Wednesday, December 31, 2014

2014 - a retrospective of what was finished

2014: Quilts and Pillows - Canvas Pattern

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.

2014: Quilts

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.

2014: Quilts

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

  • #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.
2014: Mini Quilts

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.

2014: more projects

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.


Fresh Sewing Day

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

28 comments:

~Diana said...

Lots of great projects, and two cute kitties! Happy New Year!

Terri Ann @ ChildlikeFascination.com said...

Wow you had a beautiful year in quilting. I really like how you made so many varieties of the pattern you produced. It really shows how versitile of a pattern it is!

jednoiglec said...

Happy New Year!
You make wonderful modern quilts, which I like, but anyway I love the most your AMH quilt (Reflection).

QuiltingCyclist said...

Leanne, Thanks for sharing your year in quilting here. But, I am especially grateful to your almost instantaneous help to us during my Millennium set-up. I too am truly enjoying it and love the machine. I saw your post about using rulers from November 24 on flickr. If you can get a class with Kimmy Brunner, she is great. She does have one Craftsy class, Machine Quilting with Templates. I took two classes from here at Houston Festival this year. They were excellent. I had done some template work on my own. Like you, it was messy at first. And, as everything else in this art/craft, it gets better with practice, practice, practice. I am working on a very ancient (30+years!) UFO top. It is full of ruler work and feathers. Having fun, but still doing rippies! However, thanks to the class and practice, it is going in the right direction.
Your work is just beautiful. I enjoy it so very much. Also, wanted to ask, are you coming to QuiltCon? I will be there. If you come, let's meet-up.
Happy 2015!

mona keegan

Nicky said...

Great year for you Leanne! Looking forward to more creative fun from you in 2015!

Sarah said...

What a prolific year! Looking forward to see what comes from your new year of change and high energy!! Happy New Year to you and yours!

Vera said...

Happy New Year Leanne! You had a great year, lovely projects! Good luck with your plans and changes.

Katy Cameron said...

Love all the colourful makes in there. Not sure you finished the kittens though ;o)

elle said...

You have had such a great year! Good for you!!! :)

Kirsten said...

So many gorgeous quilts - your canvas design is just stunning!

Judith, Belfast said...

Wow L! You're 2014 was definitely the year of the quilt! Fabulous! Jxo

audrey said...

All your quilts are wonderful, but I do love the scrappy ones.:) Very productive year for you!

Susan said...

You and your quilts- what an amazing catalogue of 2014! You continue to be an inspiration!

ChristaQuilts said...

You have had a wonderfully productive year & I love seeing all the finishes on one place. Best of luck for next year too!!

Mystic Quilter said...

What an amazing array of finishes for you last year - mind boggling!! Congratulations on all these lovely projects.

Debbie said...

What a year you've had. You have truly inspired me many times over! Here's to more quilty goodness in 2015!

margaret said...

so many lovely things you have stitched this last year and I know yo will be sharing lots more i 2015

Catherine said...

Such fabulous makes Leanne. You are a real inspiration

Simone said...

I really love the clean simple lines of the quilts in your second mosaic and the dense quilting. These are definitely an inspiration for me for 2015 projects.

Nicole said...

A great year for you, Leanne! Congrats on reaching your publishing goals! Wishing you all the best for 2015. Happy stitching!

Liz said...

It's been a lot of fun following along with your work this year - you've certainly accomplished a lot! Your new Halcyon quilt is gorgeous, I can't wait for the pattern! Happy New Year!

Stacey @slostudio said...

So many beautiful things made this year. I hope you have had a wonderful holiday season and Happy New Year!

CapitolaQuilter said...

I just love your style. So many beautiful quilts and projects

Anne / Springleaf Studios said...

So many beautiful finishes Leanne. Well done.

grapes and hearts said...

Thia is an amazing number of quilts but what is even better: I love them ALL. It is great to see them all in one place, you really outdid yourself! Congrats for so much talent and thank you for sharing it with us!

Cloud CouCou said...

Wow, you achieved a lot. I love the reflection quilt it's beautiful :)

tusen said...

Your year was full of beautiful finishes. I love your way of exploring patterns and making variations of one design.
All the best for 2015, I'm sure it will be filled with great projects.

Esch House Quilts said...

What a productive year you had! I don't know how you fit it all in! I totally agree about making more than one quilt from each design - that is one of my favorite parts of quilting. I didn't do that so much this last year and really missed it. Hope to see you soon at QuiltCon!