Hello my lovelies. I hope you’ve all been enjoying a fabulous summer. We, here in my little corner of the northeast of England, have had loads of yuck weather during the month of July. It’s been a soggy dull mess. I’m hoping that things will perk up a bit before the kids go back to school next month. No matter what, I’m going to try to make the most of this holiday season.
I started off the year full of good intentions. I was going to work on UFOs and try my best to make progress on said projects but life has a way of happening and derailing my best efforts. I have not been lazy, I have simply committed to resolving family matters. Yes, if you’re reading between the lines your assumptions are correct. However, we have started moving forward after seventeen months of uphill struggle.
I generally plan my days via a To-Do List. I recently read somewhere that in addition to a To-Do List you can also have a To-Be List. So here is my list which I presume will grow over time …..
TO-BE LIST
Happy
Useful
Kind
Healthy
Calm
Organised
Settled
Creative
Authentic
I’ve done quite a lot of sorting in the garden. Here’s a little peek at the planter we planted up a while ago. It’s done very well …..
I recently tried needle felting at my Burnopfield Belles group. Annette lead the session and did an excellent job sorting out kits and guiding us thru the process of making a ladybird (in UK lingo) or ladybug (in North American lingo). The whole process was thoroughly therapeutic. Learning something new as a group is always more fun than on your own. The action of stabbing something with a very sharp needle is the perfect outlet for all those pent-up emotions. Voodoo dolls come to mind. I purchased a few key needle felting supplies a few years ago and only barely touched them. Now I have more confidence and will be sure to have a go in order to incorporate the woolly pieces in my projects.
In between the chores and the mundane everyday stuff I did some sewing …..
Yesterday, I started gathering more ideas to build a vision board representing my goals, hopes and dreams for the future.
Life has turned into a learning curve for me. The past years have taught me quite a lot. Not least that when your gut speaks listen to it.
So, for this evening, this very happy and super ambitious happy quilt maker will be doing some EPP. I hope you all have a super cosy evening doing some that makes you super happy. Until you read me again,
Happy stitching ♥ ♥
Lucie The Happy Quilter's Blog 
I knew you would find the needle felting therapeutic!! I love your TO-BE list, definitely good rules to live by!
Hi Anne, I feel much more confident about needle felting now. Ok see that its not a perfectly precise art in that you can fix anything you think might not be quite to tour liking. It’s like real life, you can just add a bit here and get rid of a bit there. As for my To-Be List, well I didn’t even consider those goals would be good rules to live by!!! Now that you mention it I see it. Thanks for popping today xx
Well Lucie, I have been missing the way you used to blog since your change of direction. However, it looks now as though you have turned a small corner in your journey and are moving on to the next chapter. It’s always a difficult time transitioning to the next stage but it seems like you are on the upward slope at last. With Sarah along with you I know you can achieve everything you hope for. Things will work out good for you, I am sure. You seem to be a strong person on the outside. I, like many others, have been through this and the sun does shine at the end of the tunnel. Keep going, you will succeed.
I am still in awe of your appliqué, I keep trying this myself and I know I will get there eventually. I have started to teach a small group of older ladies at a retirement home close to my home. Challenging, but worth all the worries. They are a great bunch.
Keep going and love to you both.
Linda Hodges
Hi Linda, there is most definitely light at the end of the tunnel. It’s time to move on to our new lives. There will be no looking back, just eyes forward and choosing our own destiny. I think you teaching a group of ladies the gentle quiet art of quilt making is a noble occupation. And possibly very rewarding at times. Thanks for your encouraging words x
Your list of completed tasks didn’t include ” inspiring your readers to have their own UFO list. Thanks to you I have completed three bedspreads of my own and helped friends with two more. So thank you!
Take care of yourself. Monica
Hi Monica, I’m so pleased you’re zooming thru your UFOs. I can’t take credit for your accomplishments though. It’s your determination that helped you push thru to make progress. Keep up the good work. Thanks for popping in today to inspire me xx
Hello there,
Just a note to say that I have been reading your messages and you are doing very well. I too, have gone through this and don’t worry. Your flowers are just beautiful, well done.
I want to start felting, perhaps in the Spring.
Keep well and happy.
Joanna.
Hi Joanna, needle felting is so much fun and rather therapeutic. I highly recommend it. Thank you for the encouraging words x
Hi, Lucie!
Nice to read you again! Your planter is gorgeous! Are the purple and white flowers petunias? I’ve never seen that variety before. Lovely!
Your little felted ladybug is adorable! My Dad always said ladybugs were good luck. I’ve made a couple needle felted projects; it’s fun, but I must pay attention so as not to stab myself accidently. ☺️
I love your idea of a To-Be list. You’ve inspired me to start one of my own!
Thank you! Anita in Wisconsin
Hi Anita, yes the purple and white flowers are petunias. They look a little lively for my liking but they do jazz up the place a bit! I definitely agree about having to pay attention while needle felting, those needlesvwre Sharp. Thanks for popping inntoday Anita x
It’s good to try something new isn’t it, especially when you already had some of the stuff on hand. Must admit to having a couple of tools for it too & only ever made one tiny bit. I do miss seeing lots of your quilt creations, but I ‘m sure we will in time. Love your TO BE LIST. May I write it down too & put it on my notice board? Your garden is looking very pretty. Take care & huggles.
Hi Susan, by all means do add your own To-Be List to your blog. I think it’s a brilliant idea. My garden has grown and grown this year. I was having a hard time keeping up with it. I’m going to give it a real good tidy in the autumn and tame it somewhat. It’s time to please myself as far as my home is concerned. My soon-to-be-exhusband collected his belongings today helping Sarah and I move forward in our new lives. Thanks for popping in today x
So, today was a difficult day for you both, but Bravo for talking about it, and sharing. I wish you and your daughter the best of good luck! Working in the garden is the best therapy…..and it is your home now. So, you do what the heck you want to…..but, most importantly…enjoy your life.
I had made a series of memory coats, the insides were filled with photo prints and many other things, three of them for different stages of my life. They were plain on the outside, private. What about a series of small, personal quilts in the same vein? It helps but it heals….hand made memories are important as you know, but these would be amazing, encourage your daughter also, imagine what you would produce?
Sincerely,
Joanna Montreal Canada.
Hi Joanna from Montreal, it’s always great tohear from a fellow Canadian. I’m really missing home and my family these days.
I love your idea of making memory quilts, good memory quilts. I’m thinking mixed media quilts using anything and everything in our stash. I am currently gathering lots of stuff for mood boards to depict my new life so I could very well swap the mood boards for quilts. Thank you for popping in xx
Where are you from in Canada? I was born in LLANRWST, and came over with the family.
Mixed media quilts are the best for this kind of project, buttons or pieces of lace and ribbons, anything that brings back a happy feeling. Use old or new photos and transfer onto a flowered background like your flower boxes…imagine….
The mood boards are excellent. Add in a bit of embroidery, just to add surface textures, watch your colours. Pieces do not have to be exactly the same size to perfect a pattern,either…just..be. Love yourself and them, mirror your strength that you have found…bravo, by the way.
Hi Joanna, I was born and bred in Montreal. I married a Brit 24 years ago and moved to the UK, bad mistake!!! No regrets though, I’ve learned a lot over the years and I’ve got Sarah. Thanks for the inspiration x
So, something weird happened just now, bad lightening storm.
If you do decide to make something and it is not too private, I would really be interested in seeing your work. You will have good fortune, not to worry.
xxx
Hi Joanne, I will definitely give it a go once my tidying and house repairs are finished. My sewing room is being given a much needed facelift at the moment. It hasn’t been painted in ten years and it’s certainly starting to show it. I look forward to working in a brand new shiny room. At the moment the sun is shining and for a change all is looking up. Thanks for popping in Joanne x
Hello Lucie. I just found your blog and I love your attitude to life, your capacity to stick with the project and your creative talent. I have spent so much time reading your blog over the last couple of days I feel like your shadow. I look forward to making a to do list and tackling some appliqué which I’ve always avoided up to now. Best wishes from Ireland. Mary
Hi Mary, I’m pleased that you immersed yourself in my blog. My biggest goal is to try to inspire people to move forward on their ongoing projects and to try new techniques. I believe that old timers like me have a responsibility to keep the quiet gentle art of quilt making alive and kicking. Thank you for your very kind words Mary. Please do keep popping in as normal service will soon be resumed x
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