My Crafty Year in Review 2023

Is it really time to start dedecking the halls??? Say it isn’t so!!! I’m going to take my time even though I have been enjoying all of my decor since Thanksgiving weekend. This morning I removed the window candle lights and took care of the outdoor items which among other things meant removing the spotlight, taking down the ornaments from the front railings and from the shepherd’s hooks in the backyard, and finally lugging the old sled back into the garage. Mission accomplished. This afternoon I packed up the festive kitchen decor, but I’ll drag my heels packing away the ornaments. :-) Couldn’t I just leave the tree up in the corner of the living room as a decorative accent all year long?

Anyway, let’s get back to a review of what I have accomplished this year in my crafty life. :-) 

 Cross Stitch - I fully finished twenty-four pieces. My favorite was Mary Poppins.

Quilting . . . not so much - While I have worked on pillowcases, isolette covers for a Boston hospital, a wheelchair quilt for a veteran, comfort pillows, and a few other things that our Crosstown Quilt Quild donates to worthy organizations,  I only made one quilt, and that had been started years ago. Therefore, it  was my favorite completed quilt in 2023.

Wool Applique - I completed a few pieces, and this large Americana table runner was my favorite.

So, I managed to complete a few things last year, and I’ve already picked out a number of projects to begin working on this week. 

Today’s Youtube Tip:  End the season on a high note with “ Run, Run, Rudolph,”  with Brad Paisley and Steven Tyler 3:18 minutes of pure rockin’ fun. Promise me you will check this one out. Even if you only put “Brad Paisley” in the search, it will comes up. I hope these two collaborate on something else. :-)

Resolutions: once again . . . Lose ten pounds, read more, pick up my flute which I stopped playing during the pandemic, quilt more, have fun, travel . . . 

I heard someone on tv this morning point out that 2024 is a leap year.    Let’s all plan something really special for February 29th. 

Finally, my friend Laurel sent this along, and both Emma and I think it is adorable.

Moovin’ Right Along!!!

 Yes, I’m moovin’ right along on my large wool applique piece. There are only three more sections to go!

As you can see in the corner of the watering can segment, I have the barn pinned in place waiting to be stitched. Some people glue all the pieces in place, but I prefer to just use pins though with such a large piece there has been a whole lot of stabbing going on. :-) Pinning wouldn’t be an issue with a more manageable size, but I needed to pin all 250+ pieces in place before stitching to space all the elements out.

This has not been a good foliage season. The colors are muted and frankly disappointing. These three brightly colored leaves are the exceptions; most of my yard is covered with brown, dry leaves. There are, however, still spots of color in my yard; I’ll wait for frost warning before dumping out my hanging plants and pots.

We are anticipating quite a bit of rain this afternoon though right now it is calm and dry. I intend to spend this afternoon in my sewing room in hopes of getting a few things accomplished. . . Fingers crossed. . .

Finally, for Emma fans. . . She went to the groomer on Wednesday and when I picked her up, she was sporting this festive bow tie.

Have a wonderful, creative, fun week and stay safe.