I woke up this morning wondering what I recalled from yesterday that would make a good patch. At first I came up blank, but then latched onto the idea of a black box representing the screens that filled the day.
First my morning laptop time, which included creating a spreadsheet of 2020 healthcare costs to be claimed on this year’s income taxes …
Then the afternoon screen time, when we turned on the television hours earlier than usual in order to catch the latest breaking news …
And of course the phone, with its limitless black interior …
How different this year already is compared to our days in 2016, when we journeyed three times to Virginia/North Carolina and four times to St. Louis, often stopping along the way as we explored the Magnolia Silos in Waco, the Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur, Oklahoma, Hot Springs National Park and Crystal Bridges Museum in Arkansas, not to mention making our first visit to New Orleans.
Back then I stitched patches of the wildflowers that bloomed outside our Hill Country home, along with the creatures that lived on our land, including the Rio Grande Turkey that lost its life to a pack of coyotes on the back of the property.
Dye trials, ice cream cones, Don’s assemblages, day trips, glass bottom boats, moon rises, sun sets, and the announcement of a new baby grandgirl on the way. 2016 was a wonderful year to remember.
Which is to say 2021 has a lot to live up to. Fortunately there should be lots of new material. Parker is now the age that Griffin and Jackson were five years ago. Ellis is the age that Jace was back then. And Logan will be a senior in high school come September. True, this time around we will mostly watch from the sidelines on FaceTime and/or masked and socially distanced. But we’re here and that’s saying a lot. And we have a new home town to explore, which is sure to provide more good patch fodder.
Last but not least, a few words on process for today’s patch, which was made with linen taken from this $6 sample pack …
I found my way to this supplier through my recent addiction to Instagram, where I think it was @sewnstories (findable here) who had good things to say about Burnley & Trowbridge’s products. Come to find out they’re located in Williamsburg, our long-time hometown … it’s a small world!
B & T’s light linens were just the right weight for this project, so I bought a yard of black which will eventually become part of the check borders. But for now, the little samplings of cloth will come in handy for my 1.75″ patches.
Now I just have to decide on what the next memory patch is going to be. But don’t worry, it’ll come to me …
I'm Going to Texas (version 2.0) 
When I saw the little title of “Black Box”…my first thought was ‘Yeah, Pandora’s box!’ Which pretty much sums up the moment we’re in. The very close up of this patch, showing its weave is so beautiful.
I’ll take a stroll through the links next 🙂 I particularly like that yours are pre-cut. Cutting is one of my least favorite parts.
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well, pre-cut-ish … I definitely had to do some trimming, but I share your dislike of cutting (probably why I tear cloth as much as possible)
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Love your black box, it fits perfectly with the beautifully written book I am reading, “All The Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr
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and I always appreciate the literary connections you provide … thank you for that
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Hi LA – what a lovely way to process memories and to record them. When I read black box I thought of air-travel – the black box recorder. And a memory for me in 2020 was the year that we could not travel; maybe towards the end of 2021. Go well. B
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B – your comment in turn made me reconsider my titling … are the screens black boxes that can help us discern what went so crashingly wrong? or are they black holes into which time disappears without a trace?
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Just under two weeks in and already the differences between the years are showing. What a great record. The black box will forever remind us I think of being glued to the tv and the phone to see what on earth has happened next…in five years’ time you will glimpse that black box and recall it all. Love this project so much – thank you!
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not all memories are “good” … Remember 2016 has one patch that reads “we the people don’t get it” and another, the day after Trump’s election, that stood variously for “how I hope” and “him I fear” … hopefully we will look back on these times from a better place with an appreciation for what it took to get there
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This is good. Such a strong representation of what these days have been…
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how I want to recall the good times, but need to keep it real, too
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Your cloth is such a moving way to record this year. I love the idea of a cloth calendar that speaks to life and family and always, the story of our days. Equally, I like the idea somehow of doing this in 5 year increments…to joys and sorrows, to relief and worry, to moving forward, even in the face of adversity, always to holding onto connections, reliving the sense of wonder as in the first snow day for the Austin grands; holding pride and honoring the courage and strength of Melissa who is taking on such a heroic profession. Nurses are simply heroes; I have many in my family and those called to do this work hold a special spirit and love.
Best of all, we get to share this journey with you and I can’t think of a better gift for 2021.
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I’m so glad you’re along for the journey … don’t know if I’ll wait five years before doing this again tho
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Love that you found the linen sample pack .. the colors look yummy. Also the whole idea of doing a black box .. brilliant! This is so totally fun .. big thanks!
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so glad you’re having fun, too
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