2017: What a Difference a Year Makes!
I actually started JANDA Bend Quilts in July, 2016. However, even though I had a web site and a plan, I had not gotten very far by January, 2017. Let's face it. I was a newbie. I needed some guidance. Then I discovered the 2017 New Quilt Bloggers group. I am not sure that I can tell you all that I learned, but can share some categories:
I also met some wonderful experienced bloggers and some wonderful newbies like me. Some of my new blogger friends participated with me in the I Wish You a Merry QAL! quilt along. Through this experience, I honed my skills in
Here are my fellow bloggers in the QAL: Abbie at Sparkle On (Host) April at JANDA Bend Quilts (Host + Block 2 Designer) That's me! Becca at Pretty Piney (Host) Bobbi at Snowy Days Quilting (Host + Block 9 Designer) Diane at Cwilt Fabrics & Haberdashery (Host + Block 10 Designer) Jennifer at The Inquiring Quilter (Host + Block 4 Designer) Karen at Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats (Host) Kathleen at Kathleen McMusing (Block 11 Designer) Laura at Slice of Pi Quilts (Host + Blocks 3 & 12 Designer) Sandra at Sandra Healy Designs (Block 6 Designer) Sandy at Sandy Star Designs (Host + Block 7 Designer) Sherry at Powered by Quilting (Host + Block 5 Designer) Sola at Alice Samuel's Quilt Co. (Block 8 Designer) Vanda at Quilt in Piece (Host + Block 1 Designer) In addition, I designed my first pattern for sale (Geese in Flower Pots), opened my online store, started an online Newsletter, joined Bloglovin, was a guest host for Thanks Goodness It's Finished Friday, started my own Linky Party (Pieceful Sunday), attended Spring Quilt Market, participated in blogger quilt alongs with the Fat Quarter Shop (affiliate link), offered several quilts for sale in the JANDA Bend Christmas Trees Shop, and rented a space to teach a six-week workshop for beginning quilters that starts February 10, 2018. Of course, some of my 2017 plans were not completed, but that is what 2018 is for! Plans for 2018: What comes next? My plans for 2018 fall into several categories. Workshops: I want to conduct workshops throughout the year. I am a Quilt in a Day Certified Teacher. I plan on starting with Quilt in a Day patterns and then teach workshops centered on my own pattern designs. This year I am going to try renting my own space at the Tahlequah Armory in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The workshop will run for six Saturday mornings in February and March. I am also going to continue to reach out to quilt guilds and quilt shops. Pattern Designs: I want to concentrate on designing patterns this year. I am working on several ideas now. Initially, the patterns will be sold as pdf downloads. Online Stores: I opened my own online store in 2017. However, I would also like to open an online store on Etsy and Craftsy. Both stores would make my products more visible. In addition, I think that the Etsy Store will facilitate International downloads of my patterns. Web site: A web site is always something in progress. This year, I want to reorganize the site so that it is more user friendly. Social Media: Last year, I began to use Instagram, Twitter, and group Facebook pages. I still have a lot to learn. This year, I want to start a JANDA Bend Quilts Facebook page. Quilt Alongs: My I Wish You a Merry Quilt A-Long! group is planning a fall-themed quilt along this year. I plan on participating. In addition, I want to participate in the Fat Quarter Shop's quilt alongs as time permits. Fall Quilt Market and Quilt Festival in Houston: I plan on attending Fall Quilt Market this year and applying to demonstrate my patterns in a class at Fall Quilt Festival. FInally, it is important to me to maintain life balance. My quilty world is important to me, but so are my family, friends, and community. It looks like I have a challenging year ahead, but I love challenges. What about your year? If you want to link up to Yvonne's 2018 Planning Party, click on the link. If you want to link up to Pieceful Sunday, you can link up your in-progress or completed piecing projects using the blue button with the frog below. Please note that the thumbnail photos and links will not show up on this page. You will need to click the blue frog button below to see the photos and links. This may be a little different from what you are used to. The link up will be available until Monday, December 18, 2017 at midnight. If you prefer, you can also link up on Instagram using #PiecefulSundayatJANDABendQuilts.
Thanks for stopping by. If you have questions or comments, please go to comments or contact me by email.
Happy Quilting! This post was originally published by JANDA Bend Quilts.
5 Comments
12/17/2017 08:38:02 am
April, you have been so busy. You have grown and accomplished so much in 2017. Your plans for 2018 are impressive and I can hardly wait to follow along on your journey.
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12/18/2017 10:37:58 am
I like that you began by reflecting on your 2017, and what an awesome year you had! Thank you so much for linking up and I wish you a year of peace and joy in 2018. I hope that by thinking ahead it helps you feel prepared and ready for the next year.
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12/18/2017 06:08:25 pm
Thanks, Yvonne! I really appreciate all of your help. You have been a role model for me. I have always been a planner, but I think that plans just provide an organized way to approach the future. I think it is important to recognize opportunities that you didn’t expect and to let go of goals that need to be postponed.
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April adamsI am a quilter who is starting a new adventure. After retiring in May 2016, I became a certified Quilt in a Day Instructor. I am certified to teach workshops using Quilt in a Day patterns and techniques. In addition, I am designing my own quilt patterns. Follow JANDA Bend Quilts on Bloglovin' by clicking on the button below:
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