What’s making me happy
I have been a little down lately. I am a news junkie and I listen to the news all day long. If it is not SiriusXM, it is some political podcast. I know it is not good for me. I’m trying to unplug a little. That was one of my new year’s resolutions. I have been successful, somewhat. In addition to that, I have been working on a new series of quilts that are a commentary on the current political situation. That is not helping my mood. I read Ann Wood’s latest blog post about things that are bringing her joy so I decided to focus on the positive and think of the things that are making me happy.
Audiobooks
I never watch TV because if I’m working I need to pay attention to what I’m doing and don’t want to be looking at a movie when I need to pay attention at my work. But as I told you, I’m always listening to something. With my resolution to not listen to so much news content, I’ve started to listen to audiobooks. I prefer non-fiction. I am on a kick of art history books like A Little History of Art and The Golden Thread about how fabric influenced history. Another resolution this year was saving money so I have been listening to Zero Waste Home and The Buy Nothing, Get Everything Plan.
Saving Money
That brings me to the second thing that is making me happy , saving money. Last year I kept track of my expenses but I really didn’t keep a budget. This year I plan to do better and stay within a budget. During the month of January I did pretty well and was able to save more money than usual. I didn’t go out as much because it was so cold and didn’t mindlessly buy silly things while late-night doomscrolling Instagram. Hopefully I’ll keep it up.
Quilling
Because I like to keep my hobbies sounding the same, I’ve been quilling. No, not quilting, quilling. Confusing, I know. Quilling is making pictures out of rolls of strips of paper. It is precise, intricate work that takes a lot of patience, just like quilting :) It is interesting to be a beginner at a craft and fun just playing and not doing something as a serious ART.
Dumpling
My cat Stitch went over the rainbow bridge in September. His sister, Hexie, was lonely and bored so I decided to get her a new friend. I went to the Frederick Animal Shelter and adopted Dumpling. I don’t usually keep my cats in my laundry bin but that is where she goes to hide from Hexie. They are not friends yet but slowly they are getting there. Dumpling is the ultimate tap kitty. In fact, she is on my lap as I write this.
To keep this quilt-related, like I mentioned before, I have been working on a new series of quilts. I’m almost done with the one I’m working on now and the series is taking shape. I’m clear on what I want the series to be about. Stay tuned for the big reveal coming up…
