2023 Q1 Check In

There are still 2 weeks left in the first quarter of 2023, and I’m really happy with how much I have accomplished in the first 11 weeks of the year. Here are the highlights:

2023 Q1 Finishes

I have 8 finishes, starting in the upper left hand corner and working clockwise in the image above they are:

1. Project Quilting 14.1 {One}
2. Project Quilting 14.2 {Pink Tint}
3. Project Quilting 14.3 {54-40 or Fight}
4. What is Love?
5. Project Quilting 14.4 {A Novel Project}
6. Board and Batten QAL
7. Project Quilting 14.5 {Not a Square}
8. Project Quilting 14.6 {Conquer a Fear}

2023 Q1 Current Works in Progress {WIPs}

I currently have 3 works in progress:

1. Night Garden
2. Space Arcade
3. Diatom QAL

Night Garden has been quilted by Melissa of Sew Shabby Quilting and it is being shipped back to me right now, so there is a good chance I may get the binding complete for that queen sized quilt in the next two weeks!

2023 Q1 Patterns & Tutorials

I also released 1 pattern and 2 tutorials this quarter:

1. Garden Peony Digital Quilt Pattern
2. Double Four Patch Block and Quilt Tutorial
3. Trimming Quarter Circles {Video Tutorial}

So how does all this compare to my 2023 Goal Setting that I established back in December?

Business Goals

1. Host the Diatom Quilt Along. – The quilt along is officially halfway over and I love getting to see everyone’s blocks!
2. Continue to blog 1-2 times a week as content arises. – So far, I’ve published 36 posts (including this one) which is actually an average of more than 3 a week; it’s been a busy start to the year due to my choice to participate in Project Quilting this year.
3. Release new Quilting Jetgirl patterns and continue designing. I don’t want to put a number on my goal for next year, but I certainly have a few patterns at the top of my list that I know I will want to work on. – I am hoping to release Night Garden, Space Arcade, and Congruence in Q2. I am also still really motivated to work on Cloudy Night Sky as my next project after those are complete.
   1. Garden Peony – Released
   2. Night Garden – In Work
      1. Space Arcade Bonus Quilt – In Work
      2. Congruence Bonus Quilt – In Work
   3. Cloudy Night Sky
   4. Frost Filigree
   5. Next Quilt Along
4. Maintain technical editing clients and grow new opportunities as time allows. – I have been able to take on several new clients, but I am currently at full capacity. This week, I am planning to brainstorm with Sarah Ruiz about how to create a technical editing online network.
5. Continue to explore the balance of time in the studio and my need to take time off and creatively recharge. At the very least, I’d like to join my local library and start reading books again. – My local library hours are a bit strange, so I need to carve time out of the middle of one my days to do this. But once I do, I should have access to their digital library which will be fabulous!
6. Remember to seek rejection, have fun, and try new things! – I started participating in Project Quilting and I had such a great time! So much so, that I would like to add a new goal (see #7 below).
7. Create at least 1 “fun” or just because quilt each quarter. Participating in the Project Quilting prompts at the beginning of this year infused me with a creative spark. I especially enjoyed the 1 week timeline of each challenge.

Life Goals

1. Get back into a regular rhythm with doctor’s appointments. The past few years I have been good about my mammograms (I’m on a 6-month schedule) and COVID shots and boosters, but this year I want to get back to taking care of everything else. Specifically, I need to schedule a visit with an optometrist and dentist. Due to an injury as a teenager, it will also be good to find and maintain a regular appointment schedule with a chiropractor to keep me as pain free as possible. – I am now seeing a chiropractor on a regular basis. At the beginning of the year it was twice a week, and I’m now down to once a week. Here’s to a less painful 2023! I also got established with a new family practice doctor, had my annual bloodwork completed, and I should have my mammograms (well, ultrasounds) scheduled in early April.
2. Maintain a regular exercise schedule. I’ll be participating in a 30 day yoga practice in January. I also like to incorporate strength training via Sydney Houdyshell, take daily walks with my husband, and go on weekly walks with my good friend Traci. – Even with the very wet winter, I think Traci and I have only missed walking together one week. My husband and I walk as often as the weather permits, and due to my back pain, I am currently continuing with a daily yoga and meditation practice that works with my body and abilities.
3. Give myself grace and lean into patience. – This is a good reminder. I took a long 2 hour nap on Saturday afternoon. The time change this year really threw me for a loop, and my body needed more time to recharge over the weekend.
   1. While running my business is important, my husband is starting his own venture into self-employment which has an interesting yin-yang relationship with my time. We will need to travel to support his work, and I look forward to seeing him continue to grow and flourish. – Travel for this is upcoming in May, and I am looking forward to supporting him!

Linking up with the #2023QuiltingQ1CheckIn.