Konmari Method, Bow Ties, Glorious Applique

I shared a little about Marie Kondo, the decluttering expert, a while back... I was rather taken with her question does an object give you joy implying that objects can, in fact, spark joy in us.  As someone who lost all her objects and was told at the time by many, they're only things, this whole notion is interesting and actually has me rethinking just why I was so sad and still am about losing mere "things".
I own very few objects these days; my stitching stuff constitutes the most of my belongings. My closet almost doesn't count...it is such a hodge podge of good items mixed with thrift store finds and is also pared down. (One woman wrote if she applied Marie's joyful query to decluttering her closet, all she'd have left are pyjama bottoms. )
 And as I write this clad in head to toe fleece (secondhand I might add), while maybe not joyful, it is definitely pleasurable to feel so cosy and warm. And as Marie encourages, feeling immense gratitude for what I've come to these days as well as for those objects around me I can still put my hand on.

Take a look out my window. This is a corner of the dog's fenced 3 acres. Snow squall warning today and the flakes are flying. It seems hard to photograph falling snow let alone flying snow though I think you get the picture. :)

But getting back to pursuing joy.  I  do get tremendous pleasure in sewing. Sometimes for these bigger projects, which I like more than little ones, my interest sags and I have to take myself in hand to get through. I never really give up on a project; they haunt me like little ghosts...so at some point I have to bring them to a sort of conclusion.   It  is difficult to admit anything I had the excitement to start is no longer worth my creative time and energy.
 However, sometimes I wish I could do just that. I think there are things that are truly past their time of being worthy of our efforts. What do you think?

Rex shows very little playfulness but one thing he seems to enjoy is getting towelled off after being out in rain or snow. He'll keep coming back for more rubbing and even runs about a little showing very rare friskiness.

One of my intentions was to work with wool again these winter months. To that end, I've decided to join the Attic 24 Sweet Pea CAL and ordered my wool pack from the Wool Warehouse who always offer wonderful service to Canada. This will be my third Attic 24 afghan. Aren't those colours sweet. These colours in this winter should defintely bring me joy. I've grown green peas, but never sweet peas.

Angie at Quilting on the Crescent has written a wonderful and very clear tutorial for a cute 3D bow tie block. This was one of my mother's favourite blocks many decades ago.
Claudia Vess's Halloween Bowtie block below can be found Here at Fave Quilts.  Love those fabrics.

                                          

Quadruple bow ties I tracked down at the Sew Kind of Wonderful blog while looking for valentine blocks... sewn by Jodi and quilted by Jenny. I think the pattern is called Uncle Sam's Bowties.  Amazing how changing up or joining up blocks give a pattern a whole new look.

I've finished my Glorious Applique block with all the hand stitching I am going to do with it. I've set up the next block below to do the same.  This one a little more cumbersome to work with but hope to get a start this evening.  These are the designs of Kim McLean and I'd forgotten how bright and whimsical they are.
 Note to self: Remove all the freezer paper templates before beginning to stitch!

Hubby is out on the ski do going over our trails for walking.  I shovelled the front steps as soon as I saw the snow was slowing.
Our January is moving right along as we mark this last Sunday in 2019.
A joy always to link up with Kathy's Quilts, What a Hoot Quilts, Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, Sew Can She, Alycia Quilts and Bambi's Show and Tell.