I wasn't going to do a review of my sewing stitchy piccy year, but I'm really posting this to remind myself that even when I look back at 2011 and all I see is a totally ghastly year, there were some good things that came from it! Not least the community and support from all of you lovely people :)
This year really was full of sewing and learning for me. Well, the first half and then the last month, to be more accurate. Work got the better of me, as well as ill health, so creative productivity crawled to a halt some time in September. But, that said, I think I made some good stuff this year, amongst some not so good stuff, and all the unstarted stuff in my head.
Clicking on any of the pics will take you to the flickr set and links to tutes etc.
I wrote some tutorials: One for Lily's Quilts Hexalong, three for Accuquilt Go! Baby, and one for the Fat Quarterly Designer's Challenge! Woot!
I took part in some great swaps - Make Mine Modern, For the Love of Solids, DQS10 and Brit Quilt Swap.
I love swaps … they allow me to practise new techniques.
I received such delightful wonderful things in my swaps - thank you to all you lovely people who make things for other people (you can see them in the bottom of the booth shots for each swap).
My favourite quilt this year? … Lynne @ Lily's Quilts wonderful Angel Quilt for the Brit Quilt Swap!
I discovered that
I really enjoy embroidery and applique!
Who knew?
I hosted some great giveaways & the Japanese Scrap Bag Challenge, with help from Melody Miller, Backstitch, The Eternal Maker and Accuquilt - thank you so much!
Ooh, and you all got to interview Melody Miller!
How cool was that?!!
I only made three full size quilts this year !! One of them was for ME! I love my Ruby Star Spring quilt more than anything I've ever made … I also made Pingwheels of My Mind for my niece and a giant Lynne Bob Square Pants for my auntie … I practised HSTs like there was no tomorrow … I'm almost ready to make some more … almost!
I played with photography a bit too … there were some great opportunities, like the Zombie Walk in Brighton, and White Night, as well as just everyday moments to capture. I also re-homed a new cat, Kitsune/Manny - a wild tearabout of a Maine Coon. I bear the scars.
And, as ever, I start 2012 with a trio of WIPs! The orange tree is nearly finished, the Gentleman's Relish quilt is shelved until I can get some more grey linen (I busted it on lapkins!) and my beloved Bletchley Quilt - only 4 weeks until the deadline! Eeek!
So, that's an end to the self-indulgence!
Today is the first of a new year, so there are creative and living and loving and photographic opportunities to grasp with both hands …
Wishing you all 366 (!!!!) days of happy crafting ahead …
Don't forget to check out Fresh Sewing Day over at Lily's Quilts
