Thursday, June 3, 2010

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.

21 comments:

  1. Great timing, I just posted a book review today of City Quilts! I love that style of quilts, so it's a wonderful book to own. Love the block you're going to do for your quilting bees! I have been looking for a way to use up some scraps, and I love this block, especially which the gray sashing. My month is August, and I'm still contemplating what to do, so I am going to save this tute. Your moments of contentedness made me feel content too!

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  2. what a nice read as I sit and wait to board the plane that will bring me to share your rain! I am actually looking forward to a few days of rainy portland (we don't get much in so cal). I love quiet moments of contentment and hope you enjoy your glass of wine as well as your quiet time.

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  3. I just read that one of the best ways to know a lot about a person, is how they take a rainy day! I knew there was a lot to like about you, Joan! This is a really nice blog post and since I am in one of your virtual bees, I want to tell you that I am simply "ga ga" over that block. Can't wait!!

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  4. My block swap month is also June and I have gone back and forth trying to decide on a block. I LOVE this one. Those bright colors just pop against the charcoal.

    And I just placed my Amazon order for City Quilts. Hurry, Amazon, hurry...

    We are going to be in triple digits here in the central valley of California. How I envy your nice soft rain. I'm such a Pacific Northwest kind of person. What am I doing here in all this heat?

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  5. I enjoyed that post. I wondered if you used a new camera...? I love the block you chose and the fact that you'll have both bees make them. What a great idea!!
    You're kids are about the same age as my older ones. Quilting has been a big help to me as the kids grow up and move away.

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  6. OSU Is my neck of the woods ;) Yes one good thing about all this rain is the sewing time - at least i don't feel guilty staying inside. Enjoy! The bag turned out great and I love that block.

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  7. Great choice of bee block! Love the dark solid you picked for the contrast, this will be very pretty! I am still trying to decide what to do for my month of the bee. I think I need to test out some blocks, like you did...
    ; )

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  8. Wow...so, sew much going on, Joan. ; ) My dear MIL always says a rainy day is THE BEST sewing day. Enjoy your contentedness. A little piece of bliss. Oh, and with a new quilting book and glass of wine, what could be better?! Hey, I wish my trees grew quilt blocks...that coal Kona works beautifully and makes those fabrics sing!!!

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  9. Joan, The weather in the Northwest.. I miss it! I love the quiet rain and soft breeze! Perfect recipe for quilting all year!
    This summer might be the last summer my two boys are going to be home together too. One is graduating next week from University of Washington and younger one is certain that he will look for a job and stay around Berkeley.
    My girl is left at home but I know that the time is flying by.. The empty nest is a bitter sweet feeling!
    I enjoyed reading your post and I love the block and bag you made!
    Happy sewing!

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  10. I think that I need to come live with you for at least a few days. We are in the busier stage right now!! Good thing though, being busy has kept me from being tempted to enter the giveaway 500 bazillion times...surely you wouldn't have noticed!!! ;0)
    Blessings,

    KT

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  11. Content is such a good place to be! I'm happy for you. :)

    I love the tote; I was looking at buying that pattern and now I'm just going to have to! Your block choice is beautiful; you are going to have a beautiful quilt soon!

    Jennifer :)

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  12. Lovely post! You sound both busy..and blessed! Life is good!

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  13. Joan - it is so like you to give presents when you should be receiving presents for all of your celebrations. Thank you for continuing to share your beautiful quilting projects.

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  14. The bag you made with your daughter is adorable! Sounds like you are keeping plenty busy. :)

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  15. Love the scrap buster block! Need to try it myself - real soon. Are you using coal as the solid color?

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  16. wishing you the gentlest of days to come spent with your family as much as you can and need to!

    beautiful block and you're always such an inspiration!

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  17. I love your Amy Butler tote bag--it's simply beautiful. Your daughter is lucky...
    JANLC56@mac.com

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  18. What a great post, this was my first visit to your blog and I like your style! I've been enjoying the rainy days north of you, we had another one today. The key is to get out and do the things you need to do when it's nice, and then you can enjoy the day when you can look at your mowed lawn and watch it rain!

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  19. WOW! Love the charcoal with the bright little squares. You always make solids seem exciting and versatile. Whenever I see them in a shop I find them half intimidating and half dull. I would love to be brave enough to make a quilt like the one you made with all the blues and greens at the beach house a while ago - I'd be too scared that without pattern all my mistakes would show up much more!

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  20. What a lovely post...it is strange when "life" as we know it is about to change & we move forward to a new phase. Having an empty nest is a big change but it is wonderful to see our children grow & develop. I love the rain...it is a calming sound. Your book looks great!

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  21. I'm with you on the rain. While it is getting a little old, I really love hearing it fall on the tree leaves at night while the bedroom window is open. :) It's nice to have some occasional sun bursts through the clouds, though.

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