Hello, friends and Happy New Year! I’m so looking forward to the journey of 2022. And while the past couple of years have been hard in so many ways, I’m filled with optimism that the lessons learned will translate into creating a joyous 2022. In today’s Saturday Seven 214: Lifestyle & Inspiration for Quilters post I’m sharing inspiration in many different categories: self-care, cooking, quilting and sewing, reading, and home. I’m also sharing a free January 2022 printable calendar that I’m super excited about (see number four below). I hope today’s post helps you begin a wonderful new year!
Saturday Seven 214
1. Self-Care
I love this idea of resting for 22 minutes each day in 2022. I’m going to try to sit outside each day and be still for my 22 minutes. And this list of 35 Small Wins to Celebrate this Week is such a good one! (I’m going to print it out and keep it in my journal). And I’m definitely going to put a “dream day” on my calendar each quarter this year. Here are some tips for How to Plan Your Dream Day. Finally, I loved these simple but wise words–I think I’m going to print it out and frame it!
2. Cook
For breakfast and brunch lovers–here are some fun Avocado Toast Recipes. All of the flavors of Lasagna in an easy-to-make soup? Count me in! I also want to try these Floating Taco Bowls. I’m going to try this Lemon Garlic Scallop Pasta for dinner tonight. And finally, these Lemon White Chocolate Cream Bars look like the perfect dessert.
3. Quilt + Sew
You can now download the fabric requirements for the Heartfelt Sew Along coming soon from Fat Quarter Shop. I’ll be sewing along with this one. (Find them here). And here is a fun tutorial for a darling triangular pen case. I know I’ll be making a couple for sure! And shortly before Christmas, I filmed a fun pillowcase tutorial video with my son Billy. Actually, while I shared the directions, Billy did all of the sewing. You can watch the video on our YouTube channel here.
4. Free January Calendar PDF from A Quilting Life
Each month in 2022 I’ll be sharing a free PDF calendar page. I’m super happy with how these turned out (I can’t take credit for how cute they are, though–a friend designed this for me). One of our darling Seashore Drive prints makes a lovely backdrop and accent to the calendar page. We’ve noted podcast and video dates on the calendar, and there is space at the bottom for your own notes and for listing your top three goals for the month. This is perfect for adding to a spiral bound notebook or hanging up in your sewing space. You can find the January 2022 calendar page here or click the button below.
5. Bookshelf
First, you might want to try this tip to help you get all of the reading done that you’d like. I am also going to start writing down the answers to these three questions after finishing each book I read. I feel like this step will help me share more about what I read with others. (I’m also using this book journal for all of my reading in 2022). Finally, I’m going to share more about reading in 2022–including quilting-related books and other non-fiction favorites I love.
6. Home Decor
I picked up some fun things this week from the new Hearth & Home collection for Magnolia with Target. I love this cookbook stand. And these baskets in two sizes are perfect for fabric or anything, really! I also got this basket for my sewing room–available in three sizes. And this wreath just arrived yesterday and is the perfect addition to my eating area in our kitchen. Finally, I think I’m going to participate in this simple challenge. I love that it’s simple and doable for the month of January!
7. On the Blog This Week
Here are links to the posts from this week on the blog:
- A Quilting Life Podcast Episode 45 Show Notes
- A Quilting Life December 2021 Favorites
- Year in Review 2021: Quilts & Projects
- Winter Quilts & Decor Ideas
Thanks so much for stopping by to read the Saturday Seven 214: Lifestyle & Inspiration for Quilters. If you’re looking for more similar posts, you can find all of the previous posts in this series here.
Happy quilting!
Betty Meyskens says
Happy New Year – love reading your blog. It is so inspiring and so informative. I have saved the Triangular Pen Case pattern and hope to make a few of these in January. They will be awesome for my grandkids. The pattern instructions look pretty great too!
I love the idea of the monthly calendar. Interesting fact – on New Years Eve day I got it in my head to get a planner to organize what I want to watch and when and with some of the QAL’s coming up I needed a system to keep track of everything. AND now reading your blog, it was like she read my mind. YAH ?.
I have made a lot of pillowcases for our local Sick Kids Hospital in the past 2 years and I gotta say it was a lot of fun watching you teach Billy to make one. I loved your tip on topstitching – I have not done that but am going to do that now too. You can tell how great your relationship is with your children ❤️ Just by the way they talk with you and about you.
I am looking forward to spending time with you in 2022 through your blogs, videos, podcasts, etc. I hope some day to be able to meet you and Chelsi in person at a show perhaps. I truly appreciate all the time and effort you put into A Quilting Life.
sherri McConnell says
Thank you so, so much! This means a lot to me, as I know it takes a bit of time to comment.
Thank you so much!
We are definitely not perfect but try. It helps that my husband’s family had a business (started by his grandmother)…so he always has great ideas for us to keep it light and happy 🙂
Debra says
Thank you so much for you post this morning. Your words and plans inspire me as I head into 2022! Thank you again.
sherri McConnell says
Thank you so much!
Judy says
I received your planner for Christmas and I am thrilled. I remember you wrote a couple of articles in how to use it but I can not find the links.
I have never used a planner so would love to read your tips!
Thank you and Happy New Year!
Judy
sherri McConnell says
Today’s post has links…and the first two videos are live now as well.
Judy D Spahn says
I purchased the American Patchwork & Quilting magazine that has your beautiful Love Letters quilt. I am interested in the kit but was not able to find it on your Etsy shop. Will the kit be available? Thank you for all your wonderful videos and quilting help!
sherri McConnell says
They have already sold out. I’m working with FQS now to see if they will kit some more.
Margaret LaVenia says
You sure do have some interesting ideas for us each Saturday! I don’t use all of them but usually at least look at each one. I have continued with some of them too. I like the Simple Triangular Cases. Could you add your zipper tabs to each end if you used a little longer zipper and cut it off? This is a great idea as I usually make something for each of my great nieces and nephews birthdays each year so this would be a nice change from pillowcases. We added 3 boys this year so there are 10 now. Thanks for all your suggestions! Happy New Year!
Kathleen says
Your posts and utube channel are so inspiring, and your quilts are amazing! I’ve been wanting to make your four-square quilt for a while and love the winter version you are displaying this month. Could you please share the background fabric you used for this quilt? Thank you.
sherri McConnell says
I used Moda Bella Porcelain for that 🙂
Kim says
These are beautiful and very thoughtful ! Thanks for posting , can’t wait to make them ! Know they will bring smiles and touch my neighbors hearts as well as my senior residents at my job . Awesome ?