January - Goals

I find myself sewing in the kitchen simply because my sewing room has become so cluttered! I made a goal to purge, re-organize, de-clutter my sewing room this month. It is almost the end of January, so this weekend I made my move.

So I spent most of Saturday emptying the cardboard boxes I had stacked in the middle of the room. There were photo albums from my parents house; all my daughter's high school memorabilia and odd and ends that really needed to go! It is a terrible misuse of this space - but I find myself dumping things in my sewing space that I just don't want to deal with.  Then I run from the room closing the door behind me!  I am such a procrastinator.

So nice to purge - really it is,  and now that I have cleared everything that was in the way, satisfying to see what really is important to me. 

I spent hours pressing, folding and wrapping all my fabrics.  Sigh.... I love vintage style fabrics.

 This is what my cupboard looked like after I reorganized. It is like playing 'doll house'; at least that is what it feels like.  All my sewing accessories: my vintage patterns, pins, button tins & bolts of fabrics are like the 'doll house' furniture.

I may need a bigger cabinet.  Happy new year all.

January vision for 2012

I attended a very inspiring & fun workshop this weekend designed around envisioning your goals for the new year. We were a large and enthusiastic group.
Apparently, a big part of my vision is keeping my 'vintage vibe' strong  while deciding what 'treasures' are worth keeping.  If you don't get what that is about..... purging!

 

 

Being middle-aged, for me, means having alot of stuff.   But you eventually must ask yourself, what is worth keeping or letting go?

My fabrics stay!

January Joys - grateful for the time I've been given

It was a very snowy past week - so much snow in fact that the university where I work was closed for the week!

I made good use of the time - catching up on laundry, naps, reading and lots of sorting of fabrics and sewing.

I quilt, and have accumulated a large collection of quilt fabrics as well as scraps from past projects.  The pieces aren't small enough to throw away, so I keep them.

 

I love every bit of the fabric purchased and  like to use up every little bit! Hence I have at least a dozen large Ziploc bags filled with scraps of lovely colorful fabrics that I can't part with.

 I have always been fond of 'wonky stars' or maverick stars as I have seen them described. Quilt or table runner?  I haven't decided but I love these gentle little stars.

The More Productive I am.....

This is my mantra for the week:

The more productive I am, the luckier I will become.

OK, if you are wondering... what is up with the quote?   Well currently I am hooked into looking up a new mantra each week based on this posting: 

http://www.marcandangel.com/2011/01/17/52-monday-morning-stress-reduction-mantras/ 

I probably need more explanation,  like about the 'luckier' part,  but you know what??  It is a New Year, and I am just going to go with it.  I have saved this posting where I re-read it each week.   I just scan down the list and pick what looks good to me.... there are 52 of them!  What does amaze me is that whatever I choose always seems to fit!  Trusting my instincts.

Besides, I am 'jazzed up' about the whole notion of productivity and the 'practical', especially after this past weekend's workshop, and I like the word 'Practical',  perhaps because the word 'practice' is built right in! 

Practice is great!

On that note but before I go.... I wanted to post a few photos of inspirations/aspirations as a dear friend and sewing companion is planning a Quilting Retreat for this coming March (so excited) I think I have found my project to work on at the retreat.... 

Check it out!!

This pattern just 'speaks' to me; and it is saying "Sew me!"

I love this pattern, as it is 'scrappy' ( lots of different fabrics, in small pieces) which entails sharing of fabrics amongst sewing friends! That in itself will make this project special. This will probably be 'it'!

But I am looking at this pattern too! I just love this pattern, it is an 'American Jane' pattern (aka Sandy Klop design). I love all things 'American Jane' especially her fabric lines.  So vintagey! 

Happy sewing and productivity Everyone!!

September- remember not to hibernate too much this coming winter!

Just a note of caution, for myself mostly.  I never shook off (lost) the weight I wanted to from last winter and already I am thinking about hunkering down for another cool season.
Besides baking and sewing and shopping for Christmas gifts, I might also consider joining a walking club and attending Pilates a few times a week. It is not that hard to do really and I do enjoy the social aspect of group activities.