wisdom of a 6 year old

The days seem to be picking up speed.  And as they seem to pass by more quickly, my "to do" list seems to be growing.  After the kids went to bed yesterday evening, I was feeling a bit sorry for myself.  You know, when you would like to sit down and read the newspaper or sip a little tea and relax- but instead, you clock in for the "night shift".  Last minute laundry before the next day.  Readying the lunch boxes and the coffee pot for the morning to come. Picking up toys, lots of picking up.  Cleaning out the car from the day's journey. Loading the dishwasher with dinner dishes.  There is something a bit satisfying about doing work that doesn't get undone in the next minute (because all the undoers are sleeping).  But also, it can be a bit lonely.

As I was organizing backpacks with necessary items for the next day and fretting about all the tasks that still lied ahead of me- I found this paper tucked inside Emma's pack.

Can you read it?  It says Peace is _______.  Her idea of peace was "being".  It made me stop and think. I wonder where she learned that?  I certainly am not a very good example.  What a profound thought coming from a sweet little 6 year old.  She unknowingly blessed me in that moment.  I have much to learn from her. 

Hope that you have a little "being" in your day today.

broccoli bag

Remember this bag?  Well, sadly- I have still been carrying it around.  Do you know how horrible it looks with my black wool coat?

Everyday when I fetch it from the hooks by the door I think, "ugh- I really need to make a new bag."  But I was struggling to find some inspiration. This thought of a new bag has been intensifying as I look forward to a girl's weekend away in the big city.  Overnight.  Shopping.  So, what's a country mouse to do?  

For a long time I have loved this. 

So I made this:

(This bag was so difficult to photograph on such a gray day.  I finally had a measure of success after I hung it from the dining room chandelier)

The pattern is found here.  I modified the straps.  The bag body is made out of wool, the applique from wool felt.  I am in love with the fabric that I used to make the straps.  It's made from silk linen and came from a skirt that I picked up at Goodwill.  (It was a size 2...the lady at the counter looked at me like, "yeah right lady!") 

When they woke up this morning, I proudly showed the girls what I had made.  Hannah bluntly blurted out, "Looks like broccoli to me" and returned to her cereal.  Emma agreed in a disinterested sort of way and of course Laurel copies whatever anyone else says, "Boccy" she giggled.  They are usually so encouraging!?! 

Better don't you think?

Quilting Along

So 3 weeks ago Amanda had this great and very generous idea to host a "quilt-a-long".  I have been itching to try making a quilt, and couldn't resist this opportunity for week-by-week help and inspiration.  After 3 weeks of procrastination/fear and fussiness over fabric- I jumped in. 

Square from Week One

 

Square from Week 2

Square from week 3

I am using fabric from my stash- which is hard for me.  I would rather have gotten new...but for the first go around- using old scraps will have to work.  My background color will not be uniform as the directions suggested. Instead, I have a little collection of vintage sheets which will hopefully give it some character.

What I have learned: I hate measuring.  Linen is squirmy on the cutting mat. Lots of thread tales to trim! I really rely on pictures in the directions.  I could never be an architect.  It was easier than I expected (especially the triangles).  Perfectly matching corners are not that important to me :)  Making a quilt is really not so overwhelming.  One square at a time.