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Saturday, January 2, 2021

Planning for 2021

With a new year before us, and an opportunity to begin anew and fresh I can't help but think we cannot forget the lessons learned in the past.

Lesson 1... Balance is necessary.  Life can sometimes be like a teeter-totter.  You can sense the ups and downs and sometimes you have to counter-balance to get the thing to go back and forth at a steady, smooth pace.

Lesson 2... Hosting a Sew Along can be challenging... and yet SO rewarding.  While my first sew along is not finished, it is nearing the end.  And I have to say that I am hooked!  I have loved all of the historical research I have done (much more time consuming than I had ever anticipated) along with the transformation of the Kansas City Star quilt blocks from templates to the modern quilting/cutting style.  



With that being said, I come to the first goal for 2021 ~ Wrap up the Pieces from the Past Sew Along.  I have three more blocks and stories to be released.

Goal #2 - Using all that I have learned to date with my current Sew Along, I am looking forward to developing a new sew along that will begin in April.  

This sew along will feature blocks and stories connected to the Santa Fe Trail.  Watch for the details to come because, well, even I don't know all of them myself.  LOL!


Goal #3 - I have had a desire to do another whole-cloth quilt.  My first whole-cloth quilt was made in 2013.  

Goal #4 - I would like to try some Quilt As You Go quilting.  Perhaps with the Santa Fe Trail blocks.  But then again, I could use some of the orphan blocks/test blocks from the Pieces From The Past.  I have plenty!  

I think these blocks would be compact and easy projects to transport and stitch while we enjoy our camping trips... which means hand-quilting.  As long as my hands can endure, I think it will be perfect.

Goal #5 - Continue with our Camping Journal Quilt. I wonder what amazing adventures we have before us?  I can't wait until February when we will begin planning our escape to warmer weather!



On a personal note... I have selected the word "peace" as my focus word and John 14:27 (from The Message) will remind me of this peace...

I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.

I recently enjoyed a cup of afternoon tea and this quote was on the teabag...

"Peace of mind comes piece by piece."

When the teeter-totter seems out of balance... you will find me seeking peace, piece by piece.  Because, well, quilting IS my therapy. 🙂

What are some of your goals for 2021?  

Leave a comment... you know I love to hear from you.

Piece Out,

Melva

Linking with:

Scrap Happy Saturday at Super Scrappy
Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework
Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate
Patchwork & Quilts at The Quilting Patch
Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt
Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts
Colour & Inspiration at Clever Chameleon Quilting
To Do Tuesday at Home Sewn By Us
Mid-week Makers at Quilt Fabrication
Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter
Stitch Sew & Show at Life in the Scrap Patch
Put Your Foot Down at For the Love of Geese
Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation

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19 comments:

  1. maggie fellowJanuary 2, 2021 at 4:14 PM

    I really like the camping journal quilt - how do you decide on the pattern? Good luck with your goals

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  2. DeborahJanuary 2, 2021 at 5:01 PM

    What a comforting translation of that verse...peace is a great word to focus on this year.

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  3. KathleenJanuary 2, 2021 at 6:18 PM

    Wonderful goals for the new year and a great word to inspire you through out.

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  4. Rebecca SmithJanuary 2, 2021 at 9:13 PM

    I have loved reading the stories with pieces of the past maybe I’ll actually make the blocks with the next one

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  5. K ReevesJanuary 3, 2021 at 6:10 AM

    Excellent verse for the new year, Melva! My goals for the year are to finish the three BOMs I’ve got going; yours and two others that need final sashing and /or borders, and continue the whole cloth I am hand quilting for Girl #1’s wedding quilt. There’s others, but these are the focus for now.

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  6. Bambi PearsonJanuary 3, 2021 at 6:26 AM

    I have really been enjoying your Pieces from the Past sew along. I love the history that comes with it. Happy New Year and may 2021 bring nothing but good things.

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  7. scraphappyJanuary 3, 2021 at 7:01 AM

    What lovely goals for 2021. Your camping journal quilt is such a great record of your adventures.

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  8. Brenda @ Songbird DesignsJanuary 3, 2021 at 7:54 AM

    Wishing you the best on achieving your goals this year!! Peace is definitely a great word for 2021!

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  9. JayJanuary 3, 2021 at 2:18 PM

    One of my grands is a tattoo artist, and since she started we'd been talking about what would be my first tattoo. I made a list of ideas and thought about them for quite awhile. Months, actually. Then, last January just before my birthday, Katie tattooed "noli timere" on my forearm. It turned out to be prophetic. There has been much to fear in the last 12 months, but a glance at my arm reminds me not to be afraid. I take a deep breath and let that fear go with the exhale. It's been an amazing help to me. I'm about to turn 70, and am so grateful to have this reminder to fear not as we enter another year of pandemic and turmoil.

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  10. DonnaJanuary 3, 2021 at 3:28 PM

    Great word for 2021.

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  11. The Joyful QuilterJanuary 3, 2021 at 7:55 PM

    You've got some lovely projects in the works, Melva. What are your plans for the 2021 Rainbow Scrap Challenge?

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  12. QuiltGranmaJanuary 4, 2021 at 7:31 PM

    My goals, to make Some Kind of Progress on each of 10 UFO's. Only worked on one last year.

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  13. Susan January 4, 2021 at 7:48 PM

    I look forward to seeing what the new QAL brings. You have some good thoughts in the post, and I'm pondering them. =)

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  14. Home Sewn By UsJanuary 5, 2021 at 5:05 PM

    Hi Melva! I am looking forward to all of your goals for 2021. Especially the camping journal quilt and a new QAL. Thanks for linking up today. ~smile~ Roseanne

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  15. ScrapatchesJanuary 8, 2021 at 9:32 AM

    Beautiful, uplifting quilts and words. Thank you for linking to my blog party. I will look forward to seeing more of your wonderful projects in 2021 ... :) Pat

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  16. Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork AppliquéJanuary 8, 2021 at 10:41 AM

    Great goals! Good luck with them

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  17. Karen's KornerJanuary 8, 2021 at 5:17 PM

    Some lovely memories in your camping quilt. I wish you good progress with your goals.

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  18. For the love of geeseJanuary 11, 2021 at 10:38 AM

    I love your camping quilt and the old photo with the modern quilt. Goals, I am more of a free spirit and the only goals I have are to finish my Island Batik Challenges on time. Thank you for linking up to Put your foot down, I am looking forward to see Pieces from the Past become a quilt.

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  19. Jennifer Fulton Inquiring QuilterJanuary 12, 2021 at 6:26 AM

    You have some great goals for 2021 and the perfect word to focus on! Have a wonderful year. I'm so glad you spent the last one sharing on Wednesday Wait Loss.

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