One More Day Until My Birthday (And Some Thoughts on Getting Older as an Artist)

Chocolate birthday cake with 'Happy Birthday' written and one lit candle

Tomorrow is my birthday. I have THOUGHTS.

Getting older as an artist is such a specific experience. There’s a cultural narrative that creativity is a young person’s game: that your best ideas come early, that artists “peak” and then coast. I have found the exact opposite to be true for me.

This year (the year I’m about to add a candle to) has been the most creatively productive year of my entire life. An album every month. A daily blog. Quilt Anthems out in the world. Bring Us Home, the most ambitious thing I’ve ever attempted, nearly complete. A Halloween album with my son. A book in progress.

I don’t think that’s a coincidence of timing. I think it’s a function of accumulated life. Every year adds material. Every year adds perspective. Every year, the well gets deeper even as the surface sometimes feels the same.

Tomorrow I turn a year older and I am, genuinely, more excited about what’s ahead than I’ve ever been. That’s not something I take for granted. I know not everyone feels that way about getting older, and I don’t think you have to. But for me, right now, in this season, it feels like more is starting, not less.

See you tomorrow. We’re celebrating. 🎂

Follow me on streaming and stick around tomorrow: birthday post incoming! 🎶

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A few of my favorite things

My book

A Folklore Christmas →

Grab a copy on Amazon.

My shop

Find Me on Etsy →

Straight from me to you.

Quilt design

Electric Quilt 8 →

Design your own quilts on your computer.

Fabric

Fat Quarter Shop →

Fabric, kits, and precuts galore.

Cutting

AccuQuilt →

Fabric cutting machines and dies.

How I make music

Try Suno →

Make a song of your own with AI.

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