My One Little Word and plans for 2020
Hi everyone! It’s the beginning of a new decade, and this year I’ve decided to participate in the One Little Word workshop with Ali Edwards. I’m choosing one word to focus on and guide me throughout the year. The workshop will have monthly prompts to bring my word into my life in a creative way.
My word for this year is BALANCE. It was hard choosing just one word, but I think this one speaks to me in many ways. I need more balance in my physical body, in my day-to-day routines, in my personal life, in my creative pursuits, and in my blogging work. I felt like I was always chasing the clock last year (or it was chasing me), and I definitely didn’t give myself much time to just pause and be still. I’m sure I will discover more ways to bring balance into my life throughout the year, and I already feel good about it.
One of the ways to bring your word into your life is to make it visible. I immediately thought of a quilted wall hanging with the word, BALANCE, free motion quilted in the center. That’s my new project for January!
Plans for 2020
The beginning of the year is a perfect time to reflect on the past year and make plans for the new. (See how I stay organized with My Quilter’s Planner here). As blogging has taken up more of my time over the past few years and has become more of a business for me, it’s important that I focus on what my audience wants and still have time to satisfy my own need to create.
For the month of January, I’m going to concentrate on projects that I’ve wanted to do but haven’t had time to do. Just for me. Just for fun. Yes, balance! But I’m going to share it all with you as I go along. I still want to inspire and motivate you along the way. I also have a book review that is way past due and needs my attention so that will be coming towards the end of the month.
I’ve been asked if I’ll do a UFO challenge again this year. The answer is no. I still want to encourage you to tackle your UFO’s and I want to keep working on my own. I will be following along with the American Patchwork & Quilting 2020 UFO Challenge. I’ll start by making a list of 12 UFO projects; they pick a number from 1-12 each month which is the item number to work on. I love the surprise each month! This month is #2.
I’ve been looking for an easy way to use my scrap fabrics to make a quilt. My black and white fabric bin is overflowing! Pat Sloan is hosting a Scrappy Traffic Jam Sew Along and it’s perfect for using up 2.5″ squares of fabric. I’m all in!
I just started cutting up my white fabric into 2.5″ squares. I’m using black fabric for the larger squares. I’m excited to get this going!
Something else fun that I saw on Instagram is a 30 Day Sketchbook Challenge. This might be a good way to increase your creativity in new way. Each day will have a new prompt. Day 1 was spots and dots. I’m still thinking about this one.
What do you have planned for 2020? Do you pick a word for the year or do you make resolutions? How about your quilting goals? I plan to continue to give you tips and tutorials for quilting and crafting. These usually come about fairly organically and spontaneously. I’m terrible at planning way in advance.
I would love your input on what you’d like to see more of and/or less of here at The Crafty Quilter. Are you interested in seasonal projects? Christmas ideas? Challenges? Small projects? Big quilts? Organization ideas? Scrap busting? Quilt alongs? Leave a comment and let me know. This will help me plan for the upcoming year, and I would greatly appreciate it!
Happy New Year and thank you so much for being a part of my online community!
I second Deanna’s comment. Do what you want to do. We’ve all landed here because we admire your work and your style.
I second Deanna’s comment. Do what you choose. We’ve all landed here enjoying what you do and teach. On a blog I feel sort of like I’ve been invited to dinner. I hesitate to tell the hostess what to cook.
I love selecting a word to help guide me through a new year. Your word is wonderful. My word found me on the eve of this new decade…2020 Vision…CLARITY. I shall see how well it guides me. Blessings to You.
Yes, I agree with you and all the ladies, “Balance” is a perfect word! I like small projects too and of course what ever you make! I have made some of the projects but just haven’t gotten them completed YET! Ha: Ha: Need that “Balance” desperately! 🙂
Always like to see small projects for gift ideas. Also stash busting a priority as I age…but somehow am still buying gorgeous products! Love learning new tips, tricks, and techniques too!
I look forward to your blog with great tutorials, tips and techniques and I would enjoy seasonal projects this year. Thanks for all your ideas and helps that you offer. Have a great 2020.
Perfect word for the year! Loving how your traffic jam quilt is turning out!
My 2020 Word is Joy. I will endeavor to only work on projects that spark Joy in my creative life. However, I have 20+ table toppers to create and finish by August 8th, my BioGirl’s wedding day. I have plans for the patterns and now it’s time to start sewing!! May 2020 fill your life with happiness and creativity!
Happy New Year, Julie!! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. Anything you do is interesting. I especially like small projects. You tutorials are excellent and very useful.
I like your choice of words – Balance – will try to adopt it as my word too.
But choosing just 12 UFO’s to join in the challenge ? Which 12 to choose ? It may take me till June to decide !
Julie, your posts are the ones I open first. I so enjoy seeing what you’re making, and what you’re thinking about. It’s all very inspiring for me. I most enjoy making small and mini quilts, and like you, when I see a big block I like, I want to make it smaller! I struggle each year with choosing a single word. I’ve chosen “persevere” in the past, and I think I will choose it again. I have so many projects, both UFOs and also not begun. I need to persevere and get some of these finished in 2020.
Since you asked… I would love a new “mini” quilt project 🙂
I don’t particularly like seasonal projects, but your other topics are great. I’m particularly interested in product recommendations, techniques, and scrap quilts. I also like the Sew Thankful posts
I am always looking for ideas and inspiration for using up fabric on hand… not necessarily scrappy quilting but ways of combining some older fabrics with some newer neutrals? I have my scraps sorted and work through them at various times, but it is the fat quarters, half yards and yardage that is sitting on the shelves and I know I should use it up rather than buy the new, fun, bright, modern fabrics! Combining old with new appeals to me.
I like your word Balance! I sometimes think that I need more of that in my life, too.
Hi Julie, I just want to thank you for all the great things you share with us. I have a “Crafty Quilter” notebook with a lot of your wonderful ideas over the years. I like everything you do and love the organizational, seasonal and small projects.
Would love to see small projects, faster finishes !
The scrapper, better !
Julie, your work is always so clean and professional looking, yet you make projects seem attainable for the rest of us. I do enjoy all sizes of quilts but smaller projects can be very appealing during busy days. Your directions and photos are so clear and easy to follow. Thanks for putting yourself out there for us!
Thanks for all you share with the rest of us sewers .I would like to see some scrap busters and anything you share with the rest of us and Happy NewYear.
All your project ideas sound wonderful! Do what inspires you and we will all be pleased!
Balance is a perfect word Julie! I look forward to seeing what you create this year!
What is name of tree mat cup is on it is adorable. Wonderful plan for New year.
Julie, I have recently made two Quilts Of Valor. I have presented these two myself to soldiers who
have PTSD so asking them to attend a presentation ceremony would not be kind. They were both overjoyed with emotion and the hugs that they gave were heart rendering. If you would design some squares perhaps we could all make them and I believe that the quilt tops are finished by volunteers and sent to the official website for presentation.
I will continue to make them using my own designs but I am just beginning to quilt and with your experience, I am sure that many quilts would be spectacular!
Ce Ce
I always enjoy the Sew Thankful Sunday posts.
Julie, I love what you do right now. I always look forward to your posts. You give great ideas, you offer suggestions for other sites you have found, you offer challenges (which I don’t participate in usually, but you share great ideas, as do the participants), you share recipes occasionally, I like watching the grandchildren growing up, I love your color choices on projects you create, you offer tutorials with great detail and pictures. I agree with some of the above comments, I am more apt to make smaller projects than larger ones – mostly because I am active in local bees and our Guild and limited on time. Thank you for all you do to make your blog a go-to for me. I appreciate the time you put into it to make it great!
Organization fabric, especially cribs & drabs of stuff
Happy New Year
I love all your very helpful blogs. I am most interested in small charm and mini charm projects. Love all your pics of your family.
Happy New Year!
Joanne
Thanks for your thoughts. My word is gratitude. I’m grateful for all the blessings in my life.
My preference is smaller and useful projects. A person can only use so many quilts. I also want to do Quilts of Valor this year and I’m doing the pillow cases for children. I don’t need anything so I want to make things that others can use. This gives me the fun of sewing and I don’t have to find a place on my limited shelves to store it as I probably won’t use it. So….I would like to see charity projects that I could do. I also love your mug rugs. They are colorful, useful, quick and make me happy. Happy New Year and thank you for all that you have taught everyone.
I love it! I chose balance as my word yesterday. I need a Quilty goal as I have not made much the last few years. So I would say small projects.
I enjoy your blog. All the projects you do are really interesting. Plus, your talent is so enjoyable and creative. I look forward to your news letter email each time they come. Plus, that new grandson is adorable. What a gift!
Anything you decide to share will be appreciated because they all are good projects. I learn a lot. Thanks for sharing. Happy 2020!
Thank you Julie! You are my favorite “go to” quilt site. Your tutorials are excellent an I have several printed & refer often. My word is “faith” I need to have more faith spiritually, in people and in our world in general.
In answer to your question DEFINITELY need more of the Crafty Quilter!
Hi Julie,
I enjoy every post, but I particularly like seasonal mini quilts or table toppers bc they are fast and easy but anything you do is okay with me. I like your word of the year and am trying to pick just one for the year. Thank you for all the tips, techniques, etc that you send our way.
Love reading your blog! I do appreciate small projects. Seems like that is all I can actually finish in a timely manner.
I always look forward to your blog, Julie. As for what I like to work on, it is small
projects. Thank you for all your tutorials and tips. Happy New Year!
Really like all your projects, particularly your delightful colors! I would like to see more organizational ideas, small projects but love variety, so surprise me! Thanks for all you do!