Thoughts on the approaching year. . . . .

Well, it seems like just yesterday when we were welcoming in 2019. . . .but here is 2020 knocking on our doors.

I do not think that I am alone in wondering where this year has gone.

The past year was not a great one for me. . . there were so many "want to do's" that ended up not being done; so many "great ideas" that fell by the wayside; and things that just did not get thought about past the brainstorming session that they occurred in.

But, since blog posts are boring without pictures here is this years picture of our pup:

Mr. Books took her to PetSmart when I was sick so that we would not miss the yearly tradition.

I know that I accomplished things. . . I participated in the Hands 2 Help Challenge and I did get other sewing done. . . .but it just does not feel like I really did anything.

So, in hopes that the "reckoning" at the end of 2020 is a little more organized my plans are as follows:

A. Keep better track of the amount of time I spend in the sewing room.

I know that I cannot keep up with trying to track the amount of fabric I have used (been there, tried that), but I should be able to keep better track of the number of quilt blocks that I make.  So that will be one goal.

B.  Keep better track of the quilts that I complete.

I want to actually complete quilts. . . .not just make tops.  This should be something that I can do relatively easily.  Once the quilting, binding and labeling is done I can document it.

C.  Try to maintain focus on my word of the year.

I have tried to do this for the past several years, but it has never "stuck" with me. 

However, I have hope that this year will be different. . . .because there is a real push for Mr. Books and I do downsize our possessions.

So, based on that here is my:

Word of the Year:                  REDUCE

And by REDUCE I do not just mean to get rid of stuff that I don't enjoy, use or want. . . I mean to reduce the stress that is in my life, reduce the negativity that seeps in from outside sources (yup, I can't stand the news these days), reduce the wasted time of blindly watching television (but I can multi-task during favorite shows), and reduce the amount of wasted time on social media.

Heck, just by getting off of Facebook and games I should be able to get a lot of sewing done!

No major, earth shattering resolutions (that don't get kept anyway) but just some gentle reminders that we are only here for a limited time. . . . and I would rather be having fun while I am here.

Happy early New Year!

In peace and pieces,

Sherry


This content was originally posted on the quilt blog Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc. (www.bookshookssticksetc.blogspot.com). If you are reading this on any site other than the original or quilterblogs.com it is WITHOUT my permission and the content has been stolen.

Let's talk about a busy quilt

One of my goals is to try to get some of the kits, UFO's, WIPs, etc. done.

So, even though I have half done projects all over the place I pulled out a kit that I bought and decided to work on it.

Here is the quilt top as completed in the kit:

 

This was a kit that I purchased from Craftsy (before Bluprint took over.) The fabrics are by Lily and Loom.  I don't know how long I have had the kit so I am not sure if the fabrics are current, or even still available.

The colors are very pretty. . . . but this is just a very busy quilt.  Based on the instructions in the kit there is no border. . . . but both Mr. Books and I think that a border is needed to try to "contain" the quilt.  I'm thinking a dark gold might be good. . . but then perhaps a smaller border of gold and a larger border of a raspberry color might be good.

I will have to figure out the measurements and see if I want to purchase more fabric or hold off until I can start going through the fabric boxes in the basement to see if I can find something that will work.

The directions in the kit were very good. . . .there was a lot of cutting in the beginning but then it was "all sewing, all the time" until the quilt top was completed.

In peace and pieces,

Sherry

This content was originally posted on the quilt blog Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc. (www.bookshookssticksetc.blogspot.com). If you are reading this on any site other than the original or quilterblogs.com it is WITHOUT my permission and the content has been stolen.

Crocheted charity donation

Well, I don't know if anyone is still checking on my blog to see if I've posted; but since I like having this space as a place for me to show what I have been doing I am back.

This is a crocheted afghan that I had been working on over time.  One of the Facebook groups that I belong to is collecting comfort items for use by one of the members police department when they get calls that involve young kids.

I sent this afghan out since it was not destined to be used for any other purpose.

 

 

The pattern that I used is an older one. . . if anyone is interested I will find the leaflet and let you know the name in case you might be able to find it at a thrift shop or Goodwill shop.

It is a pattern of baby layette patterns.  If memory serves there was this one in crochet and another in knit.

I have made the entire layette set a couple of times. . . .but have done the afghan many more times. . . except for having to be careful with the counting it is a very easy piece to make.


In peace and pieces,

Sherry

This content was originally posted on the quilt blog Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc. (www.bookshookssticksetc.blogspot.com). If you are reading this on any site other than the original or quilterblogs.com it is WITHOUT my permission and the content has been stolen.