Since it’s the end of the year, I’m sharing my favorite projects, most-viewed blog posts, and bits of inspiration.
It’s unlikely that I’ll finish any more sewing or quilting projects anytime soon (hello, holidays!), so I figured I’d take the time to highlight my favorite projects from 2021, the posts y’all have been looking at, and share a few things I’ve been inspired by this past year. Bookmark this post, or keep it up in your browser on your phone (if you’re like me) and head back to it in the downtime the end of the year sometimes brings.
And, in the comments tell me your favorite thing you’ve made this year and something you found inspiring.
My favorite things I’ve made this year:
+Visibly mended and hemmed jeans
+A new shirt from a thrifted dress
3 most viewed posts in 2021 (as of the writing of this post):
+How I Visibly Hemmed a Pair of Secondhand Jeans
+Reasons Why I Love Using Muslin for Quilt Backs
+How to Make an Iron-On Transfer Using an Image Printed with a toner Printer or Copier
Inspiration I encountered this year:
How I Built This Podcast Episodes:
The Life Is Good Company on How I Built this with Guy Raz 9.02.2019
How I Built Resilience: Bert and John Jacobs of Life Is Good 9.17.2020
Love that the company stands for optimism and because of that it has always done well in hard times (9/11, 2008/9 recession, 2020 pandemic). I also love their family story.
“Cat Person” and Me: This whole story tickles my brain. There are about a million ways to approach this situation. Plus, I worked in the English Department at my college, where I was in close proximity to MFA Creative Writing students. This takes me back—ha!
I Know the Secret to the Quiet Mind. I Wish I’d Never Learned It. By Hana Shank in The Atlantic This line sticks with me: “But did you know that you can eat whole grains and still get hit by a truck?” Isn’t that the truth, though?
Only Murders in the Building. I’m not going to link it, because either you subscribe to Hulu or don’t. It was so good. I loved every minute of it. I watched it in “real time,” that is, I watched it as they released episodes. I couldn’t binge it, which I think added a layer of enjoyment.
Finally, I revisited The Principles of Uncertainty by Maira Kalman this year. It was originally published in 2007, and boy, does it seem relevant this year. The book is all paintings/art/illustrations with written musings. Most definitely check it out.
So, what did you enjoy making this year? What inspired you? Let me know in the comments!
T-Bud Co. Creative 
I finished a quilt for my bed.
And that quilt is top-notch!
Thank you!
With all you have going on in your life, I am amazed at how much you accomplished in 2021! You are an inspiration to current and future generations.
Thank you, Marti!
Here’s hoping I can keep up the momentum!