I’ve been mulling over some kind of New Years post for a few days now. Part of me wants to just blurt out any dream or aspiration that I have for the new year and another part wants to hold them close. The truth? I spend most of my time charging ahead to the next idea, the next deadline, the next thing on my To-Do list. I’ve had decent luck just flinging myself forward and I feel very fortunate for all of the opportunities that have come my way. But don’t get me wrong, I don’t always land on my feet after said *flinging*. At times I miss the mark, land on my you-know-what then get up and try again. I think in the coming year I will attempt less fling. Less fling and more focus.
Maybe it’s because I’m feeling more vulnerable these days. Maybe I’ve never given myself a chance to slow down long enough to really look at the bigger picture. Or maybe I’ve been avoiding it.
Sometimes in order to see where you’re going, you have to look back at where you have been. Have you reflected on your accomplishments this year? I’m going to give it a whirl…for the sake of my own perspective.
In 2009 I…
- had some great PR in a variety of magazines: Sew Hip, Studios, Family Fun, Living Crafts, Stitch, Better Homes and Gardens Holiday Crafts, Sew News, etc.
- saw the release of my 2nd book, Sewing Green
- went on a Blog Tour and a few book signings for Sewing Green
- taught workshops in: Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, New York, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania
- was a guest on 2 segments of the TV show Cultivating Life, to air Summer 2010 on WGN America
- started selling pdf patterns of my projects in my etsy shop
- featured in the book Blogging for Bliss
- achieved a longtime goal of designing and producing my own organic fabric collection: Family Cottage followed by Indian Summer.
- received some greatly appreciated attention for my fabric line from many blogs such as Craftzine, Decor8, True Up, CAGW, Indie Fixx, Whip Up, Tiny Decor and more.
- designed a group of felted illustrations for holiday Kleenex boxes sold at Target.
- produced my first online workshop, Felt & Stitch Holiday which drew participants from 11 countries!
- participated in 2 holiday shows: Holiday Heap in Baltimore (1st time!) and the Luvable & Hugable exhibit at gallery hanahou in NYC (3rd time!)
- regularly posted on my blog and added nine free tutorials over the course of 2009 (see sidebar!)
…and in between all of that I managed to wrangle two kids, help with homework, keep them and my husband fed and in clean clothes (most of the time), volunteer in the art room at school and go on a summer vacation. Phew! Not too shabby…though I do need a little more balance. Focus, balance, time to catch my breath and take care of myself.
Looking forward I do have some big ideas, but I am proceeding with a little caution, armed with a few “no’s” to dole out every now and then.
In the meantime, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for stopping by this space, saying *hey* and making everything I do feel worthwhile. I’m honored by your presence over the last few years and I hope you’ll stick around for more to come. 🙂
What at great 2009! Thank you so much for sharing your creativity with us. I find your work so inspiring. I can’t wait to see what you have for us in 2010!
Great visual of the ‘fling’! For every action, there’s an equal an opposite reaction…I like your introduction of focus on the other side of fling in this scientific principle! Keep the momentum of the fling all you can – just direct your aim with one squinty eye on the target and your arms out for balance. It’s all you Betz!
You do great work. I am sincerely impressed with the quality and caliber of what you offer. I am embarking on my own little felt adventure and look to you as inspiration. I totally understand the mothering and “wife-ing” part of this. It’s hard to balance. Good luck with finding your calm. And. congratulations on a great year. You should be really proud.
I discovered your books at the library..thank you for your wonderful work and ideas..I am going to be a first-time grandma this spring..I love flinging..I call it fling-a-ding time..just jump in and go lol take care..
Hey, Happy New Year! I want to thank you for your generous sharing of your incredible talent. I have both your books and some of your fabric and the 4 Kleenex boxes from Target. I got started felting sweaters after finding your blog. I love it. I must admit I haven’t made a lot, but I have made some.
I truly enjoy your blog and look forward to seeing what you are up to next. Thanks, Lynn
Thanks so much for all your posts and pictures this past year, not to mention the pdf patterns, the Sewing Green book and the tutorials too! I’ve made a couple things out of the book to great acclaim (particularly the slippers) and the pdf hat, and they get compliments all the time – which I graciously accept of course but I definitely need to pass them on to you in the form they usually come to me “aren’t you clever!” 🙂
Well I’ve only just discovered you as a result of reading Blogging for Bliss so I’m not up on all your accomplishments but I’m watching with interest to see what you get up to this year.
I can’t wait to try your recent Christmas ornament – very cool.
Congrats on a great and successful 2009. I look forward to seeing what you “fling” into next!
Cheers!
Wow, what an impressive list of accomplishments! Truly inspiring!! I’m excited to see what 2010 holds in store for you!
Phewww, I’m pooped now! Betz, your engery bounces off the screen. I’m sure you’ll find some balance in 2010, if only a little, you do have kids!
With all that homegrown energy, I’m sure we’ll see some fresh new inspired works that you can’t even imagine yet!
Take a break and Happy New Year!
Colleen
What an amazing year you’ve had!! More time just for you is always a good plan! Happy new year x
I come here for inspiration and always find it. Thanks for making time for your blog and tutorials with all else you have in your life!
Good luck with your new goals and Happy New Year!
I’d call that a very successful year! The best to you and yours in 2010.
Oh, Betz! Your words are so dear and honest and lovely in this post. I wish you the most beautiful of years this year, with much unexpected joy and peace, too. xoxo
You are Superwoman
It must be something in the air- or stars- or whatever you want to call it that is bring us to similar conclusions. Last year we had a lot to prove… and we proved it well. But with all the progress we left something valuable out of the equation: inner peace. I think we’re all craving it- like dessert after dinner. The dinner was great, but we need to follow it up with something sweet and special that requires savoring. Maybe next year, we’ll find we need the proverbial “cordial” or “nap”!
Cheers to you for all you’ve done and will do- no matter how it presents itself, it will be magnificent, I’m certain.
Wow. What an awesome year!
I totally get the flinging thing. That’s right up my alley and I totally agree with the looking back part too. We all need (deserve) to give ourselves a good pat on the back every now and then.
Have a great 2010 Betz!
Betz- you are an overachiever! You’ve cranked out an amazing 2009, and the quality AND quantity you produce is fabulous. Have a productive 2010, and don’t feel guilty when you need to do some editing…. Happy New Year,
Jenny from CraftTestDummies.com
Hey… I visit regularly.
whew! I’m tired just reading about it all! Take some time to just be proud. Proud of all you have been able to do, and of all the inspiration you offer to those of us who read you often and learn. Thanks!
Betz, I love your energy (and your good advice when I need it). Thanks for being here!
An amazing year- even your list seems to have energy! Can’t wait to see what 2010 brings- Happy New Year!
As I read your very impressive list of accomplishments for the year I glanced at my triangular box of Kleenex from Target with the little elves on it! Wow! I was thrilled. It was like getting a personal gift!
Love all your tutorials and can’t wait to try some.
Have a wonderful year!
Betz, I love your work, and your accomplishments last year are truly HUGE! I can relate to mothering and working on my business, too….so great you took a vacation! That’s on my 2010 list! Peace to you and thanks for your contributions. I Love SEWING GREEN!
I want to thank you for another wonderful year of inspiration both as an artist and a woman! Take a breath and enjoy the new year.
Thank you for your love of sewing green. I am passionate about recycling beautiful fabric–I love your book, Sewing Green. I refere to it often when I am looking for ideas and inspiration. I look forward to your creative contributions in 2010!
Vanessa
It is good to reflect bewfore flinging forward. That’s a pretty impressive list of successes, including all the laundry!