As we begin a new year, here’s a look back at creative projects I’ve completed over the past year (and beyond). Seeing what I’ve accomplished gives me hope and inspiration for completing more projects in the future. I will post a WIP update and goals and plans for 2021 in another post.

The award for oldest project completed goes to “Fear Not” by Little House Needleworks:

I finished this piece in 2018, but never shared the final project here. I started stitching this shortly after my cancer diagnosis and found some comfort in the fact that the pattern was inspired by the designer’s own cancer journey.

Second, is this little “Christmas Birdhouse” ornament by Country Cottage Needleworks:

Sorry for the blurry photo. It’s a really cute pattern, and it’s a quick project. I have not yet turned it into an actual ornament, but maybe it will hang on the Christmas tree next year.

Next up is this beautiful “Winter’s Night” counted canvas project by From Nancy’s Needle.

I love counted canvas needlework. This project was so much fun to stitch. I love all the specialty threads it uses. The photo doesn’t quite capture it, but it is very sparkly in person. This is the third or fourth design by From Nancy’s Needle that I’ve done. The kits from her website are great (link in image caption).

In addition to a little stitching, I also took a couple online classes through the Lillstreet Art Center in Chicago. The center started offering online classes because of the pandemic, and I could not have been more grateful. I hope they continue to offer some classes online in the future.

In the fall, I took an Understanding Color class that used oil pastels. Although I learned a lot about color and color theory, I didn’t quite master the use of oil pastels during the class. I struggled with layering colors without muddying things up and getting enough coverage. Here is one project example from the class:

We were copying “Sahurs Meadows in Morning Sun” by Alfred Sisley. You can see the original here.

I got the placement of things mostly right, but you can see how I struggled to build up enough layers of color. But, it was a good class and a good learning experience.

Finally, I took a Sewing with Commercial Patterns workshop through Lillstreet because I have always wanted to sew my own clothes–or at least some of them. The workshop helped me gain the confidence to sew my first pair of pants! Here I am modeling them:

They are a wide-leg style with an elastic waistband, and I used a chambray fabric I bought online from Mood Fabrics in New York. The pattern was Simplicity 8299. This was a huge accomplishment for me, and I’m looking forward to my next sewing project…

So, that’s it for 2020! I’ll post some WIPs and plans for 2021 soon!