Patchwork Plans

 Up in the sewing nook earlier this week a very scary realization came upon me...

it's beginning to look

like the holidays

will be here

SOON!!!

 

 I'm hosting Thanksgiving this year and goodness knows there are a lot of rough patches all throughout the house that need to be put into an order of one sort or another.

 

 Now by no means do I expect complete perfection.

Realistically, if I can stitch up the rough edges I do believe I'll have a solid enough surface

upon which to stage not only that feast of thanks....

 

 ...but oodles of Christmas festivities as well!!!

 

 If someone had asked me last summer what I expected to be blogging about during the holidays I'd have optimistically said "Christmas in a Summer Cottage." Now such a thought has me laughing all the way to Savers every week as I continue dashing around in my declutter and donate phase. I've actually accepted the fact that the underling aesthetic of the house will be lacking when it comes time to deck the halls and trim the tree.

It won't be the end of the world.

 

 I'll simply bind things up as best as I can...

 

and make the best I can out of a very

Patchwork Christmas!

 



F is for FUN

 Recently the Nellie Perkins Doll and Miniature Society (to which I luckily belong) hosted a very special workshop. Judith Phelps was the honored guest for the day and gifted us with the ins and outs   of making doll hats. Our kit was that of the "Cherry Blossom Time Hat" and our program akin to the one she gave at last summer's UFDC convention. The write up read as follows...

 

 

                                     Cherry Blossom Time Hat
                                     Instructor: Judith Phelps Tuesday, July 30, 9AM - Noon
                                     Join Judith in making a hat that will celebrate spring and the 

                                     blooms of Cherry Blossoms in Washington, DC. This hat is made of 
                                     organdy wire, trim, and flowers and will fit a Bleuette or similar
                                     sized doll head.  

                                     No sewing is required. Please bring small pointed scissors.
                                     Skill Level:** - some skill or dexterity required



 

 Everything about the program was amazing. The kits were beautifully packaged, the instructions very clear and concise, and Judith's company a delight. I was most impressed with her attention to detail. Look here for example at the sweet little trim she had us use to cover a seam on the underside of the brim. I love when things are finished up just so like that!

 

What I didn't love was the fact that upon returning home I had not one doll to my name on which this hat would fit. That is what you get for having a tendency for the tiny I guess. 

 

 As it turned out, however, someone in our house did have a size appropriate doll....

dear daughter!!!

 

It's been nearly a year since I featured her Tasha Tudor inspired Annabelle ensemble but I thought this would be the perfect time for a peek back at that post. I've been considering which book to feature for October and having a tough go of it. I first thought to try and tie it in with a Halloween theme but with only three selections left for the year I wanted to make sure not to waste it on a book that really wasn't a tried and true top 12 favorite.

 

 In the end it was the hat that firmed up my decision to revisit A is for Annabelle.

Honestly I don't think it could have been designed more perfectly to match the beauty of the book's illustrations....

 

...or to be a better size to fit our Annabelle's head!

 

If you haven't done so already be sure to peek back HERE for more details from the pages of Tasha's exploration of a doll's alphabet.

 

 



Over and Out

 

 It has come to my attention that my days of purchasing
 everything that has anything to do with any one of my assorted passions
(e.g. dishware, doll houses, scottie dogs, L. M. Montgomery)

are OVER.

 

Now don't get me wrong...this does not mean that I don't on occasion find treasures to bring home, it's just that I make a conscious decision as to their true "treasure worthiness" prior to purchase. This is fantastic in my book because it makes me feel really good about #1 on my new
Cottage Quest list.....to stop buying stuff!

 

Of course this means it's time to seriously start considering #2....
 declutter the stuff you have.

Let it be said this may take awhile. A long while. Even so I am proud to say progress is definitely in the works. Daily progress in fact. No matter what craziness is on the agenda I have made it a standing habit to send at least one of something OUT THE DOOR before my head hits the pillow. And most recently my means of disposal has branched beyond the trash, the donations, and the Craig's list offerings to...

 

 

THIS OLDE STUFF!

 

This just so happens to be a long time favorite haunt of mine. Only this time instead of browsing the rows...

 



 

I'm stocking them!!!

 

 

Things as They Are

 

 Yesterday I attended the Southern New Hampshire Doll Show and Sale where I saw an abundance of "most wonderful" dolls.  Much like the collection of dolls detailed in Phyllis McGinley's book The Most Wonderful Doll in the World, there were baby dolls and bride dolls, china dolls and dollhouse dolls, dolls with braids, dolls with bows, and dolls for every occasion. When faced with such a glorious array of creatures it's funny how you begin to pick them apart. Each was beautiful in its own way but it seemed whenever the decision to purchase one of them came into question suddenly the critic came out. One had such sparkly eyes but the mouth was painted far too bright. Another sported the most adorable dimples but sadly not the blond hair that was hoped for. Such dissatisfaction with details can unfortunately have disastrous side effects. Luckily I had recently read McGinley's book and knew better.

 

 

The Most Wonderful Doll in the World you see, is not really a book about a doll at all. Instead it's about Dulcy, a little girl who "found it hard to be satisfied with Things as They Are," and as a result forgoes playing with any of her dolls because not one of them can compare with her exaggerated memory of the misplaced Angela.

 

So who did I come home from the doll show with?

 

Well she didn't have a skating outfit...nor could she skate.

 



 

She could not sing or say "Mama" or wave her hand.

 



 

She did not come with pajamas, a bathrobe, a riding suit, leather shoes, gloves, or a purse and in fact the one little pinny she did have had definitely seen better days.

 

But...

 



 

...she did have a need for a home where she would be welcomed 

Just as She Is!

 

*****

 

In defense....let it be known!

 Technically I did not buy her at the doll show and thereby ignore item #1 of the previously revised Project Cottage Quest list which stated "Stop buying stuff."

No siree, my mom wanted to buy her for me and I merely let her.
Thanks Mom!!!  

 



Next...

 

 Leo Babauta...that's what's next, is right now, and  has been for the past four months!

 I stumbled upon his blog last spring and soon after acquired one of his books. I loved reading his take on simplifying. Whether your looking to declutter your house, your schedule, your mind or your entire life, he's got some great suggestions about where to start and how to stay motivated. 

 

I was so inspired by his words of wisdom....

 

 

 ...that I soon after purchased several more of his books. I know, I know not exactly a progressive step in the simplification process on my part. But then neither were those endless to-do lists I created in relation to my cottage quest endeavor. That's not to say the seeds of a more minimalist mentality had not been planted however.

 

 

I'm fairly certain they were planted. Planted quite firmly in fact and that they merely needed a nudge to sprout. Thanks to last week's pillow progress they did. 

 

 

So what happened after I threw out all those lists?

I made a new list. But, not before I fully embraced these words from Leo.

 

Simplify your list down to the barest of

essentials, and you can eliminate the need

for complex planning systems.

 

Easier said than done that's for sure but after several days of contemplation on what was essential and multiple edits of the list it now looks something like this.

 

 

PROJECT COTTAGE QUEST

 

1.stop buying stuff

2.declutter the stuff you have

3.pare down paperwork

4.refresh the house one room at a time

5.develop an upkeep routine

 

Now to stick to it...

 

 



Puzzled

So....all I wanted to do was make a self lining pillowcase for dolls.

Working out the details of this little pillow project had me puzzled more often than not this past week. Typical of my nature I made things far more difficult that they had to be. It wasn't until Friday afternoon that I finally had one of those light bulb moments and all was revealed! I was astounded by the simplicity of the steps I would need follow in order to achieve my desired results and honestly felt quite stupid for not having realized them from the get go. I was, however, smart enough to write out those simplistic steps so that next time my brain will have an easy go of it. I was also smart enough to see there was a life lesson in this past week's pillow project.

 

The steps needed to achieve most anything in life are often quite easier than I predict them to be.

That's it...that's what a little pillowcase taught me.

 

My predictions of complication manifest themselves over and over again into reality. Most recently I infected my "Cottage Quest" endeavor by creating such an enormous mountain of to-do lists that I  completely overwhelmed myself. No time for a game of cards with that thing hanging around. So guess what I did this weekend?

 

I threw it out.

 

Every bit of it.

The list on the fridge...GONE!

The pages in my day-timer...GONE!

The mini notebook in my purse...GONE!

The army of sticky notes throughout the house...GONE!

 

But I'm still here.
So what's next?

 

Racketty Revelry

 I can't imagine a better choice for my August book than Frances Hodgson Burnett's Racketty-Packetty House. It's a charming romp behind the scenes of a young child's nursery, complete with fairies, mice, and even a real life princess. Content, however, played second fiddle to the title for me as our house has begun to take on quite the "racketty-packetty" air this month. 

 

 Don't get me wrong, work on project "Cottage Quest"

is still very much under way what with the painting of...

 

 this...

 

to that...

 

 and the other.

 

 It's just that in addition we've had to add in quite a bit of back to school shopping...

 

 and college bound doings into the mix as well.

The end result, now as August draws to a close, is I'm afraid nothing to write home about. In fact, if anything, our day to day living environment is even farther away from "summer cottage living" than it was a month ago.

 

But, and I remind myself of this daily, when I took this on I knew it was not going to be a quick fix. I also knew there would be many steps involved and that they would more than likely follow the 3 forward one back pattern. What I forgot, however, was to take time to enjoy some of my favorite things along the way.

 

 So I grabbed a cuppa (thanks mom for the new mug with the oh so appropriate message!)

 

 I welcomed a new friend into my world (thanks to MOJO and it's wonderful supply of Budkins, an amazing kissing cousin line of dolls to the Woodettes!)

 

 And I refreshed myself in the joys of making French knots.

 

 All combined it made for a lovely tea time that restored

my energy,

my enthusiasm,

and

my faith in happy endings. 

 

So now perhaps on second thought, the content of Racketty-Packetty House is important...especially the part where the princess says,

"Your house shall be mended and papered and painted and made as lovely as ever."

And it was!!!

 

 

 



Time To Paint

 This has been my week.

 

 Project "Cottage Quest" is officially underway.

It was decided that the kids rooms would be the first to tackle. All three of our not-so-wee ones wanted to swap rooms. For several years now dear daughter had been envious of the boys' walk in closet while the boys often dreamed of creating some very cool Comic-Con inspired displays on the built in shelves dear daughter's room hosted. Considering, however, dear daughter had previously employed these same shelves as her personal doodle canvas it was definitely time to paint!

   

 The first step in the process seemed easy enough, I simply told the kiddos,
"Pack up your stuff!"

Dear daughter seemed to grasp the concept well enough but the boys.....

 

 ...NOT SO MUCH!!!

 

 We persevered however and eventually.....

 

 .....cleared enough wiggle room to proceed to the next steps.
Thank goodness our resident bichon was on hand to assist!

 

 We removed the carpets and all those pesky little staples they use to tack down the padding.

 

 We spackled.

We sanded.

We vacuumed.

And of course......

 

 WE PAINTED!!!

 

We painted the walls, the floors, the trim, and the bookshelves in colors dubbed things like "Flowering Herbs" and "Summer Festival."

 

And then, when all was said and done guess what I did?

I swept the floor.

It was the greatest feeling.

  Remember I had thought cottage housekeeping would involve no more than the sweep of a broom or the swipe of an apron's edge?  It seems I'm headed in the right direction!
 

Now I just need to bring that reality to the rest of the house...


 

A Sigh of Relief

For 20 years this thing has followed me around.

 

 How it did so is beyond me considering its tremendous weight and cumbersome build!

All in all it wasn't a bad looking piece.

 

 Although on most days its virtues were obscured by whatever superhero/transformer/alien Child #3 was currently obsessed with. On top of that the poor thing was squished in a corner and its keys rarely saw the light of day. 

 

Combine that with my new found desire to clear the clutter and dust from our home and it was time for that dear old piano to go on to greener pastures.

 

 

Enter Mario, a musician by trade but also an expert piano mover of sorts.

Yesterday as I stood on the porch and watched the two of them drive off together I had myself a huge sigh of relief. Not only were musician and instrument delighted to have found each other but I myself had found tremendous joy in the act of letting go.

 

Granted this is only a first step of many to come but it was a huge one and one that makes my new so-called "Cottage Quest" a reality. Yes I want to live in a cottage. More specifically, a summer cottage. You know the ones where possessions are bare bones, natural light is in abundance, and there is always time for a game of cards. In such a humble abode housekeeping would involve no more than the sweep of a broom or the swipe of an apron's edge and meals would revolve around the seasonal offerings at the local market.

 

Now, considering the basic architecture of our home is in that of the garrison style, it actually looks nothing like a summer cottage. But guess what? I don't care. I will do the best with what I've got and in the process hopefully experience some of the joys I imagine summer cottage living bestows on its inhabitants. 

 

So get ready....there's clearing and carting ahead along with a good deal of prying, parting, and painting. Who knows how long it will take? Who cares?

 In fact, do they even keep track of time in a cottage?

I know I won't.

When the sun rises it'll be time to get up. When the sun sets it'll be time to go to bed. And anything in between I shall consider time for fun! 

Care to join me....