Our theme this year, CHAOS TO CONTENTMENT!!! I don't know about anyone else, but I have lost my way lately. No drive, no ambition, no love of what I'm doing. I "think" it has to do with being in a constant state of OVERWHELM! I have not managed time well and wind up with crunch projects -which are never fun. I've packed my list of "want to accomplish this month" so full that when surprises pop up that are either fun or an emotional wipeout - there is no chance of completion and then a sense of failure sets in. Ugh. After much thought on this and a great deal of chatting with the lady in the mirror - I've come up with this theme for 2025. If you didn't get a chance to check out the post explaining it all --- here is the LINK to the initial post. I'm looking forward to the direction this can take us all, but especially myself, if I give it a fair shot. Sometimes stepping out of comfort zones is challenging, but it almost always allows for growth. For the month of April, I am continuing the purge. I have made great progress, but have so much more to do. What are your plans? I'm feeling closer and closer to that contentment that is so elusive sometimes. After a girls trip at the beginning of the month, it's back to selling and making progress. I can do it.
Now, if you are new to this blog, you may be asking, "just what is a monthly update?" I decided long ago that I just can't keep up with blogging daily. I just can't. Sooooo, what happens is I document each day in my life within one post and if something special happens, a separate post takes place. See, you can stay caught up with a once a month check and then, if you're interested, see the other posts too. It's a great system for me. There will be links throughout this update that go to related posts of MINE. They will open in a new window so that you can keep your place here. Just click on the hyper-links if you wish. There are NO ADS. Never have had them, don't intend to start unless my whole world gets turned upside down.
In years past, I have set goals for each month that I NEVER was able to reach. However, I NEED that guideline to follow, so I will continue to do that simply to keep myself on track. UFO mode is still a part of my life and I have set a definite budget for fabric in order to not create more things sitting around for "someday." The "hopeful attempts" will change each month and will always show up at the bottom of the update if you read that far - and they are joined by links to the previous monthly updates for the year.
Now, grab a cuppa and sit back for a fun read and perhaps a new idea or two. (P.S. I format on a computer, so if you are reading on a phone, well sometimes the pictures will be before or after the story. It is what it is.
1st - When I lived in Montana, April pretty much signified Spring. It's a bit different here when we do Dallas Blooms in February and March, but . . . . still kind of springish.
Well, a new month and perhaps new focus can happen. Here is the UFO number for this month and for me that is a quilt called Sandcastles. This is my second attempt to work on it during a UFO month. Will I be able to this time? Time will tell.
Getting ready for a trip always means the same set of chores need to happen. People will spend the night before we leave town, thus first up is cleaning of the guest room.
It was followed by the paying of bills, a trip to the post office, grocery shopping for Mister, and making sure all required paperwork is printed and ready for the trip. Yep, a busy day.
2nd - I found more items to put up for sale yesterday and did the photos before packing everything up for a few months. THAT tells you how on the move I am going to be. After that, let the cleaning continue.
3rd - Packing has commenced. I'm doing it in stages and have truly spread out.
Oh - you want the full scene --- here ya go.
The girls start arriving and this event is underway. I have a
Pre-Night & Day 1 LINK for your entertainment. Mister goes to dinner with us at Ephesus, a Turkish restaurant here in Dallas. Family platter time.
Gwen is re-packing, of course. You go girl.
4th - And we're off --- so much info in the link from yesterday. Check it out.
5th - We are off and running again today and here is the
Day 2 LINK. Seriously, we try and fill these days to the max. If we wanted to just sit around, we could stay home.
What do you think of this? I am on the fence.
6th - It's another fun-packed, very full day on the road, but we make it to AZ. Here is the
Day 3 LINK to peek in on all we do and perhaps answer some questions you might have about these pictures.
7th - Arrival at retreat has happened and it's lovely. Honest. Here is the
Days 4 & 5 LINK to share in the fun and adventures that always take place.
I'm set up --- not sure if the mojo came along or not, but the opportunity is here.
8th - We're adventuring around Carefree today -- make sure to check out yesterday's link as it has all the beauty of a great desert garden and then some.
Some fiber fun was discovered.
9th - We're all out together today - starting with breakfast and then onto some shopping before we go different directions in the afternoon. How about a
Day 6 LINK to help you keep up?
Quilted Bear or, as my receipt shows A Quilted Country Bear.
I love these aprons, but only one was in stock - therefore, I only bought one.
Mulqueen is up next and my previous experience with them wasn't top notch, but it was online and a different location. In we go.
Fabric for a new grocery tote came home with me. That's it.
At this point, a few of us wanted to play tourist and headed off to Arizona Falls.
AND the Phoenix Art Museum
We're here to see a firefly exhibit and I LOVED it. All the info is in the link.
While there, we were able to check out a fashion exhibit as well. There were so many more than shown here, please go see the post.
The Other Quilt Shop is next - no purchases for me.
Ending the day, we tour another retreat house and are able to pick some lemons and grapefruit to keep.
Dinner out happens for a few of us - the others ordered delivery.
10th - I've been so excited for this morning ever since I started working on this trip. Here is the
Day 7 LINK we you can come up, up, and away with us plus much more.
In the afternoon, more shopping. Mad B's is a stop.
I keep it to a few patterns. Good girl (as she pats herself on the back).
Unfortunately, we are leaving in the morning and everything is packed up. Fortunately, everything is packed up and we have a swimming pool. Hello . . . .no brainer.
My treasures from this retreat.
11th - The return journey begins today and here is the
Day 8 LINK to all the fun stuff we manage to find today. Yep, still out exploring.
Montezuma's Castle
We met the artist who created this sculpture. How cool is that?
The evening got a little sketchy ---- too funny.
12th - It's the last full day of our grand adventure and we've filled it up once again. This
Days 9 & 10 LINK will let you share in all of the fun and learn some stuff along the way. I know, I know -- educating against peoples will - it's what I do.
Ice Cave.
Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo.
13th - Dang it anyway - I have to say good-bye to Sherri for today's leg. She is turning south, back to San Antonio.
Gotta do the thing - Buccee's
I think I'm ready to be home. Missing my sweetheart.
And we're back --- it was a WONDERFUL, adventure filled trip and I am already wanting to plan another one. Good-byes are said and everyone is on their way to their respective abodes.
Mister takes me to On Rotation as a welcome home. Gotta love this man of mine.
14th - It's just a recovery day. I need one - honest. I have no idea how many miles I drove, but it was quite a bit more than I am used to. Happy to do it, but ready to just relax.
15th - yep, yep, yep - I'm working hard today - scrolling. I do the laundry and get things ready for another trip in a few days.
16th - It's a driver's license kind of day. I have an 8:15 a.m. appointment and believe it or not, I'm back out of the building by 8:30. I'm in shock - yes, I got there a bit early, but still . . .
Trying to get the sale items organized once again. I want it all photographed and ready when I'm able to work it.
Love that the Japanese Maple in the backyard is in it's glory right now.
17th - The time at home was short-lived. I am off to Utah to offer help and support to my daughter. Here is the
Days 1-3 LINK fi you want to peek in. It's a DART morning as Mister has to work.
Downtown Dalls
Its the first time I've noticed all of the yellow roses at DFW. I don't understand how unless they are new.
Away I go -
Two of the grands present a puppet show for Cass and I. Talk about cute.
Soccer games for the evening - O first
18th - Packing and shopping and just having a second set of hands. Trying to help in anyway I can.
19th - More games and more packing and more stuff. M's game.
Alpacas near the soccer field.
Easter Egg hunt in the neighborhood.
Finish up with some decorating of said Easter Eggs. I cooked about 5 or 6 dozen this mornng.
Yep, even I participated.
Girls in the dresses, sweaters, and sandals I got for their gift.
I managed to get selfies with each one -- a record, I think.
Best I can do with the boys in their shirts.
21st - Still more packing and life. I've got a
Days 5-8 LINK for ya.
Soccer for M
22nd - Dance for M
While packing up things, we came across this quilt that I made AGES ago. It was the first and only puff quilt for me.
M has a play late this afternoon and does great!
We end the night with a trip to the library. It's been a day.
23rd - Chaperoning a school field trip with my grandson is today's event. We're at the aquarium.
Afternoon park time while Cass coaches a soccer practice.
24th - It's my fly home day. Mom has had some health issues while I've been here and I need to get to Montana next.
25th - I was not even home for 24 hours and am back at an airport, heading to Montana. I haven't taken a single sewing project with me. Here is the
Days 1-6 LINK. It seems like this is all I do. Going through Seattle tonight.
26th - Montana morning - complete with a visitor. Mom was released from the hospital yesterday and we're working through things today.
27th - Mister and I get a chance to go into town for coffee and a peek at how the bridge is coming along.
28th - Even in these crazy times, Mister remembers to start the birthday season. Love that man so much.
29th - Just busy doing day to day life with Mom and keeping her company through the days.
30th - Regular life going on, but more birthday cards. He's helping to keep me sane and on an even keel.
We went to our great-nephews t-ball game and had so much fun just doing a simple thing. Great-niece was pretty fun as well.
And that pretty much wraps up April. I spent nine nights at my house and am feeling it. 2025 is not the best year for our family in so many ways, but in other ways, there are some definite positive changes happening. We'll get through this year, but it will be a struggle. Don't expect too much from me -- it is what it is. I'll try and get beyond the trials and still function, but no promises are being made. The mojo just isn't there.
Hello May! It's one of my favorite months - no idea why. There are times when chaos seems to be swirling all around us and finding some peace and contentment seems impossible. I have discovered that it is still possible to find those moments of control - which lead to peace and contentment. My plan is to continue finding those moments this month. It's not always chaos around us, but within us. Chillin' is the plan - at least now and then.
Thank you for reading this far. If you made it here, kudos to you. Hope you have a great month and find a way to bring joy into your life. Stay creative Y'all.
I've tried to make a COMPLETE list here so that I have only one place to look it all up. I apologize in advance for the boring nature of this to y'all, but it helps me. I've made quite a few category changes this year - anything to help stay on top of things.
Projects ready to quilt by me:
Ruby Jubilee - Loaded on frame and ready to quilt
Sophie-Claire -
UFO's to finish: *means on UFO Monthly Challenge sheet
*Alphabet project from MSQC 2022 -
Second Half Moon Rising project from MSQC 2022 -
BAD blocks as leader/enders -
*Rhododendron Trail -
*Sandcastles - set, backing, label, binding, quilt and bind
*Midnight Flight -
*Daybreak -
Row by Rows -
*Rachel's Sewing Room - quilt borders and attach all parts
*Desert Sky -
Ruby Jubilee -
*Feathered Star BOW -
*Scrap Crystals -
*Orca Bay -
*Periwinkle Squared - MSQC 2022
Halloween quilt with Jen -
MSQC quilt 2024 -
MSQC table runner 2024 -
MSQC wall hanging 2024 -
Sew Sampler Projects -
Dopp kit
Current Projects:
Dear Jane -
One Block Wonder -
Looking Through the Lattice -
Periwinkle Squared -
Ingrid's Flowers -
Enchanted Christmas -
Teapot blocks -
Attic Windows -
Woolie Mats -
New for this year:
Penguin Mug Rugs
Ruler Wrap
Yoyo Pillow
More Rope Trees
Joanna Bag
301 Boxy Tote
Mountain Saddle Bags
Double Flip Bags
Charade Purses
UFO Handwork Items:
Hand Quilting --
Stocking - in Montana, will work on there
Links to Previous 2025 Monthly Posts -
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