By the time this post publishes I will have attended the county quilt show (all the things in the pic were what I bought there in 2024.) Last year I had a lovely time at it with my guy and my favorite person, and invested in a few things for myself, but this year I will probably just go to take pics of the quilts and only buy a little fabric for a friend and finished quilted projects made by the guild members (my way of showing support.) I need to stop buying fabric for myself, as my ability to quilt things by hand is almost over, and I already have enough to last me ten lifetimes.
It's a little sad, but it's also part of life. I've been hand-quilting for over thirty years with hands that have been partially crippled, and I knew the day would come when my fingers would no longer cooperate. I'm happy I was able to quilt as long as I have. It's tempting to wail over losing my dexterity, too, because honestly it does seem so unfair. Then I think of what my life would be like if I didn't have hands, or I were paralyzed and unable to use them. Not so unfair from that angle.
I can still do a lot of things like crochet that are just as much fun, and create lovely things. Next year my calendar project will be crochet*, and I'm also interested in learning to make sweaters and cardis. I can also get off my lazy butt and learn to quilt by machine, something I'll be able to do even if my hands become entirely crippled.
Life goes on, and so do the things we want to do. If we're willing to accept and adapt to changes, we don't have to give up. That's the best attitude to have no matter what your limits are.
*Added by future me: Actually, it will be quilting. Stay tuned to the blog to find out why.
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