along the walls and nails left over from many now-removed pictures. Very bright and sunny and a bit cluttered. Now...
Soft green walls (dictated by the carpet, which wasn't going to change), a new blue, green and white chabby-look quilt which pulled the colors together, less furniture and a lot less on the walls...one plaque survived, actually. What do you think so far?

Then, I tackled the computer/sewing room. I admit that some things had been moved in there while other rooms were being cleaned, but even so...intense aqua walls just weren't going to be suitable for a sale. Here's the "before" photo:
And now, it has neutral walls in a color called Stonecliff, half the furniture removed along with most of the extras. What do you think of this room now? (Ignore the dog toy in the middle of the carpet. Hmmm, how did that get there?)
Mum is really happy with the results and even wants to duplicate the green when she moves to Florida. We think it's been worth the effort for the results. While I was busy with paint and set up, she was wrapping and packing up those removed items that she felt she couldn't live without. The rest was taken out to the garage and the Salvation Army truck came and hauled it all away. She's just as tired as I am by dinnertime, so meals are quiet with two weary women off to their respective rooms shortly after.

Today, I'll be moving into the bedroom of the Lady of the House, and Mum will be running a carpet cleaner in the living room. When that's done, I'll have more photos to share. Can't wait to hear what you think!

My Sugar And Spice Project...

Today, I'd like to give you a couple of hints about my next project. I'm working on my own pattern - my own design - and the completed items will be for sale on my website. I'm really having fun putting this together, and these are just the first steps.

A little bit vintage, a little bit "granny", a little bit sugar and spice, and a whole, big helping of girly! Are you getting the picture? Are you even a bit curious? Do you think you have an idea what I'm working on?

I'll be showing more components in the upcoming days. All will be revealed before you know it! Now if you're local and you've heard any scuttlebutt about this...pu-leezzzz don't spill the beans yet.

I'll be in the studio working on my creations and I'll be back soon with more hints...

Another Sweet Surprise And My Next Project...

I was so wonderfully surprised today to receive another gift in the mail! I recently participated in a stitch marker swap with some of my grandma friends. I knew that my swap partner had been burned before and so I wanted to make sure that she was really pampered this time.

I found out that she collects tea pots, so I found a special one for her in an antique shop in Wisconsin, and then I found the perfect little tea cup charms to make her stitch markers. I added a few other little goodies for her, and then sent off her package anxiously anticipating her reaction. Of course, I was not disappointed, and neither was she. Her posts in our group were above and beyond complimentary. I was thrilled that she loved all of her gifts.

She went out of her way to thank me on our site, so you can imagine how surprised I was to open an envelope from her today and find a perfect tiny sock she had knitted and made into a key chain for me! Isn't it just the sweetest thing? I really love it. How lucky am I? Thank you again, Fran. How thoughtful and kind of you.

I finished my sweater knitting. Now I have to assemble it, and then crochet the edge on the body of it. I'll photograph it to share with you yet this week. I just wanted to show you what I've started as my newest (knitting) project.

Blue Sky Alpacas Organic Cotton in a dreamy, sky blue. A shawl pattern by Mac n' Me. No rush to finish. It won't take long to knit. Moss stitch for eight rows, then the first and last eight stitches of each row in moss stitch with the rest done in stockinette stitch. I want it to be a lovely warm wrap that I can toss over my shoulders on our cool Florida winter nights. You can always track my progress in my "Currently On My Needles" Flickr album.

Tick Another One Off My List...

Start with a little Christopher Parkening on the
Bose Dock® in the studio...

Sew together the already-cut 2 1/2" binding strips, end-to-end.

Get out the Egyptian Cotton Spray, heat up the iron
and then fold the binding in half, lengthwise, and press...

Pin the binding strips in place and sew onto quilt front,
remembering to take special care to create perfect mitered corners...

Sit in favorite stressless chair with hot cup of tea, needle and thread,
and hand sew the binding to the back of the quilt...

...and voila!
One finished Boy Scout quilt for an eight year old great-nephew!

Write a note to enclose with the quilt and
ship it off on Monday to said great-nephew.

Finished the day with a fun Friday night date with Handsome. We ate dinner at Outback and then went to a baseball game at the local stadium. Our Port Charlotte Stone Crabs won. (They're a farm team for the Tampa Bay Rays and are really good!) Handsome thinks their team name is pretty clever. I have to agree.

Still on my "finishing projects high". I think it's a great thing to do on Labor Day Weekend - finish those projects that have been dogging me around the studio. Next, I'm on to piecing the quilt that has been cut but not assembled for the past year. I'll keep you posted. For now, just tick another one off my list. Have a safe holiday weekend, my friends.

A Violet Valentine For You...

Celebrating my 100th Post - and the outpouring of support for me - has made me more than grateful these days!

I have a small collection of vintage postcards and sewing cards. I'll be sharing them with you in the coming days. Feel free to click on the image for a larger version that you can download and use however you'd like.

Just my small way of saying "Thank you" to all of you...and to let you know with this first card that I am so honored that you've chosen to spend a little time each day with me. Hugs of gratitude to each and every one of you!

The 100th Post Giveaway will continue until next Friday, so you can click here and write a comment there for an entry in the drawing. You can write a comment for new posts each day for additional entries, and if you become a "follower" (in my left sidebar), you'll get two more entries. Finally, if you have a blog and link to my giveaway (click here for the link url), then you'll receive yet another entry!

Good luck to all of you. I hope you like my little gift to you today. If you use if in a project, please let me know. I'd love to share it with the whole gang for you!

Oh, I almost forgot! If we get to 100 followers by the time I do the drawings next Friday, I'll add another giveaway gift! I promise it will be something wonderful.

Current Projects In The Studio...

I thought you might be more interested in hearing about how I've been occupying my hands lately, rather than an update on my healing lip. So, I decided I'd start this week with photographs and images of what's happening the my studio. Last Friday's blog hop was a roaring success, but it's time to get back to creating in the studio again.

Our two granddaughters have birthdays only a week apart in August, so Grandma's having fun choosing fabrics and patterns from my stash for their new party dresses. I pre-washed all the fabrics on Sunday, so we won't have to worry about the dresses shrinking the first time they're washed. Their mom, Jess, picked out a pattern and asked me to make them. The pattern is from Portabellopixie - called "Claire". I'm tracing out the pattern today (in two different sizes). Starting something new is always so much fun. Don't you agree?

When our elder granddaughter was a year old, I made a birthday crown for her. I imagine her as a little, ol' lady - me, long gone - donning the birthday crown made just for her by her grandmother! I envision her proudly wearing it year after year to commemorate her special day.

Shame on me, I still haven't made her little sister's crown yet, and so I decided that I'd better get busy with that project, too. When I'm not sewing dresses, I'll be making the crown for our little granddaughter! I already have the hat box it will be stored in for safekeeping, but have to get cookin' on the actual crown! (Don't you just love the fabric it's sitting on? That's for an Amy Butler smock project for me!)

I have a couple other little projects that I want to finish this week, too, but I think I must first concentrate on those granddaughter deadlines!I guess I'd better quit typing and get sewing! I have a lot to do. I love deadlines...and grandchildren. They really motivate me.