Seeds of Dreams

Around this time of year I begin to dream of a lush vegetable garden. The plot I intend to grow this magnificence is covered in tall weeds and wood debris. I do have the seeds! Gardening updates to follow. 

These critter garden destroyers showed up so I may have to put in deer fencing. 

Finally devoted time to organizing the storage shed. This contains boxes of Christmas, all of my collectibles like wood duck decoys, blue Ball jars, and TOYS. The best part is all of my vintage sewing patterns and project boxes are all in one place on this wood rack. 

This book will be carried like a Bible with me to baby Mila's house. I am delighted I get to share these classic stories, rehearing them for me, and reading them to her for the first time. 

This 1950s Better Homes and Gardens Story Book has some issues (one being the image on the cover in the lower right hand corner). I may have to self-edit when I read some of these stories to her. 

In my thrift shop travels over the years I was able to obtain two children's wooden toy chests. This vintage one, I am guessing from the 1960s, contains my rag doll collectibles. 

This one is chock full of kids books, also collected from thrift over the years.  

Prepping for painting my room so new carpet can be installed. I chose an MCM-type look with this Stargazer pattern in a Harvest Wheat color. 

Lots of spring cleaning going on!

Stripped Down Model

Rather than pull the plug completely, I have paired it down my eBay store to the non-subscription level of 250 items or less. I don't have anything listed right now. I could re-list some of the needlekits that have been saved from this hoarding purge. 

I am still thrifting not for sale but for myself, friends and family. Sewing accessories are on the Tami-Allowed list. Here is the most unique set of buttons from a $4.99 bag from Goodwill. Aloha Buttons #411, stamped on the back is Sep 13 1988.

I kept about a third of the bag and thrifted the rest back. 

My clothing closet has also gone through a renovation. Goodbye ball gowns, no room for you! My wardrobe consists mainly of shirts, skirts, pants, leggings, and cashmere sweaters. 

I want to be going, and doing. Experiencing life in all of its glory. 

I am glad now that I made so many quilts, large and small. They come in useful for covering furniture or tabletops, protecting car seats, and for extra padding at the bottom of the dog crate. 

My daugther and her husband moved shortly after I did. We both utilized the scads of cotton fabric I've kept. Great for packing, when done the material is folded up and saved for other uses. 

I get to have roses again. I am nurturing a couple of old tea roses, one white (name unknown) and one red Mister Lincoln. A Grandiflora rose joined the garden, State of Grace and a hybrid tea Elle. I've a lot to do in the garden, so I better get going!

Reveling in Being a Grandma

Art class had started and then ended for me. Got tangled up in a dog's lead and fell. Not just a little fall but a specatular full body ending in a face plant. Severely injuring my left hand that took the brunt of the fall. Being left-handed means ending my art aspirations for this semester. 

An abrupt end to my former living situation has me rethinking everything. The eBay store era has ended. While I made some good pin money for a few years, storing ALL THAT STUFF became overwhelming. Hoarding issue instantly solved. 

My delight and focus is on being a grandma. I am given a second chance on child rearing. I have the freedom of time and energy to devote to little girl Mila. I get to experience all of things I did with my children like Easter egg hunts, and school/sports events. There are the things that I missed with my kids like first steps. I worked full-time in the legal industry that included long commutes. There were a lot of "firsts" I missed with my two kids. 

I didn't have the advantage of nearby relatives to assist with child care. My daughter has not one but two grandmas nearby.👵Every time I see my grandbaby my heart bursts.💖

Segueing to sharing a few sewing patterns I pulled from the 2,000+ I had listed for sale. Anything that seemed remotely "fun" stayed with me. The lead off image is a 2008 Jelly Roses pattern by Bunny Hill Designs. 

This Postcard Art Quilt by The Cotton Ball instructions might serve as inspiration for the California State Fair prompt Wish You Were Here

Of the primitives series patterns I kept makers Kinfolk, Mulberry Folk Art, Hand Dids Primitive Needleart and Primitive Pieces by Lynda. 

Ending the post with the oldest pattern pulled from sale. Undated Let's Sew Design 7157 Knitted Jacket. 

And the pattern insert. 

Embracing my inner Fairy

Even though I am purging the patterns for sale, I am buying CDs. I bought at thrift 6 CDs for $1, it doesn't matter if there is a clinker or two. Music has entered my life again. 

In a time not too long ago and not too far away, I ripped music to my laptop. I was under the delusion that those ripped tunes would last forever (those last two words drawn out longer for special effect). 

Fast forward to now and you guessed it. Those ripped tunes are lost forever. I tried different methods and cloud service blah blah. Nope. 

And the alternative is *drum roll* buying back the CDs from thrift. Not only buying back my favorites but also discovering new music. I am also gravitating toward instrumental compilations rather than just vocal ones. Here is my latest listen Fairy Nightsong.

YOLO and the Purging of the eBay Product

You Only Live Once. My focus has swiveled to less at-home projects and more travel experiences. Exploration Over Accumulation. I am kicking around the idea of traveling somewhere special this summer within the U.S. 

The upcoming 2026 California State Fair theme is Wish You Were Here. The Crafts Special Contest entries should reflect anything related to postcards such as places traveled, different cultures, and iconic landmarks. 

As promised, I ran this prompt through an AI generator *art postcards travel culture landmarks* I didn't receive any inspired images just pictures of postcards. 

I am considering entering the Dollhouse Quilt I showcased in December. Division 192 Class 1 is the one person small art quilt category. Interestingly, the notes for that division state "Art quilts must be an original design, meant to be used as a work of art, and made entirely by the entrant and cannot include any element created or significantly altered using Artificial Intelligence (AI)."

On a different topic - eBay. My selling account was officially closed at the end of January. I am making daily donation trips to hospice thrift. Of the 2,000+ items I had listed these were the few that I pulled for myself. All of the Folkwear Patterns ranging in date from 1978, 1986, and 2000. 

Crazy Quilt Ornament kit. A perfect small project for the 2026 holiday. 1986 Dimensions Crazy Quilt Ornaments 9052. 

This chicken needlepoint I have pulled and listed more than once. 1986 Sunset View from the Barn 6419. Forever mine now. 

Yarn is next to go. Searching the storage unit for a Pacifica Pattern. I may have already donated it to hospice thrift.😒