Tuesday, August 1, 2017

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:
Show and Tell Monday with Bambi
Let's Bee Social
Midweek Makers
Needle & Thread Thursday
Finished or Not Friday



43 comments:

  1. looks like your house is coming along really well. Pretty floor. I follow you on my feedly reader and some of my favorite books are a series by John Sandford - the Prey series - start from the first as the character evolves - but they are all stand alone - some are kind of gory but if you like cop drama you might like it.

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  2. Your house looks great-I am envious, but so happy for you! I follow you by email & the best book is Tara Road By Maeve Binchy-excellent read! Thank you, Susan

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  3. Happy belated Blogaversary. I can't believe you tackled that large of a project for FMQ so early in your quilting journey. Great job. I love Kaffe fabrics too.

    Those floors look absolutely amazing. The shelves look great too. Can't wait to see them in use.

    Best book I have ever read would be Gone With the Wind. It's long, but I never wanted it to end.

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  4. Happy Bloggiversary, Janice...even if it is a bit late! All blogs should have their day in the spotlight! I have been a Bloglovin' follower of yours for a while. I am currently reading a book by Freya North titled The Turning Point. I am really enjoying it and hope to read her other books too!

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  5. Congratulations on your first year ++++. I follow on bloglovin

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  6. Happy Blogoversary! I enjoyed revisiting your projects from the last 15 months and am still amazed that the heart quilt was your first one. I follow you via email and am just about to start reading The Shepherd's Life by James Rebanks. I've heard great things about it!

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  7. Happy Blogaversary! I love your shelves. Would love to see those shelves filled with all your goodies.

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  8. I follow your blog by email. I love to read... I like Rhys Bowen for several series of mysteries involving strong women. I like Laura Childs for several mystery series including the tea shop series. I love Rosamund Pilcher, Sara Dunnant, Diana Gabaldon. That should get you started! LeeAnna at not afraid of color
    email is leeannaquilts at gmail dot com

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  9. oops! i left my comment by email!!!! i follow you by email. thanks for sharing that you've only been quilting for about a year, it gives me hope for myself!!!

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    1. Shoshu, you are a no-reply blogger so if you would like to be included in the drawing for the prize, please send me your e-mail address! :)

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  10. HI Janice, Happy Blogiversary ! We're so impressed with all your productivity. Your quilts look fabulous, and we especially like the top one with the pretty hearts and zig-zags. The free-motion quilting patterns are amazing, and they turned out very professionally. And, congratulations on your new home with the awesome sewing/quilting room ! We're looking forward to reading much more about it. Thank you for your wonderful blog, with many best wishes,😊😊😊 from Marina and Daryl Lynn

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  11. Happy Blogiversary! I am honored to be mentioned in your post, thank you girlfriend-I am so glad we have met through our blogs!! And you know I am excited that you own one of my quilts;) That floor is gorgeous. When you say you just learned to quilt 15 months ago...does that mean the piecing part too? Anyway you have come a long way baby!!

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  12. I'm going to start following you on BlogLovin because I really want to see your finished sewing room. The built in shleves are a wonderful start! sjvonfumetti at yahoo dot com

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  13. Love your floors! Can't wait to see the rest of it. When do you get to move in? Your quilts are pretty, you are so talented.

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  14. Congratulations on your one year anniversary. I've been following you on Bloglovin. Love your floors and new sewing space. grinnie1961 at gmail dot com

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  15. Happy belated Blogaversary!!!! I'm still in awe of how great those feathers look and it was your first go at them!! You deserve a huge pat on the back for everything you have accomplished over this past year and you've been house building and shuffling all the while. Sorry about that huge wet spot on your new floor...because I am drooling over them. They are BEAUTIFUL!!

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  16. Hi Janice,
    Congrats on your one-year anniversary plus a little more! I have been following your house updates - and am lusting after your shelves in your quilting room. OMG! I cannot wait to see them filled with pretty stuff. I'm not sure what types of books you like, but I have just read Private London by James Patterson. A lighter novel is called Mrs. Saint and the Defectives by Julie Lawson Timmer, and it is a good read. Looking forward to seeing you guys move into your house! ~smile~ Roseanne

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  17. You've come a long way, baby! Of COURSE I follow your blog! It's one of my favorites!

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  18. Happy bloggiversary! I'm a newer follower, so I enjoyed seeing those projects. I love the fabric palette of the first quilt you FMQ. I follow you on Bloglovin'. Have a great week! --Andrea

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  19. Need to check on how long I've been blogging! I usually sit in the back of the class, not saying much. About the only reading I do is reading my list of blogs in the mornings. Happy Blogiversary!

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  20. I've been reading your blog for several months. I'm not positive, but I think I found yours by reading "Crazy Mom Quilts". I clicked on a Finish It Up Friday link, and found your blog listed on that person's blog. Congratulations on your blogiversary. momoftana at yahoo dot com

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  21. I have thoroughly enjoyed following your blog, and your house construction, and your enthusiasm for quilting. And for meeting you at the workshop with Cynthia Brunz this spring! Looking forward to what the coming year brings for us all!

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  22. Happy Blogiversary, Janice! I follow you on Bloglovin, and also participated in the Quilter's Laundry Day blog hop - it was so much fun! I loved seeing the update on your house - that floor is gorgeous and so is your shelving in the sewing room! I just finished a book I loved - The Lake of Dreams, by Kim Edwards. Thanks for a lovely giveaway!

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  23. Congrats on your Blog-iversary! I had meant to check my date as well, but that has come and gone. I think it was right around the same time as you. I am so envious of those shelves! And that flooring is just gorgeous! I am so, so glad that we connected during that first New Quilt Bloggers group. :)

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  24. Janice, It is hard to believe that you've only been Quilting for 15 months. You have a lovely collection of projects. I'm also eager to see,your house progress. The taupe built-ins are beautiful. I read detective mysteries and my very favorite authors are Robert B. Parker and
    J.A. Janice. Is the Shadow Block QAL going on again? That is a fun quilt.

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  25. Happy Blogiversary! Awesome journey in such a short time. I haven't had the courage to do feathers yet; and I have been quilting for decades. I find your blog through one of the linky parties. Great way to see awesome quilts like your heart one.

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  26. I love those shelves in your quilting room and I follow you on blog loving.

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  27. Oh many congrats BQFO, I have followed you from the start, two new quilt bloggers learning together, and what fun we have had. You have added to my enjoyment in blogging and in quilting, but also in life in general, with all your support and your quirky sense of fun. I am so happy we met Janice, you enrich my life. Happy Blogaversity Girlfriend x

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  28. I follow you via bloglovin. I can't wait to see how you arrange your beautiful sewing space!!

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  29. I've got some heart eyes for all those shelves! And your floors look fabulous! Congrats on a year of blogging, it flies by, doesn't it? I'm currently reading The Wettest County in the World, which the movie Lawless was based on. It's not a bad read, but so far I like the movie better which shocks me to say. Lol.

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  30. I follow on Bloglovin. I am envious of those shelves.

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  31. Happy Blogiversary! I love your floors! We had oak floors in our old house and I loved them, and still miss the warmth they give. I recently read a historical fiction, A Name Unknown, by Roseanna White and loved it! I really couldn't put the book down.

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  32. Yes Happy Blogiversary!!! I follow through GFC and have you on my sidebar bloglist so not to miss a post. Thanks for the generous chance to win some Craftsy fun!!!

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  33. Happy Blogiversary! Wow, just one year? I remember when you were working on that first quilt. It turned out beautifully. I follow you via Feedly. Glad to see the house is progressing. Those Tiger wood floor is gorgeous. Happy stitching this week.

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  34. Happy Blogiversary! You've made some lovely things over the past year! Also, I really like your new floors. :) I like most anything by Brandon Sanderson - my favorite might be Mistborn, but it would hard to go wrong with any of them.

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  35. Happy Anniversary, Janice!!! I follow your blog haphazardly :-D When I see your name in comments on another blog (or my own),I will go check to see what you have been up to. I am reading The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith these days.

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  36. Happy Belated Blogiversary! Can't believe I hadn't followed before - now following on Bloglovin. Thanks for sharing you creations this week!

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  37. Congratulations on your Blogiversary and all those beautiful finishes! So pretty and they certainly live up to your name: Color, Creating and Quilting! Thank you so much for sharing!

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  38. WOW! I love your brilliant green turquoise and purple quilt with the KF backing. Also your day and night houses are charming!

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  39. I'm so impressed that you tackled a big quilt for your first one! And with piecing in the back! And that you have also done FMQ feathers! (More exclamation points--I can't help it.) I think you've accomplished a good amount of work in one year, especially considering that you are busy with other construction as well. It's fun watching your house (and sewing room) come together. I haven't followed you on anything particular--just through linky parties-- but I just fixed that and signed up for email.

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  40. I love your floors and the shelves look great. While I don't "follow" your blog, I do visit on a regular basis. Thanks for the great blog.

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  41. Love those quilts, and oh my what a fun sewing room you're going to have! Love the wood floors too!

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  42. Congratulations. Glad to see the house is moving along.

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I LOVE meeting new quilting friends and always respond to comments so I'd love to hear from you!