This post is dedicated to two people who left an indelible impact on my life (and thousands of others’ too) with their generous spirits and kindness – my high school History teacher (and early mentor) and my grandfather in law. Both men were exemplary people, and coincidentally also teachers, who gave graciously with their daily actions. Thanks for demonstrating how good people can be Mr. C and Grandpa D. You will be missed and never forgotten. And Mr. C, I’m still reading the Sunday NY Times, just like you encouraged us to. And look I’m still writing! Grandpa D., I’m so thankful to have called you family.
Lately I’ve been suffering from what feels like time scarcity. There is so much to do and I feel like I could always use more time. Emerging from a winter spent in hibernation, I feel a bit like my daffodils, ready to spread my petals and shine. Between all of the things I need to —and want to — do, I often go to bed at 9 p.m. thinking whoa, where did my day go? And yes internet, I go to bed early because sleep is an absolute nonnegotiable for me; even when I’m busy, I never sacrifice my rest because I did enough of that in my 20s. Right now I want to embrace it all and yet still be present. I want ample time for activity and for rest. It’s all a balance. And after all, each and every human gets exactly the same amount of hours each day.
What is alleviating some of my time stress these days is working on a bevy of small projects. There is a deep sense of completion and satisfaction in something that you can start and finish within a few hours time. Quilting is a very time intensive endeavor, which is part of the craft’s beauty. Some of my quilts have been my studio friends for years before they wind up as usable blankets. Yet sometimes I crave something that is, ugh I really don’t want to use this word for my creative practice, productive. Productive in the sense that at the end of my sewing session, there is an item (be it a purse, tote, basket, or toy) that can be utilized.
About a month ago while idly scrolling the Purl Soho website for free patterns (a true buffet of beautiful and well designed patterns), I came across this cutie pie Myrtle the Turtle toy. As a kiddo, I was lucky enough to have both a homemade bunny and a sock monkey that were my favorites. A homemade turtle, yes please! Perfect timing too as I had the upcoming occasion of a 2 year old’s birthday celebration. Myrtle was a fun little project, so pretty much immediately following the completion of my first, I sewed up another with a wild scrappy shell for myself. My turtle makes a most excellent neck rest while I do my morning meditation in bed. Such versatility!
I had so much fun with the first turtles, I started thinking about all of the kids I know who might want a turtle of their own. Of course, who wouldn’t want a turtle? An unexpected joy has been the kids’ requests for their animals. I love the creative descriptions of “one that looks like this dragon, but is a turtle” and “rainbow flowers, please”. It is fun for me to dig through my seemingly endless scraps and come up with fabrics that fit the kids’ personalities. The possibilities for personalized turtles is endless. Another bonus of this project is that the turtles are made with minimal fabric, so for most sewists, we already have everything we need to make a lovable little stuffed pet. The bottom is felt, (I used leftover Pendleton wool scraps), the head and appendages are made from linen and the shell is quilting cotton. Stuff and sew on a couple of button eyes. Boom, you got yourself a turtle!
Beyond turtle making, every day I relish the magnificence of spring in the Pacific Northwest. Each year I am surprised by just how colorful and bright the world becomes after a cold, gray winter. Every week brings a new surprise as the temperature warms. It starts with the beloved magnolias and crocus and tulips. This week we’ve hit peak dogwood bloom and the city is awash in beautiful pink and white blooms. On my flower scouting missions around the neighborhood, I’m starting to see signs of rhododendrons, which means that the hydrangeas are not far behind. Not to mention all of the unbelievable wildflowers blooming on the shrub steppe right now that make me gasp in wonder. These plants know exactly what to do and they never disappoint. Unless you have terrible allergies, spring is the most magnificent time full of hope, color and beauty.
Since I have the luxury of my own backyard, I am working to both nurture the plants that predate our ownership and add my own designs to the space. I am full of gratitude for all of the regrowth of the plants I’ve added, like my beloved hellebores (aka lenten rose) which is still rocking blooms. Shoutout to my poppies that are flourishing. I have so many garden ideas, and with so much inspiration up here, it can be a bit overwhelming to make decisions about garden design. So I’m not going to overanalyze and I’ll let the garden guide me.
My foray into a more seasonal alignment has not only taught me more about nature (meaning, flora and fauna) but also more about myself. The more attuned I am to the seasons, the more I cherish the unique benefits of each one. I learn what makes me thrive and just how important a season of rest is. Awakening after winter, I too am ready to stretch up toward the light and do more, but in a slow, deliberate fashion like a turtle. Remember the parable (fable?) of the tortoise and the hare? Even as a youngster I could always relate to the tortoise. Go team turtle! Moving forward I will continue to channel my inner turtle and be methodical and present, stopping to smell the flowers and bask in the riotous colors all around me. Daily I am reminded that it is the smallest joys that sustain me the most. Be it little stuffed animal turtles or flowers. And now these fun little turtle pals will leave the comfort of my sewing room and scatter around the country to live their best lives in their new homes.
Quiltunes 