Wrapping Up 2017
My word of the year for 2017 was Focus, and I even turned it into a little acronym to help me to remember what to focus on. Essentially I wanted to use up my scraps to finish the 17 works-in-progress that I had, weave up some towels, and keep a sketchbook.
Well, all that was a great plan, but then all the downsizing began — other people’s downsizing that found its way to my house. In February a quilting friend had to move unexpectedly and sold off most of her stash, and I bought about 100 yards of various things. A local interior designer gave me huge sample books. Then my mother-in-law started passing me the family textiles, sewing notions, letters, and photos, as well as book cases full of books, and boxes of military uniforms and Native American artifacts. All of that had to be sorted, and then either stored, auctioned, or donated.
I was very happy to receive all of it, but any focus I had had went by the wayside.
I did weave the towels, and I did keep an art journal. I did finish seven of the projects on my list, these lap quilts, and two small play mats:
Two lap quilts for the VA hospital.
Three Christmas lap quilts for the VA hospital.
Play mats for my grandson. Each has a city side made from a printed panel, and a very abstract country side made from scraps.
And I did weave a warp from the Malin Selander book I wanted to delve into.
Six handwoven cotton towels.
Yarn dyed naturally with Texas Dandelion flowers. L to R – Licorice Twist yarn with dandelion dye, same with ammonia modifier, two skeins of Euro 6-ply sock yarn with dandelion dye.
But then I went off into new projects — two tops that I still haven’t finished —
60% triangle quilt top based on Papers and Plums by Alexandra Ledgerwood. (Still needs borders.)
“Chips and Salsa” quilt top, based on Nine Patch and Fence Rail by Jenny Doan. (Still needs borders.)
— and two crib quilts that are completed.
Scrappy blocks with a modern vibe. This is going to a friend of my daughter’s, for her new baby.
Daisy quilt made from orphan blocks.
Pieced back. This was before washing, but washing didn’t change the appearance much.
And I also put together an article for the Texas Historical Commission, on some 1950s baby clothes they received.
I decided to look back over the years I’ve been blogging, and see how my production varies from year to year. It’s not a perfect accounting system, because the way I have counted it, dyeing one yard of fabric counts the same as completing a whole quilt. But it appears that I generally finish one or two projects a month. A normal year for me seems to be one big quilt, eight small quilts, and one warp for five towels. Then besides that I have a little time and energy left to either do some natural dyeing or some chemical dyeing or make some artsy little quiltlets.
| big quilts | small quilts (lap or crib) | woven pieces (towel, runner, etc.) | natural dye plants tried or yards dyed chemically | other (art, banner, etc.) | total | ||
| 2012 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | |
| 2013 | 0 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 0 | 22 | |
| 2014 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 13 | |
| 2015 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 11 | 26 | |
| 2016 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 18 | 1 | 20 | |
| 2017 | 0 | 9 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 16 |
I got more done this year than I thought, and I am looking forward to a more productive year in 2018.
Looks like you had a GREAT year! Your quilts this year seem to express a lightness or joy that is … not sure how to say … just a happy vibe. And I’d say you had to focus to get so much done, though it wasn’t all to satisfy your original goals. Thanks for sharing. I’m working on my look-back now, and reflecting on what I want for next year.
Thank you for the kind words about the quilts! I do find so much joy in colors and combinations of patterns. Looking forward to seeing how your yearly reflections and goals turn out too!
What a year, in fact, what a very productive life you lead. You put me to shame. I read allwith great admiration and can’t wait to see what you achieve in 2018.. Just one little question,when do you sleep?
Happy New Year!
Well, back at you, madam — you read and research so many blogs, and put such good links in your weekly blog posts, that I wonder how you get any sleep!
And actually, I sleep plenty, I just skimp on the boring stuff like cleaning. 🙂
Thank you, kind lady, you keep reading, I’ll keep writing and researching… as for cleaning… as a young married lady, of a whole 12 months, once said, “it’s so hard keeping a house clean, you do it all from top to bottom and in 6 months time, you have to do it all over again”..
Beautiful work! I like your method of setting goals, too. A general goal such as keeping an art journal is doable. I am going to steal that! Best wishes for a happy and productive 2018.
Yes, I seem to set “priorities” rather than actual goals. I am glad you are stealing the art journal idea, because I stole the “Unraveling your year” idea from you, and I have enjoyed that very much!
Wow! A productive and stunning year!
Looks to me like a pretty good year! And FYI, when you don’t need the dandelion flowers for dying, it’s fun to make wine. Though mine tasted more like vodka 🙃
Well, vodka is good! I’m a big fan of Tito’s which is distilled here in Texas — maybe I can get them to add a dandelion version! 🙂
Loving the top two lap quilts for the VA and the “daisy” baby quilt. I think the colors on those quilts really caught my eye even tho they are so different from each other. The soft blue and yellow of the daisy quilt makes me want to know someone who needs a baby quilt. And the bold red, black, and white of the VA quilts really draws my attention. You do such great work!
On Dec 30, 2017 8:47 PM, “Deep in the Heart of Textiles” wrote:
> TextileRanger posted: “My word of the year for 2017 was Focus, and I even > turned it into a little acronym to help me to remember what to focus on. > Essentially I wanted to use up my scraps to finish the 17 works-in-progress > that I had, weave up some towels, and keep a sketchbook” >
Oh, thank you! On quilts I make for myself I really like to use ALLLL the colors, but on those I make for others, I try to tone it down a little and just use combinations suggested by one of the fabrics. The daisy quilt is going to our local pregnancy assistance center but I’m sure I can put together another quilt if and when you need one. 🙂 Sisterly special.
I love “sisterly specials” 😉
What a productive year! Plus you write this blog. What part of the dandelion did you use?
I used the flower, but I’m sure some leaves and stem bits crept in too. Here’s the link to that post: . It was really easy, and the color has held so true, that when I came across the skeins the other day, I was trying to remember if I had dyed them myself or bought them from a professional. Really worth a try!
You ‘done good’ 🙂 Happy New Year to you and yours.
You too! Thank you for commenting so regularly! I love your comments, they are always so fresh and unique!
You got a *lot* done, especially in light of all the new/old stuff that came into your life and had to be dealt with! Maybe “focus” is over–rated?
I love to be able to focus, but 2017 turned out to be more of a year to just go with the flow, and that was okay. 🙂 Maybe this year I will be able to stick to my chosen priorities a little better. We’ll see!
What most caught my eye was 100 yards of new stash! Did you build an addition to your house in 2017? It looks like you cleared off several projects, which is all to the good, and they’ll gladden the lives of others.
Yes, it is amazing how many yards can fit in one shoebox! But a lot of what I bought was flannel for the middle layer of lap robes — not exciting, but very necessary!
I am so proud of you. Gram Koeli’s genes stayed hidden in my mother and me but came out full power in you! Amazing!
Gram and you accomplished a lot too, and I think you both gave most of it to those who needed it! It’s too bad there weren’t blogs back in those days because it would have been a great way for y’all to record what you accomplished every year.
Your makes of 2017 are wonderful. I hope you had a lovely Christmas and I wish you a very Happy New Year! 🙂
I really like the chips and salsa flimsy. Rich bright colors. I find it hard to do both.
I’m a member of the Endeavors. I haven’t heard from anybody about it and had forgotten I had even joined. if Janine hadn’t commented on my post I would have missed the first Topic .
I found you on the contributors page. I guess I had best get busy. How did you get your info. on the page? I would like to add my profile.
Have a great 2018
It has been in the back of my mind, but that is as far as I have gotten! Just a lot of thinking about the topic. I have looked at some of the other member’s blogs but not all of them!
I think I sent my profile to Catherine Chisholm, and I will go forward you her email with instructions right now, in case it is lost in the depths of your inbox somewhere. Thanks for checking in here!