A Time of Reflection

For many of us New Year's Eve is a time of reflecting over the past year and pondering things to come in the new. I'm not really one for a lot of resolutions and goals, but the idea of choosing a word for the upcoming year, really speaks to me. So that is what I did a year ago. The word was very personal to me, but as I navigated some of the storms, of the last year it served me well.

Last year was more about getting through than attaining any major quilting goals.....or any other goals for that matter. My quilting was more of a life raft than anything else.....but what a glorious life raft it was. It was a place for me to breath. Three quilts are the result.

Picking up the Pieces

Finding My Way Home

Shards of Glass

The words that moved me most this year came out of the mouth of our three year old, granddaughter, Autumn. After a bit of tiff with her older sister she came down stairs and said "Mommy, my heart is frozen." A little while later she said "My heart is thawed out now."

The sun is shining through the windows, as I sit typing this morning.....and my heart feels not quite so frozen. My word for 2016 is "PERMISSION". Ah, the freedom of that word. I'm giving myself permission to be happy, to let go, to move on............and what ever else comes to mind. Permission to create, to say yes, to say no.......in other words permission to follow my heart.

Thank you for your support over the last year.....your comments are alway so positive and uplifting. Your kindness means so much to me.

I wish you all the best for the New Year

Marianne

Well, It's Been a Year!!

Shockingly enough, I woke up this morning, full of vim and vigor!!!  Who does that on New Year's Day??? Not me usually, but then there's a first for everything. Let's hope that's a good sign for the year to come.....

Another first......THE TREE WENT DOWN ON BOXING DAY. Yikes, that's never happened before. Well, my husband was in a mood to paint and one really needs to take advantage of that type of mood. That would be the reason to dismantle Christmas so early.....works for me!!!

You don't have to call me twice, when it's my studio being painted!!!!

Look at all that yummy trim!!!

The downside.....there is a downside???  Of course, that goes without saying. I had to take down all my design walls and revamp things somewhat. 

So with all that vim and vigor I redid my design walls. 

I decided on one really large, black one (there it is partially up) behind the couch....since everything slides like butter, on the new cork floors, it should be easy to push it forward a few feet when working on large quilts.

I have a smaller beige one beside the cutting table....that should do me. Sadly, one only has so much wall space.

So, what was my year like in Quilts......well, not really high in number.

Abigail's Quilt.

Shifting Impressions

Picking Up the Pieces

Besides quilting, I did get a few wonderful opportunities to share my personal quilting journey. 

Meeting so many wonderful quilters, during the workshops I taught, was definitely a highlight!!!

On a personal level....there was loss.

Today, was the first New Years Day, without calling my Mom (something, I did every New Years Day since leaving home at the age of twenty).

I wish you all the best, for the New Year.

Marianne

2013......a bit of a ROLLER COASTER RIDE

As I reflect over the past year, the words UNEXPECTED, CHANGE, TRANSITION and LOSS come to mind. Blogging is a bit like keeping a journal, something I have never had any success at, in the past. So, to realize I have been consistently blogging for the past three years is exciting. It's wonderful to be able to look back over the last years...lest I forget things, which I have been known to do on occasion, alright on a regular basis.

First things first, in the year 2012, I was shocked to discover only one quilt finish....I made a conscious decision to change that.

I'm pleased to report SEVEN finishes in the year 2013!!!!

Entering Ripple Effect II in the Modern Quilt Challenge and having it win first place in the Piecing Category was definitely a highlight. Having my quilt travel for a year is the icing on the cake......I do love my icing!!! 

An unexpected request, from Meander publishing, to write a two part article on Quilt-As-You-Go proved to be rather challenging as I had to do my own photography as well, but seeing my work published....so rewarding.

 Another unexpected call led to Aura I  featured in the Limelight section of Modern Quilts Unlimited. I was actually standing in Staples getting Ripple Effect II ready for mailing, when my cell phone rang. Next thing I knew, I was off doing a photo shoot at Beacon Hill Park.

Having Colour Shot in Amy Ellis's article, in Modern Patchwork, was another lovely surprise. I ordered the magazine not realizing it was in there....so yes I admit....... it sort of really made my day!!!

So glad Leanne talked me into going to Quilt Con!!!!!!! 

Teaching at my first retreat.......an amazing experience for me, with a retreat recap still to come.

Moving.....which occurred a few days after the retreat, crazy times!!! 

I actually learned to love leeches .......now that is UNEXPECTED. 

My son experienced loss, but I'm so happy to report he has not lost his positive spirit.......a hero in my eyes. Love you, Mark!!!!

Speaking of loss.......I'm forty pounds down since last year at this time, and my knees are thanking me!!

It's been a year of ups and downs....I hit my sixtieth birthday and my fortieth wedding anniversary, milestones indeed. Some days the roller coaster ride left me reeling......did I mention I'm not particularly fond of roller coasters?? So in the midst of personal triumph, there have been tears as well........my hope is to find  creative inspiration in both.

Here's to a wonderful New Year

Marianne

Well, I Have this Sore Knee.....

Honest....I really do. It slows me down, not to mention the countless hours in the chiropractor's office getting laser treatments etc.  You know where this leading, right?  As I was looking through my 2012 blog posts I was a bit flabbergasted to discover only one finish....you heard me. I blame it on that blasted sore knee.

And that brings up another issue or should I say resolution, it is that time of year, after all. I like my sweets as much as I like my fabric......I think that says it all.

 My poor knee needs less body mass to carry around, and that's it.  I might even be brave enough to keep you posted on my progress...note, I did use the word might. A little support from fellow quilters with a sweet addiction might be nice.

Besides having only one finish (there, I said it again),  the year was rather wonderful.  I noticed I had several firsts:

• I was involved in my first and only Quilting Bee (Free Bee). 

It was Fabulous Experience....the blocks I received were beyond all my expectations and I hope to create an amazing quilt in 2013. Thanks to all you wonderful Free Bees and thank you Lynn, for putting us together.

• I went to my first quilt guild meeting.

Had my first quilt published and they contacted me, I still can't quite believe it.

• One of my quilts went for a visit to England...there it is, in the Oakshott Booth.

• I entered that same quilt into a show for the first time....and we all know how that ended up....my first official rejection .  The best part of that experience was all the amazing comments from my fellow quilters and bloggers. You are all, simply the best!!!!

Naturally, that sore knee did NOT stop me from STARTING several projects....something that hopefully never changes.

So, in between making crazy amounts of design walls, here there and everywhere and starting new projects, it's been a wonderful year.

And of course...saving the best for last...a beautiful new granddaughter and an amazing new grandson. 

Thank you again, for your friendship and support.

All the best and Happy New Year.

Marianne

P.S. I'm linking this post to Fresh Sewing Day at Lily's Quilts