Thursday, January 31, 2019

Eight Years

Swoon, 2011

A year ago, as I was contemplating the fact that I'd been blogging at A Quilter's Table for seven years, I was in the midst of prepping for a class with the Seattle MQG; anticipating a Facebook Live chat with one of my mentors; skimming through a magazine that contained my first article; finishing up a guest post on a new-to-me topic; and finalizing plans for a couple of teaching gigs. In short, I got overwhelmed and let the anniversary pass and the post sat in draft form clear to today.


Fissures, 2013

Looking back, I see something similar happened at the end of year six, and that Five Years was the last time I documented the annual date with a post, and I think I know why. As much as my sewing style had been evolving over the course of those first five years, the last three have been compounded - by opportunity mostly - and none, absolutely none of those things mentioned above could I have said back in 2011. The bottom line is... things have changed.


Sizzling, 2015

For years I was sewing at the dining room table as I could find the time, and there was more slow-stitching considering I only hand-quilted back in the day. But when I hopped on the blogging train, things started moving a little faster. Truth told, hubby and I were still relatively new to the empty nest phenomenon, and not only did that allow more time, but I needed a focus that would help me deal with the changes. Blogging and sewing more to have stuff to share on said blog... well it was a bigger deal than I'd thought, and I certainly didn't anticipate where it would lead.

Yay or Nay, 2016


I still hear the comment, "What you do now is sure different from what you used to do." And I'm always happy to hear that. Because I'm glad I opened myself up to what could be, and somehow became less afraid of trying something new. Even now, I have a project on my design wall that I've been thinking about for a while, and now that I'm into it, I don't like it. And I've come to a place where that's ok. To be honest, I feel a stab of disappointment in myself when this happens though. Like, I've traveled far enough, I should be able to avoid situations such as this. But that's not how life goes. I move forward, willing to explore a bit, and just see where it takes me. Sometimes it's a marvelous place, and just as often, not.

All In, 2018

This isn't quite the post I thought I was sitting down to write, but in the end, that's ok too. In fact it's down-right reflective of the last eight years. What I was searching for back in 2011 was "a fuller presence." I wanted to join in the online quilting community in a larger way. And in stepping into that, a whole new creative world opened up. I sure didn't expect my 'style' to evolve, and I definitely didn't anticipate the myriad of opportunities that have come my way. I got way more than I had hoped for, and for that I'm grateful. I owe alot of that to you. And going forward? I'd say the possibilities are endless. Thanks for your part in it all.

22 comments:

  1. What a great retrospective of your quilts! I look forward to reading each new blog post to see what you're creating, and your newsletters are always a compilation of informative and inspiring links.

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  2. Congratulations on your stick-to-it-iveness to carry your blog through all this time. Your quilting journey is inspiring - please keep sharing!

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  3. How fun to look back, and to hear you're just like many of us. Sometimes new things or inspirations work and sometimes it just doesn't happen. I always enjoy how you express yourself in color whether the design is "my thing" or not. Like most art, we all probably take away something different from looking at works, but the variety of work you've produced provides much to explore as a viewer. Thanks!

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  4. I love your evolved (evolving?) style and always enjoy your blog posts. Your quilts are gorgeous and I have been inspired by reading about your quilting endeavors. Thanks for sharing!

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  5. congrats! I think it's normal to sometimes have a project that doesn't pan out. it means we're moving forward and trying new things.... sometimes our experiments just don't work! Most of yours are absolutely lovely though. Here's to another great 8 years ahead

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  6. Quilting has brought out your inner artist. You started by coloring inside the lines and look where that took you.

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  7. Happy anniversary! I started quilting a few years ago, and bloggers like you really encouraged me to just go for it, try new things, see what happens. It's a lovely gift, the folks who write about their quilts and creative process.

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  8. If I read this right: Congrats on your eights blogging anniversary! I love reading your posts and am glad you are out here in blogland. Wishing you a lot of fun and inspiring and sometimes challenging creative years to come!

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  9. Happy Anniversary! Your color choices have always been wonderful. Fun to see the evolution of your style. I'm more of a pattern follower, but always feel inspired by your work - never know, some day I too might color outside the lines. ;)

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  10. I enjoyed this retrospective Debbie and hope you'll continue blogging and sharing your journey!

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  11. Interesting progression over the years! But what I would have loved to see is what is on your wall right now that you're not happy with....I too am struggling with something on the wall right now. You have company!

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  12. great post. I love the way you have described your desire to blog and make quilts. I started mine to just be a journal for myself. Who knew!

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  13. Congrats! I'm sure you will sizzle through the next eight years!

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  14. I have to say, finding your blog has been one of my favorite finds. You have inspired me so often with your improv. I always enjoy your newsletter and seeing what tidbits I can glean from it. Now I find that your empty nest transition mirrors much of my own (although I'm still trying to figure mine out) and that inspires me as well. Thank you for blogging and creating and sharing. Congratulations on 8 years! Here's to many more!

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  15. It's been a fun ride with you! I love to see the direction that you are going. Happy Blogiversary!

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  16. Your words of wisdom always inspire me! I've always thought I had a 'style' and in reality I do not! I love to try many different things from improv to traditional. It's an ever evolving exploration of possibilities! I love having an open playing field! I couldn't think of a more deserving person than you to have all those opportunities come your way. Just do what you do! Congrats on your blogiversary! I hope you never stop blogging and sharing with us!

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  17. You are a gift, Debbie. Your blog posts and your newsletter always --always! -- intrigue me, and this post is especially rich. Congratulations on all you have accomplished and thank you for sharing all of it too.

    When you write that you should be able to avoid running into what I'll call dead-ends, I don't know how much I can agree. If all of a person's ideas pan out, my hunch is that that person is not taking enough risks or pushing herself, etc. I would guess that a robust practice probably has to include a few discards.

    I love what you are doing!

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  18. I agree that blogging definitely helps me to branch out, engage, and evolve as a quilter (and person) more quickly than I would have ever anticipated prior to jumping in with both feet. It's been a pleasure to be around for part of your journey and I do always look forward to what you create and try next. Happy blog-iversary!

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  19. Happy anniversary Debbie! I loved looking at the quilt pictures in your post (and I realized I’ve been following you since 2013!) and I’m in awe of how your work has evolved and how you’re able to just “go with it”. Thank you for sharing here - I really do enjoy reading your posts.

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  20. What a wonderful post, Debbie! That Terrain Swoon?! Be still my heart!!! I love your journey, and the fun ways you inspire me and others along the way!!!! I am glad you are part of my quilting journey! Thanks ever so for sharing with us!!!

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