2018 in Review, Part #1
I enjoy reading other designers' blogs this month, listing all the wonderful things they made last year. Day to day, it doesn't seem I finish as much as I actually do. After looking back over the past year, I feel pretty good about what the KTQ team accomplished.I spend more time on the computer - designing, scheduling events, social media and paperwork - than I do sewing. One of my resolutions this year (like last year) is to spend more time playing with fabric. I'm so thankful for my piecers/quilters (especially Kathy Limpic), our knowledgeable employee, Joy Johnson, at the store and, my husband Robert, who wears several hats for the business, including bookkeeper, shipping, managing the store and coordinating retreats. It wouldn't all get done without teamwork.
January is pretty quiet at the store so it gives us the opportunity to do inventory and maintenance (mostly Robert). While I was putting the finishing touches on the project & instructions for two quilting cruises, Robert and Joy were cutting & packaging 200+ kits and goodie bags.
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| Through the Year Again |
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| Cozy Quilts & Comforts |
February & March found us at sea for 2 weeks of quilting classes with 100 quilters each week. I shared my simplified Layered Patchwork technique for this updated Through the Year Again wall quilt. It features four button-on quilted squares to change up for the seasons. So fun and easy with our precut fusible appliques, KT Kut-ups. We sailed the Eastern Caribbean on water as smooth as glass, then the Western Caribbean with bumpy waters and missed ports. But did we care? Nope, we're below deck sewing!
FYI: Jenny and I have a few spaces left on our quilting cruise this year. We don't have another cruise planned next year, so get on board now. For March 16-23, 2019 Quilting Cruise, contact Lenore Deck at cruiselady@tampabay.rr.com or call 352-270-8658 for more information.
By the time we arrived back at home, my Fresh Cut Flowers fabric collection was already at the store, piled in dozens of Moda boxes. We offered a 6-month Block-of-the-Month program to piece and embellish our delightful Fresh Cut Flowers quilt in lap or king sizes. All of the flowers are KT Kut-ups precut fusible appliques for instant satisfaction.
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| Fresh Cut Flowers |
The charm quilt for Fresh Cut Flowers is a favorite of mine, U-Pick Flowers. So quick to piece.
Love the mason jar of freshly picked wildflowers with button accents!
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| U-Pick Flowers |
If you need a quick Jelly Roll project perfect for the guy in your life, choose one of the settings from Windmills & Fence Posts. The men in my family love and appreciate my quilts, but when asked what quilts they like best, I get alot of "fairly neutral", "graphic vs. flowers" and "flannel".
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| Windmill & Fence Posts - quick Jelly Roll lap & king quilts |
April brought a trip to Dayton, Ohio to the One Stop Shop Hop. Such a great concept - dozens of quilt shops all come to one location for the weekend, instead of quilters running from store to store. I taught a couple classes and shared my story & quilts in a trunk show. I met some lovely ladies in Ohio and hope to return to visit again.
May brings Mother's Day, Graduations and Spring International Quilt Market. This year, Portland, OR was our host. I was not able to attend market, so I enjoyed staying home to work on the next fabric collection, Country Road Flannels.
June brought those soft, yummy Country Road Flannels to the store. As a bonus, we also have Country Road Flannel 108" wide backing to coordinate with this collection, which just happens to be our KT Special this month. Here are a couple projects from that line.
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| Country Road quilts featuring Layer Cakes |
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| Flannel Days, Starry Nights - 5 seasonal colorways, easy lap quilt |
Tune in for my review the rest of 2018 in a couple days. In the meantime, yet another box of scraps is waiting for a new owner. Comment on your quilting year for a chance to win.
Last year was a whirlwind...so many projects and so little time! The year flew right by, but many quilts were made. I hope this year slows down a bit and leaves more quilting time!
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DeleteThis was my year of making kennel quilts, in response to the very many natural disasters. I had other plans, but I couldn't ignore my heart's call to quilt for the displaced dogs and cats each time there was a fire, an earthquake, or a hurricane. And in retrospect I am very glad that I followed my heart, despite my other unmet goals. 2018 was the year of Kennel Quilts, and I won't be surprised if it was just the beginning.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a very productive year! Wish I could have been on one of your cruises!
ReplyDeleteI did a fair amount of sewing but only had a few finishes. I worked on several quilt alongs which are still in progress and I'm happy to say that I have kept up with them! This year, I hope to start fewer quilts and finish a lot of quilts. I pulled an old WIP out a few days ago and am almost finished with it. Makes me wonder why I put it aside. Here's to the first finish of the year!!!
`Sounds like you had a productive sewing/designing year. Me, not so much. With children’s heading off to college and learning to live in an “empty nest”, I didn’t get much sewing or quilting accomplished but I am hoping 2019 will be different! I would love some KT scraps for inspiration,,
ReplyDeleteLast year was spent piecing 6 quilts for family members. I have started quilting them and hope to have them done by Easter.
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I was able to squeeze a trip in to Missouri last year. Would love to be on your cruise this year, but cannot make it. Looking forward to booking some time at your retreat center. That would be a wonderful vacation!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed seeing your year in review! It is nice that it will be in a couple of post. I bookmarked this one. More quilt tops were made than finished, finished 4 quilts from previous years & did finish some that I made this year. All the quilts were scrappy and several used KT fabrics. It would be fun to win some of your scraps.
ReplyDeleteI do get to spend more time sewing than it seems that you do but that time is pent sewing for others. Therefore I do not get a lot accomplished for me so that I can actually see what I have done through the year. By the time the top is complete, the next thing is to find time to do the actual quilting. I think a lot of quilters are on that same boat. Thanks for sharing your accomplishments for the year!!
ReplyDelete2018 was a year of finishing and organizing for me. Finished up a number of projects that had been languishing for YEARS ... came me quite a sense of accomplishment and spurred me on to do other things ... like major reorganization and re-evaluation of my stash. THAT part of the year is still underway and will be completed soon. AMAZING what treasures I found and others that left me with my head scratching ... LOL Thanks for the chance to win some "scraps" ... this was a great question ;-) Linda
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ReplyDeleteMy hope for 2019 is very similar to yours. I hope to put the computer away more and sew a lot more than last year!! I started before Christmas, going through emails (over 48,000 in my inbox!!!) and started unsubscribing from a lot of places. I spent WAY too much time last year just going through emails, and obviously not doing a good job of it! Every day I unsubscribe from a few more. (KT Quilts is NOT one being unsubbed!!! :-) ) Thanks so much for the chance to win some scraps...my favorite quilts are scrappy, and I absolutely LOVE every fabric group you put out! :-)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win a week on your cruise instead!!! haha. I have three scrap quilts that I want to make this year, so your scraps would fit right in. Thanks for this chance, Lynn. 2018 started off slow, but August hit and I got quilting. I made an Irish Chain, two layer cake quilts, a jelly roll couch quilt, a queen sized quilt for my cousin and three tote bags. I still have the quilting bug for '19 and many quilts on my "want to make" list. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteThe year has been a mixture, 2 jelly roll quilts, a large pumpkin quilt, place mats for me and gifts and working on QOV quilts.
ReplyDeleteLoved your recap, It seems like team work whether in a shop, a marriage, a family is the key to so many things. Have an assessment 2019. Keep being creative so we can be as well.
ReplyDeleteAs another reader said, I need to stay off my computer to get more accomplished. At present, I am working on the Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt.
ReplyDeleteI like reading your recap of your adventure from last year. It brings me back to my first time walking into the store last year after recovering from colon cancer surgery. Then meeting you at our local quilt guild, and taking a class. So many bucket list things checked off! This year is the retreat! Addicted to KT? Me? Yes...and proud of it!!!
ReplyDeleteAlways enjoy your fabrics
ReplyDeleteIt must be so gratifying to see your designs made into beautiful fabric -- and several collections in one year! Last year, I completed two quilts and I'm pleased with that! One was a wedding quilt for my daughter, so there was much more (stress and planning) going on than sewing!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved making Flannel Days, Starry Nights at a retreat. My husband loved it too when he received it for Christmas!
ReplyDelete2018 was the year of medical challenges and the birth of a ne grand daughter. I spent lots of time at medical appointments working on two different BOM that I hand appliqued. I also made a baby quilt for the new grandy. 2019 looks better for health issues and it will be fun to travel to see the grands!
ReplyDeleteI love all your designs and your fabrics are so beautiful. On the list to complete this year is to bind my Five and Dime quilt!
I am impressed with all you accomplished in 2018. My biggest accomplishment was an EPP quilt for my sister's 70th birthday. It was all hand-quilted, too and it seemed to take me forever. But it turned out beautifully and she loves it.
ReplyDelete2018 seemed to be a year for starters. Seems I started lots of projects without finishing many. Guess that'll be my goal for 2019 -- Finishes! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteJanuary started out well enough as I worked on blocks for a niece's (10/2016) wedding quilt. Got sidetracked by a house remodel that turned into a move. 2 shop hops. Organized all my kits and have over half the fabric organized in the new house. Finished and quilted a quilt for my cousin. Ditto quilt for grandson. 8 pillowcases. Worked for a week in a quilt shop. Loved it but driving time was too much.I had a grief quilt "Crazy Anne" picked out(with my mother Anne's approval) but never had time to start it after her death so that will be on this years list. Decided to finish some cross stitch as mini quilts and have fabric pulled. So not a great year but was a little productive.
ReplyDeleteQuilting year went smoothly. Kept up with the monthly table runner class that I belong to and finished up some larger quilts on my domestic machine and pieced a few more tops. Purchased a long arm at the end of the year, so now I can finish up (hopefully) the UFO tops that need to be quilted.
ReplyDeleteMy year of quilting was all about trying to make due with what I had in my sewing room so that I could use up old fabric. For the most part I did very well, so now I can buy new.
ReplyDeleteThis year had a lot of challenges but was able to make a king size batik quilt, a fall table topper, started a paper pieced child quilt of colorful batik fish, finished a UFO and went to the Quiltfest in Pigeon Forge, TN.
ReplyDeleteMy year of quilting is usually accomplished in clumps. During the school year, I have a lot less time to quilt, but the in the summer, I tend to binge sew. This summer, I completed quite a few WIPs. The start to this school year was most challenging when I switched grade levels after 2 weeks. The craziness continued until Thanksgiving, when I was able to finally sew again. Over the holidays, I was able to complete 2 small projects. I have 2 KT layer cakes and one jellyroll waiting to be quilted; hopefully I can squeeze in some quilting on the weekends. If not, I can aim for Spring Break. Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteI completed quite a few projects as well as doing quite a bit of custom quilting for other people. I quilted a total of 97 items for the year. I also enjoyed helping my 8-year-old granddaughter make pillows for all her grandparents, aunts and uncles as well as stuffed animals for her sister and cousins. I finished 12 UFOs and several new starts. It was a good year, but I'm looking forward to cutting back on quilting for others and doing more with my granddaughters and just more fun quilting in general.
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ReplyDeleteNot much sewing was done here this year. Hubby started off the year in the hospital and it continued off and on throughout the year. Added to that, we had some water damage, so half the house had to be packed up and stored. Then the reconstruction began. Hopefully this year will see more quilting progress, although I've been told surgery is in the cards for me this year. Well, fabric will still be there when I can get to it.
Through out all of 2018 I worked on 2 quilts for my daughter. One was a huge flannel rag quilt that I finished. The other is a kingsized ombre quilt that is made of HSTs and that we designed ourselves. This one is not finished yet. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI finished a quilt scrap top; need to get it basted. I worked on hand quilting a fall quilt -- have just one corner left. I started working on finishing hand quilting a quilt my mother in law was making for someone. This is very time consuming. Not many finishes but making progress on some longer term projects. I did make and finish a flannel quilt for my husband for Christmas. It was fun to see your year-in-review -- I love your quilts and fabric!! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI sewed quite a lot over the summer. I made several table runners, a Christmas Tree skirt and a couple of purses. In August i made a T-shirt memory quilt for a friends father and then started BOM. I love sewing so much. Playing with the fabric colors/textures is the best part. thanks
ReplyDeleteIt was a busy year for me! I traveled to D.C and Amish Country, then home and three months later onto San Diego for Lynne’s and Jenny’s four day retreat. I got home and my friends wanted to visit Hamilton, MO for their Fall Festival...so a wonderful week there. Now I am going to Lynn’s retreat in June....so much fun being retired!! Did I mentioned that I made and completed 40 quilts this year from miniature to large lap quilts. I also made around 200 cat collars “to dress up cats when they go to there new homes”. In the 40 quilts were 12 monthly mini for guild fund raiser and three charity quilts. It looks like 2019 will also be busy. I can!t wait to visit KT Quilt Shop. See you in June!!! Mary
ReplyDeleteI had a super busy 2018 but not for quilting!! I did make one full sized quilt for a nieces wedding! And some smaller gifts for birthdays and holidays. I am looking forward to more sewing and quilting in 2019!!
ReplyDeleteOne thing I finished in 2018 was a scrappy KT Quilt. I used the Perkins pattern Granpa's Best and reds, greens, and creams from my stash of your fabrics I have collected. It is beautiful and is on my bed now. Need to replenish those colors so I can do another in 2019!
ReplyDeleteMy quilting year consisted of planning and acquiring and not much quilting, unfortunately! Sadly, my clutter in my room has taken over and needs to be dealt with before I put any of those plans into motion. Been working on taking care of the situation so this year will be much more productive. Would love to have a little more KTQ flannel to use in a few of those planned projects! Sandie (sandiemackintosh@yahoo.com)
ReplyDeleteLast year was the first time I jumped into the whirlwind of the quilting world. I was overwhelmed with how huge the industry was and didn’t know where to start, but after a lot of research I took the plunge and ordered a jelly roll to see if my sewing machine could handle quilting(something I had wanted to do all my life). I loved the entire process!! I made a scrappy throw then immediately wanted to try piecing blocks so I tried making star blocks and loved how I could rearrange then to change the blocks. I put that quilt on hold to make my daughter a queen size quilt for her bedroom in our new home. I was happy to piece a straight line quilt the queen size chevron quilt. I went back to finish up the star quilt which turned out to be a twin size throw. Next, I bought my daughter a sewing machine after she took an interest in quilting. I taught her some basic piecing and helped her finish her first quilt over her Christmas break. I had a wonderful first year of quilting!!
ReplyDeleteCan’t wait to start my next project....so many ideas!!
2018 was a great year as I checked a quilting cruise off my list and I met you! Here's to a wonderful 2019
ReplyDeleteMy quilting year was a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteI am so in love with your "Meadow Lark Song" + "Bird Watching" quilts! I am awaiting when you share more about them 😊
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