Welcome to 2016

Welcome to 2016! Can you believe we’re at the start of a whole new year? I love the start of a new year; there’s something magical in all the possibilities that lay ahead. This time last year I was freaking out about having to return to work and now here I am with a whole work year behind me and I survived! Sure, it’s been hard and there’s been times where I’ve just sat and cried, but on the whole we had a pretty amazing 2015. 2016 looks like being equally amazing, if I can just survive a whole month without HUBBY.

At least I have my fabulous Mother here to keep me company and we’ve planned some pretty cool adventures and catch up’s with friends for the month to keep us entertained and the time moving quickly. Not to mention there’s a whole month of Farmer’s Wife blocks to make and share. Plus some great quilt patterns from Fat Quarter Shop and a mix of new tutorials. Time is going to fly! (Did that sound convincing?) 

I love the start of a new year because it gives me a chance to look back on what I did in the previous year and what I can do with the next one. For the past couple of years I’ve put together a list of quilts that I’d like to make in the coming year. I’m not doing that this year. This year is all about the book. I have a big amount of work to do on getting it finalised and all the projects made and so that’s going to be my primary focus for the first half of the year. I have that pesky little thing called Farmer’s Wife 1930’s Sampler Quilt Sew-along that’s still going to be happening (there’s 9 more months to go!) and this year I’m fortunate enough to be participating in an Australian do. Good Stitches group. (If you’ve not heard of it before check out this group of Flickr for all the details.)

I have big plans for the year, but a lot of it is just going to be chipping away on the things that are already in motion. I think this might be a year for a bit of travel for our family as well with opportunities coming up, which is exciting. There’s things that need to happen with our house as well that are going to be costly but should be fun. Of course there’s also work commitments and some great community events to look forward to.

I’ve really enjoyed my break and I’m looking forward to a new year of adventures. I hope you’ve had a great festive season and you’re ready to start the new year and new week! Have a great day!

FUN THINGS TO CLICK ON

• This year I’m embracing the One Little Word practice for shaping 2016. Click here to find out more.
• Looking for word inspiration to help you pick your word for 2016, click here for 100 Word of the Year Ideas.
• This easy bold and graphic quilt will come together quickly with this free tutorial from Timeless Treasures. Click here for tutorial.
• I got addicted to making these 1 Hour Baskets as a great go-to gift idea. You can get the free pattern by clicking here.
• Want to start the New Year organised? Click here to read these 10 tips for a more functional sewing space.
• Loving this summer colours quilt. Get the free tutorial by clicking here.
• Loving these ten tips for getting more done each day. Click here to read more.

COMMUNITY CORK BOARD

• Canberra Quilters Inc. are celebrating their 40th Anniversary in 2016 and to mark the occasion they’re holding a “Celebrate 40 Challenge”. It’s open to Australian and New Zealand Residents, with 40 quilts (quilts must be 40cm x 100cm) being selected to hang at the 2016 Annual Member’s Exhibition. (You don’t have to be a member to enter!) It’s a great challenge and you can find out more or enter by clicking here.
• If you love Vintage Sewing machines then you might also enjoy this documentary; “Still Stitching“. It’s available on DVD (ships internationally) and via on-demand rental online. Click here to find out more.

Want something included on the Community Cork Board, then why not drop me an email and if it’s applicable to the GnomeAngel community I’ll share it. It can be anything from a local fate, a charity raffle, a class you’re teaching, a pattern you’ve released, a sew-a-long you’re involved in to a community event that’s happening. Be sure to send me as much detail as you can and links to any applicable websites. I do not have any affiliation with the information provide, it is done so as a community service only. Click here to email me.

SPONSOR MESSAGES

• Fat Quarter Shop Crossroads Quilt-along to benefit the March of Dimes starts in February. I’m going to be an official blogger for it and so I’ll be sharing my version of the quilt (which I adore) you can find out more by clicking here.
• If you’d like to take a class with me, then why not check out my class list by clicking here or maybe you’d like to work with me to help promote your brand/business/store/product, click here to find out more about partnering with me.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase those items through my links I will earn a very small commission. You will not pay more when buying a product through my link, in fact in some cases I can offer you a better price via an affiliate link. I will not recommend something that I do not use myself. These commissions help me keep being able to provide you with great content for free. Thank you, in advance for your support!Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase those items through my links I will earn a very small commission. You will not pay more when buying a product through my link, in fact in some cases I can offer you a better price via an affiliate link. I will not recommend something that I do not use myself. These commissions help me keep being able to provide you with great content for free. Thank you, in advance for your support!