Wednesday, January 2, 2013

2012: year in review

I decided to take a few extra days before posting my "year in review" post to really take a look back, and decide what I want to set as goals for 2013.  That and the fact that yesterday was spent entirely on the couch.  Doing nothing.  Taking multiple naps.  Because I refuse to admit I'm too old to drink lots o' wine, and still function the next day.  So blogging was out of the question :-)


It's funny how I get in these mopey funks sometimes feeling like I'm not doing enough or getting enough accomplished.  And then I look back and realize that I made 16 quilts this year!  That's more than 1 quilt a month, on top of the bazillion other projects, including bee blocks, bags, pillows and a random assortment of projects, so I'll mark this year as a success.

I'm laughing a little at myself and those "quilty goals" of 2012, that I talked about way back in January of last year, and apparently my over-ambitiousness of the year to come.  Lets take a look:

I was hoping to tackle a few of those WIPs I had laying around.  I was talking directly to my postage stamp quilt top, solid spiderweb quilt blocks and 3x6 bee blocks that were laying around unfinished last year.  Shockingly the quilt fairies did not sneak into my sewing room while I wasn't there and finish those up for me, so they still remain WIPs.  Among those, I've also added 4x5 bee blocks, do. good stitches blocks and stash bee string blocks that have all been added to the WIP pile this year.  Maybe 2013 will be the year of finishing WIPs...maybe.

As for my other lofty goals, I wanted to tackle more full size quilts...My queen size Swoon I think fits the bill, so we'll check that one off the list, and tackling more quilts with curves gets a double check, with my Retro Flowers baby quilt and Summer Scoops Scallop quilt.

2012 in review

1. Starburst Cross block, 2. strip pieced dresden pillow, 3. Moda Bake Shop Jungle Path baby quilt, 4. DSC04739-2, 5. e-reader sleeve, 6. Technicolor Twist block, 7. Travel Jewelry Clutch, 8. Simply Woven quilt tutorial, 9. Holiday Herringbone Floor Mat

I also wanted to write more patterns and tutorials, and I more than accomplished that goal.  Looking back, I put together 9 different patterns and tutorials, including two Moda Bakeshop tutorials (here and here), 3 quilt block tutorials and various other miscellaneous sewing tutorials.

As for 2013, I am really looking to continue writing patterns.  I will be releasing my first for sale pattern in the next few weeks, and have a bunch of ideas swirling in my head for patterns and tutorials to come!

I think my second goal for 2013 is to say no more often.  I'm really going to try and do a little less "commitment sewing" and a little more "just because" sewing.  I use sewing and quilting as my creative outlet and stress relief, so when sewing starts to feel like a job, it can become not so fun anymore.  While I have enjoyed participating in quite a few quilting bees through the past few years, the first step towards saying no more is to step back from those commitments to free up some additional sewing time.  Baby steps I tell you, baby steps.

I'm really looking forward to what 2013 has in store, and ready to get stitching things that make me happy :-)  What are your stitchy goals for 2013??

12 comments:

  1. What beautiful work! You did accomplish a lot!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have loved following you this past year. I think that what you have created is fresh and modern but still has a structured quality to it. Bravo

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sounds like you're going to be busy!

    ReplyDelete
  4. You've had a wonderful year in quilts...they look wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love your quilts Jess, and your fabric choices. My favourite is your granny squares. I like how you left out the sashing and just used one background square between each block. This can not have have been easy to work out!! I have worked out in the past two years that I dislike sewing for a purpose too. I love sewing so much, but when it came to sewing something because I was asked to I just didn't enjoy it as much. Sew for fun not pressure! Good luck with your 2013 goals. I don't have any specifically yet. I find it difficult to get sewing time with 3 young kids and working as well. I still have time to dream, plan and buy fabric though!

    ReplyDelete
  6. So many bright and colourful quilts !

    ReplyDelete
  7. You've had an amazingly productive year, love all you've produced :o) I'm also going to battle the 'N' word this year, good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wonderful quilts and I gave up the New Years Wine years ago...kicks me in the head everytime! Best year coming yet! Here's to 2013!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi! Your mosaic with all those beautiful quilts is my favourite! I love every quilt! Happy New Year! x Teje

    ReplyDelete
  10. Funny, how often in these days one reads the same. I also stepped back and decided not to sew any gifts to reduce the feeling that I don't finish something in time. I decided to sew for my kids. I decided to finish my wips. I decided to sew what I like to. Just because. :) Happy new year.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow on the number and on how beautiful they are! 2013 goals for me is to finish some WIP's before they become too old and finish some oldies but goodies. I have never done a bee and have committed to one this year, for me that is plenty! Can't wait to see what you make in 2013.

    ReplyDelete