January possibilities....

What is it about this start of the new year? We are given 12 glorious months - fresh out of the box. The days and weeks open before us like a newly paved highway - no potholes, frost heaves or rocky roadbeds. Everything seems within reach & we tend to set our own personal bar at a lofty height. So it begins at Taylorsoutback. Our Dave & Jena have returned to Alaska after spending a magical Christmas with everyone. Much traveling between family & friends added to our book of memories. Meals & laughter shared - time spent drooling over bridal magazines

& decisions made with notes recorded on multiple iPads. Appointments with caterers, florist & a wedding cake chosen & the discovery of The Perfect Wedding Gown (which has arrived in Anchorage for the first fitting)....a happy whirlwind of activity.

After a little rearranging & straightening of the sewing room, The Wedding Quilt has been started. Yards of fabric washed and pressed & a sample block pieced to check for size - and total approval from the bride-to-be!! I really like the soft color palette Jena chose - it echoes the wedding color theme too. Soft forget-me-not blue (Alaska's state flower) & pale yellow.

There will be no more glimpses until its completion....and speaking of sewing rooms, have you seen all the quilting bloggers who have shared newly reorganized areas - everyone has had the same push to accomplish that before jumping in on new projects.

Lists have begun as I look around the house - lampshades need replacing, that chest needs painting, new valances & more items that need freshening up in the weeks ahead. And, oh yes, the gardens - seeds & starter plants to order...

And when will I have time to cast on stitches with this heavenly deep cranberry qiviut yarn?

The kids spoiled me so much with a precious skein of qiviut & accompanying book. In case you are wondering, this fiber is from the musk oxen of Alaska. We visited the musk ox farm in Palmer when we were there last summer. I might try knitting the neck gaiter to keep me warm on a blustery winter day. And look at this, oh so, tiny ivory carving of a musk ox.

It is about 1" high.


Did I mention how spoiled I am?

And so much to anticipate in the quilting world - a new book due out in February - New York Beauty Diversified by Linda Hahn - preordered my copy & if you admire Australian Di Ford's renditions of antique quilts - oh boy - she has a book scheduled for April publication through Quiltmania. That will be a pre order as soon as it is an option.




It is a good thing we have these brand new 12 months - I, for one, will need every one of them plus more!!




Happy January to each of you




Pat

Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.

---Ralph Waldo Emerson










 

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