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. Now for July - Six months down and six to go -- is it helping? There are days when I think I invited even more chaos into my life with this theme. Please tell me it was on the horizon already and I didn't do this to myself. At any rate ---- push on, y'all.
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 - Well, it's the beginning of the second half of the year. Let's see what it brings.
This month our UFO is #7 and for me that would be Feathered Star, but I know it won't happen. I'm still working through many family things and have a big trip as well this month. But, y'all can do it!!
2nd - I'd love to say it was a productive day, but - nope!
3rd - We are starting our 4th of July celebration one day early in Garland. Here is a
LINK to our VERY nice day and one I'll happily repeat next year.
4th - Happy Independence Day! Since we did our big day yesterday, today was really just a relax and enjoy each other day.
5th - If only I was functioning better -- this day could have had something to write about.
6th - Mister decides it's time to get out of the house and take me to the Arboretum for the morning. Here is the
LINK to see all the wonderful eye candy that we can take in.
7th - Depression is challenging.
8th - Just another day killing time.
9th - I don't even know what to say anymore --- did call my sister to wish her a happy birthday.
10th - A couple days ago, it was Amazon Prime Day and the colored pencils that I've been watching went on sale. These are for the many Crabapple Hill patterns I have and am excited to work on - although I know they will likely happen next year.
11th - I should share that I'm reading and binging shows. It's not like I'm just staring at the walls. Oh, and I'm fielding phone calls daily. At some point this family will settle down - I have to keep that in the back of my mind.
12th - We have new friends to the yard. Mister has been watching them everyday and they seem to be comfortable here. The only downside is that they appear to have run off all of the song birds, but the squirrels are not at all shaken by them.
13th - A morning at the zoo pulls me out of the funk for today. Here is a
LINK to all that we saw and the fun part was watching a snake shed it's skin and getting it on video. That was a new one for me.
We also checked out the new butterfly house.
Best pic of the day!!!
14th - MY doctor called and had to reschedule the appointments I had set for August. Due to upcoming trips, I couldn't move forward into October, so they made it happen now. Yay - love visiting the vampires.
15th - It's the halfway point in the month and my productivity level is negative 15, I'm sure. I have been doing a bit of research for the upcoming Missouri trip -so there is that.
16th - Dang - I had totally forgotten that I signed up for this years Designer Mystery. The parts are starting to make an appearance.
17th - We are still working to get Rhiana moved and so today I drove up to Savannah to look at a house for her. I wasn't really up to it, so set about having a chat with her realtor to get moving quick on something else. She is running out of time. As I was driving up there - 380 has a ton of roadwork going on, but this one spot make me laugh. How many people can stand and watch?
18th - I've spent the day cleaning house and packing. Yes - days of nothing and then slam it all into a couple of days.
19th - My physical pulls me out of the house bright and early on a Saturday morning. Crazy, right? When I get home - Mister has a yummy breakfast for me.
Jen and Gwen have arrived for our trip which begins tomorrow. We are off to Ephesus for dinner.
20th - It's finally here -- the Missouri trip that was booked almost a year ago. It's so exciting and I'm ready to do something different for a change. Here is the
Days 1&2 LINK for you to follow along and share in all of our exciting fun.
This year we are flying and trying a whole new route. It should lead to lots of new adventures.
Hello Kansas City - first stop is the City Market and some breakfast.
Followed by some fun at Union Station.
The planetarium gets a visit -
And so much more --- make sure you check out the post.
21st - We are on the move again today and here is the
Day 3 LINK to follow along as we have fun in Missouri. So many funny stories from my coffee hunt while the others are at Tropical Smoothie -
to finding our way into SubTropolis to
Landing at the Doan Girls Retreat in Hamilton. Bring on the fun!!
22nd - Our time in Hamilton really gets underway today and this
Days 4-6 LINK brings you through the retreat with us. First up is the Scavenger Hunt -
LOVE doing this with Jen each year.
And these two also - hahahaha
Today's treasure finds.
And my scavenger hunt haul.
Tonight's trunk show -- at the end we are shown our project for tomorrow's class. Sweet Violet.
23rd - Another fun day in Hamilton. Cutting and sewing actually happened. It is like riding a bike - you don't forget how.
Today's class and project.
I even won at BINGO --- nice prize for the blackout game.
Other gifts today include a roll of fabrics -
A charm pack and notebook with pen.
I did it! I sewed something -- my block TA-DA AND I even cut the rest of the project out.
24th - Our last full day in Hamilton includes another class -
The supplies we are provided.
Backing I went and bought. I'm ready to cut and sew again.
My block TA-DA with Misty and a new Chuck with a fat quarter bundle.
More sewing ensued -- today's block TA-DA
An adventure with Gwennie - we'll be talking about this one for years.
ALL first step for today's blocks are sewn. Yay me.
More gifts to end the retreat - all have been gathered together for pictures. Pic 2 are the items I purchased while here.
Large group photo -
Meanwhile - back at home, Mister has his daily visitor. Very cool.
25th - Sadly, it's a "leave Hamilton" kind of day. Here is the
Day 7 LINK to share in all of our crazy fun. It's a busy day for sure.
Cuts and Bolts is our first fabric stop for the day -
I manage to find some wood fabric for my new Galway Bay quilt.
Two stops and no purchases - however, I really like the barn quilts so something may come from it.
Sew Sweet Quilt Shop - always a favorite and this time I've booked a retreat through them for 2027. This will be a super fun trip. A couple of patterns also are going home with me.
Sew Creative Shop has me finding some fabric and a pattern book.
Our spot to lay our weary heads tonight is at an Alpaca Farm. So very fun.
There's even an on-site shop. Oooooh.
Mister's update -
26th - Another day of adventure ahead as we finish crossing the state. Here is the
Day 8 LINK and it's a full day once again - also so worth the read. Leaving the farm is hard -- it's crazy peaceful here.
I do manage to get a pair of gloves from the shop before departing.
Ben Franklin - I used to have a Ben Franklin in Kalispell when I was growing up. I don't think I've been in one in more than 30 years - crazy. Loved it.
My treasures.
Hannibal - Mark Twains much written about town.
Hickory Stick Quilt Shop in Hannibal - super cute shop.
Oh Sew Personal - here's where the good behavior ended.
A kit and a pattern.
St Louis Abbey
Jackman's Fabrics - just a small purchase and it's our last shop. We visited almost a dozen shops on this trip, not including Missouri Star. It's been fun, for sure.
A panel and some more fabric for Halloween. I'm done.
In front of our St. Louis home for two nights.
YUM!
Mister's visitor has moved to the front yard and is watching him through the window now. Too funny.
27th - A full day in St. Louis doing the touristy thing and your
Days 9-10 LINK. You should check it out as there is tons of pictures and details that are not in this post. As I'm laying in bed scrolling the internet, I find this and am in love. Pattern is ordered, still need to find the cut-outs. Any ideas?
Breakfast at Rooster.
St. Louis Basilica
The Old Courthouse
Top of the Arch
Waiting for our riverboat ride.
28th - Well, that's it for Missouri - an early morning flight back.
We arrive back at the house to find Mister finishing up the new doorbell.
Good-byes are said and after a couple hour rest, Jen and I head up to Savannah with to help Rhiana. She arrived on Saturday, with Mister and Louis going over to help them.
I'm not sure how much help we are - but it's fun to see everyone. Jen and I both spent most of the day helping Elena and Malea procure beds and dressers from Marketplace. Meet Miss Isla.
29th - Jen and I are back up to Savannah to help as much as we can. Grandpa sent some play-doh and that's a bit hit. Jen and I work on the girls rooms and the toy room as much as we can.
30th - One more trip to Savannah with Jen to help. Today we take the older girls to look at their schools and then out to lunch.
Miss Elena
31st -Jen is picking up Josh at the airport today and making her way home after a great deal of time away. We have breakfast out and then good-byes must be said. I'm already sad to be apart, but have no choice. My Autumn Night Mystery quilt fabric arrives. This starts at the end of August.
And that's it for July. It had good and bad parts to it, but I'm still working through things and actually do have a desire to sew again. How long it will hold remains to be seen. I didn't remove a single item from my list - in fact I added some. Ugh. Now - onto August.
We are into the eighth month of attempting to drive chaos out and allow contentment into our individual worlds. How is it going? I am happy to say that I have peaked and am on the downside again, working my way towards calm and happiness. I even have a renewed interest in sewing again. I'm planning trips with enthusiasm and excitement and looking up for a change. The chaos is no longer a part of my identity and I'm ready - oh so ready - for what is ahead. Hugs to all.
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 -
Missouri Star Sweet Violet -
Missouri StarBriar Patch -
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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