Notes From the Nest

Summertime has always had a special place in my heart. When Brecken was little, I lived for it. I was that mom who truly loved having her child home. Barefoot days, popsicles on the porch, and slow mornings that gave way to even slower evenings. But summer also carries a quiet heaviness for me. My dad passed away in June of 2013, and every year since, the season arrives wrapped in both sunlight and shadow.

This week, in the spirit of finding light, I leaned into the joy of a quick finish. I stitched up a project bag using some of my most treasured fabrics. Prints I’ve held onto for just the right moment, including my beloved Sara Parker Textiles fabric. Sara, very, VERY sadly no longer designs and screen-prints fabrics, but when she did, they were my most favorite to collect. Her designs were so lovely and this fern leaf pattern is a glimpse of that. Sara is still creating art and while it’s beautiful and so lovely, I will always hope she one day makes fabrics for us again!

I started this project in the late morning and completed it by dinner. I used a fun zipper and zipper pull from one of my favorite trim shops, Sullivan’s Trim. When it came to the quilting, I thought I’d do something random, and it turned out just how I envisioned it. I wanted it to feel more organic and flow like the fern leaves. I was super happy with how it turned out and it perfectly holds everything I need for an EPP project. I have made all sorts of organizers, but for me, I find I need one place to have my project. I stitch everywhere. LITERALLY, everywhere. One the boat, in the car, at the house…basically, if I know I have idle time, I stitch. I rarely leave the house without grabbing my project bag!

In 2024 I made a New Year’s Resolution to stitch for at least 30 minutes a day. SHOCKINGLY, I did it. And since then, I have yet to break it. So, it’s become ingrained in my mind that I have to get my stitching in. Having a quick bag to grab works best for me and I plan to make several more of these!

There’s something so satisfying about watching a small project come together, like a deep breath on a too busy day. The pattern I used is by Stacey Lee Creative and can be found here. It’s every bit as delightful as it is practical and Stacey provides a HOW-TO video with the pattern.

I added one of my custom woven labels. It’s simple. Just my initials, “AS” but I love that it quietly ties the project to me without shouting my name. It feels like a gentle signature stitched right into the fabric. If you’ve been looking for a subtle way to personalize your makes, I highly recommend the company I use for mine, Dutch Label Shop. You can use Canva to create a design, or work with someone to create something you like. Then, just upload the design and the Dutch Label Shop will create the labels for you.

Lastly, on the hand-stitching side of things, I finished another Merryweather block this week. As always, slow EPP stitching feels like a meditation in motion. I think it’s the grounding quiet rhythm of hand sewing. It’s a muscle memory skill that can be done easily when the mind is heavy with thoughts. Yet, piece by piece, it brings a little calm to the chaos. One stitch at a time, in a week that’s felt a little tender. I’m excited to see this quilt come together! If only I could stay focused on one project, maybe I’d get this done in a timely manner, but…that’s not me! I’m ALWAYS all over the place with my projects and am happiest when I have too many to keep up with!

Over at the shop, new fabrics are arriving every week!! And keep your eyes out because the very first Saved for Sunnier Days bundles are dropping this week and some darling little scissors!! If you missed my reel explaining this, you can find it here!! I’m so excited to finally share these beloved fabrics with you.

Ok Friends!!! Whether you’re chasing sunshine or chasing stillness, I hope this a great week for you!

Thank you for being here. 💛

With love,
Ashley

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