Blog Anniversary and $25 Gift Certificate Giveaway!

I missed my one year bloggiversary . . . by 3 1/2 months!  Where has the time gone?  I guess, as they say, time flies when you're having fun.  And I am!  My first post was on April 17, 2016.   At that time, I had just learned how to quilt using my Bernina from my BQF (Best Quilty Friend,) Robin and was so excited about it, I wanted to document my journey.   In the 15 months since then I've only finished one full size quilt and 7 other small projects and here is my favorite finish!  I love how it turned out but boy, taking on that large of a quilt when I was so new was biting off more than I could chew.  I'm going to stick with smaller projects for a while.

And here is the back using some yummy Kaffe Fasset.  I had just learned who he was and you can see I am a fan of his and also Amy Butler.  I made HST blocks using the leftover triangles created from cutting out the hearts for the front.

This is also the first quilt I attempted FMQ feathers.   They are somewhat wonky in places but for my first time, I'm ok with that.  :)  I made this quilt for a cousin's first grandbaby.   She wanted me to make it big enough that they could use it for a long time.  So it's probably a small twin size.  The mom liked it so much, she asked if she could keep it herself.  That made me very happy!

One of the other favorite things I have done is a mini QAL with my online bloggy friend, Jen Rosin of A Dream and a Stitch.  Actually we have done two!    The first QAL (Shadow Block Mini) was so much fun that we are going to make it an annual thing.   I laughed when I reread my post about all the goofs I made on that one.  Also that I had quilted it so densely it stood up all by itself.  (snicker).  This one is now hanging in my office at work.

 You can see the 2nd QAL here with the gallery of all the mini's posted here.  We had so much fun doing this and Jen designed the cutest original mini quilt for this called Quilter's Laundry Day.  This pattern can now be purchased for a very small amount at Craftsy.  She has the creative brains and I am the organizing one.  We make a good team!  The ladies who participated in this QAL are SO talented!  I was delighted at all the wonderful versions that were shared.  This really was a lot of fun and I hope you will participate with us on the next one!

Here are my day and night versions:

And last but not least, after my one year (PLUS) of blogging I have to say the most fun about doing this are the wonderful friends I have met.  Kate at Smiles From Kate, she's my BQFO (best quilty friend online), Jen from A Dream and a Stitch, Vicki at Vicki's Crafts and Quilting and Jen Strauser from Dizzy Quilter (by the way I have a quilt made by Vicki and quilted by Jen S. that I am dying to finish and show you!  All it needs is binding but it is packed away at the moment)  I only mentioned four of you, but there are many more! I am enjoying getting to know you all!

And last but not least, the house update.  For those of you who don't follow me, my husband, daughter and I have been living in a 5th wheel for a month now waiting for our house to be finished.   They sealed the Tigerwood floors last night and I just love them.  I have been told that they will darken over time.  Here is a view of the dining area and kitchen (open concept).  The cabinets should be going in very soon.

The floor in my quilting room has not yet been installed but here are the shelves now painted taupe. 

In celebration of my one year blogging anniversary, even though I am very late, I would like to have a giveaway!  Enter to win a $25 gift certificate from Craftsy by leaving a comment telling me either how you follow my blog or if you aren't yet a follower, tell me the best book you ever read.  I need some good recommendations!  This giveaway will close August 16 at 6 pm Mountain Time.  So glad you stopped by!

Linking to:

Cooking Up Quilts

Show and Tell Monday with Bambi

Free Motion by the River

Let's Bee Social
Midweek Makers
Needle & Thread Thursday
Finished or Not Friday