Simplicity is Good

More and more lately I find myself longing for simplicity. I'll even go so far as to say I long for it in every facet of my life.

 

But I think simplicity suggests a negative connotation, and the condition of lack or insufficiency to many people. I suppose I may have thought that at one time myself.

Yet, I've begun to realize that simplicity actually allows one to have more than enough on many levels. Having moved several times in the last decade has really driven home the benefits of simplicity to me. 

Simple Pull-Through Scarf

Just a fun little sewing project I came across for a cute outfit accessory!

 

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Materials Needed:

• 1/4 yard of 60" wide soft lightweight fabric with drape – we suggest challis, silk types and charmeuse
• Yardstick
• Fabric pen or pencil
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine
• Matching thread
• Iron
• Hand sewing needle
• 1-1/4" to 1-1/2" slide buckle

Instructions:

1. Straighten out cut edge if necessary. Measure and mark a line 7" from the cut edge, running along the width of the fabric. Cut along this line and trim off selvages.
2. With RIGHT sides of fabric facing each other, fold fabric in half widthwise, with cut long edges even and forming a long tube. Pin along long edges.
3. Stitch long edge in a 1/2" seam. Trim corners.
4. Pin one short end closed and stitch in a 1/2" seam. Trim off remaining corner.
5. Turn the tube RIGHT side out through remaining opening in scarf, poking corners out gently as far as they will go.
6. Fold the ends of the opening to the INSIDE 1/2" and pin in place. Slip stitch opening closed with hand sewing needle and matching thread.
7. Press scarf flat. To wear, pull both ends of scarf through slide buckle (as shown in photo above).

Copyright for the pattern above belongs exclusively to Simplicity/Simplicity Creative Group.

Simple Is Enough

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While watching House Hunters on HGTV this past week, a young woman made a comment that seemed interesting to me. As she was looking out one of the back windows of the flat she was being shown, she had mentioned how lovely it was to see the laundry hanging out on the balconies around her. It had given her a sense of connection, she'd said. A feeling of being "in the middle" of things, of seeing life going on around her and it felt comforting. 

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Her comment has replayed in my mind at least a dozen times since then. I think of how simple and basic the fact of laundry hanging out to dry on a balcony is. How simple.... Yes, that's it. How simple! How uncomplicated, and how real. It speaks of life, of the everyday, ordinary things that sometimes begin to feel too mundane. Yet these are the very things that we long for most when we feel out of our element, and are far away from home. Fresh laundry, a home cooked meal, sitting outdoors sipping on a glass of lemonade under the hot summer sun....

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Maybe we complicate life too much. Maybe we think we need too many things. When it comes down to it, maybe all that's really important are the simple things in life. And reminding ourselves of this from time to time is a good thing to do.

Simplicity