#here

Here #52 – what if?

Juliann
BERJAYA
Little Bousta Yoke

I was listening to an advent devotion from Emily P. Freeman and she asked this question:
What if we chose a word to name the year we’ve just lived?

As I listened to her guide me through a reflection on the year coming to a close I kept thinking, here, here, here.

What questions did I have as the year began?
What do I remember was most true?
What cadence did the rhythm of my life ask for?

When I began this year, I expected HERE would ask me to pay attention, notice more, listen well, pause and be present. That was certainly one way this word showed up in my life. But something else was unfolding. I was recognizing the physical space, the here of my home, the here of my body in this place, the here of the people and the rhythms of my life.

This was a year that brought many surprises, things I could not have imagined in January. But I found a constancy in the here of my life that provided comfort and hope and joy. Not once did I think, I don’t want to be here.

So here I am, as the year is winding down, not want to let go of this beautiful, simple and complex word. I have a new sweater in my lap. The tree is bringing light into the dark morning. The coffee is so good and hot.

#place, #useyourbeautifulthings, quilting

Fabric swatching

Juliann
BERJAYA

Most of us know the importance of swatching for our knitting projects. But what about a quilting project? I love to audition fabrics, laying them out to see how the colors and shades will work but sometimes it is hard to cut into the fabric to create little swatch blocks. This is something I want to change as we enter a new year.

Lately, I have color on my mind so when I found the little postcard with those blue and white triangles, I decided to try and sew up a set and see how the colors and patterns might work. A quilting project focused on colors is brewing my in head. It started with this post and this quote: “Color is the first principle of place” ~Nan Shepherd. I love that connection between color and place.

I loved reading about the colors that call to many of you. Blue was a predominant color in my early quilting years. Maybe it will be making a comeback?

Enjoy the light where you find it today, inside or out.

#cultivateahabitofgratitude, #onthewall, bramblebloomsqal, Knitting

Life is color-filled

Juliann
BERJAYA

The blue skies have given way to fog and rain so it is good to have some indoor colors to fill my world.

I know that pink is not the official 2024 color of the year but I think it will show up a lot in my making life. I am closing in on the second sock using Happy Accident from Gauge Dyeworks. I am looking forward to having some empty needles before Christmas Eve when I will be casting on a new project to take me into the new year (said project is as yet to be determined).

The fabric above was a bundle that I saw online, my final fabric purchase for 2023. Now I need to push myself to cut into more of the fabrics I added to my stash this year, as well as some of the older fabrics in my bins.

BERJAYA

The Bramble Blooms project is on hold. I am sending good wishes for healing and health to Audrey and her family. I know she would not be at all disappointed if I began to add a bit to my center. This morning I pulled out a few more pieces and added them to the wall. I will keeping looking at this arrangement and probably make a decision before the end of the week but I feel like this would be a good way to extend my center.

What colors do you see coming forward for you in 2024? More of the same or something new?

#onthewall, slow stitching

Counting the minutes

Juliann
BERJAYA

The days will soon be getting longer. Not by much, a few seconds every day. But it still adds up. We have had some beautiful blue skies and sunshine. These are the days that make you think twice about grabbing a hat and gloves before going outside but you can’t fool me.

Inside it is cozy and warm and perfect for curling up with knitting or some hand stitching. I am finally getting ready to start this beautiful project . I had looking longingly at this pattern but the blue fabric has been hard to find so I finally ordered the kit* last spring. I have the center ring and the petals basted and will work on the appliqué over the next few weeks. It would make a beautiful cushion but I am also considering that it could be a part of a new quilt.

I have been sorting and gathering finished projects and I am very happy with the things I have made this year. It has been fun to really get back to fabric and quilting. I have a casual tradition of casting on a hat on Christmas Eve but this year I might switch to a sock. Stay tuned.

My Christmas decorating has been very slow but I am embracing Advent and Christmastide this year so I can leave things out longer. I am happy that the week ahead is not looking too busy, just a few things to wrap, nothing to mail, and making a decision about what we will eat when we gather on Christmas Day.

Hope your decorating (or not decorating) is going well and that you are finding time to be creative even on the darkest of days.