In our home, the holiday season is officially over when the homemade cinnamon bread is gone. I make two loaves on Christmas Eve. One loaf is shared with the family and enjoyed on Christmas morning. The other loaf is frozen and brought out for New Year’s Day. My husband and I get to savor this loaf a bit longer as it is just the two of us by then.  Yum!

As I reflect back on 2021, I see what a wonderfully creative year it was. I designed, made, and published five quilts to my website. And yet another quilt design which is with the editor is about to be published to my site. A highlight of the year is that I designed and made a quilt which was accepted for publication to Quiltmaker Magazine’s Jan/Feb 22 edition. All of this is a huge increase in productivity from 2020 so I must have learned a few things. The main area I have streamlined is pattern writing. I studied patterns of designers I admire, and made the decision to hire Julia Wachs Designs to edit my patterns. I am looking forward to 2022 and the creative possibilities it may bring.

On a family level, my husband, Peter Robbins has passed the torch of partnership of his CPA firm on to the very capable hands of our son, Leigh. While he will still be helping out at the firm from time to time, he will now be working as a part time CPA and a full time luthier at the Robbins Guitar Company. Check out his website robbinsguitar.com and you will see he builds the most beautiful guitars and Ukuleles. I don’t think there is any chance of us driving each other crazy being together more often. Our respective guitar shop and quilt design studio are on opposite ends of the house and we are both quite passionate about our retirement careers. It is fun to meet up for meals to discuss what each of us have accomplished and we value each other’s opinions.   

My daughter is an avid quilter now. She quilts as much as she can with her busy career as a Psychologist. Her husband’s grandfather passed early in 2021 and she is busy making memory quilts out of his old shirts. They are being gifted to various members of the family to carry on his legacy. She has a natural instinct for putting colors together.

I hope you are anticipating a wonderful year ahead. I would love to hear about your creative adventures!