Looking back at 2017

According to goodreads.com, I've read 72 books this year.  I think there were a few that I didn't finish, but it was a good year for reading.  I discovered a new author I like - Kelley Armstrong - whose mysteries have a lot of suspense and a hint of fantasy.  She is more known for her fantasies.  I read more cozy mysteries than in the past and read the latest by some favorite authors featuring endearing characters like Kinsey Milhone, V. I. Warshawski and Inspector Gamache.   I'm looking forward to Elly Griffiths' new book this spring and have Jennifer Chiaverini's newest - The Enchantress of Numbers - queued up on my Kindle.  It is great to have good books to read when the news is so depressing.

I got a lot sewn and quilted, too, including 14 quilts and lots of littler items.

I enjoyed making a little wallhanging for Cindy's friend Taylor who graduated from Cornell Veterinary School.  While I don't generally enjoy paper piecing, I will do it when necessary!

I was relieved to finish hand quilting my Atlantic Crossing wallhanging after two years and to call a pink scarf I was knitting done, too, after about as long.  Now I'm knitting a white scarf - how long will it take me and will I forget the pattern as I did with the pink scarf?

I learned several new techniques, including David Taylor's invisible applique (done with that icky plastic thread I don't enjoy using) and wool applique embellished with embroidery (I'll be doing more of that).

I sold two bed-sized quilts, entered a quilt into my first art show, and had a one woman show complete with artist's reception and gallery talk.  All were pretty successful.  The two quilts I had for sale at the florist's downtown didn't sell, so I swapped them out for two others.   I'll probably change them out for others this spring.

I wish I could find homes for more of my quilts now that the Parkinsons Quilt Project is no longer giving them to Parkinsons patients.  I did give three quilts - two small and one large - to a family fleeing the hurricane in Puerto Rico.  I know they'll be cold settling in Vermont.

In 2018, I hope to quilt the three tops hanging in my closet and I know there's a t-shirt quilt in the offing.  Drew, Paul's greatnephew, will be graduating from high school and his mother is gathering up all his wrestling shirts for me to put together.  I'd only do this rather boring job for Drew.  I have a couple of round robins and swaps I'm participating in and will again be making a concerted effort to shop my stash.

Wishing you all happy holidays!