Reflections, Looking Forward and First Flimsy of the Year!

The first week of the new year is behind us, and I've read the many recent blog posts featuring a recap of the last year's quilty accomplishments. I dithered a bit about whether to create a similar post.  I finally decided a brief summary would take care of it, and anyone wishing to see photos of all the 2018 finishes will find all of them under the page titled 2015 and Later, the most recent year being at the top when you click on that page.  Here are just three of my favorite finishes for the year.

"Tutti Frutti" donated to local Christian camp benefit auction

"Lines and Boxes" donated to local Christian camp benefit auction

"Autumn Oaks" to be gifted to a family member 

In all I finished 18 quilts during 2018, including 10 donation quilts (3 of which were pieced/appliqued by another quilter and I completed the machine quilting and binding).  In addition were five mini/small quilts (one gifted) and three larger throw or queen size quilts that either have already been or will be gifted.  I also plodded along with the hand quilting on one queen and one king size quilt, hopefully to be finished this year!

I will admit that by the end of August after completing the 10 donation quilts I had pretty much reached burn-out stage, but having the final few months to work on personal (fun) projects  was really rejuvenating.  It's something I want to pursue more of in the new year, and less of the deadline quilting!  Of course there will be some donation quilts for our quilt ministry, but not likely as many as last year.  Sometimes, though it hurts to even admit it to myself, getting older often means a bit of slowing down is a necessary part of the process, as I found out after my recent cataract surgeries.

So, for the new year, it is one day at a time, working on projects I love, and maybe even letting go of some that in all likelihood will never be finished.  More hand quilting, and hopefully getting at least one quilt on the Grace frame found at last September's auction.  I'm also planning to participate in Lori's (Humble Quilts) Stringalong 2019 and also Wendy's (Constant Quilter) mini challenge. Sure hope I can keep up!

A First Flimsy was promised in the post title, and here it is!  A couple years ago my blogging friend Janet of Rogue Quilter sent along a sweet package of small tumblers, which have been waiting for just the right time to begin piecing.  Over the holidays I began piecing them as leaders/enders while working on a couple other projects.  A few evenings ago I decided to just get on with it and get a little top made.  Here they are with rows numbered awaiting final assembly.

The dilemma became how do I add a border without overwhelming this with one of the same colors already in abundance?  Searching the bins, scraps and fat quarter I finally came up with two borders.  I knew as soon as I spotted that small dark purple scrap that it just had to be part of this little quilt, and it took every bit of the scrap for the outer border. 

And though this quilt is small, it's speaking with a mighty voice, demanding to be hand quilted, so it will take its place in the hand quilting line-up, hopefully to appear again as soon as the big basket quilt comes out of the hoop.  Which I'm hoping will happen sometime before ... Easter ... maybe?
Thanks Janet for these sweet tumblers, I had a great time working on this little project!  What a great way to start the new year.