Welcome 2010!
I really thought 2009 would bring a new addition to the studio. It was such a good idea, adding on an extra 400 square ft. of working space. I began to doubt it several months ago, when plans failed to arrive, deadlines weren’t met, and frustrations began to build. When the plans finally arrived, and the bids came in, the cost was outrageous. Seems California will never change. Things here cost more. We haven’t learned a thing. It’s a crazy business this one called construction. Crazy.
So we’ve said no to the addition with almost a sense of relief. And now I start 2010 with a new goal; Learn to do with what I have and simplify my life.
So welcome 2010! Tomorrow I will greet you with open arms!
Tonight I say goodbye to 2009 surrounded by the little blessings in my life!
And, as I listen to the fireworks going off outside, I realize I’m blessed to have an old dog who can no longer hear. Sleep little Bitsy. Tomorrow is a new year!
Happy 2010 Everyone! It’s going to be a good, good year!
Hugs,
Anne
39 Comments
connie
I recently bought your pattern for yoyoville… I am working on it every day and night so far I have almost half of my yoyos done January is my month to sew for ME ..so many birthdays throughout the year January I my “free month” I have decided to make my quilt with 30’s fabrics when it is done I will send you a picture I just love your pattern!!!
Donna
Hi Anne — Just viewed the new blogsite today and the pink looks fine on my computer, however the blog is twice as big as my screen so I only get half of it and have to scroll over to the right side for the rest — maybe it’s just me so I’ll have to check with the family computer whiz ;o/ I’m loving the quilting weather and working on the freebie basket BOM for last April (among other things on the UFO list). Have a wonderful New Year.
Jacqueline
Thanks for the new snowman BOM – it looks like a fun one. By the way your grey (blue?) cat looks remarkably like my Cody!!
PamKittyMorning
Happy New Year Anne!
suz
Happy New Year Ann. Sorry to hear about your addition – but I guess it's the same for all of us – we all have to make do.
Peddlecar Quilts
Hi Anne!
Well, that is surely a disappointment, to stop a room that you worked so hard to plan, but sometimes things really do happen for a reason, and later on you will probably look back and see why it didn't work out!! Your room is so beautiful as it is, and I know we always want more space. I feel that way about my whole house!! LOL!! But you are right, we need to focus on loving what we have. I hope to someday get my room half as organized as yours though! LOL!!
mimi'sdarlins
Well, Anne, when something like this happens, I just know it wasn't meant to be (not at this time anyhow). I'm sure you'll regroup and rearrange and be just as content as you've been all along in your beautiful studio. I hope the coming year will bring you peace, joy and love…who could ask for more? Happy New Year :-)
Blessedmom's Simple Home
It's ridiculously expensive to do anything here in California, isn't it? And yet we stay :-) My family is here and my husband has a good job, so I guess we aren't getting out of here anytime soon. I've been a So. Californian all my life too, so I might not adjust to the weather anywhere else too well. Your pets all look so sweet sleeping soundly. I wish I could sleep like that. Have a wonderful New Year Anne.
Blessings,
Marcia
Anonymous
Don't knock California cost it is worth every penny extra we pay to live in the Best place in the WORLD Let alone the USA. Take your Bunny tale and leave. You'll miss it. You just think things are cheaper, will go shovel snow in the Northeast and pay those high utility bills for one winter I know you'll be crying and complaining. Californian's like yourself don't realize how great it is here so I say love it or leave and there are 49 states you can go to. Whinner.
jaybird
as my mom always says. everything happens for a reason.. so keep the money.. spend it on fabric.. deal with the space you have.. be less stressed.. and keep making beautiful things for us to drool at!!
Cyndi Walker
A wise choice to be sure Anne! Additions, smaddition I say… :) Happy happy new year and I just can't wait to see what 2010 brings us from your studio!
Tracy Suzanne
Hi Anne. Oh' how I hate remodeling and construction and I hate the cost even so much more. I'm hoping this year is a simplified one for us too. I wish you lots of happiness in the new year. Hugs…Tracy :)
Carrie P.
So sorry your addition did not work out. Hope you have a great new year.
jackiero
Dear blog-friend Anne~
I find your words within this blog to be healing; I, also, happily say goodbye to 2009! This was "a" one up and "many" down year!
Yes, may 2010 be a very blessed and internally tranquil year to you, your loved ones, and the many quilting/blog friends.
:) Jackie R. in NC
Bari Jo
Hi there! Happy New Year! I loved your post and appreciated what you shared with us! Thanks for the reminder and encouragement! It is such a good thing to be content with what we have and keep things simple!!! Less is more! Can't wait to see what you come up with in 2010 – loved your basket BOM and other patterns! Thanks for all the cute inspiration! Bari
Brenda @Cozy Little House
Just found you. Happy New Year! I love my furbabies with a passion. So I can totally relate.
Brenda
Huneybee Quilts
Happy New Year to you and family (furry ones too!). Sometimes being happy and incorporating a simpler life is the way to go! Enjoy not having a big ol' construction mess anywhere near your home! God Bless and have a very creative and healthy new year!
darcey
Happy New Year Anne.
Your studio right now is exquisite and you have produced exquisite art from within it. You are a blessed woman and I wish you blessings in the new year. Looking forward to seeing your beautiful creations in the new year. This will be the second year that I have been following your work. All the best.
Darc
mascanlon
Me too…making do with what we have. And it is plenty to be grateful for, health, family , good friends and lots of fabric!
Barb
Hi Anne! Just a wish for a wonderful, happy 2010! and a BIG, BIG thank you to you for having such a wonderful site and for sharing your amazing creativity with the rest of us! You are truly a generous and talented woman.
Blessing to you, your family and all your animals.
Barb
Happy New Year!!
Carrie
Happy New Year! I hope 2010 brings you and your family good health and good fortune!
Simplify is good! As one who is cleaning out and clearing out their sewing room, less is good! More is just "more", and the truth is that it gets in the way. Even with everything I'm giving away and "sharing" with others, the simple truth is that I could dispense with half of what I've still got and still have more than I need.
Do you think there's a message there about finding the blessings right in front of us?
Blessings to everyone at Maison Sutton! Happy 2010!
Miss Jean
My goals are to get more sewing done. Also, I'm de-cluttering my sewing room. I looked at the peg board the other day and realized I don't use 90% of the stuff hanging up. So I'm taking it down and putting stuff away and organizing for a cleaner look. I'm painting over the stenciled ivy – so 80's! It will make my little sewing room (that I am grateful for) seem bigger.
Happy New Year to you!
Dandelion Quilts
Sorry to hear you've cancelled your studio update. Perhaps you should look into contractors from another state. I know here in Michigan people are dying for work. I wonder if you could save money to have supplies and workers brought in from another state? Just a thought.
Happy New Year.
Annelies Dease
Happy New Year….and we all just need to appreciate what we have. We are all so blessed and I know that you were a VERY fun part of my quilting in 2009. Now to see what you come up with in 2010….I can't wait. Hugs to you and the fur babies. XXX
luvtoquilt
Timing is everything — you'll have that addition at some point in the future, I'm sure. California does have it's challenges, but would you really rather be sholeving yourself out of your driveway at this time of year? I miss a lot of things about the midwest — the weather isn't one of them! You're right, Anne, it's the simple things that count.
trelly
Happy new year Anne!!!!
Jackie
Happy New Year, Anne! I hope that 2010 brings nothing but good cheer to you and yours!
Sue
Happy New Year! Have enjoyed the Tisket a Tasket block quilt. Look forward to seeing what patterns you delight us with in 2010. Having gone through a kitchen remodel years ago, it just might be easier to learn to make do with what you have. Your studio was gorgeous from what I saw in the American Patchwork and Quilting article. Absolutely gorgeous! So enjoy it and be happy you are not going to go through a huge remodel.
misswrite
Happy 2010!
I'm looking forward to all the beautiful new things Bunny Hill will bring us this year. :)
Thearica
I find I am more content, the older I get. And the less we want, the less we have to pay for and the more peaceful we are. I wish someone had told me this years ago when I was starting a family. I tell my 2 girls this now. I hope I can instill this in them.
Happy New Year!
Stephanie
Happy New Year! I'm originally from Southern California and all of my family still lives there so I understand the above average costs of everything. Looking forward to the wonderful things you'll create this year.
Janice
Simplifying our lives seems to be a common goal for the coming year. I hope yours is healthy, happy and that you continue to create your gorgeous designs.
May Britt
Happy New Year to you. My goals this year is to finish one of your BOM's that is stored in my sewingroom. Really have to reduce all my projects this year.
pattydelia
Happy New Year. Thanks for sharing the pics of your furbabies. They made my start of 2010 most enjoyable. Look forward to The simple things in life this year as well. Home grown Californian myself I know the costs of things and this year we all need to count our blessings and share with those with few blessings. It will be a great year, I just feel it! Patty
MARTA
Happy new year to you too, Ann!
Margo
I agree, Anne.
There are so many things to love about our beautiful state, CA. However, the extraordinary cost of things in CA coupled with the state's financial crisis affecting so many of our businesses and their payrolls has made all of us hang on to "the simple things" in life. Hey, maybe I just stumbled onto a new quilt title/idea – the simple things in life!
Happy New Year,
Margo
Bakersfield, CA
bev in CA
Happy New Year…..I did the samething….make do with what I Have! It's a fun challenge, and your right California! By they way your quilt "yoyoville" from you Dec 11th blog..is there going to be a pattern..I love it! Actually I love all your designs…Oh, when will I be able to do it all! Oh well..
the Material Girls Quilts
Happy New Year Ann!!
Nadine