Creative prompt…”awakenings” & “spiral”

As always, I am behind in my creative prompts but here are a couple of recent ones…

"Awakenings" (prompt from 9.11.09)

"Spiral" (prompt from 9.25.09)

That’s the best I could do.

Thanks for stopping by…

;o)

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It’s my retirement getaway

We are spending the week in Bar Harbor and visiting Acadia daily.  I thought I would be able to post the day’s adventures and a couple of photos each evening but I can see there is no way that will happen.  I started last night but my sciatica was screaming so I had to put the computer away.  Instead, I’ll do a quick catch-up later.

The weather so far has been beautiful, warm for this time of year and no rain (overnight, maybe).  Tomorrow, Campobello Island, New Brunswick.

Thanks for stopping by…

;o)

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Enough cutting

I started cutting the fabrics for the Halloween wallhanging for Wendy.  Holy cow, talk about a pain in my back.  I cut 36 charm squares into 2×5 strips and 2×2 squares.  Then I cut another 18 squares into 2×5 strips.

I still have to cut the background fabric into 85 2″ squares and 13 4″ squares, which then have to be cut into triangles.  I’m making a pattern by Miss Rosie’s Quilt Co. titled “X-rated”.  It can be seen here.  It’s part of the Schnibbles group.  It’s the first one I’ve ever made; then again, it’s the first time I have made anything from a charm pack.

Anyway, my back has had enough cutting for tonight; think I’ll sit at the machine for awhile.

Thanks for stopping by…

;o)

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I am blessed

Do you ever stop to think about how blessed you are?  Every night after I lie down I try to just relax and list five things the day blessed me with and be thankful for each one.  I never have trouble listing five.  Sometimes they are the same as the day before, sometimes they are really BIG things and other times they are very small.  Today I’m sharing my five blessings with you.

1) a beautiful sunny day and time to sit and drink it in

2) a great washer and a clothesline where I can hang the clothes so the sun and wind can dry them

3) the ability to go for a walk

4) enough food to keep my tummy full, including fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and carrots

5) a beautiful flower garden and new mums planted

That’s such a small list, isn’t it?  But being thankful every single day for the simple things helps me stop and realize how truly lucky I am.

I have been officially retired for four days now and I have secured a part-time position with Lowes.  It will probably be close to full time for the month of October while the store gets stocked but should return to 10 – 30 hours a week in November.  I actually hope it’s closer to 20, I want time to be creative.  Speaking of which, I’m headed into the “sweatshop” to cut some fabric for a wallhanging for my daughter.  It’s supposed to be for Halloween but no one said which year.  I guess I better get going, probably won’t get much sewing done in October.

Thanks for stopping by…

;o)

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The first day of the rest of my life

Today opens a new chapter in my book of life.  How do I feel?  I’m not sure.  It’s surreal.  I’m excited and anxious at the same time.  I feel like a kid in a candy store.  It’s hard to believe that this day has actually finally arrived.  I have been looking forward to this day and counting down since the beginning of the year and IT’S REALLY HERE!

“I’M RETIRED”

“I DON’T HAVE A JOB; I’M UNEMPLOYED”

Yikes!

I have applied to be a volunteer with the local animal shelter, as well as a part-time position at the new Lowes in town.  I hope we can spend the winter in the south where it doesn’t snow.  I have started a list of some things I want to do…

Spend more time quilting

Dye some fabric

Get the garden cleaned up

Plant the mums

Exercise more often

Take an online class

Sell some stuff on eBay

Get some items into my Etsy store

I’ll keep you posted.

Thanks for stopping by…

;o)

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The end is near

As Frank Sinatra would say…

And now, the end is near;
And so I face the final curtain.

My countdown calendar says 0 days till retirement.  Technically, tomorrow is the last day so I guess the calendar was off by a day.  However, after tomorrow…

I will no longer get up at 0500 to get ready for work (I hope)

I will never wear a fire department uniform again

I will never drive another piece of fire equipment

I will never put on protective gear or wear an SCBA

Hopefully, I will never be in another burning building

I will never experience the same camaraderie and feeling of family with my coworkers

However, I will step through the threshold into the unknown and paint a new picture.

I heard these words at my nephew’s graduation several years ago…

“Don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened”

Thanks for stopping by…

;o)

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Remembering 9/11

Like most of you, I distinctly remember where I was and what I was doing on 9/11/01.  As a member of the fire service, I lost many brothers and sisters that day; 343 to be exact.

Please take a moment to remember all those lives lost on that fateful day.  Remember to thank the men and women who continue to work to keep you and your loved ones safe.  Remember the troops who give more than you and I can imagine, in deplorable conditions, to keep our country safe and free.

Thanks for stopping by…

;o)

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Next to the last lasts

With only two more day shifts to work, the lasts are coming fast and furious and are too numerous to list.  However, here are two special ones…

I have worked my last night shift (woohoo!!!!)

I have ironed my last fire department uniform.  (sigh)

On another note, I have a third interview with Lowes next Friday.

Thanks for stopping by…

;o)

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Haiku

What is it you ask…

Gyleen Fitzgerald gives this definition on her website…

What is Haiku?

A Haiku is a Japanese verse form notable for its compression and suggestiveness. It consists of three unrhymed lines of five, seven and five syllables that register or indicate a moment, sensation or impression of a specific point in nature. The first two lines are closely related and the last line relates but in a visceral way or creates a punch line twist.

Be sure to visit and sign up for her newsletter.  In the current issue she challenged her readers to create a Haiku with the topic…changing seasons.

Here is my first attempt at this Japanese poetry.

Summer is fleeting

not enough sun to be had

Clouds approach with snow

Your turn.  If you decide to give it a try, leave your composition in the comments.  I would love to see what you have done.

Thanks for stopping by…

;o)

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Dying to dye

Although I never have enough time to do all the creative things I want, I want to dye fabric on top of everything else.  It has been on my mind for many months years.  I see all of the beautiful work others are doing and it makes me want to do it too.  Sooo, I bought myself a little book about dying

Fast, Fun & Easy Fabric Dying: Rainbow Gradation Dyes

and some dyes.

I enjoy the blog by Vicki W…Field Trips in Fiber.  She does some great dying and has some luscious fabrics in her Etsy store.  Give her a visit; you won’t be disappointed.  I sent her an email requesting some info and she was extremely helpful.

Now to figure out what fabric to purchase and Get Started!  In my spare time, of course.

Thanks for stopping by…

;o)

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