Looking back on 2014, and looking forward to 2015

I awoke this morning to read an email from Dana Byerwalter, of All Free Paper Crafts. I was so pleased to learn my Pretty Quilled Vase and Teacup was part of their Top 100 Projects of 2014! There are many great projects on this list, so it's quite an honor to have been part of this group. My wonderful accolades seem to come to me this way - without me knowing it was something to strive for. I'm extremely grateful to see my work being enjoyed by paper enthusiasts.

Another source of great pride comes from my neighbor's niece, Sarah, who visited them this summer. She took one look at an example of my quilling and asked her aunt for my book, Pretty Quilled Cards. I am simply amazed with her work. Just look at her snowman card! I rated it 4 out of 5 for difficulty, and she just started quilling recently! A handmade Christmas card like this shows such thought and love for the person she gave it to. Here is more of her wonderful work so far. I can envision her making her own designs quite soon.

To be really honest, I had some fears my unusual way of quilling might put off some experienced quillers, or that my explanations were too out there to get across – but gazing at her work reassures me that I have made a body of work that inspires others to give quilling a try. This gives me the most satisfaction of all - knowing that I've inspired someone to discover an all-consuming craft and talent. Thank you for giving so much back to me, Sarah!

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Last January, I eagerly announced I had become an author – a bucket list item I didn't realize was in my reach. I'm indebted to all who agreed to review or spotlight my book and graciously gave their time and thoughts.

Since then, I have received photos from other quillers who have been inspired to take up quilling as Sarah has: Cupcakes by Anna,  Mother's Day by Carrie Finson, and Quilling for the first time by 7th Graders.

Another compliment I received was from Craftsy who pronounced my snowflake grid to be their top paper pattern design of 2014. I received an invaluable time capsule of quilling supplies courtesy Aunt Berni's generous family. I was given the opportunity overcome my fears of public speaking, by teaching quilling at Precious Memories. A blog hop spot was offered to me by Pritesh of Quilling Me Softly.

This year I showed examples of my photo booth set up, how I store quilling paper strips, and even to tame a rat’s nest of tangled quilling strips. I gave tutorials for a Mustache Valentine Card, I <3 U card, a new "Cut Coil" quilling technique (and a 2nd), using Letraset Studio Tac, cutting your own quilling strips, 3D soccer ball card, quilling a monogram, and a not-so-great DIY Electric Quilling tool.

My own personal projects included: an Easter Egg Spaceship, Easter Egg Planet, a DIY Mason Bee Hive, and a quilled poppy (my largest quilling project ever). I managed to launch a couple more quilling patterns in my store for cupcakes and champagne flutes. My die cutting exploits included: a hand drawn birthday cake card, party favor boxes for a ladybug, turtle, snail, jack o’ lantern, and bumble bee.

Whew! I'm actually shocked by this list. I have received and given so much this year, and I'm grateful for all of it. Of the above, of course it's my book announcement that is most memorable, and yet it's my Ladybug box that I had clutched in my hand as I fell asleep after making it – so content that it turned out exactly as I had imagined.

What's my plan for next year? Well...I won't be able to post as much. I want to apologize for not being able to keep up the frequency I've had in the past, but I have taken on a new full-time job, and it's been all-consuming to tackle their projects and learn about their industry. I still itch to play with paper, and this will never go away. I hope you have patience and check in on me once in a while. I re-read your comments, which remind me there is a readership out there who sees the nuances of what I do, and wants to know about the little details that I document – I am more grateful to you than you will ever know. Thank you all for your enthusiasm and words of encouragement. I hope to continue earning it in 2015 with some key projects that I have in mind.

May you all have a paper-filled Happy New Year in 2015!

Cecelia