Posted on by agilejack

Merry Christmas 2024!

Merry Christmas. I’m alive and well. Wanted to drop in a let you know I’m still moving about the earth.

It’s a gray and rainy day here in Portland. Pretty typical for Christmas Day. I’m hoping to get my boys out for a nice walk some time today but it looks unlikely. I’ll join friends for dinner this afternoon.

I’ve had a bit of a hard time getting into the holiday spirit this year. I haven’t even sent out my Christmas cards yet! I might do that today. I’ve had the cards for at least a month. this is the first year I haven’t had my cards out right after thanksgiving.

I managed to get some lights up in my living room and put together a nice dinner for friends last night. I do like having the lights in the house. It’s dark so early here that the lights help keep it feeling bright. I usually leave the tree up until the time changes in the spring.

Still not much creative juice flowing. I literally haven’t sewn for a couple months. I’m really hoping I get some inspiration to create after the first of the year. It might be a good sign that I purchased some fabric online a couple weeks ago. I’ve also been thinking about what to make next.

One piece I bought was this one for the backing for my friend’s Interweave quilt.

I didn’t actually mail it to her since her quilt top is in the drawer in my guest room. So she got the photo for her gift.

I did finally get my Blue Swirly quilt top quilted by my long armer and got it back a month or so ago.

I used the beautiful blue Philip Jacobs Feathers fabric for the backing. It’s also in the quilt top.

I had her use a simple stipple design because this quilt is busy and I like more dense quilting.

It took me awhile to decide on the binding, but I ended on this Brandon Mably fabric and I love it.

This quilt will be gifted later today.

Here’s what I’m celebrating this holiday season. My birthday was a month ago and I’m officially on the 12 month count down to retirement. Only about 11 months to go!!! I’m confident these final months will fly by!

Thank you to everyone who has checked in on me to make sure I’m ok. Rest assured I’m fine. Here’s hoping we all have an abundance of creativity in the new year!

Happy New Year!

109 Replies to “Merry Christmas 2024!”

    2. I don’t ever comment on any blogs or anything like it. But I love reading everything you send out. I only sew in the winter. And Im a pretty average quilter. But I haven’t felt like it this winter at all. Like you. I retired from my job a few years ago. And I am so happy you will be there too. I love your pictures of your dogs and the neighborhood. I live in Idaho and we don’t have the rain you do. So I am jealous of everything you can grow. So please keep sending out your emails!! Take care

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  6. Merry Christmas Anne, Bender and Rico. Good to see you’re all well. Hopefully pickleball has been filling your spare time. National champion in your future? It’s hard to not have the creative juices flowing but you’re inspirations have fueled so many of our projects. Thank you abs Happy Christmas!

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  10. Glad to hear all is well. For the first time in years, I quit sewing in May and am just now thinking of two quilts I want to make. Sometimes that happens for various reasons, mostly because of “life”. Looking forward to your new creations when the time is right.

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  11. So glad you and the boys are well. I was afraid that I had somehow ‘deleted’ you. Retirement can be wonderful and relaxing…but only if you let it. Enjoy your last year of getting up early, answering unlimited questions and constantly ringing phones! Take care of yourself and those loveable boys.

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  12. So glad you and the boys are well. I was afraid that I had somehow ‘deleted’ you. Retirement can be wonderful and relaxing…but only if you let it. Enjoy your last year of getting up early, answering unlimited questions and constantly ringing phones! Take care of yourself and those loveable boys.

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  14. Merry Christmas! It’s great to hear from you and that you are doing well. I’ve missed your posts-you inspire many with your projects!

    Wishing you and your boys a blessed 2025!

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  15. Merry Christmas! It’s great to hear from you and that you are doing well. I’ve missed your posts-you inspire many with your projects!

    Wishing you and your boys a blessed 2025!

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  16. Merry Christmas! It’s great to hear from you and that you are doing well. I’ve missed your posts-you inspire many with your projects!

    Wishing you and your boys a blessed 2025!

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  17. Merry Christmas! It’s great to hear from you and that you are doing well. I’ve missed your posts-you inspire many with your projects!

    Wishing you and your boys a blessed 2025!

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  20. Good to hear you are still on the move! The creative juices will soon kick in and you’ll be giving that sewing machine a workout. Also pleased to hear that your dog mates are still keeping you pounding the paths.

    Have a super Christmas!! 🎄🌲⛄️

    Mary :))

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  21. it’s so nice to hear from you. It’s kind of dreary here in Washington as well. It seems that a lot of us are sort of out of sorts right now. I made a bunch of wonky Christmas tree blocks and that has jump started me. I’m glad you and your beautiful boys are ok. Your work so inspires me! Merry Christmas!

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  22. Thank you so much for your blogs and pictures. You are an inspiration to me and I enjoy your life! I am a dog person so love to see the pictures of the dogs. Yes, your retirement time will fly by and then after you retire you will wonder how you found the time to work.

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  23. I’m so happy you are doing well. I’ve been missing your blogs and quilt ideas. You inspire me. Happy Holidays and best wishes for the new year.

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  24. Merry Christmas looking forward to hearing more from you this year. Look forward to retirement but don’t wish your life away.

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  25. So happy to read your update!
    I look so forward to your emails. Your creativity has been amazing and I’m sure it’ll be back!
    Thank you for all your sharing and Merry Christmas!!

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  26. Great to hear from you, and glad you’re doing well (except for the creativity part. But I bet that’ll come back soon.)

    I love the blue quilt. The Brandon Mably fabric is perfect for the binding.

    Merry Christmas!

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  28. Dear Anne & Boys 🐾🐾, 🐾🐾

    Merry Christmas to you too. It was a relief to get your email this morning. I’ve been thinking about you & hoping all was ok in Portland, except for the winter. mum pleased the creative juices are flowing again, you are so talented & have access to the style of fabrics I love. I trust the dogs are keeping you company & having to get up & out each day. Best wishes

    Denise

    in Taranaki, New Zealand

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  30. Merry Christmas Anne! You’ve been missed. So happy to hear that all is well. Happy to see your boys. Best wishes for a great year ahead as you get ready for retirement. You will wonder when you had time to work!

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  33. Glad to hear that you are on the road to retirement. Let me recommend it to you highly. I’ve been retired for a few years now and I really love it. I know that you will not be short of things to keep you busy and interested. I think that’s what makes retirement satisfying for some people but difficult for others who don’t have a lot of interests outside of work. I know you and the boys will have a great time together and they will be so glad to have your full-time company and available for full-time recreation!

    I haven’t sewn much for a couple of months either. I’m working on a quilt made from shirting that I hoped to give to my nephew but it’s not thrilling me so I’m not sure if it will be a gift or not. Funny how those things come and go.

    Thanks for writing and I’m glad to know that you are well and happily looking forward to retirement!

    Marjorie Elliott

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  37. Merry Christmas from Alaska.
    I’ve been sewing non stop. It’s my zen.
    My first bag/purse attempt was in junior high. It was rough but I did it. That was over 50 years ago. I started sewing darning socks on a light bulb and sewing Barbie clothes. Most of the time I made blankets/quilts using up what I always called “Zombie squares”. We were pretty poor. Material came from repurposed hand me down clothes, or the Goodwill.
    Love making the Frankinbags out of Zombie squares.
    Merry Christmas!

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  38. So good to hear from you….you have inspired so many,and I really hope your sewjo reappears soon….I find it often ebbs and flows ….all the best of the season !

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  39. Merry Christmas to you and the boys I’m still sewing presents better late than never this year kinda creeped up on me ! But the New Year is just ahead ! Will be sewing. More quilts next year hope you and the boys have a great year!

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  43. Thanks for posting. I’ve missed your messages so am glad to see you are okay. Missed the boys as well. Hope the creative juices start boiling up again soon.

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  47. Merry Christmas to you and the pups. Happy New Year too. Your quilts have given me so much inspiration. I am excited to make your Brandon Leftover Quilt in green after the new year.

    Thanks!

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  48. Merry Christmas to you! I am sorry you haven’t had the creative spirit nor the holiday spirit. I have missed you and your beautiful inspiration. I pray that 2025 brings you peace and comfort and helps you get back to feeling more like yourself. 💖🎄🙏

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  50. nice to hear from you again! If/when you get your creative mojo back, please please share how you got it going again. Selfishly I want to know – mine has been gone going on 7 months now and I miss it. Not enough to get it back obviously 😔

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