2013 Word of the Year

Every year I have a word of the year. Last year it was Courage. It helped me to take the decisions for everything going on with my book and all. And it is the word that gave me the basics for the next step in my life. Courage gives room for development. Gives room for exploring. And for me room for deciding about next steps in career, life and what more. It brought me to my word for 2013:

Authenticity

What it means for me? Well, in the simplest form, having the courage to be me. Making decisions based on what I believe in, and not on what others think. That might seem simple. However, I can be influenced by others or by myself even more, not doing what I am good at, but doing things I think others want from me.

In quilting being authentic has a big influence, as being creative is to me a form of authenticity. Being creative is to me showing yourself. Daring to go my own route, taking "the road less traveled".

I feel most "me" when I hand quilt. I love to work in the pace of my hand, not of my machine. I never followed a quilt pattern, unless it is for a class to learn a technique. I feel most "me" when I am teaching and inspiring people about quilting or other things. I love to empower people, giving them all the options to explore. Techniques, tools to make a quilt according to their own design. One of these things is my theory about "The Natural Stitch", where consistency is way more important than 6, 8, 12 or 24 stitches on an inch.

This year will be about doing what fits with me and using the build up Courage of 2012 to do something with that. And I hope you will join me!

Have fun quilting, also in 2013!
Annemart