55 years! (Patagonia, AZ)

Yesterday, I turned 55 years old.   Yep, I have been around for awhile now...well, not as long as some people, but longer than most of the people I know.  Do I sound senile?  I hope not!

I took assessment of how I feel about turning 55.  Except for quite a few extra pounds that I would like to get rid of and lots of grey hair which I am happy to keep, I think I am doing pretty good.  Not too many aches in the morning although my knees are starting to creak and my shoulders are popping more often which makes my Sun Salutes a lot slower.  I am very thankful for my health.  I walk two to three miles every day and I am trying to stay limber with my yoga practice.

For me, celebrating 55 years isn't about "so far so good".  I worked hard at being here today to celebrate being 55 years old and feeling good about what I have done and where I am today.  No regrets.  I feel great about practicing good eating habits and exercise routines.  I don't deprive myself of sweets.  I do eat them quite often. My weight can certainly testify to that! I am enjoying life my way by being as healthy as possible.  My overall goal is to grow old and still be aware of my surroundings.  In other words - to have a better quality of life as I get older.

see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!

I do have my Senior moments.  Exercising my brain can be quite a challenge at times, but it is very important to keep the brain cells active.   There are days when I think my poor brain is about to shut down for good from information overload.  It gets back at me by forgetting why I went to the closet.....umm, I know I was going to get something...well, I'll remember later....maybe....probably in the middle of the night....

Yesterday was wonderful.  We woke to a frosty low 20s morning.  Dan & I took an early walk around the Preserve (closed Monday & Tuesday).

We visited Mr. Owl, saw one or more hawks, and one deer.  I got some great photos of the hawk(s).  We are not sure we were seeing the same hawk or different ones.

Always stretch and warm up before flying

Fluff once a day

It was so peaceful and beautiful.

Excellent view!

What a great way to start a day!

Good Morning!

The rest of the day was spent hanging around the motorhome just catching up on different items, watching birds, quilting...just relaxing and enjoying the moment.

Hey you! Yea You!  Got any birdseed?

Today, we are going out for lunch at the German Cafe in Sierra Vista for a second day of celebrating.  

I also plan to stop by the Squirrel's Nest for a little fabric shopping.  I'm hoping to find some matching fabric for my prize of 10-inch squares - Delighted!  I have been to this quilt shop before - many years ago.  I was amazed to see that they also carry supplies for spinning, weaving, and knitting.   There were the large weaving looms and yarns hanging from the walls.  Oh my!  The colors were amazing!  Just what I need - temptations to start a new hobby...It's a good thing I don't have any extra storage space.   Oh, and I love their url address:  fibernuts.com.  LOL!

I also did a little cyber shopping on Etsy.  I see so many wonderful things that I like, but of course, I have no room for more stuff.  So here is my Happy Birthday to Me - Tuesday Treasury:

Did you noticed that I slipped some fabric into my shopping?  ;0)

Seashells by the Seashore (Camp LeJeune, NC)

Seashells

On the Camp LeJeune beach map, the above picnic shelters are labeled as "Seashells".  Perfect!  I love the seashell colors.  I like them so much that I dug through my little stash and found some similar colors to make a new quilt.  I wish I had more pastel yellow, but this will just have to do.  I know I have too many projects on the sewing machine already, but what's one more?

Mmmm, I can't wait to start this quilt project!

Monday! Monday! Monday!


I can't wait for this evening!  Both Eureka and Warehouse 13 will be on SyFy and I will be able to watch them!  WhooHoo!  Yea, I'm a geek at times.  We rarely have cable in the campgrounds so this is an extra treat to have cable and be in the right place at the right time.

Lack of Space Challenge: Full-Timing Travel Quilter by Sandy

Have Fabric, Will Travel!

I thought I would share some of my space saving tricks along with tips given to me. Dan & I started traveling last March and I have learned a few things during this time. I have figured out a way to quilt inside and outside.

1. Where to keep my iron and ironing board:
In the back of my closet, I have mounted an iron/ironing board holder. I also bought a short ironing board for easy storage and use in our limited space.

2. Where to keep my rulers, mats, and other hanging tools:
I have inserted several ‘L’ shaped hooks inside the closet on the doors and on the walls. Anything with a hole for hanging is now on a hook somewhere inside my closet.

3. Lighting is not very good for up-close needlework so add an Ottlite to save your eye-sight:
I have had a freestanding Ottlite for over 5 years and I cannot live without it. I was worried about my light bulb getting broken while traveling.
I attached a Velcro wire-organizer to the wall near my favorite chair. I can detach my Ottlite if I want to use it somewhere else or leave it attached to the wall.

4. I made a custom sized pocket organizer for traveling. I did not use Velcro since the arms on the passenger seat are open and I can slip the loops over it. I use safety pins when I sit in my favorite chair. Now I can have spools of thread, scissors, thimble, and reading glasses in one spot. And, I don’t lose my thread nor my scissors under the chair. I also keep my keys and cell phone in the organizer. Now my purse stays in the closet.

5. I bought a drink holder with trash bag while on a quilting retreat in Chama, NM last year. It has a clamp and can be moved to any table. I find this very useful inside and outside. Threads and scrapes do not blow-away thanks to the trash bag and I don’t spill my tea!

6. I also want to show you our computer center. Dan converted our dining table into a more space-saving storage area for our computers and accessories. Not to mention, the expanded countertop space. We have a bookshelf at the end of the counter. It also holds our printer/scanner, safe, paper, and printing supplies. Our laptops go on the top shelf when we travel. I also use the area for sewing. There is plenty of room for Dan’s laptop and my sewing machine. (that's Hitch being helpful)

7. I added a wall basket near me to hold pens, another pair of reading glasses, earphones for the computer, etc.

8. I keep my fabric in labeled Rubbermaid containers. I have been using Space Bags to hold more material. But if the bag gets a hole in it, well, let’s just say the container doesn’t close as well. Even with holes in the Space Bag, I feel the material is better protected from dirt, bugs, and rodents. Yes, we have already had one mouse in our rig. He is gone now.

9. My sewing machine has its own travel case on wheels. It is well protected so it can be stored below. The case has enough room to hold two small tin cans. One filled with rotary cutter, quilt safety pins, and good-grip gloves. The other is for sewing on the machine. It has a magnet for holding my straight pins, measuring tape, and small scissors (2nd pair). I also use the lid as a catch-all while sewing – spools, bobbins, scissors, etc.

10. I bought a 3x4 foot oak board for a sturdy cutting surface. I have to admit some of the picnic tables have seen better days. Dan rounded the corners and I sanded it down. I did not glue my cutting mat to the board since the board is stored below with items on top of it. I keep the mat in my closet. I also have a mat/ironing pad folder for the small projects like paper foundation piecing. The folder fits well on the kitchen counter with only one of the sink’s covers in place.

11. If you did not see my pictures in Webshots, here is my new design board – again thanks Cher for giving me the idea. It is not perfect, but it is better than nothing. I am using straight pins to keep the wind from blowing away my blocks. When I get a chance I plan to get some felt to glue to the backside of my oak board. One side will be for cutting and the other side will be for my appliqué designs.

12. I found a sturdy, but very light folding table online: This table has come in handy a couple of times when the campground’s picnic table wasn’t the best or non-existent. I use a dining room chair instead of a folding chair when sewing outside. So far, I have only done my sewing outside when we have a cemented site.

13. I like to hand-quilt, so I also have a freestanding 29-inch hoop. I am storing the hoop and my quilt under our sleeper sofa. I wrap the quilt in an old sheet to protect it. If I ever get a chance to sit outside with my hoop, I plan to use the sheet as a rug to protect the material from the ground. I don’t want to take the feet off for storage, so the stand is stored between the passenger’s chair and the first livingroom chair.

Here are a few more tips that I was given years ago:
1. Always cut the thread from a spool at an angle. It makes it easier to guide the thread through the eye of the needle.

2. Don’t wet the thread; wet the eye of the needle instead. The thread swells when wet. Yea, I wouldn’t try this trick on my sewing machine. I could see me explaining to hubby with a swollen tongue – no, I did not get my tongue pierced without talking to you…!

3. One more tip from a traveling quilter I met in South Dakota. She opted out on having a washer/dryer in her rig. Now her laundry closet is filled with fabric and quilting supplies. As much as I loooove my fabric, I cannot live without my washer/dryer. The machine is small, but I wash almost everyday so the dirty clothes do not pile up. I only use the campground’s laundry rooms when I have large items to wash.

Endnote:
One of the biggest problems I am facing with full-timing and quilting is not having enough time! Setting up and breaking down takes time when projects and tools are spread throughout the rig. So to shorten the setup and breakdown time I found being organized is a big Plus! Something I am still working on with my new lifestyle.

-I try to label everything!
-1 and 2 gallon Ziploc bags with blocks and patterns together.
-I have organized materials by project, by color, and by backings. I should pin a note to the material packets as to what project I was thinking of using them for when I bought them. Have you ever bought material and later wondered why? That’s me – short-term memory here!!
-In the storage below, I have my sewing machine, table, thread cases, and two tubs right next to each other. I can pull everything out from one spot.
-Looking through all of my storage areas periodically helps refresh my memory of where I put things. This is quite frequent these days!