Sunday, June 30, 2013

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Fabric Fix







































We live very close to a major airport.  The good thing about that is when friends are dropping people at the airport they can stop by for a visit.  Yesterday my friend, Sally, dropped her Mom at the airport and stopped by on her way home.  I was still parked on the couch feeling sick and pretty sorry for myself and she got me moving.  We went on a quilt shop hunting adventure.  I can't believe how many quilt shops are close by me.  I'm really going to have to learn some self restraint.  Those of you who know my quilting passion are laughing at me right now.  This lovely bunch of fabric was purchased at Pink Castle Fabrics  which is a hop, skip and a jump from my house.  I even left my name as a possible teacher.  Thanks Sally for not putting up with my sulking today!

Fabrics starting at the top:
Bright & Buzzy ~ Laurie Wisbrun for Robert Kaufman
Bright & Buzzy ~ Laurie Wisbrun for Robert Kaufman
Bake Sale ~ Lori Holt for Riley Blake
Bake Sale ~ Lori Holt for Riley Blake
Sudoku Puzzle Math ~ Timeless Treassures
Architextures ~ Carolyn Friedlander for Robert Kaufman
Suzuko Koseki by Yuwa

Smiles,

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

A Peaceful Start






























I woke up to rumbles of thunder and rain this morning.  I love opening my eyes to this kind of day. Rainy days beckon us to stay in, sit still and ponder life a bit.  If I had any energy I would clean like crazy but I've landed a cold and the couch sounds more appealing to me.  The painter started yesterday.  I have been telling my family for days now that once the walls are painted and we can hang our pictures and shelves and fill them with the familiar, that they will feel more settled.  The relief was almost audible when the painters walked in and I think even they were surprised at how thrilled we were to see them.  I happily made my coffee and took my sniffling self to the couch.  I read from my Bible, C.S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity" and Shauna Niequist's "Bread & Wine".  I'm not sure what the rest of today holds, but with a start like this, I'm prepared.  Have a blessed day!

Hugs,

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Stinking Cute





































































































































































































































































Yesterday Maddie and I made a trip back to Kalamazoo.  I had an appointment and was able to get a few errands done.  I also saw friends, met that cute baby I showed you the other day (love!) and stopped by the cafe to do the window.  I was reminded again how stinking cute the Garden Gate Cafe is, located downtown Kalamazoo on the mall.  The owners are good friends of mine.  I have worked off and on for Doug and Nancy over the years in many capacities.  You may recall my time at the farm as event coordinator primarily planning weddings.  That was their farm.  It went to new owners right at the time my house did and now they live in a very cool loft across the street from the cafe.  I am in pink heaven when I visit there.  Right now there are some of my quilts hanging on the walls.  Nancy recently acquired the vintage Wolverine pink child's kitchen so that was perfect for the window. Coupled with some fun Martha Stewart hanging whatchmacallits it was made complete.  Nancy also recently bought the real pink kitchen from a local home.  The owner was an elderly woman who loved that pink kitchen for many, many years and when a new owner came in, they decided it was time to go.  If I could, I would rip out my own cupboards and put those in.  They are metal just like the child's kitchen.  It is in perfect condition.  If any of you make it to Kalamazoo and are stopping in, let me know and I'll make the drive to meet you there.  It is well worth the visit!

Smiles,

Thursday, June 20, 2013

On a Thursday

















































































































The kids and I went to the Secretary of State office today to change the address on our license and car registrations.  It really didn't seem like many people where there and I grabbed the number 63.  A few seconds later the clerk called number 28.  So glad I had the kids there to keep me company.  I unpacked a few more decorative things and found my favorite china doll.  Little perks amidst the many boxes that remain.  I forgot to show you the view from my sliding doors.  That red barn makes me happy each time I see it, which is daily!  I can't wait to get back to the Quilty Barn Along.  Sewing the barn blocks will have extra special meaning for me now.

Smiles,

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Giveaway at Bluebird Notes



Sweet Koralee from Bluebird Notes is hosting a giveaway for Daisy Pink Cupcake.  Stop over here to find out how to enter.  While your at it, take a look at Koralee's new book, "Everything Goes With Icecream".  I have it on my kitchen counter where it brings me smiles just to look at the pictures!  Tons of recipes and crafting ideas, you will love it!




I have this new cutie patootie in my life.  She is the darling little Miss Carsyn who's sweet Mama I am friends with.  She is three weeks old and so stinking cute that I can hardly stand it.  I knit her the owlie sack while waiting for her arrival.  I can't wait to meet her, she arrived during my move.  




Isn't she darling?

Smiles,

Monday, June 17, 2013

Thank You!






















































































































































Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for all the kind, loving and supportive comments you showered on me.  I have read and reread each one.  I know I need to give myself time to settle and grow accustomed to my new surroundings.  I also need to be thankful and stay positive.   We visited another church yesterday and it felt so good to worship and be taught from God's Word.  Today I started off the morning in Ephesians 5.  One of the passages that have settled on my heart today is "…and find out what pleases the Lord." (Eph 5:10 )  I needed to be reminded that my kids are watching how I am handling the move and though we are sad, my husband is so happy to have us all here with him again after six long months.  I love how God's Word changes your perspective for the better.

I ordered some fabric from Kerri and it arrived on Saturday.  Opening a package of fabric is like getting flowers or finding the perfect vintage treasure for me.  Since my sewing room will not be set up for at least another two weeks I found my box of scrap fabric and starting cutting them into 2 1/2" strips and blocks and 4 1/2" blocks.  I was inspired by Allison's quilt.  Over the weekend I found two stools at World Market that look good in the kitchen and scored a wonderful vintage rose tablecloth at a local shop.  I also found some beautiful hanging baskets on sale not too far from my house.  All in all, it was a good weekend to recharge and refocus.

Be blessed today!

Joyfully,

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Change is Hard












































































It has been a rough couple of days.  The kids and I are missing our friends and our old house.  I knew it would happen, we were bound to hit a wall sooner or later.  This was our list of complaints on Tuesday:

1.  Not one neighbor has come over to introduce themselves and say hello.  What did we learn from this?  Remember to be sensitive to the needs of new neighbors when we see people moving into our development.

2.  We live off a very busy street.  My daughter and I were waiting to pull out of the development, Maddie was driving and a person from our neighborhood began blowing their horn, impatient that we weren't moving faster.  What did we learn from this?  The next time we are impatient with someone, remember that we don't know what's going on in their lives.  For example, my daughter just got her drivers license two weeks ago at age 18.  She lost a dear friend in an auto accident and refused to learn to drive when she was 15.  The horn blowing could have easily caused her to pull into traffic and we would have been hit for sure.

3.   My son got a speeding ticket for doing 35mph in a 25mph zone.  The area was new to him and he didn't see any signs.  What did we learn from this?  $125 later, go slower than you normally would in an unfamiliar area.

4.  We're having problems with our hot water heater.  Two people can't shower at the same time or both get cold water.  What did we learn from this?  Try to be the first one in!

5.  The air conditioning quit working in the house.  What did we learn from this?  I can't think of one stinking thing.

6.  The internet quit working.  What did we learn from this?  It's a good thing to have a computer savvy son around, even though it took hours to fix, at least he could fix it.

That was just Tuesday.  Both Maddie and I had complete crying meltdowns at different times that day. Moving is much harder than it appears.  We grow accustomed to familiar things and change is hard. Even my son was feeling it yesterday.  I felt better after I purchased some peonies at Whole Foods.  I had been missing my peonies at the other house.  I also found a box marked fabric and took some out to dream for a few moments about sewing again.  The painter doesn't come till the 24th so theres no need to unpack the sewing room just to pack it up again.  God is teaching me patience in all kinds of new ways right now.  I hope you don't mind me venting.  You help me to keep things in perspective.

Hugs,

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

One Week







































I have been having all kinds of problems with posting today.  I don't know if it's the internet at our house or blogger, but this is the only picture that would upload correctly.  So instead of showing you the floor and paint samples I need your help with you get to see where I put the bird bath!  Things are coming along slowly and I'm trying not to be impatient but that's not always the case.  We have been here for one week now.  Hope your day is going well!

Hugs,

Monday, June 10, 2013

Thankful












































































The day the movers showed up I was unprepared.  I thought I was prepared but I failed to pack a bag that had some handwork in it.  I've been quilting and knitting for so long that I have plenty of UFO's I could've tossed in a bag.  I think my moving denial was still in full force at that time.  Even being in the new house for a week now hasn't lessened that denial by much.   I sure needed a fabric fix.  Two days after the trucks pulled away and before we made the trip to our new town, God answered a prayer request of mine.  He let me meet, in person, fellow blogger and dear friend, Trish.  She had come to the area to visit her daughter, Valerie, and we met at one of my favorite quilt shops, "The Attic Window".  After squeals, hugs and tears we did some shopping (we were in a quilt shop for goodness sake!).  Above are my purchases.  The rotary cutter is the new Olfa Splash and I'm looking forward to giving it a try.  See a review of it here.  It was certainly a fun day and I left feeling blessed beyond measure.

Smiles,

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Oh how I've missed you!






























































































































































































OH MY WORD!!!  I have missed blogging and connecting with you dear friends!  The internet was activated at our house today and all your familiar blogs and faces were seen and suddenly I felt like I might be ok after all.  We have been in our new house for four days.  My family is all back together after six months of being apart.  I can't tell you how good that feels.  We are sitting in a sea of boxes not knowing where anything is and where it should go.  I could not have done this without my dear son, Taylor.  He has been working non-stop doing all kinds of installing and putting together furniture and all sorts of things.  The beautiful roses came from the previous owner.  I could do a whole post alone on the wonderful family we purchased the house from.  I couldn't leave out pictures of the house but it is in total disarray.  Lots and lots of painting needs to be done and hard wood floors will be replacing the carpet and vinyl flooring.  The current colors don't go with my pastel shades of furniture.  I love the openness of the family room to kitchen eating area to kitchen and then to dining.  I haven't had this before and it's so nice to sit in the family room and still converse with people in the kitchen.  My soon-to-be sewing room is currently the overflow of boxes room and a former child's room so the polka dots will be removed and I'm hoping to unpack my fabric soon.  I had to leave you with a picture of Maddie on graduation day.  This fall I will be an empty nester so there is more change coming.  Sweet blessings to all!

Joyfully,