What an amazing year this has been! I find it hard to believe I began this blog 5 years ago. Over the past 5 years I’ve had successes, I’ve had fails, and all along the way I’ve learned what an amazing group of people that quilters and sewers are. Whether you’re in the industry or a home quilter/embroiderer/sewer, you are an incredible group of people!
The beginning of 2019 found me expanding my social media presence and starting up my YouTube channel and oh my…what a response you have given me! In just the first year, I’m almost to 8,400 subscribers! I owe all of that to Joy Bernhardt (above) for her unfailing support to me and encouraging you to visit my channel. That’s hard to believe (that you’d watch) when it’s only been a year. I truly appreciate each and every one of you. I’ve loved meeting you at shops, quilt shows, the Houston Quilt Festival, and at retreats. I’ve loved doing the giveaways and receiving your leftovers for those of you who are downsizing and passing them forward.
It is so meaningful to me when I do a “Come Along With Me” video and I hear from so many of you that you can no longer get out to shop in the stores any longer and so appreciate the tour because “it’s just like you were there”. Maybe you don’t drive any longer, maybe you’re a full time care giver, or maybe your health doesn’t permit you to get out as much as you would like. It means the world to me that I can help you continue to visit quilt and sewing stores and shops. Or maybe you’re looking for a new shop to visit on your next outing! Road trip!!
https://youtu.be/Dxv4QGmFMzI
2020 is already full of new and exciting things for Power Tools With Thread. I’ve begun a collaboration with Designs by JuJu and I’m so excited to begin to share Julie’s adorable embroidery designs. I’ve also begun collaborating with Creative Notions Quilt Shop monthly subscription where Vickie will provide me the latest and greatest quilting fabrics and notions that I can share with you. I especially love her Kids Box that is full of creativity and designed to get the littles away from a screen and allows you to share your love of stitching with them.
There will be a lot more tutorials and quilt/sew-alongs too. I just love to teach, but not only that, I love to learn from you as well. There’s not a single video I put out that I don’t learn a thing or two from your comments. Many of you know my ‘day job’ is in computers and I so enjoy sharing the new technology with you that can make your life in your sewing room sew much easier!
https://youtu.be/CBYfaaNruyY
I will continue to do classes and events with Allbrands and Designs in Machine Embroidery. I also have lots of shop spotlights planned for the new year as well in my travels. My husband is retiring in April 2020 and he says he has plans to be ‘my bus driver’ to take me around to all my quilting and embroidery excursions. I’m so blessed that he supports me the way he does.
He also has plans to begin to make custom sewing tools that he will make in his woodshop. Be on the lookout for a Power Tools With Thread shop on Etsy (or the like) for fine handcrafted tailor’s tools, sleeveboards, ruler stands, etc. Here’s one he made me for Christmas a few years ago. He couldn’t believe I filled up that day! Well duh! lol
As I type this, we are on our way to Manhattan, KS and we are nearly to our destination. Again, I thank you for your support, your likes and chat in the PTWT Facebook group, your loves on Instagram, and your YouTube subscriptions. I want to wish each and every one of you a very blessed and Happy New Year and I can’t wait to continue our stitching journey together!