Notions

This word can have many meanings, but for this post I’m using sewing and crafting notions.  The sheer magnitude of things today that exists in the fabric and craft stores can be overwhelming to me.  It’s like an explosion before my eyes of so many objects to look at and explore.  Those of you who visit these places will know what I’m talking about. 

I can remember the days when there were a lot fewer choices.  Today I can spend hours in a place like this looking at all the gadgets.  There seems to be a tool for everything.  Unfortunately I don’t have as much time for spending a few hours in places like this anymore because of my work schedule and other things I have to tend too.  But I know where to go if I’m looking for some oddball thing for a project that perhaps is only in my mind.  Many times I can find something that will work for what I’m thinking of.  The problem is I usually find more than I originally went to the store for, so end up coming home with more than I intended to buy in the first place. 

Sewing and crafting is always fun and a nice diversion from everyday life.

Time to get Crafty

Here's the 2012 Family Calendar

Now that NaNo is out of the way, it’s time to think about Xmas gifts and all that goes with that already.  I can’t believe December starts tomorrow.  The days fly faster every year.

Ornaments I gave my sisters one year

My sisters and I exchange Xmas ornaments every year and have been doing this at least fifteen years already.  We each have a supply of “special ornaments” now.  Some years I make some to send each of them because this makes it more personal, but this year I bought some that I’ll mail soon.

 Inside of 2012 Calendar

Today I’m working on my mother’s calendar.  I’ve been giving her a family calendar every year for about four or five years now.  I make up collages of family pictures and arrange them on a background for each month.  It’s a lot of work, but fun.  It’s also challenging trying to find new pictures I haven’t used already.  I ask for new pictures from the different family members every year.  Sometimes I get them and sometimes I don’t, so I have to get creative to make sure everyone is in the calendar at least once.

This gives me a chance to work in Photoshop and further hone my skills there while creating something unique that will be used all year long.

                                   This is the birthday/anniversary pages

In the back, I list all the birthdays and anniversaries, as well as placing them on the calendar in the appropriate place.

When I’m finished I print the pages out being careful to align them so they match up with the appropriate month.  Then I bind the whole thing using my Fellows binding machine.  I love that thing and it does a professional job in very little time.

 This is the calendar back from 2014

So I’ll be working on this project for the next week or two.  Are you making any gifts for Xmas?

Ten Things that make me Happy

Free Clipart



My Cats

Warm Weather

Sunshine

Peace and Quiet

My Own space

Having enough Time and Money for everything

Writing

Reading

Playing in my Craft and Sewing room

Chocolate

All these things and not necessarily in this order

Everyone Needs a Hobby

Public Domain Photo



Where do I even start here? I have way too many. However, having a hobby is a good thing – especially after you’re retired. You shouldn’t just sit around.


Definition of  hob-by:

An activity done regularly in one's leisure time for pleasure.

I think my husband thinks my whole life is a hobby because I don’t sit still very often, finding myself involved in some ongoing project.

Writing - Public Domain Photo

Reading - Public Domain Photo

If it’s not writing or reading, it will be crafting or sewing. There are too many things to partake of in this lifetime, so I’d better live to be at least 100. I know I will never get to everything on my list. My problem is I have too many ideas. Keeping an active mind is an important thing, and just as important as physical exercise.

Crafting or Sewing - Public Domain Photo

I am always on a quest for learning something that I don’t know, so I will undertake about anything. Learning is part of the fun that goes into the whole project. I can’t see anything ever becoming dull because I will never know all there is to know about everything. Part of the reason I keep writing and creating something is the learning involved. I love to make something from nothing. It is exciting to see a project taking shape before your very eyes, and then seeing it finished, such a sense of accomplishment after I have beat my head on the wall a few times in the process.

Photography - Public Domain Photo

Hiking - Public Domain Photo

I think everyone should have a passion in life. Whatever yours is, pursue it and don’t ever think it is too much. You can’t do it because you are the master of your dreams.