What do you want to do? What has intrigued you but you are afraid to try? What are the things you seem to look at, sigh and say “someday”. Keep those things in mind while you read on…
The ladies and I were talking about that very subject and we came up with a plan… Aside from making sure we have our very own personal sanctuary that we feel is vital in the restoring and replenishment of our spirits. We came to the conclusion that we will take the file we all have of the things we all want to do…someday, and make a binder. The “things I want to do” binder contains all those patterns, drawings, ideas and general snibbits of things that caught our eye in a wistful way.
Oh I know the logic. 24 hours in a day subtract 8 for sleeping and then there are the work hours, time with family, housework and other time consuming things. How could I EVER do all those things with so little time to actually spend on them?
Just remember this. Who cares? This binder is filled with all those things you find interesting. Not the things you are committed to doing. Dream away, make several volumes, categorize into subjects. Include everything in life you ever desired. For me it could be anything from a new hairstyle, learning calligraphy, a quilting project, and a new garden design or cleaning out the closets and reorganizing.
The thing I learned about myself is this; I have a nasty habit of neglecting my own needs and myself. If I could venture a guess, you might too. Please listen as I remind you to feed your own soul or you will wither away in blandness. I was told once: “Keep learning. Always find something new, if there is a local college take classes.” (She can hug herself and giggle now because each time I write some advice she said I always hear “You WERE listening!”) After years of feeling stagnant I can now happily say that I am a putterer… I follow my mood. I may feel like picking up my quill (yes, I do have a quill. I giggle as I say it is the best thing EVER to write with.) And writing or gardening or drawing a quilt design, sometimes I just sit with a cat or two and enjoy the sunshine, most times I either read or work on my latest quilting project. But the feeling of internal satisfaction within myself is a thread that runs deep.
Once you have a bunch of ideas make yourself this one promise. Each month go through the binder, choose at least one and DO IT. You don’t have to master that task. Just start learning. After a while you will feel the flow of it. You will find that more things get done; you might even watch less TV. There will be some things in the planning stages, others you are beginning, some you ponder on, and some you actively work on. In the end your satisfaction will rise and you will stop fretting about not finishing. You will have the focus of working in the moment. Ironically they will all get done, you just stopped fretting. Magic huh?
I will say that around my house there are little piles of projects everywhere. I laugh to myself and imagine a fantasy story wizard that is a tad absentminded with the glasses down the nose. When did I become the female version of that endearing character… no matter? Happiness is worth it.
Please do find a binder, a file, or a corkboard on the wall. Whatever storage or organization medium you feel is the most effective for you and dream. Even if you put in a thousand ideas and only do ten… you have enriched your heart and soul by a million.

Have a great weekend,
Diana

This year the focus for us is clean, recycle and renew. You will see a few changes throughout the website. For lack of a better term "Please forgive our mess as we go through re-construction".

Please note the new "LINKS" section. If you would like to be listed please send me a note. I would love to.

The Quilting Cottage is now working with “Project Linus”. Drop off pick up or join a group through us. Check them out at: http://www.projectlinus.org/ We are in conjunction with the Lewis/Cowlitz/Pacific/Grays Harbor Counties Project Linus Group.

Classes are being entered now as we cement them in place.

“Create your own sale” dates for February. Suggestion dates: 11th, 17th, 23rd, or 25th. Book now.

The February drawing for the $50.00 gift card has been made and I am waiting for a response before announcing.

The shop will have it’s own “things I want to do” binder. Come in and look, we will make copies of pages for your book if you wish…






I would love to hear about your part of the world and the quilting you do. Drop me a line.

For more of Diana's writings, contact your local newspaper lifestyle section or favorite magazine editor and request The Quilting Cottage.







If you haven't read my newsletter... sign up for the mailing list and keep up with the antics, ponderings and all around thoughts... From the most unique shop around... For more of Diana's writings, contact your local newspaper lifestyle section or favorite magazine editor and request The Quilting Cottage.


















To save paper, I will use the mailing list for entries into the monthly drawing. Names will be drawn on the last day of each month for a fabulous shopping spree of $50.00. If you are not on the list, click to the left and join. I promise, The Quilting Cottage is a place like no other...







You can also read Diana's writings in the local paper. The Oakville cruiser is a monthly publication. For more info contact the shop

Store hours: Sunday CLOSED
Monday CLOSED. Our quilting day
Tuesday 9:30-5:30
Wednesday 9:30-5:50
Thursday 9:30-5:30
Friday 9:30-5:30
Saturday 10:30-6:00