Friday, January 01, 2016

happy new year!

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a great (and safe) time celebrating last night!
2015 was definitely a scrappy year for me! This mosaic features the top nine most popular pictures from my Instagram feed. What can I say? Scraps make me pretty happy. :)
 
Last year was a super busy year for me. Good grief! My family and I went on a "real' vacation to Florida in February, I prepped for and taped my Craftsy class: Colorful Scrap Quilting, I taught several days at the Minnesota Quilt Show, I turned 40 (!!!), my good neighbors fabric line was released, and I started writing another book! I also released several new patterns and made a bunch of quilts. No wonder I'm tired! I'm happy to say, I accomplished ALL of my goals that I posted last year. I guess public accountability really does help!
 
Looking ahead....it's time to catch my breath and regroup!!! My one crafty goal this year is to knit a sweater for myself. That's it! Also, I think that this is the year that I finally decorate my house. It's time to make it look like someone around here actually cares about that type of thing. Hahaha! I'm looking forward to a slower pace this coming year. But, I bet I will still find time to sew up plenty of scraps!
 
Thank you all so much for reading and for all your encouragement this past year. It means so much! xoxoxo
 
Here's to a new year, new finishes and a fresh start!
 
(I plan to resume Finish it up Friday next week.)

44 comments:

Unknown said...

Happy 2016! Congratulations on meeting all your goals. Thank you so much for hosting Finish it up Friday - the highlight of my crafty week!

Bernie Kringel said...

Isn't it gratifying to look back at all of the wonderful things that 2015 contained for you. Congrats! I received a copy of your Sunday Morning Quilts book for Christmas and I love it. I am looking forward to seeing what your next book is all about.

Best to you in the new year Amanda!

annemarie said...

Wow what a great year you had - onto 2016!

DeeDee said...

Your center picture says Be Positive! And one thing I can say about your blog is that it's positive and upbeat and reading your posts makes me feel like I can accomplish things. Thanks for blogging. I'm looking forward to seeing that sweater! I've been on a major shawl knitting binge for the last two years. This year my goal is to make two sweaters for myself. I like being in good company. Happy New Year!

Carie @ Space for the Butterflies said...

Happy New Year! And congratulations on so many goals all met - what a wonderful year it's been!

Sheri said...

Happy New Year! Congratulations on all your accomplishments! 2015 was a good year! Your popular photos of your scrappy projects are so attractive! Thank you for all your posts and link ups! Looking forward to seeing all you have for us in 2016!

Jessim said...

Your top 9 are inspiringly beautiful! I LOVE the scrappy look. I hope to do more of it this year!

I realized I just don't post on instagram enough- I didn't even have 9 pictures this year! And my blog was sorely neglected as life got in the way, but I've "resolved" that this year I will blog more!

Brooke said...

Happy New Year!

brooke@sillymamaquilts.com

Alicia said...

beautiful works!! I love them:)
happy new year!

Paige said...

I certainly enjoyed seeing your scrappy colorful year and looking forward to 2016! Happy New Year!

Mystic Quilter said...

I always enjoy your wonderful scrap posts and hope you will still find time to post some of your lovely
scrappy pieces! Enjoy 2016..

Mary Marcotte said...

It's no surprise that the Queen of Pincushions has two blocks of gorgeous little pincushions in that mosaic. Everything you do is so pretty and happy. Thanks for hosting Finish It Up Friday. I've met so many blogger friends thanks your work. I love Sunday Morning Quilts and can barely wait for the next book. Best wishes for 2015!

Jenn @ A Quarter Inch from the Edge said...

Happy New Year! Thank you for all the scraptastic inspiration over the course of the year. And of course, for organizing your weekly link-up. It's wonderful to have such an active link-up on which to share my finishes!

Lorna McMahon said...

Wishing you a very Happy New Year, Amanda Jean! Your sweet and scrappy projects are such a joy to see each week. And I am glad to be able to come here and see what everyone links up with you each Friday. Thank you for being such a wonderful hostess. Looking forward to spending 2016 with you!

Nicole said...

Congrats on having a fantastic year, Amanda Jean! Wishing you an even better 2016!

Leanne said...

Thank you for the continued inspiration, you are the best!

JoAnne in southern California said...

I just want to say thank you for all you share with us and a very happy New Year to you and yours! I've learned so much and have been so inspired by you. By the way, I love your Sunday Morning Quilts book, it's my favorite book to read these days.

margaret said...

Thanks for the eye candy!

Kate Chiconi said...

You've had an exceptional year, and no-one should be expected to keep up that kind of pace indefinitely. I hope you're planning to share some images of your home dec projects, as well as the Sweater of the Year? Have a very happy and peaceful New Year.

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year! Look forward to seeing all that you do this year. Really enjoy the ride.

la tulipe said...

Happy new year! Your scraps and colors are so nice and gave me joy during the all year! Thank you :-)

Suzanne said...

Happy new year, Amanda Jean. Your scrappy projects add so much joy to my life. I love the enthusiasm you bring to the world and can't wait to see your sweater.

house on hill road said...

Happy New Year, Amanda Jean! BOOK?!?! That's exciting!

Teresa Palmer said...

Happy New Year to you!!! I look forward to seeing where your creativity leads in 2016.

PegP said...

Happy New Year and thanks for sharing some pretty eye candy! Love that patchwork apron - do you have a pattern or tutorial for it?

charlotte said...

Happy new year Amanda Jean. Here's to another wonderful year of scrappy sewing.

Anina said...

Happy New Year! Your projects always make me feel happy. Can't wait to see what you come up with this year.

Beech Tree Lane Handmade said...

Love your collage! Gorgeous. Here's to a great 2016.

Little Quiltsong said...

Happy New Year Amanda! I always love your scrappy projects and all the beautiful quilts you design and sew. Enjoy your more 'relaxing' 2016 ;)!

Ioleen said...

Happy New Year!!! Your scrappy projects are always so happy looking. Love your posts.

Amanda Jean said...

PegP,

No, I'm sorry to say there is no pattern or tutorial for the apron....yet! It's on the list, but no guarantees of when that may happen. :)

AJ

Melissa Corry said...

What an amazing scrappy year!! I have loved seeing all of your wonderful finishes. They totally inspire me to make more scrappy :) Can't wait to see what you do in 2016 :)

Julie Bagamary said...

Congratulations for reaching your 2015 goals, inspiring so many of us and creating beautiful things. Happy 2016!!

Karen said...

Wait. I just need a minute to catch my breath! You've accomplished so many creative things this year--and I've enjoyed every blog post, watching you move from one wonderful project to another and encouraging us as you went along. Happy New Year from a devoted reader!

Stephanie said...

Congrats on such a productive year (especially the fabric line!). And thanks for sharing so much here.

Heidi Staples said...

You are always such an inspiration, Amanda Jean! I can't wait to see your next book!

✾Jamie Lee Cooley✾ said...

Beautiful mosaic! Happy new year!

minnesota nice said...

I can't wait to see your new book!

Lucy | Charm About You said...

Happy New Year! A beautiful collage of scrappy goodness!

KathyinMN said...

Happy new year to you too! Thanks for all of the inspiration in 2015.

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year! I just love all those scraps and what you have done with them. :) I like what you said about decorating your house to make it seem that you care about that sort of thing! I'm the same way, so I just ended making loads of poms poms! :)

Linda Smith said...

Decorate your house? What a great idea! Our 21 year old son just told us that when he has his own house, he is going to decorate, instead of the hodge podge he grew up with. We thought we were doing pretty well making castoffs look planned.

Just use plenty of light neutrals to show off all the fabulous color of your quilts.

Bearpawquilter said...

Happy New Year Amanda Jean That certainly was a busy year for you. And happy birthday also. That was a big one. I have decided to be plenty-nine from now on. I ordered a fat quarter bundle of your fabric line for myself for Christmas from my husband. I really like your designs and they will fit in well into my stash. I live in Alaska and am retired so I have plenty of time to sew. I got my granddaughter an American Girl doll for Christmas so I am also making doll clothes. So much fun! Your blog is one of my go to reads.

Vanessa said...

Hello. Looking at the pictures of your projects that you've completed this year and I must say that you do have a knack for scraps! The way you arrange colors and the background fabrics....everything blends and coordinates so well. You are really talented! Keep up the great work! :)