Home and Happy

I am one of the few people who will never be bored or get cabin fever staying at home. As long as I have a phone I’ll never get lonely. I have everything I need to stay productive and happy inside these walls. Here is where my comfort zone is perfect and my anxiety is kept at a good level. My home is my safe spot. Thou I have to admit that this virus has added to my anxiety quite a bit. I did go out to the grocery store 3-4 days after the official announcement was made that this is serious. Thankfully I didn’t need any paper products! The stores still had everything I needed. I was quite shocked at the photos I saw on line of people buying 12 gallons of milk or 8 family packs of toilet paper. What is this, Y2K all over again. I didn’t stock up for that either and it was all fine. This sadly will not be all fine for many people. I am not in a high risk category myself, but worry for those I know who are. 

We hold hands when I'm reading or watching tv

Social distancing isn’t a new concept for me being an introvert. So not seeing another person for days is quite normal. Who ever thought that would come in handy? 

When I have gone out I’ve made quick trips doing only the buzz in and out of the store. I’m saving money by not buying spontaneous items which were almost always junk food or sweets. So now I’m at home with no cookies! I hope the fig newton stock will recover. 

My assistant at the jewelry bench

I am at ease being at home. I have several hobbies and they will keep my days filled with creative happiness. I love to read and had just gotten a few used books from on line. I do have my Etsy shop which I’m sure will really slow down but that is fine too. 

If I do have sales all I have to do is walk to my mail box. 

Quite time at night watching tv

So I know how lucky I am. I thank God for my life very often. 

My life has not been any easier or harder than most people. I do however want this part of my life to be slow and easy. To get up each morning and just do what I want as many days as I can. For this I am very grateful. 

So enjoy the simple things in your life and take time to relax. 

Try to push anxiety away and take a deep breath.

Most of all please help each other all you can. 

Someone near you may really need your help but can't ask for it. 

Keep in touch with your family and friends. 

Sewing Room Almost Done

When I moved into this house 3 years ago I wasn’t sewing as much as I used to and I had more furniture than I had room for and chose to have the 3rd bedroom as a sitting room/library. That room had my mom’s living room furniture and lots of sentimental keepsakes. Then along comes Olivia. She was just 1.5 years old and pretty much still a kitten and into everything. So the door to that room was closed and it was as if it did’t exist. 

New years eve with Jack’s help all that was changed. The treasured lamps I lived in fear of breaking were boxed up and the other furniture was repurposed and moved. So we have a empty room just waiting to become a sewing room. It’s taken me several months to get to this point but it’s ready to use now. 

I had all my fabric stored in this closet already, but just reorganized it to make it easier to find those favorite little bits. 

 A metal rack and a bookshelf squished into this closet just fine after all the closet hardware was removed. Two other machines live in here till they are needed. They are both specialty machines. A needle felter and a Baby Lock Sashiko.  

My fabric cutter was still out in the garage, but it has returned and has a special place now where it’s easy to use. 

The cutter sits on this pretty reproduction of the Tiffany Dragonfly table

that was designed to go with the lamp. It holds the machine securely and has

plenty of room for all the die cut supplies 

I have room now to have the sit down long arm and the regular sewing machine open all the time. Even got a new chair. So everything is in one room. I took the Phaff to the shop and it’s all cleaned and ready to play. 

So now it's time to get my zen back and enjoy once again my fingers dancing with soft fabrics and yummy textures. I am going to finish the 30's little baby quilt top that was started about 5 years ago first. I also have a stack of hand pieced 12" squares that Jack's mother had done. These are ready to be made into a top. Just need to figure out a sashing and border colors. 

So here begins of a new source of artist expression. I'm sure I had plans for at least half the fabric I have. Those memories are gone and now new ones can take their place. With this passing of time I have changed and who knows what path my fiber arts will take now. 

Oh and Olivia said remember to keep that closet door closed

or your beautiful fabrics will become a cat bed!