Mad Cat Capsule: Shoes in a Capsule

My current capsule, Winter, is my 4th capsule and the first one that I have included shoes. Since starting capsule wardrobes, I found that I always reached for the same shoes, despite having many laying around. I had a huge bin of shoes going unused and dusty in the basement. I had shoes in closets, I had shoes I had forgotten about. I had shoes that I kept, bc I liked them, but that hurt my feet, didn't fit, or both. 

Much like the clothing, I took every pair of shoes that I wear out of all the places where I keep them. They were all over! Once I had all of my shoes together, I went thru them and threw away or donated all the shoes that were damaged, obviously didn't fit, or where ones that I knew I wasn't going to wear. There were a few that I put in a maybe pile, and the rest I sorted into what I thought I would use for my Winter capsule.  

I tried to wear my maybe pile first. Some of them worked, some of them I kept for other seasons, and some I let go. But there's where the first attempt at having shoes in my capsule kinda fell apart. My big problem is that I bought a bunch of shoes!! 

I totally caved and got not one, but two pairs of fast fashion shoes! Nooooooo! Terrible I know, but I will try to be better in the future. Then I found several great pairs of shoes second hand!! One of those has quickly become a favorite but the other I may have to get repaired before I wear them seriously. 

The photos indicate what shoes out of the ones that I chose for my wardrobe that I have actually been wearing. Three of the eight pairs fall under slow fashion. Having shoes in my Winter wardrobe hasn't gone exactly how I planned, but I'll continue this shoe experiment and see where it takes me for future capsules!

Pantone Color of the Year 2018

Each year Pantone, the paint and color people, choose a color in December for the year ahead. They imbue these colors with ideas and ideals for the new year. I don't always agree with the choices but along with many in the quilting community, I like to ruminate on them a bit. This year I thought a long time about the Pantone's Color of the Year 2018, Ultra Violet.

 Here's what they have to say about it:
"A dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade, PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future.
Complex and contemplative, Ultra Violet suggests the mysteries of the cosmos, the intrigue of what lies ahead, and the discoveries beyond where we are now. The vast and limitless night sky is symbolic of what is possible and continues to inspire the desire to pursue a world beyond our own.
Enigmatic purples have also long been symbolic of counterculture, unconventionality, and artistic brilliance. Musical icons Prince, David Bowie, and Jimi Hendrix brought shades of Ultra Violet to the forefront of western pop culture as personal expressions of individuality. Nuanced and full of emotion, the depth of PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet symbolizes experimentation and non-conformity, spurring individuals to imagine their unique mark on the world, and push boundaries through creative outlets.
Historically, there has been a mystical or spiritual quality attached to Ultra Violet. The color is often associated with mindfulness practices, which offer a higher ground to those seeking refuge from today’s over-stimulated world. The use of purple-toned lighting in meditation spaces and other gathering places energizes the communities that gather there and inspire connection."

After reading this a few times, I did a fabric pull. Sometimes this helps me think about the color, feel the color. You can see by all the blond cat hair that Irving felt the color, too. 

The more I thought about Ultra Violet the more I thought it is a great color for 2018. The idea of inner peace, self reflection, and inner wellness are commonly depicted by deep purples, and this would be a good year for everyone to open up that deep purple space within and spread some peace love and understanding. 

Rich violets and purples have long been associated with royalty, and I like the idea that this can cross over to people in the creative world, people of power, people of influence. Ideally in 2018, Ultra Violet will encourage those people to step forward, step up, and lead by well meaning example. I hope 2018 will be a time for those influential and powerful people to make change for the better and help heal our country and our world. But the other side of Ultra Violet may mean that those in power continue to change things for the worse, and use their influence to perpetuate hate, violence and conflict. All images that a deep purple can also evoke. 

So, while I'm hopeful that Ultra Violet will shine a reflective, calming light on the world this year, I also see this Pantone Color of the Year having a dark side. Let's call it Ultra Violent. Power, persuasion, dark vibes, and nightmares, Ultra Violent is also the color of spooky corners, unknown depths, a black eye, your last breath. 

I'm rooting for goodness to emerge this year, I'm just not holding my breath. I feel that this year, Pantone has captured the right color for 2018, I'm just not sure that's a good thing. 

What do you think of Ultra Viole(n)t? How does it make you feel for the year ahead?

February OMG

Last month, I endeavored to finish one of two small quilts as the first OMG (One Monthly Goal) of the new year. I was able to finish one top, so finishing this scrappy little quilt is really important for me this month! 

I still have to baste, quilt, bind, label and gift this quilt. I have a plan for the quilting and the small size should make this a doable goal!

So far, in 2018, I'm oh for one as far as OMG goes:
Jan - Finish one small quilt - Not Finished
Feb - Finish scrappy quilt -

I'm linking up with Elm Street Quilts, Slow Sunday Stitching, and more!

January Plant Update

January was not a good month for plant observations. By far the worst month since I started this column. I wasn't out and about too much, I didn't take too many pics, it was cold, iy was snowy, it was wet. One can only hope February will be better. 

Hard to tell that this was a torrential downpour.

A snowy windblown scrub pine. 

Walking to work over a frozen lake. 

Who of my readers enjoyed a plant filled January?

Zero Waste : The Joy of Using Up

In 2017 I started my zero waste journey. Zero Waste is the goal, mindful practice is the action. When I use the term Zero Waste, that is my ultimate goal, but Less Waste would be a more  accurate description of my evolving lifestyle.

Old hotel shampoos and conditioners and huge, horrifying plastic razor that we are in the process of using up. 

The other day, I scraped the last little bit of mayo from a large plastic Hellman's container and I thought happily "this is the last plastic jar of mayo I will ever buy!". I have had a lot of these moments since I have started my Zero Waste Journey.

There's something so simple, but still challenging and satisfying about swapping out the mindlessly acquired items in plastic packaging that we used to buy for things in recyclable, compostable, or reusable packaging. I went out several days later and decided to try a really fancy mayo in a glass jar! Why not?! It was way more expensive than that huge plastic jar, but I know it'll be more satisfying and exciting to try a little bit of something new and more sustainable. I get to try something cool that isn't going to generate a ton of waste after I use it up.  

Not only do I love using up something in plastic and buying something new NOT in plastic, I love to NOT buy a replacement at all. It's exciting to realize that I don't need that Item any more and feel good about that. This goes for freebies, too! 

Recently we used the last of our of shampoo and conditioner from big plastic bottles. We plan on buying bars to replace these, but in the meantime, we brought out all those little hotel shampoos and conditioners. You know you have them! Every time we use up a baby hotel bottle I get excited about recycling it and vowing to never bring them home again!

The joy and excitement that comes with using up and getting rid of things that no longer fit my lifestyle is an unexpected pleasure of going zero waste and plastic free. What do you love using up? What surprising pleasure have you gained from a new lifestyle choice?

Everlane 1st Purchase Review

For the last few years, I've been trying hard to 1) not purchase too many clothes, and 2) not to purchase new clothes. I buy second hand bc it's better for the environment, bc I enjoy the mindfulness that goes into it, bc it keeps me from shopping in fast fashion, and because it helps save money. 

I love that second hand clothing is already broken in, easy to wear, a fun challenge to find, and I feel good about wearing it out, rather than worrying about saving it. But I generally buy second hand fast fashion (think Gap, Uniqlo, Urban Outfitters) clothing and it does wear out faster than buying new (if your buying well made new clothes) and I have found myself really burning through the jeans I have thrifted lately. I knew that if I wanted to buy a better quality, ethically and eco friendly made pair of jeans, I wanted to try Everlane. 

I first heard of Everlane through Erin at Reading My Tea Leaves but so many blogs I read rave about them. I liked that they fit into a new way of thinking about the fashion industry, conscientiously and transparently. 

I chose the High Rise Skinny Jean. On the models they are sleek, but sturdy looking. In person, they are mom jeans. Don't get me wrong! I like them! A lot! But they remind me of the older style of jeans with less spandex, less give, and more stiffness. On the models and on blogs I've seen, they look like they hug your curves and wear like more modern skinny jeans. They may be true for the skinny and the tall, but for my 150lb, 5'2", nearly 40 year old frame, they wear like a mom jean. I'm not complaining! But I thought an honest review would be best. I like the way these jeans make my butt look, they are soft and comfortable (and seem like they will get way more soft and comfortable!), I like the wash I chose. I would, and mostly likely will, buy more jeans from Everlane. But I feel a bit old in them, if stylishly old. 

I've worn these jeans about a dozen times now, and I can see them being a staple in many of my capsule wardrobes going forward. I'll continue to check in as they wear to see how they hold up. I also purchased a shirt along with the jeans but have only had the chance to wear it once. When I feel I have more data, I may make a review of that as well. 

Overall, I waas happy to support a company working to change the way we think about fashion and happy with what I got and how it fits. Have any of you tried this brand? What sustainable, ethical, eco friendly clothing companies do you buy?

MCQBOM² / 6 + A Plan

For my new BOM, I'm using all blocks with squares in them. Simple squares are an essential building block of quilting! MCQBOM² started in September 2017 and I've kinda made 1 - 2 blocks per month depending on how I feel, or what's happening in life.  Since it's January, a new year, and getting close to the 6 month mark of working on this BOM, I decided it was time to make a plan for what I want to do with it. 

This block was so fun to make! Not sure where I found it but I love the snowball/bowtie effect!

For those who have followed along for a while, you know that when I say plan, I mean loose, vague idea for a plan. That's how my improv quilting works. I know that I want to try to be more diligent about sewing 2 blocks per month going forward. I want to stick with my theme of basic blocks with simple squares and my color scheme of blue, green, yellow, red/purple, grey and neutral. I'd like to try and get my blocks a bit more uniform in size. Right now the first six vary wildly! And lastly I'd like to finish this BOM's blocks around Sept 2018, but continue to work on it and have a finished quilt by the end of the year. 

As far as plans go, it's pretty vague, but I like it! I'm ready to start working towards these goals!

Is anyone else out there starting their own BOM this year? 

Linking up with Slow Sunday Stitching, Monday Making, Move it Along Monday, BOMs Away and More this week!

New Block: Bowtie

This block is actually just part of a larger block. When I was making the pieces for the bigger block, I realized that I had never made a bowtie block before! 

This block was super simple and easy to get together. Also, this is a good block to make for improvers! I can't wait to show the larger block soon!

Linking up with Slow Stitching Sunday and Monday Making and more!

Bullet Journal Check In: Bullet Journal + Capsule Wardrobe

Using my Bullet Journal and creating my capsule wardrobe go hand in hand! I like to use my bullet journal to jot down notes about upcoming capsules, ideas for capsule blog posts, to list things that I want in my capsule, etc... I also make a list when doing the photos for each capsule blog post of what actually is in my capsule. 

I have started keeping a outfit tracker. This is something I have done off and on in my journals. For this capsule, bc it's a bit larger than my last two, I wanted to track what I was wearing most, and what I was loving to wear. 

How do you use your BuJo and your capsule wardrobe together?

Year of the Stash / 2018

In 2016, Quarter Inch from the Edge started Year Of The Stash. In 2017 I continued the tradition on my own. I made monthly tracking reports and YOTS became a way to showcase some ideas I have about quilting as well as how I use my stash. Even though the community aspect of Year Of The Stash was gone, and the fact that my intake was far more than my output, I feel like 2017 was the best year yet! Let see how much stash we can use in 2018!

I like to start each Year by creating a manifesto to follow. 
1) Buy less / use more. Pretty much every YOTS should be about using up what we have, but also about not bringing much new fabric in to the stash. I always leave room to find vintage or reclaimed fabric bc I try to always use some of these fabrics in my work. 
2) Incorporate some vintage, reclaimed, and or repurposed fabric in all work. I feel more satisfied if I'm using vintage and reclaimed fabric in my work.
3) All the finishes. There are a lot of projects I want to see to completion this year and there's no better way to use up stash!! 
4) Remember zero waste sensibilities while sewing. My Zero Waste journey has me thinking about organic, sustainable, local, hand made, reclaimed, and thrifted fabric and techniques this Year. 

And here is my fabric intake/output so far: 
Fabric Added from the Start of the Year: 0
Fabric Added Year to Date: 0
Fabric Used Since Start of the Year: 0  
Fabric Used Year to Date: 0 

Who else is making 2018 a Year Of The Stash? Share your manifest below and let's get started!

2017 manifesto:
1) Use as much stash as possible. Last year, I said buy less, this year my mantra will be use more. I will still try to buy less, of course, but 2016 really gave me a good appetite for not buying. 
2) Incorporate some vintage, reclaimed, and or repurposed fabric in all work. I feel more satisfied if I'm using vintage and reclaimed fabric in my work.
3) Sew, Sew, Sew. I'm starting off another year hoping for a finish each month. I have a lot of stash to help me with this.  

2016 manifesto:
1) Buy as little new fabric as possible. I won't say buy none. I want to be free to get a great new piece here or there, patron indy quilt shops, or buy backing when needed. I'll buy used, reclaimed, and/or vintage fabric when possible. I pride myself on using these fabrics in my quilts, and need to scoop them up when they preset themselves. But I want to be mindful not to add too much to my stash!
2) Use some used, vintage and/or reclaimed fabrics in all quilts. Last year was the first time I used all new fabric for some quilts and it just didn't feel right. As I said above, I pride myself to use these vintage items, and I need to get back to that. I have such a wonderful collection in my stash, it needs to get out into the world!  
3) Organize as I go. When we moved, I started folding and color coordinating my stash and discovered that I have far too much fabric!! I barely made a dent before I filled up the entire space I'd set aside. I'd like to utilize this space better this year. I want to use up, organize, and consolidate during The Year of the Stash!
4) Sew, sew, sew! One of my goals is to have at least one finish per month, I'd also like to make one new block per month. Sourcing from my stash will help me as I have so many wonderful fabrics at my fingertips!

Mad Cat Capsule : Winter 2018 (January - March)

This capsule marks the end of my first year having a capsule wardrobe. My Winter capsule came about pretty easily. The way I create my capsule is to take absolutely all my clothes from everywhere and put them on the couch.  This was the first capsule where I was able to fit everything in the "extra clothes" bins I keep. Before now, clothes were spilling out all over. I was also able to sort all the clothes that aren't in this capsule by item. Previously, there were just too many pieces of clothing to keep track of. Keeping a seasonal capsule wardrobe has been a great way for me to let go of things and wear what I love while paring down. I created two paper grocery bags full of clothes to giveaway or donate because of the sorting of this capsule. 

For my Winter capsule, I really wanted to change things up. I have had so many of the same pieces in my first three capsules and although I love them, I was for something a little different this time around. In my other capsules the color blue played a big role, but for Winter I took all the blue out of my wardrobe. I also swapped out some favorite tees and staples for new and different items. My color palate for the Winter months are greens, creams, grey and heavy on the black. 

I'm glad that most of my wardrobe still falls under slow fashion, with many items being 10 years old or older, bought second hand, or bought in indie shops. I'm also super excited to include my first purchases from sustainable, responsible companies. 

6 t shirts - I kept my grey v neck (10+ years), this piece has been in all my capsules. My green v neck (10+), Happy Bday sandwiches cat shirt (thrifted), skeleton shirt (10+), cream pizza shirt from work, green xmas shirt from work.  

6 tanks - Most of the tanks in my capsule are 10+ years old. I have a grey, black and green with owls tanks, all from old navy.  I also have a cream tank (10+) and a army green tank and a black spaghetti strap tank (both getting close to 10+). 

5 long sleeve tees - I added a lot of layering tees in this capsule and so far, 10 days in, I'm so glad I did! I have three waffle tees, two 10+ from America Apparel (one grey and one light green) and one dark green (that one is getting up there). I also have a 3/4 sleeve black tee that must be at least 15 years old. Same with a long sleeve green tee that I've had forever. 

6 "fancy" shirts - I'm trying to add some flair into Winter, let's see how that works. The black sheer top, green feather top, and grey lace top are fairly new (6+ years). The gold flowy top and the anchor top are newly thrifted. I also purchased a new top from Everlane that falls into the "fancy" category. 

5 skirts - The long black skirt has been in my previous capsules and is newer (4+ years). It was bought at a local indie shop when I lived in Brooklyn. The black cord mini is 10+. The grey wool skirt is thrifted and the black leather is thrifted and probably at least 20 years old. I also have a long grey leather skirt that I got at a stoop sale (15+). 

6 jeans - My grey jeans, black jeans, and green jeans were all thrifted last year. My levis are well past 10 years old. I plan on doing a full review of my new Everlane jeans soon!

7 sweaters - I have two thrifted sweaters, a grey one and a mottled one with a cowl neck. I have two cardigans both 4 - 7 years old (the black one was bought in an indie shop). I have a cream wool sweater, a dark grey sweater, but my favorite sweater is a over sized teal sweater I got about 4 years ago. 

I don't include underwear, leggings, tights, exercise clothes, sleepware, or outerware in my capsules. But this season I am including shoes! I have 10 pairs of shoes for the Winter capsule. I plan to shoe these in another post. I hope to pare down my shoes, just like my clothes! 

This capsule is quite large, about as large as my very first capsule of clothes alone was!! I have about 51 items in this capsule (at least 23 of them slow fashion). For me, capsule wardrobes aren't about the perfect number, they are about mindful choices and wearing things I love. 

Who else is starting a new capsule in January? Is it Winter or Summer where you are? What are your go to cold weather clothes?

2018FAL Q1

Here we are at the start of another Finish ALong! I didn't get much done for my 2017FAL, but it always feels good to set some goals, so I'm excited for 2018! This year, I plan to have 3 - 4 goals per Quarter and loosely hope to finish them each month. 

1) Baste, quilt, bind, label and gift Baby Quilt One.

This is my January goal. 

2) Baste, quilt, bind, label and gift Baby Quilt Two

This February goal is waaaay over due!

3) Finish quilting, bind, label, Maybe Quilt.

Gotta get this quilt finished for March!!

Bonus: Add borders, baste, quilt, and label Isaac Quilt. 

This one will be a must quilt over the next 3 months in Q2, so if it gets done early, all the better!!

I'm ready for a new year. Let's get started!!

January 2018 OMG

I'm way behind on two quilts I was supposed to complete. Finishing one of these will be the first One Monthly Goal of 2018!!

I still have to baste these quilts, quilt them, label and gift. These are both small and finishing one of them should be a doable goal!!

Linking up with Elm Street Quilts to start another great year of OMG!!

2017FAL Q4 Wrap Up

1. Finish top, finish back, baste, quilt, bind, label and gift Mystery Quilt.
2. Finish top, make back, baste, quilt, bind, label and gift Stripy Baby Quilt.
3. Add borders, make back, baste, quilt, bind, label and gift Quilt for Isaac.
Bonus: Maybe Lyz Quilt.

Nothing on my FAL Q4 got finished, unfortunately. Some work got done on the first two quilts so that's something at least. I did have one finish in this quarter, but I didn't include it on my Q4 list!

Over all the 2017FAL was not my most productive. Only one project on all of my lists for all four quarters got done this year!! Despite this fact, I felt really good about this FAL and I can't wait to get started on 2018!! 

2018 Goals

It's that time again, time to think about the new year ahead and what I'd like to focus on, be mindful about and accomplish. I don't consider these task or resolutions, mearly guidelines for growth. 

Be Balanced in Home Life/Art/Personal Endeavors and Work
Since 2015 working on personal endeavors as much as my job has been one of my main goals. At some times this works, at others it does not. In 2018, I would like to continue on this path but to change it slightly. What I find most difficult sometimes is splitting my focus, trying to keep my work, art, life and job separate but equal. This year I want to focus on keeping them Balanced.

Sew and Quilt More
In 2017 my quilting fell off the map a little after a strong start to the year. I want to get back in the habit of working on quilting more days than I don't. I want to have more finishes in 2018 than last year. There are a bunch of projects (not quilts) that I have been wanting to work on; I'd like to get these done this year! I want to keep up with all my community sewing projects, like YOTS, OMG, and FALs. 

Be a Better Blogger
I want to keep up my progress on my blog and set some goals for myself. I want to make sure I blog at least 23 days each month, explore my favorite columns more, create new content, and make bloggy connections. I want to get back in the habit of writing in my live journal, and use it more as a free flowing, personal, brain dump, style actual journal. I plan to get some items that will help me at work, but I plan to use them for my blogging life as well. I plan to try a standing desk. I have to learn to get better about answering comments!!

Zero Waste Journey
Last year I began my zero waste journey. In 2018, I plan to continue this journey and take more steps towards becoming plastic free. At the moment, I feel like I still hold myself back from taking easy steps towards this goal, so becoming more mindful and incorporating more ZW routines into my daily life are key for this goal. 

Be Purposeful and Mindful in My Home Life and Relationships
This is a big goal, but I can break it down. 
First and foremost, I want to spend more time with my husband and the cats, and make that time more purposeful. We live very busy lives and sometimes togetherness and quality time get pushed to the side. I want to make sure I'm mindful of the little things, like taking photos together, going on walks, exploring, beach combing, and being together intentionally. I want to make sure we are caring for the cats, appreciating where we live and the seasons. 
I made strides in decluttering and keeping the house clean, happy and healthy in 2017. This year I want to get even better. I want to tackle a few bigger projects around the house, like finishing our kitchen renovation, fixing up our bathroom, organizing and purging the basement, plus more. I want to continue to take good care of the plants. 
I want to continue to see and be mindful about connecting with my family and friends. This includes my immediate family, who live close, but also those that live far away, and friends near and far. 
This year, I want to focus on gardening, taking care of our yard, growing food, and composting. Since moving we have wanted to make our property more comfortable and useful. This is the year to do that in earnest. 

Improve My Health, Wellness, and Mental Well Being. 
A lot of things last year worked towards this goal, but in 2018 I want to be more mindful and more intent on really taking care of my health. In February, I turn 39 and I want to make sure that I get healthier and happier as I get older. I want to walk and exercise more regularly and purposely. I want to swim in the summer and learn to do yoga and home workouts. 2018 will be the year I can touch my toes!!
My first full year of having a capsule wardrobe is approaching and I have loved this challenge and routine. I plan to implement even more consciousness about my style and outward appearence to feel better about myself in 2018. 
I want to continue to eat and be more mindful of having a plant based diet. I want to make sure that we are eating locally and sustainably as much as possible. I want to increase our health using suppliments, vitamins, essenital oils, and exercise. I also want to make sure I'm maintaining my health by taking my inhaler. My asthma has gotten worse in the last few months and I know this is due to not being strict on taking my meds and also not exercising properly. 
Reading, drawing, sewing, creating, and organization have always helped my mental well being and this year I want to focus on all these areas. Watching tv does the opposite, so I want to be mindful of moving away from this fun but unproductive activity. 

Make Time To Travel and Explore 
This should be a priority for us but it must be balanced with being at home in our own space. Challenges like exploring one new place per month, doing an overnight every two months, seeing art once a month, going to the beach once a week, etc...  might help strike this balance. 

Write 2 Letters Per Month
Writing letters gave me so much joy last year, but I never made the time to do it in a purposeful way. In 2018, I plan to change that. 

Create 1 Tattoo Per Month
I have very slowly been learning to do Stick and Poke tattoos. This year it's time to branch out and seriously improve this skill. One tattoo per mouth is really ambitious but it's a good goal to strive for. 

Save Money
We did a good job at saving money and at not over spending in 2017. 2018 is the first year since we moved to NJ that I will work full time all year and I want to have some money saved to show for it. 

All these goals may seem like a lot, but so many of them go hand in hand and lend themselves to each other. Continuing to go zero waste will help me live healthier, save money, declutter, and improves my mental health. Being mindful about togetherness helps me keep our home clean and happy, saves money, and lets me focus on my family. Sewing helps me blog, explore, meditate, and moves me forward on my zero waste path. And so on, and so on!

I'm really excited about these goals and guidelines and the year ahead!
Feel free to leave your 2018 goals in the comments!