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| This mosaic features the top nine most popular pictures from my Instagram feed from 2016. |
2016 was another scrappy year! I finished writing my book (which is available for pre-order!), I made a small mountain of pincushions, I worked on some long term scrap quilts and did some stash busting, too. I finished a total of 22 quilts! It was a good year!
In July, I did a one-a-day pincushion challenge, which was really fun, but also a great learning experience. During that challenge, I discovered that I really love working in a series. I enjoyed having definite parameters to work within and the focus that it brought was incredible. I also learned that it's good to make something, even when on the days that you don't feel like it....and that creativity never runs out!
In September, I started tracking how much fabric I used each month, compared to how much fabric I bought. I know a lot of people think that notion is crazy, but what a great eye-opener that was! It kept me on track and reeled in my fabric purchases several times. It's a very good thing! Starting to track it right as the kids went back to school was great timing, since that is my most productive sewing time in the entire year. :)
Looking ahead....
If all goes according to plan, my new fabric line should be released this year, too!
I hope to do some designing and collaborating with my daughter. She's only 10, but I think it would be fun to start working with her and investing in her in a more focused manner. That girl has ideas and I think she probably loves color even more than I do!
I want to work in a series where I explore options, much like my pincushion challenge. I'm not sure what that looks like yet, but I hope to come up with a plan soon.
I also want to crochet a giant rag rug for my front entryway. I've been kicking around that idea for years, so I think it's finally time to do it! It will be the ultimate scrap buster. Ha!
Do you make crafty goals or resolutions for the year? If so, I'd love to hear about it!
I'd like to take the time to say a big THANK YOU for reading my blog. It wouldn't be the same without you! To those of you who take the time to leave comments, they are very much appreciated! Here's to a great New Year!
53 comments:
Thank you for your blog, Amanda Jean. I really appreciate all the sharing you do.
Looking forward to buying your book and the new fabric line. I'm still hoarding Good neighbors.
Have a great year!
Marie- Claude Lajoie
Can't wait to get your book! I love checking out your projects.
I always enjoy seeing what you are up to. Thanks for all the inspiration! Happy 2017!
I love following your blog and can't wait for the book ...just pre-ordered, so excited! Happy New Year!!
I *am* making crafty goals, for the first year ever! I am going to make fewer gift quilts because I've realized I don't enjoy them, I just worry that the recipient won't like it (!), and then I overthink the whole project and it comes out a little stiff and forced. And I'm going to try some new techniques -- Dresdens, for sure! -- and a wild monster scrap quilt -- and finish up my bed quilt. Really, this year I'm going to do it!
Can't wait to read your book.
Sounds like you had a productive year last year, with another one planned for 2017. Looking forward to the release of your book!!
Happy New Year, Amanda! You continue to inspire! I hope our paths cross sometime this year. xo.
Are you doing book pre orders and if so where? Thanks and I enjoy you blog and projects.
Hi Amanda, I always love your posts. I have made quilty goals and I also have a couple of additional projects I want to make this year. Happy New Year to you and your family.
So much happy wrapped up in this post! I can't believe the book is almost here. Your sweater looks great.
Thanks to you, I'm on a OAD challenge (one a day). It started after you did your pincushions for me. It feels good to let some creativity flow each day. Happy new year đ!
I look forward to reading your blog and today's was no different. However, it was interrupted after I read the sentence that your book was available for pre-order so I immediately clicked on the link, ordered the book, and resumed reading. I love your Good Neighbor fabric line and have a large bin of it; I guess I will be adding to it with your new line. Also my challenge this year is similar to what you did, monitoring my fabric intake and outtake. Hope your new book is going to mean a lot of outtake for my stash. Have a wonderful year!
Your sweater looks fabulous! And yay for so many exciting plans for 2017 - especially the book, I am so looking forward to reading it!
Looking forward to your book.....
Goals: finish WIP...
Thank you for motivating me to finish stuff every week. My main goal this year is to sew my stash and use up my scraps. I'm thinking your book might be a Valentine's Day gift from me to me! :-)
Happy New Year, Amanda Jean! You have wonderful goals for 2017. I have many quilts that I want to make in this new year, but I'll take it one step/stitch at a time :)!
thank you for sharing your thoughts, talents and crazy busy life with the rest of us ....
don't forget to take time to just breathe
I absolutely love your blog and check it everyday. Thanks so much for taking the time. Anxious to see your new book and your fabric. Paula in KY
What a perfect title to your book! Spot on -
Of all of the quilting bloggers that I have found, you are one of my favorites. Your blog is crisp and uncluttered, your writing style is amiable and easy to follow.
But most important of all, you host one heck of a linkup! *grins*
http://thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com
Thank you for sharing some of your goals for this year. I always enjoy reading your posts immensly and I am always eager to find a new on on your blog. When it comes to goals, yes, I do have some, especially for my café which I have been running for a little more than a year in the German country side. But also for some sewing projects, i.e. making zippered pouches, embellish some dish towels with hexies, finish the big quilt for my dad who was supposed to receive it for Christmas. Happy New Year!!!
Happy New Year! So excited for your new book.
Wow. You are just so talented. I am looking forward to your book!
Thank you, Amanda Jean, for Finish It Up Friday, something that inspires me and I look forward to every week. I love your projects, have already ordered your new book, and though I have a full time job, I hope to get more organized and get more quilting done this year. Have a very Happy New Year!
I am looking forward to seeing you new book. Your blog is full of quilty inspiration. Thanks.
Looking forward to the new book! Wow, you have been a busy bunny! My crafty goals--in January, I make for charity. After the excesses of Christmas and the encouragement to spend, spend, spend, I am careful to work from my stash and give away what I make. This year I am knitting baby hats for the NICU unit that cared for my newborn son for his first three weeks. Two down, who knows how many more to go?
For the last three or four years I've made a list of my ongoing projects and it hangs above my cutting area to remind me of what still needs work. If it is on the list, I consider it legitimate to pull it out and work on it instead of starting yet another project. If I'm not working on something on that list, then I clean up my sewing room. Sometimes this plan even works! The list for 2017 has 17 projects on it. I'd like to cut that number in half by 2018!
Thank you for all the inspiration you provide!!! It helps to know that you are making regular progress on your projects and encourages me to do the same! May 2017 be especially creative for you and your daughter!
Can't wait to have "No Scraps Left Behind " in my hands. I love scraps! Wish I could knit, but I seem to be totally ungifted in the knitting and crocheting areas.
Cant wait to see both your book and fabric line... there is so much inspiration on your blog... thank you for being so generous with both your time and talent
Congratulations on the new book! I look forward to the release. Will your fabric line be with connecting threads like your Good Neighbors line was?
Looking forward to your new fabric line. I love Good Neighbors. Will your new fabric be with Connecting Threads also? Your book looks great!! You've got exciting things coming up!
I do make craft goals. I have several flimsies to finish. Some are for holidays, and I want to have at least 2 quilts per holiday (one for the wall, one for the back of the couch.) Like for 4th of July (summer really,) Halloween and Christmas.
I also want to knit or crochet a cardigan. My daughter (adult with two minis) wants to do one too so we will do it together!
I also hope to make all my cards this year.
FYI I just bought some MORE of your fabric line. The colors and prints are really cute!
Looking forward to your new book!
Wow CrazyMom -- you're amazing! You get so many quilts made that it makes my head spin -- I struggle to even complete one or two LOL. Congratulations on your new book -- can't wait to see it!
Happy New Year to you!!!
So enjoy following along...
if you need another blog to promote your book, I am in!
wish you all the best!
brooke@sillymamaquilts.com
I too want to knit a sweater. I have the pattern and probably the yarn, now to get started. I have to go back to my goal to use scraps/stash and not to buy except for a purpose. I have a lot of stash and it needs to be used. I have set goals for myself and need to get started. I have two goals completed this month.
Thanks for your inspiration.
What is your sweater pattern? Your new book looks great! I appreciate your color and project inspirations! Thanks đ
That is an amazing list of goals, Amanda Jean! I can't wait to see where the year takes you (and your daughter as well!). The sweater is looking so good!!
Can't wait to get your new book... I have pre-ordered it on Amazon so it doesn't sell out before I get one!
And I'm loving sewing the Quiltville mystery with your Good Neighbours fabric :)
Are you going to design a new fabric line in 2017?
I love your blog and always look forward to reading it. Thank you for all that you share with us. Is it possible to get the method that you use to monitor the intake and output of fabric each month?
Your goal of tracking fabric inspired me to fast from buying new fabric. It worked out great except when I found a great buy on Christmas fabric at an estate sale. Other than that I only bought backing for a couple of completed tops. My goal for 2017 is to finish up my grandson's wedding quilt by the wedding in October and a quilt as you go project I started over a year ago. I am moving to a new home so I wanted to keep my goals achievable. Congrats on your book.
Happy New Year!!! I just love following along with all of your scrappy goodness each year and can't wait to see what this year brings, especially your new fabric line and book!!!! And I just have to say, I love the title of your book, just perfect for you!!!
Happy New year! My main goal this year is to use up more of my stash. I was tracking my fabric last year too and my stash increased by 40 yards! Eep! Hopefully I can make a dent this year - I have lots of ideas and am always inspired by your beautiful quilts! Thanks for sharing all your work and I can't wait until your book comes out!
Thank you so much for the idea of crocheting rag rugs. I made my first one and it used up 14 yards of fabric. Awesome. I am going to make one for my dining room, maybe a 100 yards of fabric. Who knows. Whooppee!
Congrats! I can't wait to see your book!
I look forward to reading your blog, and it never disappoints. I love pincushions as well but have not made many....you have inspired me to start making them, I will keep you posted :) Happy New Year! The book looks fabulous!
Just ordered your book! I'm so excited!
Your book looks wonderful,thanks for all of your inspiration. I always enjoy visiting your blog.
I'm excited about your new book. Your last book was the most used quilt book in my library. Can't wait to see your new fabric also. One question: when you say giant crochet rug, just how big are you talking? I am saving scraps for my third one right now. Happy new year.
This past year, I quilted many things- most of them gifts. I've decided that this year I don't plan to make gifts, but just make things "because". Some will end up as gifts, but I just want to do quilts that I've planned in my head. I'll need some mindless quilting, with Bran having cancer and will be in hospitals quite a bit.
It sure seems like there are a lot of us trying to rein in our scraps. I made 4 or 5 scrap quilts this year and I actually love most of them. I have to admit that I buy fabric because I love it, not need it. I think this is a burden as much as a blessing. It's interesting to see that many of us are thinking twice about those purchases. I am going to try to be more conscious of unnecessary purchases as well as finishing more projects. Thanks for sharing!
All looks good! and wow, only 9 wips!!!!!!!
Congratulations on the book, Amanda. That looks like one I will need to have in my life :) I love scrappy quilts too. Working with your daughter sounds like it would be very interesting for both of you, and a great way to have some special time together. Have a great year!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Just discovered you and L O V E your orange quilt! Yes, the little blocks really stand out and bring the quilt to life.
May I ask about the pattern for your blue sweater? The color is fabulous.
Great post, as always, and a Happy New Year to you. I shall buy your book - have made a couple of scrappy quilts but bed to make more as my scrap bins are overflowing!! Aim for 2017 - I have two - to use up my stash and to continue to love this amazing hobby.
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