Moments of contentment

Things are always changing, and there will be lots of changes around here in the months ahead.  My daughter is home for the summer, my son is about to move to the beach house and work on the coast for the summer.  I am changing my job responsibilities and office location in July, my husband will be the principal of a different elementary school for the next school year, and I will really have an empty nest in the Fall when both kids go back to school -- one back to Multnomah Bible College and one will transfer to Oregon State University.  I don't mind change (fresh starts are kind of nice), and I actually like a crazy, busy schedule, but I just got home from work and realized I may have the house to myself for the next few hours.  I am enjoying some quiet moments of calm, reflection, and contentedness.

I probably shouldn't feel that way.  My house certainly needs attending do -- dishes in the sink, quilting supplies EVERYWHERE, piles of mail.... And it's raining.  Again.  More rain than usual this year.  Everywhere I go, people are complaining about the weather.   I just smile and keep quiet.  Sitting here by the window right now I can hear the gentle rain, smell the freshness, feel a slight coolness, and see plants bursting with blooms and trees thick with leaves.  Everything is so lush and green right now.  I love sunny days as much as the next person, but I certainly enjoy the benefits of the rain. And it's great sewing weather.

I'm also feeling pretty content that I completed a sewing project with my daughter over the weekend.  She told me she wanted to make a tote bag and I found a great Amy Butler on sale -- the Swing Bag.  Molly and I picked out the fabrics together at Fabric Depot.  The pattern was very easy to follow -- even for someone like me who doesn't do much sewing other than quilts. We both love it.

Next I'm going to tackle a zipper while making a gathered clutch for a Flickr swap group that Penny of Sew Take a Hike graciously invited me to join.  I think I can, I think I can, I think I can....  Sign ups end June 10, so hurry on over to the swap group on Flickr and join us!

Having a swap project ready to send off to a secret partner brings a wonderful feeling of contentment and accomplishment, especially when you find just the right little bag for wrapping.  Hmmm, who will be the recipient of my Good Folks hexies?

I am also feeling very content about deciding on a block for each of my online quilting bees (my months are June for one group and August for the other).  I'm going to have each bee group make the same blocks and combine them into one quilt.  I chose the fabulous scrapbuster block from a tutorial by Little Miss Shabby. Here is my first block:

And to top off my late afternoon solitude and contentment, I received a package from Amazon containing the long awaited...

This calls for a glass of wine.

With wishes, true and kind -- Joan

PS -- the giveaway is still going on through Monday night.