Another Year, Another Challenge

•   The first challenge for this new year—remembering to write 2022!!  Seems just like yesterday we were writing 2021--time does fly for sure--especially when you get older and you want time to slow down!
• Challenge #2 finish up one knitting project from 2019--Japanese Sampler Scarf--I know!  I know! it's about time.  For some reason, I lost interest in knitting this after clue 2 and it just sat to 'age'! 
• Challenge #3--finish at least one quilt that was begun and again 'aged'!  All the pieces are there, ready to be sewn into a quilt top!  Just need to get to it--what does it mean to get to it?!  There I go again--procrasting!  
• Challenge #4--Write more blog enteries--well, in order to do that, I must have more opportunities and seek more insights into blog writing.  We'll see if that happens.
• Challenge #5--Do Not begin a new project until Challenge #2 or #3 have been completed!!!!
• Challenge #6--Be prepared for anything that gets thrown into my path--good, bad, ugly!
• Challenge #7--Chose One word that will emphasize my daily life and use that word every day!

Is this a good motivation photo?

Wrapping up This month!

 One of my friend's birthday is January 1--can you believe?   But, we have a way of celebrating--we close out the old year by attending the ball drop in our neighborhood plaze--and then, if it isn't too cold, we have a birthday party minute after midnight on January 1--always fun to have cake and champage in the same hour

• It’s also time to work on my gifts for friends—since we ddidn’t meet in December, it gave me extra time to decide what to make. 
• Since most of my friends are quilters, I decided on pincushions—who can’t use another pincushion?

I had handwoven fabric with handspun weft--no intended purpose--ah!  I have an idea!

I had scrap pieces of wool fiber--not going to spin that stuff

and I had these milkware pieces from my mother's estate--wasn't going to use themandand no family member wanted them==been in

my pantry for years and no occassion to bring them out anyway.

So--I cut into my handwoven, handspun fabric to make circle, stuffed with the leftover wool bits, sewed it up and ta da--pincushions!  Hope they like them.

Now, if only I could think of someway to use the milkware plates that came with the cups.

Boxing Day 2021! Another QAL

 My photo of the day is Leftover Cookies!

Boxing Day got its name when Queen Victoria was on the throne in the 1800s and has nothing to do with the sport of boxing.

The name comes from a time when the rich used to box up gifts to give to the poor.

Boxing Day was traditionally a day off for servants, and the day when they received a special Christmas box from their masters.

The servants would also go home on Boxing Day to give Christmas boxes to their families.

Another way to end 2021 and begin 2022– is with a mystery by Jessica Dayon!  Each week Jessica will release a scrappy block, which I'll enjoy as my scrap bin is overflowing!  Jessicain.blogspot

Merry Christmas!!

Holy Moley!

 Would you look at me!!  For a couple of days, my energy level went up--couldn't be because I looked at all those blocks and thought "something must be done--soon"!  

I took all those unconnected blocks and built a quilt top--just needs some borders, little quilting and binding and someone will have a nice warm welcome to the cold weather!

The larger blocks were from three QALs and the smaller blocks were from another SAL--I have the

small connecting blocks already--don't know why I had these all made--am hoping it wasn't for a much larger quilt that I've forgotten about.

Here is another one that I took large blocks from two other SALs and combined them

liked the sashing and might add it to the borders but right now, it's resting and I'm thinking on it!

My summer quilt is complete except for the quilting--comes in January when I get back to the long arm.

Brown headed daughter has already spoken for this one--darn!  Was looking forward to using this for spring and summer--I have many more scraps, so I can make something else--hate repeating!

I feel so much better that I created something useful from all those QAL/SAL blocks--It's a great feeling to have that lifted off my shoulders.  Onto other challenges--

Rehashing 2021###

 The year begins all gung-Ho—only started about 5 or 6 different sew alongs—tried to keep up!  All was going well and then...................pouf! By end of October, All the drive was gone!  Now I have so many unconnected blocks.  Of course, I could finish up the quilt alongs—naw—don’t think that will happen.  Besides, another year is just around the corner and several new QALs will be available.  What should I do?  Besides, I am woman! And I have the right to change my mind!

But, Which way will I change my mindset? The brain is running in twenty different ways. I know I will NOT discard all these blocks I've been working on the past few months and I want to be ready for 2022 and the new QAL's that will pop up.  I know I'll be wanting to make new UFOs and my energy will return after the holidays.  

Should I continue writing this blog?  Although, I think I’ll pause the blog, it’s about the only way I can keep up with ME!  I can look back to see what projects I did complete or have waiting in the wings.  It’s a measure of time in one way—recently I looked back on my blogs.. 2009 I found a hat pattern that I had forgotten about!!  Oh wow!  It’s been many years of writing! 

Many years ago I did a 365 projects of photos—a journal of daily life.  Beginning in 2022. I plan to embark on this project again.  Some or many of the photos will upload to the blog. A different way to write when there isn’t much to say. 

I pray that you will have a thoughtful rehashing of your 2021 and make a new start in 2022.  I have high hopes and plans to make it a good year!

Memories Path

Our tree is up and so beautiful!

I do miss the real tree and the aroma of fresh spruce; 

Couple years ago after our real tree fell over, some precious ornaments broke,  many pine needles went everywhere, I threw up my hands and said “enough”!  Promptly marched to Costco and bought that unreal tree—I really do miss the outings to the tree lot to pick out the perfect tree! Oh well......

  Everyone decorates with memories!  Now, that our kids are grown and out of the house, I don't put up those little ornaments they made in school art class but I still take them out of the box and think about the kid and how they were so proud to add it to the tree--

the santa made from a toilet paper roll

the wreath from cotton balls

popsicle stick tree

macaroni ornaments

Each in their own right a memory of their days as children!

Now, that we make our own memories as senior adults, it isn't different for us

Each precious ornament holds a special memory!

So, we cherish those times when we found that memory and added it to our lives.

Years ago when we lived in Venzeula, we would visit an artist community outside of 

Puerto La Cruz--loved those trips!  We visited this artist many times and have several of

her pieces in our collection.  When she learned we were moving back to the states, she pressed this into my hand, gave me a big hug and 

smiled.  I didn't speak much Spanish or she much English, but we knew what this gift meant to her and me!  I'll always be honored with her gift.

  I don't remember her name or the name of the art community,

but I certainly will always remember her kindness.  

She made this lovely angel with clay from their region.  Her hands

sculptured each line with love.  Each year it brings joy to our display case as I

think of her and her metal artist husband--think of them often and wonder what

as become of them in that tormented country.  and I pray!

This is another prize memory--Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus.

I bought several of these sets for family--hoping they can remember the 

meaning behind Christmas and how it should be celebrated. 

And of course, this nativity set made by my Granny back in the 1970's is

special--very special in my heart!  

What memories do you hold dear as you bring out your treasures?