Time to sort my fabric stash...

This year is dedicated to sorting and de-cluttering, organizing and giving away stuff (I've written a little about it here) It is amazing how much stuff we can collect during a period of time... For quite a while it has felt overwhelming with all these things in my home, on my computer, in my attic, in my closet... Even in my hand bag. And in my studio. 

I collected fabric for many years when I was into patchwork, but my sewing machine has been collecting dust for over two years now. I'm not even sure I can remember how to whip up a patchwork baby blanket anymore... For a while I put my fabric stash away in a try to regain control and re-find my sewing mojo, but I'm not sure that tactics worked. Now, after building my much longed for built in shelves, my fabric stash has found its way back. But honestly... When will I ever have time to use up all this fabric? And to be even more honest, I'm just scraping on the surface of my fabric collection in this blog post.

It is hard to sort your most loved things. Sorting and organizing the attic was a piece of cake compared to dealing with my closet full of yarn for example. Letting go is a tough process but very much needed.

My yarn has already been sorted twice. I've given away not less than three garbage bags full, to charity and still I have so much yarn left... My fabric stash on the other hand, I haven't touched yet. And to be honest, right now I just love having it there looking at it, but I know I have to be a bit ruthless there too. So. Don't be surprised if I throw a My Rose Valley Stash Sale campaign. One can only have so much fabric in her house, even if she is lucky enough to have a big studio for herself... Just look at those Liberty fabrics... the Vintage Sheet collection... those minty Fat Quarters... Oh my, this is going to be a tough one. Wish me luck.

Kärlek
Annette

FOLLOW  MY ROSE VALLEY HERE:

My Switzerland in April

I pedal in rythm with the music in my ears. I breath in the sweet intense fragrance from the gorgeous rapeseed fields. I look around. See a few cows. A farmer who is driving his tractor somewhere. A man mowing the lawn under the apple trees.

To ride my bike through the Swiss countryside makes me happy. Not only do I feel safe on these small curvy roads along the mountain chain of Jura, but they are also often flat and rather meditative to roads to ride. I feel closer to nature as I through my saddle can observe each and every step of spring... Every time I get out there, I spot something new. First the pink cherry tree blossoms and dandelions, some anemones and primroses. Then the pear trees in bloom followed by golden rapeseed fields and apple tree blossoms. Tulips and daffodils, crocus and snow drops in gardens. Now lilacs and soon also irises...

A barn construction goes from foundation to a building with walls and a roof in just 3 days!!! Someone's garden make the same type of progress over the weekend transforming from a garden of weeds to pretty perfect growing beds ready to welcome some vegetable seeds and plants for the season to come.

I seldom stop. I like to keep a steady tempo, but at times the beauty overwhelms me. And I just have to stop. Take it all in. Smell it. Feel it. And share it with you. Because nature is a magic place to be. Especially here in my beautiful Switzerland in April.

Kärlek
Annette

FOLLOW  My Rose Valley HERE:

Small Things

I see my neighbor walking across the field with a friend. He is doing some repair of his bee hives, cutting back some apple trees and bushes, getting ready for the honey and bee season. 

I sit on the bench by the shed, watching the laundry dry, reading and crocheting, having tea and soaking in the warmer temperature and sunshine that peeks out from the clouds every now and then. The Granny cardigan project is showing to be a real challenge. I have frogged it 3 times, and just keep on bumping into more and more hick ups as a go... I'll tell you more another day but I thing I've had it with this cardigan... 

The yellow tree is in bloom, the very first sign of spring coming around. Colorful flowers are sticking up from the ground here and there, the blue ones we call Grandma's Glasses in Swedish.

Luca Bo spends time outside, working on re-design projects like painting the decks of his skateboards. For hours he is entertained by spray cans of paint, sketching and designing. Afterwards he leaves to go skating and comes back home 2 hours later all sweaty and red of his cheeks. "This skateboard is awesome, Mama". I believe him. He made it so of course it is awesome. He is proud and I am proud too.

We have lazy mornings on the weekend, sleeping in and making scones. Izzy won't let me make the bed until late afternoon. She is a lazy primadona... eats, sleeps and goes out just for an hour or so... She is fat. Yes she is. And we love her dearly just the way she is. She is a real character. Knows when to snuggle up with you to give comfort. She always comes when someone is ill in bed. The best snuggle-up-cat ever.

I finished THE blanket. Yes I did! I sat down one evening and weaved in those ends and I was done in less than 40 minutes. Why did it take me so long? We went down to the beach front of the Geneva lake to take some pictures in the late afternoon magic light, me and Nelly Bo, but we missed the great light by 5 or 10 minutes so we just enjoyed the views for a minute and went straight back home. I'm still waiting for the perfect day to take pictures to share.

We make soup. At least twice a week. We have become the family who loves soup. Mixed veggie soup, creamy potato and leek soup, lentil soup, chicken soup, broccoli soup, zucchini soup, yellow pea and ham soup, spinach soup, Minestrone soup... We never get tired of it and it is perfect for those busy evenings with sport activities when everyone comes home at different times. 

The evenings fall and laundry is being folded while watching TV. I've kept the stars form Christmas, not sure when or if I will ever take the down. I love them so.

The time passes 10pm and soon the house is all asleep. Shutters banging in the wind wakes me up at night. It's quite annoying but I always forget to close them at night... Another sunrise arrives around 6.30 am and a new day starts. And maybe it all sounds a bit dull and boring, but lately I've come to appreciate all these small mundane things of everyday life more. They have actually become quite precious. We have had our fair share of dramas here lately, things going on behind the scenes... Why long for special moments, vacations, adventures and a better future? Life is right here, right now with the ones I love the most. And that is all that matters in the big picture, isn't it?

What were your mundane but precious moments this week? I would love to know.

Kärlek
Annette

FOLLOW  My Rose Valley HERE:

A Bathroom Make Over

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

Back in January I cried out for help regarding my need to get organized. It appeared that I wasn't the only one crying out for some order in my life and home, it was so comforting to know. I received so many good advice, tools and examples from you. Your help on this topic has been incredible. Thank you for all your support.

Today I thought I would share my little Bathroom Make Over. I'm not sure if it is much of a make over or just a clean up... However, the result is 10 times better than it was before so the satisfaction of transforming this space to pretty, functional and nice bathroom, is reward enough for my efforts. I used as much as possible of what I have (although it was tempted to go out and spend a few hundred bucks on a total new bathroom set up!!! But the whole idea was to use what I have and be smart so...) And here is what I did:

TIME: I spent approx 2 hours
COST: Fresh flowers 15-20 dollars
BEST THING: The flowers transformed it all!
SECOND BEST THING: The cute containers for cotton pads and cleaning products. Even the razers look good in a glass jar with a lace trim on. :) The small jars and containers are great for neat storage and function.


ACTION:
1. I emptied the shelf unit, bathroom cabinet and baskets in a big box.
2. I took some soap and water in a bucket, a sponge and toothbrush and got scrubbing
3. I scrubbed everything down, wiped and cleaned
4. I sorted all the stuff in my box, throwing everything old/broken/not useful
5. I collected some cute bowls and glass jar from around the house to use for storage
6. I bought a flower. A real flower. We'll see how long it will survive with my "plant killer" hands...
7. I also added a vase of tulips. I think that was the most refreshing thing to do!!!
8. I pimped up my little dresser with a false flower and some cute soaps I had as decoration.
9. I vacuumed and dusted.
10. I changed to clean carpets and towels and the magic was done.


THINGS I STILL WANT TO DO:
• Add a drawer knob to the dresser I found at the garbage center and add a new decoration paper to it.
• Take down the bathroom cupboard and put up a nice big wooden framed mirror with a shelf.
• Crochet a new bathroom mat in blue and white!

My messy basket is still standing untouched in a corner though... I will get to that soon. One thing at a time... I'm getting there and after doing my little Bathroom Make Over I'm inspired to tackle some more nasty corners in my home. Wish me luck! :)

Kärlek
Annette

FOLLOW  My Rose Valley HERE: