January: Lovely Year of Finishes ~ Goal Setting Party

Merry New Year.

How did we get here?  When I was in grade school, I never imagined myself past 25 years old and well I'm a wee bit past that.

I'm so thrilled to see so many recaps of 2013 but then all the new-ness of 2014.

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Melissa from Sew BitterSweet Designs and I are so excited to be  here all year long for another year of A Lovely Year of Finishes. 

I'm excited to finish some projects on a monthly basis.

My tactic is is choose small goals and then in the background to finish the bigger ones as I'm on a roll. 

To that end let me share what I'm planning on busting out this month.

I'm going to finish this lovely wall hanging for my brother and sister-in-law.  They moved into a new place and why not share some quilty love.

So a finish for me means machine quilting, hangers, a label, and binding to then gift this beauty.

Thanks to Megan from Canoe Ridge Creations for this pattern.  It was part of her Fresh Mini Quilt patterns. She also did this as a larger quilt and QAL (quilt along) that I had to desperatly avoid since these are so quick and easy and sooo much fun.

Anyways.. that's my goal.

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So it's the start of a new year.  What's your January goal?

What one item will you choose?

You have two requirements to be entered into the prizes this month.

1. Link-up {on this post} the first 7-days of the month * this one is open til the 10th but this is the ONLY one*

and

2. Link-up in the last 7-days of the month.

Add your blog post or flickr photo (with appropriate descriptions) to the linky party below.

Please grab a button or link back to Melissa and I so other people can join in the fun!

**Please note, the linky party is the same here and over at Melissa , so there is no need to enter twice **

We have some new fantastic sponsors. 

Here's what we have for January prizes. 

Yep there is a change for a prize at the end too.

January Prizes Include:

1, 2. TWO winners each getting to choose one pdf pattern
from Sew BitterSweet Designs ($10 value)

3. Quilting Patterns designed by Quilting Lodge

4. Persimon Dreams - Project Quilting Mystery Bundle

 

5. Thread Prize from Aurifil

6. Green Fairy Quilts - 3 pdf patterns

7, 8. Honey, Bunny and Doll - 2 Patterns

9. Sew Sweetness - 1 pdf Pattern

Also if you participated in at least 6 months of 2013 you have till January 7th to link up your mosaic.  You can find that link up here.

Happy 2014

2013 A Lovely Year of Finishes ~ Finale link up

 Hello finishes. 

That's right it's time to recap what we've accomplished this last year. 

A Lovely Year of Finishes that Melissa from Sew BitterSweet Design and I co-lead has been awesome! 

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Here are my finished A Lovely Year of Finishes projects that I finished.

As you can see they aren't always finished products but they are great accomplishments, for me.

I didn't make my goals a few months. . but there is nothing wrong with that!

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RULES

• You need to have successfully finished at least 6 of the goals you set for yourself in 2013.
• You need to have linked each goal and each finish to the parties that Melissa and I hosted throughout the year.
• Make a Mosaic or simply post ONE picture, that we can link to the rest of your finishes. One entry per person.

Again please make it super easy for us to give you prizes.
Link back to all 6 or more of your ALYoF photos or blog posts.
If we can't verify you're finishes we'll not be able to provide you with a prize.


What are the prizes you ask? 
Well we have some fantastic sponsors. 

2013 finale prizes

1. $35.00 Gift Certificate to Fat Quarter Shop

2. & 3. TWO winners each getting to choose one pdf pattern
from Sew BitterSweet Designs($10 value)

4. A Craftsy Class (winners choice of class)

5. A Fat Quarter Bundle from Moda United Notions

6. A Paper Piecing Kit from Paper Pieces

7. Thread Color Chart and Thread Pack from Aurifil

8. Quilting Patterns designed by Quilting Lodge

9. Gift Certificate from The Intrepid Thread

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And those that want to play again this new year. . go to this post. 

**Please note, the linky party is the same here and over at Melissa , so there is no need to enter twice **

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Thanks for participating last year.

And if you are interested we're growing and have a whole new year starting.

To link up your new January goal, go to this post.

My Year in Review - 2013

Here are some of the items I've completed this year.

I'll do a separate post about my 2013 'A Lovely Year of Finishes' tomorrow!

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It really has been a great year for me.

First I put up a few tutorials on my blog



Wonky Star

Building Foundations

And here are the finished projects that I have for this year.



It's been so exciting meeting so many awesome people through ALYoF link up that Melissa and I have done.  And so excited to do it again this next year.

Thanks for following me!  And so much more coming for this next year.

My December ALYoF finish and new blog planner

I finished my December goal!

It's fitting that I finished cutting my Lazy Sunday (pattern by May Chappell) quilt out on a Sunday.

It was a great weekend for sure. I'm loving that I am using this fabric.

And the month has been uber awesome as I'm on the path to organization!

I purchased this beauty from Kristin at her etsy shop ModjeskaDesigns

I'm excited to track and to prepare.

I can see what is coming up for the 2014 A Lovely Year of Finishes but also trying to get some of my posts in too.  :) 

I'm excited to see if I can trend my own work to the traffic I get here.

And I'll be taking snapshots (there is a place in this planner for this) of my social media buzz.

I'm still not going to be super strategic but it's the prep for this thing called life.

Now off to prepare for next year!

2014 ALYoF is coming right up - eeep

A Lovely Year of Finishes

2014 edition

That's right the fantastic Melissa has agreed to put up with me for a whole new year.  She is so amazing.

We are soooo happy to be doing this again this year.  And make sure to check out our sponsors.  I'm again bummed we don't get a large portion of the prizes. :)

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There are some ground rules.

This is a sewing and crafting link-up.  Although it would be awesome for cooking or millionaire making. . that's just no who we are. :)

• Be nice.  We love the encouragement that is in this community.  Just keep it going.

• To win a prize you'll choose one month to work in.  Add in a photo or a blog post during the goal setting linky. Work on that project & finish it to where you stated you would get to. Add a new photo or blog post during the finishes party linky.

• For your goal post, if you could pick one project that as your ALYoF goal.  That makes it easier on us.  And if it's easier on us, it's easier for us to give you a prize if you've been chosen. And to that end if you can help by linking back to your goal setting post as well.   

What is a project?  There were {cough} many months that I had to repeat my goals the next month and I'm the co-leader!! There is no shame in not meeting a goal.  You just aren't in the running for a prize that month.  But hey, try again another month!

A finish is whatever YOU choose.  Seriously it could be cutting out all the pieces for a fantastic quilt-top. Getting the last 2 blocks done for a quilt top {cough - I have 3 of these projects}.  Your goal could be getting your lingering bee blocks into a quilt top {cough - I have 6 of these projects}. Binding, quilting, or something else crafty.  This isn't a finish a quilt a month club this is a you're awesome and you can do it club.  One piece at a time baby! Celebrate you're small finishes and I bet you'll finish more.

• We want to encourage you to visit one another and leave comments.  This is what makes us all so much better. 

Please grab our button over to the left
to keep the love going
<-----------------

 or the specific blog post to show off the month you're working on.

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Remember there is a flickr group
A facebook group
& A hashtag #ALYoF for instagram or twitter

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I made awesome progress this year, that I can't wait to show you all.

But I'm so enjoying the inspiration of the finishes I see. I admit that my 'want to do' list grows as I see what you all finish.

I'm planning on making 2014 a longer list of finishes. 

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As always if you have any questions drop a comment or an email.  Between Melissa and I we usually have some ideas or suggestions.

Can't wait to start off 2014, oh wait I need to go pick a January goal. 

See you all soon!

December: A Lovely Year of Finishes ~ Finishes Party

Yeah we are at the end of December!

This is the last ALYoF link up for this year, and wow it's been a lovely year of finishes!

And you saw that Melissa and I are doing this again. . . right?  If not go see my post here.

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What a fantastic month.  I've been busy as I predicted.  I haven't been able to touch my goal - yet.  That's what the last minute is for...right?

I was able to accomplish croissants - wow they are YUMMY

Thanks to a craftsy class called Classic Croissants at Home 
I must have watched this at least 8 times before attempting this.  I made a few mistakes but wowza.

You'll see this being reviewed next year. . can you guess how much I liked this class?

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We'll back to ALYoF...

Did you finish your December goal?

Add your blog post or flickr photo (with appropriate descriptions) to the linky party below.

Please grab a button or link back to Melissa  and I so other people can join in the fun!

To make it easy for us please add a note of your goal post or photo.

 **Please note, the linky party is the same here and over at Melissa , so there is no need to enter twice **

 For those unsure of how to link up go check out our Q&A Page for A Lovely Year of Finishes – there are instructions on how to link up from a blog and from Flickr.

Grab a button from my sidebar and spread the LOVE!

Oh yeah and there are prizes this month (as always!), here is what our fantastic sponsors are offering.

<a href="http://fiberofallsorts.blogspot.com/p/lovely-year-of-finishes.html" title="A Lovely Year of Finishes"> <img src="http://blog.sewbittersweetdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/image004.gif" width="180" height="180" alt="A Lovely Year of Finishes" style="border:none;" /></a>

December Prizes Include:

1, 2,3, & 4.

 3 Thread Packs  and one special thread pack from Aurifil Threads

5. Choice of $15 or 2 charm packs from Stitch n’ Giggles

6. A Paper Piecing Kit from Paper Pieces

7. A Fat Quarter Bundle from Moda United Notions

8,9. TWO winners each getting to choose one pdf pattern
from Sew BitterSweet Designs
($10 value)

10. Quilting Patterns designed by Quilting Lodge

Make sure to go visit 2 other people who have linked up before you so that we can cheer each other on!

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January 1-7 Melissa and I will be holding the 2013 year in review party with additional prizes, for those that finished 6 or more months worth of your goals.

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And we're doing this again. . so be on the look out and join in the fun.  Lots of fantastic sponsors are jumping on.

As a reminder of the fine print: some are affiliate links but the opinions are all my own. 

Craftsy Review: Creative Quilt Backs

Super excited to review the craftsy classes I've bought or have in my profile. Some of these you pay for but some, like the one below, is free.   

In this post, I'll review Creative Quilt Backs - a free, beautiful mini-class

What I learned - I had doubts for sure. Why would I want to watch a video about quilt backs?  I'm an experienced quilter, so quilt backs are easy, right?  I was pleasantly surprised with this class. Having Elizabeth Hartman talk through how she approaches quilt backs has helped me stretch my own ideas. 

Teacher - Elizabeth Hartman is great.  I was super excited to see her on camera as I used her book to jump into the "modern" quilting.  I just enjoy that she's near my age.

Elizabeth is engaging for sure.  I felt she was knowledgeable with this topic. And she is entertaining to watch.   

Class Content - this is for quilt backs, but these ideas can be applied to improv quilting for a quilt top. This is a great addition to any quilters arsenal. The techniques Elizabeth presented are the different approaches you can  use for a quilt.  Yes, there is more than one way to back a quilt.  And I was reminded that it doesn't always have to matchy-matchy.  Or be solids only. The class ideas are clearly presented and with a smattering of quilt math, it's even more useful.

Rating  - Blah - So So - Like - Love  this class.

I would recommend this for any level quilter to find the ideas to play with different ideas for quilt backs (or quilt tops).  I would even recommend this to play in the background in your sewing area or when you're unable to sew but want to be inspired. The quality for the price (free) is more than amazing. I would "buy" this again.  I actually re-watch this class when I have a quilt top on its way and I'm not inspired of what to use for the back.  It's always nice for me to have a reminder of some things I could do.

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To see more of the classes I have reviewed visit the reference page I've created, Craftsy Class Review.

As a reminder of the fine print: these are affiliate links but the opinions are all my own. 

December: A Lovely Year of Finishes ~ Mid-month link-up

Middle of December.

Have you been working towards your goal? 

I've been to the gym, middle school orchestra concerts, dealing with below freezing weather.

I haven't attempted to start on my December goal...YET.

But hey it's still on my cutting mat, this is an accomplishment.

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How have you been doing?

This is the optional middle of the month link up.  Feel free to share your progress.  Remember this one doesn't count for prizes  - it's just for fun.

Add your blog post or flickr photo (with appropriate descriptions) to the linky party below.
Please grab a button or link back to Melissa and I so other people can join in the fun!

**Please note, the linky party is the same here and over at Melissa , so there is no need to enter twice **

For those unsure of how to link up go check out our Q&A Page for A Lovely Year of Finishes – there are instructions on how to link up from a blog and from Flickr.

Grab a button from my sidebar and spread the LOVE!

<a href="http://fiberofallsorts.blogspot.com/p/lovely-year-of-finishes.html" title="A Lovely Year of Finishes"> <img src="http://blog.sewbittersweetdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/image004.gif" width="180" height="180" alt="A Lovely Year of Finishes" style="border:none;" /></a>

Oh yeah and there are prizes this month (as always!), we have these fantastic sponsors this month.

Aurifil Threads

 Stitch n’ Giggles

Paper Pieces

Moda United Notions

Sew BitterSweet Designs

Quilting Lodge

Thanks to everyone for making this year so lovely

Announcing ~ 2014 A Year of Lovely Finishes

That's right!  12 new months, 12 more finishes! 

Melissa and I are happy to announce that A Lovey Year of Finishes is coming back again next year!

 2014 is just going to rock.

That and I need to finish a lot more projects.

We're so happy to do this again as the response in 2013 has been awesome.  You all are amazing!

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There will be a few things staying the same and a few changes ahead:

~We'll continue with our monthly goal setting parties.  These are live from the 1st to the 7th of each month.  {January will be the only exception}

~ We'll continue the finish party.  These are live the last 7 days of each month.  Yes that still means you'll have to post, photograph within the same month. It's hard to keep it all together if we overlap.

~We'll discontinue the mid-month check-in party.  We have decided to go with something fun and exciting that will being attention (and traffic) to all of YOUR creations. This will be a monthly feature of the most clicked on finishes from the previous month.  Keep visiting others.

~We'll have a minimum of 6 months of successful participation to be eligible for the big finale in 2015.

~We have a new facebook group.  That's right we're here for all of your social media finishes.  Okay not all just another one.  This page is a closed group, anyone can see this but you can only post (your finishes, blog posts, make comments) with an 'invite' or permission to join the group.  We need to prevent as many trolls as possible. 

~We'll still love to see your twiter or Instagram posts use #ALYoF to show off your stuff.

~We still have the flickr group for those that are putting up with that site still.

Here is our awesome new button, designed by the incredibly talented Kristin from Modjeska Designs.

<a href="http://fiberofallsorts.blogspot.com/p/2014-lovely-year-of-finishes.html" title="A Lovely Year of Finishes"> <img src="http://blog.sewbittersweetdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/image002.jpg" width="180" height="180" alt="A Lovely Year of Finishes" style="border:none;" /></a>

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We're also putting a call out to any awesome, modern, fun loving business that are interested in sponsoring any month (or more) for the 2014 A Lovely Year of Finishes - we would love to hear from you!

Big or small we love all our sponsors, you make A Lovely Year of Finishes so much more FUN!

Sponsor Benefits Include:

• Permanent button and link on both blogs that host A Lovely Year of Finishes
•  Permanent links in our Flickr Group
• You can post sales in our Facebook Page
• Featured on 2 links up during the month of sponsorship

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Well, here we go. 

Put the word out.  It's going to be another whole year of lovely finishes.

November Winners ~ A Lovely Year of Finishes

Happy Winner's Day on a winter day.

 

 

 

My apologizes we are late, life is hitting both Melissa and I. At the same time!

 

Thanks to the sponsors that are making this a Lovely Year.

 

We had our sponsor offer up a great amount of prizes for November.

 

The winners are

 

{drum roll}

 

1.A Prize from The Intrepid Thread

Tammy - Karamat Sews

 

2. A $15.00 Gift Certificate to Fat Quarter Shop

Samantha - Making Life Prettier

 

3, 4. TWO Three winners each getting to choose one pdf pattern

from Sew BitterSweet Designs

($10 value)

Beth - Flickr
Fenna - FABulous Home Sewn
Kim - One Krafty Kitty Mama

 

5. Choice of $15 or 2 charm packs from Stitch n’ Giggles

Mary - handmade by Mary Emmens
 

6. A Paper Piecing Kit from Paper Pieces

Ellie - Color My World
 

7, 8, & 9. One Thread Chart & 2 Thread Packs from Aurifil Threads

Heather - Creative Blessings
Cathy - Sane, Crazy, Crumby Quilting
Allison -Flickr
 

10. Quilting Patterns designed by Quilting Lodge

Carrie - A Passion for Applique

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Thanks to everyone participating. 
And make sure to come back tomorrow.