Monday, December 31, 2018

Goodbye 2018, Hello 2019!

2018 was the best year for my family since 2012, and I'm grateful for it. My husband and I were just recently reflecting on this fact. It was a big year namely because I got a new job that I love. This brought big changes to my quilting pursuits: I stopped writing The Wonky Press email newsletter after 3 years and as of this month have paused all lectures and workshops indefinitely (more about this here). I think it's safe to say I am no longer trying to be a part of the quilting industry.

The relief these changes have brought is indescribable. I've been pulled in many directions for a long time, and it's time to just focus on one thing for a while. In the past, with deadlines for teaching, patterns, lectures, and blog hops I felt compelled to quilt in nearly all my free time and more if I could swing it. And truth be told - I loved it. While I'm very grateful for those opportunities and all the people I have met and worked with, now that I'm taking a break, I'm enjoying quilting more as a hobby (and have more time for other hobbies). This makes me really happy - happier than I thought I could be.


This year I finished 16 quilts (5 haven't been shared online yet). Several of these just had finishing touches added on this year. A few baby quilts, one community quilt, a few explorations of minimalism (see the Quilting Modern Quilts Blog Series), 3 other gift quilts, and one for myself (Kintsugi, which embodies a lot of what I mentioned at the beginning of this post and my feelings about craft). You can read full blog posts for all those pictured above right here.


 Here are some of my favorite "small" makes of 2018. :) Most were towards the end of the year.

This year I also tried some new crafts. I got really interested in painting murals, and completed my first, on a piano (!), no less (check the latest issue of UPPERCASE magazine - you might see a familiar face!!). This project would have been difficult to complete at other times in my life, but it was the right place and the right time. Thank you to SOPAC for that amazing opportunity to contribute to the community of South Orange, NJ.

 Read the full post about the piano project here. The design is based on one of my quilts!

My main focus right now: I'm currently working in conjunction with the Windows of Understanding public art project through Rutgers University and the Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton, MA on 2 quilts for exhibition. I am excited. :)

3rd block for Raspberry Applique BOM, in progress through 2019

I decided NOT to set goals for 2019 - more like plans. I'd love to attempt another Kintsugi quilt. Maybe I'll start garment sewing again, maybe not (apparently I really have to be in the mood for that; I just love quilts!). Maybe I'll knit more; I'd like to finish my Hufflepuff scarf before I see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in March! Maybe I'll be able to complete a wall mural. There are definitely more felt crafts and hand sewing in my future. I'll likely be finishing some WIPs and working on my Hawaiian applique (which deserves its own post - see photo above!). I'd love to have another chance at a community quilt this year.

I'll be posting about the 5 other quilts I still need to share publicly, plus the upcoming exhibitions. But who knows, really? I'm leaving it open otherwise.

Do you have creative goals for the new year? Happy New Year and Happy Making 2019!

Linking up:


9 comments:

  1. I am so thrilled that 2018 was such a good year for you, Jess, and it makes my heart happy to know that you love your new job. Hooray for finding joy! I always look forward to seeing what you have created, and I think that leaving the year open for opportunity and exploration sounds delightful. Happy New Year and may 2019 be even better than 2018. And thanks so much for linking up with the Planning Party!

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  2. It was so good to read this post Jess and know that you had the wisdom and courage to change direction. Having a job you love is so important and sharing your free time with the most important person in your life, your husband, is just as important. I will enjoy any/all updates you post. I wish your happiness, good health and lots of fun in the new year.

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  3. I enjoy your blog and your fresh perspective on quilting and finding what makes you happy! Happy New Year!

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  4. So glad that 2018 was wonderful for you. What amazing quilts you created. I always love the story about the piano. Looking forward to your posts in 2019.

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  5. Happy New Year Jessica! Enjoy your quilting. Looking forward to seeing what more this free time freedom brings to your creativity.

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  6. I'm so pleased for you - your joy, that your family is well, for the flexibility you've given yourself....wish you the very best this year - whatever it may hold!

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  7. Wishes for an equally joyful 2019! Happy New Year!

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  8. Always enjoyed your newsletter and love to catch up with your blog, but it's great to hear about you enjoying new directions that are right for you. All the best for 2019.

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  9. I'm so happy for you that your decisions about the quilting industry ended up being the right one for you. It's always hard to let go, that fear of missing out. Sometimes finding joy in a new direction is the biggest surprise of all.

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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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