Small Beginnings: A New House Feels Like Home

Rapid progress is satisfying; however, a new house feels like home after a lot of small steps.

white farmhouse and white garage feels like home

As winter faded, we began turning this farmhouse into our home. This spring/summer we added a front sidewalk, back patio, a shop for equipment and tools, fruit trees, crabapple trees, and a foundation planting on three sides of the house. On the inside, we have moved furniture from one level to another and back again. Uff da! Those moves feel disruptive rather than settling. However, we’re still learning how we’re going to live in this space. So, during July, I’m pausing and thinking about the next steps to take.

I definitely need a new routine. With each stage of life or move, my daily and weekly routines need adjustment. Hopefully, I’ll settle in sooner than later so the chores and errands feel automatic. Making a move creates a lot of decision fatigue! Should I spend two hours driving and a few more hours shopping to get everything on my list? Or should I settle for a make-do trip to the local grocery store so I have time to water all the new trees and plants? During a drought, watering wins, and here’s my reward.

Summer Quilt Alongs Add Joy to My Days at Home

After a few months of mowing the lawn and hauling water hoses, I determined to spend more time doing something I enjoy. (I do love flowers and trees — tending to them? Not so much.) Sewing is satisfying because once something’s done, it’s done, unlike cleaning, cooking, and caring for the yard.

So, I purchased the Sampler Spree book by Susan Ache and joined the summer quilt along. Each week Susan provides a list of 6″ blocks to sew and a color theme. I love stitching up these little blocks! Plus, it’s fun to see the variety of blocks other people are making. Check out the #samplerspreeQAL on Instagram and watch the Fat Quarter Shop Livestream on YouTube to see Kimberly Jolly’s blocks.

Sampler Spree Book and quilt blocks
I bought a scrapbook paper organizer from Michaels to keep my blocks organized.

This summer I’ve also done a bit of online shopping, adding some new favorite fabrics to my Vault of Happiness. In addition, I bought a few new quilting books. (No matter how many I have, I’ll keep buying more because I love them!) I’m especially thankful that the Dance in Paris fabric by Zen Chic is now in stores, after many months of delay, I plan to make pillows to coordinate with this quilt and a runner for my bed or table.

Kaleidoscope Runner

In fact, the Fat Quarter Shop invited me to sew along with Lori Holt to make a Kaleidoscope runner, which is large enough for a bed or farmhouse table. Woohoo! I have purchased many of Lori Holt’s books and planned to pick up a copy of this one too. This stack of Dance in Paris blues with gold metallic speckles (pictured below) will look fabulous in the Kaleidoscope pattern, don’t you think? If you’d like to sew along with me, Lori Holt, Kimberly Jolly, and a few other Fat Quarter Shop friends, order a book, gather supplies, and check out the details at the Jolly Jabber, Fat Quarter Shop’s blog. We’re going to start sewing on July 30 and finish the runner by the end of August.

Kaleidoscope book and blue fabric bundle
I chose these Zen Chic blue fabrics, but the line also includes beautiful pinks and greens!
Kaleidoscope Cross-Stitch is included in the book, and there will be a stitch along.

Thoughts on Building a Stash of Quilting Fabric

My most recent Fat Quarter Shop order included a few fun bits for future projects so my house feels more like home. Since I’m a huge fan of Fig Tree & Co. fabrics, I bought Figs and Shirtings, Strawberries and Rhubarb, and Pumpkins and Blossoms. The books (pictured below) are loaded with inspiration and instructions for quilts, pillows, and table runners. (I especially like Just One Charm Pack Quilts by Cheryl Brickey because I have a lot of single charm packs in my stash that will now turn into nice-sized quilts — almost like magic.)

Generally, I buy fabric for a specific project rather than “my stash,” also known as the Vault of Happiness. A fabric stash is an assortment of fabrics purchased over time so that a quilter can choose from them at a future date to create a project. It’s especially nice to have a good stash when you feel inspired to make a gift or project right now. There’s no delay while driving to a quilt shop or waiting for a mail order to arrive. Simply choose from your stash of favorite fabrics and start creating.

In the past, my random fabric purchases seemed to end up in a donation pile because the fabrics didn’t work well together. Does that describe your stash? I read an enlightening series by the Midlife Quilter (links below) about building a stash that helped me see fabric shopping in a new way. If you’re placing an order to join the Kaleidoscope quilt along, consider adding to your stash too! I buy a lot more solids after realizing that they were the missing ingredient in my Vault.

I hope I’ve inspired you to take small steps so your house feels like home, whether it’s working in your garden or making a quilt, pillow cover, or runner. Do something that brings joy to your day!

Joyfully,

Tracie