2023 Planning Party

 

It is the time of year that many of us take time to reflect on the previous 12 months, assess, and then make plans for the coming year.

You can catch my review at Best of 2022... since the past several months have been physically challenging for me I long to simply "dip my toes in the waters" and wade in slowly to 2023 rather than doing a polar plunge.  So some first quarter goals are as follows...

We have a January business trip planned as well as making tentative plans for a camping trip in late February/early March. We have reserved the first two Harry Potter books and I am making a few quilty plans as well to be able to pass the time on the road.  I have two EPP Postcard blocks ready to go.  These two blocks will wrap-up the documentation our camping adventures for 2022...

My daughter sent me a fun project idea ~ I Found a Quilted Heart ~ ❤... and this is a perfect project to occupy my hands as we road-trip! 

Here's the story of how it all got started...

The most random thing happened while vacationing in Nevada.   Three sisters and our husbands took a day trip to Valley of Fire State Park.  After an afternoon of hiking, exploring, and soaking in the beauty, it was time to check in for our return flight.  We drove to Rainbow Vista, as it was the only location in the park with cell phone service.   While the three sisters look for just the right place to get that coveted cell service, the husbands searched a cave off in the distance.   Following a deserted trail around the back side of the cave, the most incredible gift was found: a little quilted heart with a tag reading, “I need a home.”

Well, it certainly found a perfect home! We may never know who placed that quilted heart in the desert of Nevada, but we are thankful for it.  This beautiful little heart started a whole new purpose for us; blessing others with the same simple act of kindness.

Have you heard of I Found A Quilted Heart?  

I'd like to hear from you if you have... Have you found a quilted heart?  Did you report the quilted heart?  Have you ever made hearts like this? 

I have enjoyed making smaller, improv mug rugs or postcards over the past few years.  Recently, I was inspired by something I saw on Instagram (Sorry, I don't remember who to credit) but this is one of the first projects I'll be making when I decide it is time to return to the studio.

I have been fiddling around in there with various things... I gave some special attention to the wood flooring the other day and I have it looking shiny and clean again. I cleared the various piles of project remnants that lingered after finished the Dresden Quilt and have my retreat quilt in que for finishing.  I also pulled out an extra jellyroll that I had purchased as an option for the retreat quilt as well as a pattern book that I was gifted a few years ago from one of my daughters.

One of my Christmas gifts this year was a laser light that will attach to my sewing machines.  I am excited to get it set up so that I can try it out.  For years I have had a piece of tape on my sewing table making a center line as well as the 1/4" seam, but this will offer a longer line for larger HST units.  It isn't complicated to attach... just some sticky velcro... but I need to decide on the perfect position on the machine so that it isn't in the way and won't easily be bumped and knocked out of position.

Have you ever used such a tool?  

What are your thoughts?  

I'd love to have some feedback or suggestions.

A little longer range... I'll be working on getting a pattern book for the Pieces of the Trail Quilt printed.  The owner of the quilt shop in Raton, New Mexico is interested in doing another block of the month event.  So, I really need to get my ducks in a row and get a pattern book ready to sell.  I'll be using the same printing company I used for my Pieces From the Past book ~ Blurb.com.  I had considered making or creating a calendar with the patterns, but simply haven't found a good source or program to design something like that without making a big investment and learning how to use a new program... but to be honest... I haven't spent a great deal of time researching it either.  Maybe Snapfish or Shutterfly has something that would work...

I have been considering hosting another sew along for 2023... I am definitely interested but need to take some time off to be able to plan and design with fewer deadlines and pressure than what I put on myself this year.  If nothing else, I have learned from the lesson of caring for my health, which I had apparently taken advantage of this past fall. Be sure to watch for some details to come in the spring!

Thanks for following my thoughts, plans and dreams... I hope that you will continue to be one of my faithful readers! 😘

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

Planning Party at Quilting Jetgirl

Put Your Foot Down at True Blue Quilts 

Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation

Free-Motion Mavericks at Quilting & Learning

Thankful Thursday at Brian's Home

Little Things Thursday at Good Random Fun

Can I Get A Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Off The Wall Friday with Nina Marie

Brag About Your Beauties at From Bolt to Beauty

Peacock Party at Wendy’s Quilts and More

Friday Foto Fun at Powered by Quilting

Thank Goodness It’s Finished Friday

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

Scrap Happy Saturday at Super Scrappy

Patchwork & Quilts at The Quilting Patch

Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate