Just Do It

 

Do you ever hear yourself saying "Some day, I am going to...."

And do you ever wonder why that "some day" never comes?

I think many of us have a "some day" list. Some day, I'm going to...

...run a 5K.

...write a novel.

...organize my photos into albums.

...clean my attic.

...learn to quilt.

What stops us from trying these things?  I think sometimes it can be a fear that we won't be good at it. Fear of failure can hold us back. Other times, it's perfectionism that stops us from even attempting something new. 

Or perhaps it is just time itself...finding time in our busy 24/7 life to fit in one more thing.

I'm working on my "some day" list this year.

I've always wanted to learn to watercolor. Should I take a class? I'm sure it would be helpful. But hey, I have all the supplies and books, and the internet is full of teachers. Why not try it at home?

Learning to play my mountain dulcimer has really added some joy to my days. There is something peaceful and lovely about being able to make music. I am enjoying my twice-a-month lessons with my instructor, and I think I'm really making progress.

One thing I discovered. If my instrument is out and on its stand, and not tucked away in a case (out of sight and out of mind), I am much more likely to pick it up and strum a tune throughout the day.

Life is short. Incredibly short. This becomes apparent as I get older and witness the speeding pages of the flipping calendar as months go by. Seasons come and seasons swiftly go. I want to put a pause on moments, to be deliberate about my days. I'm going to spend the day with my Mom today, doing mundane things and loving the time we have together.

Spring Birding

 

Spring is such a great time of year for birding, especially during migration season. If you put out some fruits like oranges, you are likely to find Baltimore Orioles visiting one day soon. It's also a good time of year to see Scarlet Tanagers and yellow warblers. 

It's mating season for the turkeys, and we've been seeing them frequently in our yard and woods near the neighborhood.

And just last week, I saw  bald eagle perched high atop a tree just around the corner!

I think I will need to put the hummingbird feeder out soon.

In the meantime, flocks of goldfinch have been visiting every day. I can look out my window and see a dozen flying around the maple tree where the feeder resides.

Today's card uses some dies that were purchased last year from WPlus9 {hanging head in shame} that I finally got around to using.

{Today's Brew: Birdhouse and bird dies (WPlus9), The Little Things stamps and dies (WPlus9), floral background stamp (The Greetery), enamel dots}

To give the birdhouse a woodgrain look, I used a bone folder and then went back with a blender marker and some green ink to accent.

Birding...one of many spring blessings!

Spring Bouquet

 

I like to save interesting bottles for bouquets. I thought this one was perfect for transporting to my mother-in-law in the care facility.

When cutting spring flowering bulbs for bouquets, it's good to keep in mind that wherever you cut, that bulb will probably not flower next year. Spring bulbs need to die down completely, including their leaves, before you can safely cut them down and expect a return of blooms.

Some of my bulb patches grew the greenery but did not produce blooms. Either I trimmed them too soon last spring, or they just need to be dug up and re-planted. I put them in the garden seven years ago when we moved in.

This bouquet has daffodils, grape hyacinths, and some fennel for greenery. My Mom in Law always enjoyed spring flowers, and I think she appreciated them. I like to think the nurses and aides appreciate the flowers when they visit her room, too.

It Matters

 

Hello, café friends!

How's your week been shaping up?

Mine has been relatively quiet. Practicing my dulcimer, cleaning up the garden, taking Jemma for some beauty shop time.

We finally made it into the craft room today. I say "we" because Jemma had to follow. Spring thunderstorms this afternoon. Jemma is not a fan.

I saw this cute card sketch the other day (Jackie Bolhuis from SU's Klompenstampers) and I thought "I want to try that!"

This coffee card seemed like a good choice.

{Today's Brew: Simple Stories Vintage Spring papers, Simple Stories Winter Wonders images and enamel dots, MFT cross stitched die, Riley and Company sentiment}

Trust the science. The cup matters. LOL!

Lovely Lilacs

 

Did I tell you? I won a gift certificate to The Greetery on my birthday at the end of February! What a lovely surprise!

I used it to purchase the beautiful new Botanicuts Lilac dies. Betsy posted a video on how to assemble them, and it was very easy to follow.

I paired the flowers with the Put a Bow On It stamps and die.

In our corner of Michigan, the lilacs are usually blooming around Mother's Day. But up further north, they can reach their peak in June. Mackinac Island is famous for their yearly Lilac Festival. I would love to go! Can you only imagine the scent from an island of lilac blossoms?

It's a beautiful, sunny Saturday in spring. Enjoy!

A Quilted Note

 

Sometimes, making a card just makes me happy. Choosing the colors and patterns and combining them in a way that's fun and whimsical is so satisfying.

I imagine this is how my sister, Tina, felt when she made a quilt...choosing just the right fabrics, cutting them, stitching them together.

I was able to take that concept and use it to make a quilted card!

I used the Patchwork die from The Greetery, and combined it with some old papers from Simple Stories. 

{Today's Brew: Patchwork die (The Greetery), Budding Beauties Summer stamps and die (The Greetery), Opposites Attract sentiment stamp and die (The Greetery), Simple Stories papers}

Year of Plenty win! Using old old papers and finally getting around to using a die that I bought last year.

Golden

 

The goldfinch are back this week! It's so nice to see their bright and cheery plumage at the feeders.

I added some yellow feathers to this nest.

{Today's Brew: The Greetery background stamp and Curio Findings Spring dies, The Greetery Nordic Frames die, PTI Year of Psalms}

Golden daffodils, golden birds. Happy spring!