2013 - A Year in Review Part 1

2013 has been a splendid year.  So it seems only fitting to write a year in review, and reflect on all the things I've made, all the wonderful people I've met and all the fantastic times I've had.  It's hard to know where to start with such a mammoth task, but I think first I'll start with my makes. 

 

As you may know I make quilts and other items for my little business Quilt Candy, so here are all the quilts I've made this year, roughly in chronological order. 

 

A mini for my dear friend Julie

I'll admit, it's not as many quilts as I would like, but that's partly because I have been super busy making personalised bunting too - something that has proved really popular.  Here are some examples of the bunting I've made, often many times but with different names. 

 I was also lucky enough to have a stand at The Harbour Gallery in the summer months.

The small items in particular proved very popular; I never imagined having to make so many chickens!

I also had great fun  making lots of quilted journal covers. 

 

 

I did have big plans to make personalised stockings.  But sadly there was just not enough time.   But I did manage to finish my WIP of six years, my Christmas Stocking Cross Stitch.

And I even managed to make some Christmas gift tags, both for my children and a few orders :-)

 

When I look back, I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to achieve all I have in this last year.  All those late nights at the sewing machine; all those mornings where I've felt like a zombie have all been worth it when I think of all the things I've made and hopefully the happiness I've brought to their owners. 

I've also had so many wonderful quilting related experiences, more than I could have ever imagined, and made SO many new friends.  I can't wait to re-cap them all with you.  But I think I'll save that for another post. 

Thank you so much for stopping by, I hope you've had a wonderful year too.

Sarah x

It's May today!

I say it every month, and I'll say it again, where did that last month go?!  May already!  Let's hope that it brings the promise of Spring and ekk, dare I say it, even a hint of Summer?  Some sunshine and warmth for a continued period of time would be amazing!! 

 

April was a busy month.  For any new readers, it started of really well for me, with a little trip to Lucerne in Switzerland with one of my friends.  I won the flights in a competition, so it was a great excuse for a little mini break, and we had a awesome time. 

 

 

I even managed to do a little EPP on the train, using my Summersville Spring fabrics.

 

 

And I found some EPP inspiration on the floor of the hotel restaurant, of all places.  (Sorry, not the best picture, the important businessmen having their breakfast were probably wondering why a girl was taking a photo of the floor, so I had to be quick!)

 

 

 

The other exciting news last month was that I now have my quilts and bunting on display at a lovely little place called The Harbour Gallery.  You can read about it in more detail here.

 

 

 

I also managed a few makes this month, and here is the customary 1st of the month collage :-)

 

 

Main picture: My Anchors Away quilt top, that I designed myself

Top right: The back of my Anchors Away quilt.  Only 72 x 2" squares for the back!

Middle right: EPP hexies

Bottom Right: My display at the Harbour Gallery. 

 

And if that weren't enough, I also read and reviewed the fabulous new book by one of my favourite quilters, Sarah Fielke.

 

http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/april-2013-reviews/

 

 

 

Phew, that was a busy month!  I wonder what May will bring?  As well as finishing quilting my Anchors Away quilt I have another in the pipeline...I can't wait to share it with you.

 

I hope you all had a good month too.  Do stop by and say hello if you get the chance, I love hearing from so many like-minded people!
 

Linking up with:

 



 

 

Sarah x

PS.  Are you going to the FQ retreat?  I am so excited already :-)

 

Im in!

...The Harbour Gallery that is.  And I'm so excited.  If you missed my previous post, then the long and the short of it is a display of my quilts have gone on sale at a beautiful little gallery called The Harbour Gallery in St Aubin, Jersey, and it's the most beautiful place.  Here is the view just outside it.

 

And up on the first floor in the textiles area is me! 

 

I am surrounded by a wealth of talent.  Just to the right in the above picture is a little workroom of a lady called Helene and the Elf, her knitting is just amazing.  And my neighbours opposite me are the beautiful Jersey Oak, who produce wonderful bespoke solid oak furniture.  

 

 

And my neighbours to my left are the stunning Loving Chair Company.  As you can see all their chairs are individual, unique and fabulous. 

 

 

My display is also just a stones throw away from the recently refurbished Cameo Café.  I shall certainly be stopping for a cup of tea next time I visit!

 

 

 

Downstairs is equally beautiful and a wealth of talent.  Here is Gallery 1.

 

And look at all these wonderful art supplies.

 

It really is a little gem of a place and I am so proud to be a very small part of it.  Do take a look at The Harbour Gallery Facebook page, and if you are local or in the area, check to see what workshops are running that week.  They do all kinds; sewing, felting, knitting, crewelwork, you name it. 

 

As well as moving in to the Gallery this weekend, I have also had several midnight sewing sessions.  I've been working on my Anchors Away Quilt that previously looked like this. 

 

 

I decided to add some flying geese, and I used this fantastic tutorial that my blogging friend Susan shared a few months ago.  (It was one of those moments where I'd been musing over making some geese, then all of a sudden there was the tutorial, waiting for me to use!  It really is brilliant; 4 flying geese in 1 go, and no wastage.  Genius. )

 

Anyway, here they are, all 34 of them!

 

And here's the quilt top so far.  Can you believe I've run out of white, I was about 2 inches short.  Damn!

 

More borders to be added!

 

And look at this map for the back, it's going to be must as much fun as the front. 

 

Thank you so much for stopping by and reading this mammoth of a post.  I hope you are having a good week. 

Linking up with:

 

Sarah x