:: Obsessive

It seems like the last couple weeks I've pendulum swung between 2 things:  sewing like mad or desperately needed de-cluttering (my kids are scared I'm gonna throw all their toys away while they sleep!).  So either I de-clutter (kids toys, the tupperware cupboard, the linen closet) or I stay up sewing late at night.  When it comes to de-cluttering, I've really embraced the less-is-more mentality.  It's the first time I've thrown AWAY tupperware, and stuck only with the stuff we regularly use. (who needs 30 clean baby food jars, anyways?) It's quite freeing, really.  I ask myself: have I used it in the last year?  If not, it goes - either to Goodwill or trash.

 

The husband has been working lots (and lots) of late nights, which then results in lots of late nights for me doing my favorite thing - sewing.  And these Farmer's Wife blocks are just too fun!   (Note: I did update my last post - switched around a few blocks) 

 

Here are the next 14.  (Told you I was obsessively sewing late at night!)
Block 7 - Birds In the Air

Block 8 - Bouquet

Block 9 - Box

Block 10 - Bowtie

Block 11 - Broken Dishes

Block 12 - Broken Sugar Bowl

Block 13 -Buckwheat

Block 16 - Calico Puzzle

Block 17 - Cats and Mice

Block 18 - Century of Progress (I switched this one up a little)

Block 19 - Checkerboard

Block 20 - Churn Dash

Block 21 - Contrary Wife

Block 22 - Corn and Beans

 

At this rate I'll be done by - oh - next week.  And I'll also be dead - from lack of sleep.

:: A farmer's wife

Have you ever heard of the Farmer's Wife Quilt-Along?  Awhile back it was all over some of my favorite blogs, so I requested the book from the library.  I was fascinated reading it.  The background on it:  In 1918 World War I ended;  1920 saw women with the right to vote; during these changing times:

Society was also beginning to see a change in young women's behavior, exemplified by the 'flapper'; and all were not pleased.  In 1922, The Pittsburgh Observer noted, "a change for the worse during the past year in feminine dress, dancing, manners, and general moral standards," and warned against any '
"failure to realize the serious consequences in immodesty in girl's dress."

City people believed the farm woman to be a drudge and slave - that she was miserable and would be anxious to leave, if given the chance for a new live.  However, The Farmer's Wife (popular women's magazine with approx 750,000 subscribers), believed this to be far from the truth. 

So the editors of the magazine asked their readers a question: "If you had a daughter of marriageable age, would you, in light of your own experience, want her to marry a farmer?" 

The editors asked participants to "consider this question in all its angles.  Talk it over with your husband, your children and your friends.  Consider not only the financial side of the question but the moral and physical viewpoint and the things that make for real happiness.  You wish the best things in the world for your children.  Would your daughter as a farmer's wife be better off - all things considered - then she would be in the city or town?"

The magazine offered cash prizes for the best 68 answers submitted.  By the end of the contest... the editors were overwhelmed with the response from over seven thousand readers.  When the opinions were tallied, it was found that the editors were correct: 94% of farm wives stated that they would, indeed, want their daughters to marry a farmer. (excerpts from The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt, by Laurie Aaron Hird)

The rest of the book contains the many letters submitted by these farmers wives, as well as the 111 quilt blocks they inspired.  You really should read these letters.  They are fabulous.  So many of these ladies re-affirming what is really important in life.  I found it amazing that women (even back then) felt the pull from the world, and the need to try to keep the important things...important.

 

These small 6" blocks are so fun to make!  I was inspired by Camille's beautiful Farmer's Wife Quilt, and followed her method, which was quite helpful.  It's so fun to pick through small scraps, and make these.  Here's my first 6 blocks.

Block 1- Attic Windows

 

Block 2 - Autumn Tints

 



 

Block 3 - Single Wedding Star (actually block 80)



 

Block 4 - Basket Weave



 

Block 5 - Bat Wing

 

 

Block 6 - Big Dipper

 

So... 6 down, and only 105 more to make!

:: Hexi Pillow

 

I'm so excited to show you all this little pillow.  If you follow me on Instagram, you probably have already seen a few of these photos.

 

Do you remember when I posted about my new love for paper piecing hexagons here?  This entire process was a learning one for me.  Pretty much it looked like this every evening:  get the kids to sleep, put on my pj's, and relax in bed to hand sew for an hour (or till my eyes couldn't stay open any longer).  I also learned that I love having hand sewing projects.  They are so easy to do while conversing with Josh, listening to Ellie do her reading to me, or while sitting next to Blaize in the bathtub (him in the tub, me on the bathroom floor!).  Kinda like knitting, you can take them anywhere! (even waiting in the car - I know, I'm a wierdo)

 

 

 

This was my first attempt at learning to hand-quilt, and I must admit it was harder than I thought it would be.  But well worth the effort.  Now I love the process.

 

Sidenote: these Frixion pens are the coolest ever!  They mark just like a pen, but dissapear with a steam iron.  I bought mine at Target, but they are sold many places (even Amazon).

 

 

 

 

I learned how to easily make a zippered pillow cover from Ashley over at her cute blog Make It And Love It.

 

 

 

She doesn't know it yet, but this cute thing is going to be a gift for an amazing sister of mine.  But don't worry: I've already started another one.  This time for me.

 

{this moment}

. . . . . . . .

{this moment} - Every Friday.
A single photo - no words - capturing a simple, special moment from the week.
A moment I want to savor and remember forever. Inspired by SouleMama

. . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . .
If you're inspired to do the same,
leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for others to find and see.

:: Daily-ness

 

This past week my little sister Joy, and her 8 week old son stayed with us.  Simon quickly stole all of our hearts.  And made us realize how grown up our not-so-little-baby-Blaize is.  Ellie especially loved holding Simon.  Even though they are back home now, we keep waiting for them to come upstairs and join the party.

 

 

 

I was reading a book this past week called Mitten Strings for God, by Katrina Kenison, and can't help but share a little bit from it.  So so good.

 

(background:  The author - young mother - found some writings from an older woman who had just died from cancer.)

 

Writings:

"I have learned to quit speeding through life, always trying to do too many things too quickly, without taking the time to enjoy each day's doings.  I think I always thought of real living as being high. 

I don't mean on drugs - i mean real living was falling in love, or when I got my first job,

or when I was able to help somebody, or watch my baby get born...

In between the highs I was impatient - you know how it is - life seemed so Daily.  Now I love the dailiness.  I enjoy washing dishes.  I enjoy cooking, I see my father's roses out the kitchen window, I like picking beans.  I notice everything - bird songs, the clouds, the sound of wind, the glory of sunshine after two weeks of rain.  These things I took for granted before."

 

Katrina:

It seemed Olivia Ann was speaking directly to me.  I copied the lines down and then taped them above my desk when I got home... For many weeks I found myself blinking back tears every time I read them, for my own life with an infant was about nothing if not "dailiness", but mine was just beginning, while hers had ended.  The fact that she was gone was a powerful reminder to me to pay attention while I had the chance, and to respect the fact that our time here is short."

 

 I am trying to do that more.  Stop.  Slow down.  Enjoy just being with my children.

Try to not rush through morning chores. 

Rush through school. 

 Rush through lunch. 

Rush through... just to get to what I want to do. 

 

This is a courageous, eternal work we are doing. It's not one with quick results. But we are forming lives. Personalities. Character. We are raising the next generation. It is no small task, and gonna take women who are willing to lay aside our own agendas and be present in the moment.  With all these little people that need us right now. 

 

Our lives are nothing, if not daily.  Our character is formed in the daily.  God is found in the daily.  Memories  - they are made in the daily.  Let us not miss the dailiness, in wishing for the highs.

:: Washi dress

 

As I was sewing dresses for my girls, the entire time I kept thinking: "I wish I could find a pattern for a cute little dress for me.  One I could wear over leggings, jeans, or with tights and tall boots.  And one that doesn't look too *homemade*."  Then I saw this Washi dress pattern used on one of my favorite blogs. 

 

 

I was a little intimidated when I realized it called for elastic thread in the back of the dress, and a technique called "shirring".  But bless the wonderful tool we have - the Internet.  I googled it and came across another great blog that gave clear and simple instructions.  And when I tried it, I was A.MAZED!  So easy, and so satisfying to think I learned another new thing.  Now you see why I'm so hooked on blogs.  They have taught me SO MUCH.  I only hope someday I can give back to other people wanting to learn, like I have been blessed.

I am in-love with this little dress, and have already promised to make my sister one (for a late birthday present).  I can tell these will be great in the summer, too.  Feminine, but not fancy.

 

 

Please excuse the self-photography.  Never patient enough to wait for Josh to come home and take pictures.  =)

{this moment}

. . . . . . . .

{this moment} - Every Friday.
A single photo - no words - capturing a simple, special moment from the week.
A moment I want to savor and remember forever. Inspired by SouleMama

. . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . .
If you're inspired to do the same,
leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for others to find and see.