Organizing - This is one of the popular New Year resolutions. I am NOT organizing my quilting space this year. I am organizing my thread for hand work. In years past, I organized my Sulky 12 wt. threads/ silk threads/ mid arm quilting threads in various plastic containers that make my life a little easier when taking a project elsewhere to work on it. It also helps when picking out which color thread to quilt a quilt with. I like to pull the thread out a bit and lay it on the fabric. I really try hard not to blend threads with the design. If I spend time quilting and hide fun designs in my quilting, I want people to follow the thread and find the hidden treasures.
Having a photo, on my phone, of this thread organizer makes going to the quilt shop for more colors such as brown wool thread for my current project, much easier.
Start New Projects - Memory Quilt Project -This year I've already met with a woman who lost her husband in May of 2022. We have met twice and have come up with a unique way to honor his love and memory. I am honored to help her with this project. She gave me some ties to put in it, but most of this memory quilt will be hand work lettering of 8 lines of a poem which very much sums up his life/legacy. This quilt will be read by many people who come to visit.
SO EXCITED!
Second New Project - I've already cut out two projects to do when I visit quilting friends and while watching/listening to tv with my husband. My hands need to keep busy and that's why I read the instructions and decide how I will construct the projects. This first one is from the pattern "Topsy Turvy Moose" by Happy Hollow Desings. It has 5 moose on a table runner. What I like is that people on both sides of the table can see and understand the design. What I'm changing is that the moose and trees are cut from wool and stitched down. This will give more 3-D effect. I will attach borders with a variety of 3 1/2" squares around this center piece. I didn't buy the buttons with the pattern in 2015 when I bought the pattern so I will come up with some creative 3-D stitching from Sue Spargo's Stitching Book to fill the cornerstones. Unfortunately, I need a brown wool thread for this project which I don't have in my stash. I will give this finished project to my other sister-in-law at our family reunion this summer. SHHHH!
Third New Project - I read Sue Spargo's "Blooming Bungalo" pattern and cut the pieces and pinned the windows and door on. Unfortunately, once again I need a dark brown wool thread to start. I'm ready as soon I shop for the wool thread at one of my favorite quilt shops, "Quilted Threads" in Hennicker, NH.
Finishing a Project - I'm very excited to finish up this horse show ribbon quilt I made for my sister-in-law. Her photo with Oliver, her horse was printed onto poplin fabric by Spoonflower.com. I ordered a fat quarter and cropped the photo to captured Karen and Oliver (her horse) in a 12" x 12" center square. I stitched the ribbons onto muslin in sections before adding each section to the quilt. I selected a thin blended cotton batting with extra wool batting under the photo and a cotton wide back for the backing. The quilting was done on a domestic Bernina sewing machine and the free motion was done on my Handi-Quilter Sweet Sixteen. I added a 4-section rod pocket to the back, not knowing how she will display this quilt. I will finish this quilt in January 2023! YIPPIE!
New Year Fun looks like a year with hopes of organizing a bit in my life to help the year run smoother. Having lots of things in my stash but not being able to remember what is in it and where it is, can be very stressful. I hope to set this realistic goal of making one aspect a bit less stressful which will lead to a year with more FUN projects completed and shared with others to enjoy!
Having 3 projects to think about gets my year off to a great start! As related in my book, From Stitches to Smiles, I like to read instructions written by designers, but knowing my own skills, I like to tweak the construction to make the end result uniquely mine.
I'm looking forward to a road trip to the quilt shop and my Black Sheep quilting group which meets twice a month. I'm so thankful to be out of quarantine! I'm ready to stitch and give my talks.
What areas of your space need organizing? As you clean out one drawer or a closet, think about who you can bless with items you no longer need. Those items may be permanent reminders to those you give them to of your kindness.
Have you set some goals for this year? How about thanking your care givers? Aren't you thankful that they have shown up to work to give you some help? There are a lot of helpers in assisted living residences. I like to set a goal to say something nice to someone every day.
If you are an activity director for an assisted living or independent living community, I would love to chat with you about bringing my unique stories and quilt to your residents. You can contact me via email at linda@lindaramrathspeaks.com.
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