Quilt Love

Hello Beautiful!

Hello Sunshine!

We’re right in the thick of spring, and it’s one of my favourite times of the year.

Winter felt long!

It came with a surprising twist that led me down a path full of meaningful work involving quilts. I was inspired to volunteer to be part of a group that wanted to create a quilted gift. My confidence was high during the Zoom call, but as the project went on, I hit a few snags. It had been a couple of years since I’d been in a Southern Ontario quilt shop, but the ladies there are part of a community like no other. I was greeted with big smiles, knowing nods, wisdom, and helping hands. The result was wonderful—the recipient of the quilt couldn’t believe the thoughtfulness and how many people had contributed to this "bon voyage" gift.

In the end, I couldn’t believe how much joy entered my life this winter simply by raising my hand and saying, “I want to help; I want to be a part of this.”

While doing my own annual Tidy Festival, I came across a thank-you card I had received 25 years ago when I lent my quilt to someone in need. It had survived all my Tidy Festivals, and in truth, I had forgotten it existed. But in that moment, I was grateful to find it. I read it again, took a trip down memory lane, and then tucked it back into my box of notes for another year.

In my world, Valentine’s Day doesn’t always come on February 14th. My Valentine this year was snacks and a tire check in January before a road trip to New York for work. I decided to honour the holiday by putting my Decorating and KonMari knowledge to work and writing a letter titled “Quilt Love.” It’s a tribute to quilters who stitch stories, love, and history into cut-up pieces of fabric. I spent a beautiful, sunny day in February driving around and dropping them off at my local quilt shops.

A wonderful new friend reached out to me and asked if I would help her turn clothing she had treasured as her daughter grew up into a quilted blanket for her to take as she starts the next chapter of her life and ventures into adulthood.

A favourite Tidy Festival client updated me, sharing that for the Family Day holiday, she had a wonderful time using heirloom quilts to build forts with her grandchildren. Choosing to honour her belongings during our Tidy Festival gave new life to those quilts, which had previously been tucked away in a closet.

I tell you these stories to highlight the idea that sometimes a single moment can change the path we take. I’m so grateful that I raised my hand and thought to myself, “I wonder what might happen if…”

Take the leaps, start with a spark, and bloom right where you are planted.

With Love,

Caitlin Pedlar

Hello 2025! Hello KonMari Club!

Hello Beautiful!

Many people have been asking what I have been up to in the incredible year of 2024 and what I am looking forward to as we step into 2025.

If I had to sum up 2024 in a single word, it would undoubtedly be "Cultivated."

It was truly a year of tending to the rich soil of my life, nurturing the seeds I have been diligently planting, and forging lasting relationships that I will cherish and carry with me into the future.

As a devoted KonMari consultant, I quickly began to realize that once individuals (including myself) had effectively cleared all the clutter from their lives, pulled out all the persistent weeds that had crept in over time, and created a peaceful physical sanctuary within their homes, it became essential to transition towards enhancing their overall lifestyle.

This is where Patty Morrissey her thoughtfully designed Clear and Cultivate Method came into play, I accepted an invitation to join her in a Pilot Program, the KonMari Club, a Year Long mutual improvement club of gently exploring 12 categories of life.

Every month you focus on a different area of life in a playful and curious way…

“ I wonder what might happen if…. “

This experience aligned so beautifully with what I have been passionately advocating for years: not only creating a spark joy home but also cultivating that spark joy life that we all deserve.

It is never to late to try something new, as proof here are a few highlights from my 2024

  • Daily Walks in Nature

  • Creating this little Corner of the Internet

  • Having a Photoshoot to celebrate this season of life

  • Planning and Putting in the work to create Memorable Family Holidays.

  • Kayaking the Credit River.

  • Making a quilt ( and discovering the joy of sending it to a “long arm”)

  • Forest Restoration and Growing Copious amounts of Lavender as fire starter.

  • Lovingly saying Goodbye to my pet of 14 years, Hazel.

  • Joining Historical Walking Tours to be a tourist in my own town.

  • Taking an EPIC girls trip to Savannah, Georgia.

  • Korean BBQ and learning how to eat graciously with chopsticks

  • Tuesday Night Hot Tub and Dinner Dates with my Mom.

  • Hiking the Bruce Trail at Goodyear Memorial Scout Camp.

These are a few of the highlights but it is also important to note that I found a simplicity in slowing down everyday life. There is magic in early morning dance parties and slowly sipping coffee while you get ready for your day. Having dinner on the table at 5:30 (almost) every night, Baking fresh banana bread for my Tidy Festivals.

Twenty-Twenty Five just has a beautiful ring to it and as I look forward to the Year ahead and can’t wait to see what lies behind the next turn.. Sometimes we are offered an invitation that can change our life for the better. Because a friend offered it to me, I would like to offer it to you. I will forever be grateful that I now move through the world Tidy and Blooming thanks to Marie Kondo and Patty Morrissey.

Join me in 2025 by being a Founding Member of the KonMari Club!

With Love,

Caitlin Pedlar