Goofin' Off Around the Block: June 2021

What is a fairy tale?

Photo Credit: Disney Destinations

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary the definition of a fairy tale is:

"A story in which improbable events lead to a happy ending."

Thanks to Joan at MooseStash Quilting for organizing this Fairy Tale Blog Hop. I have been inspired by seeing all my quilting friends' fairy tale projects.

As a special thank you for those who visit, I am offering a free downloadable and printable fairy tales themed quilt planner and journal in PDF format. It will be available for free all summer long...if you know where to find it. You can find the link to it here hosted on my other blog about adding Disney magic to everyday life. This quilt planner and journal was created specially for this blog hop!

Me, Disney and Fairy Tales

One thing you need to know about me is that I am a huge Disney fan! If you have followed me for very long, this is not a surprise.

I am a huge Disney fan because I realize that sometimes we have to go through difficult times before we reach our happy ending. And Disney inspires me to keep moving forward through the tough times because the reward is coming. And once I've got that reward, more adventures come along to challenge me...leading to another magical ending.

Life seems to be one fairy tale after another after another after another. And I keep moving forward so I can see what's waiting for me at the end of each chapter. Life is not perfect...and that's okay because there are always good things to balance the difficult.

Quilting Fairy Tales

I realize that many of my quilting and other projects also mirror the definition of a fairy tale. So many times am I working on a project and something doesn't go quite right. I cut some fabric incorrectly and need to rethink the design. Or maybe the colors I chose don't quite work together, so I need to make some substitutions. But once the process is finished, the final project is just what was needed for someone at just the right time.

I've pulled together some pictures of my Disney projects for the Fairy Tale Blog Hop.

I fell in love with this adorable Tinkerbell fabric.

As with many of my quilts, I wanted to create something quickly. I used up some scraps of blues, purples, and greens to create this lap quilt for a friend who loves all things Tinkerbell.

My hubby (aka Mr. Goofin' Off) wanted a quilt for his newly remodeled TV room. Captain America is his favorite Avenger and this is the fabric he picked out.

Here is the lap-sized quilt. But then he changed his mind and wanted it for our bed. (Apparently, he was tired of all the "floral" patterns on our bed.)

So I added borders...and...voila! A queen-sized quilt perfect for a superhero's (or a goofy man's) bedroom.

When I came across this fun Woody fabric, I knew EXACTLY what I was going to use it for.

My nephew was getting married and had asked Mr. Goofin' Off to perform the ceremony. It was a Toy Story themed wedding.

They were married "to infinity and beyond."

Believe it or not, I actually do quilt projects that aren't so obviously Disney. But the reality is, when I pick a focus fabric, it almost always reminds me of something Disney. It's just the way my brain works.

I make no apologies for it because it helps me stay sane in the crazy times of life. It is a constant reminder of the many fairy tales (big and little) that have occurred in my lifetime.

A Few Other Fairy Tale Projects

My other favorite hobby is counted cross stitch. I have been especially drawn to full-coverage projects. And, of course, can I help it if most of the patterns I choose are Disney (and fairy tale) themed?

One of my favorite stitching projects ever was this Tinkerbell pattern I purchased off of eBay. I smiled every time I worked on it.

This Snow White piece was stitched for Love Quilts USA. They make themed quilts with cross stitched blocks for children with life-threatening or life-altering illnesses.

I found this pattern on Etsy. I loved all the purples and pinks and the picture within the silhouette of good ol' Eeyore.

My current WIP. This piece is titled "Mickey and Pirate Friends." I am approximately 25% finished with this one. It will be about the size of a movie poster when I am finished. This was a special request by Mr. Goofin' Off and will be framed and hung in our family room.

Fairy Tale Blog Hop Blogs

Below you can find all the other blogs participating in the Fairy Tale Blog Hop this week. If you're like me, visiting other blogs can be a nice way to settle down at the end of the day...or a way to get the creative juices and be inspired by other people's projects.

Each blog has been assigned a day of the week to post to spread all the fun out over the week. So take a few minutes to visit these other great blogs and see what they have to offer:

Monday (June 21st):

Tuesday (June 22nd):

Wednesday (June 23rd):

Thursday (June 24th):

Scrapdash
That Fabric Feeling
Ms P Designs USA
Quilt Schmilt
Patchouli Moon Studio
Days Filled With Joy
Goofin' Off Around the Block (YOU'RE HERE)

Friday (June 25th):

As I mentioned before, I truly think that this journey of life is like a series of fairy tales. For each chapter of difficulties and challenge, we often get rewarded by our next happy ending. Then we are hit again with more challenges and adventures...and then hopefully another happy ending (no matter how brief it may be). I live for those happy times and fairy tales.

Each quilt finish, to me, is like a mini fairy tale ending. I enjoy seeing how fabrics and shapes have come together to create something that will give comfort to someone...and hopefully make them smile each time they use it.

May life be a never-ending fairy tale to all my quilting and stitching friends! Thanks for joining me!

Have a magical day!

P.S. Don't forget to download the free printable PDF fairy tales themed quilt journal and planner! Just click on the picture below for more information.

Do you think of your projects of making art? Sometimes, I do. I love to create new things through my quilts and embroidery work. Shhh...can I tell you a secret? I also like to be a little mischievous at times, too. Do you like to be a little mischievous at times?

Photo Credit: Disney Destinations

Last weekend Mr. Goofin' Off and I went to see Cruella at the movie theater. The theater only had 10 people in it...and it just felt so spacious. So happy to be back in an actual theater. And, for the record, we LOVED Cruella. I had suspected that I would...but was surprised at how much Mr. Goofin' Off enjoyed it.

One of the things I enjoyed was how much of the emphasis on Cruella's backstory was on how much she enjoyed designing and creating. She was extremely talented and creative...always keeping her eyes out and mind thinking of her next creative endeavor.

And while I won't spoil the movie if you haven't seen it, I can say I did relate to this quote from Cruella herself:

"I want to make art. And I want to make trouble." -Cruella

I can totally relate to this. I love to create and am so glad to be getting back into the game with new and ongoing quilting and cross stitch projects. But I do always feel like I've got a bit of a mischievous side to me. I don't let it out very often, but when I do...it's usually followed by a lot of laughter by whomever I'm with.

But the reality is, you're probably here to check out what I've been working on. I don't blame you. It's why I love to participate in link parties and blog hops. So glad to be back!

Current Quilt Project

My newest start of a project is inspired by my desire to spend my winters in Florida one day...you know, to be closer to Disney World. Technically, I love the Pacific Northwest and can't imagine ever leaving here. But the dark and gray winters really get to me. So this project embodies my desire to move...

The focus fabric for this one is flamingoes. I was enamored by the pinks and whimsical flamingoes in the fabric. The light pink and black fabric make for the perfect accent fabrics.

Selection of Flamingo Fabrics

I actually got all the initial cutting done this past week. It is mostly strip piecing, so it went fairly quickly. I did notice that it was time to replace my blade in my rotary cutter. So after I replaced the blade, things went so much more quickly.

The flamingo quilt strips are all cut.

My goal for next week is to get all of the strips pieced together. Fingers crossed I can find a few moments to get my machine out and working!

Current Cross Stitch Project

If you've followed my blog and have a great memory, you may recognize my current cross stitch project. It's titled Mickey and Pirate Friends. It makes me smile soooo much every time I work on it.

Mickey and Pirate Friends - Update as of 6/10/2021

I have completed the first row of pages...five pages in all. This is a huge project, and I'm pretty sure I'll do some rotating at some point. But, for now, I'm really enjoying it.

And because I've been enjoying catching up through link parties, I'm going to posting in a few myself this week.

Link Parties:

Needle and Thread Thursday

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop!

Have a magical day!

For those who expressed interest in my other non-project blog, I've linked some of my new content from there below. If you're interested in the read (or freebie) just click on through!