LOOKING BACK IN ORDER TO MOVE FORWARD

This morning, I am thankful for all of our blessings throughout 2018!  After reflecting on my crazy anxiety ridden life, I discovered how much I love myself, warts and all! Above all, I contribute that love to diving back into quilting and in particular the Quiltville Mystery Quilt, "Good Fortune!" I think that it has brought me "Good Fortune."
 
https://quiltville.blogspot.com/2018/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-6.html

I had the best time dumpster diving in my stash, searching for faces and objects to pop out of my units!

Looking Back
Most of the past three years have been spent knitting.  I fully embraced knitting, after Dad's Alzheimer's ripped our family apart.  Knitting is good for the brain.  But, if you spend hours on the couch, without moving, it starts to affect other parts of your health.  MODERATION in all textiles is a necessary thing.  😀

LIGHT BULB MOMENT
Stitching is Excellent for the brain!  AND it gets you moving.  The music is blaring and I am dancing happily from the sewing machine, to the cutting table, to the ironing board, and back to grab some more stash, OH MY! 💃

In my mind, I didn't think that I had done very much this year.........then I started looking for pictures, in various places, to discover.......What did I do????  I was astonished and with each picture found, started loving myself again.  Thoughts of "GIRL you gotta it going on!"  😊

MY 2018 TEXTILE DIARY

 "All My Love" Sweater - Pattern by Joji
"Carbeth" Sweater - Pattern by Kate Davies

"Collette" Red Beret for Mom        "Cromwell" Happy Stripe Sweater              Vogue 9057

"Far Hills" Hat for Kelli



"Thrummed" Mittens for Kelli

 "Ischnuna" Shawl & Donguri"Hat for Lynn - It's glorious when the recipient sends a picture, modeling their gift!

Two "Hudson" Shawls for Rita & Rebecca

"Switchback" Shawl for Brenda -  Pattern by Chief Left Hand

 "The Shift" for Gay - Pattern by Drea Renee DRK Andrea Mowry

"Switchback" shop sample for Strings Attached Yarn Shop  - Chief Left Hand Pattern

"Sorbetto" Top - Collette Pattern

Rehab Rocking Chair for Kelli

Sloth crib sheet
https://projectnursery.com/2016/02/how-to-make-a-crib-sheet/
so EASY! and personalized

A Walker bag for Mom

A Notions bag for Kathy; I had planned to make a dozen.........

Nakia Black Panther Shawl from Ravelry

Brora Shawl, which was a 2017 hibernating UFO.  Finished in an August UFO Challenge

Two Broken Wing Shawls - Pattern by Joji; One for me and one for my SIL

Another Carbeth.........this one was tinked





Our most precious gift, playing on the minkie side of a gray and yellow quilt,  💕💕💕

"Faded Cardi" - Pattern by Drea Renee DRK Andrea Mowry

"Carbeth Cardi" -  Pattern by Kate Davies

paired with an

"Arum" Dress - Pattern by Deer & Doe

"Lotta" Dress from Laine #6 - Pattern by Marie Greene

"Throwback" Cardigan - Pattern by Drea Renee DRK Andrea Mowry

paired with a

"Farrow" Dress - Grainline Pattern

"The Shirt"  Notre Dame T-Shirt Quilt
I was ashamed that I never finished this quilt for Dad, before he passed.
My brother came for a visit, on his way to celebrate his ND 40th class reunion.  He was very happy to receive the quilt.

"The Girl in me" Shawl - Pattern by Boyland Knits

LIME! Shibui Scarf

"Guess How Much I Love You!" Baby Blanket


Tag Blanket

Tan cushy comfy WARM knitted lap blanket

Tula Pink's "City Sampler, 100 blocks 100 Days"

LOOKING FORWARD

IN 2019, my hope is to accept my abilities and not over-analyze.  

Make SOME of those bags that I have stashed materials for!

Spend more time with friends and family!

FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS, WISHING YOU A VERY HAPPY HEALTHY NEW YEAR!

Four Generations!

IT'S QUILTVILLE MYSTERY TIME!

It's that time of year again, when all of the Quiltville followers look forward to stitching.  The day after Thanksgiving.........where we all stay home from the "Black Friday" madness, dig into our fabric stash, and start the annual quest to make Bonnie's mystery design.

The details for the "Good Fortune" mystery quilt can be found at
http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2018/10/good-fortunea-quiltville-mystery.html

Whether you're an old veteran stitcher, like me, or a newbie, Bonnie's instructions are golden!

I'm participating in the "Mystery Monday Link-Up", which can be found at
https://bit.ly/2AoDbhP

Yes, I know it's Thursday, but I'm taking the slow lane for stitching.

 I completed clue one, this morning.  All the fabric has been pulled from my STASH!!!

My leader-ender project is a braid from Victoria Findlay Wolfe's "Modern Quilt Magic."  The fabric is the Black & Tan collection from Camelot Design Studio.

 My listening/dancing around from sewing machine, to cutting table, to the ironing board pleasure is Spectrum Channel 941, sounds of the season.  "Christmas with the Chipmunks" has a special place in my heart. I still have my long play album!  During the holiday season of my freshman year at The University of Kentucky in Patterson Hall, I would put Alvin and his comrades on the record player.  We swept the winning room for the whole holiday season! 😃 Fun times!

My favorite tool is a clover thread cutter attached to blocks of wood! SPEEDY! You can also hear Alvin and the Chipmunks in the video.

I'm looking forward to clue two tomorrow!

AN OPEN INVITATION: If you're in the Beavercreek, Ohio area and want to come stitch and  join me for some dancing and singing stitching merriment, drop me a message!

INTRODUCTION

Hi from a textile fanatic.  My first love is sewing, followed by quilting and knitting.  This year we have a brand new love, our first grandchild!  Our grandson was born in June.  It's true, there's no greater JOY than a grandchild.

We love to observe the many faces of Calvin!  He has brought us Joy, Joy, Joy, and more JOY!

It's indescribable!

I formerly blogged at TLC Quilts and Walks.  Three years ago, when my father's Alzheimer's took a turn for the worst, the blogging stopped.  Knitting entered my life, when research touted the benefits for brain function.  Insert Dr. Seuss or Forest Gump here with the here there and everywhere you can knit and the items of knitted hats, shawls, mittens, and sweaters.  Knitting went everywhere with me! 

But, I missed those fabric endorphins!

Bonnie Hunter, of Quiltville fame, posted this as her daily quote today.
http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2018/11/mystery-monday-link-up-and-cyber-monday.html
The background quilt is Sand Castles Quilt from String Frenzy!
String Frenzy is Bonnie's latest book, which will be available soon at
https://quiltville.com/shop.html#!/String-Frenzy-Available-December-2018-List-$27-95/p/106144004/category=13038050 

I have another quote, by Bonnie, on my bathroom mirror.
"Stop being so afraid of what could go wrong and start being excited of all that could go right."
Along with advice from my knitting peeps, dance like nobody is watching and sing like nobody is listening.........I'm going to start blogging again, like nobody is reading! 

AND Kevin the quilter, thanks for inspiring me to blog again!