I have been contemplating what my goals are this year, and to be honest I don’t really have any defined goals.

I do, however, have things I want to do more of:

• Be more engaged with a wider quilting community.
• Kept expanding and learning my quilt style.
• Teach more quilt classes this year. New class offerings are coming later this month.
• Release a few more quilt patterns. Start with the previously released magazine submissions.
• Submit quilts to one or more Quilt shows.
• Work on a couple of magazine submissions and additional content submissions.

I would also like to finish at least half of these WiPs this year:

1. Orange Creamsicle; 2. Home; 3. Rangers Station; 4. Tree-lined Street; 5. Lines Drawn; 
6. Bjorn the Bear; 7. Aerial Quilt; 8. Tapa Cloth Star; 9. Stitch and Flip

I have a couple of other things brewing but still working on defining them. So, that’s my loose plan for 2017. What about you all?

1.  Square in Square 2. Lunar Lines 3. Spoonflower Sampler 4. Cheri d'Amour 
5. Treehouse Ladders 6. Daughters Love 7. Fly Away 8. Push-me, Pull-me 9. Mad Dash 
10. Rails 11. Sunday Best 12. Fractions (upcoming post) 13. Abstract Triangles I 
14 & 15. Abstract Triangles II & III 16. Denim Blues

I am super excited, taking this time to see what I accomplished this year as I did way more than I thought I did. Above were all my finishes in 2016. I am so pleased to see that 3 of the quilts were old WiPs (~2 years in the making), and 3 were magazine submissions.  I am most excited that 7 of these projects were gifted and that included a quilt to my son and my mum.

This year, definitely has not been without its challenges, especially with my Mum and her struggles. We (myself, husband and son) are happy to be able to see her and the rest of my family at Christmas, and get to spend this time with her before the now inevitable end. Thank to all those who bought a Daughters Love Pattern, all proceeds have been donated to NZ Cancer Society.

Lastly, as we wrapped up on the year, I decided to take a look at goals I set for myself. I have not really looked at these goals until now… and I was curious how I did.

• Make that quilt for my son and one for my mom.
  Completed (both a quilt for my son and mum)
• Continue making my designs into reality. My goal is to make 1 quilt a month…12 quilting projects total.
  I have continued to do QDAD but on an intermittent basis and been exploring more improv in that last couple of months. I did accomplish more than 12 quilting projects this year. Thumbs up!!
  
• Start a blog or Instagram series, related to design (plans are underway).
  This changed to a Color Blog series which was fun to run, even though schedules were what they were. Thank you to all the folks who helped out during the series and/or sponsored it. Such a great time.
  
• Release at least 4 patterns (PDF and in Print).
  Partially completed, I published 4 new patterns via pdf and updated 1 older one. I have my template for print patterns but have not executed further on it.
• Go to Spring Quilt Market (I was approved/qualified!!)
  Did not get to do this year and it looks like it might be a 2018 thing.
  
• Teach at least 4 quilting classes and attend at least 2 quilting classes.
  I taught 4 quilt design classes and attended classes at our guild’s retreat (from @melintheattic) and Sewtopia Atlanta (Elizabeth Hartman and Denyse Schmidt). Great time all round.
  
• Submit quilts for consideration to juried quilt shows (definitely QuiltCon 2017)
  For Quiltcon 2017, I submitted 3 new quilts and 3 were accepted. I submitted another one was a repeat submission that had been juried in before but I modified; and rightfully so it was not accepted a second time around. I also got 2 quilts juried in and accepted into the Modern Quilt Showcase at Quilt Festival and 1 quilt juried into the Modern Quilt Category for an AQS show.
  
• Submit an application for an art gallery showing.
  Work in process, currently building out a theme (have 8-9 pieces out of 10 ready)
  
• Make some decisions about my brand to set up for the future.
  Keeping with what I have, at the moment, but have new logo’s/branding for patterns etc. Thanks to the wonderful Melissa @ meliherboth (IG)
  

Additionally, I wrote by first published article (fantastic Tech. Editor Ginny @minnowpeck (IG)), and presented my first quilting webinar for the MQG…..with more things coming next year!!

I need to gather my thoughts for my goals next year and take stock in my outstanding WiPs, but I have a couple of big ideas brewing. Check back here in the new year for my 2017 goals.

Folks, who knew, that after having sinus surgery and deciding that I should start using the sewing machine I bought 6 months ago, I would be here. Welcome to my 4 year blogiversary. Wow!!

Sometimes, I am amazed that I kept with a hobby for 4 years and other times I can’t believe its only been 4 years, its gone by so fast.

This year has been an amazing journey. I want to thank all of you who have joined me and supported me on this journey, both here and on Instagram (IG). Looking at October 2015 through September 2016, these are some of my most memorable projects & WiPs.

This year has been a big year. I have loved experimenting and playing with different techniques and color. I have loved teaching my new quilting classes. I hope the year ahead is as good to me…I know it is starting out well.

Giveaway

As a thank you, I would like to give away a $80 gift card to Hawthorne Threads. To win:

• Leave a comment, about what quilting topics and themes you are interested in at the moment.
• If you are a follower, leave a second comment letting me know how you follow.

A winner will be randomly chosen and announced next Sunday 9th October at 8pm.

*********CLOSED***********
Winner: Melanie C (email coming your way with the gift certificate).

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