Thursday, January 2, 2020

Wrapping Up 2019 So We Can All Move On

I always think this end of the year retrospective should be a quick post, but somehow
it never quite works out quite that way. Oh well. Time for a glimpse of whatever finishes 
managed to come to fruition during the past year! It always surprises me how it stacks
up. Never quite what I imagined somehow!
2019 Finishes (1)
It's been a surprisingly productive year. So many times it felt like I was just sort of spinning my wheels, or at times, chasing after ever single squirrel that popped around the corner. Some of the oldest quilt tops did get checked off the list, but it felt arduous at times. 'I don't wanna' was not an uncommon feeling at the start of some of these quilting/stitching finish-it-up endeavors.
2019 Finishes (2)
A surprising amount of larger quilts were completely hand quilted. Well, maybe not so surprising.as it was a terribly stressful year here on the home front. So happy to see 2020 roll around with the all the possibilities of a fresh new year! When life's troubles start to get extra heavy, I tend to have a habit of ending every evening nose deep in the quilting hoop. Well, right after finishing off the popcorn and catching up on Blogger and Instagram.*wink  Helps me sleep ever so much better, that hand work. Seriously therapeutic. If I didn't have so many hot flashes, I'd probably pile on about six quilts every night when I go to bed. Just bury myself in them. You know, for the good vibes?
2019 Finishes (3)
Lots of baby quilts were made and finished up, plus quite a few little bitty ones. Very fun, fast quilting sessions which felt kind of rewarding. I don't think that would be good for me full time though. The feeling lasts only a little while and then it's gone. Poof! Almost like it never happened.
2019 Finishes (4)

So now it's time for the stats. 23 Total Quilt Completions last year! Woohoo! {If you count the Barbie quilts.} But lets not. Leaving off those smaller, quickie quilting projects, it's really more like 18 for the true total. Not too shabby. And because I like to break things down even further....

  • 9 Bed sized quilts finished up
  • 5 Lap quilts
  • 4 Baby quilts
  • 5 Doll, Table Runner or Barbie quilts
  • 9 of these quilts were completely hand quilted
  • 8 quilts were completely machine quilted
  • 5 quilts were a combination of both machine and hand quilting
  • 1 quilt was a combination of machine quilting and hand tying
It was a good year. Also a good year for giving quilts away! 20 different quilts, including the 5 mini quilts, but not limited to completed-in-2019-quilts, were gifted to a hopefully happy recipient.Two or three other quilts should have been given as well, but I'm sort of dragging my heels about those. Not quite ready to give them up just yet. Still having pangs about a couple of the quilts I gave to my daughters!

Some thoughts about looking ahead:

I'm still very invested in keeping lists as per usual. The most important one is for the quilt projects that have been started, but are still in the works. These are ongoing, in many different phases, but most importantly, they have fabric cut out though not yet a completed quilt top. Its not just a fabric stack of dreamy potential! I'm committed, hopefully engaged and generally always pushing forward toward a conclusion. 

There is also a list for the finished quilt tops that are not as yet quilted. Totally separate lists for different categories of UFO's. That's because the 'in progress' quilt project list fluctuates all year long. What I've finally found to be an optimal balance {for the way that I work} is somewhere between 6 to 10 projects. Anything over that and it inevitably starts stressing me out. Anything under that and I start feeling incredibly bored. Good incentive to cross projects off the list and then promptly dive right into the new!

The 'finished quilt top' list has been slowly shrinking from a high of 28 several years ago, to this past year where I seem to have regressed. These tops are listed in order of when they were completed with a vague idea toward quilting the oldest one firsts. Ha. For now I'm going to ignore the fact that quilt tops are multiplying like rabbits and just keep on doing my thing. I really don't know what else to do.I tried severely limiting quilt starts, but that was stifling. There's only so much a person can do to put the breaks on creativity/new starts/inspiration before all momentum comes screeching to a halt. Some day maybe I'll be able to afford having a few tops long armed again, but what probably needs to happen is for me to work a little harder at {being open to} combining machine and hand quilting. That's where I seem to gain the most ground.

Last year saw me taking an even more intentional look at the fabric stash. Many of you know that I truly love digging deep and coming up with interesting or unexpected combinations of fabrics and colors. I'm super pleased to have a 20-30 plus year range of quilting fabric colors/prints, but to be frank, some of those fabrics are stale dated now. Over time there are fabrics which have somehow become bland or completely and totally uninspiring. It's kind of sad, but mostly it irritates me because every single time I've tried to earnestly address these dated 'colors', the ideas crash and burn. The quilting plan seems lackluster and pointless so I give up.

On a whim late last year, I tore through the green fabric totes and pulled out most of the worst offenders. Some of them really aren't that bad. Truly. They're just dated. They've sort of gotten lost in the trends of colors changing. Marketing.That sort of thing. When digging through for fabric choices, they are easily pushed aside and ignored because they don't always play nice with the new additions and then, of course, the situation compounds itself through time. Take a look at the Sherwin-Williams 'Color Through the Decades' to see what I mean. I'm totally stuck in the 70's, 80's, 90's and 2000's in regards to over half of the fabric stash! What to do?

At somewhat of a loss, I took these annoying {green} fabrics and put them in largish clear plastic bags and purposefully left it all out where I couldn't fail to look. See. Be reminded and think about solutions. Eventually I came up with a personal challenge that involves using these 'So Tired' fabrics. The first phase of that saw me making a really weird {okay, it's ugly}, purple and green comfort sort of quilt top, and since then, I've incorporated quite a few of these less-loved fabrics into the Christmas quilts. Other than the first quilt {totally an experiment}, I don't really intend to waste a lot of time making ugly quilts though. Finding a good place for them is the ultimate goal. That and using them up so they aren't in the way anymore!

The most awful of all these fabrics have already been sewn into a large quilt backing for one of the recent Christmas quilts. Extra time, but hey, the fabrics were put to good use and I save money on a backing. One way or another, I totally intend to sneak these troublesome colors/fabrics into quilts and find a way to love them again. Maximize their potential. Then I'm going to move on to a different color and start all over again. Yes! Loving this challenge so much. Look for the 'So-Tired' label at the bottom of  posts moving forward. This challenge could last for a long time.

If somehow the hours can be found, {crossing my fingers}, I plan to put together a 'Hand Quilting with Perle Cotton' tutorial this year. Yikes. So intimidating. Several people have inquired and seem to want to know how to get the 'Quilty Folk' look and feel to their quilts. Deep thoughts here. Please don't get in a rush expecting anything. My life is full of crazy ups and downs and I often barely have time to proofread current posts for misspelling, much less organize an intelligible tutorial.

Yay. This is also the year when I will be turning 50 years young. See how excited I am? Just loving the gaining-weight-at-warp speed and experiencing my lack of mind/mouth coherence due primarily to hormones. How is it that I'm thinking a specific name in my mind, but what comes out is totally different and sometimes I don't even realize?*sigh  My kids think this is hysterical and I just feel stupid. This has turned my thoughts to perhaps making a celebratory quilt such as Lori and Barb both did in years past? Why not make turning 50 into a good thing? I want to walk more and take better care of myself for sure. Will keeping thinking about Jubilee quilt ideas though. It's not a terrible idea.

And last but not least, I plan to keeping on making interpretations of antique, utility style quilts and also, continue to follow along with the AHIQ prompts. Both of these challenges, while difficult at times, seem to feed my creativity in a way that helps me to flourish as a quilter. As a maker. Very important during this particular phase of our life! Thanks so much for following along with me along the way. It wouldn't be nearly as much fun without you....





22 comments:

  1. it is funny how we think we can do a fast end of year post and then find it is one of the longest to do! You did an amazing amount of finishes - good job!! I just love looking at all of them and have no idea which I love best!

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  2. Audrey I love your posts! Always interesting and informative with lots of ideas and photos of all your lovely quilts - thank you for sharing with us.
    You must, must make a celebratory quilt - please!!! I think I may have the edge on you with completed quilt tops waiting to be quilted.

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  3. A lovely interesting post Audrey. You've got some great ideas for looking ahead. And me? this coming year I'm more relating to Maryse’ 20/20 goal- "My goal in 20/20 is to accomplish the goals I set in 2019, which I should have done in 2018, because I made a promise in 2017, which I planned in 2016." {wink wink}

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  4. Last year I also went through my stash and pulled older unloved fabrics. Most are large pieces so I'm using them for quilt backs just like you've done. That is really the best way to use them gone and yes, it definitely saves $$. Love your quilts! Happy stitching in 2020!

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  5. What a year of accomplishments! I have thoroughly enjoyed every one of your posts! Congratulations on your upcoming "jubilee". Mine was so long ago, I can't remember what I did! Enjoy the upcoming year of quilting and all of life's pleasures.

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  6. So much to consider in the coming year!! You'll be through the hot flashes soon-- I hope! Happy jubilee year!!
    So many wonderful finishes in 2019. Many blessings and happy stitches in 2020.

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  7. Seeing all your quilts together really brought home the depth and beauty of them. Blending scraps piecing with applique adds so much to the finish. I truly must start following in your footsteps here.
    I am constantly overwhelmed with the old fabrics in my stash although I've made serious inroads. Putting the tired fabric on the back of quilts is a favorite technique. I hate paying for backing fabric when there is so much lying in my boxes. I'm also considering a variety of ways to use them up. More on that later.
    You have been such a blessing to us all with your delightfully cheery posts and beautiful quilts. Thanks for joining in AHIQ and sharing your own ideas, too. It's wonderful to see how many different directions we can move from the same starting prompts.

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  8. I love your comments about the dated fabrics! In the 2000's I stashed fabric for my retirement and now that it's here I realize that i buy for color instead of print. And, I also have multiple projects going at the same time. It is part of my creative process!!! My sister can work on one quilt at a time and says my method would drive her crazy. And, thank you for the comments on your jubilee quilt. My jubilee was 20 years ago. It would be fun to make something totally original to mark the number 70. I'm going to think on this idea. Happy New Year and Happy Creativity!! kcastric@icloud.com

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    1. I've got that one coming up too, Wonder if I should start a new quilt for that, or just finally!!! finish one (or more) that are languishing in their corners?

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  9. Wow, that's quite a treatise!
    I think your basket quilts are the best.
    Thanks for sharing.

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  10. ...and life is not as much fun without you!
    Your quilting accomplishments are amazing and mostly I love love love all the hand quilting you do! A tutorial would be greatly appreciated... no rush, whenever you feel inspired to do so. I just found a bag of perle cotton and would love to use them.... just need inspiration!
    And about the turning 50 thing... truthfully it's been a hard decade for me, but women are the most resilient and amazing creatures ever and we are eternally hopeful, so maybe my 60s will be better?!?!?! We'll soon see! LOL

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  11. As always, a delightful post to read. I like your ideas about post-dated fabric. I went to the Sherwin Williams site and I'm not sure I fit in anywhere. But, I guess that's good because I only have myself to please - ha! Wish I could finish up my quilts as fast as you can. The key is the nightly quilting. . . I just usually go to bed and watch TV.

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  12. Looks like you had a very creative and productive year! Well done!

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  13. You have an amazing group of finishes to mark 2019, and I don't discount for a minute the little projects and dolly quilts with their pillows. They're so sweet and really fun to make I think. You definitely should make a jubilee quilt for yourself! I wish I had but life got in the way. Maybe a diamond jubilee quilt, it's not too soon to be thinking about that! I had to chuckle a bit to myself about the muddled brain-mouth disconnect that comes with all the life changes, after awhile you'll find yourself laughing about all of them, right along with your friends who find themselves in the same boat.

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  14. You finished some gorgeous, colourful, unique quilts in 2019! You always astonish me with how many! Your blog is always inspiring me. Have a wonderful 2020 - I look forward to following along on your quilty adventures :0)

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  15. Well, turning 50 agrees with you, gaining weight in warp speed must mean quilting at warp speed. I am hand quilting away on my own bed quilt and loving it, thinking about how toasty I'll be underneath it. I find the chill of rain somehow more chilly than minus degree winter. I am new to living on a coastline. More quilts is the only answer.
    Love this newsy post and all your glorious inspiring quilts. I am continuing to finish more this year, its going to a great year. Thank you for your generous sharing and lovely photography skills. All the Best for 2020!

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  16. I nearly died when you said 23, but 18 is also super impressive! More than I remember from previous years for sure. Looking forward to many more!

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  17. I checked out the Colors by Decade and want some of them to come back! Then I checked another decade and found Dorian Grey! I just had to laugh about that one. Can't find it to watch free the old movie on you tube or whatever though. It was a GOOD movie!

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  18. All your quilts are wonderful, so personally creative. My two faves are Even if Nobody Cares and the Big Basket full of Tiny Flowers to its right.

    I so admire that you can hand quilt so mmuch, I get so bored after about 45 minutes and stop.

    I think it would be okay to take the Ugly Fabric to the recycler, life is very short, you know---you're turning 50, after all ;-) LOL.

    love

    lizzy

    lizzzz.d@gmail.com

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  19. I admire how reflective you are about your process and your quilts. Your work is beautiful and uniquely yours. I am five years ahead of you into my fifties - jump right in, it's great! The Jubilee quilt is a great idea.

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