This is autumn on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
If I drive south on highway 16, following it past Jefferson on my way to Wilkesboro, I can pull off onto the parkway, and not far down is a great little rest stop/turn out with a picnic table or two, a trail head (I need more time to actually hike that trail to see where it goes!) and gorgeous views - just like this.
My attempt at a squinty selfie.
It was a "shower and go" kind of morning - no styling has been going on here. But at least I was clean.
I want to thank everyone for your words of support while dealing with Donna-Karen yesterday.
There were two more emails when I got home. Also from a "Donna F." who said she was Donna Karen's friend and still waiting for answers to questions.
I thought it funny that they had the same first name and last initial. Different email address (one an icloud, and the other gmail) but it could be the same person, don't you think?
No more replies. I'm done. Evidently they are from New York. Totally different situation than what I've got going here.
Nature is always good for putting things in perspective!
I hiked a short way on the trail, wondering if I'd get a big open long range view for a photo, but the trees were always in the way.
And then I thought - isn't that the way it goes? We often can't see the whole joy because we let things stand in the way of our happiness.
Bye bye Donna F, aka Donna-Karen.
And I too, am sorry for the nick name KAREN and what it has come to symbolize. I have many wonderful Karens in my life. Maybe we just should refer to them as Gladys Kravitz.
Autumn leaves from the Wallburg driveway!
The fall blooming Camellia was putting on quite the show!
I find it so lovely that things can still be blooming like crazy in late October. I didn't miss the tail end of this one, though many paper white petals are already on the ground.
My job at the Wallburg house was grueling. There is no other way to put it.
Going through all of the hanging articles of clothing - some to keep, some to toss, some to donate - I felt like I was discarding so much of myself along the way.
Pieces of clothing in sizes that I will likely never wear again if I am completely honest. At 58 years old - 59 in January - things are just not where they were 6 years ago. Or further back than that.
I decided to STAY REAL and only keep things that I would actually wear in the size I actually am. And I probably STILL kept far too much, including ONE long formal just in case there is the opportunity to cruise again. To play dress up.
I even made myself STAY REAL and try on the shoes I was intending to keep. Feet have widened. Arches are flattening. Nearly ALL the dress shoes (which I don't wear much anyway!) went to the donate bin.
At nearly 59 I don't find cruel shoes a necessity in my life. Bring on the comfort only.
I also went through so many dresses that I loved - but the styles are long gone, the sizes too small, the practicality? Non existent with how I am living my life now. I kept a couple of dresses and a few skirts. The rest were donated.
Oh, how I wish we could go back to those big denim jumpers that were so popular in the 1990s! I LOVED those thrown over a tee shirt. If I could chose a favorite fashion era, that would be it.
4 bins to go through - likely to slim down again. The space bags are for extra coats and things we just are not ready to part with yet.
I still feel like I am drowning in too much stuff - and it is HARD to part with it. At least for me. For some of you it might not be, but for some of us, the struggle really is real.
On my way home I swung by the Goodwill at West Jefferson where they have a drive up drop off and gave them 3 black trash bags of items. I lightened my load before I even got home.
I did pick up something from the closet that is going to work I think with my layer cake dilemma.
I am trying not to buy MORE STORAGE CONTAINERS. I'm already overloaded with all the containers from previous attempts to get things under control.
And the truth of the matter is - I don't buy layer cakes much. I don't sew with entire fabric lines. They just don't have the variety I need, but I have acquired some.
Snap-Ware ornament storage box. 13'' x 13''
A little bit of progress.
Today the plan is to get the Nearly Lemoyne quilt loaded the rest of the way and start the quilting on it.
I am longing to get back to the Snail's Trail project. I have some other things in the works (I showed a teaser pic over the weekend!) involving more green string piecing, so I might get into that.
And there is the upcoming mystery quilt stuff to deal with! Are you counting down the days?
My friend Mona's Punkin Patch table runner!
Andee's Cuties!
"Bonnie,
I made a slightly bigger Punkin Patch for my mom's huge table, a smaller on for my brother's wife and in the same picture is a Halloween Rock Candy by Jaybird Quilts for my sister. I already have a Punkin runner on my table. They are addicting!
Andee in Wisconsin (brrr)"
Linda's Appalachian Autumn top!
"This is my version of Appalachian Autumn! This was a great pattern."
I am loving seeing all of your autumn quilts come together, whether runners, wall hangings, or full sized Punkin Patch quilts!
The PDF patterns for both the Punkin Patch table runner (Only $5.00 through October!) and Appalachian Autumn are available in the Digital Patterns section of the Quiltville Store.
The pattern for my full sized Punkin Patch quilt is found in my book, String Frenzy! If you purchase String Frenzy through the Quiltville Store, you will also receive a bonus PDF of my Hunter’s String Star quilt pattern.
So Thursday - what is on your to-do list for today?
Quiltville Quote of the Day -
Remember that there is no such thing as a small act of kindness.
Every act including kind words simply spoken can create a ripple effect that goes on and on.
Every act including kind words simply spoken can create a ripple effect that goes on and on.
Vintage drunkard's path quilt found in Virginia. I bring this one out in the fall because I love it so much!
Vintage drunkard's path quilt found in Virginia. I bring this one out in the fall because I love it so much!
Have a wonderful Thursday, folks!
72 comments:
When I was going through clothes I had to adopt the mindset of who am I blessing by letting this go. It made it easier to let go but I’m still in the too much stuff camp!
Your beautiful "squinty selfie" + Blue Ridge background has our little cabin down in there, hidden by trees. A half mile if we could fly, 2.5 miles by car. Such a uplifting surprise to know exactly where you are standing, love it!
Thanks for all you do and share Bonnie ❤ 🙂. Blessings going your way.
WOW -- understand your purging issue -- trying to do that here in Indiana -- problem is my mom passed almost 9 years ago and dad wants us to take things from his house -- not enough room for all that (plus ours - even with 3 other sisters)!! Yes, am counting down the days to the color selection - we are headed south to Florida for the winter and I want to make sure I have the correct fabric with me!!
Thursday's plan? find that pumpkin pattern..... I know it is here somewhere.....
Love the quote today. The people who post nasty comments on your blog need those words.
I have 2 of the ornament boxes(3 tiers) and they are so handy for dividing my scraps. It is so easy to reach in and grab the next piece and sew away. Than you for sharing your corner of the world, it is beautiful!
So glad you were able to give up on Donna-Karen! I realized a long time ago that you can never please everyone, all the time. Concentrate on pleasing yourself, and do what feels right in your heart. From what I've read through the years you are a very kind, generous lady. No one in thier right mind could think you would intentionally do anything to harm others just to make a few bucks. Stay true to the sweet, kind woman that you are, and let the Donna's go fly a kite!
Sure hope we Donnas are not next in line to have our name besmirched like our sister Karens.
Sure hope all of us Donnas are not next in line to have our name besmirched like our sister Karens.
was delighted to learn that the catoctin mountains that are outside my window are part of blue ridge and eventually applachian...small world indeed
Bonnie, each of us are dealing with this pandemic in a different way based on our inner security and emotional stability. Each one of us must make our own decisions within our comfort zone. "Karen" needs to stay in her comfort zone because breaking her barrier causes others too much turmoil. You are justified! Thank you for being your kind and gracious self. Praying that "Karen's" words stop invading your person. Have a great day Bonnie and thank you for everything you give to all of us.
Carolyn
You are so blessed with beautiful drives. Thank you for sharing your photos of the changing seasons in your neck of the woods. When I get the urge to purge I watch a couple of episodes of Hoarders - puts me right in the mood. LOL No quilting today although yesterday I completed 2 bindings on a couple of small projects.
It is probably easier to clean clothes out seasonally, but you have been so crazy busy over the years. You will feel lighter letting go. You are not your possessions, so your creativity will get freed up. You do not need to defend your actions. We love you.
Stick to "GKravitz" and then the Gladyses, Donnas and Karens (my sister's name) won't feel like they are being maligned. (What are those NY people expecting to do with your replies? Write a story?)
I love that fourth picture, where you are hiking on the trail - the shades of blue in the sky pull me through the trees.
Purple squares on that Pumpkin Runner!! Oh, such beautiful work from your "fiend Mona!" (giggled at that typo)
I figure if I haven't worn it in a year, it can leave the house. But I can't stand to keep going through my stuff day after day. I have to take breaks and do other stuff. Good Luck!
Are we counting the days until color reveal? NEVER! No one gas even been thinking about that we are so busy seeing heaves and watching green can’t possibly think it is 8 days until we begin collecting for Blavk Friday! Whoop whoop! Thank you thank you thank you! We love our Bonnie!
Loving your shorter wash and wear hairdo. Looks great on you.
You are inspiring me to purge some of that dress-up clothing I know is never going to happen again. Deeper v-necks on a 75 year old does not make for a very pretty picture.😊
I understand the sorting of stuff! I am trying to down-size as much as possible as we try to move from Michigan to East Tennessee. Your scenic photos just make my longing all the more stronger.
You are such an inspiration to me. And to a whole world of others. But, this is about me LOL. I have re-organized my projects (way to many). Sorted my scraps by color (way to many). And have now made my fabric store, errr stash beautiful (WAY TO MUCH). I love it all & am not ready to part with any of it. Just want it beautiful. As I fully embrace retirement....I think. I just don't think I'm ready for the clothes clean out yet. I feel your pain of trying to let go of "stuff". Be brave, but be kind with yourself. You are a most remarkable lady. Thank you for being in my life
Dear, dear Bonnie, if denim jumpers are your jam, make ‘em your uniform. If you don’t feel like making your own, I bet some nice local woman would happily whip up a few for you!
Here are a couple from the Vermont Country Store.
https://www.vermontcountrystore.com/denim-pintuck-jumper/product/67853
https://www.vermontcountrystore.com/easy-fit-denim-jumper/product/82262
The Blue Ridge Mountains... so gorgeous!!! My husband and I stayed in a cabin many years ago there... so beautiful!! We need to visit again... I wish so much I could retreat at Quiltville Inn! On my bucket list for sure!!
Congratulations on facing the “Stuff Monster” again & winning! I get anxiety just over the thot of the anxiety I know is coming, thus procrastinating often, which leads to.... yep, more anxiety! I can’t get my quilting stuff into the closet because the closet STILL has other stuff! I am inspired to go a second round... but it is Christmas sewing time (& clean up the garden & make green tomatoes relish time) so for me I get to procrastinate again haha!!
Perhaps though I will give myself some time to get some quilting done. A Christmas gift needs to be on that frame!!
Marci H.
Your photos are beautiful! Still, I doubt that they capture the true beauty of nature in your area. Enjoy today!
I loved those long jumpers! In winter I’d wear with a turtle neck, knee socks and comfy shoes. It took me a long time to give those away - kept hoping the style would return. 😆
Bonnie, I agree with all who express appreciation for your kindness and extreme generosity. Please know that there are so many of us who love you. I am currently making a bear's paw quilt with LOTS of neutrals. I never would have used all these neutrals "pre-Bonnie." It's turning out beautifully because you have had a profound influence on my quiltmaking style. Thank you!
All the hard work will pay off when you land with a manageable amount of stuff in one location. You're steps closer to that freedom!
I'm just beginning the Appalachian Autumn and love working with the array of fall colors. I haven't string pieced before so that will be my challenge starting tomorrow. Your instructions are very helpful!
I agree with Dorothy, if they make you feel good, wear em...life is too short not to do something that pleases us...
In regards to your commentator, in German one would say: Allen Leuten recht getan, ist eine Kunst, die niemand kann. (Doing it right for everyone, is an art that no one can.)
In regards to your favoirte fashion period and jumpers: Just do it. I remember those times. I was in the US for the first time. in Asheville N.C, and swa those jumpers, something I had never seen in Switzerland and I wanted one, and bought one from a lady who sewed them herself and sold them. They had pockets and were comfortable... Maybe we make them again? Comfort is very important, things we make ourselves we are more likely to hold on to and wear them. Fast fashion is very bad for the rest of the world and the scraps can find their way into more quilt tops.
Hang in there, Bonnie! I have acquaintances whose email or facebook challenges I refuse to answer, especially about Covid guidelines, politics or religion. Some feel they need to force their opinion on everyone & I find that my life is much calmer when they are blocked. I enjoy your blog. Re: old clothing - discard anything that you will have to fit into again. Life moves on & we change as we age. Let’s all be comfortable & appreciate our current self.
Keep those jumpers if you're comfortable in them. Me thanks for the reminder of a good thing to wear. The pictures from your trip are gorgeous.
You do you Bonnie and let the world sort itself out. Here is some music for you "I get knocked down but I get up again, you're never gonna keep me down" or "It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine" and have an "Ordinary Day"
I have been in your shoes, not the fancy ones though. It was so hard and emotional. I decided that I did not have to give EVERYTHING away. My husband didn't understand why things were such an emotional attachment to me. It was easier to give things to people that could use it. I go to quilt retreat with Joy Roeglin. We just had a snow storm with more coming. I hope that it all goes away before we go to camp. I miss NC. I lived in Cary, NC and I still love the area. Take care and remember things are important. You will let go of them in due time.
Wear what makes you happy! Be it suits, dresses, jeans, leggings, or JUMPERS!!! Last winter I made a couple wool jumpers to wear with turtlenecks and leggings! Comfortable enough to sew all day, nice enough to wear out to dinner (at least the sewing is still happening!). We have reached an age where we can be our authentic selves, and you are a pretty wonderful self!
Yikes -- the entitlement of someone saying, "I'm still waiting on answers"!
I've gotten better about getting rid of clothes that are too small. I'm 59, so of a similar age to you, and below a certain size just is never going to happen. What I DON'T get rid of is decent clothes a size up or so. I did that once after I had lost weight, "Oh, I'll NEVER need these size 16s again!" and then sure enough, I definitely needed those size 16s and then it was difficult to find pants I liked because the brands had changed their styles. These were things that would have been perfectly fine and not noticeably "out of style," but I was silly enough to think I wouldn't put that weight back on! ;)
I STILL miss those "too large" pants I got rid of!
Thank you for the beautiful fall photos! Love, love, love fall colors. Your blog is my daily go to and it lifts me up. Please keep on keeping on. :)
Susan
Love the Vermont Country Store - and those jumpers too!
Thank you for sharing your Blue Ridge Mountains. We used to travel down through there on our motorcycle when we lived in PA. It's all white when I look out of the Windows here in Wisconsin today 6+" of snow and more on the way Sunday! Thanks for sharing your views, pets and projects with us.
Love your posts. Enjoy seeing the scenery. Forty years ago a realtor told my friend that she felt so discouraged by the need that she stopped reading the newspaper and listening to the news. I wonder what she would have to say about today’s events and issues! I find I feel happier when I listen to up lifting music and turn off everything else.
I tend to remember my clothing that I donate as it was new. As in "I wish I still had that embroidery top" that was worn, too small, etc. When relinquished. 😂
Thank you Bonnie, I look forward to reading your blog each day. Love what you have been doing with retreats & your life. I look forward to seeing Ivy Jane, Lola and Zoey as well. Stay true to yourself. Simone in Melbourne Australia.
I am enjoying your Punkin Patch quilt show each day. I am making one, only mine is still in strips ( and a few Punkin's). Having a hard time deciding if I want black, gray or neutral back grounds. It's a fun project to work on this time of year! Thanks for all you do. Yes. looking forward to mystery season. And love all the beautiful tree photos.. we don't get it like that in CA!
I never had any denim jumpers but I had a few denim skirts that I loved in the 90's. I miss them but now that I'm retired, I'm more of a jeans and tshirt girl. Thanks for all you do and I am looking forward to the mystery, wondering what the colors are going to be this year.
You live in a beautiful part of the world! Just be you and don't waste time on those who think everyone should believe & do as they do.
I followed the links to The Vermont Country
Store, LOVE those ' jumpers' and at 74 I can set my own style so I will be making myself at least one of them. Name fascinates me as I wear a jumper in the winter but you all call them jerseys or pullovers. Words are fascinating.
Lol thanks for the link I was unsure what you meant by a jumper, having checked out your link I see it’s what we call a pinafore dress in the UK a jumper is a woolly sweater. I find the differences in the use of words really interesting
Such beautiful pictures love seeing them all the gorgeous colours through the seasons.
I’m going to have to do the same our bedroom is so crowded with stuff! Most of which I will never wear and does my husband really need 20 coats/jackets ? Time to trim it down to a sensible quantity.
Thank you for all your inspiration
Stay safe
Love and quilty hugs
Anne xx
I'm trying to eliminate the sleeveless things for the same reason. The backs of older ladies' arms aren't always pretty either.
Bonnie, keep on, keeping on. Your better off without Donna-Karen in your life. We like you just the way you are. Polly
Makes you wonder what Ms Kravitz is really like - it does sound like another email set up just to get her claws into you. She found a target and now won't let go. Keep on blocking!
Anyhoo the autumnal photos are super and I look forward to the new mystery! Whoohoo!
Hi Bonnie, Tomorrow I turn 59 and I can relate to the shoe issue. I miss wearing heels once in a while , being only 5'3" it always gave me a bit of a mental boost :) Now runners are my shoe of choice!
Maybe today’s post will encourage me to give up the formal dress I wore in 1974 that still hangs in my closet! I loved everything about that dress and it still makes me smile (with embarrassment) when I see it hanging there! Ha!
I buy my paper towels/toilet paper at Sam's or Costco. Those plastic bags are great for clothing give away bags. I keep one in the bottom of my closet. If I pull out something that doesn't fit or I am meh about, in the bag it goes. The bags have a square bottom and are just the right size for a folded item. Bag filled? Of it goes to the thrift store. The problem is, then I'm at the thrift store! 😂
Bonnie, thanks for sharing your beautiful Autumn pictures. WE love you so much-reading your daily blog, many times more than once! You are an inspiration to me. At 78 I'm trying, working at donating clothes-very hard! When I retired about 20 years ago, I said I was going to throw on a tee shirt and then a pair of overalls w/ lots of pockets each morning for my day! Fun!!
Closet purging has been happening here too, including office slacks that no longer fit but are in good condition. Also letting go of my Dad`s ties and baseball caps. He has been gone 20+ years. Passed a couple on to grandsons, the silk ones to a friend for her tie project and the rest to Vietnam Vets. Also my ice skates. Dr. Says no more skating after knee replacement. Love those pictures of the Blue Ridge, reminds me of my time in the mountains.
Block the emails from GKravitz. You don't need the emotional surge when you see an email from them.
I too love the jumpers over tee shirt look. At 64, I have got to the point that being in fashion isn't that important. I'm going to look for a jumper pattern and make jumpers again. We just moved into our 7th house in 30 years. Last move was 2 years ago. Did some downsizing then but this move we had our daughter and 3 year old grandson along. Just getting it packed was challenge enough. Trying to get a sewing room set up again but everyone else's agenda keeps getting in the way. I hate chaos and need to get put away again.
Bonnie,
I too have so much trouble parting with “stuff “ . When I was younger I was so excited if my parents offered me a piece of furniture or a piece of cooking utensil you don’t like them cloning where dish or something and today’s generation they don’t want any of the minimalist so my kids don’t want anything they certainly don’t want anything that was their grandparents I’ve got a collection of Sewing Machine’s that I really need to weed the room and I had a bunch of fabric to sell and some of it sold some of it didn’t it’s just difficult in it for meeting part with fabric is something about self but I thought I am never going to use this it’s Going to end up being that on the back of the quilt or cut into very small pieces and I’ll do some strength peace and with thank you for all you do have a wonderful day I know you’re not alone out there it’s difficult and I’m couple years older than you but if you want to be honest almost 4 years older than you LOL
I love the bits of lights (whites) in Mona's quilt. It makes the pumpkins sparkle. Thank you for sharing the Blue Ridge.
Who says we can't wear denim jumpers like in the 90s? Fire the fashion police and run them out of town. LOL Just do what YOU like and be comfortable (if you can find denim jumpers).
It is SNOWING here in Central WA. (Leavenworth,WA) The jumper and long sleeve shirts sound great.
Robin
In my book, if jeans are still in, then so are the jumpers!
Hi Bonnie. I usually don't add my comments, but I wanted to let you know how much your photos of the landscapes mean to me. I had to leave Wilkes county last year to move out west to Nevada, and I miss the mountain living so much. I was happy to have taken one of your classes while I was there and have used your patterns many times. When you speak of the sounds and smells of the changing seasons it spurs such wonderful memories for me. Keep it coming all year long. As long as your intentions are true, never mind what others have to say.
I made a punkin patch table runner (total of 6 punkins) for my friend in Denver who is turning 100 years old on Nov. 4th. I hope she likes it. What do you get someone who is 100 and lives in assisted living?. I'd like to keep it myself, but have enough punkins made to make another full size table runner.
I want to tell you how much your beautiful nature photos add to my day. We don't get out much due to the wicked virus so I really enjoy the nature you share. it's a shame you don't have a daughter. If you really want to get rid of clothes, have your daughter go through your closet. I was sorting through clothes to get rid of one day when my daughter came in. She asked what pile was for discard, keep, donate, etc. By the time she was done, the discard and donate piles were twice as high and the keep pile had shrunken greatly. I still remember one dress with tags still on that I had for about ten years and never wore. She examined it and said something like "Really - you're keeping this! It's out of style, wrong size and we both know you will never wear it." I try to keep that in mind now whenever I am going through my closet. I think the biggest problem now is saying to myself that it's OK to keep items with stains on them since I only wear them around the house. Have to force myself to throw things out instead of having an entire wardrobe of clothes only suitable for Covid house arrest.
I'm already getting excited for the MQ. The 1st one I did was easy street, my sister from Australia loved it so much I gave it to her & her husband as an anniversary gift.
Love that you have the time to get organized. That's on my wish list.
Chin up & stay in your place of joy.
Your artistic bent shows in your beautiful photos ... you have a terrific eye for composition, no surprise there ... and your way with words. So enjoyable for the rest of us.
I can’t believe that the self appointed Covid cop who has been nipping at your heels has the audacity to remind you that she is waiting for your response. Unbelievable. Good to unburden yourself of such negativity. I would suggest the woman has issues.
I like the layer cakes if I have a special quilt in mind for them or if I acquired them at such a price i couldn't resist, The jelly rolls on the other hand I like for epp but again only if the price is right. I have been to a few quilter to quilter sales and have gotten some fabulous deals that i couldn't resist and I usually do resist but not when the price was that fantastic. What I don't like about jelly rolls in particular is that they are not always the size they are suppose to be and i really dislike when they have the pinked edges, to hard to match up but when you get such a fantastic deal as I did you deal with it. I am beginning to wonder if Karen (s) are somehow trying to spam you. I don't know why I think that but from what you have said about the posts that is what comes to mind.
I also have a favorite formal. I was complimented so much when I wore it, back in the day. Just can't part with it.
When I was growing up it was drilled into us kids, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."
I just finished a major move from surburbia to rural dream with 2 acres. We were in our house 35 years - talk about a bunch of stuff to purge. Seemed like rabbits and things kept multiplying behind my back!! But we did it and it was so extremely satisfying once it was all done and the house was sold. Hang in there - you can do it!! Keep the end goal and the joy living at the cabin full time front and center.
At the beginning of each season, I turn all of my hangars backward so the tip of the hook is facing out. As I wear, wash and hang clothes I hang them back in the closet normally with hook tip facing the wall. When it's time to move to the next season, all clothes still facing the wrong way get purged. I didn't wear that item for a reason, so it's time to go. This happens twice a year and at the end of the season I can see what I need to replace when the sales are happening. This completely took the emotion out of it. If I didn't wear an item all season, I probably didn't like it. Easy to get rid of.
Your term "Stuff Monster" set up a picture in my head that has me chuckling. My husband and I are busy procrastinating about downsizing, and I think we have an army of Stuff Monsters" encouraging us(while we sleep), to keep everything. I may have to draw a picture of one of them to satisfy my curiosity. Shedding stuff is a tough job for sure.
I have been shut down by Covid 19 during the last week and I am slowly catching up on your emails. I have just started trying again to sew for a few minutes at a time. Old Tobacco Road....
I can't find the entry where you referenced "giving you joy..." so commenting on this date - I've almost worked through "Decluttering at the Speed of Life" by Dana White which gave me some really good tools to deal with the decluttering. She addresses some of the emotional mindblocks too. It's a process. Good luck.
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