In Between Times

So it’s the day after Christmas! I hope you had a wonderful day with family and friends.

We had a very chill day. Josh played a new video game, James played with his new cars, and I quilted for 6 hours straight.

While that might make me a terrible mom for not playing with my son on Christmas day, James seemed to be having the best time in the world and I definitely needed the quilting down time.

I don’t think I’m the only quilter who has to put quilting on a back burner during the holidays, but it feels so nice to get back to the machine and obsessed with a new (or old) project.

free motion quilting | Leah DayYesterday I slammed through the Winter Wonderland quilt. This quilt is starting to be a monkey on my back and I need to get it done and on the wall so my focus is free for the new DVD.

I really wanted to finish this quilt by Christmas day and made a very good stab at it! All that’s left to finish now is the big central block and it’s half finished already.

It struck me yesterday while quilting that this is one of the weirdest times of the year.

After Christmas we have only 7 days until the new year. These seven days are kind of an “in between” time between the holidays and the start of a brand new year.

For most of my childhood, I didn’t pay much attention to the new year or set any intentions. My family didn’t celebrate the holiday really so it was never a big deal.

But now the mark of a new year is a very big deal to me. The choices and intentions that I set for 2009 made a very big impact on my life for the past year.

Over the next 7 days I’m going to share several posts both looking back on the previous year and looking ahead to what is coming for 2010.

I’m also planning on posting very detailed photos of the Winter Wonderland quilt and how I plan to put all the blocks together to finish the quilt off.

Winter Wonderland Quilt PatternI see this “in between” time as a time of rest, relaxation, and renewal. A time to both reflect and look forward.

I hope you can take some time during the coming days to get back to your sewing machine, dust off your latest project, or start planning a new project for the new year.

Update: the Winter Wonderland quilt is now available as a detailed quilt pattern. Click Here to learn more.

Let’s go quilt!

Leah Day

LeahDay

Leah Day has been teaching online since 2009. She's the creator of the Free Motion Quilting Project, a blog filled with thousands of quilting tutorial videos. Leah has written several books including 365 Free Motion Quilting Designs, Explore Walking Foot Quilting with Leah Day, and Mally the Maker and the Queen in the Quilt.

4 Responses

  1. Leah,

    I just found your blog and I love it. I only wish I had more time to try every single design you're posting! I have a few more 'gifts' to finish up for a delayed family Christmas in 2 weeks and then I'm pulling out my set-aside projects to finish in 2010. I'll be a regular visitor to your blog!
    Blessings,
    Joyce

  2. elle says:

    yes, I agree, Leah. I am thinking about what I did and what I want to change/finish/do in the coming year. Blogging is a great way to plan/motivate. I'll be joining you as this brand new calendar page tears back over the scribbles, strokes and stretch marks of the past. hmm, that sounded like a filler design. 8^)

  3. Brenda says:

    I am really glad I found your site.

    Your instuctions, your passion, your joy is great to read. And, I am just really glad to have had the chance to have you in my world. I wish you only the best in 2010. and I hope to keep learning and not be afraid of my machine. I am – but only with practice and getting comfortable with it will I get out of my fear of changing it's setting and get out the straight line stich!!! and you have already helped me – look at what you do!!! I love coming here!!

    And you are so right about needing the down time. Christmas is just crazy with 'have-to's' and I am glad you took the time to do something you wanted to do!!!

    HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

  4. Anonymous says:

    Hi Leah, I found your site about 6 weeks ago and have really enjoyed reading all your posts. You are so full of energy and passionate about your quilting. I wish I had more time to try all your designs. I'm still very much a beginner with my free motion, but want to get better. I too am enjoying the in between time catching up on some projects that have laid around far too long. Happy New Year!!

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