Favorite Things This Week

Target

When Target announced they were phasing out Merona and Mossimo, I was a little sad. What if the new brands don’t fit as well? What if I don’t like the style. Those worries have been wiped away with my most recent purchases. After working from home for over four years, I realized my sweater selection was low. I lived in hoodies and sweats most of the time. A New Day is my new jam.

I wanted a sweater to wear with skirts and skinny pants. Seriously, I’m going to order more of this in various colors. It’s soft and drapes perfectly on me. I see gold in now in stock. HMMM.

Having a large knit cardigan was also on my wishlist. I picked this one up last weekend and now want to wear it everyday.

Target has had some great sales on items I was stocking up on for Christmas gifts. I can’t share with you right now, but after Christmas I will.

Supporting Local

Our part of Indianapolis is seeing revitalization with new businesses and neighborhoods support those businesses. Last week, the shops near our house hosted a Sip N Shop to kick off the holiday season. So glad my husband and I were able to enjoy a quick date, do some shopping, and explore new to us businesses. Most of P’s Christmas shopping was done at Mass Ave Toys. We snuck in a drink across the way and had a delicious macaroon.

We did some more shopping and stumbled across a hidden gem. Nicole Taylor’s Pasta offers a chef’s table meal. We talked with the chef for a while and then I went home to research it. Turns out they are booked throughout 2018. Maybe someone I know has a reservation and will invite us later. Who wouldn’t want to sit here and eat a meal crafted just for your party?

Chef’s table

AIDS Memorial Quilt

The AIDS Memorial Quilt was on display at Indiana University this week. While I was not able to make it to see in person, their Facebook page did a great job showcasing the quilt. It’s been 30 years since the quilt was created. The Washington Post looks at the impact it still has here.

Check out the Indiana Daily Student’s article here.

Sewing & Quilting

Add another project to my list of potentials, Christmas pajamas. Melly Sews makes it look easy, see here.

Cup of Jo featured some stunning baby quilts on her blog. She even featured some handmade ones here.

Clearing out clutter

Two adults, one small human, and two dogs create quite a bit of clutter. Let’s not even mention all the stuff we have jammed into our small house. Lately, it’s become too much, and I feel like we are bursting at the seams. This week I have started tackling clutter and taking donations to Goodwill. We have great spaces in our home and I wonder if we are using them the best. My friend used holloway self storage sydney to store some of her belongings in since she wanted a little more space in her house. I’ve considered putting some of my clutter in a storage unit too!

P helped me put my fabric stash into a cabinet in our back room. Now I need to finish cleaning back there and taking stuff to the garage or donating. The room has more cabinets on the wall now and has become a catch all. My plan over the next week is to really clean it out and organize the space better.

This is from March 2013.

Once that is done, I can tackle the sewing room. It’s a disaster as well. It’s the first thing people see when they walk into our house. Sometimes I’m embarrassed, other times I don’t care since there really isn’t another space in the house.

Biggest project for these next couple of days is scraps. I have two of those tubs pictured above stuffed with scraps. With guild meeting on Sunday I hope to bring the tubs to the meeting and see some go. P’s art teacher may be getting a giant donation too, who knows.

I do see some trips to Dollar Tree and Ikea in my future to make the most of the space we have. What are your go to stores for storage ideas? Plus, more purging to come.

 

https://www.pinterest.com/quiltytherapy/home-organization/

Impacts of Clutter

I have come across some articles lately that talk about the impact of clutter on your overall health. What are you thoughts?

Impact on mental here, read here

Effects on productivity, read here

Being disorganized is one thing, I can operate in that. Too much clutter really slows me down, it puts added pressure on my that isn’t healthy. Not to mention, it’s overwhelming. My sewing space right now is full of clutter. Projects, ideas, scraps, etc all thrown together. No more, it’s time to tackle and clear up some mental space to allow for more creativity.


I started the weekly favorites to share a little more about me. Sewing and quilting may seem boring to most people. There is so much more to my life that these posts are a glimpse into all the other things that encompass my weeks. The post may contain affiliate links. If you may a purchase from a link, I may receive a small compensation.

Favorite Family Halloween Movies

As we approach Halloween weekend it may be time to bust out some of our favorite Halloween movies. Being the film fanatics that we are, it’s got to the point where we should probably be looking for some home cinema designers in london to make our movie nights even more special. Since P is obsessed with Halloween, we watch “Spooky” movies year round. We also have some Halloween decor up in the house all year too. This year, I finished the quilt below to use while watching movies. You will probably find us snuggled up this weekend enjoying these movies and eating giant bowls of popcorn.

spooky ghost pumpkin quilt, halloween quilt, halloween decor, handmade halloween decor

Ghostbusters

The original Ghostbusters from 1984, not the remake. P thinks it is hilarious and walks around quoting the movie. “Back off man I’m a scientist!” The other night he re-created the ending scene of the movie in his bubble bath. “Look mom, I’m covered in marshmallows,” as he pretended the bubbles were marshmallows. Good one kid.

via IMDB.com

As a parent the language isn’t terrible, but there is one scene that can be hard to explain to kids. It’s the scene that Dan Aykroyd is having the “dream” with the ghost and she unbuckles his belt. I’ve just told P it’s a dream and later I will have to have a better response. The movie still holds up on the comedy for the adults as well.

Hotel Transylvania 2

This has to be a favorite movie of P’s. Maybe it’s the music, the banter, or the scary monsters, but he loves this movie. Hotel Transylvania 2 provides comedy for the whole family. The movie encourages kids to be themselves and not have to fit into the mold of your character. Also, how people can interact on various levels even with differences. That’s my super high level parental take away. My kid just sees the monsters being silly, that works too.

via IMDB.com

Hocus Pocus

Our final favorite is Hocus Pocus. Follow the Sanderson sisters as they come back to life and try attempt to steal the souls of children. Okay it’s not that scary. They just run “Amok, amok, amok, amok.” Again, the comedy holds up for adults. Winifred is my favorite character. Her sarcasm is just my style. “Another glorious morning. Makes me sick.” – Winifred.

via IMDB.com

Additional movies to consider viewing

Addams Family – We haven’t introduced P to this movie yet, but it’s on the list. Plus down the line it could make a fantastic family costume idea – P may become pugsley addams from addams family for a party down the line.

Spooky Buddies – The plot is terrible and can be hard to watch as an adult. However, my kid thinks the dogs are funny.

Nightmare before Christmas – I am not a huge Tim Burton fan so I try to avoid this one. P kinda of dug it. He may like it better as he gets older.

Casper – That friendly ghost can be quite entertaining. I had the biggest crush on Devon Sawa when the movie came out in 1995. My kid could care less, he just likes ghosts.


What is your family’s favorite Halloween movies? Do you have any Halloween traditions to share?

This post contains affiliate links. If you may make a purchase, I may receive a small compensation. All products linked are items I have used personally.

Favorite Things This Week

Hello October and all your fall splendor.  Too bad in Indianapolis it’s been hot.  We had to turn the AC back on the other night.  That’s a minor thing in life though.  It’s been a tough week for many people I know.  The US had another (can’t believe how often in happens) mass shooting and Rock legend Tom Petty passed away.  Earlier this week I took some time off from social media and any media to just enjoy time as a family.  It doesn’t make Las Vegas easier to process, but helped me not get consumed by all of the coverage.  The Las Vegas Modern Quilt Guild is putting together a drive for blocks, fabric, quilts, etc to be given to victims and first responders.  You can find out more here, deadline is November 15th

This week, let’s bring something positive into everyone’s week.

Twitter

Cathedrals in a Twitter battle for World Architecture Day.  There are stunning photos in the replies

Sewing & Quilting

Shruti Dandaker walks through her process when she was in Inspiration Overload.  Great read on refining and figuring out a path forward.  Now is the perfect time to focus on that as we head into setting goals for 2018.

Shopping Handmade

These tennis rackets by Danielle Clough are stunning.  Pop over to read a bit more.

Fountain Alley Body Care is a wonderful shop we found during Girl’s Weekend to Madison.  I bought a few soaps and a mask.  They smell lovely and use natural products.

Potholders are back in my Etsy shop.  More will be added soon.  They make a great gift.

potholders by quiltytherapy

Life

The love of football runs deep at my house.  Not quite this deep, but impressive dress change by one bride to surprise her dad.

Two favorite movies in the Nagel household are Mean Girls and The Devil Wears Prada.  October 3rd was this week and the internet went a little crazy.  Did you do there was a thing as #meangirlsday?  Me either, but now I may need to celebrate.  It’s so fetch.  Ha!  I found this article about some unknown facts on The Devil Wears Prada.  Hubby and I enjoyed the read.

Great American Beer Festival is happening this week.  It’s on my bucket list of items.  Have you ever gone?  My Twitter and Facebook are full of posts from friends in the industry.

 

I started the weekly favorites to share a little more about me.  Sewing and quilting may seem boring to most people.  There is so much more to my life that these posts are a glimpse into all the other things that encompass my weeks.  The post may contain affiliate links.  If you may a purchase from a link, I may receive a small compensation.  

 

Favorite Things This Week

Fall is here!  Fall is here!  Seriously, I’m so giddy about fall.  September has been an amazing month.  Time with family and friends, but mostly full of laughter.  More memories to come as we enjoy the fall weather and festivities.

Girl’s Weekend

A couple of weekends ago my friends and I snuck off to Madison, Indiana for the weekend.  We stopped at wineries and shopped.  More importantly we had time together.  At a bar on Friday night we met two adorable Kentucky girls complete with accents.  They noted they were 22 and thought we were 27.  Can they just follow us around for a while?  Too sweet, just like their tea.  They are towards the back of this picture.

We roamed around a new city and learned a few things along the way.  Canaan, Indiana hosted their Fall Festival while we where there.  They host a special Pony Express run of the mail.  You guys, I love the mail so when I overheard someone talking about a special postcard, I knew I needed more information.  At the post office we got all the details.  The Pony Express will be in Madison by 1ish if we wanted to see the ride.  Done!

We anxiously waited to see a man on a horse deliver these postcards.  It was much later than we were told, but I had beer, so things were good.  I shared the thrilling event on InstaStories.  People in town were not nearly excited as I was.  “It’s just a guy on a horse.”  Well those party poopers did not deter me.  So glad we got to see it.

Then we noticed the building we had been waiting by.  It looks like a castle.  It’s an old Knights of Pythia lodge.  Interesting. Now it’s just apartments.  Imagine all the social events that happened there?

This was the view from our hotel room.  We stayed in the second night and enjoyed some of the wine we had purchased.  We laughed more, ate cookies, and wore sheet masks to make our skin look glorious.  I won’t share those pictures, but they still make me giggle.

Having a getaway was refreshing.  P had a boy’s weekend and loved the time with Rob.  If you haven’t one in a while, make the time with your friends.

Sewing & Quilting

Blogger’s Quilt Festival is currently happening.  Pop over and see the amazing work in this collection.

Since people know I sew, they ask if I can hem their pants.  My typical answer is, “Yes, but terribly.”  Pay someone else to do it.  I bookmarked this article for future reference if I want to tackle hemming my own pants.  Oh, I hope I can stop laughing at that thought.

Speaking of sewing clothes, Rachel talks about her garment sewing baggage here.  She is braver than I am.  Sewing clothes for myself is a to do, but it’s scary.  What if I fail?  With quilting failures can usually be ripped out or covered up in some way.

 

That’s it for now.  I have a few things I’m working on for next week to share.  New posts and possibly a video.

 

 

Favorite Things This Week

I’m enjoying sharing a little more about my weeks with you.  It feels like a highlight reel of my life that week.  Soccer is over so we have another free during the week, woohoo!  I enjoyed a few minutes of quiet time with the house to myself Monday afternoon.  Those few minutes can be so refreshing.

Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

Last week was a Mommy and Popo weekend, mostly.  Rob had to travel for work, so P and I had some time together.  I started calling it Mommy Popo time a while back.  Those nights/days include Chic Fil A, mommy’s park, snuggles, movies, and a craft of some sort.  To break things up, we visited the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.  We love it and it’s the best gift to give a family.

The China exhibit has been going for a while.  We had not spent much time in the exhibit until last weekend.  P played for 45 minutes.  He loved the baby pandas, cooking for me in the restaurant, and exploring homes from across the world.  Not sure I would eat his cooking, would you??

We ventured into ScienceWorks and did some exploration.  He was dress appropriately for an adventure in his pirates pants.  We explored a cave, “Mommy, crawl in here with me.”  Considering how much I don’t like small enclosed spaces, sure bud.  He beamed his smile and I couldn’t say no.  He would have spent all day there.

If you visit Indianapolis and have kids, this is a must see stop.

Indianapolis Modern Quilt Guild Show

Did you see my post on the show from last weekend?  I’m still in awe of variety of quilts and how talented my friends are.  Read the post here.  Michele’s lovely Swoon quilt took People’s Choice.

Other Art Around Indy

Do you know who Banksy is?  Well, not the actual person.  Not very many people know how Banksy really is, I was referring to knowing the work of Banksy.  The art of graffiti is interesting.  You can gain some perspective on it with the Netflix Documentary Saving Banksy.  Randomly the Kokomo Public Library has the Rat on display.  It’s not too far of a drive, but might be worth the drive to see it in person.

A name change is happening at the art museum.  Newfields will be the new name to focus more on the whole brand and experiences available.  Hopefully soon we can visit 100 Acres, as we haven’t in a while.

Target

Why not include this cute dress I picked up.  I was torn between the teal or black and white print.  Black and white print won out since I have a teal dress in the closet.  It has pockets, a little longer length, and small V in the neck.  Cute enough for the weekend but also office/work appropriate.  Now if it came in gray, my wardrobe would be complete.  Seriously, I need a gray dress.

Sewing & Quilting

Looking to support small fabric designers?  Pop over to S.O.T.A.K handmade to see their new screenprinted panels.

Can’t remember if I have shared this post, but I think it’s a great look at how to take scraps and make something else.  I enjoy how Jayne talks about the process, pop over and read about it here.

Speaking of scraps, here is a sneak peek of a quilt I plan to share next week.

 


Also note some links in contain affiliate links.  Any item I link to are things I use personally and want to share.

Favorite Things This Week

The kid free weekend was a success.  Time with hubby, some sewing, and mostly resting.  Good thing, it’s been a hectic week at work.  My training schedule is a little lighter, giving me more time to sew in the evenings.  Look for fresh projects coming your way.  There are a couple of items lingering on my continuous to-do list that I hope to check off this weekend.

Sewing & Quilting

Indy Modern Quilt Guild is hosting their second annual quilt show this weekend.  If you’re around Indy, you should stop by and see the work of my talented friends.  Can’t wait to see what the People’s Choice quilt is this year.  I submitted two quilts to hang in the show.

Cancer Sucks Quilt

Scrappy unicorn rainbow sprinkles by quiltytherapy #scrapquilt #paperpiecing #modernquilt

The Cancer Sucks Quilt was featured on my segment with the wonderful Mary Fons.  I admire what she is doing for the quilting community.  The Chicago Tribune wrote a piece on her last week.  One of her quotes resonated with me.

When life as you know it is torn into a million pieces, it makes perfect sense to tear up perfectly good fabric into a million pieces and sew it back together again. – Mary Fons

That’s what quilters ultimately do.  We take gorgeous fabrics and cut them into pieces and sew them back together.  Maybe it sounds crazy to some, but for me it’s therapeutic.  I’m using someone’s stunning design and putting my own twist on it.  I can mix it with other artists or try to create my own.  There are so many options to create with.  Read the article here.

Indianapolis

Great initiative happening at a local hospital, it’s actually where I delivered P.  Can’t imagine being on bed rest and not having a creative outlet at least.  Such a positive program.

Ikea is opening October 11th.  That means I will venture up there in April?  Just kidding.

Life

This story made me smile.  The bride wore a dress of her late grandmother for her wedding day.  The beading and detail is stunning, see the details here.

Um, jelly pens are still my favorite.  This cracked me up as I read through the list.

Game of Thrones

I thought this post was fun.  Sansa does like the pretty things.  Isn’t that was Arya said to her?  Let’s be honest, Tyrion’s bar area would be much larger.

How would the rooms of Game of Thrones characters look like in real life

In case you needed an idea for a Halloween costume?  Or you just wanted a furry cape, here you go.  Can’t wait until April to get to Ikea, I had better go soon.