Sunday, August 21, 2016

Pura Vida!

Last night one of our smoke/CO detectors went off.  The one right outside the master bedroom, of course.  Out of the blue it decided to go off!  Of course, first we checked the whole house for a fire. We are dog sitting my son's two large dogs that are deathly afraid of storms. Well, I found something that scared them even worse.  Max decided he wanted to be Lassie and felt he had to bark and run to the door, like we needed to be rescued.  We have high ceilings so we had to haul in the large step ladder to be able to reach the detector.  Looking back, we must have looked quite hilarious in our pj's with two large shaking dogs cuddled on the sofa and schnauzer that was in rescue mode.  So it took a while to get things back to normal and everyone in bed.  This morning we went out and bought new batteries for all the detectors and my husband replaced the wacky detector. Hopefully that won't happen again in my life time.  What a way to end the week especially after I had some really relaxing sewing sessions this week.  First, I finished my SVBQ  applique block.



Then, I turned to Baltimore Garden.  It is  such a large quilt and I am getting so close to finishing, that I have decided it will take priority the next several weeks. Before we moved I had started a wee bit of the border. I had decided to do perpendicular double lines every inch as a background to the swags.  When I pulled it out of the moving box and laid it out I just wasn't pleased. I wanted something that was a little denser to match the half inch grid I used as background quilting on the blocks.  So I decided to try 45 degree straight lines one half inch apart! Yes, much better!


 I am so thankful for all the encouraging advice the gals over at Slow Stitching Sundays gave me.   I was reminded that I should concentrate on my joy of stitching and not measure the progress.  To find a few moments each day to enjoy the stitching.  They of course are so right, those ten minutes here or there really add up and I found myself sneaking over to the frame every chance I got. Before you know it I got one border quilted.  Thanks to all of you that took the time to comment and help me get back that joy!  I watched a pbs show this week on Costa Rica.



Pura vida” is commonly heard in Costa Rica—it means “pure life” and is often used as a greeting in lieu of “hello” and “goodbye”
Costa Rica is known as the happiest country in the world. They spend a great deal of the show explaining the expression used above. It's all about taking time for one self and others and enjoying the simple goodness the earth provides.

I think they may have something there. I know without my quilting time, I tend to get wound up. So Pura vida fellow slow stitchers!  Thanks for taking the time to remind me it's ok to take some time for me and what ever  brings me joy! 

26 comments:

  1. That happened to me one time in the middle of the night too! It was awful! At least I only needed a chair to reach it though. Your floral block is lovely and it's always wonderful to view your gorgeous hand quilting!

    SO...i was thinking that PURA VIDA was the Latin name of the flower or something ha ha ( doesn't even sound Latin! :)

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    1. High ceilings are nice in warm climate as it allows somewhere for the warmer air to go but it's not so great when you need to paint or reach a smoke detector. The crazy things talks too which really made it annoying

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    1. I think moving my hoop where I walk by it regularly has really helped. I finding myself thinking hmmm I a few minutes to put in a few stitches! They add up don't they?

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  3. Your hand quilting is just exquisite!

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    1. Thanks! I love seeing those little stitches! Learned to sew blocks so I could have something to quilt. Still my favorite part of making a quilt

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  4. So happy the stitching is bringing you joy again! So glad there was no fire or issue, but that must have been an interesting site! I've had that happen in our's too. Real fun getting the 16 foot ladder out of the shed in the middle of the night to turn that little smoke detector off.

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    1. Oh yeah it was crazy. The darn thing yells out Fire Fire as if the loud tones aren't enough. I am really loving your purple and green quilt!!!!!! Thinking I should use those colors in a bedroom someday!

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  5. So glad to hear that you are enjoying your stitching once again... and "sneaking over to the frame"!

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    1. Yeah sneaking over has really helped. A few minutes here and there have really helped. Don't tell anyone but sometimes an hour passes before you know it.

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  6. Know what it is like to get a scare from the smoke detectors. We had one that went off a few times regardless of a battery change but never found anything wrong. We had an ant problem at the time and they seemed drawn to the one detector. Must have been what was setting it off.

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    1. Oh we have been having a bit of an ant issue wonder if that is what happened. So glad they are there in case of a real fire but oh my how annoying when it goes off for no reason right at bed time.

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  7. Your hand quilting is so wonderful!!! The whole quilt top is a beauty!

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    1. Thanks! It seems like I have been working on it forever. I think I am going to miss having it as a project.

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  8. I love the diagonal lines in the border!! Gorgeous!! I'm glad it was a false alarm!

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    1. I do too! They are so much better than my other thought. Taking out a few hand quilted stitches was easy and worth it. Afterall, we have to be happy or it's just not working on it!

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  9. Your quilting design is beautiful. I find the closer I am to finishing the quilting on a quilt, the higher priority it becomes, just can't put the needle down! Glad there was no fire, really glad our detector can be reached by standing on a chair. Blessings, Gretchen villacrestfarm@gmail.com

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    1. Thanks! I have most of the second border this week. I too am thinking if only I could spend a few whole days at the frame. But I know my back wouldn't like that much.

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  10. Your quilt is gorgeous. Beautiful work!

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  11. Your Baltimore Garden quilt is so beautiful - I absolutely love your hand quilting!

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    1. Thanks! I never thought I would ever have the tenacity to finish a large quilt completely by hand. Making an appliqued quilt makes it easy as each block seemed like it's own project. There is nothing more fun than hand quilting one!

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  12. A great reminder to enjoy everyday.
    Love your SVBAQ block - congratulations.
    Your Baltimore is so,pretty with all the hand work! Wow!

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    1. Thanks Dawn! I grew up in my mom's flower gardens and have enjoyed gardening for years. So it is a joy to work on both of these projects!

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  13. Yes I think I have! Another 3/4 of a border so far this week! Halleujah!

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  14. This is beautiful Carla! And it is going to be a treasured heirloom for many years to come!

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