Thursday, December 28, 2017

After Christmas


I'm one of those people who likes to take the Christmas stuff down on December 26th. It seems heartless, I know, yet I've always felt that when it's over, it's over. We spent all of Tuesday morning packing everything away for next year, and as sad as it was, I can't tell you how wonderful it feels to have all the clutter gone. Even my daughters noticed how clean and neat everything looks again in our house.

It was time for a refresh on my blog too. For years now I've been wanting to add an illustrated header to Fabric Mutt, featuring Naomi the dachshund, who was my official mascot way back in 2012. I haven't had the chance or the technology to do things the way I wanted to before now, but I'm hoping that this will be a fun addition to the blog that will change with the seasons. Spending this last year designing fabric collections for Riley Blake has reminded me how much I love doing illustration, and it's something I want to share in this space more often.

The past three years have been filled with enormous challenges and adventures for me and my family. I wrote a book, moved from California to Texas, walked through some family health issues, started designing fabric, and intensified my work as a homeschooling teacher for my three daughters, who are all growing up so fast that I can hardly stand it. Looking back, it feels as if the blog has been in survival mode for a while now. What was once a relaxed place to drop in often for a chat with all of you about what was going on in my life, both creatively and personally, has become more like an occasional business meeting to inform you about assigned projects. I regret that.

It only takes a few minutes of reading online about blog trends for 2018 to see that the bar is being raised higher and higher. Blogs are now expected to have the staffing, content, and appearance that was once expected only of magazines, and the competition is stiffer than ever before. The hamster wheel of Make! Publish! Sell! Repeat! gets overwhelming pretty fast, and I've seen more than a few bloggers sharing their keen desire to find a way back to authenticity again.

Heading toward her 40th birthday and the start of a new decade in life makes a girl -- ahem, a woman -- think...a lot. As I've been counting down the days until Saturday with both anticipation and a bit of melancholy over the last few weeks, I've decided that I've reached an age where I need to believe in what I'm doing, to find the fun in it, to be myself. So this year I'll be walking into the future by way of the past, mixing the lessons I've learned over the past 6 years (Yes, Fabric Mutt celebrates it's 6th birthday this week!) with a return to the joy that got me here in the first place, that love of sewing that captured my heart from the start. I'll be stopping by this space more often, probably with shorter posts and fewer photos, but with more of the day-to-day details that go into my personal creative journey. I hope that you'll feel free to share back with me about your own goings on in the comments so that we can truly make this a place to chat about what we're making and doing and why.

Starting over has never felt so right. See you again soon, dear friends...

25 comments:

  1. I love authentic!!!! It's nice to know that what I'm reading comes from the person it says it's coming from 😊💗

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    1. I know what you mean, Sarai! I feel just the same way!

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  2. I love your new header and can't wait to see what the year ahead brings!

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  3. Yay, I miss the blogs! Everyone has gone to IG. I’m going to get back to my blog too. Fingers crossed life stays a little nicer this year to allow that :)

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  4. Looking forward to seeing you more often! Your new header is perfect!

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  5. A very engaging and endearing header! Looking forward to reading your blog in the coming new year!

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  6. Happy Birthday Heidi! Love authenticity and looking forward to seeing more of you. Love your header it’s so you!

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  7. This speaks to my heart Heidi. I’ll be here following along, I always love your posts.
    And happy blog anniversary!
    -Faith

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  8. Sounds like a plan, as my cousin used to say when we were growing up. I'm in! Meet you here!

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  9. Well, if I lived by you, I'd suggest we have coffee and chat. As a mom who homeschooled her kids, as an older woman who would enjoy encouraging you along the way. I love your new header, it's so creative and fun! I think you have assessed things well and you are making a good plan. Authentic always wins, I think. Looking forward to more of your posts and the cute projects you come up with!

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  10. Happy 6th blog birthday. I agree with others that the new header is light and fun. I also agree and am thankful that you have assessed things well and are making a good plan. I have stopped reading blogs that as you put it, "...Make! Publish! Sell! Repeat!" I also don't like blogs or other websites that are really cluttered and designer oriented rather than user friendly. My sister-in-law home-schooled all 7 of her children. That was her calling and she did a wonderful job--they are all grown up and successful.

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  11. Oh, I love your new header! And, most definitely, authentic is the way to go. Some blogs I've been reading lately seem like they are trying too hard and, have lost what they started out to do. I've always found your blog endearing, down to earth and, your generosity sharing what you do lovely! Looking forward to what you have in store for your followers this year!

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  12. Best of luck in 2018! I look forward to continuing to read your post! Your new banner is adorable!

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  13. You are accomplished AND authentic. That makes you a pretty special blogger person! Happy Birthday and Happy New Year!

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  14. Love your new header, love all your projects (I've copied several of them), and love your blog. Look forward to seeing what you create in the new year. And happy birthday!

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  15. Sounds fantastic. I love your blog header too. Happy New Year!

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  16. Happy birthday to you and your blog! Love the new header. Love the fact that your blog is ad free. Just love your blog! Happy New Year.

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  17. Love this post!! Your new header is super adorable. I have been unfollowing blogs that feel like they're more "commercial" because "authentic" and "relatable" is more what I want in a blog. I look for inspiration, encouragement, and a sense of community with other sewists. Thank you for providing that in 2017, and I look forward to seeing what you post in 2018! I don't comment very often, but I am consciously trying to change that in the year ahead! :-)

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  18. Just to say, thanks for the Malibu satchel... now walking round London with its Christmas owner!

    I shall continue to drop in a see what goes on in your blog!

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  19. Oh what a lovely sweet post to read on this very cold, snowy day in Southern Ontario, Canada. Thank you Heidi (and happy birthday wishes) for your efforts here for all of us to enjoy. It is appreciated, please know that!

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  20. Happy Birthday, and I hope you find the balance you want with the blog (which I do enjoy reading), and in your creative life! Hugs, from H in Healdsbrgurg

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  21. I've not commented before but yours is one o my "inspiration blogs." This is a category in my bookmarks that I go to when I need real and inspiring. I love your blog, it is all of that and more. Thank you for being such a joy for me.

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  22. So much of this post reflects how I feel. Hopefully 2018 will be a much more focused one on what I want to do and accomplish.

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Aren't you the sweetest for leaving a comment! Due to all the ads that bombard this section, I have to moderate everything first, but look for your comment to post in a day or two. Thanks so much for writing!

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