Welcome to 2018

Another year has come and gone. The past year brought with it a lot of change, with my biggest personal change being our mid-year move across the country. Looking back at 2017, it was still a productive year:

Knitting:

• 28 furniture socks
• 20 wash/dish cloths
• 6 hats
• 3 tops
• 3 pairs of socks
• 2 scarves

Crochet:

• 9 hats
• 1 cowl
• 1 rug

Needlework:

• 8 plastic canvas ornaments
• 1 plastic canvas Christmas decoration

I read four art-related books, and made two bobbin lace bookmarks. I cleaned up an antique treadle sewing machine, updated a writing desk and chair, converted a knit skirt to a tote bag, and revived a beanbag chair. I visited an arts festival and a fabric store that were new to me. I spun some fiber, dyed some wool, and knit some more blocks onto my scrap blankets.

My biggest accomplishment was to finish hand-quilting the Bride’s Bouquet quilt that I started about 18 years ago. I went on to do some hand embroidery on a crazy quilt project, but otherwise didn’t do much sewing. Before the move my sewing machine and most of my supplies were packed, and since the move I haven’t finished setting up my sewing area. Correcting this is a priority for me this year; I want to do more sewing in 2018.

I plan to release a few knitting patterns, so look for those along with updates to this site. Some design ideas have been percolating for years, and it’s time to finally write them down to share with others. Coming up with the ideas is much easier than writing patterns for them!

I also want (OK, need) to explore more of our new home. I found a quilt guild and have reached out to a fiber arts group. I want to visit art museums and other art festivals, and look into the local fine arts guilds.

I hope 2018 is good to you and yours. What do you have planned for the new year?