We are trying to save what we can for retirement, and also, I have more fabric than I know what to do with. I tell my husband all the time that I want-- no, I NEED is more like it- to be more minimalist and not have sooooo. much. stuff. Because with 5 kids, we sure accumulate stuff. We have been trying to weed stuff out and over the past few months have filled over a dozen bags and boxes with things we do not need. And I am all about continuing with that....except in my sewing room, it is so hard. I did go through it once, and pulled out a few pounds of fabric that I bought several years ago that I no longer want (chevron, mostly.)
The problem is, I clear out space and then feel like I should be *allowed* to fill it. haha!
So, instead, I just send my husband links to bundles of fabric I want and put "A great mother's day present idea" or "Earth day gift idea" in the subject line. Sometimes I just email him with a link to fabric and say only, I should get a reward for keeping the kids alive this week.
So on the latest rounds of emails, this is what I have pointed my husband towards.
The bundle is available at Purl Soho, and it was designed to make the Color Wheel quilt in the book Last Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts. I already have the book and have made one quilt from it so far. I bought the book solely with the purpose of making the Color Wheel quilt, so the fact that there is a bundle filled with beautiful Liberty florals designed solely for this purpose-- YES, PLEASE!
And then there is this bundle. Where the Liberty rainbow is soft and soothing, this Heather Bailey bundle is bright and energetic.
This bundle is one of several bundles I have been eyeing (and emailing link to) from Stash Modern Fabrics.
Okay, so now that it's clear I am in need of a fabric rainbow in my life, I wanted to share about some wonderful books I have read in the past couple weeks.
First, was Neil Gaiman's The Ocean at the End of the Lane. It was unlike anything I have read as an adult. There were so many bits of beautiful wisdom speckled throughout, that I think I will read it again because I am sure I missed some things. I am terrible at book reviews, so I will spare you my mediocre attempt to summarize a wonderfully written story. But- it is a fast read, one I could not put down, and despite being something I would not have ordinarily gravitated towards, I am so glad I did. It's been a week since I finished the book, and it keeps creeping its way into my thoughts. I love a book that stays with you and keeps making you think of deep things in a relatable way.
I really love Goodreads. If you are on there, please let's be friends. Because so many of the books I have LOVED, I only came upon because I saw a friend rate it/review it well. I have a handful of friends that have similar reading tastes, and I love browsing their book lists.
Another one I just finished was Lilac Girls. A tale of 3 women whose stories were independent and heartbreakingly intertwined during World War II and the years that came after. It was, at times, almost impossible to read. It was hard and beautiful material and it was a story of the both the very worst and the very best things humans are capable of. And the way it detailed these women's stories, the way they persevered, connected to one another, were brave and strong, it just got right to my core. As the tears gathered on my cheeks, I wanted to put it down, but could not. This book is one everyone should read.
And these are the books next up.
Sarah's Key and The Pearl That Broke It's Shell are going to be hard reads, so I have heard, so I am going to need something rather light in between those two. Back to the library I will go. High fives to my local library, who is constantly supplying me with wonderful things to keep up late into the night!
Do y'all have any books you think I'd like to read? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
