Yesterday was the 14th(!) anniversary of my beginning A Quilter's Table, the blog, back in 2011. I really wanted to post here, as an acknowledgement of sorts, but the words just didn't come. So instead, I sewed. Come to think of it, sewing, has really been the impetus for my writing all this time, right? So maybe this year, that was ok. Don't write, if the words aren't coming, but do what feels right to do. Just sew.
So in that small way, I did celebrate my blog anniversary, making a new thing that I could share with you all. I grabbed the bag of scraps that I'd gotten in the Studio Mystery Box from Anna Graham @noodlehead531 a few weeks ago. They suddenly seemed perfect for a journal cover I'd been wanting to make. I used a tutorial I'd used before by Rachel Houser @stitchedincolor, and luckily, I had just a few composition books stashed, so that was fortuitous.
Knowing the dimensions I'd eventually need - 12" x 29.5" - I started laying scraps out, piecing sections, and just figuring out shapes and placement as I went. I love working improvisationally like that!
Due to the lightness in color of some of the fabrics, I chose to line the cover, as Rachel suggested. The fabric I chose to use was something I'd ordered by mistake, Brussels Washer by Robert Kaufman. Though the color was perfect, I didn't realize until later that it was a linen/rayon blend. Its texture caused me to loosely quilt the layers together, which despite my first inclination, ended up working out ok. At any rate, once it was all sewn together in its final shape, I thought it was more than fine.
Admittedly, friends, I had no profound words to share on this anniversary. But I AM profoundly grateful for your presence here. Whether you're new, or you've been around for years, as many of you have been, I appreciate you. No matter what I choose to share (on not), you are encouraging, affirming, and kind. For all that and more, thank you.
