It’s traditional for everyone on the planet, not just quilters, to make a list of projects they want to complete in the upcoming year.
No, it’s not.
The rest of the world makes resolutions. However, we quilters make lists of things we want to make but knowing we can’t possibly get them all done. But still. We do it anyway, as it’s not something we can really help. This year I thought I’d try something different. Smaller bites.
The first one up is a Block of the Month from Sherri of A Quilting Life. This way, I reasoned, I can still list a project but since she only releases the block once a month, I’ll never be behind.
Now, stop that laughing.
Here’s the fun thing. I DO keep a The Master List of Quilts I Absolutely Must Make and “Make a quilt with Sherri’s fabrics” has been on there for several years running. Above are my fabric options for this quilt. Bingo!
I chose Clover Hollow, a stash from way too many moons ago, largely because it had a jelly roll and in her cute demo she mentioned that she’d used one. (But — um — not the grey bits.) If you want to make this quilt, here’s the link.
I picked up these cute project bags at Target for $3 for the duo, and in went my project.
The next one happened when Carol was cleaning out and suggested to me that we do a quilt together, since we’d enjoyed our last one. She went through a couple of her options, and I leapt on this one. Again, finishing this (from a class I took at Road to California in 2020 and we all know what happened to THAT year) is on The Master List of Quilts I Absolutely Must Make. Bingo, again! Carol and I have a goal of 1 block per week or 4/month, and I’d already made four in that class I took, so I’m running ahead for 2025, but just for a minute.
I did finish something:
A Totoro Bag! (L: the front. R: the back, but I changed the tail) And yes, this was also on The Master List of Quilts I Absolutely Must Make. (I do not discriminate. I include quilty bags on that list.) I purchased this in 2019 from a vendor at Road to California, and I knew that if I toted it in, they’d take my photo for their Instagram feed. If they come this year, that is. We’ve had a few fires (ahem) and so many are impacted by the horrors of this. I watch the news daily, and even the diatribes that come from people who have never been in a fire driven by 100-mile-an-hour winds. Folks, there is almost no chance at fighting those — the firefighters have to get creative and try other methods. I hope they never see some of those posts on social media criticizing them. Or as one commenter called it:
I wish I’d had this term when I was raising children.
The wind pushed all the smoke out to sea, but when it stopped blowing, and the firefighters could use their air drops, the smoke came our direction. We live inside the white circle in the image just above, so we are in no danger, but that doesn’t stop us from checking our news feeds to see how things are going. They are going sadly, for so many people.
Maybe we are this stage, already?
I celebrated another run around the sun by buying my birthday cake at Costo, then being taken out to lunch by my husband, accompanied by Donald Duck. Just kidding about that. DDuck was leftover from the Christmas decor at a local Peruvian restaurant. We went to a Peruvian restaurant because I lived in Peru with my family when I was twelve, and they make the best chicken ever, along with the yummiest Pollo Saltado. If you don’t know what that is, it involves the said chicken and french fries. Go get some.
And lastly, time for some real life. I generally always keep the area around the sewing machine straightened up, but the photo below is of The Other Side. There are multiple reasons for this. We’re coming up on the first anniversary of my father’s death (on National Polka Dot Day, no less), and I realized that a block of two years was taken out of my life as I attended to mourning for both my mother and my father — thank you all for your words of wisdom and kindness on this. This mourning was pretty much a huge job (it’s just how I’m put together). Some health struggles also popped up here and there (of course). And many times, I just didn’t have the energy to even walk in there, let alone deal with the mess. I have many more apologies I could make, to friends I just didn’t have the energy to call, or letters I didn’t write. But I’m approaching the other side of this experience and I know that from what you’ve told me, I will always miss my parents. However, I’m catching glimpses of a more engaged life, and I want to head that direction.
It’s good to document stuff like this once in a while (click to see another one).
But the GOOD NEWS is…it’s now fashionable to have messy rooms! Or so says an article in the New York Times, titled “In Defense of Messiness, “written by KC Davis (and you can read it for free with this link). I love this paragraph:
“I’ve been preaching my gospel that being messy is not a moral failing for years now. But I want to take it one step further: Messiness can be a good thing. All communities should have some messy people. We are not all meant to be Joanna Gaines. Some of us are Molly Weasleys, our homes bursting with the cozy chaos of a loving family and cabinets packed full of odds and ends. We cannot be Martha Stewart because we are Thoreau, so consumed by capturing Walden Pond’s essence that we need someone else to bring us meals and do our laundry. And try as we might, no amount of clutching our items to see if they spark joy will turn us into Marie Kondo’s closet, for we are Albert Einstein’s desk.”
I like tidiness, I really do. But if I waited to clean up my mess, I would never sew. And the world would be poorer for not having one more Totoro tote bag. Right?
So I’m launching myself into not ONE, but TWO monthly projects, and at this point, I’m in good shape. Happy Messy rooms. Happy Polk Dot Day. Happy 2025!
( a snowy Elizabeth, because we’re supposed to be in winter, not in raging infernos)
A photo of Albert Einstein’s office – just as the Nobel Prize-winning physicist left it – taken mere hours after Einstein died, Princeton, New Jersey, April 1955.
And you can now find me on Bluesky. Come on over!
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Thank you ever so much for the quote, the photo, and the sentiment. I once had a boss–my boss’s boss, to be precise–who demanded that our desks be completely clean each day when we left. He also had a very specific method for note-taking and keeping track of any outstanding issues, and they required only three pages of paper on a lined yellow pad. The amount of energy I expended battling that man was a colossal waste of time, and yet I could not do my job his way. I needed my visual reminders, my little notes taken on the fly, my chaos. Apparently, he needed me because we entered into a detente. Here I am, years later, creating in what seems like chaos to anyone who glances in (and sometimes to me, to be honest).
There are all kinds of gardens and mine is not the kind with edges trimmed with manicure scissors, I can tell you that much. I’m standing in the garden that looks as if someone has taken a whack at it with a crazy pair of shears after a night on the town–but you know that gal was having a heck of a good time. (Picturing one of my aunts right now…)
I’m so glad you have plans for two more quilts Elizabeth. I look forward to seeing how they develop and come together. I want to find a hand piecing or paper piecing project, for the evenings in front of the TV, but can’t find inspiration anywhere. Congratulations on another birthday- I’m sure you are aware of the alternative. You look lovely in all the photos and its wonderful to see you smiling! I wish I was closer because I would be happy to help you tackle your sewing room- you never know what treasures you’ll find!? Stay safe as those Santa Ana winds return.
How perfect that you started Penelope at Road in 2020 because that is the one we came to! Squeezed that trip in just before you know what hit the fan!
I have now put the pattern and the rulers in the box so …. Progress.
Anniversaries can be tough, and it can also be confusing when they are not. Grief is an odd task master. I hope that the glimmers of a more engaged life continue to get brighter and stronger. Two block of the month projects sound delightful and like something to look forward to, especially sewing along with a friend.
It’s going to be a very productive year at this rate! I am so excited to see Posh Penelope. Love that pattern. Like you, my list is long for this year. I love the fact that I now have permission to be messy. I feel much better and at peace about heading to the sewing machine instead of cleaning. Happy, happy birthday!
OH MY GOODNESS ! What a post this time. I needed to read / hear / think about – all of it. Especially the thoughts about grieving. It’s been 2-1/2 years since I lost my husband, and I finally – FINALLY – got my “want to sew vibes” back about a month ago. I was not prepared for that loss as well. But, thankfully, with good sewing friends, and volunteering to lead a “SCRAPS and STRIPS” friendship group, I am back in the groove. Take care, and sew on ! We’re praying for California here in southern Utah. Bonnie
I’m in on Bluesky
as much as I can appreciate being so busy and things don’t get picked up as much as I would like, my brain doesn’t feel peaceful or creative in too much clutter. That’s why I’m no Einstein. 😊
Happy belated Birthday!
I’m doing Karen’s (justgetitdonequilts) declutter challenge, and that’s it for 2025 quilting goals for me. Of course there is the list of works in progress, but the “deadlines” are open-ended. I look forward to seeing your projects, especially the penelope quilt, which is beautiful but not for me!
Happy Messy rooms. Happy Polk Dot Day. Happy 2025 to you too, Elizabeth 😀 Good luck with all your projects this year 🙂
“A more engaged life” as you mention is a good thing for all of us. I wish you well in that regard. The tiny bites approach might be just right to get you going. Especially with those two lovely projects. Even though I make lists each year of quilts I want to make, I rarely make those specific ones. Some of them yes but I always veer off course.Sometimes I go with the immediate motivation regardless of my list. Any progress is good in my book. Now if only the binding fairies would do their work so things would be 100% done. PS How are those sunsets in the morning looking on these smoky days?
I agree with you – mourning is work – and, there’s no timeline. You have some cheerful projects lined up. I adore the Totoro bag, just fun but also sort of soulful. Happy Birthday. And Happy New Year!
Thanks for sharing the picture of Einstein’s desk. While I don’t profess to be anything like him, I don’t let things get that messy in my house. So, you’ve made me feel better. I’m not a list-maker. Never have been unless it’s work-related. I really dislike the feeling of obligation lists give me. Yep, I know I don’t have to complete them, but if they’re written down, then finishing is required. It’s not negotiable to procrastinate, no matter what!
Sure enjoy seeing what you’re working on, as you’re nudging me toward feeling I must pick up my own Posh Penelope that I began nearly two years ago. I know exactly where it is, and exactly why I put it away. As I mentioned before, it’s a block that demands attention. No audiobook distraction, or TV-watching, or socializing. I like your idea of a block a week. Once I get a handle on two WIPs, I may also adopt that plan.
Thanks too for the map showing the distance from fires to your area. “Southern California” has always been a mystery to me, as I’ve never been there.
I like your messy room picture with all the captions. It gives a good sense of how you work. Well! Obviously.
I’m sorry about the 2 years of mourning! 😦 I hope this year will be better for you!!! for me, my mother’s passing happened 31 years ago; 2 months before I had a baby, so it was very tempered with the joy of a sweet baby, and my father, he passed so suddenly that we didn’t know it was coming.
I also was at the 2020 Road to California: are you going this year? I’m going to it : leaving and driving down on Wednesday. I’d love to meet you in person, but don’t know how we would work it (if you are going.)