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!”

  1. wonderful to hear from you!

    I have really missed your encouraging and inspiring quilting ideas and tutorials!

    Merry Christmas and I hope your upcoming year is very good to you. Margaret from Virginia

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  2. So glad you are back. You have been very busy, fund raising is hard work. You also had an other birthday.
    I’ve been following you for years with a few comments. I recently turned 80. My quilting days are not as many as they have been before. We also moved to a smaller house and downsized. What a lot of quilting paraphernalia I’ve accumulated over the years. Am in the process of giving a lot away. It is very freeing.

    Thank you for sharing your talent and creativity with us. You have made a positive mark in the quilting community.

    Btw. I also have a Border Collie. She is a beautiful mellow girl who loves her walks.
    Happy New Year.

    Pat

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  3. It IS GOOD to hear that you’re okay. I’ve been wondering along with a lot of others. I hope your creative juices flow again soon….maybe all your followers that you inspire are draining you! Merry Christmas from dreary Indiana.
    Kathy

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  5. MERRY CHRISTMAS and happy belated birthday.

    My quilting friends have been a great help to me this year.
    I know you have close friends to help you too. Aren’t those friends the best?

    I hope you continue to enjoy your creativity. You inspire me with the beautiful work you do.

    Our daughter and family just left along with the grandchildren and 2 beautiful dogs, Benny and Biscuit. It was a great Christmas celebration.

    I hope 2025 is a great year for you. Retirement is awesome I know you will enjoy it.

    Blessings to you and your beautiful dogs,

    Dianna

    Get Outlook for Androidhttps://aka.ms/AAb9ysg

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  10. Good morning, Anne,
    It was so good to receive your message and to know you and the boys are OK. I hope your creative juices start flowing again as they usually do. Your work is always so beautiful and inspiring. As I recall, droughts of creativity hit you now and again. You always come back with new ideas and start creating anew. It seems to be your process. I would imagine that your brain needs a rest. It’s probably percolating ideas and you don’t even know it.
    I’m wondering if you’re still playing pickleball since there was no mention of it.
    I hope that you find your spark again and whatever held you back from getting into the holiday spirit this year and is impeding your creativity resolves itself.
    Best wishes for a happy new year heading toward your retirement.
    Sara Kennedy

    Sent from my iPhone

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  12. Glad you gave us an update…Missed those pups shining mischievous faces…and of course your quilting inspiration.

    HEALTHIEST…HAPPIEST NEW YEAR

    ehm/Connecticut

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  13. Good to hear from you! You’ve been missed. There must be something in the air…I haven’t been motivated to sew, or knit, either. Glad you are back. Merry Christmas!

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  18. So good to hear your “voice” Anne! I think of you often and note your comments on the KFC Facebook page.Keep yourself well this winter. Give hugs to the pooches for me!

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  20. I still have last year’s card on my refrigerator so I see your boys every morning when I’m fixing breakfast.

    Yes, the 11 months will fly by, like the last few years have. I’m sure you will enjoy retirement because you have so many things you like to do.

    Your Blue Swirly quilt is both soothing and exciting at the same time.

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  21. Happy New Year. Thanks for the update. I was really worried about you, as you “disappear” from time to time, but it’s good to hear all is well. I’m glad to hear retirement is on the horizon. You will enjoy it (more time for pickleball and quilting when inspired).

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  23. I wrote a long letter to you only to find my password expired… OH NO! So glad to see you online again as I was wondering what had happened…a bit of news…I found a wonderful home up in Hillsboro and will be moving the 1st week of January…to be closer to my son and his wife. Hope to run into you sometime at a quilting/fabric shop up in the PNW sometime! Also, happy future retirement. You’re gonna love it and Im going on my 3rd year and it’s FLOWN by! The days go so quickly these days as they tend to do when you’re enjoying yourself. Have a great holiday!

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  24. Merry Christmas to you too! So wonderful to see an email that you posted something. I’ve missed you for sure! And, by the way, Happy Belated Birthday! 11 months to retirement is awesome! Woohoo!!

    I know sometimes its hard to find inspiration but please remember you inspire so many of us. Thank you! I hope when you get some of the yummy fabric back into your hands, you will feel an urge to turn it into one of your next masterpieces.

    God Bless you, your boys and everything that makes you happy in this crazy, wonderful world. ~ Tammy

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  26. Glad you’re okay sometimes this time of year is hard. Your designs are wonderful your creativity is fabulous and we all appreciate that you share your gift. Have a wonderful happy happy New Year.

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  28. Merry Christmas!! I was so happy to see your blog post today! I couldn’t figure out why I hadn’t seen your blog in a while. I’m glad you’re back. I always enjoy seeing your quilts. Hugs,

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  29. Merry Christmas!! I was so happy to see your blog post today! I couldn’t figure out why I hadn’t seen your blog in a while. I’m glad you’re back. I always enjoy seeing your quilts. Hugs,

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  31. Merry Christmas to you! So glad to see your post! Wishing you some of that creative spirit to boost your desire to sew again… I’m in need of it too; so I’m sending some your way and keeping a little for myself! Maybe 2025 be a good start!

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  33. Hello!
    So glad to get your email. I too have had a tough time this year to get in the spirit. My youngest daughter Sydney is in Shanghai and I miss her so. Trying to get motivated to take the 2 doggies for a walk. The drab grey skies are not helping.
    Here’s to an early Spring with lots of motivation and creativity!
    Dawn

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  34. So glad you’re back. I’ve really missed your wonderful posts and photos. Have you been entirely seduced by Pickleball? Like you, I haven’t done any sewing at all . I had another hospital/+rehab stay and haven’t had any energy. My brain has made all kinds of project plans that my body may not be able to follow thru on ….but we’ll see.

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  35. So glad you’re back. I’ve really missed your wonderful posts and photos. Have you been entirely seduced by Pickleball? Like you, I haven’t done any sewing at all . I had another hospital/+rehab stay and haven’t had any energy. My brain has made all kinds of project plans that my body may not be able to follow thru on ….but we’ll see.

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    1. I’ve been playing a lot of pickleball. But that’s not the issue with my creativity. Ive played and sewn for years. Creative slumps come and go for me. this one was just longer than the other ones. I knew it would come back, just didn’t expect it to take so ong.

      sorry you’re not ready to start sewing. I hope it comes back to you soon.

      Anne

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  37. It is lovely to see a post from you and find that you are doing well. Some periods of not sewing last longer than others. My last one lasted almost 9 years and was very serious. Hopefully, yours isn’t close to that! Happy birthday and Merry Christmas! Have a wonderful New Year as well with lots of creative spurts and walks with the dogs!

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    1. so many people I’ve spoken to have said they are going through the same dry spell. This is the longest I’ve ever had. I’m so glad it didn’t last years! I always know my creativity will start flowing again. Just have to be patient and give it time.

      Anne

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  39. Greetings ! I was so happy to receive your blog in my email ! The quilt in blues turned out lovely and I look forward to your future blogs of inspirations and ideas, and of course your adventures,and fun photos of the adorable Bender and Rico ! Happy New Year !!

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  40. So glad you are OK. I am feeling the “slump” too. Have had 2 quilt projects on my wall in progress for 3 months! I have electric candles in my windows since daylight savings time ended, and they stay until it starts again —my little protest (I think it should be all year!)
    Be well! Miss your ideas! Happy New Year! Donna

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    1. I leave my lighted birch tree in my living room up until the time changes in teh spring. It does me good to have that sparkle on our dark evenings.

      I love Daylight Saving Time. the day the clocks change in teh spring is literally my FAVOritE day of the year!

      Anne

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  43. So glad to get an email from you. I was having withdrawals. But I’m OK now.
    Hoping 2025 will be a banner year for you. Love your quilts, and the fabrics you use have me hooked on Kaffe Fassett.

    Looking forward to more emails soon.

    Allene Bys
    Iowa

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  44. Hi ANNE……..

    IT’S SO LOVELY TO HAVE YOU BACK IN THE GAME…..2025 WILL BE A NEW YEAR WITH NEW ENERGY……I AM RECOVERING FROM THE LOSS OF MY AMAZING HUSBAND OF 60 YEARS. IT WAS A QUICK AND SHOCKING ONE. IT’S SO HARD BUT I NEED TO SEW…….FOR ME IT’S LIKE BREATHING.

    I JUST ADORE YOUR QUILTS AND YOUR BOYS….I AM A RETIRED DESIGNER AND LOVE, LOVE LOVE FABRIC AND COLORS…ESPECIALLY KAFFE. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR NEW CREATIONS.

    CHEERS FROM MONTANA…………COCO BELAND

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  45. Merry Christmas! Happy to find your post – totally get the creative slump/funk stuff. I lost 10 weeks to healing after foot surgery – no stairs and my studio is UPstairs. You will LOVE retirement – here’s to the future!

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  46. Good morning and thank you for all your wonderful posts in 2024. My big treat is coffee in bed with my laptop, catching up with your latest posts, photos, and the pups.

    I too, had a dismal, rainy Christmas day as I live just up from you on Vancouver Island. The upside for us is that we don’t have to shovel the stuff but still get to enjoy the Christmas festivities with family and friends.

    You are such an amazing inspiration on my quilting and bag making endeavours. I love ‘big, bold & beautiful’ fabric, Kaffe’s fabrics are one of my favourites, and you do them incredible justice. So, keep up sharing your beautiful work.

    Sending wishes for all the very best to you and the pups in 2025.

    All the best,
    Heather
    Comox, BC

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  47. So glad you reported in. I was worried about you. I want you to know that I follow your blog and appreciate the little items you make and supply us with a tutorial. I have made and given 18 night time tree ornaments and at least 20 key fobs.

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  48. Not creative? gimme a break. Your quilting seems to be progressing artistically. BTW, we’re going to the Caribbean in January. stopping at St Kitts (batik headquarters), Antigua, St Lucia and a few others. I’d be happy to pick up some yardage for you. Might even be able to ship it to you directly. Seriously, I’d love to do that for you. Lo

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