Monday, September 23, 2013

A Year of Blogging!

I have to confess that I've spent way too much time thinking about this post and still don't know how to succinctly express my feelings about the last year. How's that for making you want to read on? LOL

One thing I DO know is that I had no idea a year ago what the next 12 months would bring. I hadn't sewn a stitch for 3 years. I knew there were more than a few UFOs lurking about, but didn't expect quite so many. And I certainly had no clue how to blog.
Re-reading this post makes me smile. Choose the creative side whenever possible is what I've learned!

My Year of Blogging Top 10 List

10. Doing 3 Blog Hops (because each one pushed me to try new things and sew on a deadline).

9. 100 Day Hustle - This finishing challenge hosted by Kelsey Sews last fall helped me find a way to focus on a subset of my UFOs without being overwhelmed by them ALL. It has served me well ever since. And what a relief to find that so many other quilters have issues with finishing things!

8. Admitting how many UFOs I actually had (plus the extra 13 I found later!) in Let's Talk UFOs on Halloween.
7. My UFO Reward System. Still very motivating for me.

6. My 1st Quilting Room. Little did I know what was coming just a few months later!

5. Walking foot quilting... I always thought I had to learn FMQ to be a "real" quilter while I was creating all those UFOs. I'm so grateful to Norma at Petit Design Co. for her AMAZING 31 Days of Walking Foot Quilting Series last fall.

4. All things Juki! My 2010Q and F600 make quilting so fun.

3. My New Quilting Room which is a dream come true. Almost a Quilting Studio...

2. Learning to FINISH! Believe me when I say this is like rewiring my DNA. The structure that blogging brings has really helped me stay on task.

1. Making connections with quilters from all over the world. Hands down the BEST thing about blogging... I love my virtual quilt guild!

I'd like to offer a small token of my gratitude for all of the support I've received over the last year. I love reading and responding to your comments, getting feedback when needed and the "You CAN Do It" cheering section that has motivated me SO MUCH.
This little Jansjo LED light from IKEA is the best sewing light ever! I absolutely LOVE mine... you can bend it every which way to put that bright light just where you need it most. I've been waiting for this new line by Kate Spain all summer and now I'm going to have to buy another one for myself. It's a little packet of happiness!

Edited to add: Giveaway is now closed! Please leave a comment and I'll use Mr. Random to choose a winner on Friday, September 27th. I'll mail anywhere in the world - don't forget to include an e-mail if you are a no-reply blogger. If you need a topic tell me about about your biggest quilting challenge or what makes YOU happy to be a quilter and/or a blogger.

53 comments:

  1. Happy Blogging Anniversary! You have done a great job of it. I need to get back to posting more often now that my internet connection is working better. You are an inspiration for getting things done for sure!

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  2. Congrats on your One Year Blog-iversary! It sounds like you have accomplished so much in one year!! I just plain love creating and then sharing! Such fun...

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  3. Love your top 10 countdown. :D Isn't blogging fabulous for keeping yourself organized and productive? I completely understand the rewired-DNA thing!!!! Recognizing a kindred spirit on a similar journey, I went back to your Halloween UFO post - Seriously, we are cosmic quilty-twins. ;D

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  4. HAPPY "1 YEAR" BLOGVERSARY!
    THANKS FOR SHARING!

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  5. Almost a quilting studio??!!! Looks like one to me! Congrats on one year!

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  6. Congratulations on a year. I think I've been following you since the 100 day hustle. Its been great fun to see how many finishes you've done in that amount of time! I love blogging because I know there are people out there who have similar interests and aren't bored when I show my progress (unlike most of my family)

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  7. It's been great getting to know you and making friends this year Deb! I agree with you - friends are the BEST part of blogging!!! I also love the way it helps me stay on task and actually accomplish something in my sewing room rather than just spinning my creativity wheels helplessly LOL! Congratulations on your milestone & thanks for deciding to share your quilty life with us!!!!

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  8. Happy blogiversary, Deb! Wahoo - look at that fabulous list of accomplishments since you started. Bravo!
    Love your sewing studio - nice and bright and a great space for being creative.

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  9. Happy blogiversary! I really have enjoyed your journey in blogging and you have inspired me to keep going on on my UFOs and to try some other things I hadn't before. Looking forward to the next year of posts.

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  10. Congratulations on your first year of blogging! I've told myself that I will only blog for pleasure and if it gets to be work.... it's time to move on. So far, I enjoy it so much and love, love, love "meeting" so many wonderful people. Happy Blogiversary and thanks so much for the great giveaway!

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  11. Congrats on one year. Blogging may have inspired you, but your enthusiasm has inspired so many people. Keep right on blogging - I enjoy all your posts.

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  12. Deb, I am always amazed by your output when I visit your blog - you certainly deserved that sewing room. My First Anniversary is on its way too ....

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  13. my biggest quilt challenge this year has been starting and keeping up with the blog as well as learning to paper piece and pushing the boundaries of my fmq. Congrats on celebrating a year

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  14. You've done SO much in a year!! I have loved seeing all quilts that you have finished!!

    I love blogging because sometimes I feel like I haven't done anything, but I can look back and I see all the things I HAVE done!

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  15. Congratulations on one year of blogging. It's been really fun watching all your finishes! My biggest quilt challenge recently has been accepting that I can't hand quilt them all.

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  16. Happy anniversary! I have got the same light... It is PERFECT!!!
    Esther
    esthersipatchandquilt at yahoo dot com
    ipatchandquilt dot wordpress dot com

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  17. Happy Blogaversary! I'm so glad to see you being so prolific and finishing up your UFO's. I've really been motivated by you to keep working on mine and I've had some great successed. I learned to quilt using the walking foot and I teach a lot of people to use it. I say a quilt is better done than sitting in a box... I know from experience as my mom left tons of halfdone, non-finished UFO's.

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  18. Well there you go! A year already. I think I have followed since the beginning : ) Happy day to you!

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  19. Congratulations Deb on your anniversary! You certainly inspire me to get going and finish my UFO's. Piecing the tops is fun - quilting is a struggle but oh the feeling when the binding is finished!

    Joan

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  20. My biggest is the Dear Jane quilt that I have been working on for 10 years..

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  21. What a wonderful year of blogging. And all those completed projects. Congratulations.
    (frances.campbell@ns.sympatico.ca)

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  22. Congratulations on your 1st year of blogging. Isn't it just the perfect quilting medicine by just knowing that we are not alone.....

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  23. Congratulations on your one year blogging!! I started quilting one year ago so we both have something to celebrate. I retired and started quilting and love it. Thank you for sharing your life and your quilts with us. I enjoy reading your blogs..

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  24. Congratulations on your one year of blogging. I have enjoyed watching your finishes and I love your new sewing studio. My biggest challenge is finishing because starting something new is so much more fun.

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  25. Wow! Thanks for all those links in one place! Congratulations too!

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  26. Congratulations on your first bloggy anniversary and a great post!
    I totally agree with number 2 and 1. I'm a very slow finisher and have been having withdrawals not being able to spend the time I would like visiting friends new and old in blogland.
    Thanks for sharing your journey :o)

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  27. Happy anniversary! You've accomplished so much in a year! My biggest challenge is the bridal shower siggy quilt I've been working on for 8+ years...

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  28. congrats on your anniversary. I don't remember how we got connected but I am glad we did because I love seeing your quilting projects. I have enjoyed making new friends through my blog. I think blogging has also made me a better quilter because I want to show off my very best. Enjoy many more years of blogging and making friends and quilts.

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  29. Congrats on a year. isn't it great all the wonderful quilting people you meet on the net

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  30. Congratulations on your blogiversary! Can't believe you have been blogging for just a year :-) Now I know your secret to getting things finished - always my problem!

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  31. Congratulations on your one year anniversary!! I like to visit blogs for inspiration and eye candy.

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  32. Congrats on the anniversary! I am also trying to wrangle UFOs.

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  33. Congratulations on your one year anniversary! Your finishing has inspired me. I discovered the quilting blog world several months ago and was really glad when I found your posts about UFO's. I have been afraid to look for mine but I am getting there. I hope Mr. Random choices me for the light and pre-cut. Especially since the 27th is my birthday. Wouldn't that be sweet. Now I am going to go sew. Just in case I get more fabric I have one off my list ;-)

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  34. Only a year. Man, I thought you were a blogger from way back! I love your blog and it's up there in my list of must reads! Congratulations -- I'm so glad you joined the world of bloggers and came back to stitching!

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  35. Congratulations on your first year! Looks like you have accomplished much. I enjoy reading your blog and seeing all the pretty things you make! The blog world has inspired me to start sewing again too!

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  36. Congratulations!! You have accomplished a lot in your first year. I have enjoyed following your progress.
    Hugs,

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  37. Awe congrats on a year of blogging! It really is no small feat. :)

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  38. I'm loving following your blog. It makes me feel a little more confident about what I can achieve. And your giving spirit with your donation quilts is amazing. Not to mention the things you give all of us who share you blog. Thank you.

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  39. Congratulations on a great first year of blogging!!

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  40. Congratulations Deb! I forgot that we started blogging about the same time! I am so impressed with everything you have accomplished over this year! My favorite part of blogging has been the opportunity to "meet" so many diverse, interesting quilters from around the world! Their creativity, graciousness and humor have made my blogging adventure so enjoyable. Looking forward to your second year!

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  41. Congratulations on your journey! I love seeing all your finishes, especially being able to pick out which walking foot designs you used. . i think I need to do something like this in the upcoming year because my UFO's are out of control.

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  42. You are doing a great job! I love your blog. It is truly one of my favorites.

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  43. Congratulations on a year well spent.

    My biggest quilting challenge...staying motivated. I have a great time designing quilts and testing my ideas for Moda Bake Shop, but have a hard time getting back to the quilts I want to make for me....the ones that are pretty instead of interesting.

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  44. Congrats on your first year! I started blogging a few months ago and it has helped me stay on a schedule as well. I also love the interaction! I look forward to many more posts/years of reading your blog!
    www.pinprickedfingers.com

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  45. Congrats! I would totally agree with you on finishing projects. Great motivation! Thanks for the chance to win.

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  46. Happy blogiversary! Your work and accomplishments have been inspiring!

    My favorite thing about being a quilter is that I can make something that is both creative and useful. I'm really a very practical girl, but I love crafting! So making something that can be used and often is really awesome to me. :)

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  47. The best to you on your blogiversary!!!! Next to blogging/sharing with all the new friends I've made, the best thing is being able to meet up with some....really!!! The cherry on the top of the sundae!!! Hugs, Doreen

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  48. Happy Blogiversary! Love reading your blog. Keep writing and creating.

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  49. I've enjoyed your year of blogging. Congratulations on every accomplishment and the inspiration you provide.

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  50. Congratulations on your year of blogging! Congrats, too, on lining up your UFO's and tackling them one at a time. Your sewing studio looks like an awesome creative space. Best wishes on the future UFO finishes ;-)

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  51. Congrats on your One Year Blogaversary!
    Call me shallow, but I love to be able to share my quilts and quilting information with my blog readers and I love when they respond to my posts! :)
    Keep up the great job! Love seeing your quilts!

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  52. I just wanted to congratulate you on your blogaversary! I had no idea that you hadn't been blogging very long! I am so glad that you are! I enjoy your projects and your inspirational words!

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