Recently I have been receiving my 2023 Recaps from various services such as Reddit and YouTube Music, so I thought it was time to review my accomplishments for the year. It was a busy year due to various family events, including surgery, downsizing, and retirement. 2023 will definitely be remembered as a very significant year.
Although I still have several major projects that are unfinished (including the fox quilt pictured above), I did manage to complete a number of smaller projects, especially in the first half of the year. I have read several articles about how to manage UFOs (i.e., UnFinished Objects), and I truly hope to complete most of my unfinished projects in 2024.
More Mug Rugs
I found a cute pattern on Etsy for another Mug Rug. I made five of them in the spring and have enjoyed giving them as gifts throughout the year.
Click here to view the Butterfly Pocket Mug Pattern
Table Runners
I’ve been spending a lot of time on Etsy and downloaded a number of PDF patterns throughout the year. One of my favorites was this table runner pattern. I made several for myself, 5 or so as gifts, and I even sold one on Ebay with some vintage tea sets.
Click here to view the Francis Table Runner Pattern
Etsy has also become my go-to for purchasing fabric, especially since I no longer have access to my favorite fabric shop in Gettysburg. The Etsy sellers ship quickly and have a great selection. Listed below are some of my favorite shops:
Fabric Utopia Etsy Shop or Fabric Utopia Website
Sewing Projects
Although I have stopped production of vests, I did make one last year. I tried a different pattern this time, with a zipper instead of snaps. The pattern I downloaded from Etsy was a “Painters Vest;” however, I decided to customize it as a “Groomer’s Vest,” to hold all of the combs, brushes, and scissors we use for grooming our three dogs. I added some dog fabric details and was excited to present it to my husband for Father’s Day.
I also completed a sewing project I started at least 30 years ago. (This is why I rarely get rid of unfinished projects!) We decided to dress as 1980s style fitness instructors for Halloween (we had recently joined a fitness center). I had started a leotard many years ago which was 80% completed. I’m not sure why I never finished it–maybe I didn’t have the right kind of elastic. Thanks to mask-making in 2020, I had plenty of ultra-thin elastic, so I completed the legs and enjoyed wearing my creation to the fitness center for our Halloween workout. I purchased some 1980s-style leg warmers from Amazon, and even dressed our dogs to match with doggy tee-shirts and sweat bands. (Bear would not wear her sweat bands!)
Cross-Stitch
I also made some progress on my Hinzeit Samplers. I have purchased all of the monthly samplers, as well as the four seasons and several others. I have twenty in all and as of this writing I am halfway there, having completed five in 2022 . I eventually plan to combine them in groups of four using seasonal fabric scraps. I enjoy these small projects because they are portable and quick.
I have a major project that I started in 2020 that is still not complete, a Tetris sampler that I designed. It was supposed to be finished for my son’s 25th birthday, but he is now 28. Although I made a lot of progress, it wasn’t finished in time for his birthday, so I sent a Level 28 e-Card instread.
Etsy
I finally sold my railroad vest in October! It only took two years. I have decided to give my creations as gifts rather than sell them. My husband was sorry to see it go, even though it had been hanging in my sewing closet, unworn. I still have a few collectibles for sale in my Etsy Shop; however, I am a much better customer than seller!
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