racheldenbow posted an entry

I'm here to share the last few projects I've done over at A Beautiful Mess in the last few weeks before I forget. The top one, a woven mat, was inspired by a similar project Free People did a few years back but I made a few adjustments and love the outcome. It was a fun punch of color during a few weeks of grey skies and already has me ready for warmer weather.

I've also got an incredibly simple patchwork quilt tutorial that keeps the steps simple for beginners but still gives you an interesting design. This one is folded over the back of our wingback chair in the living and gets plenty of use next to the fireplace right now. It's a great lap-sized quilt but would also be great for a toddler/baby quilt.

And even though this one was technically for the holidays, this wire place card holder idea could easily be translated for any dinner party you might be having this year.

I've enjoyed giving a little more time to contributor posts over at ABM in the last few months and am excited to continue that into 2015 but it's also been a big season of change in our schedules and rhythms as a family. Moving, job changes, holidays, a baby that likes to stay up late and wake up often-all have left me with little energy to keep up with regular posts over here. I feel guilty about it more often than not but I'm also trying hard to give myself permission to let it be what it needs to be.

In times of incredible change, incredible amounts of energy are spent keeping the seemingly ordinary things running smoothly. What is left over has been spent sending ideas elsewhere in the form of an e-course that has been months in the making and trying to put our house together. I've told myself I'll invite people in when it's all ready for their enjoyment, both online and in real life, but then I always see the piles and the messes and the unfinished rooms and cringe at not having things in order.

It's one of my biggest struggles right now! Learning to let people in, especially people in close proximity to my house, and trusting that my acceptance of myself and the constant struggle to keep things tidy will create some room for their acceptance of it. And maybe even make them feel a little bit better about their own possibly messy houses?

With that said, I'm still working towards getting this house organized and fleshed out. It's happening on a shoe string budget and I'm making peace with how long it will take to afford some things I'd really like. I'm holding on to that attitude of contentment for dear life some days! It's good to have to wait for things sometimes. It gives you time and space to clarify what you really want and helps ensure a deeper appreciation for it if/when that thing does come into your life.

It's also incredibly freeing to realize nice things are nice but that life happens in the interactions between hearts that are learning all of these lessons and that sitting alone in a beautiful home is a little bit lonely.

Your turn. What have you been sensing you need to work on as we move into another calender year? Are you feeling motivated or overwhelmed by it?

Rachel