The year is coming to a close and what a crazy year it has been for us all. So many swerves, changes, adaptations which have challenged us and made us stronger. No longer will we take for granted the small freedoms we once had. We’ll go into 2021 with more patience and appreciation.

At the end of each year I like to summarize what I have done over the year. Its always a bit of a challenge as I’m not great at keeping a list but I do my best.

2020

I taught at Craft Napa, The Granary Quilt Shop in Sunnyvale and at the Dubai International Quilt Show.

I made 26 T-shirt quilts, 5 necktie quilts, 3 custom quilts I quilted, 4 custom Pet Portraits, 2 quilts I donated to SAQA and 3 to my quilt guilds community service, 14 Art Quilts, 8 hand stitched bags and 400+ masks.

I had to embrace teaching online, making videos and all that that entails! I began by writing my first On-demand workshop, presented 5 online lectures and had 9 days of online classes.

I had thought I would have time to tackle UFO’s and quilts that need quilting but I think I just added to that pile. I just counted and now have 12 to quilt and finish.

Heading into the New Year I like think about new challenges and quilts I will make. I am wanting to make some changes. I have been teaching my fabric collage classes for about 4 years now and I just want to try something different. I am excited to play with new techniques but feel overwhelmed and freeze. I don’t know where to start. Does anyone else feel like that?

Although this isn’t fancy I did write in my sketch/notebook goals for 2020.Reading these again I sort of achieve many of them! My goals for 2021 feel different. These ones I can put behind me. My newsletter plans are starting in 2021. No cruise. No plans for a book but more online classes. Hopefully the exhibit in Oct 2021 will go ahead. I did use my stash for mask making, check! And finally I did use my sketch book, a little.

My goals for 2021

These include working in my sketchbook, doing more drawing and painting, writing more On-demand workshops, finishing all those quilts that need quilting, blogging more and developing some new collage patterns.

Big Frank was one of two large quilts I made this year. I wanted to challenge myself to making a large pet portrait using colors that are less natural. I used a photo I found on Pinterest of a Bedlington Lurcher called Flossie. I eventually received the owners permission but that is a story in itself!

One of my best memories for the year was going to Dubai, attending and teaching at the International Quilt Show. Looking back I was so lucky to have squeezed that in before Covid and lockdown happened!

Finally my last bake for 2020 were these Frangipani Mince pies, a recipe sent to me by cousin. They’re delicious. So if you find mincemeat in the store, its common in England at Christmas, give the recipe a go.

Finally I have started my newsletter that I will publish at the beginning of each month. If you wish to receive it in your inbox go to my website and the pop-up menu will appear for you to sign-up. I will not use your email in any other way and if you wish you can easily unsubscribe at any time.

I will give updates about classes coming up, new items in my shop and updates about what I’ve been up to. So look out for Threads of Inspiration.

Best wishes for 2021. Lets be creative and healthy

Jane