Sewing

2016 was a good year

2016noodlehead-mosaic

Whew! yeah, 2016 was an interesting one for sure. It really went by in such a blur, but being able to look back at pictures proves that we had some fun times and learned a lot!

On the personal side, I’m super lucky that a yoga studio opened up just a few blocks from my house. I had done a bit of practice in the past, but the travel and time commitment always made it an obstacle I couldn’t tackle regularly. So with it being just a bike ride away, I’m happy to say that I have a great schedule going and am looking forward to more yoga in 2017. My girls joined swim team this fall and it has been amazing to watch them enjoy the sport I love so much. I was also honored to be inducted to the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse Wall of Fame for swimming.

It was also a year that was filled up with self-doubt and questioning. I felt a bit crushed under the weight of having my book and fabric floating around the world, I can only describe it as having my soul out there for everyone to see. It’s kind of hard to explain, and I’m not really sure I can sum up what it was all about in it’s entirety, but I’m happy that I’m feeling so much better and now that the year has come to a close I’m very much looking forward to moving forward. I feel so fortunate that I can work on my business as much or as little as I want or am able. So I spent most of the summer limiting my business obligations and pattern writing and focusing on my family instead – for which I am so grateful.

On the business side of things I released a couple new patterns (Petal Pouch and Compass Bag) and designed and wrote a free for Robert Kaufman (Tiny Treasures Basket & Tray for Carolyn’s Euclid collection). I also shared my DIY Garment Rack tutorial and hosted a Sew Along for the Tunic in my book. I even put together a video for my Maker’s Tote. I also contributed to the first two issues of the beautiful new magazine: Making (pouch & tote).

I taught a handful of classes again, and am looking forward to a few more events this year.

Perhaps my largest and most proud undertaking this year was adding leather to my shop. It was such an adventure to educate myself and research and test to find the just the right leather. I’m so glad to have it available now in two different widths and so many lengths that I hope is really helpful when you’re looking to add something different to your project.

And as usual, there’s still much to learn and explore!

In 2016 I found myself to be grateful for my friends and support from this amazing sewing (and knitting!) community. I never could have imagined how my life would be when I started in this space in 2009 and am so thankful for all of you. Thank you for your support, comments and encouragement. I’m looking forward to see what awesome inspiration 2017 brings.

Take a trip down memory lane and check out my previous year-end posts from 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015.

 

14 thoughts on “2016 was a good year

  1. Donna Baker says:

    Happy New Year Anna! I’m grateful for all your contributions and friendship over the years. Your year was great indeed! I hope 2017 brings even more happiness and success for you. I made you a little something special this weekend I will be mailing this week, a small token of gratitude!

    1. Anna Graham says:

      oh you’re so sweet Donna! Thank you!!!!

  2. Jeni says:

    Always a pleasure to follow along with your creative journey. Onward and upward! 🙂

  3. Happy New Year! I read along each post you write but don’t comment much but today I have to leave a one! No self doubt about your fabric or the book! Which I love it all! You are really talented and your patterns have taught me so much!

  4. Marsha says:

    You do such lovely work! I’m looking forward to your posts in 2017. (I’m also glad that you have leather for straps in your shop now.) Last year I started my second market bag from your book. My goal is to finish it this year by March!

  5. Cate says:

    I love your blog and your designs. Thank you for putting yourself out there and sharing your talent with the world. I received your book for Christmas and can’t wait to try some of the projects. Best wishes for a happy 2017!

  6. Karen says:

    Finding your blog and tutorials inspired me to sew again. I opened an Etsy shop this year and can relate to your feelings of self doubt. Your posts are the first thing I open each morning and I want to make everything I see! Thank you so much for sharing your style, creativity and all you do.

  7. Amanda Jean says:

    Happy New Year, Anna! So thankful to call you friend. Here’s to a fresh new year. Thanks for being such an inspiration and for all your generosity. ❤️

  8. Karen says:

    Thank you so much for all the inspiration and patterns over the years. You have brought joy and creativity to my everyday life, each time I reach for my bag, and I can’t count how many friends and teachers received petal pouches as gifts and thank yous this holiday.. your love spreads far!!!

  9. erin says:

    Happy New Year, Anna! I love looking-back posts – there was so much good in the past year. Your creativity continues to inspire me. Here’s to all that 2017 will bring!

  10. Emily says:

    Happy new year! Congratulations on becoming a wall of famer and taking up yoga! Congratulations on the book and fabric and patterns too!

  11. Cindy says:

    Happy New Year Anna!! What a busy year you’ve had! So excited for you and what the new year will bring! That’s so awesome your girls joined a swim team and are enjoying the sport that you love so much! And Congrats on your induction into the wall of fame- that’s pretty impressive!! I have been following you for some time now and even though I’ve gotten away from sewing for now I’m hoping to change that with the new year! Thanks for all you share- giving so much time and energy! I’ve learned a lot from you and love the inspiration! It’s so much appreciated!!:) Wishing you and your family a happy and blessed new year!!:)

  12. mrs robinson says:

    Happy New Year! I have enjoyed making some Noodlehead patterns in 2016 – thank you. Looking forward to more in 2017! Swimming wall of fame – oh my! P joined a swim club last autumn and has celebrated the new year by moving up a squad, which has meant the early morning swims have started. I haven’t seen half four in the morning so regularly since he was a baby! I am enjoying all the extra knitting and crochet time…

  13. Kelsey Boes says:

    I really appreciate your honesty about how this year felt, and I admire how you are balancing family and a creative business. You are an inspiration.

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