2019 Reflections!!

Wow! It is hard to believe that this year is almost over, and so is the decade.  Today, I want to look back at what I did and didn’t get accomplished in 2019.

 

When I look back on my January 2019 post on my goals for 2019, I feel that I finished many of them, but fell behind in some of my goals I wanted to get done.  Let’s start with my long-term goals first; I started working on getting my name out as a pattern designer, which is a long hard process; therefore, it is on my long-term goal list. I did get another one of my long-term goals completed, which was to get picked up with by distributors.  I signed with Checker this last year, I hope I can gain more as time goes on.

One of the short-term goals that I accomplished this year was to have a booth at Quilt Market. I had two Quilt Market booths, Spring (Kansas City) and Fall (Houston). I feel having booths at the quilt markets greatly benefited me as a person and my business.  The Spring Market was difficult, not knowing what I was getting into, plus I ran the booth by myself.  The Fall Market was far better due to my good friend, and my Longarmer Januari Rhode, aka The Quilted Ginger, went with me. I learned so much from her on pushing myself a little further, and getting my name out there and getting over those fears. 

Another goal that was on my list was to find time for myself and take a few classes. This year I attended a couple of Deb Tucker class during the AQS Lancaster Quilt show. That was great, just to get away and spend time learning from the best. Another way to find time for myself was to sell my longarm. This was a tough decision, but not doing the quilting on my patterns, freed up more time so I could produce more exciting designs and get to take a break here and there as well.

Another goal was to continue to grow my social media, blog, and newsletter followers. This year I did fall behind in my newsletter and social media posts. However, I had a great Quilt-Along that was fun, called Graceful Points, which combined the Studio 180 Design Blockbusters into one learning process to make either a wall or queen size quilt.

I did continue to design fun and exciting quilts over the past year. I released four new patterns, Getaway, Garden Enchantment Block of the Month, Stormy Seas, and Whimsical Dance, with more coming shortly in 2020.

One accomplishment that was not on my set of goals, but I’m so glad that I didn’t pass up the opportunity was to become a Sue Pelland Designs Certified Instructor.  She has opened the door for me in the designing world.  Stay tuned as the first of these designs will come out in 2020, you may glimpse some of these projects on my social media posts.

There was so much more I want to get done but got neglected this past year, such as grow my lecture and workshops, design more patterns using various fabric companies. However, I will add these to my long-term goals and work on them over the next couple of years.

This was a fun reflection on 2019, tomorrow I will have my new goals for 2020 ready to go for you. It will be an exciting year coming up, and I look forward to sharing the adventure with you.

Tina

"Designs to Inspire"

Reflecting on 2017 and Planning 2018

I looked at my post from last year where I set my 2017 goals.  I see I have accomplished a lot, but there are still many goals that have not been completed.  So, this year, I want to get a fresh start and work on the goals that were not finished in 2017 and also work on some new ones for 2018. In addition, focus time to work on my long-term goals.

Personal Reflecting on 2017

Personally, I look back, and I’m thrilled with myself and what I accomplished this last year.  One goal was to maintain all the weight I lost in 2016, and I did.  The program that enabled me to lose the weight and keep it off, also ensured I had plenty energy throughout the day to focus on my business.  Another goal was to hike in Colorado, but the bugs were terrible out there this year. So instead, I got to spend a wonderful week with my youngest son and his girlfriend. Speaking of travel, I was able to attend REI Outesse, an enjoyable experience that every woman that loves the outdoors should participate. It was a 4-day adventure in New England, where I got meet new people and learn more about outdoor activities. I As for those Unfinished Quilting Projects (UFO’s), I only got one of them done this year.

Business Reflecting 2017

For the business, this was a learning year for me.  I learned more about the Social Media, Newsletters and blogging through some classes at the Spring Quilt Market.   These lessons were helpful, but I feel I was not as productive as I wanted to be in this area in 2017.   As for Magazines, I was in two Quiltmaker 100 Block Magazines and had submitted a few patterns, but these were turned down. As for teaching and lecturing at guilds, this is a work in progress and so is learning how to grow my business (see 2018 goals).  I have continued to work with Fabric Companies, so that is another goal that will be knocked off my list.  I have been so busy designing this year that I have not found any time to make personal quilts. 

Ramblin' Star Block of the Month

I was delighted with the talents God has giving me, and I feel that they are starting to show through with my patterns.  I had another fantastic year as Island Batik Ambassador; designing monthly patterns helped me a great deal in my designing.  Also, I was blessed to have pattern designs selected for the Island Batik Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter 2017 catalog.  I was very excited about the Fall/Winer Catalog which featured my first Block of Month Quilt “Ramblin’ Star.”  Ramblin’ Star was and still is a learning process, with the writing and working with the Fabric Companies to get the pattern out.  Ramblin’ Star pattern and the Island Batik fabrics will be released in May 2018.  I will have blog tutorials and YouTube Videos for the quilt.  While making this quilt, I fell in love with Studio 180 design rulers and have started designing patterns for the rulers.

2018 Goals

My Personal goal for 2018, is losing a little more weight.  Plus, I want to tone my arms and stomach areas in addition to keeping up with my running. To complete these goals:

•     I plan to get back in my Isagenix program full force once again, Starting January 2^nd.
•     I have signed up for Half Marathon for May of 2018 and planning on running another probably in the fall as well.
•     Plan on strength training in the gym 2-3 times a week.
•     Do more hiking

Business Goals

I’m working toward several business long-term goals. 

•     Build my business name
•     Become a Certified Instructor with Studio 180 Designs
•     Become Island Batik Signature Collection Designer

I know these long-term goals will take several years and the following short-term goals will help me with these goals and help me work toward building my business.

• Growing my Social Media, Blog, and Newsletters with more followers
• Planning to Post more than one time a week on Facebook and Instagram
• Add Facebook Live Posts.  These posts will include Week Tips, New Pattern Announcements and much more.
• Post more to my Blog.  I will be starting off with a Block Buster Challenge that I will be starting the First week of January.  Helping prepare me to work toward my Studio 180 Instructors goal.  Also, more tutorials blogs on quilting.
• Produce more YouTube videos
• Work on getting Newsletters out in a timely order.  Also, build my Wholesale Newsletter following to the stores.

• Lecture and Teach
• Build my business by teaching and lecturing at Stores and guilds.  My first one is scheduled in January.
• Add more workshops and lectures to my Truck Show listings.
• Create Brochures and letters to mail and post on my websites for guilds.

• Take more classes in the building my Business
• Start the year off with taking a Creative Passion to Profit Boot Camp, January 8^th.
• Attend the Creative Arts Business Summit in April.
• Take more class at Fall Quilt Market.

These are just a start of what I plan for the year; I also plan on to do more designing and producing throughout the year, for Island Batik, Studio 180 Designs and much, much more.  My goals are now down on paper and going to keep them in front of my me always, plus putting them down in my Quilters Planner for 2018.

Please follow me as I work on my goals and build myself towards my long terms goals.  I will be announcing my dates for my Facebook Lives post and other recurring events this next week as I finish planning my schedule and year.

I wish all my followers a beautiful and safe 2018.  

Tina