Wednesday, December 31, 2014

2014 - My Year in Review

There are a myriad of wonderful reasons for maintaining a blog, connecting with like minded quilters, making new friends, sharing ideas, and participating in sew alongs are just a few.  But this time of year my favorite reason to maintain a blog is the record it provides me when I go back and reflect on what I accomplished throughout the year.

I finished 24 quilt tops in 2014, my unofficial goal is 12, one per month.  I don't like to work on a project for longer than a month, I fall out of love with it if I do, I didn't have that problem this year.  My first finish was Lifetime Quilt #123, Starlight, and it was a UFO, so that made that finish even sweeter. My last quilt of the year, #147, was Christmas Garden Lattice, I ended the year as happily as I started it.


One of my yearly goals is to make a new basket quilt.  I started the year thinking I would make Petit Fours or Sweet Caroline, both by Fig Tree, but I made Harvey, #141,  instead.


I also had several Miss Rosie's Quilt Co patterns on my radar at the beginning of the year, Toulouse, Scarlett Queen, Due South, and Brown Eyed Girl.  I didn't get to a single one.  But I did piece some other Miss Rosie's patterns like Hook, Not Quite Gertie, Lucy, Harvey, Zoom, Freddy, Crop Circles , Slice, and Jersey Girl.


I was hoping to make a pattern from American Jane this year and  I looked at them all year long but never started one, didn't even come close to starting one, maybe this year.  There were a couple of other quilts I was hoping to get to but didn't, but there were some quilts that I hoped to make that I did finish.

Gypsy Kisses, #138.



Playground Days, #127

And two Quick Curve Ruler projects,



#140 and #137.

I started the year with 6 UFOs, I'm ending with 3.  I did finish Dresden Doilies, Red and White Pineapple, and Starlight, and I'm still wanting to finish Clown Pants, but Mini Basket and Mini Red Churn Dash found new homes.  So that got me down to 1, but I didn't finish Autumn Woods or Spell it with Moda for Christmas which pushes me up to 3.  I don't have high hopes for Autumn Woods and in my mind I'm looking at my Spell it with Moda for Christmas project as a jump start on my 2015 Christmas quilt and not a UFO, but I'll count it.



To see all the quilts I finished this year or for any details, go to my Lifetime Quilt List tab, I can't pick a favorite but maybe you can.



So here are the 2014 numbers:

I started 23 quilts, finished 3 UFOs and did not finish 2 projects which gets me to 24.

The finishes had approximately 21,234 pieces and combined would make a quilt 1,679" x 1,726" (or 135 feet by 143 feet).

I also had some quilting activities outside my sewing room.

I met two dear friends at the Buggy Barn for their annual quilt show. I thoroughly enjoyed my class with Kim Diehl.  The bad news, like so many wonderful brick and mortar quilt shops, they closed immediately following their show.  I'm so glad we were able to attend their last hurrah.


I was also lucky enough to take a quick peak around Spring Market.


But my biggest highlight of 2014 was having Lifetime Quilt # 75,  Done Pickin', accepted into the juried AQS show in Paducah, Ky.  I am exactly like you, quilting is my hobby, not my job.  I am not a professional, so it was a huge thrill when I was notified that my quilt was in.


Well the show was an even bigger thrill when we found out that it won an honorable mention.  The quilt was expertly quilted by Linda Hrcka of the Quilted Pineapple.  Linda and I attended the awards ceremony together and cried like babies when we got the news.  Here I am with the quilt at the show, and with Linda, and Lisa Bongean, who designed the pattern, officially called Door County Cherry Baskets.  It was a night I'll never forget.  Even now, as I write about it, it puts a smile on my face, and sharing the experience with a friend made it all the sweeter.

2014 was a very rewarding and fun quilting year, I hope I am as fortunate next year.  I'll talk about my 2015 goals in my next post.

Best wishes to you for a wonderful 2015 sewing year, I hope you continue to keep me posted on what you're working on and have time to stop by and see what I'm up to, I'm so appreciative to belong to such a supportive and friendly community, thank you for being a part of it.

19 comments:

  1. Wow what a great year you had! Love watching your projects on your blog and on Instagram so please keep posting. You're very inspiring with your eclectic tastes for patterns and fabrics which is why I love reading your blog. Happy New Year!

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  2. That is such an honor but I can't think of anyone more deserving! I still love your quilts (even though we don't get to watch the progress like we used to) ;-D I ordered as many of Miss Rosie's patterns as I could afford before she closed down and continue to search for fabrics like you have used. Not always successful at that!!! I think Dresden Doilies is my favorite from above. Let's see you finished 24 quilts, blogged less, and was without a sewing room while remodeling. Tells me I need to get off my duff, spend less time reading blogs, get my sewing room straight after a move, and maybe I can say I finished 1 quilt in 2015!!! Happy New Year and thanks for your time when we do get to hear from you.

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  3. Your work is amazing, and your blog is so inspiring. Have a great new year, and please continue to keep us posted on all your quilting.

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  4. A Great year. Lovely Work.... Here's hoping 2015 tops it.

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  5. Happy New Year Thelma with a lot of beautiful quilts ! XXX

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  6. Happy New Year, Thelma! Your quilts are stunning!

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  7. Beautiful quilts Thelma, and I cannot wait to see what you have on your goals for 2015...I know you helped me challenge myself this past year!!! :)

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  8. Thanks for all of your inspiration you give us, Thelma. I loved the photo of you with your basket quilt, but I think my favourite quilt of yours from 2014 is the pineapple quilt. See you in 2015!

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  9. What a wonderful year! So exciting that you were recognized for your quilting excellence, and to have a photo with all three of you is a very special treasure! Looking forward to hanging out in blogland with you next year!

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  10. Congratulations on on your 2014 finishes! And your AQS entry as well! My favorites from the year are Starlight and your Dresden Doilies. All of this years quilts are quite lovely.

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  11. I have to admit reading your post put a smile on my face. Paducah was fairytale trip, made all the sweeter by you. Thank you, Thelma. It was an honor to be part of your 2014.

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  12. You had a very successful quilty year and I enjoyed following and watching. May this success continue for you in 2015...I'll be watching!

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  13. What a AMAZING 2014 you had ! I so enjoyed your journey of making beautiful quilts :-D

    HAPPY NEW YEAR Thelma !!

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  14. Thelma - you always inspire me! Such wonderful quilts! I had forgotten about Harvey and I still want to do one in a yellow and blue combination. So much to look back on in 2014 and so much to look forward to in 2015! Happy New Year!

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  15. What a fabulous year! Thank you so much for the inspiration...I'm always in love with your projects!

    Happy New Year!

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  16. Just amazing year for you and such lovely quilts that you were able to finish....love everyone of them. You are such an inspiration to all of us and especially to me. Thanks and looking forward to 2015!

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  17. Bravo!!! What a year!! I have not been able to count up yet, what I've accomplished but usually keep it in a notebook. What a show and let's not you did all that while remodeling!! What a gal!! Happy New Year, Thelma! I can't wait to see what you inspire us with in 2015. xo

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  18. Woohoo! I always love your year-end wrap-up posts. Of course... they always make me wonder why I didn't get more done! Onward and upward for 2015! :)

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  19. Happy New Year! I will continue to look forward to your posts and inspiration. Thanks for sharing your hobby and wonderful pictures along the way.

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