At this time of year I like to look back and see what I may have accomplished during the year. I expected to find very little since we moved and had to downsize once again. But I was surprised that there were many new items added to my finished up list. Mostly new garments, since I got a great new serger and that made sewing clothes a real treat. And lots of finished knitting for my list of Jacket orders. But there were also some quilts and paintings and a new view of quilt making with all over quilting and making tops and backings with a goal of using up my fabric. I am enjoying quilting more now than ever!
I had success with dieting and lost about 38 pounds, but can't swear to that since the holidays invited nibbling and eventually gorging. January 2 will get me back to the smarter way of eating.
Resolutions are fun to make and try to keep and 2016 was so great that I intend to make 2017 a repeat. More knitting, quilting and gardening. And I intend to see my family and friends more often and make new ones too. Happy New Year to you all.

 The back diamond design is slightly different than the front panels, due to the fact that I was using small leftover skeins of several grays and had to make it work without running out.

 About 34" long and 25" wide (50" circumference) so it is more like a sleeveless coat.

 And now...to knit something for myself, if I can make a choice from all my yarn combos!

Bosna #4 unquilted top. Hand dyed and commercial cottons, machine pieced. 68x66". With this one I went for other than primary colors, which in turn are also more pastel.

O I am having such a wonderful time making these simple tops. Bosna #3, 65" square.
And finally I am seeing the pile of colors reducing. I am out of red-orange! So I will be attempting to work without it. ha!
Primaries are so energizing, but the first three are pretty much using those, so my challenge is to find other colors to excite me.

Bosna #1

Bosna #2

I'm a verbal processor, which is one reason I have a blog. I have to write what I think in order to organize it in my mind.
I feel a desire to explain my new outlook on quilt making.
For so many years I had many different reasons for making my quilts; art for one, commerce for another, justifying my career for a third. Now deep into my retirement I have let go of many of the reasons that used to motivate me and have discovered a new one (or two) which allows me a certain freedom to just HAVE FUN.

I've let go of a need to sell my work. It just doesn't make me as happy as it used to do. I just spend the money on yarn that I really don't need. (a whole 'nother story).

I've let go of needing to have an ending place to put this new work. I figure, I'll make it and the place will come.

I've let go of saving my 'good' fabric for something important. That never came up, so I am not saving it anymore. I am USING IT UP....mostly the prints will become backs, and that solves one of my biggest issues, not being able to decide what to put on the back. Make the back first and design a front to fit. What a concept!

I am less interested in making groundbreaking art and much more interested in enjoying the process. No one can give me the experience but myself and it is the experience that makes me happy.


And I am really enjoying the quilting again, now that I have adjusted my work space to better fit my needs. I am sewing now everyday and working through my stash, which doesn't seem to get smaller.

I am hanging my finished tops and backs to keep them smooth until such time as my table is cleared and I can sandwich and quilt them.
What happens when the quilts pile up? I will add them to our attic space while they await a new home.


Today's back, 65x72"

 Bosna #2 top, 70x80" hand dyed and commercial cottons, machine pieced, unquilted so far...

Reverse of Bosna #2, commercial cottons, machine pieced.
74x 82", large enough to have something to hold when I quilt it.


This back was so fast and easy to make, that it was done in one day by 3pm.
I think I may make another back like this while the fabric is pulled, and then quilt these two sides of Bosna #2 later. My goal is to use up lots of fabric. It feels wonderful to sew up these strips, squares, and bits of leftover patchwork. I have been spray starching everything as I go, and that makes the fabric crisp and wonderful to sew. 50% liquid starch, 50% water in a spray bottle.

I've been studying the quilts at Bosnaquilt Werkstatt  and loving their strength and simplicity. I had to try my hand at making one. Turns out simple is not so simple.
Here's how lovely and elegant theirs are:

While mine got a little more fussy. But it is only my first try.
I photographed this horizontally and can't decide which is the top. I suppose it doesn't matter...it works either way.
 

This is the reverse side, totally different, yes? I quilted it from the solids side and changed thread colors to match that side, including the bobbin, so the quilting on the 'house' side is often contrasting.

It's been a luxurious experience knitting this vest for Melanie. The yarns I used are the ultimate in gorgeous feeling fibers and plump up as each stitch is made. Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend, 30% silk and 70% merino. The contrast yarn is Sublime Organic Merino Wool DK. It's yarn like this that keeps my fingers itching to knit.

 I still find myself collecting yarn and thinking that I have the perfect other yarn to pair with it for a new knit garment. But then where is it? I spend countless hours opening bins looking for that imagined yarn and not always finding it. Then I decided to drag out all the yarns to pair them up and find matches and re-store them in separate bins. It took most of the day, but was so worth it.
 and

Gina
 Rowan Merino DK 9  
and Malabrigo Rastita merino

  Isabella