Mi Amor Legacy Appliqué
Margarete Heinisch;
AQS Publishing; $24.95

Appliqué fans will appreciate this Baltimore-style album quilt with its personal touches. Margarete Heinisch wanted to make a 25th anniversary quilt for her daughter and son-in-law and include blocks that were significant to their lives. You’ll find cornucopia with a drawing of a church; a block that includes a guitar and a painter’s palette; and an elaborate peacock. While you may not want to recreate this particular quilt, you’ll be able to put some of the techniques you’ll learn to use in your own quilt. These include working with silk flowers, lettering or drawing on your quilt block, and learning a number of embroidery stitches.

Look for this book at your favorite quilt or book retailer. Here’s a link to Amazon if you would like to learn more about the book.

By some accounts, Blue Monday was this week. What is Blue Monday, you ask? It goes back to a campaign created by Sky Travel in 2005. It’s the day you realize that you need to take action. It is a pseudo-scientific calculation that considers weather conditions, debt level (the difference between debt accumulated and our ability to pay), time since Christmas, time since failing our New Year’s resolutions, low motivational levels and feeling of a need to take action.

I think it is when you look ahead and see all you have set to accomplish this year and start to feel overwhelmed when you have not really gotten started. I am seeing this in some of my clients and ICAP members who already realize that they have got too much on their plate. And, yes, part of me feels this way sometimes, too. What I start down that overwhelm path of thinking, I remember the “whelmed” model that one of my husband’s clients came up with. Whelmed is that space between underwhelmed and  overwhelmed, where you are in “the zone.” People who are whelmed are clear about what they do and are determined to get it done. I can always tell when I am in the whelmed zone. I feel really productive, energized and thrilled at what I have accomplished at the end of the day.

Here’s a favorite quote that sums up for me the feeling of being “whelmed”:

See the ICAP blog at http://www.creativeartsprofessionals.com/weblog/

How to Speak Fluent Sewing
Christine Haynes
Stash Books; $22.95

One of the goals of our industry is to attract new sewers or crafters so that the industry continues to thrive. For those of us who have been around a long time, the lingo and terminology are second nature. Even for those who are experienced quilters or fiber artists, some sewing terms may not be as familiar. This comprehensive directory explains and illustrates more than 300 different sewing terms. The author approaches each item, whether that is a tool, a term for stitching, or a type of seam, and answers three basic questions: What it is, What it does, Why use it. At first glance, I thought it seemed rather basic; with a deeper look, I can see its value as a reference not just for new sewists but also for those who are more experienced. After all, do you know when to use a hera marker or when to use ball-point pins as opposed to glass-head pins?

Look for this book at your favorite quilt or book retailer. Here’s a link to Amazon if you would like to learn more about the book.

This past week I got a note from one of our members and a CABS attendee about a copyright situation with her guild. While I don’t know all the particulars, I do know this topic comes up on a regular basis.

Dare to Dance: An Art Quilt Challenge
Mary Kerr
Schiffer; $24.99

I love books that feature a variety of quilts on the same theme, and that is what Dare to Dance offers. Sixty artists each created an 18 x 30 quilt that reflected the theme “Dare to Dance:An Artist’s Interpretation of Joy.” Of course, joy is so open to interpretation and you can see that in each of the quilts. In addition to a full shot of each quilt, the book includes each artist’s story, a story of the quilt and what joy means to her. Some of my favorites included “Space Bubbles II” by Lisa Reber, “The Joy of Dancing on a Rainbow” by Judy Ross and “The Red Slipper” by Dianne Thomas. Treat yourself and then create your own story of joy.

Look for this book at your favorite quilt or book retailer. Here’s a link to Amazon if you would like to learn more about the book.

Some of you know that I pick a word to guide and inspire me through the year, to serve as a focus or intention as I face each day. I started this practice back in 2005 or 2006 and have shared this story before. At that time, I was actively practicing yoga and in a class, Kathy, the owner of our studio, passed a basket with words. I chose one, openness, and I didn’t really like it. After all, the woman next to me picked love, which I thought was so much better. I asked to draw a new word and Kathy told me the word had picked me and I was to go with it. I put the paper with the word “Openness” on the computer where I could see it every day. I was not sure what would happen, but I just started seeing all kinds of things around me. I guess I was “open.”

Since that time I have had lots of different words to guide me through the year, including abundance, challenge, joy, consciousness and last year’s word “Trust.” I wanted to trust that I would make the right decisions, that I would not second-guess my decisions, that the chances I took would work out. And, yes, I could see a difference in how my choices played out.

For me, this was a better idea than making a New Year’s Resolution. So, why did I make the switch from resolutions to an intention? It came down to the kind of person I wanted to be, not all the stuff I wanted to do or have. Sure, I could have the same resolutions everyone else made: lose weight, get organized, exercise more, the list goes on. But that did not work because I was still “being” the same person. I had to make a choice to “be” a different person. That is what has made the difference, focusing on being.

So here we are, a week into 2015, and I have been thinking of my “word.” I started by listing a group of words I found appealing: bounty, mindfulness, connections, persistence, gratitude, harmony, possibilities, thrive, awareness, exploration. And, while they resonated, they did not resonate enough. Next, what I did was think about what it is I wanted in my life and my business, and the answer I kept coming back to was to fully experience what was in front of me, whether that was a person, an experience, an activity, a challenge. It was about being present; it was about being connected; it was about being committed; and it was much more. So I just ruminated on “fully experience.” Actually, you could say I slept on it. When I awoke on Monday morning, the word “engaged” just came to me. That was it. I wanted to be or feel engaged. I went to the dictionary and found the following definition: “to establish a meaningful contact or connection with.” Meaning and connection.

Have you picked a word to guide you for the year? If you have not, give it a chance. You just need to think of the quality or direction that you want your year to take. Need some help getting started. Think about what you might have resolved to do and ask yourself what quality is necessary for that? Or try a search online for character qualities and go from there. Lots of people immediately come up with a word that resonates with them. Others need a bit more time. My best advice is think of a word, mull it over, and if it keeps showing up, that’s the one.

Once you come up with your word or intention, what do you do with it? Here are three tips:

1. Write it down where you can see it. I put mine on a sticky note and attach it to my computer where I’ll see it every day.
2. Share it with someone else, especially if the person will hold you accountable. Over the years I have shared mine with some of my mastermind partners or family members, and we talked about why we chose the words we did.
3. Do something that lets you take action on your intention.

What word did you end with? And, if you picked a word last year, how did that make a difference? Share your word below to make that commitment and see what you can create in 2015!

Please do! Just use it in its entirety and be sure to include the blurb below:

Morna McEver is the founder and CEO of the International Association of Creative Arts Professionals where creative arts entrepreneurs craft business success. Her weekly e-zine offers tips, techniques and inspiration to help you craft business success from your creative arts passion. You can sign up for a FREE subscription at http://www.creativeartsprofessional.com.

See the ICAP blog at http://www.creativeartsprofessionals.com/weblog/

Your Best Year Yet!
Jenny Ditzler
Grand Central Publishing; $13.95

One of my favorite planning resources is Your Best Year Yet! by Jinny S. Ditzler. I have been using this little book for years and recommend it each year, getting back lots of comments about how useful it is. The book offers a framework to define your personal values, identify the various roles you play and create goals for those roles. Here are some of Jinny’s questions plus a couple of my own:

What did I accomplish?
What were my biggest disappointments?
What did I learn?
How do I limit myself and how can I stop?
What are my goals for next year?
Where do I need to find education or support to get there?
How can I make sure I achieve my top goals?

I find one of the most empowering aspects of Jinny’s system is the look at the successes of the year. It allows you focus on your successes and not get weighed down by what did not work. It also lets you get off the treadmill of working on your business to see if you really are on course.

Here is a quote from the book I particularly like: “We must prepare our soil before we’re ready to plant the seeds we want to grow in the new year.”

Look for this book at your favorite quilt or book retailer. Here’s a link to Amazon if you would like to learn more about the book.

Do you have any traditions that you follow for the end of the year and the beginning of the next? I have several. Once I have revisited 2014, I think about what 2015 will be. Then I put pencil to paper so I have some way to measure what I have planned. My planning might take the way of graphs, pictures, drawings or lists. Those of you who know me know I will using one of my favorite resources  – Your Best Year Yet by Jinny Ditzler. If you are not familiar with it, I have included a review in this week’s ezine (feel free to click here to sign up for it and scroll down on the right sidebar or you can read last years here.) I am not big on “resolutions,” instead I pick a theme or word to guide me through the next year. Watch for the ezine next week where I explain the word I have chosen and why. Do you choose a word or theme? Do you find it makes a difference?

On a personal note, my tradition tonight will be to empty a big bag of black eyed peas in a large pot of water on the back of the stove to soak overnight. Tomorrow I will be cooking a batch of “The Best Ever Black Eyed Peas.” They won’t last long, as all in my home are fans and several of my neighbors will be over to take home a sampling.

We opened up registration for our Creative Passion to Profit Bootcamp recently. If you want to turn that creative passion of yours into a profitable business and don’t know where to start or you are ready to play a bigger game, think about joining us. You will be glad you did. The program starts Jan. 12, and we decided to run a two day special today and tomorrow in case you missed our Early Bird Pricing. Here are more details.

Whatever your traditions, I hope you end and start your year on a good note.

I’ve been getting ready for the holidays. I have done some decorating, which includes getting out my Santa collection. I think I have about 75 in a variety of sizes, and they fill lots of spaces in my home. The collection started back in 1978 with a KMart “blue light special” and grew from there. What did you ever buy at a “blue light special”? And, do they still have them?

Last week I was baking and made two of our family favorites: a chocolate chip pumpkin bread and a cranberry walnut bread. I have some stashed in the freezer for last minute visitors. They won’t last long around here if I don’t hide them away!

I’m doing some traveling over the holidays too. I spent part of last week visiting my husband’s family in Connecticut. We also took a drive to visit one of my cousins who lives in northwest Connecticut. I loved the family connections.

Back home we will spend Christmas at our home here in Maryland where two of my sisters and nieces will join us. Later, we will head over to our townhouse in St. Michaels to enjoy a quiet few days relaxing and recharging. We’ve been remodeling our kitchen, so I’m looking forward to seeing the progress.

I hope that you have a peaceful and joyful holiday and that you celebrate in a way that is meaningful to you. We are always tugged by so much, it’s nice to stop and remember what it is that brings joy and meaning into our lives. What is your favorite way to add meaning? I’d love to hear about it below or on our Facebook page.

American Quilts: A Democratic Art
Robert Shaw
Sterling; $29.95

Originally published in 2009 and recently updated, American Quilts: The Democratic Art takes a look at the evolution and growth of American quilts from 1780 through 2013. I found myself unable to put the book down, from its elegantly written prose to the more than 370 photographs. You can easily read the book from cover to cover or jump from era to era. It was fun, too, to revisit some of the quilts I remember early on in my study of quilting and to see some I didn’t recognize. And, be sure to enjoy the tactile nature of the book cover with its quilting stitch quality. A last note: with the price of most quilt books hovering near $30, this is clearly a bargain; I first thought the pricing was a misprint. If you are looking for a last minute gift, treat yourself or a friend to American Quilts.

Look for this book at your favorite quilt or book retailer. Here’s a link to Amazon if you would like to learn more about the book.

– – – – – – – – – –

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?

Please do! Just use it in its entirety and be sure to include the blurb below:

Morna McEver is the founder and CEO of the International Association of Creative Arts Professionals where creative arts entrepreneurs craft business success. Her weekly e-zine offers tips, techniques and inspiration to help you craft business success from your creative arts passion. You can sign up for a FREE subscription at http://www.creativeartsprofessional.com.