Anyone who knows me well has probably noticed that I am a rule-follower. I obey speed limits and stop for parking lot walkways even when there’s no one in sight. I tie myself in knots when doing taxes for fear I’m going to make a mistake that qualifies as breaking a rule. But no one is more surprised than I am that, after setting up a 2026 creative challenge for myself, I’m breaking the rules.
Granted, self-imposed rules are a little easier to ignore. But I can be rigorous to the point of absurdity. I will follow my self-defined rule, even if it’s inconvenient and no one else will know I didn’t.
Therefore I take it as a sign of personal growth that I have pretty much thrown a rule out of the window for my 2026 creative challenge. It started in January, when I cheated by putting the project I wanted to work on (my Advent calendar) at number four on my list because I already knew that my random number generator (The Quilted Forest) had drawn four for their January project.
I expected to go with their pick in February except that my project number six (finish making a dress) couldn’t be completed until I finished another project first (finalize my block pattern, which is number five). In addition, I knew I would be away for half of February and wouldn’t have much time for anything creative. I decided to flip a coin to choose between the two easiest projects on my list, and number two won. To make things legit, I re-numbered my list, swapping two for six.
During February, I was reminded of one of my older unfinished projects: my Japanese Fran Dance wallhanging. I decided I should have put this project on my list from the start, so I re-designated a project I hadn’t started yet as a bonus, something to work on whenever I finish my POM early (like I did in February), and made JFD number nine instead.
The Quilted Forest pulled number seven for March, but I was excited to think I might be able to finish JFD, so I’m doing that instead. I’ve already put in some time finding the materials and my notes, and playing with possible layouts. I’ve already put together a background and am busy finishing the figures.
My plan to use a random system to pick my projects has eroded away to the point that I’m not worrying about it any more. While I’ll probably still check in with The Quilted Forest’s challenge, I will be picking my projects based on my interest and the time I expect to have. My 2026 project-of-the-month plan has been a screaming success so far, and I don’t want to mess that up by actually following the rules.
That is beautiful.
Thank you. I’m hoping I can carry it through and achieve the vision I have for it…