2014 - a retrospective of what was finished

On the last day of the year, I try to post a set of mosaics of what I finished over the year, and reflect a bit. If you want to read more about any of the quilts, check out the My Quilts page and click the name to go to the blog post about it.

That first mosaic is of the quilts and pillows I made using my Canvas Pattern. Publishing this first pattern was a steep learning curve in terms of writing patterns, learning Adobe Illustrator, and overall branding, and I was fortunate to be able to draw on talented friends for help. The pattern has been far more successful than I imagined. And, as you can see, I personally love making it.



This mosaic is of quilts I made and that I plan to write patterns for as well. Pattern writing is a big goal of mine for 2015. Halcyon, #3 and 4 in the mosaic, was published already in the summer edition of Fat Quarterly, so making my own version should be relatively fast. I have to say that I have a few more patterns in my head too, and I hope to get time to make those quilts and write those patterns too.

These first two mosaics also remind me that I love working in series, making the same or a similar quilt out of a design I have dreamed up, more than once. I am always surprised when quilters say they will never make the same quilt twice, as there is so much to explore in one design concept or even one pattern - no two quilts end up being the same.

I hope to explore the Cycles series more this year and also to start at least one more of the series ideas in my head.



This mosaic has the rest of the baby and larger quilts I completed in 2014.

• I loved making #1, All the Colours, using Krista's (Poppyprint) Chess on the Steps pattern, released as the September Modern Quilt Guild pattern of the month. 

• #2, Reflection, uses Linda's Blended Scraps Block (tutorial here) and I have another on the go.

• #3, Triangle City, and #4, Pointed, were made as part of the Modern Quilt Guild Fabric Challenges.

• #5, Friends, was made from blocks made for me by my bee mates in the Modern Stitching Bee.

I only made 4 mini quilts in 2014. #1, Landmarks 2, is travelling across Canada with the Canadian Quilter's Association It's Time for Colour Exhibit. If you wanted to buy her, you can do that here.

I should also mention that in 2014 I entered many large Quilt shows and even won ribbons. I'll do a recap post about some quilting milestones I reached in 2014 tomorrow, there is more than enough already in this post.



Here are the rest of my finishes. I added at the bottom a photo of my APQS Millennium Long Arm Quilting Machine, which I got in February. I have so much more to learn but am so loving her. And lastly the new kittens, Sundance and Butch, who are keeping us laughing. I left out my bee blocks, and all the started but not yet finished projects.

So, I am very pleased with how 2014 went: 19 finished quilts, 4 mini quilts, 6 pillows (all in regular use) and few other things - but a big focus on making quilts, which is what I had planned. Generally, for me 2014 has been a year of focus and of being grounded in now, of being present, solving the problems of this moment, and also enjoying this lovely hobby.

I'm linking up with Lynne at Lily's Quilts. Although this is a recap of more than just December, I'm sure that's ok as I have missed a few months of linking up this fall.

I see 2015 to be shaping up for me as a year of change and high energy - and of growth. We shall all just have to see what develops, I will try to maintain the focus as I go.

A very happy New Year to you and yours and all the best for 2015!

Best,

Leanne