I can't believe 2024 is almost over and a new year is on the horizon! So much has happened this year and I am so thankful for everything! I started the year as a children's sewing teacher and working on tumblers here and there, trying to find my footing with this little business that I had started. Then, after Urban Spools moved to a temporary location on the other side of Dallas from me, I decided to really focus on Grunge+Grace and see what this could grow into.
I made the decision over the summer that I wanted to try being a vendor at some quilt shows and that was probably one of the best business decisions I could have made! I made my quilt show debut at the Plano Quilt Show in August and it was a huge success! I had 5 other quilt shows approach me, asking me to be a vendor at their shows! A couple months later, I was a vendor at the Texas Star Quilter's Guild Show in Canton, TX. I've already signed up for 3 more quilt shows for 2025 and have been in contact with a few others.
At the same time, the Etsy shop has been picking up! I've been tagging Tula Pink in a lot of my Instagram posts and she has reshared some of my tumblers, which has really boosted my online sales! Right now, the shop is on vacation mode so I can get caught up with my end-of-year bookkeeping. The Etsy shop will be back in early January!
I know a few months ago, I shared how I had gone insane and decided to enter 5 quilts in the quilt show in Canton and still had to quilt and bind all of them. I ended up with two first place ribbons, one third place, and two honorable mentions. Not bad for my first quilt show!!! One of the first place quilts and the third place quilt are ones that I designed. I'm looking forward to making more quilts in 2025 and entering more shows! I just started a Quiltworx quilt and I also picked up fabrics that I love but have no plans for. I'll also be participating in the Stitchin' Heaven New Years Mystery Quilt. I just have to pick my fabrics and get everything cut out by the end of this month. I currently have a love/hate relationship with mystery quilts, I love doing them, but sometimes hate shopping for fabric with no idea of what it's going to be. I'll be sure to update with how it turns out.
I'm planning to post more on the blog in 2025. I know, I say that every year, but this year I mean it! lol I have recently picked up a knack for quilting on a budget and would love to share some of my tips and tricks! One of the quilts I entered in the show was a $20 quilt top! Don't get me wrong, I love my expensive designer fabrics, but my budget doesn't always like those fabrics, so I've been getting creative with my fabric shopping! I'll also be playing around with putting some more quilt patterns of my own design on here. I've already posted Tossed at Sea, and will be writing the pattern for Untamed Grace (the purple and teal quilt I entered in the show) soon.
Things have also picked up with the business that my mom and I run, Friends of Judy Retreats, and that has been taking up a lot of my time as well, but I'm loving every minute of it! We have 8 retreats planned for 2025, plus I'll be joining my mom on two cruises that she is teaching on! I'm also going on a quilting cruise with some friends in January out of Miami, FL that I'm looking forward to!
What are you looking forward to the most in 2025?
Stay Creative, Friends!
~Krista
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