Contemplating and Looking Ahead

After a period of soul searching,

I have chosen my guiding word for 2020.

Previous guiding words have included 

ENJOY, SMILE, MINDFUL, 

and most recently SHOSHIN / WONDER.

I could write all sorts of words to explain why I chose LISTEN

but the short version is that I want to do a better job of it -

listening to myself AND listening to others.

I've already started gathering quotations to share

at the end of posts next year - those will serve as

ongoing reminders to stay the course

and keep me focused on the challenge.

(for the record, FOCUS was my runner up word)

Looking ahead  . . . 

I want to spend less time stirring/planning

and more time actually stitching - 

piecing AND quilting.

I want to stop obsessing about my paper trail

and spend that time making and doing.

I want to use the fabrics in my stash

instead of impulsively acquiring more.

I want to savor the process instead of 

fretting so much about whether or not

my chosen outcome is the "perfect" one.

I intend to keep sharing what I make

here on the blog and spend less time

watching what others do on Instagram.

I want to spend more time reading the books I've purchased.

(hard copies have returned to favored status

over digital books - simply because of screen time

and the easy access to online distractions)

I want to meet my own personal challenge

of making monthly quilts for our kitchen table -

resisting the urge to get too fancy and

focusing instead on colorful and functional.

I've set a personal goal of making five 

24" x 24" quilts for the GREEN challenge 

to be shared during the annual November

Davies Manor Quilt and Fiber Arts Show -

each of the five showcasing a different aspect

of my process / style.

And yes, I'm also planning to 

share their making here on the blog, 

unlike some of the participants 

who choose to work in secret.

Most of all, 

when I assemble a fabric pull like the ones 

shared in this post, I want to honor my 

scrappy, colorful, liberated, eclectic nature,

staying open to new ideas and changes of direction.

. . . including being influenced by my studio squirrels!

(in their honor, 

I have a 2020 studio calendar

with silly photos of squirrels 

ready to hang up come January 1st)

* * *

With all of the above shared for the record,

these wise words from Calvin and Hobbes

 will now be my focus for the rest of the year.

Wishing each of you comfort and joy.

See you again in the new year.

Quiltdivajulie