Happy New Year! PBS mementos, the year's favorites, and the annual reckoning

 

Postcard from a collection I purchased in Fargo circa 1996.  Published by the Gibson Art Company, Cincinnati.  Postmarked Casselton, ND, December 30, 1924.  Sent by Louise (no surname) to Miss Nora Buttke. Message: "Dear friends: We wish you folks all a very Happy New Year. I had planned on coming out for New Years but as it happened that I was not home for Xmas as much as I would have like to be. Would like to be for New Years now. We expect the Teetz family for New Years. Thanks very much for Xmas gift. Will See you after N.Y. then.  Friend Louise." 

Does it seem that there are more "best of" and "year in review" stories than in previous years?   Not just in quilting but in books, movies, music, and all manner of topics (some of which I follow and most of which I don't).  I think we have a greater awareness--noticing, measuring, evaluating, and certainly commenting more.   

Last week Judy Woodruff, PBS Newshour anchor, invited viewers to submit their mementos of 2020.  I was among more than 200 viewers who responded.  I sent photos of Shelter in Place, the quilt I created during the first shut down (mid-March to the end of May).   My entry was one of 20 chosen for their story!  Here is the link.    

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Cheryl at Meadow Mist designs is hosting the Best of 2020 link up.  Shelter in Place was definitely my favorite quilt.  Here's a collage of other memorable sewing.

I made 500 masks from March to May.  (I've made a few more since then but no mass production.)  The collage includes the vintage bias binding I used up when elastic was in short supply. 

I made mug rugs.  Top: birthday gift for a friend (with a matching mask). Left:  P.E.O. home fund gifts. Right: retirement gifs.

I made tote bags. Those in the top and lower right photos are made from vintage tablecloths and quilting cotton -- favors for the Magpies' meet up in February. The tote on the lower left is for a P.E.O. sister. 
 

I made many quilts. Here are a few.    

This documentation is a good lead in to the December stash report:   78 yards in, $80  /  46-5/8 yards out.  Year to date:  916-3/8 in, $1383 / 960-3/8 out.  Net reduction: 44 yards.  Hooray!

This is the 23rd year I've tracked fabric acquired and fabric used.  Acquired means purchased (with my money or a gift card) or received for free.  Used means sewn, sold, given away, or thrown out. (This last category included trimmings -- I toss slivers and dog-ears into a big bag. When the bag is full I weigh it -- 4 yds to 1 lb -- and count that as "out." After all, those orts [morsels] were part of the yardage that I counted as "in.")