Monday, December 30, 2013

Holiday Busy : :

I hope you're all enjoying the holidays! We're still expecting family tomorrow and have some fun planned for New Year's Eve. These days are busy and I haven't seen my camera or my sewing machine much since I finished up the Marvel Comic Quilt! After such a busy stretch of months making quilts and filling etsy orders it's been so nice to let go a little. I guess I needed it, because now I'm already bursting with new quilt ideas for when the time is right for me to dive right back in!

This morning I've been drinking my coffee and looking through the photos I've taken these last several days, while everyone else sleeps in. I still need to see what I can gather from my brothers and sisters, but this fuzzy, little Instagram snapshot is my favorite from the night I handed out my quilts. This moment is the highlight of my year!

Me + kiddos + quilts!

I'm already setting new goals and making big plans for next year. More than anything I plan to continue focusing on original quilt work, which I'm hoping will include many new patterns to offer. I'm still deciding on how much longer I will continue making and selling my crowns and even these fox pillows. I'll feel totally burnt out and then I'll see a photo I've taken, like the set below, or I receive a super sweet message from a customer and it motivates me to keep on making them!

Fox Crown Pillow Set

My one, big goal for today is to get those new quilt photos to share here as soon as possible! And, to wish you all an early, wonderful start to the new year just in case I don't get the chance to blog again before then! I hope to share a little more reflecting on this year, perhaps once the holiday dust settles and if I can stop myself from looking ahead. Making plans is always my favorite!

How about you, are you making any big project resolutions? Feel free to share, I'd love to read them!!

  Maureen 

46 comments:

  1. What wonderful gifts! Your work is beautiful and I enjoy reading about it. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thank you so much for stopping by to see and read what I'm up to! It means so much!!

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  2. Wow! i really love the pic with all the kids and their quilts. they certainly are lucky! I'm not making any resolutions this year. I'm going to move ahead as I did last year, by trying to be my best and taking advantage of events along the way--all things are opportunities, and I'm choosing to see them that way. hey--maybe that is a resolution?!

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    1. Sounds like a good resolution to me! :) Part of my own includes slowing down and making more time for me to just make whatever I feel like making each day. It's hard to find that balance when making becomes your business!

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  3. Now this is WHY we quilt!! Well done!! What a warm and fuzzy moment!!
    P

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  4. Love that first photo, it's so precious! If you're considering not making the crowns any longer anytime soon I better get my order in.Thanks for the headsup!

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    1. More and more I'm leaning that way. I appreciate your support!

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  5. My biggest resolution is to get my new sewing space ready for use. We just remodeled our boys' bedrooms (they're all grown and gone now). One of the rooms (the biggest!) is going to be for ME!!! Now I just have to get everything put away and then the sewing can begin again! I'm going to make it work for me and not just be a make-do space.

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  6. By the way, those kiddos are some very lucky little ones!

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  7. oh What a fabulous photo:) those are lukcy kids for sure!!

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  8. How fun!! all those kiddos now have a small piece of auntie Maureen to cherish and pass down to their own children. What a legacy of creation to leave to the next generation! I certainly do love your crowns and pillows but just think how much more "Maureen inspiration" your followers will get with how much time you'll have to make your original quilts! Besides, you don't have to stop making them forever... What an awesome comeback they will have when and if you bring them back!! Hope you are enjoying your holidays! Me and mine are staying home sick. Oh the joys of holiday sickness!!

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  9. Hi Maureen. I love reading your blog.
    I have a big quilty resolution. It's to finish piecing a sampler king sized quilt for our bedroom - the quilt my husband keeps joking about wanting to use. My goal is to have it done by my guild's quilt show in October. I have the applique blocks done, now for the pieced ones.

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  10. I was very impressed with all the quilts you were able to complete for your nieces and nephews. Great job. I have long admired your birthday crowns and want to order some before you decide to stop making them. Tell me, how old do you think is too old for one of these? I have 3 grandsons I am thinking of getting them for.

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  11. Oh wow! Seeing all the quilts and the lucky kids who received them is awesome! I can understand why that moment is such a highlight for you. I know your crowns have been such a big hit, but sometimes you have to let go for awhile. It's something you can always come back to when the mood strikes.

    I'm so looking forward to getting back to sewing this year. My knee issures keep getting worse, but I need to make. I might even heal quicker if I do something I love!

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  12. Maureen, that is adorable photo! I wish you and all your dears Happy NEW Year! x Teje

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  13. My goal for the new year is to squeeze in some of my own quilt tops in between quilting for my wonderful customers! With around 40 tops that need quilting, I really need to put myself on the schedule!!!!! Thank you for all you share with us throughout the year. It is read and enjoyed :)

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  14. Love the photo of the kiddos with their quilts! I will be taking stock as I do year-end reports, and writing some plans and goals for 2014 once I get back to NE. Still in SD enjoying some time with family after a frantic (grateful for the orders!) pre-Christmas Etsy rush that ran from before Thanksgiving through Dec. 22.

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  15. Love that first picture! That's one group of lucky children, whether they realize it right now or not. Happy New Year to you and yours.

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  16. How special to see all those kiddos wrapped up in those beautiful quilts! I can see why it's your favorite.

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  17. I know all the kiddies will enjoy the lasting gift you gave them. I love the smiles all the faces in the photo. Have a Happy Beautiful Creative New Year!

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  18. That moment when you get to give the quilt away? So worth it. It must have been awesome to have that moment with all the kids at once!

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  19. This is a great picture Maureen. I get so much pleasure from the response when I give something hand made. You were a busy little bee this year.

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  20. Super sweet picture of all you guys and quilts! Whatever 2014 brings for you, I'll be there (here!) and looking forward to it. Happy new year Maureen!

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  21. While my similar moment was much smaller, one of my favourite moments at Christmas was seeing my 2 kids and their 3 friends snuggling on a nest of 3 quilts and 2 pillow covers I had made this year. My heart felt so full!

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  22. Aww, I bet it felt fantastic handing them all over after all those months of hard work :o)

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  23. I like that pic too. Its candid and sweet with all of those cute little faces.

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  24. Love the picture!

    Wanted to share I made a QAYG tv watching throw (50x50) for my son this weekend. First time trying this technique and I loved it - next up is probably going to be a king sized quilt using this technique. Thank you!!!

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  25. Oh, what a beautiful moment ... you must be the best aunt of the year for them ... I just wonder if you make a personal sewing label for every quilt you made on the pictures above ? :) - it must be nice while the kids growing old, still be able to see the quilts :)

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  26. What a lovely photo!

    If you are wanting to move away from the crowns and cushions, have you consider selling only the patterns for the crown and cushion designs? It would mean you could keep coming up with new designs without having to sew orders all of the time. Alternatively, have you ever considered selling your business? It is such a wonderful business, I'm sure their would be someone who would love to buy it.

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  27. That picture of you and all the kids with their quilts is so awesome!

    My biggest crafty resolution is to finish what I started. I have a terrible habit of starting a bazillion things at once, and I loose sight of my love for each individual project. So I am going to try and not take on so much at one time next year. We shall see how it works out haha

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  28. The looks on their faces all cuddled up in their new quilt, it definitely a "Kodak" moment!
    Beautiful tree, too!
    Happy New Year and thank you for your wonderful blog and inspiration!!

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  29. So glad I got a chance to see you and all the little quilt recipients in your photograph...you have warmed the cockles of my heart! I also agree with Willit Neverend about selling patterns for the things you may not want to make anymore...(but you know you still wanna! ;D ) Happy New Year to you and yours

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  30. Between you and Jodi G from Tickle and Hide I am converted and inspired... This year I learn to make a quilt. Well actually I am hoping to make at least 2 by myself plus finish the house fire gift quilt with Jodi G. I have been so blessed to have such inspiring people in my life and now I just have to be brave and try it myself.

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  31. Wow! Look at all those beautiful handmade gifts! So much love and happiness in one picture!

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  32. I am in awe of all those quilts! I finished two for my kids (here: http://kaesey.wordpress.com/2014/01/02/welcome-2014/) just barely in time for Christmas morning.

    Resolution: Organize my stash and work space so I can jump more easily into projects when time allows. =)

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  33. Hi Maureen,
    I have visited your Blog once if not twice a week all year long.. lol, and I still never won a Friday giveaway...lol. You Inspire me! I am a stay at home mom with 2 kids. My son is 4 and has Autism and my daughter is almost 2. I am a quilter as well looking for a direction to showcase my creative side more regularly... How do you do it? What are your goals for this year. I am trying so hard to focus in on something and make something happen!! I always get excited and inspired when I read your Blog. Have a great New Year and I look forward to all your new projects... Valerie
    www.diaryofanovicequilter.blogspot.com

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  34. I hope the new year brings you wonderful things! The shot of your family with all of the quilts is so happy. Miss you!

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  35. Have you ever considered making and selling patterns for your crowns? If you ever do quit selling them...please PLEASE keep the etsy shop open with lots of different crown patterns for sale! That would be wonderful!!!

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