Best of 2019 and Plans for 2020
It’s all Thanks to YOU! Thank you for following along and taking part in the fun times we share here at Sew Fresh Quilts. Especially for those of you who have purchased the Koala Love pattern to help raise money to aid Australia during the drought and bushfires.
As I reflect back on all the changes that have happened, I am always mindful of the things that I am so thankful for. Today I am celebrating my 7 year Blogiversary! Yes, it was 7 years ago today that I started this blog as a way to document my progress and to make connections with fellow quilters, like you! I had finished my first quilt, made for my daughter Erin. And was on dial up internet at the time….
Thank you for all your kind comments left on my blog posts, in emails and on facebook and instagram. And for all the encouragement you give me. I couldn’t have made it this far without your friendship and all of your support!
This year has not been as prolific in the quilting department, as in years past. But I do feel like my life is finally starting to come together and our home is feeling more like a home everyday. My kids are home from school for the holidays…. And I am so blessed!
My favourite make from this past year has got to be the Koala Love quilt.
Since December 5th, we have raised a total of $1019.50 to be split between NSW Koala Hospital and Rural Fire Services Australia. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!
Together we have surpassed my goal of $1000. BUT that doesn’t mean they couldn’t use more help. I am collecting until the end of the month!!!!!
I have been following the news shared on Facebook about the plight of the wildlife that has been effected by the drought, the heat and the bushfires. Not to mention the people too! Homes are being destroyed as well.
Sometimes we are faced with things that seem impossible. But with LOVE…. ALL things are possible. And together we can make a difference. One person at a time….
Click here to buy the Koala Love PATTERN.
Someone asked about a baby block. To make Mama and Baby Koalas. So I also have a listing for the single block pattern here. The Koalas DO NOT HAVE EYELASHES. The blocks finish at 14″ and 7″ square. This is a block pattern, not a quilt pattern so there are no yardages or finishing instructions given.
Here are two of my other favourite finishes from this year…
Both very recent.
RU Ready4Winter? |
Oh, DEER! |
This favourite make was a big PHAT BOO hit!
I love the easy BIG PHAT blocks.
Be watching for a BIG PHAT HOHOHO next Christmas!
PHAT BOO |
And this is the last of my five favourite finishes from this year…
The Harry Potter quilt along quilt!!!
Harry Potter full sized quilt |
This quilt has been stored away for my daughter. She is a big fan of the Harry Potter series. If you would like see all my other makes from this year please click here to visit my Gallery.
These are my Top 5 makes of 2019! It’s hard to choose which quilts to put on this list at the end of the year. But I am excited to share this post and will be linking up to the party over at my good friend Cheryl’s Meadow Mist Designs blog. This is her fifth year in a row, hosting this fun filled event and anyone can participate. Just write up a blog post sharing your 5 favourite makes from this year and join us at the party!
The following are my plans for 2020. My very first blog post was actually very much like a new year’s resolution. For the past five years I have been participating in the planning party hosted with Yvonne of Quilting Jet Girl. And you can join us in this party too. Write your own post for your Plans for 2020 and come join us!
Reflecting Back and Looking Forward…..
2019 has been a pivotal year for me. A year of finishes and a year of firsts.
But also a year of refining my FOCUS.
In the first couple of years, I concentrated on learning new techniques, sharing tutorials and quilting tips, and developing my own artistic style. 2015 was the year I discovered that my true passion lies in designing modern minimalist pictorial quilts using the STOP (Stitch.Trim.Openseams.Press) method. My pattern business has blossomed and bloomed over the past four years.
The year 2020 will be…. The YEAR OF CONTINUING TO FOCUS ON DESIGN!
Here are some of the NEW PATTERNS I’ve been working on….
Coming in 2020, PriME MaTEs will include instructions for 3 Bed Quilt sizes – 75″, 80″ and 90″ square – and three Throw Quilt sizes using a couple of primates only.
BONUS!!! This Go Bananas! table runner looks like a lot of fun and finishes at 13″ x 39″
3 COY with Lilly Pads |
3 COY with Frog & Lilly Pads |
Life Cycle of a Frog with Lilly Pads |
Life Cycle of a Frog |
I had been hosting the Let’s Bee Social since December 31st, 2013.
And I made it all the way to Let’s Bee Social #277 on July 31st, 2019.
That is a lot of Wednesdays….
But somewhere along this summer, I stopped giving in to the pressure to post. I was having a lot of trouble keeping up. So now I only post when I want to post. Don’t get me wrong! I am still ALL ABOUT BEING SOCIAL. I just seem to be finding my limited time has given way to being more social on Facebook and Instagram these days. It’s hard to find time to pop by blogs to leave comments, when you can do so right there on those platforms. But I am not giving up blogging by any means!!!!
Thank you to all who have supported the Let’s Bee Social over those years!!!!
And you are my greatest blogging treasure!!!
2019 has been a pivotal year for me. A year of finishes and a year of firsts.
I co-hosted a SUPER FUN Harry Potter QUILT ALONG.
Hosting the Elephant Parade and then the Dog Gone Cute quilt along in 2015 had been so much fun that I decided to host a few more quilt alongs. In 2016 we quilted along to the Ugly Christmas Sweaters and the MOD Bear Paw. This past year I shared all the instructions for the HaveAJollyLittleChristmas quilt along which was so much FUN!!! All of these quilt alongs can be found by clicking on the Quilt Alongs page tab at the top of my blog, just below the header. And these quilt alongs will always be there, so you can join in at any time.
I had so many people inquiring about a quilt along for 2018. And I had hoped I would have found the time and inspiration to come up with something fun. But it didn’t happen. But that’s perfectly okay because this year’s HPQAL2019 was a rousing SUCCESS!!!!
The year 2019 certainly was…. The YEAR OF THE MOST EPIC HARRY POTTER QUILT ALONG!
Things have come full circle! I am very happy. And I love my new life in our new home. Having you in my life is a blessing you cannot imagine!
Thank your to each and every one of you for all your support throughout the year!!!
Get 50% off any PDF pattern purchase here in my shop!
What are your plans for the coming year?
Wishing you ALL a very Merry Christmas…
a Happy New Year!
I wish you continued growth in your designs in 2020, Lorna. May your next year be filled with joy, love, and lots of quilts!
You have come through so much, and shown us the inner strength you have. The quilts, the blocks, and more. Let that inner talent for designing carry on in abundance, and I hope 2020 for you and yours is all you wish for, with love and happiness galore. Very Best Season's wishes from down here in NZ.
Wishing you and yours a very Merry Xmas and all the best in the new year. You are one amazing lady!!!
What a wonderful post, so upbeat and bright and positive! I remember when I first found you and then realized how close you live to me. 🙂 The upcoming 2020 patterns are very cool, Lorna. You should be proud of all you have accomplished especially in the face of some personal difficulties. Merry Christmas Happy Festivus my friend!
Oh my lord I am so impatient for these new patterns! Love them! Snapping up the kangaroo and joey and the mini koala immediately…not batting an eyelash. Love them all!!! Thank you for an incredibly creative year – wishing you all the best in 2020, may it be full of unsurpassed joy, and Merry Christmas! Be well, well loved, well fed, well rested!
All of your designs and quilts are the best! Your creativity is amazingly endless! Thank you for sharing it with us! Merry Merry Christmas and Happy Happy New Year! I'm so excited for your 2020 designs! Cheers!
You are so creative and inspiring. I love the new quilt patterns! Thank you so much for your presence in the blogosphere.
My heart breaks for the loss of the wildlife from those awful fires. I hope that they are under control soon. Merry Christmas to you!
\”Thank you for sharing ALL you do.\”& Wishing YOU & ALL of YouRS a…VeRRy MeRRy ChristMAs & a…HaPPy & HealthY New YeaR!
What a great post Lorna. I smile every time I see one of your designs. Wishing you much joy in 2020.
Have a wonderful 2020 Lorna. I am glad you are still hanging in there and designing away. I love the pond series.
2019 was a wonderful year for you, and 2020 looks even better. I'm so excited!
Your quilt designs featuring animals are precious! Congrats on raising money with your Koala Love pattern!!
Your creativity and productivity continue to amaze me Lorna. Just when I wonder if you are going to run out of animals/things to design, your next quilt design blows me away! I love seeing what you create with fabric and love.
Congrats on 7 years of blogging. I'm almost at 9 years. I hope you had a Merry Christmas, and have a Happy New Year!
You rock! So many finishes, new ideas, adorable designs. And, you persevered and made your life stronger and better. I am so proud of you. Thank you a million thank yous for your personal generosity. You are sew inspiring. Lots of love, and Happy New Year!
Happy New Year, Lorna! I can't believe it has only been 7 years. You keep amazing me with all your beautiful creative ideas. So many cute and wonderful patterns! And your generosity with sharing them with us.
2019 was a great year. You just keep surprising us with more creative patterns. I wish you continued success with creating in 2020. That's an amazing amount you fundraised. Well done.