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| Photo by my buddy Anne Weil, I’m modeling her beautiful cowl! |
 In the past I have reflected upon the year’s end, tallying up my accomplishments with pride and gratitude for all that has happened in the last year. While I’m still feeling proud and grateful, I mostly just want to get on with the new year!
2013 has not been a bad year. It’s been a busy year of book writing and making. In fact, writing my 3rd book pretty much ate my life from January through August. And while I rose to the occasion, grew tremendously and stretched my boundaries with this book, it was too much. Never again will I put myself through such a demanding schedule. I missed out on precious family time, afternoons at the pool, leisurely weekends and even worked a bit on our summer vacation. I’d venture to say that other facets of my business suffered due to it (Bookkeeping? What’s that again?). I did it to myself, of course, there’s no one else to blame. But it’s done now and when the book hits the shelves in Fall 2014, the burnout will have faded and the excitement about what I created will rekindle!
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| Visit Anne’s shop for your own cozy cowl! |
Coming out from under the book deadlines and reconnecting with the online world felt a bit like showing up late for a party. (What did I miss? Remember me? What’s that new dance move? Who are all of these people?) I tried best I could to keep my blog going with somewhat regular posts and participated in my usual social media outlets, twitter and instagram. In the spring I flew to San Francisco to shoot 3 new Creativebug courses (yay!) but I missed attending both spring and fall quilt markets. I put a gazillion ideas on hold for the first 3/4 of the year than came out fighting for the last 1/4 with my Holiday Stitch-along Ornament Club and my Holiday Tea Towel.
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| Anne takes great photos and makes me laugh! |
But enough about 2013! Let’s get on with the new year! For 2014 I have many plans already filling up my calendar. I have goals for being productive (better bookkeeping!), stretching in new ways, re-engaging with my blog and my readers, collaborating with others, and yes, cutting myself some slack. It’s like pulling all-nighters in college. The novelty of pushing too hard has worn off. Work hard. Rest. Repeat.
Here’s to having a life in 2014! Happy New Year to you!
Happy new year-I have similar goals to yourself, so here’s to seeing them come true. Looking forward to the new book x
Thank you! All the best for 2014!
Definitely keep stretching, but take time to smell the roses. I will be interested to see your new book. Have a happy!
Thanks, Barb! Good advice!
Happy New Year Betz! I’m glad you made it through this year! I can’t wait to see your beautiful book either. Excited to hear what comes of 2014 for you. Hopefully some more lovely afternoons hanging out with me. xo anne
Thanks, Anne! xo,b
Happy New Year to you! I have been out of the blogging world as well⌠Congratulations on your new book and good luck to many more good things in 2014!
Thanks Hannah!
Happy New Year, Betz!
Happy New Year to you too, Erin!
OMG HOORAY FOR FINISHING THE BOOK! That’s gotta be such a relief, I got a bit worried to be truthful lol and while I myself barely had time to come up for air I did think about you and all your projects đ I too am very much looking forward to 2014. I think just the SOUND of saying “2014” sounds refreshing and exciting.
Yes! Here’s to a fresh start in 2014!
happy new year. i lovs your blog
oh thank you!
Love these pics of you – perfectly captured expressions of your personality!!
Thanks, Jan! Alas, I’ll never be a fashion model, haha!
Happy New Year Betz. Please feel free to pass along any great bookkeeping tips in 2014 đ