::whatsoever things are::

I need to be reminded daily.

There is so much negativity on the internet, on blogs, in the news and sometimes, it just needs to be shut out.

Anyone else with me on this?

HAPPY TUESDAY, FRIENDS.
REBECCA.

::31 Days::

Some who read my blog may have a read a little diatribe I wrote on Facebook about challenging myself.  Sometimes, I feel like I'm stuck in a rut!  Even though I stay very busy, it's easy to "protect" myself from challenging situations or doing things that push my limits.

I remember several "big" bloggers doing a 31 Days series last year.  On Twitter this week, one of those bloggers mentioned the 31 Days series.  I thought I'd pop over to her blog and check it out.  Once I read her post, it got me thinking.  I had just determined that I needed to challenge myself in some way.  Here's my chance!

But first, I needed a plan.  My initial idea didn't work out but my mind started spinning with all sorts of goals I'd like to see accomplished:  goals for my shop, new products for my shop, projects I've started and not finished, organizing different spaces, and a few things off my bucket list. 

I came up forty-two different items on my list and I'd love to add a few more before October 1st just to give myself some wiggle room and variety.  Now, the goal is not to accomplish all forty-two ideas but I wanted an assortment of ideas because I know this will be tough. But that's part of the challenge!

Actually, I'll probably start real soon on some of the projects because they will take me a while to finish! 

I can't wait to challenge myself and see how I do!

Have you been challenging yourself lately with any new projects?  I'd love to hear!

HAPPY FRIIIIIIIIIIIII-DAY!!
REBECCA.

::magazine pretties::

I love receiving magazines in the mail!  I am currently a subscriber to Country Living and I love it.  It's the perfect mix of country without being too shabby.  And, many of the pictures are bright and colorful, which I love!

I am not a fan, however, of stacks of magazines sitting around a place.  I have very limited space for magazines.  So once I accumulate a small stack, I sit down one day and rip out all the ideas and pretty pictures that I like.  I have a notebook where I store these pretties.  Also, I recently started an inspiration board.  A post about that needs to be done on that soon.  :)  I think you'd be surprised at how many advertisements there are in one single magazine.  Frankly, it's quite ridiculous.

I'm a bit obsessed with maps and I'd love to have a wall for maps in my house one day.  My favorite part of Google Analytics is looking at the maps.  I've even become a bit better at my geography due to Google Analytics.  Yes, indeed.  I believe I have a ginormous map of Texas stuffed in a box somewhere.  I think it was in my Granny's things when we moved her here to Indiana with us.  My Mom has family in Texas and I'm sure Granny and Paw Paw used that map faithfully on their trips to visit family.

Pyrex!!  I love it!  Actually, I just despise plastic so much that anything old-fashioned like Pyrex is a guaranteed la-la-love item for me.  My Mom has the blue Pyrex dish in the bottom left-hand corner. 

Now, what is it about these pictures that is similar?  Virtually nothing!  But I love both bedrooms minus one thing for each picture.  In the left picture, I dislike the quilt hanging on the wall.  In the right picture, I despise the hideous blue throw.  This is where I face a conundrum regarding my style.  What is my style?  I don't know because I love both bedrooms.  They are both airy and bright and have lovely colors.

What is your favorite magazine?  Do you diligently file away  magazines or do you only keep selective portions like I do?

Oh....a new tote was listed in my shop!  Check it out here!

Happy Wednesday.
Rebecca.

::sewing room prettiness::

Earlier this year, I read two different posts from two different bloggers about using mason jars or clear glass jars for organizing.  They were such delightful posts to read and gave me an idea.

We buy [the majority of] our pasta and sauce from a sweet little Italian grocery store/deli near my dad's work.  He stops by on occasion and stocks us up on yummy goodness.

So after reading those posts, I started collecting the clear pasta sauce jars.  I just soak the jars in water for about 24 hours and the label and sticky glue comes off so easily. I must admit, I tried clear glass jars from major food producers and the labels were very, very difficult to remove.  I think this Italian deli is still small enough that they conserve their glue...ha!

I have really enjoyed using the jars to organize my thread by color.  Right now, the jars are sitting atop my fabric cabinet.  But soon, they will have to find a home inside the fabric cabinet because the jars are starting to become quite the collection.

My pincushion.  Ah! It has taken me a while to get accustomed to this pincushion.  I used my Mom's pins and pincushion for the longest time but once she bought her machine and started sewing, I figured I'd better start using mine.  :)  I've become quite adept at sticking those loooooooong pins into that stiff little sucker.  Hello, yellow, my happy color!

Books.  Books.  Books.  I love sewing books.  I've been steering clear of B&N for a purpose lately.

HAPPY WEDNESDAY.
REBECCA.

::Autumn Blossom tote::

I am so excited to finally add a new tote bag to the shop!  It's been too long!

The fabrics used in this bag are from my first, large fabric order.  I had fun pairing fabrics together and I can't wait to sew some more combinations.

Upon request, a pocket has been added inside the bag.  The pocket has interfacing sewn in because I don't like flimsy pockets.

I also added a Pretty Pin [Rosy Red] to the outside of this bag.  I'm really excited to include a complimentary pin with the Autumn Blossom tote.

I look extraordinarily serious in this photo but it could be that I was staring into the sun.  I was also a bit nervous being in front of the camera rather than behind it taking product photos. :)

So, here's the link >> to the new Autumn Blossom tote >> http://cottonwood.bigcartel.com/product/autumn-blossom

HAPPY TUESDAY.
REBECCA.

::Scripture prints::

So, in the throes of my summer busy-ness, I entered a giveaway and forgot to check to see if I had won.  The host of the giveaway, Danielle, sent me a little hint via Twitter.  Score! I won a giveaway!

One of the shops featured was Naptime Diaries.  I'm telling you, she has the most adorable prints in her shop!

There are two very boring walls in my bedroom that need to be filled.  The wall in the picture above is one of them.

My Mom had these cheap white frames that were unused.  So I popped two of three prints into frames and I was good to go!  I'd still like something to go over my dresser but not exactly sure what, yet.

Don't you just love them? I do!

Happy [almost] weekend.
Rebecca.