I wiped away the weeds & foam. / I fetched my sea-born treasures home... Ralph Waldo Emerson







Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Unfocused



Good evening, friends! It's been a low dark grey and very blustery day today. It is after all, still March. A blogger who often talks about folk sayings and traditions, says for today the rhyme was something like,"windy on this date, windy until May" which pretty much sums it all up. But yesterday was calm and sunny and so warm I could sit out on my deck in a long sleeve tee shirt, jeans, and a fleece jacket. And I saw surfers coming with their boards, albeit in full winter wetsuits, arriving in search of springtime waves [nope, dead calm].


Today was a better, more productive day for me. I finally gave in to the upset and lack of focus I'm feeling, and just worked on this and that, accomplishing more than I have recently. Though yesterday I did clean the cottage's big main open plan room, and all looks quite fresh now.

Because of the changeable weather I don't know what sheets to put upon my bed. I've been using my Christmas gifts sheets all winter---strip the bed, wash and dry and remake. So cozy. But I am thinking this week's Saturday change will be to the lighter weight old velvet flannel in blue and white. These sheets are smoothed with age and can usually remain through May. I do love my flannel sheets! So today I carefully patched the fitted white sheet. Good for another 15 years I hope.


I began a few etsy hearts. If tomorrow  is again warm and sunny I can sit outside to fill these with my lavender mix. (It makes quite  a mess.)


I have darling bunny buttons to add on, too.

Then I got the last two Days blocks ready for their hand sewing and embroidery. Some hand applique, some machine applique, and I marked the words: The December block says Peace.



I chose embroidery floss, and these went into my sewing box for more sunny deck hours.


The October block is more or less finished:





If you look very closely you'll see I had to piece a strip at the top of the main green swirly square. I had to unpick the Moon to do so and much remember to re-affix it too. Yes I was trimming to 10 1/2'' size and cut too close; very relieved I could save it.



The side strips also need trimming. I have forgotten whit my final measurements are. 12 1/3"?


I'm so glad I had this already-in-work project to pick up right now.

And so I started another pick up project, Blackbirds. I prepped the first three very gaudy blocks. The blue velvet is a gift from my thrifting buddy B.


I hope it isn't a disaster. The project is patterned [psychologically] on When the Wild Geese Fly, my fave quilt, one that I made random blocks now and then, and unfocused plan, just something for fun. Fun is needed right now.


Mo supervised carefully, as he always does. Maybe more so; I find him watching me instead of  snoozing, poor little man.


We put on all our layers and went out. Look! Forsythia in March. Joyous.



Tonight's dinner will be omelets and fresh asparagus. Because eggs don't keep forever.





love

lizzy

gone to the beach....















Photos are from last summer, August.








10 comments:

  1. I'm happy you are finding something to settle your mind on. It has been hard. XOXO

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  2. Unfocused is a word I think we are all using right now. Your little projects look like the perfect thing to be tackling right now, you can switch from one to another at a moment's notice. We made a potato-asparagus frittata a few days ago, topped with a bit of home-made salsa, yummy. Love asparagus! Supermarket had spinach this morning, that brightened the day considerably. It has snowed at least part of every day this week, not sticking, just dreary. It clears every night - go figure.

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  3. Yes unfocused is a good word. I do this little "mini" (like four words) crossword every morning on my New York Times app and lately I notice it isn't as easy - my brain is just so distracted with worry. Well your little projects are cute, and it's always an uplift to clean and refreshen the house.

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  4. I am trying to focus and have rare moments when I can lose myself in a project--but that nagging worry is still there in the back of my mind...
    I love those hearts--so "shabby chic" which I love...
    The Halloween cat and heart are so cute--this is a great project ..looking forward to seeing how they come together...

    At least the sun made an appearance this morning--yesterday was totally gloomy!!
    Even Mo looks worried!! Doggies are so sensitive to your moods aren't they?

    We are hoping to sit out on on front patio a bit @ noon if the wind dies down...

    Hugs (stay vigilant) from my mask-making factory here...Julierose

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  5. Loving those blue stars!! Today I'm a blob...lol I have watched 2 episodes of my Baking show, part of a football game and leveled up twice in my games. Next I need to go and pick up my grocery order from the store. Enjoy your deck! Take care. Kit

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  6. Aah, that Forsythia is glorious.
    The additional fabric is barely noticeable on your great October block. November and December are going to be a treat. Hot pink floss with Snowman is inspired!
    Mo in his nesting box is too much. Does he stay there all the time you're sewing? Penny

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  7. Aah, that Forsythia is glorious.
    The additional fabric is barely noticeable on your great October block. November and December are going to be a treat. Hot pink floss with Snowman is inspired!
    Mo in his nesting box is too much. Does he stay there all the time you're sewing? Penny

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  8. The hearts are going to be so cute! Your hearts bring me joy, but also anxiety, as I want ALL of them :)

    Happy to see the October block again. And, the blue velvet stars from Blackbirds are soooo intense, just lovely to look at.

    Wednesday and Thursday here were chilly and blustery, so no walking for me. I was productive yesterday though, even if I did stay in my pajamas all day ;) Watching Bridget Jones Diary for the second time in two days, lol.

    Which sheets did you decide on?

    Stay healthy,

    Kel

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  9. This is a really unsettling time, isn't it, Lizzy. And poor Mo feels it, too. It's good you're getting some projects together. It's always easier for me when I have some things prepared and I don't have to think too much about choices (fabric, colors, the plan, etc.). I love your hearts and I love the fragrance of lavender when putting it into small containers. I used to work at a little gift/plant shop and one of the things the owner asked me to do was take home pounds of dried lavender buds and put them in small bags. By the time I was finished with just one pound everything around me, including me and my clothes, had that wonderful fragrance.
    I hope you continue to be safe from the virus. It looks like poor New York is having a time of it. There are probably too many people to get very far away from it!

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  10. I read this before, didn't realize I didn't leave a comment...

    I love the blue velvet stars on the plaid quilt blocks! So very different! They would be a good addition to a sensory quilt for a child or elderly person, too, but mostly I love how the colors pop!

    The pictures of Mo in your quilt fabric box always make me laugh! He looks like he knows he's getting away with something he's not supposed to do.

    Keep us posted!

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