Bye Bye 2023, Hello 2024!

It is January 1, 2024. First day of the new year - one day to reflect and introspect before the onslaught of work and responsibilities.

A review post is always tricky. What do I include? What do I leave out? And how do I say it? Should it be just quilting? But my feelings are so entangled with the threads of my quilts. Can you really keep your work and thoughts in water-tight compartments?

Unable to separate my feelings from my work

I will try to focus on my quilts and if my feelings seep in so be it. Here are my favorite five quilts of 2023. Linking with Meadow Mist Linky Party.

1. Radiance (Island Batik/Accuquilt Challenge) - It was a challenge to use a new Accuquilt Block on Board with 56 pieces. I used EQ8 to design my quilt. A long arduous journey (many discards along the way) resulted in a very satisfying finish. 

Radiance was included in the November 2023 EQ8 Newsletter making it the top contender for yearly favorites list. In blogland, where comments are currency, 42 comments are proof that it was also a reader favorite.

2. Wednesday (Island Batik/Studio 180 Designs Challenge & Blog Hop) - The challenge was to use the Studio 180 Design Ruler and the Winter 2023 collection, Wild Blooms to make a quilt. Once again I used EQ8 to design. Several designs were considered and discarded. 

Most people associate batiks with traditional quilts. I am thrilled that I could create a modern quilt, using Island Batik fabrics and the Square Squared Ruler. 

3. My Checkered Past (Island Batik Ambassador's Choice) - This was the first time we had complete freedom to make a project. Any project, any size and any collection (except the ones reserved for the bloghop). I knew, from the very beginning, what I would make. It had to be improv pieced modern quilt. I could call it scrappy but those fabric bits are precious jewels displayed proudly for all to view and admire. No Accuquilt, no EQ8, just me and my machine :-) 

"My Checkered Past" travelled with me to Atlanta where I took many on-location pictures.  This picture where it looks like Coretta Scott King is admiring my work is my favorite :-)

4. Vrinda (Mercyful Quilts) - Made for Mercyful Quilts, a charity close to my heart, Vrinda is the only quilt in the top favorites list NOT made with Island Batik fabrics.  But I will remake this quilt using Island Batik Foundations in 2024, accompanying a pattern release.

Vrinda was sent to the palliative care unit at the Mercy Hospital where it may bring some solace to the terminally ill and then kept by the family in their memory.

5. Avantika Cool (Island Batik Ambassador's Choice and Rainbow Scrap Challenge) - I first made Avantika (Original) for the Island Batik Spring/Summer 2023 Catalog. But then I used the same block for Rainbow Scrap Challenge throughout the year. Avantika Cool uses only the cool colors. Click the link above to see her warm and sunny little sister (Avantika Baby). 

Avantika Cool uses 96 different Island Batik Fabrics in the top and is truly a celebration of color and joy! It is good to be an ambassador :-)

2023 was an eventful year. My quilts were published eight times. Nihal, Paroma, Mirabelle and Stairway to Heaven in Annie's Publishing; Mardi Gras Magic and Bourbon Street Bash in Golden Peak Media publications; and Window Dressing and Kashvi in Make Modern.

I released five new patterns including A Fishy Story, Avantika, Window Dressing, Nilsa and Olivia.

But the best part of the year is all the hugs I exchanged with quilty friends.

At Quiltcon Atlanta with Nann, Anna and Mell

With Sujata and Vasudha at Quiltcon Atlanta

With Anja at Quiltcon Atlanta

With Emily in Charlotte

With Bonnie in Fredericksburg

Mari and Me in Baltimore

There is one more bit of news. International news, actually! Topsy Turvy appeared on the cover of Norsk Quilteblad, the Norwegian Quilt Magazine. Thank you, Turid. Someday I will get to hug you in person :-)

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The most significant happening of the year is my new job. After 8+ years working with one firm on one project, I was anxious about making a change.  There were several stressful weeks, some nights of anxious tossing and turning and one very public outburst of tears.  Paul was holding my hand in a restaurant while I wept salty tears into my salad. 

The Model & me

Paul did not steer me one way or another, did not make any suggestions, but insisted that he supported my decision, whatever that may be.  I started my new job in August. I get to work from home which translates into zero commute time and more quilting time :-)  No complaints so far.

Professional Shot

Our house was built in 1970. The fabric storage/computer room worked just fine if I went there as needed. But if I spend eight hours working, it needed new non-drafty windows. This shift to "work from home" expedited the need for upgrades.

New windows installation

And here I am, happy in my new office space, cozily working from home.

Working from Home :-)

Me: Paul, my readers love our witty conversations and your funny comebacks.

Paul: Oh yeah?

Me: Would you like to say anything to my readers?

Paul: Live long and prosper!!!

 

May All Live Long & Prosper

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The time and place of my birth are two immutable facts that were chosen for me. Two things that govern every aspect of my life and I cannot do anything about it. This isn't a problem when I lead such a charmed and privileged life. But if I was born in Ukraine in 1990 or in Gaza in 2010, my life would have been so very different. Would I even have a life? It could have been me maimed by a bomb in Ukraine or buried under rubble in Gaza.

I am so blessed and I am so disgusted. This sentence sums up my feelings for the year 2023. As cliched that may be, all I wish from 2024 is World Peace.