January, 2022

It is hard to believe, isn’t it? Another year. And between weather, disease, and politics it seems like a harsh reality.

I think taking in something each day that one enjoys is helpful at this point. Rather than sink in a dark muddy hole, I think taking just one thing a day gives one a bit of perspective about our world.
 

SUNRISE DECEMBER, 2021
SUNRISE DECEMBER, 2021

One of the things I find amazing about the winters in Maine are the sunrises and sunsets. They can be gentle tones, or brilliant with flaming colors. They amaze me nearly every day. Of course, that means getting off my duff, putting on coat and boots, and going outside to view them. That alone gives me a breather!

Climate change is a reality here… the weather fluxuates in ways it never did. This morning it was 4 degrees F. ( -15.56 degrees C. ). Tomorrow it is supposed to be 48 degrees F. ( 8.8889 degrees C. )   … this is happening nearly every other day.

Disease- we are into our fourth year of Covid, with new variants popping up all the time. It seems hard to believe that it was two years ago we were all sheltering in place. The first year of it we all stood in disbelief as this new virus moved around the world. Then we all locked down, last year was about vaccines, and here we are with more of the same. I personally feel as if time got sucked away, as we all went from work to home, seeing no one, with no end in sight. I really can’t believe this disease has been in our lives for four years.

Politics? I personally read the headlines and anything I feel is important. But, I try to not have my whole thought process centered on it.

So, we keep moving forward. And, I thought it might be nice to look at some fabrics that make me smile. Most of these are animal fabrics, not because they are cute, but because something about the fabric catches my attention, and they just give me a bit of a lift.

So, here are a few fabrics that I just like!

 

FRENCH FARM FABRIC
FRENCH FARM FABRIC

The new French Farm fabric has a lot going on.
But, the reason I like it is that small sepia image of an old house.
It just brings back days of yore for me.

The Japanese Lantern Fabric reminds me of lanterns
I used to see as a child.
And, I can imagine these swaying in the wind,
under the eaves of a house,
on a dark wintery night,
casting warm illumination.

 

JAPANESE LANTERN FABRIC
JAPANESE LANTERN FABRIC

The Tropical Flamingo Fabric just makes me smile!

 

TROPICAL FLAMINGO GARDEN FABRIC
TROPICAL FLAMINGO GARDEN FABRIC

Another one that makes me smile is the Jungle Monkey Fabric.
The stylized flowers of the jungley trees
with the small whimsical animals has a quaint feel to it.
And, what is not to love about porcupines and sloths?

 

WHIMSICAL JUNGLE ANIMAL FABRIC
WHIMSICAL JUNGLE ANIMAL FABRIC

There are actually several beast fabrics that I like.
But, the new one appeals to me in a very different way.

I like all of the vibrancy it has!
And, I like the different patterns.
And, the fantasy of it.

 

WHIMSICAL BEAST FABRIC
WHIMSICAL BEAST FABRIC

The last one that comes to mind is the
Paint Brush Fabric.

This is all about color.
What attracts me to this is the way
the colors play off of each other-
green next to pink, next to yellow, next to red;
blue next to yellow, next to purple, next to orange.
The interplay just goes on and on.

 

PAINT BRUSH COLOR FABRIC
PAINT BRUSH COLOR FABRIC

 

I wish everyone the ability to find something positive to hold on to,  as we navigate this new world of 2022. For many this time is grim, hard, unrelenting. I hope we can all remember to be kind always. I think kindness is under rated. And I think a little kindness can go a long way to build bridges in our lives.

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