Originally I was going to base my year on names. I have a lot of fabrics with names: Abigail, Rhoda, Katherine, Alexandria, Marcus .... As well as a lot of saved patterns with names: Adorela, Williams Garden, Phoebe, Jubilee .... And blocks that catch my eye: Aunt Dinah, Carry Nation, Sarah's choice, Clay's Choice, Jack in the Box, Jabob's Ladder, etc....
Then I read Barbara Brackman's posts HERE and HERE. I have seen so many quilters leave the craft, the sadness of loss of some fabulous people over the years, quilters who only follow the 'trend' and miss out on so much, those that just don't 'ENJOY' anymore. I enjoy quilting in all it's phases: history, fabrics, techniques, gifted people. I am going to enjoy what ever strikes my fancy. Being a scrap quilter, I have to add to my stash with some yardage to marry those bits - so I am going to shop; and shop my local brick and mortars to support and enjoy them.
I enjoy participating in BOMs and QAL's thru out the year offered up by so many lovely bloggers, fabric sites, and shops. Even if I only do a few blocks to make something smaller - I will enjoy.
I enjoy making blocks - I can dump a tote or baggie of scraps and just play the day away. Whether it is just units or a block that tickles my fancy - it could be just 20 or it could turn into a mound of a hundred.
I have learned to enjoy slow stitching. It could be cross stitch, embroideries (love these bag ladies), hexies, and even hand quilting. It's good to take the time to slow down and enjoy the process.
I have a lot of panels that I have collected over the years. The box is stuffed beyond with 'fruit' fabrics - these all need to be enjoyed and not just sitting on the shelf aging.
I have some kits and partial projects that deserve their time to be enjoyed. And there is a pile of quilts that need quilting. I realize that I will never get to them all and will do what I did last year, quilt half myself and the other half I will send out for professional long arm quilting.
I will have some traveling as I finish up my executive office term with Hall of Fame. Of course all of this flows around the health and wellfare of my mother whom we want to keep enjoying her quilting as long as possible.
So no agenda or goal or plan - just to enjoy quilting each day with what makes me happy at the moment.
Sewingly Yours,
Sharon
33 comments:
I love your non-agenda!! That's me too. I'm going to quilt in a way that I enjoy and makes me happy. I don't need someone's approval or lack-there-of to define my quilting. I'm just going to have fun!
A wonderful plan, yourself and your Mum, scraps, blocks, fabrics, and no absolutely "set in stone " agenda to keep running along with. My 2017 hasn't a plan at all , and I will be truly happy if I complete some blocks, join in a quilt-along, and diminish the stash.
Good way to go with the flow. I can't agree with you more. Have a great enjoyable year !
love your plan. I was always a "non resolution" kind of gal and do what I want to at the moment. I am starting one larger project and the rest of the year is gonna be for finishes of things I have started. not giving in to pressure of "doing it all". best to you in 2017! I'll be visiting to see what you are up to.
That is such a great attitude toward your quilting. Enjoy is the word you've used, but the heart of that word is JOY, which I hope we can all find, in every aspect of our lives!
I agree, have the flexibility to enjoy whatever strikes you at the time! It is good to have some goals if you need to be sure a project is finished, but allowing some time for serendipity makes this hobby fun.
What a positive message. Thank you!
Good post!! But really, what block did I choose? Wink.
My idea of a fabric diet is to buy with purpose. I collect a few things (hexie fabrics, neutrals, etc) but everything else is purchased with a purpose. My purchases alone won't save the industry but it'll help a little...
Happiness and hugs for the new year!!
Those articles were very good and indicative of our changing world and that includes the quilting world too. That said, we must find our place and make our mark and carry on! I think your word for the year suits you well and I "enjoyed" it a lot last year. Scrap on!
Just reading this sounded so calm and soothing, doing what we love at a pace we enjoy.
Sounds like you have a great plan for 2017. Your pace, your plan, nothing works better. Happy 2017.
I found that reading Barbara's posts was rather depressing. I think I need to go buy fabric so I can feel better. There are seven quilt/fabric stores in my area. They are always busy! I love to shop online, too, but there is such a pleasure to run my hands over the fabrics and feel their textures. Your plan to slow the pace is a great idea.
Enjoy is perfect Sharon! We must be in the same "zone" as I chose JOYFUL. Like you, to go with the flow and find the joy it all that we do. It's a HAPPY HAPPY New for sure!
I think that's a brilliant plan. It's easy to forget why we picked up a needle and thread in the first place, but ultimately it is to enjoy the process, the fabrics and the friendships that come with this craft. Have a wonderful, joyful year!
I hope 2017 is full of quilting enjoyment for you and your Mom.
I would love to shop at a LQS and support them but ours closed a few years ago. I have to travel some distance or order online. Ordering online isn't ideal for me because I like to touch and fabric. Guess I'll keep traveling.
I'm with you. I prefer to go with the flow and not set monthly goals which I know will only set myself up for failure. We're blessed with 7 LQS within a 40 minute drive and my group loves to shop. Our shops seem to be doing okay, but several owners are getting up there in ages, so who knows. Here's to an enjoyable New Year.
I'm with you! And I'm doing my part to support our craft by NOT going on a fabric diet. (If we don't buy, they won't make...)
As a fellow scrap quilter, I always enjoy seeing what you get up to with all your pretties. Scrap on!
Totally in agreement with this relax and sew theme. That is the point of a hobby, isn't it? Breathe deep and sew on.
You wrote right from my heart and my soul. I know, i can not work, sew and knit like earlier times.
I feed my blog not more every day or week. Working slowly and just for fun takes time.
I love WWW but i live here and now in Real Life and i enjoy my decision to do, whatever and whenever i want.
Thanks for your thoughts
and a happy new year to you and your family.
Iris
I agree, Sharon. Life is too short for so many big plans.
I agree. I seldom follow the current quilting trends, but, I'm always finding something new, to keep me interested. I do tend to 'squirrel' which is fine. Have a great year, and take good care of your mother.
Well said Sharon. Long may we all continue to enjoy our hobby without being stressed by the need for big plans. Happy New Year to you and your family.
What a great post and how true it is. I saw quite a few ladies in my quilt group who had quilted for years just give up and give their stash and tools away which is something I could not understand, but each to his own. A new year is always great as you can plan things but as we know nothing ever goes to plan so we have to work around things, but it is the hope that we can get things done. Have a very happy New Year. Hugs, Susie x
Sounds like the perfect plan! Keep the enjoyment alive and you'll be all good.
What a wonderful way to look at the new year. Enjoyment in life each moment special. I like your post. I wish you all the best in the new year and fabric fun and good health for your mother.
I like your resolution to "enjoy!" Sometimes we get so busy "doing" that we forget why we embraced quilting in the first place.
I loved reading this most! It is easy to forget how important it is to enjoy our quilting. I am hoping you have a wonderful year ahead, enjoying your quilting!
You are right, at the heart of what we do we must enjoy what's before us. I too like everything about quilting the history, the design, the acquisitions, the process and most of all the finishes! Enjoy your Mom, your projects and the New Year!
A great plan for 2017. Hope you get lots of joy from your stitching this year. Looking forward to seeing what comes out of your sewing room this year.
I still enjoy quilting and I get in some sewing time nearly every day. I also knit, crochet and embroider when it's called for. But I love quilting the most.
This post was so peaceful to read. It made me take a breath. I think your non-structured plan is lovely.
As for panels, sometimes I see cute ones but I am unsure what I would do with them. I am curious to see how you use one or two of yours.
Happy New Year!
Thanks for this post, it was just what I needed to read. I followed your links and read Barbara Brackman's posts too. I have made a list of projects I would like to complete this year but I don't want goals to take the joy out of the creative process. Thank you for all of the inspiration you continue to share.
I see that we think like and will just take each day as it comes. Enjoy as much as you can.
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