JOY: Fig Tree Style

We just did this post over on the MODA CUTTING TABLE blog but wanted to add it here too...

When I heard about the JOY posts over there at the mothership [what we lovingly like to call MODA whenever we get the chance] I thought to myself... now why didn't I think of that. To take a break from all the crazy, stressful days, all the shopping, all the everything and write and read stories of JOY. It's perfect.

For me joy is something that is most often found in the most unexpected places in the most unexpected times. Sometimes, though, I feel like joy is something that I have had to choose in order to find it.

 

FABRIC JOY
I have to tell you that cutting fabric is one of those unexpected joys for me. What seems like in another lifetime, I used to work in a fabric store and that is where I learned to cut fabric and where I fell in love with it. To this day if I am overwhelmed or just feel like I have been working on the computer for too long, I go and cut bundles. It is almost therapeutic for me. Sewing of course does this too but cutting fabric is one of those tiny unexpected joys in my life.

KID JOY
One of the things that has been bringing me a lot of joy lately is watching the friendship between my youngest who is 9 and my middle who is 13. They are both still so innocent and total goofballs and they play so well together that it makes me stop and watch. Especially in a time when most of their friends are "too cool" for stuff like this, the two of them are concocting silly games to entertain themselves. They clearly enjoy each other and watching them or their goofy expressions brings me a deep joy.

HUBBY JOY
For those of you who know me personally, you will know that I literally could not do any of what I do without my husband Eric. You would also know that despite the fact that we work so closely together, we are quite different from one another and many think it is quite a wonder that we are such good partners. He makes me laugh every day. He makes me crazy too. He makes me breakfast :-). He is my best friend and although there are many days when the fact that we are so different makes us both crazy, he still brings me joy.

 

CHRISTMAS JOY

Christmas time is one of my absolute favorite times of the year as I am sure it is for so many of you. There is something so wonderful about creating that Christmas feel in my home, it makes it all so much more than decorating. I think my favorite moments are when the kids open up a box of decorations [that they have first complained about having to take out] that they remember from years past and the "do you remember whens...." begin. That brings me joy.
Watching the house lights get turned on each evening and the smell of my favorite apple cider candle, that brings me joy.
Laying by the Christmas tree and reading Christmas stories... even to the teenagers... makes me happy. It brings me joy that they humor me!

 

GIVING
 
As others have already said before me, there is unbelievable joy in the giving. We have had some hard family times around the Fig home in the last couple of years and sometimes the only joy that there was to have was the joy of watching others receive. Something that Fig Tree is sponsoring in the year to come, in February to be exact, is a RED & WHITE CHARITY QUILT SHOW for our local children's hospice home. More on that on my blog later, but i just wanted to throw it out there. MODA and several of the other designers have joined in and are donating goodies and quilts to the auction. Thank you! If you are reading this and have a red and white quilt or would be happy to make one by February, please email me at [email protected]  We would be so happy to have you join us!
 
 
Whether it is this time of the year or any other, what is true for me is that joy happens in the little moments. Some of them are unmistakeable and some of them you have to choose to see.
 
I hope this season is filled with moments of joy for you. Any kind of joy!
 
Merry Christmas,  Joanna

Comments

[Elvira]

Прекрасная, красивая семья :) Приятно смотреть на счастливые лица:)
А сапожки просто чудо :)

[Monica P]

What a JOY it was to read your post. Thanks for sharing your joys with us. It really warmed my heart. It's also a joy for us Fig Tree fans to watch your family grow. Thanks again for all the hard work you and your elves put into the 12 days of Christmas.

[Ellen]

Monica is correct.......what JOY to read your posts all through the year. Your children are a joy to see in the pictures and you and your Eric's smiles are contagious. I cannot make a red and white quilt by Feb., but I would love to make a donation. As you get closer to the date, will you post a link where we could do that? Hugs and Merry Christmas to all of the Figs and their elves!

[Mary]

A beautiful post. I hope the new year is a wonderful one for the Fig home, and I hope God blesses you extravagantly.

[[email protected]]

I have no idea where to go to see and order the items you posted that were in "extra" from your 12 days. I couldn't find where to order them during the 12 days :( Could you be of assistance? Thanks. M

[Rebecca Bird]

Thanks Joanna this was just what I needed to remember what the Xmas holiday break is all about ....JOY :)

[Monique]

you are so right and reading your post puts it all in perspective. A very Merry Christmas to your and your family!

[Helen Lebrett]

A wonderful post! I love seeing you, your hubby, and your kids sweet and happy smiles!! Have a wonderful Christmas!! Hugs, H in Healdsburg

[Karen]

Another fantastic post! Wishing many blessings to you and family in the coming New Year! Thanks so much!

[Janan]

Your JOY post is sew touching. You are such a talented and gifted person. It was a JOY to see the smiling happy faces OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY in the blog photos and to get to share what some of your JOYS are. I hope your charity event well exceeds all your expectations.
HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HOLIDAY SEASON!

[Ginger Ashworth]

For MobitzRN: The JOY of having a popular website such as Joanna's and her Fig Tree means that often times her items just totally sell out, and that is why you cannot find them on her site. I too, could not find something on her site that was there the day before, but, you could try getting what you want from other vendors. I LOVE Fig Tree, they provide my favorite complimentary fabric lines which actually create an emotional connection to my projects that I receive from being a hand-sewing quilter . . . the colours also play well with other fabrics in my stash, and give me incredible JOY all year long . . . And, every bit of happiness and JOY is totally a gift, and greatly appreciated.

[Joanna]

thank you Ellen and YES.. we will absolutely post a link where folks can donate to our QUILT SHOW closer to the actual date. Thank you so much for thinking of it. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Joanna

[Joanna]

Elvira's translation:

Beautiful, beautiful family :) It's nice to look at happy faces :)
And boots a miracle :)

Thank you so much Elvira!

[Nicola]

Such a lovely, thoughtful post, Joanna. When work is getting on top of me, my JOY is making some time to sew! Also, I'm extremely impressed that Eric makes you breakfast every morning: you married well ;-)

A very Happy (restful) Christmas to you and your gorgeous family x

[Sinta]

I just wanted to wish you a very merry Christmas and thank you for all the joy you bring into my life, this year and also for past years. You are always so inspiring and talented and you make this part of my world a better place. Blessings!