We’re here! The final stop on the Craft Napa blog hop for the $500 eQuilter gift certificate! (Who doesn’t want to win $500 worth of fabric around the holidays?!)
I invite all to share a response below, and I will collect the comments from all the Craft Napa blog posts, including this one, and announce the randomly selected winner tomorrow.
I am incredibly honored by everyone who has faith in me and is joining this inaugural Craft Napa event next month!
To that end, I am working as best I can to make it a success. It has meant a lot of out-of-the-box thinking, taking into consideration what is currently available in the market, including online instruction.
It means I am constantly asking the question: What do people yearn for out of a live, in-person gathering in the year 2016?
Getting personal…
Moving back to Northern CA, specifically Napa, has been nothing less than a stunning decision to me. And I mean that in the truest sense–a deer-in-the-headlights kind of stunning. I moved away a long time ago. I was 17 years old when I went to college in Boston. I am now 44. Chronologically speaking, I have been away more than I have been home.
Life events have ultimately brought me back.
Now that I think of it, Napa had left an indelible imprint just before I left the Bay Area in 1989. I grew up about 25 miles from Napa, and my high school offered a small weekend retreat in Napa County chaperoned by our class dean and a few other teachers. The house where we stayed was an old, drafty Victorian-style home painted lemon yellow with white trim, situated in a hilly countryside adorned with rows and rows of dormant grapevines. It was the stark of winter, but it was lush and green, frosty and cold.
It was invigorating.
I remember long talks with a trusted teacher at the retreat, discussing life’s possibilities. On the final morning, just before boarding the van to go home, I thought: this is it. This is the most beautiful place on earth. And I asked myself: What is possible?
And now, I ask myself that question again in my mid-40’s. Given life’s opportunities, given disappointments and loss, given mistakes and triumphs, given everything that has led me here– to Napa–what is possible?
I pose the question to you:
For you in 2016: What is possible?
Comment away!
And for those coming to Napa next month, I cannot wait to share this magical place with you…
What’s possible in 2016- making a big dent in my fabric collection.
I’ve been so inspired what you’ve done all along the way with the quilting arts world and you have changed my world because of it. I feel I can do anything I want if I put effort into it because of the exposure to all the connections I’ve acquired starting with my first read of the magazine you started. I can’t join you in your Craft Napa this time, but I will in the future. Looking forward to all your success in your new venture!
Anything is possible. If you want it. Things take time. Be patient. Work in the right direction, not necessarily a straight line. Have a goal. It will happen.
Looking forward to meeting everyone. I bought my first Quilting Arts magazine many years ago. It had a quilt made from a picture of suitcases on Ellis Island. I never knew quilts could be made from photos. It has taken me on a great journey. See you soon, Pokey.
Leaving all the hurt-old and new-behind. Forging ahead without fear and growing.
It’s possible that I will retire in 2016-which will allow even more time to quilt! I’ve really enjoyed your inspiration, especially in Houston a few years back!
All things are possible in 2016!
Nov 30- Jane LaFazio – http://janeville.blogspot.com/
Dec 1 – Lynn Krawczyk – http://smudgeddesignstudio.com/blog/
Dec 2 – Judy Coates Perez – http://www.judycoatesperez.com/
Dec 3 – Jenny K. Lyon – http://quiltskipper.com/blog/
Dec 4 – Jamie Fingal – http://JamieFingalDesigns.blogspot.com/
Dec 5 – Melanie Testa – http://melanietesta.com/blog/
Dec 6 – Elizabeth St. Hilaire – http://www.paperpaintings.com/
Dec 7– Leslie Jenison – http://leslietuckerjenison.blogspot.com/
Dec 8- Carrie Bloomston – http://www.carriebloomston.com/blog/
Dec 9 – Cheryl Sleboda – http://blog.muppin.com
Dec 10 – Pokey Bolton – http://pokeysponderings.com/
Anything is possible once we let go of fear. You, Pokey, are a shining example of some one who may experience fear, but takes the leap anyway. Wishing you all the best on your inaugural event!
Everything is possible in a life crafted with love through the heart and mind’s creativity! Thank you, Pokey, for envisioning some years back that quilting and art truly go together. I hope to see the beauty of Napa in person some day soon – while this January didn’t work out for me time-wise, I’m looking forward to another Crafting A Life extravaganza! Best wishes for Christmas and January and the New Year! Flavia
Returning to fiber right before I found out that my husband had terminal brain cancer has been a Godsend to me. I was just dabbling in mixed-media and art quilting a few years before Jerry became ill. I didn’t know what a stash was, I didn’t understand the difference between piecing a quilt and stitching a quilt – I was just unaware. I had always embroidered and done needlepoint, but as I looked ahead toward retirement I wanted a hobby. So, one day in December I visited the quilting shop, the knitting shop, and Jo-Ann Fabrics. I was still not sure of what I wanted. I eventually joined a local group called PlayDate and the rest is history. I am more of a fiber artist than an art quilter at this point. I show my work, I sell my work, and I am scheduled to teach a workshop on Freeform Knitting And Crochet in France in June 2016. I went to Create in Chicago and remember walking by Pokey and being unsure of whether I could talk to you in person. You were larger than life to me. OMG, I walked by you and it was Pokey Bolton.
I so admire the twists and turns you have taken with your life and I wish you well on this latest adventure.
Michele Lasker
Prioritizing is a possibility for me, but a challenge! I’m so easily distracted by new techniques, ideas, etc. I’m really looking forward to learning at Craft Napa. See you soon!
See you at Napa Craft.
What is possible in 2016? Now that we are retired and settled we hope to have a lot of leisure time. I plan to spend mine sewing and quilting.
Yes, anything is possible! If you can think it, you can do it. Please continue to think outside the box. You will find happiness doing what you enjoy. The best of luck to you ! I hope to come to Craft Napa next year, 2017.
I’m an optimist. I think anything is possible if you have a plan and work hard toward your goals. I try to be productive and enjoy each day.
Following my dreams if possible and daring bravely. Trying new things without hesitation and being open to new ideas.
The idea of exploring what is possible is what inspires me for 2016. I plan to explore, involve and invigorate all my senses to see what it is that I am and is possible for me, and I can’t wait to get started because it already feels good just thinking of it! This is my first time writing this down and it is exciting to see 🙂
I only wish I could attend your workshop!
Glad this has been such a good move for you. Drhodes9@cox.net
It has been so much fun reading your posts about your move to Napa and the development of this new phase in your creative life! Thank you so much for sharing! I truly have enjoyed all the details and I look forward to getting out there soon to see it all! My goal in 2016 is to develop my own style and skills to become more productive in the artistic side of my life! Hopefully fewer UFOs in the closet too!
Anything is possible. Never be afraid to dream, wonder and hope.
Hope you have loads of success. You certainly have a beautiful location….how could anyone not enjoy themselves?? Best wishes
My goal is to become me
The possibilities for 2016 for me are to expand my knowledge of my creative endeavors.
For myself – 2016 can be anything I dare to try and experience. No mountain can be to high, no trip to far and my dream to get a better human being should be on my way. Angie
Sent from my iPhone
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Quilting has enabled me to overcome personal adversities and handicaps. 2016 promises unlimited opportunities to leap into the joy of creating and finishing my works of art.
Anything will be possible in 2016! After 4 years of being mostly un-or-under employed, things had gotten pretty grim. But in mid-September I started a great full-time job with fun, happy folks. My creative mojo is slowly returning, so 2016 will be great! Congratulations on your wonderful move too!!
I’m very excited for your new venture. You got up and running very quickly! Wish I was attending Craft Napa in January, but hope to in the very near future. You’ve done a fabulous job on your website – that should be no surprise though! I wonder if you will have an Open House anytime in the future? Maybe demonstrations as well?
Hi Pauline, down the line there will be more offerings and a CRAFT NAPA is planned for 2017. Hope you can join us some day!
2016–overcoming some personal trials this past year. Learning to trust again. Looking forward to Napa in January!!
Pokey, the possibilities for 2016 are wonderful! My world is becoming more art-filled and your new venture will take off for the starts! We truly live in a wondrous time.
I feel like 2016 is the year of change for me. 2015 brought me back to Houston after 13 years (I saw you on the floor Pokey but was too shy to say hello). We found more thyroid cells a year after taking out my thyroid. So, just finished a radioactive iodine treatment. I bought a longarm and am anxious to get it set up. But I am so excited to get this year over with! I’m open to all the possibilities coming my way! Craft Napa sounds wonderful…anything is possible!
Karen, best wishes on your health improving and have fun with your new longarm! And if we see each other in Houston again, I really hope you say hi!!! I don’t bite. 😉 Have a great weekend!
What is possible in the future is to carve out the time and place to be creative. This is a large part of what you are offering – a true retreat from daily life, a time and place to play, make connections and to be exposed to new ideas.
What is possible is what ever I chose to focus on and stick with it to completion. My goal is to become more organized for 2016 and focus on what is important, how does art quilting fit in, and why continue with art quilting. Your Napa adventure is amazing and you are such great inspiration to those of us who feel stuck at times!
So excited for you and to be a part of Craft Napa.
Becoming a confident long arm quilter and putting my quilting projects first. I’ll still make some gifts and definitely charity projects, but there are so many techniques/items on my bucket list, I’m going to learn to finish what I start. I had a good start in 2015, but I want to continue it. I am enjoying following your journey as we are close in age and both have made big distance moves for our careers. Best of luck and I hope to attend Craft Napa sometime soon!
The important dreams we had as children, the ones we never lost sight of through the years, are still possible. Doesn’t matter if you are 44, or 61 like I am, living those dreams can still happen. I plan on staying busy at living those dreams until the very end. I want death to have to tap me on the shoulder to get my attention because I am busy living!
Love Peace and Joy are possible in 2016 if we only decide to craft and create it each day. our lives in
Your post was energizing. I will be joining you in Napa next month. I am so excited, I am hoping for a great 2016……Craft on!
Anyhing is possible if you believe in yourself! I am so looking forward to 2016 and new beginnings.
All things are possible – to pay off debt, to do the projects that are not finished, to warp my loom and use it.
In 2016, I see a football field surrounded by a giant track. The track has hurdles. And each hurdle has a name imprinted on it. I’m crouched waiting for the gun to go off. I think to myself, how will I leap over them? Each hurdle is a goal I have set for myself. The adrenaline is pumping. I want to soar over each one…I’m scared and excited all at the same time…nervous energy for what is to come. Secretly, I wish someone would tell me how to do it. If I could only get over the first one on the track, for the first time, I’ll have it made, right?! My blood pressure is rising. I want to get off this track. Wait gun, don’t go off yet. I don’t have this hurdle thing figured out. And then, I hear in the back of my head, stay on track. It’s time we face the… BANG! (and she’s off and running…)
In 2016 it is possible to get my weight under control so everything else is better too. And it is possibile to master free motion quilting to my satisfaction.
I hope to focus on my art or I should say figure out what “my art” is. Wish I could join you all in Napa!
I am so amazed by the beautiful craft that you all share. I wish I could be in Napa with you all. Hopefully I can find a way next year.
Wish I were joining you all in Napa! It is fun to think of what’s possible. I want to say…anything! Thanks for planting this question! And thanks for the opportunity to win! Have a wonderful time!
2016 will be THE YEAR to try lots of new techniques. Can’t wait to explore many of the things I’ve seen while exploring these blogs this past week! The Blog Hop has truly been a journey of inspiration and joy for my visual senses. Thanks for providing us with this wonderful trip and introductions to all the artists involved in the blog hop.
Pokey, I am so happy that you are living out your dream! When I bought an embroidery machine in 2010, shortly before my retirement, I never in a thousand years thought I would be delving into the quilting world. Seeing you on Quilting Arts TV and the beautiful fabrics in the quilting shop where I bought my machine really inspired me to do something I never thought I could. Now I’m not only enjoying my retirement immensely, I’m making custom items for family and friends, which brings them joy as well! I almost passed away about a year ago following complications from open heart surgery, and one of the uppermost thoughts in my mind was getting back to my sewing room once again. Speaking of possibilities for 2016…my husband is now closing in our 3-car garage so that I can have a huge room for all my machines and workstations. Having such a huge area just for me is my dream come true! Winning $500 worth of fabrics would certainly be icing on my cake of joys! God bless you, and wishing you all a fun time at Craft Napa!
Thanks, Sandy, and congrats on your improving health and the new big sewing space! How fun!
What a timely question. We have had a year in which we had much loss. Then a stretch of healing and–amazingly–serenity. And then, on Sunday, more loss. But I am reminding myself that it is possible that we will be happy again. That is possible. And the legacy of the loved ones we have lost is happiness, once the grief shifts a bit.
Sorry to hear of your loss. I hope 2016 brings a lot of joy back into your life…
For 2016 anything is possible. Maybe I will enter a show to sell some art. Or just do what I love.
What is possible? More than we ask or even think! Looking forward to new ideas, new creations and making new friends in 2016.
Anything is possible. But, for 2016, I’d like to focus on completing more projects than I start, become more confident with free motion quilting,and learning how to do in the hoop quilting on my new machine. I’ve lived your blog hop and will be with you in spirit though not body. Sounds like it will be a fabulous time!
In 2016 it will be possible to –
* be happy more than sad
* fit more activities into my life than I think I can do
* face down fear by putting my creative work ‘out there’ in the public
* make ‘dates’ with friends I haven’t seen in a long time
* think big and rise to the occasion.
I have followed you for many years, Pokey, on Quilting Arts TV and it’s been fun hearing about your life changes and where they have taken you. The Napa Valley is a beautiful place. I used to live about 20 miles from there for most of my life. Would have loved to be part of your new venture, Craft Napa coming up in January. Unfortunately, other family events supersede yours, so maybe next time. I live in Washington state now and so I’m not that far away. You have an amazing lineup of women teaching the workshops–Melanie Testa, Leslie Tucker Jenison, Jane LaFazio and on and on. Congrats and best wishes on your new venture. Have a fabulous time!
Look forward to seeing you when you can make it down my way!
Since reading my first issue of Art Quilt my life with fabric and thread has exploded. Thank you for years of stimulating articles. I look forward to a trip to Napa in 2017.
Hope you can come some day!
There are sooo many possibilities in 2016. I feel I am at a point of making big decisions and moving forward or ignoring them for another year and simply existing. I have always found that expressing myself through creative endeavors allows me to clarify what is truly important and put me at ease.
2016-another year to learn and do new things including stepping out of my comfort zone in the world of art. I appreciate those artists who are sharing themselves and their talents by writing blogs, doing tutorials, and offering ongoing encouragement.
More time in my sewing room and more creativity could be possible for me in 2016. I would LOVE to to attend Napa!
Ir is possible to take wings and make my art fly
What is possible? Anything is possbile and that is the beauty. Enjoy your new journey.
Everything is possible. Some of it isn’t worthwhile, but it’s still possible. The best thing is we don’t yet know what wonders today and tomorrow will bring – I just keep dyeing that fabric and cutting it up!!!!!
2016 is bringing not just the possibility of retirement after 23 years in an elementary school office, but the actual RETIREMENT so that I can spend more time long-arm quilting, which is a fairly new passion for me. I’ve been making quilts for about 12 years and quilting them on my Pfaff, including my kind-sized bed quilt. My HQ Fusion has brought a whole new color to my world and I am SO looking forward to meeting you in Napa in 2017!
Absolutely anything is possible as life is constant change and mostly out of our control!
So go with the flow and love what you enjoy with the people you love:/)
I miss your show so much. I ha e tried to watch new person, but she cimes across as very know it all. She is always taking over her guest. Don’t watch any more. Thank you for all you help and Inspiration. Good luck in all you do.
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