Tag Archives: #inspired

Sliced-up centerpiece

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I  discovered this brilliant idea on Pinterest several weeks ago.

Last Tuesday we needed a simple centerpiece for a Board meeting at the office. Here’s my version:

I used one orange for this arrangement. I used a second orange (sliced) by itself in a smaller, square vase. The unanticipated bonus: fresh-cut orange smells lovely! Next time, I might try adding a lemon or lime to the mix for additional color.

File this away in the to-done! bucket 🙂 Woo hoo!

Forgotten UFO’s

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We all need them every now then … a lovely, lazy weekend. This was one such. It’s Sunday afternoon, and I just woke from a most delicious nap. {yawn}. One dog has assumed the position: belly up, feet against the wall, tail flat along the hallway, completely relaxed and sound asleep. The other is curled up at the foot of my bed, occasionally snoring. {bliss}

It seems a bit weird to intrude on the day’s quietness by grabbing my iPad and plinking out a few lines. But you know what they say … striking, hot irons, and all that.
I can hear spring enjoying the afternoon, too. The little house finches, sparrows, chickadees … They are raising a ruckus in the rhododendron outside my window. The wind is taking advantage of the break in the rain and teasing the trees a bit and shadows dance across the far wall. I suppose I’ll have to get up eventually, and go fill the bird  feeder. Did you know, chickadees can be awfully pushy about dinner?
As low-key as it’s been, it’s also been an incredibly productive weekend. Saturday decided to pout. Or pour. Whatever. It bucketed. Which meant no outside chores (woo
hoo!) and the opportunity to putter in my room. I cleaned, purged, organized, and found stuff I forgot I had!
There is the yarn I have finally acknowledged I will never turn into a project bagged and ready to be donated away. The photos FINALLY corralled into an album. A bulging
bookshelf put back into order. The dusting put off too long. And, most importantly, the UFO’s–UnFinished Objects–quilting projects rediscovered. Who knew I had stashed a few in THAT storage cupboard after I moved … six years ago? Or tucked a few away in THAT drawer while I figured out how I wanted to organize my sewing room?
Doesn’t matter, not really. They are found, fondly remembered, and now back on the To-Do list. I’ve neglected my sewing machine for far too long. Quilting is my form of therapy–the creative process, the soothing hum of the machine, the stunning finished products. I love shopping for fabric (especially if it’s to be a gift), listening to what the fabric says it wants to be. I love the whole process. 

Left: a challenge quilt circa 2004, I think.
Middle: a crazy quilt started in 2001 (it’s been tucked away a while)
Right: Round Robin circa 2005. 
Four of the twelve I found that are ready for backing, pinning, and quilting. I’ve challenged myself to finish at least 5 for the Scio Lamb and Wool Fair in May.  

I utterly adore batiks. I spent at least a year collecting fat quarters from different shops all over the state. I think my biggest stash might’ve come from the shop in Newport. I’m pretty sure I started this project in 2004. And I’m pretty sure it’s been tucked away at least 3 years, maybe 4. I am really going to enjoy finishing this one. 


After dinner, I’m off to tame a UFO! 

Breathe. Breathe. Just breathe.

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I have a wonderful collection of generous, brilliant friends. Recently, one of them shared an observation about 3 year olds and time-outs, here.
How fast is Warp 9? What speed comes after that? Whatever speed that is, for about the last 6 months, things in my world have been rocketing along at *that* speed. I’ve been struggling … surfing the wave between excitement about change and projects moving forward and the associated overwhelm of managing a boatload of moving parts.

Mario Andretti is credited with saying, “if everything’s under control, you’re not going fast enough.”

I am SO going fast enough. I acknowledge and own that I’m naturally hard-wired to be a “super-achiever.” At the same time, I’m a firm believer that all you can do is all you can do, and that is all. you. can. do. Some days “all” means more than others. I’m pretty sure I’ve hit the red-line limit of more.

I think I need one of Laura’s time outs. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe. And let the inner, calm adult take the lead.