A Little Stitchin' Time

 I've been working in the fun room.

It been a game of sorting and nixing and did I mention sorting?

I began a pinwheel quilt-top last spring.

I had the pinwheels arranged on the floor.

And there they sat. . . 

all summer!

The garden happened, and that was all there was to it.

Then the garden ran late~

Finally, during the past couple weeks,

I've been able to get back to it.

I finished the quilt-top.

I have to finish the quilt I'm quilting now

which is taking forever.

Then I have another one in front of it,

then I can get to this one.

(before the borders)

As I have been stitching,

I have also been trying to go through things 

and do what I like to call "editing."

I have done plenty of good ol' organizing,

and I have a stack of things to go to donation.

In addition to that, I've been trying to think

of projects to "use up" some fabric.

One of the things I've wanted to do for a long time

is make new ironing board covers.

I have two ironing boards - both vintage/antique.

The covers on both were in dire condition.

The larger board, I use for shirts and household ironing.

The smaller board, I like by my quilting 

for pressing blocks and quilt pieces.

I figured I would make a new cover for the smaller one.

So I gathered some fabric and set out to work.

Well, I didn't feel like measuring and thought I could just wing it.

I thought wrong.

Cheater cheater Punkin eater - never pays.

In this case, it was too big so I went ahead 

and put it on the larger board.

It worked fine but then I still had the smaller board to cover.

Back at it but this time I measured like a good girl.

It looks more "wine" colored than it really is.

Both work great and it cleans up the room that much more

having a couple more pieces of fabric out of the stash

and not having ratty looking ironing boards around.

It's funny how something so simple can render a sense of accomplishment and pleasure in using it.

It's nice to move back indoors for the winter.

Our first flakes fell this morning.

Nothing sticking and I still had to go to work,

but enjoyable to see nonetheless.

By February we will be singing a different tune.

But for now~

the first snowfall is cause for celebration.

Keep well and warm dear friends. 

 

Decluttering ~ the Grand Finale

It's the weirdest thing.

Over the past few years, we've (I've) been on a decluttering mission.

This past weekend, we had hopefully our last ever yard sale.

Well yes, of course it rained.

This time there wasn't as much from the house, 
but primarily the shop and yard.

There still seemed to be a revolving pile in the kitchen near the back door,

then that ever growing pile in the shop.

I know, who would need to declutter the yard?

That be us 😁

We had the snow blower, old lawn mower, the old '49 ford, the tent trailer, the chicken tractor, a motorcycle, and canoe 
as well as the stuff from the shop and house.

Honestly, we didn't make much which was disappointing.

We still have several of those big items that we will have to put on Craigslist.

I was rather hopeful that it would all be gone Saturday.

(It will take multiple trips.)

Even though at this moment, our shop looks like a bomb went off, 

I have the knowledge that those boxes are empty,

 and the plastic bins. . . are empty.

The leftover items are being logged (for taxes) as they go into an empty box,

then loaded and taken to donation.

If there are any boxes left, they can go to recycle.

My mom wants a few plastic bins.

If those remaining are empty, they stack easily.
There is someone who wants to come and look 
at the children's books this week.
Many sold and there are still 3 boxes left if that is any indicator of the volume.

The thing is~

The house looks and feels sooo much cleaner and calmer.
I doubt we'll ever be featured in "Home and Garden," but it's our home,
and it should work for us rather than us working for it.
We are now that much closer.

Even in the shop, there's a more open feeling.

There are empty pockets of space.

Once these left overs are gone and I can park in there again,

it will just be refreshing.

Since moving here nearly 17 years ago, there seems to always be one reason or another keeping us from being able to park in there.

I did get it to the point that I parked in there this winter.

I have just been really surprised at how calming it has been to have gone through e v e r y t h i n g.

There will always be things to go through and keep on top of,

but from here, it seems manageable - more like maintenance mode.
It's not something that happens in a half-hour like on TV.
It has take a few years to actually go through everything.
There are emotional correlations with 'things,' and life doesn't stop 
so we can deal with all the clutter.

I still have some papers to sort through but 
will wait until I can have a fire going.

I'm sure I'll figure out more that can go,

but for now, I'm going to enjoy this calm feeling.

That's really the best word-

just. . . . calm.

It's the weirdest thing.

Taking Notice

Over the course of the past few years, 

I have continually made and effort to work plastic out of our home.

I began with the kitchen since I really didn't want to be eating 

whatever mystery chemicals were being leached from plastic containers.

Some things are easier to replace or do without than others.

I haven't used saran wrap for years, but one of my favorite pitcher bowls

with handle and snap on lid - well,

I still have that.

So it's a slow process, but it is moving forward.

The easiest rooms to unplastic have been the living room,

the main bathroom, and our bedroom.
But it seems there is still some trace of plastic even in each of those.
The computer, the shower curtain, the alarm clock...
I have figured out not to get worked up over such things but just do what I can.
The computer is actually in a closet, so I can shut the door when it's not in use.
The shower curtain is needed and used.
The alarm clock - I would love to do without, but. . . 
Maybe it's just me, but I feel more grounded and relaxed 
in rooms without plastic.
There is a certain "calm" that is present when plastic is absent.  
Maybe it's the modern rush that plastics seem to trigger in our subconscious.
And so. . . .I continue.

Recently, I decided that our bedroom needed some attention.
Of all the rooms where one would want calm and repose, 
this should be up there on the list.
Not that there is a lot, but it's there, 
just hangin' out, sayin' "Hey look at me. Ha! I'm plastic so take that."
How rude!

Doesn't it seem odd how we don't really see what we are used to?
I was straitening up and actually noticed all the plastic in the closet.
Yep, in the closet.
I've de-cluttered the closet (my clothes) before.
It was when Mr LB said we to buy more hangers.
Instead, I went through my clothes and got rid of a bunch.
After that initial purging, it's much easier to get rid of clothes that are stained, damaged, or just don't fit right.
It seems funny now. 
Why was I so afraid to get rid of them?
How ridiculous.
Now even though there are far fewer clothes,
there are still too many and all hanging proudly from white plastic hangers - Ouch!
How did that happen?
The really sad part is a couple years ago when my grampa passed away,
Mom asked me if I wanted their wooden hangers.  
I said no so she took 2 black garbage bags to the thrift shop.
At the time we were getting so much "stuff" we just didn't want more.
The good news is I called the thrift shop.
Patty said, "Come on in.  We'll see what we can come up with."
So I went in and got wooden pant hangers - 
the good sturdy ones!
There were a few regular ones for shirts, which is what I needed most of.
There was also a basket of the ones that were crocheted.

You know the ones.
I asked what she did with them.
She said they usually go in the garbage - so I got them,
knowing what they were.
Once home, I began with the pants.
As I took each pair off the plastic and put it on the "real" hanger,
they gained something.
A couple pairs didn't even go back in the closet.
I don't have fancy, expensive clothes,
but there's dignity in being well cared for.
If I ever get to retire, half the clothes in there will go away.
Until then, I have office clothes and home clothes.

I'm not through the shirts yet, but have already eliminated about half dozen.
What about those crocheted hangers?
Well, I have scissors and have cut the yarn off 
to reveal the treasure hiding within.  
Some of them are wonderful reminders of times past.

It was a little tedious, but they were free so a little tediousness is okay.
I'm grateful for them.
I could go out and buy all new hangers, but I would be out the money and probably wouldn't have the same appreciation for them as I do this way.
Now when I walk in the closet, I notice - really notice.
It's strange how things invade our lives and we don't notice.
More and more, I'm trying to notice those little things and 
create an "intentional environment."
As I do, I take care of whatever it is and gain another level of peace.
That saying (cliche) "A place for everything and everything in its place."
There's wisdom in that.
Peace in it.
We still have a long ways to go, but each step closer lets us know we are headed in the right direction.
The less we have, the easier it is for that to happen.
Even using all these words, 
they seem inadequate to express the feeling I'm after.
But have you ever visited someplace, and upon walking through the door,
you feel like "Ah yes, this is it.  I'm Home."
You feel like you could just pick up your life and live there?
That's how I want our home to feel.

How 'bout you?
Is your home your sanctuary?
Or is it someplace you dwell?
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the matter.

                                    

PS~ About this time of year, I like to put a little cedar oil on a rag and run it along the bar of the closet and the underside of the shelf.  I also take my sweaters and put them in the dryer for a few minutes with a few drops of cedar oil on the dryer balls.

Decluttering Benefits ~ Dos and Don'ts

A few years back, I went through and did what I referred to as 

"cleaned to the corners"

at which time, I did get rid of quite a bit of 'stuff.'

It felt good to know things were clean and in order.

But there was always more.

Since then, we have inherited items from passing grandparents,

been gifted items for holidays, and brought other items 

into our home just by breathing in and out it seems.

Generally speaking, our house hasn't appeared really cluttered

with knick-knacks and dustables, 

but to us it began to feel that way.

A few months ago, a phrase came to me.

I don't know if it's something I once read or if God just put it there,

but

Make room in your life for the things you desire.

And...

it has stuck with me like PB on the roof of my mouth I might add.

Please note, I am not a minimalist (nor a hoarder)

and have no desire to be either.

I don't want to live in a tiny house or only own 100 items.

My canning and food preserving items would make short news of that number.

But like I said, something clicked or resonated.

I began to "look" at items - really seeing them.

I have items from my youth (they aren't either antiques!)

They serve me no purpose, and I just keep them packed.

Why?  Because that's what I've always done.

I had middle school year books from before we moved out of state.

I don't even know those people, but I've packed those books around

for however many years.

They simply went in the garbage.

My high school year books, I didn't want to just throw away.

Within a week of getting them out, I ran into a classmate

I hadn't seen in a long time.

He was a transfer-in about our junior year so I asked if he would like them.

He was thrilled.  He said his ex-wife had taken his.

That's just one example of many.

I now have space between my clothes, several empty shelves

in the kitchen cupboards, as well as more floor space, and only enough 

books to fit in the bookcase.

A couple of scenes of the

"during" stage.

You'll be glad to know,

it no longer looks like this.

So what is so remarkable about all this?

Think for a moment if you will about how many organizing and cleaning

solutions you routinely encounter in the way of products, books, magazines, containers, paid professionals, etc.

When you have only the things you love and use,there really is no organizing to do other than keeping like with like.

(Clothes in the closet, food in pantry and so forth.)

Things just seem to fall into place.

Clothes make it onto hangers or into drawers,

dishes get done and put away, surfaces are clean,

and within, there is a peace that is difficult to explain.

The never-ending and foreboding to-do list gets such a haircut,

it's the whole "weight off your shoulders" cliche.

Picture a counter top piled with stuff.  If your mission is to wipe off the counter,

all of that stuff must first be dealt with.

Now picture a cleared counter top and think how easy it is to wipe it off

with the damp towel as you go to throw it in the hamper.

That's the difference physically, mentally, and emotionally.

If you're having troubles getting rid of certain things 

you know you don't need, try asking yourself,

"If I had a friend who lost everything and I knew he/she wanted it,

would I give it to him/her?"

If yes, then deep down, you are really okay with letting it go - for free even.

If you sell it for even a fraction of it's worth, you are doubly ahead.

One other thing that is often promoted in books about decluttering

is that if you are undecided about something,

put it in a box and if after 6 months you haven't opened the box

then get rid of it.

Do not try this!

It will just become a box of clutter and it won't bring you peace because, 

you will dread the day you have to decide weather or not to get rid of it.

If there is truly an item you are undecided about, set it on the kitchen table.

It will be there with you at every meal so you will really have to 

recognize your ownership of it.

If you love it, you will keep it.

If you don't, it will go and you will be okay with it because

you made that decision.

You will be at peace, because you have made the decision

and don't have to dread making it 6 months from now.

 If you are feeling like you are up against road blocks, look around.

Are you making room in your life for the things you desire?

Mr. LB and I have goals and things we enjoy both together

and as individuals.  Removing the barriers allows us to focus

more thought, energy, resources, and time on those things we deem important.

We had a huge yard sale this weekend (it poured all day.)

I have a car full of things to go to the bargain counter.

There are some larger items still out in the shop.

Mr. LB asked if I wanted a couple of the things back in the house.

It was hard not to yell "NO!"

It's all going one way or another.

Some decisions have been more difficult than others,

and I still have a few more things to go through,

but it's manageable and doesn't seem so overwhelming.

Now our house can breath, and 

we too can breath.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches 

House Keeping made Simple - Thanks to Grandma

It's the oddest thing.

We plan our retirement (hopefully,) our travel, our special events,

our gardens, and so many other things, 

but honestly, when was the last time you heard or read

about a house keeping plan?

I realize I'm a minority, 

but I enjoy reading about house-keeping, cleaning, decluttering and the like.

There is a ton of information that suggests

how often to clean various items

and methods by which to clean them.

My issue has always been. . .when?

Finding the time to stay ahead of the spider webs and dust bunnies

can be challenging.

I've considered an 'Adams Family' style decor,

but it's just not me.

Image Source

That being the case, like many others,

I have struggled at times continually just to keep up

until I found a plan that is finally working.

Is our house spotless?  Hahaha, I should be a comedian.

Is it livable and improving?  Yes.

Credit goes in part to our grandmothers and great-grandmothers.

Do you remember those dish towels with days-of-the-week

chores embroidered on them?

Monday - Laundry

Tuesday - Iron

Wednesday - Sew

Thursday - Market

Friday - Clean

Saturday - Bake

Sunday - Rest

These days and chores were pretty much set, and

few deviated from them.

I've seen them so many times, they have become simply nostalgic.

I still have an elderly friend who does his laundry on Mondays, 

because that's what his mom always did and taught him to do.

If you look into it more,

there were some entertaining reasons behind

why they did certain chores on set days.

But that in itself would make a very long post

so I won't add it here.

However, beyond the nostalgia is really brilliance.

This is what makes it simple.

I had to play around with it a bit until I came up with what works for me.

Monday - Iron (I still do, some folks don't)

Tuesday - Dust & do Floors (upstairs)

Wednesday - Porcelains (tubs, toilets, sinks ~porcelains just sounds nicer)

Thursday - Laundry

Friday - Dust & do Floors (downstairs)

Weekend - Free

To explain my reasoning and why this works for me,

let me start with laundry.

I can't seem to relax having full baskets of dirty laundry hanging around.

Since I am at work all day, I start it Thursday morning

and might not finish until Friday.

I am evidently okay with not having the ironing part of laundry done

until Monday - at least it's clean.

The weekend is when others are most likely to be at our house

so dusting and doing floors downstairs on Friday works well in that aspect.

Then I just filled in the blanks.

I don't have set chores for the weekends on purpose.

Part of what makes this so simple is that there are 6 days of the week

that I don't even think about laundry, or which ever one.

It's like knowing your paycheck is direct-deposited on the 1st of the month.

You don't have to worry about getting the check,

trying to make it to the bank before it closes,

or thinking about banking holidays & when/if you can get there on time.

It's a plan.

It just happens.

It creates that guidance we need so we are not just going at it helter-skelter. 

Examples:

By the time you decide to look at the floors,

they are so sticky they pull your socks off.

Or the pile of laundry is so massive in order to move it,

it would take one of those strong men who can pull buses full of bricks.

Often times, we set ourselves up for failure.  

I would rather set myself up for success.

The days of the week are pretty reliable.

They haven't changed much in the last couple hundred years.

If I don't get the dusting done upstairs, not to worry.

I will have another Tuesday in just 6 more days.

Identify what needs to be done regularly and give it a day.

That's it.

Then allow yourself some grace.

It's okay to be human once in a while.

There will still be daily chores like dishes, and every so often chores

like cleaning out the fridge, but those are a lot less daunting if

they are not in addition to a long list of other chores.

So go ahead and embroider your dish towels.

You'll know it's laundry day when you are on your last towel.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

~Sentimental Clutter~(before and after)

Being the nostalgic one of the clan,

plenty of items seem to come this direction.

For the most part, I am really grateful.

Over the past couple years though,

I have been on a mission to declutter.

It has been getting better and better.

It's when it comes to family items

that I tend to struggle.

My Uncle Joe passed away about 20 years ago.

Somehow, two foot stools he made ended up here.

They have been moved from one spot to another

gathering yet another layer of dust and debris with each shift.

Fiiiiiiinally!

I have come to the point that these things

(not just the foot stools)

need to either be used or move on.

My memories of him do not center around these foot stools.

He was a kind man, but I think he would call me foolish

for feeling like I had to keep them as I have.

These two little gems are not identical.
(I only got a picture of one at a time.)

The legs are different and were evidently covered

let's see...maybe 1972???

What would your guess be?

I decided to pull the rusty floral off and recover them.

We don't have much white in the house

and would probably use these in the living room

so I applied dark walnut stain to the painted legs.

Stain over paint (low sheen) created a very suttle look.

One has a plain wooden top that will need to be recovered;

however, the other was a suprise.

It had a finished black top.

After regluing the legs that were loose,

I decided I liked that one just as it was.

Imagine, they have been floating around the shop

for a good ten years at least,

and all it took was about ten minutes to have a wonderful

usable foot stool.

After regluing the legs, it is sturdy enough to stand on.

I really just want to use it while sitting in my chair,

but I also like the idea of sturdy.

I suppose the real point to all of this is,

if you have something that you are saving to pass down

to someone, maybe see if they want it now.
Items that are stored for decades are not being appreciated.

If I would have been offered my great-great grandmother's

entire dishes set when I was needing dishes,

I might have enjoyed them.

Now that I have inherited them, I don't need them

but feel obligated to have them.

(Any ideas on that one would be appreciated:)

My latest goal is...

I want it all gone by the time I die.

I hope it's not "things" that I am remembered for,

but life and love.

How nice would that be for my kids - 

just to have the essentials to deal with when I'm gone.

Ma's dentures, coffee cup, and quilt.

Pitch the dentures.  Argue over who gets the cup and quilt - done.

I know it's not that simple,

but I'll keep trying.


PS: I liked the black top on the one foot stool so well,
I decided to do the other top black so they will sorta match.

Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

~Tying Up Those Loose Ends.... & Some Super Glue~

I think I am ready for 2013

to be a page in the past.

The day after Christmas,

I was taking a plate from the shop fridge to the compost pile

which should have been done long ago.

Being careful not to get any of that compostable stuff on me,

I slipped on the ice, went splat & broke the plate to boot.

Not long after the slip,

I went to add a log to the fire & burnt a knuckle.

Yesterday, the all-star match between 

my paring knife and me ended with the paring knife

being named champion.

I still have my finger - it stopped at the bone.

Mr. LB grabbed the super glue he prefers
which is the liquid.  I prefer the gel.
By the way, you should keep this in your first aid kit.
It's the same thing as skin adhesive.
The glue ran down my finger and glued my wedding ring
to my finger as well as to my other fingers.
I immediately pulled my fingers apart,
and it took a little bit before I got my ring to spin,
but there will be no removing it to clean it
until my finger heals.

So, onward and upward...

The good news is that Mr. LB & I treated ourselves

to a wonderful day of skiing.

And you will be so proud of me.

I am no longer just a green circle; I am a blue square!

Not a good one, but one nonetheless.

(Mr. LB is a black diamond)

In case you don't ski, those are the levels of difficulty of the slopes.

Mr. LB was born with skis on~ my poor mother-in-law.

The other fun and yes, I do realize that I am the only one 

who would qualify this as fun, is that I have been doing 

more de-cluttering.

We have had or have been a part of 3 yard sales in the past 4-5 years,

and we will be having another this spring.

I cleaned out and am still sorting through a room full

of 'goodies' that have never really had a home.

You know...THAT room.

I also cleaned out (de-cluttered:) the refrigerator.

I know it doesn't sound like fun, but it is so nice when

I open the door, and it sparkles back at me.
Honestly, how many open jars of jelly does one fridge need?

One would think it should look like

"Sanford & Son" around here, but surprisingly,

it is the fact that I take a bag to the bargain counter

nearly every week & have the stack started

in the shop for the yard sale

that keeps it all under control.

If you have not been there yet,

there is an amazing blog in my sidebar

Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth.

Jes has a fabulous and seemingly endless

supply of both knowledge and resources on the topic

of home and home organization.

Every home has its own character, and

there are so many ways that folks make it all work.

She has a way of simplifying it and

making it beautiful all at the same time. 

I am hoping to start 2014
on a slightly more organized footing~
in order to keep it simpler and
enjoy the harmony that nature provides,
and we humans mess up.
I don't make new year resolutions,
but I do have ongoing goals.
One of my goals at the moment is
PRIORITIZE.
A few things to prioritize:
stuff vs. space
relationships (enriching vs. draining)
time vs. events/obligations
sanity vs. rushing
health vs. convenience
There are probably more.
Feel free to add your own to the list.

I am looking forward to closing the books on 2013.
So to each of you, I wish a very blessed and prosperous
2014

Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches