A Colorful Thread: October 2020
Weaving together my life as a maker and other spheres of life.
Best of Stitched in Color {September + October}
On My Mind
Imagining:: At this very moment, my longarm sewing machine is humming over a client’s mystery quilt made via an online sew-along. I’ve never followed or hosted a mystery quilt-along, but the idea suddenly strikes my fancy. This morning I’ve been imagining how that might work and whether a quilt that unfolds as a surprise would be desirable in these pandemic times. If you’ve followed a mystery quilt-along before, what did you like and not like about it? Feel free to share your advice! This is something I’m considering for sometime in 2021 (after the Confetti quilt-along, you’ve been requesting!).
Reading:: I’ve been reading a lot in the past two months, somewhat to distract myself from the tension of house-hunting. The Oracle Glass by Judith Merkle Riley was my favorite. It’s a page-turning tale of historical fiction, woven with a bit of fantasy. I wasn’t so sure about the premise, but the writing is excellent.
Following:: Anna Maria Horner @AnnaMariaHorner. Ok, obviously. But, I don’t think I’ve shared her IG here before. Of course, as my favorite fabric designer, Anna Maria’s stream brings me delicious glimpses of lovely fabrics.
But, do you know, I equally enjoy the occasional snapshots of her home interior? I’m always finding myself inspired when I see how much color and pattern she incorporates in her home.
Sponsor of the Week
Sojo Fabric
Are you, like me, a Rifle Paper Co. fan? You won’t want to miss their latest release - the beautiful Strawberry Fields collection and a series of Rifle Paper Co. basics that look very helpful indeed.
Anticipating:: Another evening around the fire. My family loves this time of year for gathering with friends. With coronavirus many things are not advisable, but small gatherings outside do fit the recommendations.
Last weekend a family joined us for pumpkin carving, homemade apple cider and roasting s’mores over an open fire. This Saturday we’re hosting another family for more autumn fun. Thus the pandemic has inspired a series of mini parties instead of something bigger. It’s rather nice, actually, as the fun is spread out more!
Do you know I completely missed the September edition of A Colorful Thread? I’m going to cast the blame on my preoccupation with house-hunting, which has been crowding my brain since early July. Around the end of September we lost yet another bid on a house. We had offered so much over the asking price that it felt absolutely ridiculous that our offer was not accepted. And, honestly, we would have offered more because that house was a good deal, but we were only allowed to make one offer. Seriously, the housing market is brutal here for buyers!
Well, good news on that front - in October we managed to snag a house. We are officially under contract to make it ours mid February. Haha! I know that sounds soooo long to Americans, but it’s rather normal here in The Netherlands. We’ve made it through the inspection stage and all contingencies have passed, so now it feels real enough to share.
I am amazed that this 1930’s house, which has been standing in Enschede for so long, is really going to be ours to care for soon. Maybe because I come from a place where nearly all the houses are “new”, I’m drawn to the romance of an older home. We have some improvements to make, mainly practical. For example, we have to combine the two front bedrooms to make one large room, suitable for the longarm sewing machine.
Though that hasn’t stopped me from dreaming about decorating! I’ve been pinning possibilities for a new living room rug, light fixtures (they’re taking those with them), paint colors, mirrors and more. On the one hand, all this dreaming feels a bit silly and unrealistic due to budget, but on the other hand it feels so good be excited about a home again. It brings into focus how unattached I have been to where we live now.
When we moved to Enschede we thought it would be for a fe w years, but now we are settling in for 5+ more. It feels like we’re really landing here in a different way. Now I’m nesting for the home where Elora will have her youngest childhood memories and from which Aria and Liam will launch into adulthood. Home-making is something I really do enjoy. Oh, and by the way - the home is walking distance from Elora’s primary school. Totally perfect!
Feeling very grateful and even nervous, for it feels a little too good to be true.
xo,
Rachel
