5 Things I’m Loving in May

The school year is winding down fast! Chloe will be home from college and Jonah will be graduation from high school in just six weeks! So, instead of lamenting the crazy passage of time, I thought I would pause and reflect on the things that I’m loving right now.

1.Winter Tales fabric

I’m working on a winter quilt with the new line from Minki Kim called Winter Tales. I’m totally loving all the tiny illustrations in this line–foxes, penguins, bunnies, snowflakes, Christmas trees–adorable!  

2. Creative Grids rulers

I’m a huge fan of Creative Grids rulers, and this 60 degree triangle ruler is no exception. I’m not really a gadget girl, but having the right ruler for the job just makes the whole quilting process so much more enjoyable!  

 

3. AeroPress espresso maker

Since I reviewed the book You Can Stay Home With Your Kids, I’ve been trying to scale back on my spending. The first thing to go was my Starbucks habit. I was reminded of this wonderful low-tech gadget, the AeroPress, that I got for Christmas a couple of years ago. (The irony in the fact that I just said I wasn’t a gadget girl does not escape me.) At under $30, it is the most affordable espresso maker ever! So, I’ve been making my afternoon latte at home, thanks to the AeroPress and this awesome little milk frother. It seriously takes me three minutes beginning to end. Here is a video on how it works.

4. Freddy Moran on the Crafty Planner

The Sandy at the Crafty Planner podcast recently interviewed the amazing quilter Freddy Moran. What a delightful interview! I was so inspired by Freddy’s story, perspective and attitude. Totally worth a listen.  

5. Inspirational quilting books

The interview with Freddy inspired me to pull a few books off the shelf that I haven’t looked at in a while. They are: Freddy’s House by Freddy Moran, Liberated Quiltmaking II by Gwen Marston, and Color Mastery by Maria Peagler. I was reminded why I actually really do like physical books–I’ve switched over to e-books in the last few years, because it’s cheaper, the instant gratification when ordering, and they take up less space. But there is something about just pulling a book off of the shelf and sitting down with a cup of tea for a few minutes of inspiration. What are you loving right now? Leave a comment to let me know!