Piecing it all together

Front

As are most of you, I'm trying to figure out just how the heck this last year passed so quickly.  I remember my son saying that to me when he was in his early teens: time just keeps moving faster.  And as my mom would say to me each year, I would reply:  you ain't seen nothin' yet.

So here I sit.  The first part of the year was really rough, with my sister's end of life and subsequent passing.  It is only now, nine months later, that I can even let myself think of her or say her name without bursting into tears.  It's just how life is, fleeting and fragile.  With her passing came a renewed sense of the importance of the everyday things, and family and friends; her final parting gift to those of us she left behind.

Quilting therapy

Balancing the sadness has been the great joy of our grandchildren, much more family time than I've spent in years, more time with old friends, and my new found passion for quilting.  Along the way, my Etsy shop and fiber business has slipped into the closet, but I'm working on a way to work that all out soon; these last two years have been a bit of a sea change and I'm trying to find my new direction without rushing, as I have so often in the past.

Before I left California, I wanted to be sure and make a backing for the scrap quilt I made this fall, so when I return, it's ready to be assembled and quilted.  This is my "memory" quilt, and I've decided it will be fun to make one at the end of each year with scraps from the year's projects, along with scraps from my other quilting friends.  As an old song can transport me magically back to another time, I expect these fabric scraps will have the same effect.  This particular quilt will remind me especially of my quilting friends Liz and Terri, and the many great laughs we had while visiting this year.  That laughter was an important part of my healing process.

Scrapped back

A year ago this past week, I was so down that I thought to end this blog.  I missed you, and came back.  I'm glad I did.  You've been a great support to me this year, through the sad and the happy.  I only wish we could all just hang out for a day and catch up in person.

I wish you all the best for the new year ahead and look forward to sharing 2012 with you.  Cheers!

Martie