December 29, 2015

Quilter's Planning Party

Another year sure has flown by, hasn't it? Hard as it is to believe, it's already time to start thinking about 2016.

Yvonne at Quilting Jet Girl is hosting the 2016 Planning Linky Party for everyone who wants to set quilting and blogging goals for the year.

Now, I've never really been much of a long term planning person, but over the past couple of years I've been noticing two things about myself that keep me from getting done as much as I'd like to get done.

First, I tend to procrastinate, even on stuff I really want to be doing, like quilting and blogging. Maybe having goals written down and shared will help me buckle down and get 'er done.

Second, I'm easily distracted by new things I want to try. This seems to be a fairly common trait among us quilters, and can be lots of fun sometimes, but I want to try to keep myself a little more on track.

I'd love to make a career out of quilting and designing, so procrastinating and getting off track really aren't useful!

In 2016, I want to:


*Host a mystery quilt along. It's something I've been wanting to do for a while, but I've hesitated because I worried my following was too small. In emailing with Cheryl at Meadow Mist Designs, though, she pointed out that a small following might be a good thing for a first quilt along. So, the quilt is designed and I'm ready to pick out fabric and make my test version. I'm thinking maybe a late winter/early spring start. Anybody interested???

*Submit designs to at least two new magazines. So far I've had designs in Make Modern (affiliate link) and Fat Quarterly. I have also sent one design to another magazine, which I haven't heard back about yet, but that one can't count toward my 2016 goal, even if the quilt becomes a 2016 project! I'd also like to continue working with the ladies at Make Modern as I've found they're great to work with.
Flower Box cushion for Make Modern and  Noodles for Fat Quarterly

*Release a new pattern or tutorial every other month. I was going to aim for every month, but I'm pretty sure that's setting myself up for failure, so I'll cut it in half. I can always exceed my own expectations if I'm extra productive, right? I will allow myself to count the mystery quilt as one of those new patterns, when I release the final instructions. You can see my current patterns in my Etsy shop, and my tutorials are all on my Tutorials page.
I released the Friendship Galaxy and Flower Box patterns in 2015.


*Get back into a regular Bible reading habit. Last school year I did really well getting up a little earlier to have that time for prayer and Bible reading and I really enjoyed it. This year, though, one of the boys I babysit is dropped off almost an hour earlier than I had last year. I tried getting up early enough, but it just doesn't work for me as I was exhausted all day. So, I've been back to my old (bad) habit of sporadic reading, and that doesn't work for me either.

*Have fun exploring (some) new ideas. Quilting is what I do for fun, after all!


Do you set goals or make resolutions at the start of a new year? Since this is new for me, it will be interesting to look back a year from now and see how I did on these goals.

*This post contains an affiliate link, which means if you click the link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission. This does not affect the price you pay.

8 comments:

  1. These are great goals Leanne. I know what you mean about getting distracted and procrastinating as I share these characteristics. Have a great 2016, I'm sure I'll see you around.

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  2. Yes, great productive plans for 2016! you've already accomplished so much too.

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  3. After watching Cheryl do her mystery quilt for 2 years, I have to say that I am in awe of folks who can do a design and break it down in a way that leaves the final finished quilt a surprise! I hope you have a lot of fun with yours! I hope that by writing down your goals it helps you keep them in mind as the year goes by, and I wish you a fantastic 2016. Thank you so much for linking up. :)

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  4. I think all of these are great goals! I'm always game for a mystery quilt ;)

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  5. You have some great goals for 2016! Good luck in reaching all your goals - I wish you a successful year!

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  6. These are great goals. I could be easily swayed for a mystery quilt. I've been enjoyed Cheryl's. And I agree with the Bible reading. It's been great getting to know you this year. Here's to an awesome 2016!

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  7. What a wonderful list of goals for the year. Your designs are lovely and I look forward to seeing what you come up with for your mystery quilt.

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  8. Those are great goals for the coming year. I hope you find the inspiration to achieve your aims. I wish you health, happiness and creativity in 2016.

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