The Quilts
- My Summer Sampler and Homage Bee Sewcial quilt got finished early in the year, and as hoped, I participated in Meghan/Then Came June's I Heart You sew-along, and made the quilt for my grandgirl. Of course, that was only the start.
- I managed to blog two to three times a week most weeks, sometimes more, and kept up on Instagram too.
- The 88th issue of The Scrap Basket just went live. Publication has slowed just a bit but it is still going strong and readership continues to grow.
Going to Nashville was a treat, that's for sure, and there was so much to love about this year's experience.
Trunk Shows
There were three, all went very well, though I get pretty nervous beforehand. Once I start, though, it's fun and feels good.
The Rest
The pattern I had on my mind dissipated, and the right time for hosting the next improv sewalong never came along. But thankfully, the spontaneous sewing was able to happen, so that was a good thing.
So on to 2020....
The Quilts
Knowing that making quilts is where I'll spend most of my sewing time, I do have several goals, most of which aren't much different from the past few years:
- Finishing a couple of wips is first on the list, namely my Begonia quilt and this year's Summer Sampler.
- Finish at least one quilt a month throughout the year.
- Incorporate both the Pantone and Kona colors of the year in at least one quilt, as a way to experiment with color.
- Stash-busting will be a priority, basically because it adds another element of challenge.
- Make a couple of scrappy quilts.
- Maybe make a Christmas quilt? Come December I always wish I had one for our bed, and I never do.
The Community
Again, mostly I want to do more of the same:
- Blog 2-3 times/week, hopefully expanding from just sharing what I make, but I'm not quite sure what that will look like yet.
- Have a goal of publishing The Scrap Basket every 3-4 weeks.
- Figure out some Instagram features like linking to posts etc.
- Definitely find time for another IG improv sewalong. They are so fun, and I've had so many questions about 'when can we do that again?' that I really want to make it happen.
New Directions
I love what I do, but have been feeling for a while that I need to tweak it a bit, though the vision for that is fuzzy at this point. A few ideas though:
- Do a new kind of challenge: a friend who happens to be a computer artist and I have talked about doing a challenge together from a single prompt. I'm hoping that can happen.
- Look into monetizing my blog in some way, basically to cover the rising cost of publishing the newsletter.
- Do more "surprise" making and gifting.
So I feel like I could mull over this list and tweak it till the end of the year, but I think I'll let it be what it is and move on. Creating isn't a science, and it doesn't need to be. Above and beyond everything written here, I want time for spontaneous sewing - letting the joy in it take me wherever it wills.
Linking up with Quilting JETgirl's #2020PlanningParty.
Keeping space for spontaneous sewing is definitely something I've learned is important, too. Having structured goals is fine, but that's not what creating is all about. I'm curious to learn what the Kona COTY will be today! I hope you have a creative 2020 and I'll be eager to see what evolves for you.
ReplyDeleteI agree that creating isn't a science and I look forward to seeing what you come up with as you mull.
ReplyDeleteI love your idea of co-creating along with your computer artist friend. I'm curious to see what evolves, if you two decide to do that. Good luck in 2020!
ReplyDeleteGreat goals and thoughts. Best wishes for 2020.
ReplyDeleteI loved following along through 2019 and am already very excited to see your new things. Either the finishing of WIPs - love Begonia - or to see your personal challenges and evolvement. All the best for 2020! And merry Christmas days :) xo
ReplyDeleteWe are all here cheering each other along for 2020 goals, wishing you a fabulous year ahead!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good plan for the new year. You always seem to accomplish quite a bit in my opinion. I'm still in the thinking stage and am looking forward to a fresh start. I have found that spontaneous sewing time is often the most productive so it's good to allow for that. Merry Christmas. Wishing you the best in 2020.
ReplyDeleteyou had a great 2019 and sounds like 2020 is shaping up to be a terrific year too. interesting that you are contemplating a challenge with your computer friend, I've been thinking a lot about exploring new ways of collaborating with friends too. hmmm (by the way, will you be exploring the best options for fabric for the Pantone classic blue? I always look forward to your recommendations)
ReplyDeleteLate to this party...but it was interesting to read your goals and ideas for the new year. Hope you can be successful in your 2020 endeavors!
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