a content life

Happy New Year!

New years make me think of lanters and since I don't have any hanging right now, I went out to my never-used Pinterest account and started browsing. Wow! I spent way too much time out there. I would hate to think I wasted my time so here's a link to my one-and-only board. If you check it out you can re-pin any of the images above and find out more about the sources as well. 

There's just something wonderfully refreshing about starting anew. A new day, a new quilt, a new recipe, a new book, a new year! I like the idea of starting over. In fact, I start things all the time. It's the finishing that's hard for me!

I suppose with anything new there's a little anxiety over the unknown, but isn't that part of the fun and surprise of something new? The new year is a mystery that will unfold day by day.

2012 is sure to bring fresh starts for me and my family - surprises and maybe even a few disasters (the spilled milk kind, not the lava is coming toward my house kind).

What I really want for 2012 is to be able to look back next December 31st and feel satisfied and proud of accomplishments but even more importantly the relationships built and sustained throughout the year. I'm not sure if that counts as a resolution but it seems like a reasonable goal.

Happy New Year to you! May your year be filled with more good things than you can count and your heart be filled with peace and contentment beyond your wildest imagination!

One Little Dumpling

A few posts ago I mentioned I was making dumplings using Keyka Lou's tutorial found here.

I only got around to making two. Here's my first finished bag that went to my son's kindergarten teacher for Christmas.

I'm quite embarressed to say that I only completed two during the Christmas holiday. I really do enjoy making them but there's never enough time. I've been keeping them handy to work on during rare spare moments. It's nice to have a little project that you can pick-up anytime without a big fuss. In fact, my second one stores two others in progress.

In case you missed my previous posts, the zippers and zipper pulls are from a great little Etsy shop - Zipit!

I just have to admit that I turned Christmas-green with envy admiration when I read Carla's post. Check it out here to see her dumplings! Many wonderful dumplings! Go Carla! 

More Yoshiko Jinzenji Fabric has arrived!

Yes! A few of the popular prints are back in stock and a few new ones have arrived as well. The photos can't possibly do justice to this fabric.

The canary yellow is a mid-weight linen blend with bold random dots. I can't wait to use it!

The next bolt shown above is a light taupe mid-wieght cotton - the weight is between quilting and home decor. You could use it for quilting or bags with equal sucess.

If you've been thinking of purchasing some of these prints, don't wait long. It's so sad but many of Yoshiko Jinzenji's designs are already out of print and unavailable in Japan or the US.

Here's a link to all the Yoshiko Jinzenji fabrics in stock at Marmalade Fabrics.

Check back later in the week to see the new line from Daisy-Janie - Tilly! You're going to love the fresh new patterns.

Echo back in stock!

Echo by Lotta Jansdotter is back in stock! I wasn't expecting a shipment until January so it was such a nice surprise when it arrived early. 

This fabric is HOT HOT HOT, so if you've been thinking about getting some, now's your chance to get every single print! Click here for all the prints including bundles of yards, half-yards and fat quarters.

Stay tuned because I have new prints from Yoshiko Jinzenji. I'll post them in the shop soon. All I need now is a camera!

So what's the worst time to have your camera quit? Anytime is bad but Christmas? Really?

A new one arrives today so hopefully I'll have photos for you soon! 

Dumplings anyone?

I'm working on putting together some dumplings using Keyka Lou's tutorial found here.

Hopefully, I'll have more photos of finished dumplings soon. By the way, if you need zippers, Zipit is the place to go - huge variety, great prices and timely shipping!

Check back later this week for new fabric that you won't be able to resist - just in time for last minute Christmas presents!