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Thursday, January 1, 2015

The Year of Reckless Abandon

Happy, Happy New Year!  2015 has gotten off to a contented start so far - a good walk, a good book, a good dinner in the works and still time ahead before the vacation bubble bursts and it's back to the rat race reality.  How has your new year begun?

First things first though.  Here's a huge heartfelt Thank You! to those who took the time to watch "Remembering Yesterday, Celebrating Today", shared on my previous post.  My mother has always been a unique and gifted woman.  It means all the world right now to share her quilting with others who can appreciate it.  The holidays this year have brought a heightened sense of time passing when I think of my Mom. Sharing her through this video has been a way to hold on.

It's been so much fun the past few days to see everyone's "Stitching Year in Review" posts! As for me, I'll give some credit where it's due and take a quick glimpse at what's been accomplished with my own stitching. It's fun to go back to the last New Year's post to see if I met my goals.  You'll recall that I only had 3 of them:

1. Finish Ann Grimshaw.  Check!


2.  Finish Frances Eden.  Got 'er done.


and 3. Finish Hannah Pepper.  Not so much......




In spite of not meeting my finishing goal with poor long-suffering Hannah, I can at least say she was the last project I worked on in 2014 and the first one in 2015.  Surely that's got to have some kind of powerful mojo for getting her done....sometime?  I think you can see from these photos where my extreme aversion to any more over one stitching came from.

But I do take some comfort in the fact that even though Hannah is still a thorn in my side, Sarah Tuel has crossed over to the finished side and is now patiently awaiting a framed afterlife.  Thank you Jesus!


Other than finishing Miss Hannah, I've decided that rather than making strict, specific goals for myself like I did last year, I would instead proclaim 2015 as "The Year of Reckless Abandon".  Basically that means a few simple things. 

1.  If I feel like stitching on it, I will.

2.  If I feel like starting it, I will.

3.  If I don't feel  like working on it, I won't.

4.  If I worry that too many projects are in the works, I'll pour a glass of wine.

See what I mean?  Reckless abandon!  And to kick off TYRA  - yes, The Year of Reckless Abandon  -  I didn't even wait until January 1 to throw caution to the wind.  Somewhere in mid-December, I  started something new - because I felt like it!  Here's progress to date on The SL Scottish Band Sampler, which so far has been a lot of fun.


These ornate letters have more festive curlicues on them than all the Who's down in Whoville. 



So that's where things stand on January 1, 2015.  Tomorrow the mail lady will bring the silks for a start on Mary Bate.  The linen for His Eye Is On the Sparrow is in a dye vat somewhere, but hopefully it will turn up without too much delay and I'll start it too.  Who knows where they'll stand next post?!

Wishing you all the brightest and best this new year!

17 comments:

Margaret said...

I like that -- year of reckless abandon. Sadly, I think I'm always that way. lolol! I love your finishes! They are all huge ones and beautiful! And Hannah Pepper is awfully close from the looks of it. I will enjoy watching what you stitch in 2015. Always a pleasure to read your blog!

Barb said...

I think every year is my year of reckless abandon,meaning, I don't plan that far ahead. Anyway, your work is beautiful and I would be very proud of it!! Ann Grimshaw is still on my to do list, maybe this year?

Krista said...

A wonderful post, and wonderful finishes, Mary!! I sigh with regret when I see your beautiful Ann Grimshaw. She is a stunner. Mine never got off the ground. Someday, lol! I am glad you will be stitching Hannah this year. It is great to see how far a long you are on her. It is inspiring. Love the Scottish SL with the curlies. You made quite a lot of progress on that one too. You look like you are off to a great New Year... wherever it takes you :)

P.J. said...

Happy New Year! I love your TYRA plan! Good to have a plan....hahaha. Amazing stitching.

llknbillburg said...

Wonderful finishes last year and some very pretty WIPs too! Hannah was my New Year start so seeing yours so far along is very exciting! Love the colors on you Scottish piece. A friend of mine stitched it and has it hanging in her dining room. It is gorgeous!! Laura

Melissa said...

TYRA! It sounds like it will be a great year for your stitching!

Lovely, lovely work in 2014!

Ann said...

Love The Year of Reckless Abandon! I've decided to do the very same thing--and I feel ever so much more motivated without deadlines and to-do lists!

Brigitte said...

Great stitching last year.
I love your new slogan for this year, particularly points 2 and 4. In the past I was always shying away from starting big projects although I love them best. But since I have been retired I just start them, one after the other. I don't know if I will finish them, just stitching on them is the main act.

Carol said...

You had such big, beautiful finishes in 2014, Mary... I wish I could settle down and stitch a larger piece, but I'm just addicted to smalls right now :)

Love your yearly stitching ideas--after all stitching is supposed to be fun and relaxing, right?

Happy New Year!

Syd said...

Finally, a name for the way I've been stitching all these years. Thank you! May you enjoy your year of TYRA!

Karyn said...

I love your TYRA idea! I am going to join you, if that's ok...
Your 2014 finishes are gorgeous, Mary, and awe-inspiring for their size! I applaud you, my dear, for a year well done...
Hugs

Maggee said...

TYRA is an appropriate name for the year for lots of us--so we will be joining you! You have started a movement! You got much completed last year--all big pieces! Congrats! I will snoop around your blog for additional inspiration now... Happy 2015!

The Inspired Stitcher said...

Mary, I like the way you think! TYRA is awesome. Especially #4! You really accomplished a bunch last year. Those are some BAPs in my book. Happy New Year, friend!

Mouse said...

I am with you on the year of reckless abandon ...lol love the samplers you have done and doing and had to giggle at the curlicues :)
wishing you a wonderful stitchy new year :) love mouse xxxxx

Lois said...

I very much like the idea of TYRA Mary, probably one that I should follow! Well done on completing a number of your goals in 2014 (I don't think I managed any of mine!!!).

Joy said...

What beautiful samplers! Now I know why I've missed blogging so much! Will be watching for your 2015 stitching.

Gwen said...

Your finishes are lovely. I am sure you will do justice to HP and get her finished as well. One day i hope to get back to her and finish my start also.
Looking forward to seeing you progress this year.
Thanks for sharing your mom's quilts, They are really stunning.