A Blank Canvas

The month of January stretches out in front of me like a roll of ribbon that has come undone. The holidays have been observed, more memories made and the last of the decorations have been stored in their containers and moved to the basement. But I just couldn't quite let go completely and have left a few End-of-Day and Deruta ornaments out in the wood bowl.

      
The spot where the tree stood, freshly cut and decked out, is now bare.

The little dry erase board on the frig is empty - I cannot remember this ever being the case before. Soon it will fill with appointments, events, & get-togethers with stitching buds, but right now...totally blank and waiting...

My desk calendar for the week - also empty...

And the cutting table in my sewing room...good grief! What is going on here???

I think I have entered the Nexus - somewhere between then and now...and what is to come...
It's kind of a nice feeling - I think they call it "lack of pressure." It will be enjoyed for a brief while and then back to reality...works for me...I can only deal with a blank canvas for a little while...it is not a natural thing.
Our days need to be occupied...another "barter" project with my friend Chris (more about that later), finishing up a donated quilt top for my guild,  more gifts to complete, get the oil changed in the car, redo the master bedroom closet, dust the interior log beams up in the peak of the great room ceiling...uh oh...feeling that pressure starting to build all ready...as my friend, Dee says...it could be time for "a bit of a lie-down."

Not to worry though - I have not totally lost it...that road trip last Tuesday was a real treat with friends. What kind of blogger am I? Forgot my camera...we had a beautiful winter day and drove to Minocqua, stopping at The Quilt Cottage in Hazelhurst right away. It was meant to be...when I started the BTCT project, the background I chose had 7+ yards (trying to be frugal here and go with the stash.) The quilt when complete is a biggie, measuring over 98" X 98" and calls for 11 yards of background. I figured by the time the border was being addressed, there would be a solution to my lack of fabric - such blind faith! Guess who found 7 1/2 more yards of the same background? Like I said....it was meant to be...with room to spare. And a few other pieces in red and green said take me home too...Thinking there just might be enough space in the newly reorganized stash closet...

 
And if you get up that way - there is a new shop, Around the Block located off of Hwy. 70 heading West out of Minocqua - neat as a pin & a fun place filled with brights - totally different fabric look than The Quilt Cottage.

All for now...off to figure out what to start doing first to fill that blank canvas...
And always take time to stitch...
And GO PACK!!!!!!!!!

Pat