Thursday, December 27, 2018

2019 Plans

I'm hesitant to spend much time writing a blog post that details 2018 accomplishments. Rather a quick review is in order.

My nine most-liked Instagram posts were these.

I love that so many people shared my joy at the results of my Breast Cancer Index (upper left), and that quilters love a good joke (center). Happily, quilters liked two of my quilts that were not juried into QuiltCon - Spin Art (upper right), and Owl Always Love You (middle bottom).

In 2018 I made:

13 quilts (pictures in "2018 Quilts" tab, above)
7 window valances
5 cosmetic pouches
4 zip-up turtles
4 patchwork wall kites
2 name badge holders
1 Weekender travel bag
1 dress
1 hexie name tag
...all of which were finished without buying fabric in 2018! I achieved my goal!
To be perfectly honest, I made one justifiable fabric purchase in May of an eight-yard bolt of solid white, an eight-yard bolt of solid gray, and two wide-backs - used to make and finish 2018 projects. Otherwise, I didn't buy fabric! Whoopee!
... and, while listening to 46 books, (and reading two print titles). I love listening to audiobooks, especially while quilting! If you need a few reading recommendations, just ask!


I'm joining QuiltingJetGirl (Yvonne's) 2019 planning party, though I'm not much of a planner. I find that I'm inclined to "beat myself up" if I don't accomplish everything on an itemized list. That's why I never join finish-alongs or make quarterly goals.

So to prevent myself from future anguish, my 2019 plans are broad expectations.

Expectation #1
Of course, I will continue to make quilts, especially as I must justify the November purchase of my wonderful Bernina 770QE! But goodness knows I don't need quilts! In 2012 I owned 116 quilts, and each year I average making 12 quilts. Even though I give some away, and have sold a dozen or so at the local biennial quilt show,  I conservatively guess that I have near to 170 quilts in my possession. Eek!

They are stored in pillowcases, in a closet, about eight feet up. 

Whenever I need to find a particular quilt, it's a mess.

In addition to making at least a dozen quilts in 2019 that will all quilted by me, I will definitely do more ruler quilting. The Bernina #72 ruler foot is the best ruler foot I've ever used; I have used two other brands. I just need to figure out different rulers to quilt with.

As much as I love the ten Fine Line rulers I own (by Accents in Design), they do not work well on this Bernina 770QE. Fine Line rulers have vertical posts to hold onto when quilting - a real plus by my way of quilting! But, these posts bump into the dual feed feature on the back of the Bernina. So while I can use these rulers, I have to be careful to not move the ruler to the back of the ruler foot.

Expectation #2
In addition to teaching walking foot and free motion quilting, I want to make my ruler work the best it can be because I'm developing a workshop (or two) to teach ruler quilting. Previously I've been hesitant to teach ruler quilting because every sewing machine has a different ruler foot. But I think sewing machine manufacturers are making ruler feet better now, and more quilters are investing in them. So if a quilter can get a ruler foot for her sewing machine, I'm excited to share how to use it. I plan to share ruler quilting information on my blog too. 

Expectation #3
Also, I have a strong desire to have at least one quilt accepted into QuiltCon 2020 in Austin. The modern quilt aesthetic still attracts me. And more importantly, after more than 40 years of making quilts (true!), the modern style challenges me!

Whereas in the past I always made quilts that follow a pattern - or at least I figured out how to duplicate someone else's design - I want to push myself to make quilts that are my original designs. That means I need to do more designing using EQ8 software, and create improvisational-style quilts. Quite honestly, improv is the most difficult for me, and I think that's because it's hard to cut loose-goosey after so many years of ingrained precision cutting and piecing. 

Though I am pretty darned pleased with Austin's improv quilt! This quilt is the first one where I feel "I got it." I can't help but share that quilt again here, even though it wasn't accepted into QuiltCon 2019. I'm thrilled that it made my Instagram Top Nine too.

The background was improv-pieced, and the shapes are all self-made bias tape that's machine appliquéd to the background. Quilting is walking foot and free motion.
 
Owl Always Love You, 58" X 68"

"Owl Always Love You," was inspired by a crayon and watercolor resist done by my seven year-old (at the time) grandson, Austin. He was creating owl feathers for a school art project.

Expectation #4
On January 26, 2019 I will celebrate 10 years of regular blogging! I'm pretty excited and pleased about that. At one point, I was following and often commenting on more than 80 blogs. Now the number of active bloggers has fallen dramatically. So if you're hanging in there, good for you! I know the sort of commitment it takes to constantly take photographs and write posts. You might guess that I have a journalism degree (earned in 2000), so blogging is how I indulge my urge to write. 

This also explains why I'm critical of poorly-written quilt patterns and sewing instructions. 😁
In the early 2000s, I was an editor for American Patchwork and Quilting magazine, and have since written many articles for a variety of quilting magazines.

Anyway, be sure to make a return visit to FlourishingPalms.blogspot.com on January 26. Ya just never know what you might come across!

Expectation #5
I will permeate 2019 in prayer - prayers for family, and prayers that I am living according to God's plan, faithfully nurtured through regular worship and Bible studies. 
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
May we all live our calling. Linda

13 comments:

  1. Expectation #4 has me intrigued!

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  2. Thank you so much for sharing and linking up with the Planning Party. I am a detail oriented list maker, and this year is going to challenge me to allow life to flow a lot more than normal, so I can appreciate the time and effort writing goals, plans, or expectations might be for those who are different than me. :) I hope that you have a wonderful 2019!

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  3. Oh my gosh! 170 quilts is quite the collection. I don't know where I would put them all. That is really something!
    As for the Owl Always Love You piece - I just love it. I know you were disappointed it wasn't accepted but I think it is so unique. Will you try entering it in other shows? It deserves to be seen by others and QuiltCon, while a fantastic show, isn't the only one out there, right?
    Looking forward to reading more and interacting with you during 2019. Ten years of blogging is an accomplishment!! I know blogging has fallen by the wayside for many but I enjoy it and love our community!

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  4. Wow! 170! If you ever need to just lighten your load, please feel free to give me a call. LOL! I'll probably never make 170 quilts in my lifetime! :) Anyway, I have so enjoyed watching you design quilts. I still remember the Florida quilt you made last year and haven't given up plans to make an Idaho version someday. I am so glad that you are such a fan of blogging. It's my favorite way to view quilts, learn new techniques, and follow tutorials. The personal aspect of learning about the blogger behind the blog is the best part! Love your expectation #5. :)

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  5. I am really interested in ruler quilting - something I have never heard of before :) I love to hand quilt but time and arthritis have slowed me down, I have just treated myself to a new Bernina for my 50th learning to machine quilt more that just a straight line with a walking foot is at the top of my goals list for next year!

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  6. Wonderful expectations, Linda. 170 Quilts! Wow! I bet I have kept less than ten, and that’s just during the last couple of years, but I don’t make 12 a year, either. Ruler work still challenges me, and I look forward to working with rulers more this next summer. Like you, I love a challenge. I really need to stop and contemplate my sewing goals for the new year.

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  7. I like the term "expectations". Enjoyed the read of both the past and future. I'm still hanging in there as a blogger and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. I've met so many wonderful and generous people in the blogging universe. A Happy and Healthy 2019 to you and yours.

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  8. I've enjoyed following your creating this year and look forward to next - wishing you success as you seek to explore improv more...

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  9. I have so enjoyed following you and seeing all your spectacular quilt finishes this year. I too am intrigued and challenged by the modern quilting style. It is a moving target which is both exciting to watch, but can be frustrating for those of us trying to get quilts accepted into QuiltCon!

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  10. Oh Linda I feel so much better after reading your blog....so many quilts!! I haven't got anywhere near that amount, so I can say there is someone worse than me! My DH says when I ask him about a project I have in mind Yes IT'LL LOOK GREAT IN THE CUPBOARD!
    Mind you in saying that I have Mrs Billings in mind if/when my grand-daughter gets married. She's only 14 so I'll keep looking after it for a while yet!

    I haven't started my ruler work yet, even though I have the foot and some rulers. Love hearing your comments on various tools. Excellent!

    I don't do expectations, as I am very relaxed about what I do, and that would put me under some pressure ( My own! haha)

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  11. That certainly is a lot of quilts! I'm sure that whatever you create in the coming year will be just as terrific as in the past.

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  12. Oh my, such a great post! I'm so impressed that even though you have been quilting these many years you are very actively learning and stretching your limits! Bravo for all that production without adding to your stash! I hope to be able to say the same thing at the end of 2019!

    I've discovered Audible and just love listening while sewing and, as you say, particularly while quilting. To date I've read Educated, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, Where the Crawdads Sing and a couple of Audible originals. I only get one book per month so I want to make sure its a good one! Suggestions welcome!!

    Wishing you a healthy, peaceful and happy 2019!
    Kathy

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  13. Wow Linda! That's an interesting post. I've learnt a lot more about you by reading your 2019 priorities. I do hope your quilting wishes for 2019 and beyond come true. Thank you for linking up with my Peacock Party.

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