2014 – A Year in Review

I didn’t think I was going to do a review post this year.  For some reason, I thought “no, I didn’t do much…I don’t know where I’m going…what’s the point of reviewing it?”

And that of course is the very reason that I NEEDED to review this past year.  Because believe it or not I forget.  I forget how many crazy, amazing, hard, fantastic things happened this year.  My 35th year.  It was kind of big actually.  And by not reviewing it for myself at least, I was not honoring all of the work I did.  The ways that I stretched myself personally, both mentally and physically.  And I forget how many amazing people I met this year alone. Finally. In person.

In my own little solitary corner of the world where I don’t get to interact in person with other quilters or sewers except on trips, it is easy to think that you’ve done nothing worth mentioning.  Because you literally have NOT mentioned them to anyone.  lol  I didn’t talk, with my actual voice, to many people about the quilts I was making or the opportunities I had.  My poor husband gets the brunt of a lot of things. “Look honey! Look how well these points match up!!” 😉

But actually, there are definitely some things worth mentioning.

My first book was published.  
What?!? Me? A book? It’s out there for everyone to see and critique and love or hate.  I promoted and carried it with me, accepted wildly in some places and rejected completely in others.  It’s a huge step for me to put that part of my out into the world for others.

I attended my first AND second quilt markets.
Did I mention that I am literally sewing by myself all of the time? So then take that person and drop her in a room of hundreds (thousands?) of people who are all participating in the same world of fabric and sewing.  Now tell her to promote herself, her book, herself, her contacts, herself… get the picture?  It was a very big deal for me.  I met sooo many people that I have only known through the internet.  I’ve had real meaningful conversations and delightful late night bar singing moments.  And everything in between.  It’s taken me to two different cities I had never been to and forced me to push my ability and comfort with traveling.

I filmed a DVD and segments for the Quillting Arts Show on PBS.
Uhm.  Yeah.   I don’t think that was even ON my bucket list.  lol  And yet somehow THAT happened.  In fact the DVD is just coming out and I need to check for when the showings are because they will be airing soon too. I worked like a mad woman to create everything I needed for those and then took the beginning of what would essentially become my first solo road trip across multiple states over the course of a week.

I spent a fantastic weekend with friends and new friends and, oh yeah, Anna Maria Horner and Heather Ross.
     Is it weird if I think that was the biggest part of my year?  With all the other things that were personal accomplishments, it was ultimately the people in my life who made such a difference. I finally managed to attend an event where I was just there to have fun.  Nothing else.  And I didn’t know how much I needed that.  People kept telling me how relaxed I looked.  That’s what I look like when I have no deadlines and no preconceived notion of what the weekend should be.

I personally had two surgeries and my husband had one.
Among all of the trips and quilts I was making for magazines and filming and books, I took care of some health issues.  So that meant a surgery for me in July, a surgery for my husband in October, and another surgery for me in November.  My husband was supposed to have another in December but it got delayed…I think that’s a good thing.  We need a little break from surgery. 😉

My miracle daughter turned 5!
I officially no longer have a baby or a toddler.  I have a little girl.  A strong feisty one who will impact the world in a meaningful way with her spirit…and my husband and I are along for the ride to help guide this little lady to be the beautiful woman I know she will become.  As independent as ever, she is already ready to sew her own clothes (so she thinks) and tells me often what a good sewer she is and what a good pinner she is.  I won’t argue with that. 😉

My family took a trip to New Orleans for Mardis Gras and to the Smokey Mountains for vacation.
More traveling! More visiting with friends who are like family.  Our first trip back to New Orleans since we moved back to South Bend over 3 years ago.  It was emotional and just easy all at the same time.  The peaceful beauty of the Smokey Mountains was a perfect vacation with a four year old and many friends with other little ones.

There’s more…more quilts, more projects, more planning and blog hops.  But that is all something.  Something worth remembering and something worth acknowledging.  So, if I’m a little tired right now from the past year, there might be a reason (other than the bronchitis I currently have).

The next year looks uncertain and full already.  I’m following where my path leads and that’s a little scary.  I often wonder why I can’t be a person who is content to sit and let the grass grow under my feet for a while.  But I love to learn and my curiosity takes me to new things and new people.

13 thoughts on “2014 – A Year in Review”

  1. What an awesome year! Sorry about the surgeries. But at least those are behind you now. I ordered drunkards path Sizzix dies on ebay because this is going to be the year of the curved seam for me! 🙂 There are several patterns in your book that I want to sew.

  2. 2014 was a great year for you and your family depsite the three surgeries. 2015 is bound to be even better. Looking forward to seeing you in Chicago.

  3. You did some fantastic things this year!!! And you and your daughter are both gorgeous!! Cheers to the coming year: may it be just as fantastic!!! Hugs, H in Healdsburg

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