I haven't deliberately been avoiding my blog...I just haven't been sewing. As you know there were circumstances - moving, surgery. Then I just didn't feel right yet. Here are a few updates...
The Sewing Loft ~
I thought it was because I hadn't been sewing in it but I realized a few things were missing. So I dug out my old TV and DVD player and hooked them up. I realized that I did NEED a TV and images in my sewing room. That ended up changing when my daughter bought me a smart TV for Christmas to go in my sewing loft.
Honestly I love it! I can binge watch series I like from one of the apps or even watch live TV on some of the national stations...again downloading their apps.
After those changes were made, I spent five days in the loft making my first project for Janome. Will share that once it appears on the Janome blog. The loft is now a place where I will be spending quite a bit of my time going forward.
Fabric Update ~
After packing, moving and unpacking my fabric collection I vowed not to purchase any more fabric. Do you know someone actually called me a liar on Instagram? Interesting huh? Well I can say that no major fabric purchases have occurred since July 2020.
My final fabric in and out totals for 2020 are:
In 100 yards/Out 192 yards
Almost double out than in which makes me happy. BTW, I have no plans for purchasing a whole lot of fabric now. After touching EVERY piece I own plus some that I found in bins in the garage, there isn't a type of fabric that I like to sew with that I don't already own. Unpacking all that fabric gave me fabric fatigue. I even delete fabric emails without looking at them now.
Moving and Surgery ~
As I was reflecting over the year, I realized that I basically stopped garment sewing in late July. I mean I've made some simple kitchen and bathroom curtains...and I even finished a UFO (refer to my last post). But the kind of involved sewing I love came to a dead stop when I moved.
I've also had two major surgeries this year. I bounced back quicker from the first one in July. Honestly, this last one is taking a little longer since I still get tired easily. So my last quarter output has been very little. I picked up my crochet hook and made four blankets - see them here (flip through this one) and here.
Due to all of the change in my life and the world because of Covid, I haven't really felt like reflecting on 2020. I'm glad that it's gone and I'm ready to move on. Now I know that things are probably going to get a lot worse before they get better especially since Covid is on the rise in quite a few countries including the US. I also believe that there was a "before" and an "after" Covid. I no longer think that things will "go back to normal." We have new normals now.
However, after spending serious time in my Sewing Loft for the last five days, my sewing desire has come back with a vengeance. I have some new patterns, a lot of fabric and a need to create. And because I know live at home for everything, we're not expected to go back to the office until late Spring/early Summer or until more Americans receive the vaccines, I have a new idea of clothing to make. Garments I've been interested in but didn't work in my lifestyle which no longer matters because I'm home! LOL!
I will get the buttons & buttonholes on The Dover Jacket so it will be coming to the blog soon. I plan on sewing some more this weekend and that will be coming soon too...especially since I've found a place in the apartment where I can take a few pictures.
Anyway, all of that to say I'm finally back...like really back...and will be blogging more often in 2021.
Happy New Year!!!
...and as always more later!
Happy New Year Carolyn!! So happy to hear you are doing better, both physically and mentally. Glad to have you back.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are doing better. It is always so good to see a new blog from you. I wish you the Happiest New Year and your best year yet. Jean
ReplyDeleteWelcome to 2021! I am so glad you are feeling better! I have followed you for years and you are still my top blogger to read. Take care and thanks for the update! Ginger
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! I am glad you are back and pray you continue to recover from your second surgery. I love the TV addition to your space!
ReplyDeleteHappy new year, so glad you are back. Ive missed seeing what you make.
ReplyDeleteHappy new year and glad your in a new head space for crafting
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year. I hope this is a wonderful year for you. Im glad your new space is working well. I understand your fabric overload , I have been folding all my fabric and tidying my sewing room and I cannot bear the thought of buying any fabric at the moment. I have vowed not to buy any for a while. Good luck with your sewing and I'm very curious to see what you make.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your recovering from your surgery. I had the same surgery at the beginning of December. I have recovered well and thank you for your thoughts and prayers but I understand the tiredness. As soon as I do too much I pay for it. It is quite a long recovery. Stay safe.
Wonder why there isn’t a ceiling fan to push hot air down to lower levels and pull cool air up in summer. I crave a drop in table like yours, I’ve got my eyes peeled for a good one to convert. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteBarbara - a friend of mine told me I should ask the management company if they would put one in...and I've thought about it but then I would have to relinquish my sewing room for however long that took. I wanted to try another option before I went that route. This does seem to be working, just have to see how well it works when the temperatures really drop.
DeleteHappy New Year, Carolyn! Your red plaid is really pretty, and I'm looking forward to seeing all of your wonderful new creations! I have "stuff" going on here which probably will drag through the next 2 months, but which includes revamping my fabric storage, so maybe I'll get some inspiration. I hope you have a great and productive weekend!
ReplyDeleteWelcome back Carolyn! Happy New Year of Sewing to you :)
ReplyDeleteIt is so lovely to see you back, and Happy New Year. What a difference it will make to have the comfortable temperature plus the TV in your sewing room. Bliss! Covid has confused my sewing program too, and I now have too many pretty dresses which rarely get to go out. We just can't do the same things these days, under the Covid cloud. I agree with you, we will not go back to the same normal in our lifetime, and we can only adjust to the new ways. My belief is it will take several years after the commencement of vaccination to get to a point where Covid is no longer a concern. Meantime, can't wait to see your new sewing wardrobe ideas, and have a great time creating it.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! I am glad that the loft has reignited your sewjo. All the pleasures of making for you!
ReplyDeleteAs for 'normal', what is that going to look like? More addressing injustice in the world, less 'let sleeping dogs lie'. I don't want to return to the previous 'normal'.
One thing I have noticed in wearing a mask is that I haven't gotten my usual set of colds this year. If wearing a mask in public is what that requires, sure. It's normalized in many Pac Rim countries; why not here?
And maybe a ceiling fan is a good addition. Something to think about.
Once again, happy mojo!
Stephanie
I rarely comment, but I check your blog EVERY morning. Welcome back.
ReplyDeleteMe, too!
DeleteHappy New Year Carolyn. Wishing you all the best.
ReplyDeleteI was starting to worry about you. I was starting to wonder if you got this terrible Covid or something and that was why we weren't hearing from you. I was so missing hearing from you and seeing your lovely makes. I'm so glad you're okay. It has been a very strange year. The Covid, my mother died, my husband had a major surgery, the sewing mojo went out the window and needs to come back to make me feel more "normal" again. As you said we have to adjust to a new "normal". All the best to you. Keep blogging you are encouraging your sewing sisters!
ReplyDeleteSusan - I'm so sorry you lost your Mother and your husband was sick. Two major whammies! It has indeed been a strange year. Hope your sewjo comes home soon!
DeleteGreat to have you back. I have found a bit of depression always set in after surgeries but it passed. I think it is part of the healing process. Great that your loft is now working for you. You will love your smart TV. Are you watching sewing videos? There are some great ones out there and some strange and bad ones as well. It is fun to delve through them all.Happy New Year and I wish you much creativity and great health in the New Year.
ReplyDeleteBunny - actually no! If I watch sewing videos I have to concentrate on what I'm watching. My TV plays in the background to keep me company. When I'm watching TV, I move downstairs to the sectional, where I'm actually paying attention!
DeleteSo happy you are inspired to begin 2021 sewing!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year. Hope your stamina improves each day. Two surgeries so close together is pretty hard on a body.
ReplyDeleteSo happy that you are back and back to sewing. I'm envious of your sewing loft. Happy New Year and let us all hope for the "Boring Twenties" and not the "Roaring Twenties" as someone in the funny papers has already said.
ReplyDeleteTheresa in Tucson
Yay Caroline is back! I missed you and am glad to hear from you again and it is good to hear that you are recovering. Take good care of yourself and get plenty of rest.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing pictures of your loft! It's interesting and helpful to see other people tweak their spaces. I'm glad you are enjoying sewing again, and hope that you continue to feel better and better.
ReplyDeleteHappy New year - love your blog
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year 2021. and welcome back. I did miss you and your blog. Easy does it and the strength will will return. Shalom
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you, Carolyn! I think we can all agree that we just need to be okay with whatever is or isn't happening at the moment, don't you think? Learning to live in the moment is kind of everyone's mantra now.
ReplyDeleteI completely understand how surgery, especially a couple done close together, can slow a person down a bit. My left hip was replaced in March 2019; the right one in March 2020, just a day before the Governor shut down Ohio because of the pandemic. My surgeons both told me that it takes most people 6 months to bounce back, and a year to find their new normal, after surgery. That's why I waited a year between hip replacements. The second recovery took me longer than the first. I think there was more trauma to my body in replacing the second hip, but that's just a guess.
No matter what surgery you had done, two close together can take quite a bit longer for your body to repair itself from. My surgeons were both adamant about getting good rest and sleep, eating whole foods, getting moderate daily exercise and drinking lots of water. My primary care doc told me to take a Vitamin D3 supplement in addition to my multivitamin and CoQ10. I'm working on making all those good things habits that stick.
I'm glad you're back to your sewing again. I always enjoy seeing what you've made and learning your techniques!
Happy New Year nd glad you are back!
ReplyDeleteHappy NewYear from New Zealand, like others I’m glad to read a blog post from you. I’m looking forward to seeing your makes for Janome and your own wardrobe. Stay safe and all the best for 2021.
ReplyDeleteHooray!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to see your sewing mojo coming back, it has been a year hasn't it? May 2021 be the year of renewed creativity!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year and so glad that you sewjo has returned. Look after yourself and I look forward to seeing your new creations.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year. glad you are feeling better. Here's to a awesome 2021
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that you are feeling more like yourself, and finally getting to enjoy the sewing loft. It always takes a while to work out those niggling little details that make us really comfortable, doesn't it? It's not surprising that you had to take a break from your usual intricate sewing and amazing productivity, this year has been hard on the world but it's been especially hard on you. So please don't feel like you have to entertain the readership by writing more, it's just good to hear that things are finally settling down for you.
ReplyDeleteI totally identify with the soothing qualities of crochet too ��. So recently, yet ages ago, I could only survive the fever pitch of vote-counting anxiety by crocheting myself some new slippers.. It's good to have busy hands without machines, and without needing quite as much brain engagement
Happy New Year. So glad you've found a way to make your sewing space work well for you.
ReplyDeleteWishing you the very best for this new year!...Thank you for all you give in this space...I know I will be here to read what you write, so taking care of you first is the most important.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you are back! I am working on moving forward and have pulled out some fabrics from stash to sew soon. Happy New Year to you!
ReplyDeleteHere's to a healthy & happy New Year! I can't wait to see your Dove jacket, I just purchased the Dover pattern while recuperating on the couch! Thank you for your inspirations & blog post!
ReplyDeleteBonnie - you're going to love this pattern! There is so much you can do with it creatively. Hope you're recovery is going well!
DeleteWhether you blog or don’t blog I wish you many happy hours in your loft and a very happy, prosperous and healthy New Year! I always love your posts and appreciate the time and effort you put in. Hope you recover your energy soon and enjoy all that you do.
ReplyDeleteIt always takes a while to adjust to a new space. We remodeled in summer 2019, and I am still deciding where I like things and how I want it to look. I keep re-organizing. I'm tackling the sewing room this month- its the last room on my list. I'm glad you are feeling better. I've had lots of friends have similar surgery and it does take a long time to get back to normal. It really knocks you for a loop and you need to recover. But women don't normally do that- we push on. I am also not buying fabric. I know I have more than enough to last for years to come. And when I try to purge my collection- I still like it and can't part with it. So I guess I need to sew it up! Glad to see you back !
ReplyDeleteYeah! So glad you're back,
ReplyDeletetake it slow but sew : )
Glad you've got your sewing space *just right*. It's so critical! Hopefully you continue to be on the mend and are at 100% soon.
ReplyDeleteHappy new year! So glad that you are feeling better and more energetic. Enjoy your new sewing space - it looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Carolyn!
ReplyDeleteI’ve been catching up on blogs and see that you’ve had quite a few life changes. I’m sorry to hear of your health problems and surgery, but glad to hear that you are beginning to feel better.
Your new sewing loft looks like a lovely place for all of your creativity. Enjoy! Stay well.
Healing blessings coming your way! Happy New Year🎉
ReplyDelete