Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Farewell 2013, you were a very good year

Quilts, 2013

So long, 2013. I learned, laughed, made mistakes, had some accomplishments, had things go wrong. My kids made me smile, my sweetheart filled my life with love and music, my work stretched and challenged me, my friends were the best, my family was lovely, and the rest was, well, what it was. In the quiet spaces, I quilted, sewed, knitted, blogged, read books, hung out, and learned to make soup and jelly.

Mini Quilts, 2013

I hope when you look back over your year, you see so much more good than bad, happy than sad, fun than difficulties.

2013 Bee Blocks, set 1 of 2

I am sharing all that I finished in 2013 in this post. You can click each mosaic to go to the flickr picture where there are more details and links to the actual individual pictures.

Despite it feeling a lot like I am being a horrible "show off", I need to see it all together in this one space, just on one day of the year, as I really cannot believe that I made this much. I have so many other things I do all day, so I need to see that I also clearly have a lot of time to create too.

2013 Bee Blocks, set 2 of 2

The one thing I did not do at all well in 2013 was take sufficient care of me as physical entity. That is my number one goal for 2014, to become strong and fit again - taking care of me, as well as, but no longer second to, taking care of the family, pets, home, and office. My other resolution is to laugh as much as I can - including laughing at trouble, at challenges, at obstacles - and just do my best at whatever comes along.

2013 Smaller Projects

Besides the pictures, there are a few other sewing things I wanted to note that happened here in 2013:

  • Shattered won an Honourable Mention Ribbon at QuiltCon.
  • I went to Texas to attend QuiltCon and met wonderful quilters.
  • I went to London to attend my second Fat Quarterly Retreat, where I saw my dear friends and made more friends.
  • I hosted the Finish - A - Long.
  • I participated in 2 Bees (an optimal number of Bees for me), a couple of swaps, the 4 in Art Group, the Emerald Challenge, and occasionally sewed along with a few internet events. 
  • I wrote some tutorials, some which were part of internet events.
  • I participated in finishing 3 charity quilts.
  • I was active in the Edmonton Modern Quilt Guild and joined a committee of the parent Modern Quilt Guild.
  • I blogged a reasonable amount and continue to make new internet friends doing so.
  • I instagrammed a whole lot too, where I find inspiration and constant encouragement and support.
Lily's Quilts
I expect I will add this post, which has both my December and all year finishes, to Fresh Sewing Day, which will be hosted by Lynne at Lily's Quilts tomorrow, and then I will be reading about everyone else's month and year too. 

Year In Review

I am linking up with Anne from Play Crafts and Sarah from Sarah Quilts too, they have a lovely end of the year link happening too. More inspiration there to read too.

Oh, and do come back here tomorrow to see how, despite all this sewing, I really did not do well on my Q4 FAL list at all. It is a good thing that Katy is going to host the FAL for 2014, as I still have many UFOs to finish.

I wish you and yours the very best new year! Thank you for your friendship, encouragement and support for 2013.

Best,

Leanne

38 comments:

Deborah OHare said...

I bow down in awe at your amazing output. Brilliant creativity!

MariQuilts said...

Lovely post, Leanne......so many beautiful pictures as well. You did an amzing amount of fabulous quilting this year and thanks for being a good friend.

Vera said...

I'm glad I stumbled upon your blog. Good luck with your goal!

jednoiglec said...

WOW! How many wonderful finishes! It was a good year for you!

Anonymous said...

yikes that is a lot of lovely crafting!
I love your philosophy of wanting to get fit and laugh more in 2014. Here here :)

Sarah @ FairyFace Designs said...

Fabulous makes, what a great year for you xx

Amy Friend said...

Great finishes! I too have to learn to take care of myself as much as I take care of my family.

Svetlana said...

such beautiful makes, Leanne! What a fantastic year you had, hope 2014 is even better :)

elle said...

You are sew inspiring! Happy new year!!!

Erin Quinn said...

You have clearly worked hard this year and have made some amazing things. 2014 will have its own challenges, but I am sure you will meet them.
E xx

Gertie Pye said...

I agree you made some absolute corkers in 2013! I especially love those circles - definitely a highlight of the year. Here's to more creativity in 2014 - Happy New Year!!

Judith, Belfast said...

Happy New Year to you and your precious family! Thank you for being one of my best encouragers! Jxo

Jennie said...

So so many absolutely stunning finishes in 2013. You have every right to show off! Thanks for a great year of inspiration and it was great to meet you in London in the summer.

Jessica said...

You had a beautiful, productive year! So looking forward to seeing what you come up with in 2014 :)

FlourishingPalms said...

Wow! Your creations are most impressive! So much accomplished! I can appreciate how good it feels to see it all in one place, and if you're like me, I'll be publishing my blog into a print book so I have something tangible to pass along to my grandchildren. Blogging is not only a good way to meet people and make new friends, but to document one's life. Here's wishing you a very happy and healthy 2014!

Debbie said...

I'm so glad you posted everything....so gratifying and a real sense of accomplishment, no? Can's wait to see what 2014 holds for you - wishing you the very best.

Ella said...

Happy New Year! Thanks for keeping me motivated this year!

Catherine said...

Where do you find the time Leanne!! What fabulous makes

Kelly said...

You have had an amazing crafty year - love all your stuff.

Katy Cameron said...

You had a fabulous year, hope 2014 is even bigger and better :o)

Happy new year!

Charlotte said...

Happy New Year, Leanne! I am so glad that I met you this year :-D

Celine said...

You did lots Leanne! Great pictures and lovely work. Happy New Year

Jayne said...

Your year was nothing short of spectacular! Amazing that you could fit all that in to 365 days! It will be exciting for me to see what you come up with this year! Happy New Year!

Rachel said...

Happy new year Leanne! Rxx

adriprints said...

You really accomplished a lot this year! Cheers to you and the new year!

Di said...

You have ad an awesome sewing year. It is good to know that you are going to take care of yourself this coming year. It is something we mothers often fail to do. Di x

Ruth said...

It all looks so pretty together - Happy New Year!

Sew Hungryhippie said...

WHAT A YEAR! I am so impressed....I can't stop looking at these quilts...seriously impressed. New follower , found you via Lily's Fresh Sewing day. YAY!

Rachel said...

Good for you! Your finishes are lovely.

Marg said...

You had an awesome year, judging by all those beautiful mosaics. Happy New Year.

Bit by a Quilting Bug said...

Wow, you did do a lot this year. I love seeing all your completed projects so I can dream and hopefully to be able to do just as much as you some day. Happy 2014 with lots of laughter and happiness.

Anonymous said...

So many beautiful projects you've made! How I've enjoyed watching all your work through the year and following some of the links in the FAL posts. Even when I couldn't face sewing, I found myself spending time searching those links and feeling inspired. Happy New Year Leanne xx

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

I love seeing everything you've made this year - it's all absolutely marvellous and gives me so much inspiration! Happy New Year!

Michelle Bartholomew said...

Thanks for sharing all of your projects. It is so inspiring! Happy New Year!

hydeeannsews said...

what a really great year! fantastic. so many wonderful shapes and colors exploding all over the place. =) what ever will you do next?!

Anne said...

Wow, that's a lot of beautiful finishes, Leanne! I've loved watching them come about over the past year, and I've been especially fond of your cycles series as they've developed. :) I can't wait to see where 2014 takes you, and I'm joining you in the "take better care of myself" cause! I'm so glad I met you through the mod pop QAL and I look forward to seeing what you get up to this year. :D

Jenn @ A Quarter Inch from the Edge said...

What beautiful quilts you've made in 2013! There are so many lovelies that I can't even choose a favourite (though the one pictured in your header is definitely a contender)! I'm lovin' all those solids!

Sarah @ sarahquilts.com said...

What a year! I know what you mean about feeling like it's showing off, but we totally want you to so it's ok. :)

I cannot wait to see what 2014 holds for you!