Sewing

2014 was a good year

2014 year end mosaic

I can’t hardly believe that 2014 has already come and gone. I seriously wrote ‘2013’ in the title at first. Yikes!

This year was so great for so many reasons. First, I was able to quit my full-time job at the very end of 2013. I never told anyone here on the blog, it was scary but a much-needed leap of faith. I wanted to be able to focus on my family. Especially my precious, growing girls. I’m able to stay at home with them and we had an awesome summer. I’m so grateful to be able to pick them up from school everyday and happy to be with them when they have a day off. I also started running with my husband in the spring, it’s been a great stress reliever! I also started swimming again, and I truly missed it. Being in the water is ultimate freedom for me. I swam through high school and college and getting back into the swing of things again couldn’t make me happier. Looking forward to trying my first triathlon in 2015.

With all the personal stuff there was a great deal of work being done. I wrote a book. That was (as is) a huge undertaking – and thus the need for finding stress relieving activities. I also got to take some of the photos for it as well as having my friend help take the rest. I released two new patterns (Road Trip Case and Poolside Tote). And designed and wrote two free patterns for Robert Kaufman (Snappy Manicure Wallet and Trail Tote). I taught a handful of classes, it was an intimidating thing for me, but I wanted to push myself in that area. I’m sure there’s more to add, but that feels self-indulgent enough for now.

Mostly, I want to say that I’m grateful for all the amazing support the sewing (and knitting!) community has given me. Without you, this blog would surely not exist. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

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

23 thoughts on “2014 was a good year

  1. Emily M says:

    Happy New Year! What a blessing being able to work at home doing your own thing now. Best wishes for 2015!

  2. Kim says:

    Happy new year!!! I really enjoy your blog and wanted to share San Diego has an all woman tri in October and it’s awesome! Sprint and Super Sprint distances. Not sure where you live, but it’s worth checking it out! Cheers!

  3. thelittlestthistle says:

    You had a fab year, hope 2015 is bigger and better :o)

  4. sophie says:

    Happy New Year! I am so glad you are able to enjoy your family: it is really what matters most! keep the great patterns coming!! and I can’t wait to have your books in my hands!!

  5. Amy says:

    It sounds like you had a wonderful year. Here’s to another!

  6. Sarina says:

    I’m glad you are still blogging. Your patterns and work overall are top quality. Happy New Year!

  7. Cathy says:

    Thank you for endlessly sharing the beautiful items you create. Happy New Year!

  8. Teresa says:

    You are awesome! Can I say congratulations on…geez, everything (especially the swimming, I do miss swimming every day)! Your year does sound great 🙂

  9. Darcy says:

    Anna that is fantastic news about basically everything and I am SO excited for your book. So. Excited. Happy New Year and here’s to an even better 2015!

  10. Tara says:

    Like many people, I don’t comment on blogs anymore – instagram is much quicker and using a smartphone to read blogs can be clunky, but I just wanted to say congratulations! I’ve followed you for such a long time and I can’t wait to read your book! I love your aesthetic and am preparing to make an open wide pouch this week and a super tote this month 🙂 I’m also considering making the trip to Vermont (I’m in RI) to take your class at Nido, if I can figure out childcare somehow. I hope to make it there! And (sorry, this is turning into a novel 😉 my husband quit his day job this past year, too, to pursue a career in a creative field and we love the change! I’m so happy for you and all the good things 2014 has brought you and hope 2015 has many more blessings in store!

  11. Nickie says:

    Is there a pattern for that little blue raincoat? May you have a dazzling 2015!

  12. Franziska says:

    Happy new year. So glad you can spend more time with your girls. It’s a gift.

  13. Nadeen says:

    Happy New Year! I hope 2015 is as successful, productive and fulfilling as 2014! I look forward to your book and upcoming patterns!

  14. Ines says:

    Dear Anna,

    it is so good to read, that your year was great.
    I love your work and photos so much and please do nothing different 2015 :-)!

    I was a swimmer too for 10 years till school end came closer.
    Now I love to swim during my summer holidays.
    For your triathlon I press my thumbs! ( I’m not sure, if you say so in english).

    Have a lucky year
    Ines♥

  15. lucilledupuis says:

    Well done, you! I love your patterns. From a professional point of view they are beautifully drafted, easy to assemble AND fit together perfectly, and the instructions flow clearly. Lovely, simple lines. I have been sewing for about 50 years, so I know good when I sew it! I also taught for 34 years and I know what a benefit your sacrifice will be to your children. The example you give them with your other activities is priceless. Be a strong you and your family will benefit from your strength.

  16. mskhofhinn says:

    Congratulations on a great year! I have to tell you, in a fit of Christmas insanity I started a Snappy Manicure pouch around 830 PM Christmas Eve – if there was ever a time to need a perfect pattern that was it! It came together beautifully, and thank you for including instructions for velcro because the only issue I had was that I had bought the wrong snap fastener for my snaps – oops! So thank you for a great pattern and I look forward to your book and many more patterns from you!

  17. frédérique says:

    Bonne année 2015 !!!! merci pour ce si joli blog, je l’aime beaucoup !!! Best wishes from France 🙂

  18. kristin says:

    Happy 2015, Anna! I’ve been craving the water recently too (happens every winter! gotta find a good indoor pool around here!). What a great 2014 your had – I’m so happy to hear your leap of faith is working out so well. Can’t wait to get my hands on that book of yours!! My SIL gifted it to me for Christmas (pre-order, ya know). 🙂

  19. Delia says:

    I am so happy for you that you were able to quit and be home with your girls! And your book (!!!), and your patterns… You inspire me in so many ways, the most poignant being how kind and thoughtful you are. 🙂

  20. Patti says:

    I have never commented here before but I just wanted to say how happy I am for you that you could be home for your girls. As a mom of four 17,13,12,10 I will tell you that the older they get the more available you need to be. So crazy. Regardless I am thrilled for you as I knew from the little you said that going back to work was hard for you. I feel fortunate that I only have to work 2 days a week and count my lucky stars for that. Maybe someday I can quit but for now it is what it is.
    Thank you for being an inspiration to me as a fellow sewist. While I’m not a garment sewer I love making quilts and totes and bags. I missed your sale this year as I was down with the flu and took a blog reading break since rest was needed. I wS so bummed to have missed it. Will you offer another before next year?
    Someday I would love to come to one of your classes. I only live in Indiana.
    You inspire me! Thank you!!
    Patti

  21. Reece says:

    Wow Anna! That sounds like an amazing year! I’m looking forward to what you have in store for us in 2015. A book!! Amazing, I bet it will continue to inspire us all, just like your blog. Happy New Year!

  22. h says:

    Happy New Year!! Glad 2014 was awesome for you, you deserve it!! Can’t wait to see what 2015 brings 🙂

  23. gail says:

    happy new year, anna! i can’t wait for your book, i mean i reeeeallllllly can’t wait! you’re amazing in every way 🙂

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