I'm still full up with this head cold, and it's made me slow down a lot.
Slowing down is something I need a refresher course in on a regular basis, so I'm thanking the Lord for grounding me this past sneezy, croaky week and for however long it continues.
Slowing could also describe simplifying if you looked inside my sewing space. I put this fat quarter of "Wiltshire Daisy" fabric aside a little while ago with the idea of using the floral in one piece, no cutting or patchwork - just letting it shine.
Feeling the need to freshen the living room with 'spring' I
chose to sit down with my tissues and numerous hot cups of tea to create my vision of a simple vintage style cushion
cover.
After fusing cotton quilt wadding behind the fat quarter I hand quilted around the five floral sprays with Perle 12 thread.
This 30 minute task took about 120 minutes because I was watching one of those 90's disaster movies at the time (Sudden Impact) and being interrupted by frequent sneezes so my head was bobbing up for extended periods.
When the quilting was done I sewed an envelope back and added a French seam around the four sides to enclose the raw edges.
The resulting sweet vintage effect was just what I'd hoped for.
Simple, yeh? In style and in the making.
Love it.
Just as this cold kicked in last week my precious 16 month old granddaughter Frankie was released from hospital after four days of a mystery illness. She'd had an extremely high temperature and needed constant monitoring, though the doctors were at a loss to find the cause. Aisha stayed at the hospital with her and waited for her little girl's fever to subside over those four long days, but then just as the doctors were preparing to do a lumbar puncture her temperature began to drop - praise God!
Once they were sure she was stabilising Aisha was allowed to take her home with strict instructions to keep her away from other people in case this was just the start of something else.
Now they've both got bad colds and needing even more rest.
As a get well gift I thought I'd use a new little stitchery I'd done a few weeks back as the centre of a small quilt for Frankie's dollies.
Again, I chose a simple display because children love simplicity, which is why toddlers are more interested in playing with the wrapping paper on Christmas Day than their gifts. All seven of my babies were like that, and when Frankie was here in July I discovered she is just the same.
So a bunch of 3" squares plus the stitchery became a quilt for Frankie's beloved dollies to share...
It's already posted and on it's way down south to put a smile on her angel face.
We'd love it if you'd pray for her full recovery please? xx
Do you find yourself delaying the making of gifts for your family, or never feel you have enough time to create a fresh home display from your stash?
Simplify.
More and more this year I'm drawn to simplicity when it comes to making for the home or gifts for those I love.
Next year you'll see even more simplicity in my decor because I feel most relaxed and content when things aren't fussy, and as I'm slowly sorting through the contents of our house this spring it's becoming easier to let go of all those knick knacks and excesses because of the contentment growing in my heart.
As a very visual person with a touch of life-long organisational OCD, having 'free' space around my home, and areas that don't crowd me in, is soothingly therapeutic. I think more clearly, breathe calmly, and my spirit lifts.
But you know, some people thrive in clutter. I'm not one of them but I know people who are, and really, it comes down to knowing what gives you a peaceful state of mind.
Have you thought much about that?
Well, I must be off to hunt down a fresh box of tissues and pour another glass of fresh veggie juice...I've expended as much energy as I can today. Rest, simplify, slow down...bliss.
Have a lovely day,
