May I Have a Word?

 

I've been blogging in this space since February, 2003 -- but rarely, if ever perhaps, on New Year's Day.  And I've not chosen a "Word of the Year" for a few years now.  Last year I chose a word almost daily through January, sharing them on Facebook, but this year...

This year I just felt inclined to write a few words about the Word of the Year I've chosen for 2026:

Enough.

That's it -- plain and simple.

I don't know about you, Gentle Readers, but even though I live a pretty quiet, blessed rural life out here on the rolling prairie, and even though I had many memorable, gentle, lovely, creative days throughout 2025, I'm tired.  As regular readers will know, I've been tired for a while -- fed-up tired.  I even wrote about it in this space in August, and I thank you for your understanding and kind comments back then.

After all, I don't live under a rock or deep in a cave; like you, I live in the real world, and it seems to me that in the last several years I've been aware of more tumult and angst, anger and power-lust -- and protest against all that since I was a teenager growing up in the nineteen sixties. While I'm thankful for those protesting what's going on, most days it really seams as though "the wrong is oft' so strong".  Protest takes constant work, energy and creativity, even if all the best you can manage to do -- like me -- is to sign petitions, publicize public activities, and write letters to your elected (but not, personally, voted for) representatives.  

It's been exhausting, demoralizing, and sad -- juggling all the events, fear and anger...and so I've decided ENOUGH.  

However, that's only one aspect of the idea of 'enough' for me. 

I've also got enough:

• Not wealth, but enough to pay for shelter, heat, light and food, with some left to give away;
• Enough fabric, fibre and floss to keep creating well beyond life expectancy; and
• Enough ideas and project plans and starts and works-in-progress to keep me inspired, and my hands occupied, so that my mind, heart and soul are fed.

Given that I've had more than enough of the news -- at home (some) and abroad (far too much), but because ignorance, for me, is not bliss -- I've been curating my intake, and am now paring it down even further, even in my craft-viewing, choosing to skip parts of podcasts that are...well...meant for an audience of fellow-citizens of a particular country, and not for those of us who live in other lands, who celebrate other holidays or have a different focus -- knowing -- or at least, hoping -- I can return when the season of a particular celebration is over.

In my quilt studio, the "Keep it Out of the Landfill" project continues, with progress on the Bonnie Hunter 2025 Mystery quilt.  I've finished the first three clues now:

In the photo above, the tray in the centre shows the 2nd clue, which I managed to ignore until I'd done clues 1 and 3 (!) At the time I took the photo, Clue 2 was still under construction, but it's now finished as well. 

Speaking of quilty finishes, in my last post I showed you my "finished" top from the Block of the Month for 2025 -- from Sherri at "A Quilting Life".  I was contemplating adding a border simply to unify it, and this week, I did just that, using one of the fabrics that's in some of the blocks:

Shown here on my bed, it's not quite twin-sized; it's just a rather large 'throw'.  I may send it out for quilting, as between the size and the pattern, it would be tricky to quilt on my domestic machine.

I've enjoyed making Sherri's BOM projects -- I've done both 2024 and 2025 -- they keep things moving and create a bit of a challenge.  However, Sherri has said her 2026 project will be a tribute to the 250th Anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence.  I may look at the first block and if I can do it in "Canadian Colours", I might give it consideration, but I make no promises!

Last but not least, my friends M & S sent me a kit of sorts for Xmas, hoping to steer me towards 'Slow Stitch' of the contemporary kind, rather like visible mending but creating an original, meditative piece.  Alas, while I like the idea of Slow Stitching, and I've tried it a few times, I just really don't enjoy it.  Still, there I had in front of me a small 'quilt sandwich' -- a random patchwork top in a pretty palette of pinks, blues and purples, sandwiched with a thin batting, on a plain grey backing.  

It was expecting me to do something with it -- so I did.  When I first started showing my small art quilts, people used to ask me what to do with them.  Were they hot pads?  Cushion covers?  That used to irritate me mightily, but this pretty piece, well -- it certainly wasn't wall art.  So...much (I expect) to my friends' disappointment, I cut it into two squares, quilted each simply with my sewing machine (pink thread, no less!), bound them -- et voila! Two new hot pads to replace 2 of mine that were well over a decade old and looking much the worse for wear!

They're pretty; they're fresh, bright and serviceable -- and the process was strangely satisfying.  Works for me!

In new-ish knitting, the "Sylph Cowl", which starts of my latest "Warm Things" box, is moving along.  

Pattern: The Sylph Cowl
Designer: Jade Sapphire
Yarns (held double): Austermann 'Marina' in 
colour 45 - "Grape" and Universal Yarn
'Odette' in colour 106 - "Concord"

It's knit flat to 26" and seamed to make a long, deep cowl.  Both yarns are from stash -- long stash. 😊

Inspired by the "12 Days of Cast-on", I've cast on another cowl -- red and white colour-work -- but it's too early to show you any real progress. 

This morning I cast on the "Crooner Socks" from Nancy Wheeler. Again this year I'm trying to keep up with the Ravelry 'Socks from Stash' group. The challenge for this month is "Striping, but not self-striping", and the group's moderators have confirmed that this pattern will fit, so  I'm doing these in a royal purple for the main colour and a baby blue for the contrasting "stripes" -- using up more stash of course!

In my stitching, I finished "Wintertime" -- the wee stitch from Cathy Jean at The Victoria Sampler, and had an "almost-fully finished" afternoon, turning it and two other smalls into pillows -- they just have to be stuffed:

Top Left: "Wintertime" by Cathy Jean of
The Victoria Sampler;
Top Right: "Chubby Ewe" by Jeannette
Douglas; and Bottom Centre: "Harvest Virtues
by Thea Dueck of The Victoria Sampler

I think the largest of these is about 5" square, so they're just perfect to put in a bowl or prop on a shelf.

As I decided to interpret the "12 Days of Cast-on" rather loosely, I'm including in it any new starts, no matter the craft --such as these recent ones in my cross-stitch repertoire:

• For my Xmas Day start, I chose "Joy" from Carolyn Manning Designs -- her, "One Color Wonder" series -- which I'm stitching on 28-count "Splash" from Picture This Plus, using Wild Flowers cotton, colour #001 -- "Sandstone" from deep stash, 1 strand over 2 fabroc threads:

Working on a deep blue-green is a new experience but I'm rather enjoying it.  Also, I usually use 2 strands of floss on 28 count but this particular floss is a bit heavier than a strand of DMC, so I find that a single strand is sufficient.

• On Boxing Day (Dec. 26), I started "The Light of Winter" from Brenda Gervais (With Thy Needle and Thread), which I'm stitching on 40-count something -- can't find the label, but I think it's Platinum from Zweigart -- using DMC floss, 1 strand over 2 fabric threads:

• On December 29th, I started a third new piece: "Rejoice" from Lila's Studio.  It's a free pattern at the time of this writing, and I thought it would be a good way to celebrate the season -- and to rejoice that 2025 would soon be over! 😉

I'm working this on 32-count Lambs Wool, a fairly stiff fabric, using the called-for DMC, one strand of floss over 2 fabric threads.  The photo above shows my progress as of last evening.  I chose to do the top border in gold rather than in the blue called for, and switched out the gold of the flowers for blue.  Given that the letters are in blue, I thought this would be a better balance...but that's just my opinion, of course! 😊

And today, being January 1, 2026, marks the start of the 2026 SAL from Jacob of Modern Folk Embroidery.  I've never participated in an actual SAL -- and not one of Jacob's.  I had in my stash a beautiful piece of 40-count fabric in "Platinum" from the July 2025 'Traditional' fabric club offering through Roxy Floss/Evertote, so I ordered the paper pattern and enough Roxy Floss -- in "Pippy" -- to do it.  Yesterday I printed a working copy of the first 2 pages (left and right top) so I could start, using the "map" suggested by Jacob in the pattern book.  Once I get this blog post up and running, I'll be in my stitching chair, making a start!

Does that mean I've abandoned my 'Sunday Stitch' habit? Not at all.  I'm really enjoying my current project, "1000 Hills" from Plum Street Samplers.  Here's my progress as of the end of December:

Each little motif feels like a finish in itself!

NOTE: If you're also stitching this sampler, or if it's in your 'plans' collection, the link to the Plum Street post about it -- shown above -- also has a Big Bold Errata notice about one of the symbols used. You  might want to make a note of that! 😊

There are two other fibre crafts I work on from time to time: spinning, which I prefer to do outdoors in warm weather; and rug-hooking.  I've taken a few weeks away from that, but I did manage to finish the little pattern, "The Two of Us", designed by Deanne Fitzpatrick, in time to send it to Peg in Montreal for Xmas.

While the above photo was taken before the piece was trimmed, blocked and bound, rest assured all that was done, and I sent it off with a note giving options for hanging.  She was totally delighted with it, and I'm sure she'll find a good spot for it in her home.

My 2026 plans for rug-hooking centre on landscapes.  I've received Deanne's new book on the subject as well as some more worsted-weight yarn especially for the purpose, and have decided to use these to finesse my skills in that genre which, truth be told, is my favourite.  It's time to crack open the book, mount some fabric on my frames (large and small) and get to it.  I'm hoping that as the fatigue of 2025 wears off, I'll stay upbeat and energetic enough to make several new pieces, and apply for a booth at the Lacombe Encore! Art Show and Sale in the spring.

For that, Gentle Readers, I will need your good thoughts and prayers for energy, patience, and the willingness to keep procrastination at bay!

 

And so I close with a wish for you and yours -- for all of us -- to have a safe, stable, creative and contented year ahead.  Linking this now to Nina-Marie's Off the Wall Friday...on which she's posted a good reminder as we head into this new year.  

Until we meet again...A bientot!

Happy New Year and All the Things...

 Happy New Year, Gentle Readers!  (I'm trusting that at only slightly less than 1/3 of the way through January, it's okay to greet you that way -- still.  😊)  

It's been a busy almost-month since my last post.  I began that post with the weather report -- a favourite topic of conversation everywhere up here in Canada...as it is (most likely) wherever you all live too.

Today?  January 10, 2025?  In central Alberta?  RAIN!  Say what?!  Not enough to melt much of the snow, but definitely enough to cause traffic problems when the temps drop over the course of the evening and through the night.  Sanders are out in force to keep even good drivers from killing themselves on the highways!  

Me?  Today, I stayed home and stuck to making, which is what I do best. 😊

I won't bore you with a Holiday recap, but I had a lovely Xmas Eve and Xmas Day with my family.  Got a gift card to Indigo/Chapters (Canada's version of Barnes & Noble), and put in a pre-order for the paper-back version of Deanne Fitzpatrick's memoir, Making a Life, which is due out in May.  (You can do that HERE if you want to; no, I'm not paid to say that!)

Deanne's outlook on life is similar to mine -- but, I confess, I'm not as able as she is at incorporating some of her behaviours with which I agree, even if I do so whole-heartedly!

My kids can take hints, though, and this year they took one of mine and bought the 3 of us tickets to an Edmonton Symphony production on April 1st -- "The Music of Simon & Garfunkel".  They did something similar several years ago for my birthday, and it was wonderful. This one features different guest artists than we saw before, but no matter.  It will be the perfect combination of music, my children, memories of their father and me, and all that we hold dear.  What's not to like?

But you didn't stop here to read about all that, did you?  You're probably more interested in the MAKING of...whatever.

There was, indeed, making for Christmas -- most of which I showed you earlier.  My daughter's vest was finished on time.  It fits her like a dream and she is very happy!

I know; I need to get a photo of her wearing it!  But I've seen her in it, and it's lovely!  (And NO, I won't make another.  You can't make me! 😉)

My son and his family appreciated their neckwarmers and -- BONUS! -- discovered they could also wear them as wide headbands -- over their ears.  Who knew?!  Perfect!

Xmas knitting over, of course, this means I've moved back into Other Knitting for 2025.

First: more charity knits.  I've finished another pair of "The World's Simplest Mittens" (Tin Can Knits -- free on Ravelry):

Unlabelled yarn - probably wool (match test)
Pattern: Tin Can Knits - child size - 36 sts

Next: another charity hat cast-on -- another "Mash It Up" using fingering-weight scraps. Sorry, no photo yet, but it will resemble this one I made a while back, as I've begun it with similar colours:

"Mash It Up 1" (finished 2024)
Designer: Babs Ausherman

And...I'm getting back to socks.  I'm on the second sock of an "Advent" mystery project -- no longer a mystery as it's no longer Advent -- from Becky Greene: the Christmas Smorgasbord Socks.  I chose to make mine textural in a self-striping/tonal yarn: Patons Kroy FX in the "Clay" colour-way.  I finished the first sock in a timely manner and then let the 2nd one languish, but I'm on it again and am approaching the separation for the heel flap.

Sock #1 on my right foot!

I've now joined another Ravelry sock group: "Sox-along-2025" -- with two Canadian YouTube podcasters: "SoxyNana Alice" and "MyPinkBathtub" (Diane), in hopes of finishing this pair and 2 other languishing sock WIPs...and maybe recovering my Sock Knitting Mojo this year.

As for larger knitting projects, I've resumed work on my January Blanket (started a year ago) and try to knit at least 4 rows a day on it.  It's all-of-a-piece, which is great, because I have an aversion to sewing large squares together to make a blanket. That's it for the moment!

What about quilting? (I can hear you quilters asking!)...Well, now...

Why have one project on the go when you can have...four or five?! 😉

My neighbours were delighted with the quilt I gave them for Xmas, made with the 2024 Block of the Month (BOM) from A Quilting Life and using stash Thimbleberries fabric:

I enjoyed the process so much that I've joined up for the 2025 BOM.  It's quite different from last year's project.  This year, it features a 6" (finished) centre block that can be turned into a log cabin setting for an 18" (yes: 18 inch) block for a quilt top OR can be used in a smaller setting for a table runner.

I've no need of a table runner, so today I finished the first 18" (finished) block for the year - once again digging into all of those Thimbleberries fabrics that I've had for 20 years.  (Yes. I checked.  The selvedge of one of them reads "Thimbleberries Club 2005".)

And here's a close-up of the centre of the block:

Please note: the log cabin and other fabrics are far more golden than seen in the photos -- and the walls of the house are *green* with gold stars, not blue.  My camera and my laptop aren't communitcating well as to colour!!

No matter what the camera reads, I enjoyed the process -- even though that's one large block!  I'm not sure I've enough of my Thimbleberries fabrics to get through all 12 blocks, but time will tell.

Meanwhile, work continues on Bonnie Hunter's "Old Town" Mystery 2024/2025.  I've finishe Parts One through Three...and am pondering fabrics for Part Four, as I may be running out of my chosen neutral!  Ack!  Stay tuned!  (Sorry; no photos to share at the moment! 😩)

I am also continuing on the "Easy Breezy" blocks (tiny things, leaders and enders).  As of December 31st, I had 125 blocks done -- at 4 1/2" each -- but I'ver more than that now, and 4 prepped for assembly.

In addition (because, why not?!), I've dug out a long-ago project.

Yes, friends, decades ago I began a quilt using Japanese-influenced fabrics and black fabric.  I lost the magazine with the pattern -- it was in the days of Dying Hubby and All is Chaos, so you can probably understand why.

But I never got rid of all those swaths of fabric -- prints cut up and sewn together with narrow black sashing.  What to do with them now?

I decided to make four-patches...and once I get them all made, they'll become a quilt top...and maybe a quilt to be given away for someone who needs one for comfort and warmth.

First two types of blocks

Second two types of blocks

More to come on that front later.

Now then...Stitching?

I have sorted my stitching and am currently working on a "Blessing Sampler", which is supposed to be started and finished in the first month of the year.  I doubt that will happen with this one, as it appears I've bitten off a bit more than I can chew.  So...what else is new?! 😉

But first...I decided I wanted to do a "Christmas Day Start" and took supplies up to Edmonton, where I was staying with my daughter for the holiday.  I started it on time, and...finished it here at home on New Year's Eve:

"Gather Memories"
Designer: Hands On Design

I stitched it on 32-count Platinum Belfast linen from Zweigart, using 2 threads of floss (DMC) over 2 fabric threads.

I have the companion piece, -- "Gather Blessings" -- to do on the same piece of fabric before I decide how to fully finish them.

For my "Blessing Sampler" I chose the Swan Sampler from The Wishing Thorn.  I bought the pattern last year, and kitted it up on my own.  I love its sentiments: Faith, Hope and Love -- with Joy added -- as essential for Life.

Little did I realize how ornate the outer border is -- and how stitch-intensive!  A piece not need be 'full coverage' for the stitching to be dense and detailed -- so be forewarned!  😉  Still, I am quite smitten with it and whether or not I finish it by month-end, as a "proper" Blessing Sampler, it will have blessed my by its presence this month!  I'm just coming up to the upper right-hand corner, as you can see in the photo below:

"The Swan Sampler"
Progress Jan, 10-2025
Called-for threads; 2 over 2
30-count pale green unlabelled linen

And here's a close up of the upper left corner:

In my last post, I also shared my last two (of three) finished-but-not-fully-finished stitchy Xmas gifts.  I was able to finish them and put them in the mail earlier this week.  I'll show them here...hoping that the recipients will have already received them, or will have, by the time they read this!

Designer: Lizzie Kate
Mostly called-for threads (DMC)
?35-count Royal Icing from
Access Commodities?
(sorry...how soon we forget!)

Designer: The Sweetheart Tree
A "Knob Knocker Collection" kit
Included 28-count "Ray of Light" Cashel Linen,
Thread pack (WDW and DMC), and embellishments

Here's a close-up of the embellishments:

I finished both of these by quilting, and attached a hanging sleeve.  I find this is an easier way to ship little things like this rather than using framing etc.  I hope they are enjoyed by the recipients!

And what about art?  As in 'original work'?

Well...I'm now working on the hooked piece I was pondering in my last post.The working title is "Peaceful Sky" and thus far it looks like this:

It will measure about 17" wide by 10" long (deep).  I had darker grey around the central words and took that out; now to ponder how to fill that in as I do the rest of the sky.

I've started no other original work BUT I've answered a call for entry for a fund-raising art auction in aid of the Lacombe Centre for the Performing Arts and today the Call for Artists for the 2025 Encore! Lacombe Art Show & Sale has come out, so there are plans...

Again, my friends, stay tuned!

As I close, once again I wish you all a happy, healthy, safe, creative year now that we are in 2025.  I am posting a "daily word" on my personal Facebook page; thus far, it is keeping me on a calmer, more even keel -- and I hope it's doing so for my FB connections too.

In this blustery January weather, when time outdoors is at a premium, our making, our creative hands-on work, is able to fill our souls, ease our minds, and keep us sane and sensible.  Create beauty every day, my friends -- no matter how you do so.  Use your hands to clear your head.  Celebrate whatever creative gifts you have been given -- and look at the creative gifts left to you and all of us by those who have gone before.  Listen to their music; read their words...

And be blessed.  

A bientot!

**Linking as ususal to dear Nina Marie's Off the Wall Friday.  This week she's sharing American art.  Enjoy!

Plans, Hopes, Dreams...

 Do you make New Year's Resolutions?  I don't -- any more, that is.  Haven't for years.  That said, I've often written in this blog about my susceptibility to "Startitis" -- both in September (the start of a school year) and now, as we move from one calendar year to another.

This year, for the first time, I'm going to try to corral that "infection" by jumping on the WIPGO bandwagon.

"What's WIPGO?!" you might ask.  It's...a process for working on ones WIPs (Works In Progress) in order to finish them -- or at least make some progress on them -- throughout a given year.  

It's 'founder' is Jessie Marie, who created it some years ago now, in order to manage her cross-stitch WIPs.  It's a flexible game, really, that's adopted from Bingo -- and uses a 25-square "board".  You assign either projects or processes or categories of project -- or whatever you want, really -- to each square.  Each month -- on the 25th -- Jessie Marie "calls" (posts) two numbers to be worked on in the following month.  They're called about a week before the end of the month so you can prep your projects ahead of time -- the better to accomplish whatever your goals are for the month.

You might be able to tell that I've put both cross-stitch and knitting on my 'board'.  No quilting?  No spinning?  No rug hooking?  Nope.  I don't have a plethora of WIPs for any of those crafts.

If you want company, or advice, or encouragement, there's a Facebook Group (you have to answer questions to join) and there's action on Instagram (but I don't do Instagram so you'll have to look for it there yourself).  

Here's a link to her "how-to" video from 2022:

I found both of these resources very helpful when setting up my first "board". 

The mantra for the process is "Your board; your rules."  Some folks discover it doesn't work for them, and that's okay.  If you're a first-timer, though, you're encouraged to try it for the year before you decide whether or not it suits your practice.

And of course, just because only two board numbers are called each month doesn't mean that's all you work on!  Heck, no!  Work on any and all of your other crafts, hobbies and practices.  After all, there are 28 to 31 days in any given month (and 2024 is a Leap Year so February has 29 this go 'round) -- you can decide to work on a project for "100 stitches" or "300 stitches" or "3 days" (and a 'day' is what you say it is -- five minutes or 12 hours!) 

I've decided that when a number is called, I'll work on a project in the designated category for 7 days during the given month.  I decided to use categories of project rather than get specific, because I have 19 cross-stitch WIPs and 16 knitting WIPs, and some fall into more than one category.  

For January, the numbers 9 and 22 have been called. 

Looking at my 'board' -- photo above --  "9" is designated "Full Coverage"!  I've only one of those, which I began...oh...some twenty years ago (give or take).  Entitled "Bag Ladies", it came as a kit from Sunset Counted Cross Stitch of Reading, PA.  The pattern cover indicates it was designed by Braldt Bralds -- or perhaps more appropriately, used a design based on one of his paintings or illustrations -- and was kitted up for stitchers in 1999.  It included a large two-page pattern, all the floss, a needle and a  piece of 16-count grey aida.  

When planning my WIPGO board, I dug it out -- only to discover some sort of weird rust-coloured stain on a portion of the fabric!  Having stored it carefully (I thought) in a cloth tote, and having no recollection of having spilled anything on it, I'm at a loss as to what it is.  I tried soaking it in my eco-friendly laundry detergent and warm water.  No visible change.  Tried again with blue Dawn in slightly hotter water.  Ditto.  Scrubbed with a soft brush and mild hand soap.  Maybe it's a bit lighter.

And then I took a close look at what I had left to stitch.  Lo and behold, I think the remaining stitching will cover most -- if not all -- of it up!  Here's what it would look like finished:

Photo source: Pinterest

The red bag with the feathery tail at the upper right will cover quite a bit -- as will the rest of the bags and cats therein!  And the background is only partly bare fabric -- there are stitches all along the top, creating shading and dimension.

With my love of cats, and the fact that I'm just starting the second page of the pattern, how can I not finish it -- or at least, try to?!

As for square #22 -- that's "Monochromatic".  I have two stitching pieces that fit that description.  One is the Holiday Countdown 2022 from Evertote and Modern Folk Embroidery.  I decided to stitch it on a piece of fabric in a gorgeous red, using a creamy perle cotton from Caron.  Both are from deep stash:  

That said, my start was so small that I didn't even photograph it!

My second monochromatic WIP is the one I really want to return to, especially seeing as the 'holiday' season is drawing to a close.  It's a Carolyn Manning design from her "One Color Wonder" Collection: "Peace":

I'm stitchiing it on a piece of 28-count pearl grey linen that I got from a sale table somewhere.  It has no identifying maker, but it also hasn't the trade-mark orange stripe in the selvedge that would say "Zweigart".  It's perfect for this project though, and suits my choice of thread perfectly, to my mind.  I'm stitching it with a single strand of a hand-dyed tencel yarn (!) that I bought at the vendor's market at Olds Fibre Week last June; it's in a variegated purple:

Dyer/vendor: Trail Yarn
Colour-way: "Badass Babe"!

Preparing my WIPGO board gave me a great opportunity to track down all my WIPs -- including some which were tipping into the UFO category.  The  Mystery shawls fit that bill, along with a pair of socks that had succumbed to Serious Second Sock Syndrome:

One piece that's probably not going to get on the board is "No Winter Lasts Forever" from Silver Creek Samplers.  That's because I'm planning to finish it this weekend!  

I'm not following the "12 x 12" event closely, but I'm going to stitch like I am.  For one thing, I won't get home from church before noon on December 31; for another, I'm in bed by 9 p.m. and sleep through the entry of the New Year!  But I expect to have a good six or seven hours in which to stitch, and "No Winter" will be part of that (if it isn't finished even before that!)

All I have left to stitch is the snow, my initials and the year at the bottom!

Pattern: No Winter Lasts Forever
Designer: Silver Creek Samplers
Fabric: 28-count Pewter from Picture This Plus
Floss: DMC and a bit of Weeks Dye Works

Another item that probably won't make the WIPGO board is a sweater I'm knitting for a just-turned-18-months-old little girl  -- the granddaughter of a long-time friend, who lives in Ontario.  

Pattern: "Wee Lima"
Designer: Taiga Hilliard
Yarn: Berroco "Vintage" in "Black Cherry"
(from stash)

As you can see, I've only a portion of a sleeve to knit -- and it'll be finished except for sewing on the buttons (See the large stitch holder, shaped like a safety pin? That's where the buttons go!), sewing in the ends, and washing/blocking it.

Now little Sophie -- the future recipient -- also has a new baby sister, Ivy (2 months old).  She'll be getting a little crib quilt.  I made the top last March and when I learned of her arrival I decided to quilt it up for her.  Here's a photo of the top:

Pattern: "Chandelier"
Info: see my post HERE

Note that neither of those projects is on the WIPGO board.  That's because I've classified them as Priority Projects because they're gifts -- and will be finished come heck or high water, WIPGO or no WIPGO!

Speaking of gifts...being who I am, and being who my friends and family are, I received some lovely yarny and stitchy gifts for Christmas and "just because"!

My son's partner gave me a gift certificate for a southern Alberta indie yarn dyer -- Arcane Fibre Works.  His colours are fantastic -- but his yarn base is all extra-fine merino.  His prices are reasonable but I was hoping for a skein of fingering for socks.  And y'all probably know by now that unless colour palate is an issue, I won't make socks from high-grade merino.  They don't wear well.  They might stretch/slouch more than other socks.  They pill.  And they might felt -- even if they're super-wash treated.  Oh -- and feet don't need socks that soft.  Never test sock yarn on your face or neck. Your feet aren't that fussy!!

So...I've got a colour-way in mind but will reserve a purchase until I can afford (even with the gift cert) two skeins for a shawl.  (And yes; two skeins will equal free shipping -- at least in Canada.)  I'm willing to bide my time...

My friend Mary W. gave me two balls of yarn.  This is admirable, because a) she doesn't wear wool; and b) she doesn't knit!  (True friendship: supporting a friend's passion even when you don't share it!)

She gave me a lovely ball of German sock yarn (NOT 'extra-fine merino' -- the Germans know their sock yarn!) in one of my daughter's favourite colour-ways.  And my daugher?  She's always up for a pair of sturdy, well-wearing, hand-knit-by-Mom socks!  So...her January birthday prezzie is taken care of!

She also gave me a ball of 80% acrylic (!)/20% wool yarn from James C. Brett -- a lovely UK-based company.  The colours are similar, but the yarn is clearly for a shawl or something cozy; it has a 'halo' that makes it look like mohair but there's no mohair to be found in it.  And...I have a friend who suits this colour palate (she has auburn hair and complexion)...so maybe this will become something for her.  Hmmmm....or given to her -- because she knits.  She knits shawls (and I found a pattern for this yarn).  Prayer shawls, even.  Hmmmmm....the possibilities!

Isn't it delicious?!

Yarn: "Shhh" DK (but it's more like fingering)
Supplier: James C. Brett
Fibre: 80% acrylic, 20% wool

I'm not lacking in stitchy gifts, either.  Today I had lunch with my friend C. (we do this every 2-3 weeks -- two-hour lunches at Mae's Kitchen here in Mirror, AB.  Food and friendliness par excellence!)  She had a major reno to her home this past summer (don't ask; it wasn't planned!) and now is putting things back where they should go.  In the course of doing that, she's sifting and sorting her "stuff" and gave me this beautiful book: Sampler & Antique Needlework: A Year in Stitches.  It's available on Amazon.ca (and probably "dot com") for a pretty reasonable price but oh!  The treasure of it!

I managed some years decades ago to procure a couple of the original magazines by that name, which used to be published quarterly, but I wasn't aware of this book.  The publisher of the magazine is/was Phyllis Hoffman, and she published the book under the company called "Symbol of Excellence Publishers, Inc."  That title is appropriate -- even as I gaze on the cover of the book, having yet to open it and go through it.  C. is a stitcher too -- but she knows how I've fallen in love with reproduction samplers, and so this is a very special gift honouring that affection for this genre.

And then...the piece de resistance!  My friend A. is a quilter known for her album quilts and the beauty of her applique and hand-quilting.  She also knits and stitches, and is a lot of fun to be with.

This year, she gave me the most delightful, exquisitely executed gift for Christmas.  I have it out on the table in my living room, where I hang out to stitch, where I can see it.  It's useful, yes, but the artistry and detail make it so very special.  The pattern is from the "Block Party Series" from Hands On Designs; this one is "Meow".  A. knows I'm a Certified Cat Person...with an Elder Grumpy Cat and two 6-month old kittens...so she paid tribute!

I just had to show you the top and all four sides (the bottom is plain but for her initials and the date):

Her stitching is par excellence, because she never does anything by halves.  💓

And now, my friends...I've spoken of plans and gifts -- but what about hopes and dreams?

My hopes for 2024 are too numerous to list, but in the main consist of these:

1. "They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore." -- Isaiah 2:4 -- that the lust for power and dominance globally, nationally, regionally, locally and within families disappear and be gone forever.
2. That the US doesn't fall into fascism; 
3. That in all times and all places we can -- as Fred Rogers' mother instructed -- look for AND FIND the Helpers.  May there always be helpers.

My Dreams? Well...in a concrete sense, I've only one.  It's far smaller than my plans or hopes.  I long to return to Scotland...just one more time.  I have a friend -- Anne H. -- who is willing and eager to come with me.  Both of us knit.  She crochets; I do a bit.  She weaves; I do not.  I spin; she doesn't.  We both walk.  And we are on a wait list to be notified for the registration to sign on to a Knitting/Walking Tour of the Shetland Isles in 2025.  

I may never go home (to Quebec) again this side of heaven (though I'd like to do so too) but if I get to Shetland...to walk the isles, experience the sheep, the scenery, the skills of the knitters there...oh!  That's my Dream.

All that said, I told Anne recently that if I never made it there, I'd not die disappointed.  Sometimes the Dream is enough.

And so, Gentle Readers, I close this with a message of thanksgiving, and hope for you all: that you will find your space, your purpose, your calling.  That you will know the peace of God (however you understand that) that passes all understanding.  May that Peace enfold you, enable you, inspire you, encourage you and bring you to where you need to be for your own equanimity and for your giving of who you are and what you are to others -- a light in the darkness; a safe haven in the storm; a quiet centre in the whirlwind; a refuge.  May you be given the resources to do and be so -- and may you know that you are held in love in the Everlasting Arms -- however you understand that to be.

A bientot!