Thursday, December 31, 2020

Bring on the New Year!

   Year 2020...... not the most productive in my life.  Major efforts were made into a collage.  

   In the center is the wonky Court House steps quilt.  About half of these blocks were made prior to this year, and being in lockdown was a good reason to assemble them.

   Upper left,  just strings, and more string blocks!  This turned in to my Chaos Quilt, or what I thought would be the pandemic quilt.  I figured by the end of this one the pandemic would be history.  And the joke was on me.....so Chaos it became.

   Lower left is the spool block quilt.  Lots of spool blocks were made during the Spring and Summer months for this one.  It is as yet unquilted.

 Top right, by late summer I was in dire need of some light in my world.  Not just sunlight, but illuminating light of hope.  So I naturally turned to create a watercolor project.  It too is unfinished and waits to be quilted.

  Lower right, is mine, but created by Sir Old Man.  He fulfilled my request for a bright spot to hang on the garden shed.  The cardinal has long been my symbol of Hope.  And now it is always in view.  The wooden  barn quilt block is 16'' square.  


   As the year ends I am working on assembling about 100 Easy Breezy blocks.  These have been my leader and ender project for the year.  And rather than begin something new, I plan on getting at least one top quilted.  If I need to just stitch I can always make a few string blocks.....it is a good never ending project for me.  
   
  What did I learn in 2020?  
   It was brought home to me to listen to my body.  Diagnosed with Erosive Osteoarthritis put a halt to machine quilting this year.  I found it painful, so I decided to not do any quilting for 6 months at least.  I believe it has helped the severe inflammation in the wrists.  I picked up crochet again to try to keep my fingers moving and nimble.  That too has seemed to help.  Overall, things in moderation are possible, so I think one quilt top quilted is doable:)  Big smile.

  Although I am home most of the time anyway, I need to get out.  I need to  see people.  Even a ride to the drugstore, or the open produce market is a treat.  My body may be breaking down, but my heart still wants relationship with others.  

  Small joys are all around us.  You must look for them and take time to enjoy them.  Fifteen minutes in the sun or just sitting on the porch to watch the blue birds.
The glorious colors of the sunset behind the trees ends the day well.  The sweet small of apples in the fall, and the earthy scent of burning leaves remind me of the season's change.  Full moons, and meteor showers, and wonders in the sky were seen and marveled at this year.   

  And Sir Old Man has one more 
barn quilt to finish  this year.

  A Double Star pattern caught his eye earlier this fall and He decided to make one  to hang on the front of the house.  For this one, he wanted a more rustic appearance.  The wood was destressed a bit, and routed to create the look of barn wood. It is well sealed and will be under the eaves for some protection.  

And tomorrow we do it all agin....so , come on 2021, give us the best!

Happy stitching.  

18 comments:

Elizabeth V Kelbaugh said...

All are beautiful. Prayers for a healthy 2021 with time to safely visit friends.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I find when I have more than I can handle, I have no guilt in having someone else quilt to catch things up. Luckily we have 6 long armers in our guild and someone has an open spot. Your pieces are so lovely and the addition of the barn blocks are bright spots. Taking even just a drive to get out is good too. I don't think total isolation is a good thing.

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

You and your Sweetie have created some truly beautiful things this year. Even without your physical challenges this would have been a challenge in this strange year. Congratulations on jobs well done!

Quilting Babcia said...

You've produced some lovely pieces this year despite your diagnosis. Finding (and resetting) our limits is a challenge we all face as our bodies age. Taking the time to smell the roses so to speak allows us to replenish our physical, emotional and spiritual stores so we can go on in accordance with our Father's plan. May we all have a blessed and hopeful New Year, being content in our hearts and at peace with our circumstances.

---"Love" said...

I always enjoy seeing your beautiful quilts! I must say your watercolor quilts are my favorites; they are so unique! Wish I could make one. I too have felt a bit isolated this year because of my vertigo and also arthritis which really limits my activity and getting out of the house. Hopefully everything will be better in 2021 for all of us! Let's pray toward that end! ---"Love"

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

You have some beautiful projects you worked on in 2020. I'm glad to hear the crochet is helping a little, it keeps the hands busy and lets the mind wander, sort of like meditation without trying for it.

Here's to 2021 and more playing with pretty fabrics. I was wondering if you got any more of the Charley Harper cardinal fabrics other than the one I sent you. If not, I can send you a few more.

Linda Swanekamp said...

Your quilts are beautiful for this year. It has been a trying year. I cry a lot. So much loss, I wonder if I will ever have friends again. Being outside helps. Even when it was in the 20s today, it was clear and dry and a lone walk looking at all the natural beauty helped for awhile. I will have to paint more if I can summon up the energy. Thank you for sharing the beauty.

sue s said...

I find that just looking at your quilts, especially the watercolors, gives me joy and peace, so thank you for that. Let us hope the new year will be better in many ways for all of us.

Janet O. said...

Your projects are beautiful, Debbie--and so is your heart. Thanks for sharing what you have made and what you have learned.
Blessings for you in the new year!

Kerry said...

Loving the barn blocks. The quilts are super. Glad your rest has seemed to help a lot too. Wishing you a very Happy New Year.

Gene Black said...

I am wishing you a Happy New Year, Debbie. You have actually done quite a lot this year. Give yourself kudos.
Being isolated is hard. I hope you are visiting with family and/or friends virtually. I have found that really helps my Mom's spirits - mine too.

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

Your quilts are just stunning, Debbie. I hope the new year brings you joy again. Maybe you can join in a virtual retreat, they have really been fun to see faces while staying home.

Cheree @ The Morning Latte said...

They are beautiful projects to be proud of! A very happy new year to you and Sir Old Man. I hope you're able to find a way to see more of people soon. I don't think of myself as very social but that is starting to get to me too. I find it interesting that we're having to live differently--like looking for the small joys around us. It's something everyone alway talks about but now we are really doing it. There can be a lot of good to come out all of this yet--just remains to be seen how much.

LA Paylor said...

yep... here we go. soldiering on finding our creative spirit. wishing you the best

MissPat said...

Happy New Year to you Debbie and Sir Old Man. I give you lots of credit for not giving up and continuing to work on your quilts when you can. I think everyone who has followed the recommendations to shelter at home are now feeling the effects of the isolation after so many months. During the summer I could work in the garden, but now being stuck inside is frustrating. And we're not taking our usual trip south this winter, so I won't have a respite from the cold and snow. But the days are getting longer and as you said, we must look to the smaller things and find the joy that is hidden there.
Pat

Mystic Quilter said...

Congratulations on your beautiful quilting achievements in 2020, as you say a year we could all have wished away. Listening to our bodies is the only way to go when we suffer with multiple health problems, even though we can find it frustrating. The words 'little things mean a lot' is so very true and as you say there are many moments which can bring us joy. I very rarely miss watching the sun rise and set and regularly each night hunt for the moon, at least on the clear nights. I have, on occasion taken a chair outside and with a quilt covering my legs sat and just enjoyed the dark night with the moon in all the stages.
Wishing you a Happy New Year Debbie and a safe one.

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

Quilt just a little bit each time so that you don't over do it. Happy New Year!

Louise said...

Beautiful quilts, beautiful mindset. Thank you for sharing your talent and outlook with us all year long, Debbie!

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