I met my goal of 20 finished quilts in 2020. I'm happy with the variety and especially happy that I quilted several of the large tops that have been waiting for many years. Several were new tops that I made in 2020. I started the year out strong with 3 finishes each month for 4 months and 2 finishes in the 5th month and then gardening season started. I always slow down then but I didn't get motivated for a few more months and then it was crash time, either get it done or not meet my goal.
I had no problem making (or completing partially made) quilt tops....an average of 2 a month for the year. Seven in this collage are also in the finished quilts collage. At least one was finished the same month it was started so it didn't show up here.
And lets not forget what took up a lot of our time last year. This is a portion of the masks I made and I can say I'm happy to have used up many yards of fabric for them.
In my haste to post my December monthly recap Thursday night I forgot 2 earlier finishes for the month. I have fixed that post to reflect the correct number of finishes with a new collage. Click here to see it.
Maybe instead of resolutions we just need wishes or hopes. That won't make you feel like a failure if it doesn't happen.
A few words that seem important now:
Spontaneous--doing things with great joy in the spur of the moment.
No guilt goes along with that--make things just for the fun of it. The orphan block box will undoubtedly get fuller and that is OK with me - more fun down the road.
My wish list includes some fabric collections I would like to use: Liberty Lawn prints, Charley Harper prints, Stonehenge and many more. I might mix in other fabrics too but in some cases the collections over several years of one type are interesting enough without additions. For me it has always been about the fabric; that is where I get excited. What quilt block I choose is secondary most of the time. I have a few new dies for my die cutter so I'll be trying them out too with my experiments.
I guess that is enough rambling for one day. This is what happens when I start the post in the morning and keep adding to it all day. For the people who tell me they never read what I write and only look at the photos? Well, that is their loss. I hope they enjoy the photos.
Congratulations on reaching your goal in 2020--not an easy year to do so either;()
ReplyDeleteHugs, Julierose
I can't believe that somebody would actually tell you they don't read what you write! How cheeky, in my opinion. That's the sort of comment best left unsaid. Anyway, I always love reading what you have to say, especially when explaining your thought process when making a new project. That's how I learn myself, thinking about what you have to say and seeing how you come to that decision. Here's to the next 20 or more projects you'll be making in the coming year - cheers to the New Year 2021 :)
ReplyDeleteI always read first, then go over the photos and make them bigger so I can see the details. You did not ramble, you summarized. Hard to believe you did all those quilts in one year and the variety and color are super. I love the colors in fabric and that is what motivates me- all their hues and values.
ReplyDeleteLove seeing all of your 2020 finishes together. Thanks for the quilt show.
ReplyDeleteSpontaneous, no guilt, wishes and hopes. Also, concentrating on the positives, from your previous post. I like the sounds of that!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and beautiful quilts with us.
Cheers to another productive and creative year!
The pictures are nice, and so are the quilts... but both are flat if you don't know anything about the person/perspective behind the creation. It is a window into the creator. Art is after all 'personal' and is 'colored' by everything!!! So, please keep telling your story!!!
ReplyDeleteI love this "rambling" post. You had a most productive 2020. I'm looking forward to see what you do 2021.
ReplyDelete:) I read and look at the photos that is how you learn about the blogger! Love all your quilts and you sure made a lot of face mask too - I know I didn't take photos of all of the ones I made - sometimes I found it depressing to make the darn things - or maybe it was the reason I was making them that was depressing!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I can never get enough of viewing your quilts...and never pick a favorite for the year. More like a daily favorite that changes constantly. And so many masks you made. That in itself was a feat.
ReplyDeleteThere is a void in our lives from this virus. And a void will be filled. The good news is we can choose what to fill it with. Fill yours with fabric!
I am one who reads the post and also looks at the photos. The stories and words are what make blogging so special - so much of social media is pretty pictures without any background. I love stories so I'm glad you rambled a bit today. Spontaneous is a terrific word and I am ALL for the no guilt part. I chose color as my "word" for 2021 for obvious reasons. Here's to the joy of making, the thrill of planning, and the satisfaction of using our stash.
ReplyDeleteWho doesn't read a post? That is where all the good stuff is. I like your low key style and your fondness for bright colors. You know I will be following along all year long!
ReplyDeleteHappy new year! I had a successful year and finished 43 projects. Some large and some small. Some months were more productive than others. I try to work on one new project and one old one - that way I don’t get bored. I also try to keep a handwork project for TV time in the evenings - embroidery, EPP, or binding.
ReplyDeleteOh, I like the pictures but I also want to know what you're saying about your work and life. I admire you so much for your energy, devotion and enthusiasm. Happy New Year. I hope you stay well and safe.
ReplyDeleteBy the way I do read what you’ve written. I enjoy reading what you’re doing.
ReplyDeleteYou certainly have had a productive year. I always enjoy watching your daily progress of the growing number of blocks and then Wham! a finished top or quilt. I so agree with you that working with fabric is what makes it great, for me it is color. I choose a color palate that I get excited about and then start going thru the stash to choose fabrics that work in that palate.
ReplyDeleteI hope to enjoy your continued beautiful photos and the stories of your quilts this year. Your blog has inspired more that a few of the projects I have made over the past years.
All of the above comments are my feelings also. No one does it better than you my friend. The photos come alive with your words. Showing your awesome collection of 2020 just warms my heart, including the masks.
ReplyDeleteMy goal is to make it through each day and the bonus is waking up each morning. (*._,*)
JJM
I usually look at photos, read, then go back and forth between. I can't think of any blogs were reading isn't at least as important as photos. Well, except maybe those ones that are only overly fancy perfectly staged life style blogs, and I visit very few of those at all. Pressure to live up to total strangers' expectations is something I can do without very well.
ReplyDeleteWow, you've been busy again this year. I feel like such a slacker, but then I had quite a few non-quilty projects done, and lost 3 months of sewing to beating back several years worth of weeds and another month to storm cleanup. Zero sewing energy after several hours of that a day!
I read your posts and look at the photos! Your photo collages are yet another inspiration. I look forward to seeing what you create with your special fabric collections in 2021.
ReplyDeleteYour quilts are wonderful - as usual!! You are very prolific!! And I love your rambling posts - rambling is one of the things that I do best - LOL - ;))
ReplyDeleteYou had quite a year in quilting, Wanda. Yes, masks did chew up many hours of sewing this year. You inspire me with every post, and yes, I do read them.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on getting your 20 done in 2020. So will it be 21 in 2021? I think it's just plain rude for someone to admit they just look at the pictures and don't read of the text. And it's not just on your blog. I find it really annoying when the non-reader then asks a question in the comments that was clearly answered in the text. It's always enlightening to read about your design decisions.
ReplyDeletePat
I LOVE your posts, and so much variety in quilts! Here's to a successful 2021 for you! I also love the fabric, and then try to get a pattern to show it to best advantage. I have a whole folder online for one fabric collection and can't make up my mind yet. That will be one of my resolutions for this year.
ReplyDeleteI cannot imagine just looking at the photos in your posts and not reading what you have written, that goes also for all the blog posts I read! You have encouraged me since the day I first began blogging after reading your post for quite some time, I was awed with the colour in your quilts and was inspired! Meeting your goal for the year - congratulations to you, once again a collection of stunning quilts.
ReplyDeleteI agree wholeheartedly with your words regarding needing wishes and hopes perhaps instead of resolutions, also that you have words which you feel are important to you at this time. I had no idea of one specific word and I also wrote down three values, I shall post, hopefully, this afternoon. Once again thank you for the pleasure you give to all of us!!
I agree that we all need more joy. You did a phenomenal job in 2020 with getting 20 finishes. I look forward to seeing what you produce in 2021.
ReplyDeleteIt's always fun to see your collages at the end of the year! You've had a really productive year. And you make me feel really ok about making tops and then folding them up and putting them away for the future.
ReplyDeleteI love your wishes and hopes to be spontaneous This is where the fun is for me! I can plan and ruminate over fabric combos and patterns for months, and then get really excited about an idea I get and just start in! I will not feel guilty about this in 2021!
Happy New Year Wanda! Thanks for all of your inspiration, creativity and willingness to share and help. May this be a wonderful year for you and those you love.
Anne
Whatever Wanda...someone only looks at pictures....You are right their loss. Please tell me how we get to know each other and share our days??? That is why we have Instagram....I rather share and take it a bit slower..xoxox
ReplyDelete20 quilts in 2020 are a good way to remember this year - you haven't wasted your time. I like to read your posts and get that sense of another person in another place.
ReplyDeleteGreat post and your positivity, thoughts and creations are amazing. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year.
You have had a very productive year, and your quilts are so lovely. I'm with you, for me, it's the fabric. I have a more difficult time deciding on the pattern. Also like you, my goal this year is to free up more of my time so I can just sew whatever I want. Happy New Year, Wanda!
ReplyDeleteWent to bed early and didn't see this post till this morning. I was dumbfounded to learn that people actually just look at the pictures on your blog, never reading the content! They are missing the years and years of experience, freely given by an artist, who is so generous with knowledge and information, who uses her blog as a vehicle to help all of us who are so thankful for people like her. God bless you Wanda, for all you do, for the thousands of people, who really appreciate what you are doing!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on completing so many quilts and especially those that were started so long ago. I took to quilting during the pandemic and have enjoyed both your posts and pictures. The pictures tell a story but the posts allows us to get to know you. Thanks for sharing and inspiring all of us.
ReplyDeleteSo ambitious to do a year end round up of your work…..great seeing it all in one place.
ReplyDelete