Begin again
I’ve always been one who likes to sit down at the end of a year and make multiple color-coded lists. (Who are we kidding, I obsessively make lists every day.) But there is something especially list-worthy about seeing the coming year ahead as a blank page full of possibilities, ready to be molded in whatever new direction you stubbornly resolve to begin again.
Like most people, I also would make it to maybe the end of January before these shiny new habits I was trying on for size started to feel tight or ill-fitting and maybe got a bit wrinkled and then tossed into the laundry pile.
The exception to that was in 2023, when I first began a 52 week project. This coincided with my discovery of the textile world and an explosion of enthusiasm about this new way of storytelling and expression. My heart was full, I was excited, and I powered through that first year of stitched stories totally motivated and full of ideas. (there was a slight bump in the road at week 50- but I still made it through)
I enjoyed it so much that I decided in 2024 to do another 52 week project, this time creating a list of prompts I called the 52 ideas jar to help keep the ideas and motivation flowing. It worked, I made it through another year, this time of tiny offerings, and felt especially excited that some loyal enthusiasts even did it along with me. Sending those 52 tiny offerings off into the world at the end of the year felt extra fulfilling, the icing on the cake. Some of them went to people that did the project with me, some went to complete strangers, one made it all the way to Australia! Knowing they are living their best lives out there really brings me joy.
2025 was the year I was privileged enough to take Heidi Parkes’ year-long Quiltmaking class and I left my 52week project behind so I could fully focus on that. It was a transformative year of getting to know a wonderfully supportive community, and do a lot of deep-diving into my practice and what I love about (shyly) calling myself a textile artist. Somehow, it was in the writing module that I learned the most. When forced to write and then edit my artist statement, and then shorten it and shorten it again, I was left with a few theme words which were central to my practice. At the top of the list: message, practice, and generosity
With that in mind, I’m returning to my 52 week project roots, this time as a way to merge these three words. Each week I (or my kids- they love helping with drawings) will draw from one of the messages one of you has so kindly shared with me. I will use that message to create a tiny offering, to be gifted at the end of the year.
This first message that I just happened to draw seemed like the perfect beginning and the heart of what lies behind this project- that creating any positivity, kindness, or art in a world that too often feels so dark, chaotic and cruel, is one of the most powerful forms of resistance.
I am also hoping to finally catch up and stitch all your lovely messages into my larger message project. Though I am behind, the project is ongoing and I am always excited to see new ones arrive. You can share them here:
What message would you share with the world? Would you let me stitch it? – Fill out form
Thank you for reading and for your support as I begin again. I hope that some of these tiny offerings/messages will touch some of you.