Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Recalibrating: Some Annoucements

Wow, did I need a break! One of my goals the last couple years has been teaching (and allowing) myself to relax. For as long as I can remember (high school?) I've been go, go, go. Even in the summer or on vacation, I'm not used to slowing down. Ha! This year, though, I had an extremely relaxing, exciting, and family-and-friend-filled summer. I'm grateful.


The online break brought me so much happiness. I've been hand-quilting, embroidering, making small projects for people (and NOT sharing much about it online! Gasp!), and reading a ton. As I mentioned on Instagram recently, I didn't mean to take a blogging break, but I did, and it felt good. Even though I have a list of topics I want to write about, writer's block came knocking at my door.

During my break, I made several important decisions.
  • I'll be blogging 1-2 times a week for the rest of the year, and I may skip a week here and there.
 
  • Don't worry, The Wonky Press newsletter will continue as scheduled: on the 1st and 15th of every month. The newsletter is a special format and place to interact with you, the community, and I absolutely love writing it! So if you want to hear the latest, the newsletter is the absolute best bet. You can subscribe here if you'd like to see it appear in your inbox (the most recent issue from last week, Issue #47, is right here).
 
  • I've changed up my workshop offerings for 2018 and added one whole new class! More of what I love, with the focus being brick-by-brick improvisation (my planned improv method), and free motion quilting. I'm also still giving lectures at quilt guilds and shows; so much excitement about my upcoming schedule and programs in the works! 
 
  • I'm considering teaching online classes at some point while also trying to figure out the best way to go about such an enormous task. Not sure when this will happen, but it's more on my mind than ever.
 
  • It's time to move on: I'm selling some quilts and samples, with plans to donate some of the proceeds to organizations of importance to me. More soon.
 
  • I'm not currently accepting more blog sponsors or affiliates, but I'm still happy to share opinions about products or companies that I admire in The Wonky Press (not paid, just my thoughts).
 
  • Again, in focusing on what I love most about quilting: I won't be designing patterns any longer, unless there's a really specific opportunity. This is not to say I won't host a quilt-a-long or block-of-the-month in the future, though. 

  • I'm taking a hiatus from applying for things, including magazine submissions and most quilt shows.
Some of you might be wondering where all this is coming from. I'm trying to focus more on the things that matter most to me and simplify. I've stretching myself too thin for too long. I'm excited to follow this path, teach, lecture, and MAKE a lot of things!

I hope you'll stick around, as I'm certainly not going away. I really value the blogging and quilting communities and the friendships I've forged here. Plus, I still love to write and share projects!

That being said, I have a couple of quilts and a compilation of links to share with you soon (one quilt coming up on Friday and one with a guest post next week), an announcement about my book, and five quilts to work on. Oh, and an audiobook to listen to!

11 comments:

  1. It sounds like the break did you a lot of good. I'm so excited about the handwork and other projects you were able to start, and of course I'm super eager to hear more about the book and other projects I know you can't share just yet. Learning the art of balance and how to say not right now or no to an opportunity always seems like such a hard lesson, but from my perspective you seem to be managing things gracefully and I'll certainly be here for you (via IG and your newsletter and email and FB and OMG basically stalking you)!

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  2. I am glad you figured out what is important to you, your health, and relationships now will only improve. I was like you always on the go expected to be everything to everybody. It took a car accident to change me from a A+ persoality to a B. I had no broken bones but was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia due to the accident. God made sure I was not going back to my old ways. :) . I hope you resist temptation to go back.It is hard to change a lifestyle years in the making. More power to you! I will always be around if you need to vent. Good Luck!!! (robinsbusiness@hotmail.com)

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  3. Work, life, quilt balance is always difficult!! Good for you for following your gut and doing what makes you the happiest. And if you find any secrets to simplifying, can you share? :D I'm the worst at that!!! <3

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  4. My life is stretched way too thin at the moment as well so I hear what you are saying. I'm glad you have found time to look after yourself.

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  5. Absolutely nothing wrong with stepping back. You may feel more creative as deadlines aren't looming. From personal experience it's nice to create without a plan. Also just writing or doing what makes you happiest.

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  6. It's great to get away, reflect on what's important to you, and then simplify. Congratulations for taking courageous steps!

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  7. Good for you! I feel ya. I want to say "yes" to everything and then feel like I don't have the amount of time/mental space that I want to devote to each project. I especially struggle with finding a balance with participating in swaps/challenges because I love the sense of community that it brings me, but I also want to have time to work on other projects. Going to work really gets in the way! :)

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  8. Good for you! Sometimes even just reading about all the things some of you ladies do makes me stress just wondering how you get it all done! I'm happy for you that you've found a way to simplify your life. I think you'll be a happier quilter!

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  9. Good on you for taking control, I hope it means that you get to enjoy what you're doing even more. I'm excited that you're thinking about online classes because that would give me a chance to take a class with you.

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  10. I'm reading so many blog posts at the moment about people taking a step back, resting, thinking and coming back with a sense of direction and the the willingness to let go of some things in order to go more deeply into others. Your time away has been very fruitful - enjoy putting your plans into action :-) And I don't think you'll loose any blog friends by taking a breather every now and again!

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Let's start a conversation! I love comments and I'd be happy to reply to all who have an email address accessible. Thanks for commenting!

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