We had a very white Christmas. So pretty, quiet, and well, wonderful. Except that our oldest son wasn't with us for the first time ever and that almost made me cry. Growing up is hard to do, even for us mothers.
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| A bit of hand quilting |
Although I've been lurking occasionally, mostly I've been taking a short break from social media. At first it was somewhat enforced because of my computer problems and then frankly, all the Christmas preparation and family gatherings got in the way. It's been years and years since I was still out doing Christmas shopping just two days before Christmas Eve. Oh the joys of being self employed! Eventually though, all the presents {and groceries} were acquired and things settled down a bit on the home front. Except for last minute wrapping, baking, and stocking stuffing etc. Normal mom stuff. The kids were very gown up and amazingly helpful this year plus Slacker radio plays some great Christmas music. It all helps!
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| Always simple stitching around here.... |
And thankfully I always have my hoop filled and ready for stitching. It's the one rhythm of my life that remains somewhat constant no matter what else is going on around me. That little bit of hand quilting several times a week, late in the evening really helps to calm me down and keep me centered on what's important in life. I just try and let the stress of the day float away as I stitch, stitch, stitch away. And it's always extra special sweet to be doing hand work with the Christmas tree lights twinkling from across the room.
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| Loving these small tulips |
In fact, I've been getting just enough quilting time in to make me want to have
oodles more. Honestly I've been feeling a
bit whole lot deprived in that department. I'm quite positive my creativity is shriveling up and I'll have to start over from square one. My quilts will go back to old boring brown with absolutely no spark and well..., you get the picture. It's a worrisome thing.
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| Ready to start stitching the squares down.... |
But things will no doubt return to normal as soon as New Years arrives and that's soon enough. Time to link up to
Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching where us slow, plodding quilters hang out every week!
What lovely warm colours in the work you're sharing today - and always such a pleasure to see your hand quilting! Enjoy your slow stitching quiet time and all the best for the New Year Audrey :)
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful that even during the chaos that comes at this time of year you are able to sneak some hand quilting in. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteIt just seems slow stitching brings us back to our right mind after the chaos of the holidays seem to have us frazzled.
ReplyDeleteThe rhythm of quilting is extra special when it syncs up with the rhythm of life. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeletebeautiful quilt - I wish we would have had a white Christmas instead of all this rain - it won't quit - have had it since Christmas day and flooding all over in the state - lucky we are on a ridge - sorry your son wasn't with you
ReplyDeleteI'm intrigued by the large flower - I will certainly use it as inspiration for something to see for myself, I'll let the idea percolate for a while, to see what direction I might go in. I'm sewing today and enjoying it - my project is colourful, scrappy, and it's going to be a gift.
ReplyDeleteHow nice to have a white Christmas, good to see you have been quilting, I have not tried it without a hoop maybe it would be easier for me to get even sized stitches.
ReplyDeleteThere is something so wonderfully therapeutic about some hand quilting in the evenings. Last night for the first time in months, there was nothing in the hand hoop after all the company departed and I sorely missed it! That first year without one or more of the kids at home for Christmas is bittersweet, it leaves a hole in your heart even while you're happy for their new life adventures. Look toward the years when they start returning home again - with the grandbabies!
ReplyDeleteOh my, the Muddy Creek quilt is looking great with all that wonderful hand quilting. Love all the little tulips in the center of your big flower. I know exactly what you mean by "just enough" quilting to make you want more. I liken it to sugar, if I get one bit, I want ten more. Hope things settle down next week and you get all (o.k., I know you won't get ALL, but maybe a bit more) the quilting time you desire. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteI am with you! Your Quilty 365 project has kept me so grounded and relaxed this holiday season. I hope to have a brand new quilt in my hoop tomorrow to usher in the New Year this week. I am a wee bit jealous of your White Christmas - we had 72 degrees with considerable humidity! Love your new work with the tulips!
ReplyDeleteSometimes social media gets in the way of everyday life and its good to take a break. I love the quilting on your quilt. Hugs
ReplyDeleteI decided that all the social media interferes with my productivity so much that I have just about given it up all together. I was spending so much time at the computer , on my phone and iPad I seldom even carried on a conversation with my DH especially this time of year with so much on line shopping.
ReplyDeleteA white Christmas would have been wonderful we had 80 degree weather here in the south. Those small tulips are so cute.
I'm loving all those pinks, red, and browns. I don't know what you're making with that big flower, but I'm curious to see it finished! I love this week in between Christmas and New Years. Feels like we (Moms) can finally relax a bit.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your stitching :)
Such a wonderful quilt! I love the border next to the plaid. What block is that? Does it have a name? And baskets- beautiful baskets!
ReplyDeleteLove the text you wrote Audrey. I can so well relate to your missing your son at christmas. I don't like it at all when I can't see my children at Christmas time but they also have lives of their own, also new families-in-law and so I will have to get used to it. And just like you I love to do some stitching or in my case crocheting in the evenings when the day is calming down. Gives each day such a beautiful ending.Wish you a very happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI don't think your creativity is in any danger at all. But I am familiar with sewing time making me want MORE sewing time! Some stitching or quilting is an essential part of my day too. I have not sewn since Christmas Eve and it's really starting to affect my temperament!
ReplyDeleteOOH those tulips!!!! Yep, I think your creativity is doing just fine, my dear. I'm with you on the hand stitching - nothing settles me quite like it!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty confident you will not have lost your spark! Sometimes a break gives things time to stew nicely (or that's what I'm telling myself now). We should be bursting with creativity come January. :-)
ReplyDeleteThere's never anything boring about brown...it's one of my fav colors! And I have to say that that one border on your quilt is quite stunning (the one that looks kind of like drunkard's path blocks with circle in circle in the middle).
ReplyDeleteBah! There's NO way your quilts will ever be boring. Far too much talent for that. Glad your Christmas was so lovely, and I'm sure your mojo will be back in the new year. Lovely quilting.
ReplyDeleteI used to worry about losing my mojo when I had to be away from my quilting for too long, but it was always there when I came back.
ReplyDeleteLots of things feed your creative self: music, beauty, even taking a break from designing quilts! I'm loving that big flower in this post!