Link Love: The End of 2017

It’s the most wonderful time of year – apparently! For me it’s the time of the year where I start looking ahead to the next year and wrapping up the year that we’re in. I had planned to keep the blog and newsletter ticking over in December without having a break but life has other plans. I’m learning this year that sometimes I need to bend or I’ll break so I’m going to take the shove from the universe and have a “soft break”.

I’ll still be posting all the things for the events that are still underway – Round We Go, Gypsy Wife and 52 Weeks with the Quilters Planner – but I won’t be sending my regular Monday newsletter or adding any more to the blog or social media outside of the occasional update. I have so much coming for 2018 that I need some time and space to plan it and get things in order so that we all have amazing events together. I’ve learned so much from the events in 2017 that I want to roll all of that into the new events and make them even bigger and better.

Now, when I say I won’t be sending Newsletters you just know that I won’t be able to stay away so don’t be surprised if you get a newsletter about Farmer’s Wife and Elisabeth Hartman events before 2018. I have some great sponsors on board who are putting together great packs and supplies to help you with these events and I want to make sure you don’t miss seeing them while I’m on my “soft break”.

I’m also going to use December to get our little family back on track. 2017 has been a particularly hard year on the three of us and it doesn’t seem to be letting up just because the festive season is around the corner. The Little Man starts full time school next year and it’s going to be a big transition for all of us. We’ve also had some developmental needs arise that mean I have to devote a little more time outside of the house and studio to helping him get the assistance that he needs and that we can’t provide. It’s nothing major and I’m sure we’ll look back on this as a little blip in his life’s journey, but as he’s the most important thing (next to his Dad) in my life I’m sure you can understand how some things in my work life need to take a back seat.

I confess I’ve struggled a lot in 2017. I’ve raged, I’ve rallied, I’ve ranted and I’ve shed a few tears but I know that I’m better because of it. I’ve made some amazing friends this year, I’ve started on some big adventures, I’ve spent time with some of the most inspiring people and I’ve done things that I could only have dreamed of. It’s been a massive year and 2018 looks to be going to one-up it in the dream realisation stakes. I have my second book to finish (and I *really* wish I could share it with you because I’m SO excited about it), I have some collaborations in the works that are going to be life changing and I’ve got a family that’s evolving and changing daily and I don’t want to miss that.

I wish for you a happy and safe festive season. I hope that you finish out 2017 strong and that the start of 2018 is amazing for you. I hope that you find time over this busy part of the year to fondle some fabric, laugh with your friends and remind those you love how important they are to you. I will see you “officially” back on the internet on Monday 1 January 2018 with the very first Gnome Gnews of 2018.

Thank you for your love, support, encouragement, humour, patience and understanding in 2017. You’ve made my life so much better for being a part of it and I can’t thank you enough for that. I’ll see you in 2018!

I apologise that I’ve been a little bit behind in announcing winners for a couple of the events that have been underway. I had a system in place for doing it and it all just went a little bit pear shaped and I’ve been trying to get it back on track. I’m hoping I’ve caught up now, but if you’re missing an announcement just let me know and I’ll point you in the right direction.

Have you got an event, a charity drive, a pattern release, a class schedule or something else that you think my community would be interested in hearing about? Why not drop me a line and let me know – I’d love to share it with my readers. Click here to email me.
  • The Strawberry Thief are having another sit and stitch day on December 16 from 12pm – 4pm. It’s a great event filled with lots of yummy fabrics, lovely people and piping hot coffee and tea. Tickets for the Sit & Stitch are $15 each and Tea/coffee is included. Places are limited and they have been selling out – please email The Strawberry Thief or call them (0400 933 902) to secure a spot.
  • Pink Door Fabrics are celebrating this festive season with 24 Days of Christmas. It’s a great sale event with custom bundles and special prices on some great fabrics. Click here to check it out.
  • Alison Glass is in the midst of her annual 12 Days sale and it’s a corker. Be sure to click on through and check out some of the bargains and subscribe to her email so you don’t miss out on the notifications.

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!