Looking Back as Comfort

I was looking through my photo archives for quilting projects I did last year, and one of my favorites is the one I made from a vintage embroidered napkin and a doallar-fifty bag of thrifted fabric scraps. I didn't plan it and the way it came together was almost magical (it also helped that it was small.)

The quilt I made for Halloween also made me quite happy. It's probably one of the last of my hand-quilted pieces, but I'm glad I made it. Halloween really boosted my spirits last year, especially with all the fun projects I made.

My mini-quilt calendar project of 2025 at times grew difficult, especially during the nights when my arthritis was giving me a fit, but I managed to finish it and I'm very happy with the results, mixed as they are.

To be honest, I am struggling with this year's calendar project, making one quilted tote per month, and looking back on what I managed last year helps quite a bit. It's reassuring in a way nothing else can be, because I was having just as much trouble with my hands last year. I still managed to quilt, and I can keep at it by reminding myself that I didn't give up in 2025, and still accomplished a lot.

The time I can continue to hand quilt is rapidly coming to an end, however, and I need to accept that. I think tonight I'll use the sewing machine to catch up on the stitching I need to do for the February tote, and give myself a break.

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Valerean

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