I’ve had this job for almost 20 years. It’s changed a lot but there’s a constant element of it feeling like an amorphous squishy blob. The worky stuff is so intertwined with my life stuff it gets blurry. That has its advantages but it can also result in wheel spinning and not having clear priorities.
I think it’s valuable to get super focused about what “working” really means. So here are some things I accomplished this week that are my actual job.
1- worked on the 2026 calendar
Last year’s calendar was a big hit (thank you!) But I wished I had released it earlier. I’m working on 2026 now. Still messing around with images – it takes forever to choose. If you’ve got a favorite painting, leave a comment with the date and your suggested month!
Don’t see the video above? click here.
2- finished the stitch book – there’s a video and everything
I love putting the book together. The process feels magic and the book feels substantive in my hands. I I’m already percolating ideas for next years book…
3- started the summer scroll project in stitch club
After a very brief post stitch book breather we have started a summer long mini project in stitch club – scrolls. The idea is simple, just cut a strip of fabric (I used an old linen table cloth) and stitch a little every day. The size is great for summer- it could fit in your pocket.
The stick (or spool etc.) is optional. We plan to stitch until labor day. If I keep going at my current pace my scroll is going to be huge. If you join in, tag your work with #summerscroll on Instagram!
4- worked on patterns
There are so many in the works and patterns will be the main focus of this summer. Next up will be the soldier (at last) and circus cat. Stay tuned.
5- blog post and newsletter
I love newsletter day! which almost always coincides with blog post day. And the moment I hit send I start working on the next.
bonus – a few things things that aren’t part of my official job description but I act like they are:
Staring at seedlings and willing them to grow faster.
Monitoring bunny and squirrel activity and generally messing around in my tiny garden. Please make the rain stop- it’s too much.
Re- arranging things…
Recreational ironing- I wish it was but it’s not.
Internet based research (pinterest). It a little bit is… I organize newsletter ideas there but it mostly is not. I start with the best of intentions and end up looking at gardens and country houses and quilts.
The NY Times puzzles. We’ve talked about this before. It really is like they are my job. I might need an intervention.
I too play the NYT word puzzles daily – only the
Free ones. I feel like it helps my brain to do word challenges! My “job” as a homeschool mom is coming to an end as my youngest is a senior. I haven’t had a paying job in years! I am considering my second “act” and think it will involve something creative!!
I can’t remember my life before those puzzles… Congrats on successfully educating an entire human! And good luck with your second act!
That scroll!!! Yes, there are going to be scrolls in my future! But the crow (which I’m modifying to be a raven!) is next on my crafting syllabus.
Here is my constant refrain around newsletter and blog days, “Curse you Ann Wood for more wonderful projects to do!!” 🙂 And then I forward along to my stitchbook buddy (we did our 100 day books together and sent photos to each other every day!) and say, “That darn Ann Wood is at it again!!” You are a wonder.
Yes! Stitch book is assembled. I just couldn’t wait. And I love it. I learned so much, and my creativity just exploded early this spring. It was definitely the vehicle. So many ideas for next year are already percolating.
I accidentally water my plants a lot. Or just rearrange them if they don’t need watering. Or fiddle with the grow lights on the ones in my (windowless) office. There is always some pruning, or rearranging, or adjusting of the assorted decoration in the pots (mushrooms, snails, rocks) to do!
Glad to know that I’m not the only one who sees a raven in that pattern! As soon as I finish some other projects (darn you, Ann Wood!) I am definitely making a raven. Would love to see your raven as he (or she) comes together.
I’m so glad to here the stitch book was creatively explosive for you!! It always is for me too.
I finished my book! https://sewandsowlife.com/blog/the-100-day-stitch-book-2025
Now I am on to a quilt for my 3 year old granddaughter’s “big girl bed”. And your scroll idea has me tempted…
Thank goodness for needle and thread, our meditation tools, eh?
Thanks for all of your inspiration, Ann!
Your book is gorgeous! Thanks so much for sharing the link – always happy to find bloggers!
I would love to see your roller coaster painting in 2026 calendar. Maybe june-beginning of summer.
wow- that is a great idea and I did not think of it! I’m so glad I asked- thank you!
Hooray ~ another calendar! Might there be room for 2 new calendars for 2026? The one you are currently creating AND an all kitty one?!!! Love love love all the kitty paintings!
Thanks Kas – I would love to – I’m not sure I’ll have the time resources but it’s a great idea.
I so love the drawing of the 2nd of May. But I like all your drawings.
I’m on top of a mountain in California and I have lost my phone charger so I am using the last of my phone juice to read your newsletter. But only because I can’t get the wordle to load with my stats. Bye bye 89 day streak.
Yay… I would love to try a soldier!!
Thanks Ann
Your stitch book is magical
I love the idea of a stitch book but struggled this year to find a groove and put let go of my need to create a picture. Working on making smaller pages hoping it will help.
Definitely going to do the summer scroll! And yes, darn you, Ann for always coming up with brilliant ideas to keep me inspired. I look forward to newsletter day.
Wishing everyone a happy stitchy summer!
If I am not quilting, I am slow stitching. I have made three of your soft books, and love them all and bore everyone I know showing them off. One was just with birds, I have made a scroll with the letters of the alphabet: one letter for each home, such as an Ark….caravan…the soil…house boat…Igloo…jail…light house…mouse hole…Quonset…tipi…spaceship…yellow submarine…VW for a homeless elephant…whelk…Xebec for the nasty pirates. Lots of fun. I am in love with your tiny pictures. It is my favorite part of the stop here.
You sound so much like many creatives – getting sidetracked with so many interesting things to see and do! I finished my stitch book and plan to post it this year. His will be my second one, and although I wish mine was more cohesive, I really enjoyed the process and am looking forward to diong it again next year.
Thank you for all the lovely patterns and inspiration you give to the creative community!
Love you Ann Wood and all ur ideas, paintings, and stitching projects. Recipes too! How about a recipe or 2 in ur Calender? Thank you.
My honey and I play everyday during breakfast, mini crossword, connections and wordle. It is a fun way to work together.
I also see a raven from the crow pattern. I went bonkers making ships last Jan/Feb…thank you Ann for the pattern, they kept me afloat.
Spring/Early summer projects birdhouses from scraps (wonky with little planning and slightly askew…the birds dont seem to mind) and planting planting and planting.
Excited about the Soldier!
Re- arranging things! Love this!! I do quite a bit of it and def consider it ‘my’ work. 🙂 My main work, now that I’m officially retired from corporate-dom, is herding my cats and chickens – it’s the best work ever, I highly recommend it to all!
I do spend a fair amount of time ‘working’ to find interesting reading material online, I can get sucked into way too much on the website The Marginalian, some good reading there. And then there’s Pinterest scrolling and my fave IG accounts for inspo for my creative pursuits. I love taking online classes for anything relating to stitching, art in general – just finished up the spring ‘Making Zen’ retreat – it was a blast as usual, I’ve been a making fiend this week!
As to gardening, I’ve had gardens in the past, veggie and flower beds, but these days it’s just a couple of pots outside and I’ll strew a small bag of wildflower seeds all around in the beds which I used to tend in days gone by. The first 2 pots I filled with flowers from the local garden center were promptly pulled up and tossed about by some unknown critter! Never have had that happen before, I’ll be getting more plants this weekend – might have to put up a small fence around the pots!
Have a great summer! Can’t wait to see the new calendar!
I have been stitching scrolls for about 3 years. I stitch while I watch TV. I also stitch in the car when my husband is driving, and while waiting at appointments. I love using old linens and cut up the stained doileys to add the embroidered bits as appliques. I sometimes add buttons, and other small effemera. I will post one on instagram.
Your patterns for the small folk are amazing. I loved making the sail boat last year, my entry in our local textile and Fibre exhibition was ‘Red Sails in the Sunset’.
Jo
This is my first replying to a newsletter.
I’ve been receiving your newsletters for several years and always look forward to them.
The only project I’ve attempted was your Wobegone trees. I love the simplicity of them. Making them helped me get through a difficult Christmas season a couple of years ago. Thank you.
I also love your art and have ordered some of your beautiful note cards. My favorite are the ones with the red mushrooms.
And yes, I see a stitch scroll in my future! I’m formulating ideas right now!
Cindy
PS. I have the same green garden bed! Love what you’ve done with yours!!
You clever girl. Only spoiler is the fit bit shackled to your wrist…….
Enjoy summer time.