Happy May Day ~

It is a great time to get back to blogging again.

I took some time away to grieve and ponder the universe. I cannot say I have any answers but I am getting back to the rhythm of my extraordinary life, day by day.

I start some new projects ~ this one found on A Crafty Fox blog

Playing with colors for a folded log cabin surprise gift

Working my way through Liberty Stars Quilt from the book Material Obsession

Noodlehead Cargo Duffel in Liberty quilting cottons

And a few economy blocks ~ Red Pepper Quilts tutorial in Liberty lawns

Goodness I see a theme.

I have also begun to Instagram. And the above pictures were taken about a month ago. It is quick and easy and probably another reason for the lack of blogging. I am trying to feel my way and see how to do both without feeling redundant. I do like reading blogs and see that there is a place for both. There are many crafty people out there. I will be sharing a little crafty project of my own with the rainbow of colors shown above. 

 So with Springtime here, it was time to tackle some of those less crafty projects around the house. So with pen to paper I wrote down 40 items that needed my attention and that I have been neglecting for far too long. I am now 10 days in and have found an amazing amount of dirt along with an equally amazing amount of guilt lifted off my shoulders. Perhaps my brain has known all along that these things needed to be done. It also just feels good to have a somewhat clean house. I still have 30 days of cleaning to do.

 I felt that sharing it keeps me honest and on track. 

Have a great May!

Frugal ~

My head is out of the clouds, for now and I am back to a somewhat normal routine. You know the one, sew, sew ,sew, maybe a little housework, squirrel, back to sew. Oh yea, I forgot about the important one on the minds of my family, 'what's for dinner' because fabric doesn't taste good. But it sure does look good.

Some may call it obsessed, I call it frugal. Okay, obsessed. I have not gotten tired of a single scrap of Liberty fabric. I have my HST's on top for the Liberty Stars quilt, bookmarks backed with used color catchers (I knew I kept them around for a reason), a passport pouch and the triple-zip pouch. I have a little pile of scraps for more little things. Luggage tag!

What is even nicer is that when I look at my collection I am constantly reminded of all the good times. I see the crafty people who lend me a zipper, the trips we have taken as a guild and laughed at each others shopping pile and not to be forgotten the talented quilters who share their tutorials. 

I am sure we could do it alone but what fun would that be? 

My to do list ~

is always changing. I think I have firmed it up and serendipitous moments occur. So I take a happy little detour. 

Besides all the daily chores and getting children from A to B and back again, I had planned to make progress on projects that have been put on the back burner, so to speak. My 2014 was going to be no different that 2013. When on Tuesday, February 4th, I Google searched my husband's unusual last name and the country to see if there was any truth to the family having changed the spelling after coming to America and any other information I might find. Within the next 48 hours we found out that his name is from a tiny island, we have a relative still living there and more importantly relatives in the US and Australia. This is all possible because of one person who was curious enough to research her family. I love genealogy. And it is my pleasure to share the pictures and stories of my husband's branch of the family with the researcher who has written several biographies. One more little piece of the big puzzle.

Liberty of London loveliness

Just as exciting is that I will be taking a little trip. Now I have two more sewing projects on my to-do list. First is the triple zip pouch. I think this will be great for keeping track of the different currency I will be using. And, not pictured here, I will be making a passport pouch by Michelle Patterns. I will have to learn to insert a magnetic snap.

Bloomsbury and Stile collections

And not forgotten is my Liberty Stars quilt. The stars are done and I have filled the tray with the squares for half-square triangles. 270 to be exact. I need to start reading the patterns before I begin and pay close attention to the numbers of things!

These are all the little trimmings from the stars. Sewn together, chain stitched, ready to iron. 272, 1-3/4" squares to be arranged for the back of the quilt. I won't think about that now.

More adventures in sewing and travel on the horizon