the basin – going dark for Feb 28, 2025

Let me try this – this is a choice and this is a motto of exploration that has resulted in this blog.

On Friday, February 28, I will go dark. I will only purchase local services and goods. I will not post my morning photo but I will have that photo as it is a small peaceful start to my day.

I have all that I need. Much that I buy is local for groceries and supplies. I made this choice long ago when the first big box stores opened up, our little community stores were not able to compete with the big buying power and closed. I lost work to this and I felt that it was better to support our local community first. So, not buying outside of my local is not a change for me but a continuation of my chosen lifestyle.

I have skills and, on this day, I will make use of a few while I stay dark. Sewing is my go to. I have learned much from the WWW (World Wide Web) to enhance my life long sewing, yet on this day, I will not participate in or watch any creators. I can catch up next week. Instead, I will look to my mending and tackle a broken seam stich or fix the wear on a favorite t-shirt. My sewing stash of materials, gadgets and supplies is very full and will keep happily sewing for the rest of my lifetime if this is what I need. I can start a new project too.

I will start a letter as I will move from project to project today, like most days. This letter may be to my government with a praise and a concern, or it may be a card to an old friend. These letters take time and yet each letter must be opened by hand, by a human. This written letter will not be filtered out of existence by a portal following some management protocol. So, take a piece of paper and start writing. The envelope and stamp purchase is only a short walk away, so take the time on this walk to view the changing of the season or day.

I will work on this day as it again local work for community that I support and in it’s own way supports me with not only a living but with a mutual prosperity that is our best safety net.

Changes. They are happening and perhaps, necessary. Only when we have reached the other side of this momentum will the results come in. Just like any other race.

So, what next?

Each day is only a day and for many, will pass like those before.

I will share my photo March 1 to herald a new day. It will be a day where I have a choice. My first choice is not to be afraid. I can only change how I react, and when I choose not to be afraid, I allow myself the breathing space needed to make the choice that is right for me. I chose to listen to my heart; it has always led me to where I need to be. Even when it is only in my heart, these can be harder to choose, yet it is right for me. Your choices are not mine, nor do they need to be. I respect that deeply as I find our diversity refreshing like the winds of change that herald a new spring filled with fragrance of wonders to be cherished.

When I prosper, my community prospers. And when my community prospers, our humanity prospers.

With both respect and kindest regards,

Cathy

A few quilts on National Quilting Day

I have been sewing all of my adult life and with the pandemic lockdowns and protocols, quilting was the next step. It is practical in that all quilts have a warmth that mirrors their colours in play. thanks for dropping by 🙂

A quilted coat frount- Coat pattern from ByHandLondon Nerrisa Coat and Jacket – with a French Braid pattern

Black, White and Red – was just playing with different block styles and decided to put them together and this was what I finished with.

Pattern by GE Designs – Katrina lap quilt from Stripology 3

Easy as ABC from the American Patchwork & Quilting Magazine June 2007

Pattern from Todays Quilter Issue 76 – Bring me Sunshine

A four patch quilt with hearts and a quilted bag

a couple of quilts just finished

These were fun to make. Both are made using the strips to make half square triangles – lots of pieces and fun to work with. My main sewing machine was just back from the shop so I was finally able to finish the quilting of both.

The back in gold was pieced together on a 1947 Singer Featherweight machine while the Pfaff was in the shop. The Pfaff is back and once again works beautifully.

two Quilts – one for each twin

Just over a year ago, my niece gave birth to twins. They are beautiful the way that all babies are, fresh and unsculptured. One of each, a boy and a girl. I have only seen pictures and little bit of face time with them. They live on the prairies and I on the coast.

I have been sewing since I was a teenager and have made numerous skirts, dresses, pants, coats and a few costumes along the way. So, quilting was a natural extension for pandemic sewing. These are quilts 4 and 5 that I have made this year.