A Backwards Glance

The Best of 2018 tells just a fraction of the story. This year has held several new types of experiences for me which made for a pretty satisfying - if not sometimes stressful - year. 

It began with my first published article, "Take a Spin with Improv," in Curated Quilts Issue 02, the Log Cabin issue. As that issue's Creative Reset feature, my encouragement to {pause} with a little improvisational piecing is something that I personally turn to over and over again when I need a little restart. What I mean to say is, I really felt like I was sharing myself, and that was meaningful. Icing on the cake was contributing again with "Wavy Curves" in Issue 05 on Improv.

Not long after, Abby Glassenberg asked me to share on Facebook Live to discuss Email Marketing for Creatives. Who, ME? Abby is a well-respected and knowledgeable voice in our creative community, and it was both unexpected and delightful to chat with her. Considering she and her ebook informed and encouraged me as I started my own newsletter, The Scrap Basket, years ago, this too was a very affirming experience. If you missed it, there's still a link here.

There was also a guest post for Amy Smart/Diary of a Quilter, where I shared Tips for Sewing with Waxed Canvas. I had an enjoyable foray into creating with a new-to-me substrate.... I need to do more of that!

And then there was QuiltCon 2018! Always a good time, and having a quilt hanging in the show just put it over the top. Between that, our guild's quilt, and three Bee Sewcial quilts showing, well that was all pretty spectacular.

Then there was some teaching! Hubby and I traveled to Texas(!), where I taught my Everyday Improv class as well as shared a trunk show with McKinney MQG. And then later in the year, I got to do the same for my own Seattle MQG. All really wonderful experiences, and it was great seeing folks excited about exploring improv!

Participating in this year's Summer Sampler Road Trip was also very fun! I was asked to contribute just one block, but I got caught up in it all and ended up making all the blocks, and look forward to finishing that quilt early in the new year!

And of course there were the quilts. I finished 18 quilts in a variety of sizes and oodles of other, smaller handmade items. I really do like creating both.

There were also a few goodbyes this year.... to Faith Circle, a do.Good Stitches charity bee with whom I sewed for nearly 7 years. It was definitely bittersweet saying goodbye. And this month wraps up three years of being a SeaMQG Giving Committee co-host, which I'll share more about later. You may have seen our final quilt on Instagram - what a way to finish up! And lastly, after the recent fiasco at Craftsy, where my small shop was whittled down to one free pattern, I've removed it, and as always, you can find the tutorial for Quarter-Cut Baby Quilt Top under my Tutorials tab.

Of course, there was oodles more, but the above were definitely highlights. Just writing this post makes me thankful for all of it, and excited to cross the bridge into 2019 to start fresh and see what comes. Thanks to all of you for continuing to join me along the way....