Has anyone else, like me, been struggling in remembering just what day it is? Is it a summer thing? Is it a self-employed thing? (Or retirement... I've heard some say this, I am not retired, nor old enough to be retired.) Maybe it is a flex-time thing... Does it really matter? Nah... Live in the moment! Be like Piglet!
I think that is what it means... Today is my favorite day... I am taking one day at a time and enjoying being IN the moments as they pass. Sometimes it seems that time is standing still... and others it seems that I look back and realize an entire week has gone by!
A few moments that time has stood still recently has been my time back in the studio and at the machine as it hums, and the fabric passes under the presser foot and needle. I enjoyed every minute of time as I quilted the whole cloth quilt... As I considered the meanings and the intentional choices of each quilting design and section time stood still. I prayed and I worshiped, and I placed my full trust in Him as I considered who the recipient of the quilt would be. Do I know? Not at this time, which means the quilt is not completely finished... There will be a monogramed (appliqued) initial in the center of the hearts with some stippling around it... In HIS time.
Time stood still as I made two tea cozies... I pulled some of the tropical print squares from my stash. They were souvenir gifts from the girls when they were in Girl Scouts and made a trip to Hawaii... over 15 years ago! Tell me again, where has the time gone???
Sometimes quilt math works out and sometimes it doesn't. On Sunday I grabbed a 7" block and cut it into 4 squares (3-1/2" each) and paired them with some coordinating fabric... Cut a few more squares on the diagonal and added them to make a 4-patch in a square. The pattern called for a rectangle of 10" x 10-1/2"... I figured I would simply add some of the coordinating fabric to the piece I made to get to the size called for... No need! They came out at 10-1/2" square... I just needed to trim 1/4" off two opposing sides and I was ready to go! Lickety split I had two cozies stitched up and ready to use. They are actually a bit large for my small teapot...
As I moved on to sashing strips for the Pieces in the Garden quilt, I pulled out a thrift find and started cutting 1-1/2" x 48-1/2" sashing strips.
I got 3 yards for just 2.99... It's been around awhile 👀 That was the year our youngest daughter was born!
But I could not be more pleased... I adore those pretty pink roses. 🌹
I think the lesson in not remembering (or caring, really) about what day it is is leans toward a message found in the book of Matthew (11:28-30) ~ The Message
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
I have enjoyed the last few weeks of "unforced rhythms" with no deadlines to be concerned about yet moving forward at a leisurely pace. I am thankful for such a time! For families with children not being in school, I think the schedules should be a little more fluid... moving with an unforced rhythm of grace... Give it a try!
Society as a whole, generally, have become accustomed to being overly busy. Even vacations are jam packed full of activities... Ours included! But we were quickly reminded when we found ourselves spinning our wheels and struggling to move forward... and we went off to sit on top of a mountain for just 28 hours. I think I shared that acronym for BUSY ~ Being Under Satan's Yoke... I don't want that!
I am grateful also for the opportunity to spend time with friends as we enjoy a weekend of camping and a chance to reconnect with another couple that moved away 2 years ago. It should be a time of joy and laughter, games and fun. When the weekend is done, we will be jumping in a truck (borrowed from a good friend) to travel to get a new camper. This one is a 5th wheel and will offer us SO much more room... and no more need to crawl into or out of a bed placed over the cab.
I'll be back next week with the Sew & Tell party... and probably a few pics from the weekend... and maybe, just maybe a picture of our new digs. ;)
I'm so grateful for you, and your willingness to follow me through all of the ups and downs of life that I rejoice over or wallow in a pity party. Thank you are two small words that don't really convey the depth of the meaning when I "say" them. But please know I do truly appreciate each and every one of you that visit and for those that leave comments... You make my day! Which is my favorite day... because it is today! I love to hear your thoughts, opinions and memories.
Is summertime a time of unforced rhythms for you?
Do you spend more time or less time quilting?
I'd love to hear from you!
Keep Piecing,
Melva
Dearest Melva
ReplyDeleteI so enjoyed your post today. So much to think about.
Your quilts are really beautiful. I love the whole cloth one. I have never done one of those because of all the quilting required. Your .quilting is amazing
What day is it? I have a hard time keeping up with it. I thought it was an "old age" thing. LOL. I feel better knowing others are in the same boat as I am. I have always been a person that thought they had to be doing something all the time without anyone helping me. It was really hard just to sit and enjoy the time. But after going through all that I went through lately, I find just sitting very enjoyable. I had to slow down for so many weeks and let others do the things that I had been doing. It was hard at first because I had the urge to take over, but I finally said it is okay to have help so I was able to relax and let them help. I am very thankful now that they wanted to.
I usually do more quilting in the Summer time. The days are longer, and there is more light. But I think I will be relaxing more this time around and just enjoying my time spent with family.
Have a wonderful weekend!
I enjoy the less 'busy' and was able to get that on my vacation this summer. Lots of time just sitting and enjoying the views and people around me. I think I quilt more in the summer as that is inside in the AC and it is too hot outside for me! Enjoy the new 5th weel and have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying a somewhat less busy summer. My teaching is confined to Tuesday--Thursdays, so that gives me extra time away from teaching, often spent weeding, but its different, so that is good for my brain. I have had several different projects going thus far, including a wedding I am doing the alterations for as a gift to the bride, and that has made June and July a little more focused. I plan to finish it up this weekend, so that will leave half the summer with no big deadlines, just whatever I want to work on.
ReplyDeleteI did challenge myself to spend July working on Christmas ornaments for my students so that the fall won't be as crazy. I am working on one type of ornament each week; change is refreshing and keeps me going. By Monday I will have 35/62 completed, with two more weeks to go in my challenge. Getting these so far along before canning season and school starts, will make the fall so much more relaxed, I am already enjoying the feeling I know I will have!
Your BUSY acronym really resonates with me, I need to keep that in mind.
Absolutely gorgeous quilts!
ReplyDeletethe verse, well I started crying. I'm so tired and burned out... thank you Melva, for the beauty and pretty teapot
ReplyDeleteHi Melva! Aww, I love the Winnie meme. It's my favorite day, too. Beautiful whole cloth quilting. I am so intimidated to try that but I certainly do admire you and your work!! I can see a few feathers along with the initials in those lovely hearts. I can't wait to see where this beauty ends up! Sometimes quilt math works out and sometimes it doesn't. Boy howdy, I can get behind those words wholeheartedly. Mine is usually the not-work-out-kind. HAHA! I'm glad you found the perfect use for the "vintage" fabric. I'm not saying your daughter is vintage, but fabric can certainly be labeled that! Thank you for sharing that Matthew passage. {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne
ReplyDeleteI don't always comment, but I do read your posts. This was a good one. The "unforced rhythms of grace" - lovely! I much prefer a relaxed pace to life; I've done enough chasing after things!
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to remember which day of the week it is anymore. It doesn't matter whether I am busy or not. I think for me it is more the stress of life with our current political situation(s). I like to remind myself of the quote, "Today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present."
ReplyDeleteThe whole cloth quilt is beautiful. I like your rows of blocks, too.
ReplyDelete