happy new year!

Happy New Year! I always enjoy looking back at the past year and setting goals for the year ahead. It's a great time to take stock and evaluate things!

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. :)

My one and only crafty goal was to knit a sweater for myself. While I didn't finish my sweater before the end of the year, I actually committed and bought the yarn, which was probably one of the hardest parts of the whole process so far! I am over half done with the body of the sweater. Of course, I still have to knit the arms, but it's coming along! I really do love the color and the pattern and it fits me, so those are all great things.

Looking ahead....

My book, No Scrap Left Behind, is scheduled to be released in February! Promoting the book will be at the top of my list this year. I have a bunch of dates scheduled in the upcoming year to speak and teach from the book, which I am very excited about.

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'm starting off the year with only 9 works in progress, which feels incredible! I look forward to a great year of finishing ahead!

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!