A Sparkly New Year to You!

I have never chosen a word for the year.

I don’t know how I could concentrate on just one word for 365 days when my life is SO full!

When I look back at the highlights of 2015…

I sewed lots of Dresden plates for new pattern samples.

Helped our oldest move into her very first home away from home.

Empty rooms have so much possibility…

An almost missed trip to spring market because of my dad’s heart surgery (moved up in schedule because of his condition…) the day we were to leave for market,

followed by 6 weeks of almost daily trips to hospital then rehab to help get this guy back to baling hay!

Attended our quilt guild’s ”Quilt Away 2015” that I coordinated with 3 wonderful teachers, which finally helped me make this Primitive Gatherings kit that I bought at Paducah 6-8 (maybe more) years ago!

Turning over 200,000 miles on our Odyssey (10,000+ miles ago)

going to Bloomington’s 3rd Sunday Flea Market w/ Clare, so FUN!

We found this cutie (& a few other trinkets).

Lots of this, yum!

Taught some wonderful quilters my tips for making Tiny & Mini Dresdens.

I hope you guys are finished with those quilts by now.

Lots more of these.

Helped my Mother-in-law (one of my best friends)

with numerous trips to doctor appt’s. & ER visits

which sadly ended in her passing away the day before we were to leave for fall market…

Unfortunately I didn’t use this.

But I did get this ready between everything else going on.

& with the help of my photographer (& Nemo)

eventually turned them into:

this pattern now available.

Does this quilt make more sense to you now???

Among lots of other things, I thank God for quilting in my life!

1. Faith
2. Family
3. Friends

I will concentrate on the here & now.

I did get to Festival with the help of my sister, Lori.

Typically I only let her slave over my accounting so it was fun having her help me with this side of my business.

We attended our son’s college graduation the weekend before Christmas.

Complete with a party the following day.

Notice Abe on his cake? 

I adapted his silhouette from my Abraham Lincoln Tribute pattern.

I had help fine tuning.

Blake’s a history major, ready to go out into the would and shape the minds of our youth.

Know anyone looking for a history teacher?

Santa brought Clare this cute “Anthropology” looking comforter set which lead me to this post.

Unfortunately the set didn’t come with a dust ruffle.

I guess dust ruffles are no longer the thing because they’re hard to find in any form.

She looked for a while, then I told her we could make our own.

She really wanted a gold polka dot ruffle…

So, she bought a cream dust ruffle, then I added the sparkle yesterday.

First finishing the edges

pin basting to store-bought cream dust ruffle

completely basted

stitching to ruffle

glittery residue

which will NEVER completely be gone!

The curse of a creative mind!

I guess what comes around, goes around.

I remember driving my mom crazy while we designed (she labored over) my wedding gown.

I wanted these sleeves… on this bodice… with this skirt, with this train…

I get my creativity from her.

Thanks mom!

It didn’t start this way, but since it took me a while to compile this post & I had to sleep on it,

I decided to add a bit of my 2016 forecast too.

S.P.A.R.K.L.Y.

& not in this order I will:

S. –sew

P. –pray

A.–argue for what I think is right

R.–relish my time with family & friends

K.–keep a positive outlook

L.–love

(hopefully inspire) Y.–you

 Happy 2016!

Just keep sewing…

Susan