Tuesday, December 31, 2013

2013 Was A Very Good (Quilty) Year

 Can it be that we are now at the end of 2013?
Where has the year gone?
One of the nice things about keeping a blog is that
it makes it easy to go back and review what was accomplished.
I always start my end of the year search 
anticipating there won't be much to show.
And then when I begin going through posts month by month
I realize maybe I finished a few more quilts than I originally thought.
There are always twists and turns in life and
2013 was no exception.
This is my 301st Post out of 365 days for the year :)
When I started 2013, I set a goal to 
Finish UP 
quilts that had not been quilted.
You know those stacks that wait patiently in the back of a closet?
As with all good intentions,
I started off with gusto
Star Crazy
The top was completed in early 2011
*I even led an on-line group
and I just needed to meet the right person 
to have it quilted.
 My next quilt to take to Pat was
Rabbits Prefer Chocolate
which was started several years ago
The blocks were completed but the top still
needed a little assembling.
 In March my friend Lori Holt (Bee In My Bonnet)
wrote and asked me
 if I would make a pillow with 
her new Half Hexie Ruler
that had just been launched into the market.
Of course I said "Yes!"
I love everything Lori makes
and I really enjoyed playing with her rulers.
 In April I completed a 
T-Shirt Quilt
as a gift for family members
using Crooked Nickel's
easy to do
fusible technique and
 May brought a very fun completion
after sewing blocks for months
following Lori Holt's (Bee In My Bonnet) on-line tutorials.
Row Along Quilt
will always have such fond memories.
Another goal I had for 2013 was only sew from my stash
and I'm proud to say this entire quilt was made from scraps.
Lori even gave us a design to make the 
cutest label!
 We were very fortunate to be with Lori during those months
because her ideas became the book
Quilty Fun
this last year!
Yay Lori!
Cross Terrain
pattern by Freshly Pieced
was made out of my red and white scraps.

                                              Then my life began to change :)
The book store I worked for 
announced they were
Closing
and 
I began to wonder what I should do next?
Pat had recently purchased 
Triangles On A Roll
and I had the opportunity to become 
Sales Manager
I began to spend hours and hours 
playing with 
all the various papers
 I also started creating my own patterns
(something I had never done before)
and a new pattern company
Cactus Needle Quilts
was launched in July
 What a wonderful 
whirlwind 
it's been since then.
I have learned a lot!
6 new patterns
came out on the market
starting with 
Christmas Pyramids
Gina is made with
the basic Half Square Triangles
 The Eyes Have It
uses Quarter Square Triangles
 Hourglass Squared
also uses Quarter Square Triangles
*even the border is made with QST's
 Baby Waves 
is made from Half Square Triangles
that are simply cut in half.
So easy to do!
 I liked it so much,
I made one in blue.
 And my favorite quilt that I made in 2013
Indian Blanket

I made
Mod Geo Cruiser
as a pattern tester for 
Love that it matches my new aqua Cruiser bike!
 I've also been busy writing 
Tutorials
Scrappy Chevrons
With only a little spare time
I managed to crochet to a finish in 
the last few moments of December
Moss Stitch Afghan
was a gift for my daughter and her husband.
Oh yes, and there were the monthly
Bees Knees blocks
made and sent out to various members of our group.
I learn a lot from these wonderful ladies.
2013 Was a Very Good Quilty Year:)
And I'm excited to see what 2014 will bring!

12 comments:

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

you have gotten done with a lot! all so pretty I wish you luck in your new ventures and it sounds like you are off to a good start! Happy New Year to you

Browndirtcottage said...

Please STOP Nedra…..time I got to the end of your post I was plum tuckered out! Wow, what a great year you have had!

Here's wishing you even more fun and success in 2014!!!!!!

Cardygirl said...

What a super busy but exciting year for you. Love all the quilts!

Needled Mom said...

It was a great quilting year for you!!! I am looking forward to seeing what you are going to be working on in the next year. Happy new year.

Carol said...

What a great year Nedra! Happy New Year to you!

fiberchick said...

What a productive year! Looking forward to seeing all the beautiful things you make in 2014:)

Janet said...

Wow, you did achieve a lot last year. Happy new year to you too, I hope you have another great one.

em's scrapbag said...

What a great year you have had. May 2014 be just as wonderful!

Jan Marie said...

Nedra, you have been busy. Hope next year is great too.

Lynette said...

What terrific finishes for your year!!! I'm in love with so many of them. And now it's bugging me all over again that Star Crazy is one of my never-even-touched-yet kits sitting in my storage room. .

Kelli Fannin Quilts said...

Wow a packed year indeed! I love all of your quilts, Nedra, but esp. Indian Blanket. It's so so amazing!! I just love the colors that you put together for it. :) So glad I got to meet you (and Pat, too, she's so amazing) in 2013!! Looking forward to getting to know you both even better in 2014. xo

Linda Hiatt said...

Love your blog Nedra. You are such an inspiration. I too have been finishing projects and it's a great feeling to have them DONE! Of course for every one I finish I start two. LOL Have a wonderful 2014.