My goals for 2014 were:
-I would like to make some quilts for family. I have 4 in mind for my in-laws and a quilt for my older brother. One for my dad, too! (That's 6!)
I made and gave away 2.
-I'd like to make/give more charity quilts. (I'm thinking at least 6.)
I gave 4. I have two set aside to give, but never got around to shipping them. Typical.
-I need to do some serious stash busting (always!). To be specific, it would be great if ALL my quilting fabric could be contained in my cutting table. (That's a lofty one!) I'll need to do some fast sewing and not much buying!
I did this! And I did this well! I didn't buy fabric for 5 consecutive months! It took that long to make a dent in my stash and I'm going to attempt to go for one more month to make it an even 6 months. It felt so amazing to be able to accomplish this goal.
-I'd like to keep working on patterns. Print and PDF. Wholesale. Maybe even distributors this year!
My patterns are now being distributed through United Notions (Moda) and I'm currently working with Checker to get set up as a vendor. I'm so thankful for these big (exciting and scary) steps!
-And, I'd like to continue to try to work on the family life vs. work life balance. It's always a struggle to balance the two, but it's definitely worth working on!
This will always be a work in progress, but I think I did ok!
Now, for 2015. My goals....
1. This is the year I make a quilt for my dad. He's about to turn 71 and he needs one...even it if will just sit on the back of his sofa.
2. Teach a craftsy class. This one was on my list last year and I didn't "out" myself. I should have and maybe it would have gotten done? To be honest, this terrifies me to no end, but I'm determined to do it anyway.
3. Write-or start writing-another book. Again, I hoped to do this last year, but I didn't publically announce it. This is a TON of work and it's scary, too, but as my husband says, no risk, no reward.
4. This one will be very hard for me, but it's the only way I can accomplish the previous goals, is to blog LESS! And be ok with blogging less. I've been posting an average 3 times a week and I am going to try to cut it down to two. We will see how that goes. I'm going to give it a try in January and then I'll reassess.
Oh, man. I can't believe I'm putting this all out there...but here's to a BIG year ahead! I'd better get stitching! Ha!
Now it's your turn to link up your finishes! Thanks for joining me for finish it up Friday! Happy New Year to you and yours!
49 comments:
Thank sew the year 2014!!Hug Bambi
Wow! ambitious goals, but look at all you did in 2014! Here's hoping 2015 is the best year yet. Happy January!
Re cutting down on blogging--I usually only read bloggers that post Mon. to Friday or who have a well established schedule. I don't want to waste my time checking out a blogger only to find they haven't posted anything new.
Be cautious about reducing your number of blogs--you may lose readers--readers that you will be glad to have when your book comes out.
What an impressive photo with them all lined up! Beautiful work. Congrats on a wonderful year! Thanks for sharing what you do. Do it on your own terms! :)
You are on a 5-month no-fabric-buying spree? Amazing! I mad it 2 and was proud of myself....but then I caught back up with all of the November and December fabric deals! DOH!
Cheers to a New Year!
What a gorgeous photo of all the quilts together! And yay for some ambitious plans for 2015 - now you've written it down you have to go for it!
Great work on the goals you've accomplished for 2014. I think it's perfectly all right to set high goals and keep shooting for them if you don't get them at first. Without goals, what would we get done?
I also fully support your choice to blog less. I've often said I'm not sure how you do all you do and keep your family running, too. As far as checking on blogs that don't post regularly, that's what any of the blog reading services are for. People can always subscribe via email, too.
You have a very high quality blog, and I think people will keep reading it just because it's you, regardless of how often you post.
Nevertheless, we do miss you when you take a break!!! :) Happy new year!
Congrats on your successes for 2014 - I know you will do well for 2015! This goal setting thing really helps doesn't it!! Happy New YEar!
You do have ambitious gouls. I have been wondering how you have been keeping up with the blogging as well as doing everything else. I found it very difficult to keep it up when I was working on my book. I have gone through several months of decompression and am trying to find my new "normal". I missed blogging and am enjoying getting back to it a bit more. Good luck to you on achieving your goals!
Gonna miss you...but thanks for the inspiration - I'm taking my first quilting class in February! I've really enjoyed reading your blog and will continue to do so! Thank you x
Great goals and good luck with them.
What a great year for you. You did amazing on your goals and I am looking forward to a new book and craftsy class. Awesome!!!
yeah, it's scary putting your new year goals out there! too scary for me. Thank-you so much for all your inspiration through 2014 and all the best in this brand new year.
your quilts look amazing, you definitely had a crazily productive year. Good luck with all the big (and little) plans for 2015. Hope it all comes to fruition. Happy new year!!!
How wonderful that you are considering teaching a Craftsy class! I hope it will include your use of colors and how you select fabric, and your method of creating slabs with your scraps. I LOVE Sunday Morning Quilts - I have absolutely studied my copy as I have started quilting again! But these are two things I love most about your quilts and projects. You have such a talent for these especially, and I bet that all your readers would flock to a Craftsy class given by you, Amanda Jean! Yeah! Go for it! Hearing you discuss color/fabric selection and seeing you sew some different kinds of slabs would be amazing! Happy 2015!
Love the display of quilts and love your goals for 2015! You'd be an awesome Craftsy teacher! Also, with 101 scrappy projects in the last year it would translate into a wonderful book! Yay for you! :-)
You achieved such a lot! I think working on a new book sounds really exciting! Wishing you and your family a very happy 2015 :) xx
Congratulations on your 2014 achievements! Happy New Year!
That's a staggering number of finished quilts for you. I haven't tallied the final but 2014 is landing at about a dozen while 2013 I finished my own record breaking number of 23, I kept six, gifted eight and donated nine.
love the "bridge".... where is that bridge - could they have built it just outside your back yard ....specifically for YOUR convenience??
what a fantastic ready made display!!!
xo
eva
I think you'll be just fine blogging less! I'll still be happy to read what you post when it shows up in my Bloglovin' feed. There are so many blogs that there's always something to read . . . it's not like one person has to supply all the posts for everyone! and of course you have to make choices in order to reach goals that are important to you. YOU know what feels right and I think there is a big community of people who supports you. Good luck with your 2015 goals (especially making a quilt for your dad : ) ) .
Your goals are inspirational, as well as evaluating your goals from last year. Now I want to set goals for 2015!
I would take your Craftsy class - your tutorials have helped me in so many ways. And I would purchase your new book - just the name and cover of Sunday Morning Quilts make it my favorite quilting book.
Don't worry about blogging less!
I love all your quilts, and especially enjoyed your quiltalongs. Would love it if doing another one is in your plans! Where did you find a fence long enough to display quilts? Love reading your blog!
you have had a lot of quilts made - good going for you.
I will miss you if you blog less, but I can appreciate all the work that goes into it. There are several quilter bloggers that have cut back; all for the right reasons. Good luck with your goals. I truly enjoy all that you do. You are an original, but don't let that place any pressure on you! Do what you love and you will be fine!
I admire that you shared your ambitious but straight forward goals!Loved seeing the quilts of 2014. Thank you for sharing both! You go girl for 2015!
Great post Amanda!! You accomplished most of your 2014 goals and I have no doubt you'll be extremely productive in 2015. I look forward to seeing you reach those goals. Love the picture with all your quilts! Happy New Year!!
Your hubby is right. You have the support of all of us and your family. Just in with both feet. You will be just fine!
A new book will be awesome! Good luck in 2015!!!
Your quilts look so beautiful laying across the fence. I especially like the blue grey one that you made from clothes and the one with the big stars. Thanks for hosting the link-up.
I love your picture. Most of your hard work through out the year, all spread out. Wonderful! Good luck on accomplishing this year's goals.
BRAVO!!! Very impressed with all of your accomplishments! I am particularly proud of you for your 101 challenge!
Wow...lots of big ideas...you go for it and goal setting is a great way to achieve. I'm still trying to clean up all my school paperwork from last year.
Wow, what a year you have had. I loved following along. I can see you have ambitious !goals for the coming year and I think you can do it all.
Congrats on another wonderful year
Those are most excellent goals. And I am going to be a good friend and keep you to them as well. Making things public goes a long way towards reality.
Blog less for sure! Not because we won't miss you, but because you could do a one post weekly wrap up or something. You must do a Craftsy class though-if this blog is any indication of your teaching skills, the world is waiting! Get er done!
I am always so inspired by you. Although I have been sewing for most of my life I still feel like a new sewer/quilter. This year I made time for sewing, which is hard because I work full time, am the CEO of the household, and I started graduate school (at 52!!!!) However, I finished one quilt top and will send that to be quilted and I am well on my way to finishing the second quilt top. I made lots of bags - one of my favorites.
My goal this year is to look through my closet - a super huge closet stuffed with my sewing debris - and finish the half made projects. If I don't want to finish them, if I am uninspired, then I will donate or dump.
Thank you, always, for the inspiration and the constant amazement you provide for me in terms of how much sewing you can get done!
I so enjoyed your post!! Thank you for sharing. I almost never have specific quilt goals for the year - my tend to the general "Finish more UFOs than I start, and "shop" more from my stash and only go outside to buy specific borders, backgrounds etc for what I'm working on. Even though you didn't accomplish everything on your list (written and not), I bet you got a lot more done than if you hadn't written it. And your photo is glorious!! Best wishes for the coming year.
Three cheers for you for 2014 and 2015. I, for one, will support you on your journey toward a successful 2015. Let me cheer you on to the risky waters and validate you whenever you need a reminder that something has to give. Blogging less but consistently is a great option. You have a lot to share and your wheels are always going. I can't wait to see where the year takes you.
I just want to say thank you for all of your inspiring posts of ideas and the pictures that you share on your blog. It is truly appreciated! Happy New Year!
Way to go! I'm excited for you for all of those goals! They're inspiring! Best wishes with all of them in the new year! I'm excited to see what you come up with for a new book!!
My only goal is to finish some more UFO's. Why is it that it is so much easier to start something than finish it???
What a picture! Love all the quilts you made this year. And I love these link up parties...it's like a private quilt show from the comfort of my home. thanks
Wishing you the best for 2015. I've really enjoyed following along on your progress and am motivated by what you got done last year as well as your goals for the 2015. Thanks for the inspiration.
I'd love to do your craftsy class!!! Happy 2015!
Wow!! Love the quilts!! I will miss your blog posts but twice a week is still wonderful! I will be happy to wait for the Craftsy class! Go for it!! I would love to watch you work and chat. I'm sure there's heaps of others who feel the same way! Whatever you decide to do - have a great year Amanda :)
Love the photo of your 2014 quilt journey. Can't wait to sign up for a Craftsy class taught by you. Happy New Year Amanda Jean.
You should mention that one gentleman at the bridge wondered whether there was a quilt sale going on!
I would love you as a Craftsy teacher :-) Go for it and good luck
Happy New Year from Denmark
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