Sunday, January 18, 2015

A Very Late Review

Ok, I told myself I wasn't going to bother doing end-of-year graphs this year.  But Joy's post changed my mind.  I love a pie chart.  Can't help myself.  So I make no apologies for this post.  I was curious how my year stacked up against previous years being that this was such a crazy one.  And I want to be able compare this year visually to the previous two years that I've done year end graphs.  That was a mouthful.


 Thirty-nine projects!  Holy cow.  I honestly can't believe I made so many things.  Most projects were super easy ones, but still.  I must have found more time to sew than I thought.  Of course summer is more productive since I get to be home all day.  Nap time equals sewing time around these parts.  I probably should have used nap time for cleaning time, but you know.  Most were blogged.  I think.

Here are some pie charts for your viewing pleasure.  First up, by garment type.


Lots of tops.  Lots of quick and easy tops.  No closure, pull over tops.  That was half (!) of what I sewed.  I guess that's why I ended up having such a large grand total.  I do love my Jacqueline tops so the fact that they were quick and easy is only an added bonus.  I only sewed four measly items for Jane.  Yikes.  I really thought I sewed more for her.  The things I did sew for her were a little more time consuming, though.  She has some projects already planned for this year.

Jacqueline Tops

Next chart, by pattern company.


Self drafted sounds fancy but most of that is all those half-circle skirts I made.  And I love all of them.  They probably win for most worn garment of this year, especially the leopard print one.  I used a few Indie patterns but most of that category goes to Tina Givens patterns.  I really like her wild, art teacher designs.  I love a big linen top.  My white Luella is such funky one.  And I wear my Jacqueline tops all the time.  All the time.  In fact, they may have surpassed my circle skirts at this point...


By fabric type. No surprise about the linen.  I love linen.  But yes, you so have to embrace the rumple.  I also discovered Fabrics-Store.com this year.


This last graph is a new one I added.  It's all my projects categorized as either a success, fail, or meh.  I added in ufo and baby for a few projects I couldn't categorize.  


I had a rough time this year with making things I was unhappy with.  It all came to head this summer.  It looks like I made a ton of projects in July but most of those were a bunch of fails I made at one time.   Looking back, my unrest in sewing things coincided with my unrest with life at the time.  I wrote a post about J's leukemia diagnosis well over a year ago and then never mentioned it again in this space.  He has chronic myeloid leukemia for those who are new here.  It's been a rough year, although things have ended up really well these last three months of so.  J "failed" two of his medications earlier in the year.  One lowered his platelet count too much and he couldn't take the full dose.  And one caused liver toxicity, which is scary in it's own right.  Anyway, he had to stop taking medication during the summer for a while to recover before we tried a third option.  And you don't want to be off of medication for too long when you have cml.  So in hindsight, I get why I've been so wishy washy and anxiety ridden this year.  2014 has been somewhat of a roller coaster.  I've had to put on my big girl panties a few times.  J is on a third medication now and is doing fantastic.  Very minimal side effects and all of his counts are in the normal range.  I think we can exhale now because I hope we've found the meds that he can be on long term.  Which, you know, we need him around long term.


Of course this little one has been a huge bright spot this year.  She mostly overshadows all the hard stuff.  And makes it all worth it.  Those teeth...


Anyway, this turned in to a rambling and deep post.  I so enjoy writing this blog even when posts are few and far between.  I've thought lots about whether I want to keep this space up this year.  And yes, I do.  I love the sharing, the connection with others and sense of community we have around here.  I love reading sewing blogs whenever I have a free moment.  It's like being a part of great big, bright and boisterous sewing club.  So thank you for reading, thank you for having conversations with me and thank you for sharing, too!  Here's to never ending bobbins in 2015.

24 comments:

  1. You'd better not stop blogging! It doesn't matter how often or seldom you write - whenever I see a post pop up from you, I'm excited to read it! I'm glad to hear that your husband is doing better. I hope 2015 is a great year for you all!

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  2. First I'm so glad that your DH's meds are working better for him now! That is wonderful news! Also I agree with Gillian, don't stop blogging you would be missed! Great year end round up.

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  3. I'm so glad to hear that your husband's treatment is working well now, but I'm sorry it was such a tough road to get there. You guys are in my thoughts and prayers.

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  4. You remain one of my most loved bloggers. I am so glad to hear that you and your husband are fighting the good fight. After my own challenging 2014, I hear you on the life/sewing correlation. That's why it's such a great barometer. We must be kind on ourselves. And I agree, those teeth! You have such a beautiful daughter.

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  5. I really hope 'third times the charm' for your Husband. It sounds like it's been a rough year and I really hope this year gives you all a bit of breathing space. Your daughter is gorgeous, I can imagine she's a real source of joy to you both!

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  6. I think 2014 has been rough on a lot of us. I'm very glad to hear that your husband is now on a medication that he can stay on for awhile. I hope 2015 brings you and yours many happy blessings.

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  7. I'm glad to hear your husband is doing well. Such a relief I'm sure. I was surprised you'd sewn 39 things also as I didn't think I'd seen you around anywhere near as much this year. 39 things is still heaps! Never-ending bobbins would be like a dream come true. Happy 2015!

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  8. So glad your hubby is doing better. I hope you keep blogging - as suits you - I love your rumple-y linen creations! Baby Jane is adorable too. Look at those teeth!

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  9. Wow Liza! Having only found your blog earlier this year I had no idea your husband was sick (I just went back and read your post about it). I am so happy to hear you guys have gotten things straightened out with his medication and I'll be sending your little family lots of love and positive thoughts. I love reading your blog whenever you post and I love seeing your beautiful makes!
    PS: Your daughter is absolutely gorgeous!

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  10. I second that! Wishing you a year full of joy, health and preferably successful sewing! P.S. I love looking at everyone's graphs so thank you x

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  11. Love your graphs! I'm so happy that J is doing better!

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  12. So happy to hear your husband is responding well to meds! I know we all have our challenges in life, but health scares are particularly frightening. I hope this year is less stressful for you and your family!

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  13. I know this is not the best way to reply to everyone. But I want to thank you for all the kind words, friends!

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  14. I somehow missed the whole Cancer scare. Ugh. I am so sorry for that hand dealt to you. But also so impressed by your strength and fortitude in dealing with it, and keeping up with the making, while taking care of a newborn! I believe firmly in the soul-soothing, psyche-strengthening, mind-distracting, heart-healing properties of making things. Even when they go wrong, using your own two hands, your creative vision and your own tools to create something new is sooooooo good for us people. The challenges life throws us contribute to who we are. Being able to take a step away from those challenges and do something positive, creative and forward thinking/moving helps to keep us sane. I think that's why you had 39 makes this year. It's your way of processing.... Keep it up! You are always a joy to read and I love the things you make!

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    1. Yes! You put that in to words so well. There is definitely something soul soothing about making things.

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  15. I love your blog. You inspire me to keep sewing! I work full time too and sometimes I think, well have I had too many not worn sewing projects to keep it up? But I am encouraged by sewing bloggers :). So anyway... so very glad you are planning to keep on blogging! And praying for your husband.

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  16. Awesome news on finding the right meds! Reading posts like this always helps me snap back into focus when I start whining about how crappy things are in my life--they help me realize that my family is blessed, even though things aren't quite what I had hoped.

    And I'm so glad that you are finding yourself again through your clothes. :-) Personal style is so hard sometimes, especially when we have trouble looking at ourselves as anything but a food bar and diaper service. Or maybe I'm projecting, since that's how I've been feeling lately, HA! Either way, I'm impressed at your output with everything you have going on. :-)

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    1. Ha! I remember feeling like that! Actually, I'm still going strong at diaper service...

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  17. Those snaggle teeth really are the best 😊

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  18. I think this year is going to be better than the last! I'm glad you've decided to continue blogging. I love seeing a post from you, especially since I share your affinity for linen garments and boxy silhouettes. <3 <3

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  19. Oh Liza Jane I had no idea—that sounds terrifying. So good that his meds are working better for him now. What a beautiful year of sewing and your daughter is just gorgeous--love her smile!

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  20. Oh what a scare, I'm glad your husband has finally found meds that work well for him. All my best wishes to you. And your daughter really is adroable. :)

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  21. Liza Jane, it is never too late for a review post, after all - your blog, you get to do whatever you like :) And sewing pie charts are just way too awesome! You are one of my favourite bloggers. I can't remember how I found you, but I'm so glad I did.
    I'm so glad to hear J is doing much better. I hope your 2015 is filled with all the things you want & lots of Baby Jane cuteness :)

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  22. I love these charts! It's a great way to review. I may have to copy you. ;) I think we all have failures in seeing, but I think it's interesting you were able to link it to what was happening outside of the sewing room. We just had a young woman in my church diagnosed with the same leukemia. We all wore orange on Sunday. Hugs!

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