Refreshing

Sew the first week of the new year is over and it is back to work/school tomorrow.  Our house is once again quiet as we said goodbye to DD3 on Friday. Before she left, she asked if I could make a pennant banner for her dorm room.  So using the tutorial I pinned here, I made this.

Sew what else have I been doing on this first week of the new year? Organizing... Amber over at A LIttle Bit Biased posts Tuesday Tips about inspiring sewing rooms.  Anna from Thimbleanna guest posted a link about folding your fabrics nice and tidy. Hmmm...my stash is housed in an old dresser and each drawer is stuffed. Definitely not folded nice and tidy.

before

Sew I went about ironing and folding all most some of my stash. Here are some of the finished drawers.

stacked by color before going into the drawer

nice neat and tidy piles of stash

mostly blues, reds and greens in here.

I also weeded out smaller pieces and added them to my scrap bins. I did need to go out and buy 5 more bins. It's a good thing that I'm following the Sew Scrap Along over at Pleasant Home. [Button on my sidebar.] I haven't started on a scrap quilt yet because between ironing and folding,  I worked on...

...putting sashing and borders on my Birdie Quilt. I need to buy backing fabric and some batting before sandwiching this cutie.

I am also working on my 3rd personnel quilt made from my 'less preferred' stash fabric. Here is a peek at the blocks.

These finish at 16" and I have 7 out of 20 done. 

 Last year, Kelly from Charming Chatter challenged us to come up with a word for the year. My word last year was JOY. To feel joy in all areas of my life. One of the most joyful times of this year was celebrating our DD2's wedding and welcoming our SIL to our family! 

 My Word Up for 2012 will be 'challenge'. I already have challenged myself with my 'less preferred stash' quilt goal but I would like to challenge myself in other ways too! Sew to speak, try new things, think outside the box...not only in quilting but in all areas of my life. Here is a fun reading challenge I will be doing to start. 

I will leave you with this picture of my Christmas Cranberry Almond Coffee cake that, as tradition, we have on Christmas morning that I meant to post before but forgot. It is delicious!

Catching Up

I just haven't had time to post.  Ever feel that way? I have been trying to keep up reading most of my favorite blogging friends but to actually write a post...haven't found the time.  So grab a cup of coffee/tea as this might just be a long one.  

Yesterday was my 1 year anniversary of my very first post.  I haven't reached 100 posts yet, but I may put together a giveaway.  Check back to find out.  

In the meantime...first up...a surprise in the mail from Gran over at Knot-y Embroidery Lady.  What a wonderful Christmas gift!  Thanks Gran!

Here are some pictures of projects finished and just getting around to showing you.

I finished the fishing game [I showed previously here] with a little drawstring bag I made to keep everything together.  

And this cute necklace that I made for my daughters [only showing one].  The pattern was from here.  

Next up, over at Charming Chatter, the Charming Girl's Quilt Club new theme.  

We are to pick a word for the year.  As Kelly explains, "We're choosing a word the identifies what we'd like to see more of in our lives in 2011 - what we want to cultivate in our lives!  It's a word to reflect on throughout the year - and to help us "live our best life" as Oprah would say!"

I have been having a bit of trouble coming up with MY WORD! The first 2 words I wrote down were savor and perspective. I love the word savor but Polly is using that word.  Perspective just didn't feel right.  A couple more I tried on were contented and delight.  Both good words but not the right word.  So I waited for my word to come.  And it will be...

Joy is defined as

1. the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation.

2. a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or someone greatly valued or appreciated.

3. the expression or display of glad feeling; festive gaiety.

4. a state of happiness or felicity.

It's not like I haven't had joy in my life but I really want to find the joy in every situation...even the hard ones...to look for the good.

I want to find joy in moments spent with my family and friends. 

This year we will celebrate the wedding of the first of our daughters to get married.  Although planning a wedding can be stressful, I want to enjoy the process, enjoy the day, and enjoy welcoming a son into our family.  

I want to find joy in quilting/sewing/creating and not feel guilty or pressured into getting this done or trying this or that.  If I want to try something, great!  There is so much inspiration that I can guilt myself into trying/doing everything. I refuse to let that happen.  I want to stitch with joy!  I joined! 

And finally, I want to find joy in rest/relaxation.  Rest is Kelly's word and I love what she has to say about it.  She defines it as a calmness of spirit, a peacefulness soul that pervades all that I say and do!  

I have a hard time not always moving and doing, keeping my hands busy. There is always so much to do/accomplish!  I need to give myself permission to just relax. 

To find joy in resting.   

So there it...

I'll leave you with some pictures of a joyful winter time, spent with friends and family!

And a little saying I found [don't remember where]...

Create Joy and Satisfaction - Feeling good is good for you, so have a laugh, find a hobby or just kick back.

If you want to read other Charming Girl's Words check here.