Archives for September 2019

Sketching

September 17, 2019 Esty Shop Notices

You know, I really do like to sketch. Often times it’s hard for me to do. Between taking care of animals on the farm, taking care of my dad, homeschooling, driving my son around, etc, sitting in a place where I can sketch is difficult. (Finding time to sew has been even more so. It’s easier to carry a sketch pad around than a sewing machine.)

I just needed some time to draw lately. Self care is not something that comes easy to me. Sitting in a salon is more stress for me than it is relaxing. Nothing wrong with it. I just can’t do it and be expected to relax. Crazy, right?

It’s ok though. I’ve learned that spending time in my sewing room or with my sketch pad is my self care. That’s what relaxes me.

Expect to see some new digital art in my etsy shop. 😉

What is it that you love?

September 12, 2019 Homesteading

I was out doing the usual perimeter walk with my LGD and was thinking how much I loved spending that time with her. Her goats follow along on our walks. I have a tendency to pause and take a deep breath of the fresh country air and allow my heart fill with gratitude for this life. Yes, it is hard work. Yes, there are challenges beyond imagination.

Do we have everything we want? No. Do we have everything we need? By the grace of God, yes. I could spend my time worrying about it I will be ready when my goats give birth for the first time. Or what do I do if those swirling clouds become a tornado. Or if we will ever figure out why our water pressure sometimes goes down to a trickle. Or… Well, you get my drift. There’s a lot to worry about.

But there is so much more to love about my life for which I am grateful. And God has my worries. So, what is it you do that makes you pause and just be grateful? Do you pause to be grateful? If you don’t then I challenge you to take a moment and think about all the things in your life that just make you happy. N

Design Wall

September 11, 2019 Thoughts about Quilting

There are many way to create a design wall. Today, I will share with you my personal favorite.

What you will need:

Foam Insulation Board
Batting, or neutral solid flannel or fleece
Glue or tape
Command strips

Go to Lowe’s or Home Depot or any of those construction type DIY stores and buy insulation foam board. Buy enough to cover the wall space you want to use for your design wall. Go cheap. You are not using it for insulation — that’s what your fabric stash is for.

Next buy cheap cotton batting – low loft – enough to over the foam boards. (Fuzzy fabric will work too – like flannel or fleece, but the color should be solid/neutral.)

Cover the foam boards with the batting and wrap it around to the back of the foam board. Use tape or glue to stick it to the back of the foam board. If you used glue, then wait until dry.

Then, use the command strips and stick the red side to the back of the insulation board. Line the covered foam insulation board where you want it to be on the wall and stick. (Essentially, follow the directions for the command strips – the only difference will be that the red side sticks to the foam insulation board.) Hold there for the recommended amount of time.

Viola! Design Wall!!

The nifty thing about using the foam insulation board is that you can stick pins in it. Sometimes we work on big quilts and they need a little help staying put on a design wall.

I love mine and so does my son. Just saying.

Happy Quilting!

Young Chicken Eggs

September 9, 2019 Homesteading

My chickens are now 6 months old. They started laying eggs about 1 month ago. The eggs started out small in size and are now getting to be the size of a large egg.

The egg shells are hard, which is good. That tells me the chickens are getting a good amount of calcium in their diet.

The one thing that is entertaining us recently is the quantity of double yokes. This is the first we have gotten so many.

Double yokes occur when the chicken releases 2 yokes too close together to build the calcium based outer shell.

Love my chickens. Their rooster, however, is well, a rooster.

Enjoy your chickens,

Sewing Room Remodel

September 5, 2019 Thoughts about Quilting

Hey everyone!

The sewing room is finally to a usable state!! I am creating curtains for our new abode in my new room. Though some of my tools are still in a box somewhere. (Moving seems to be never ending – especially, the unpacking!)

Along with sewing, the new space doubles as a classroom for homeschooling. I threw in my treadmill, because why not? Running while surrounded by fabric – yes, please! My home office is set up in the same room as well. (Yes, the room is huge!)

We still need to finish the ceiling and install the trim. All that can be done while the room is being used. The ceiling is just ceiling tile and the trim is cut and painted outside in the garage, and then nailed into place.

I installed some temporary shelves for all my fabric in the spacious closet. There’s room for tons more shelving.

This new space is amazing! Lighting, with which I can see. Floors that are easy to maintain! If thread trimmings fall to the floor (which it inevitably does), I just sweep. Although, I need a cover for my window well. I came down yesterday and was greeted by 6 frogs.

I love homestead life – lots of work but so much to enjoy (including the little ribbiters staring at me as I sew)!

Happy sewing everyone! My next topic will be design walls, because I love mine and I need to share!