One Year Older, One Year Wiser

My birthday is in 13 days (July 26th). Rather than focus on all of the trials and tribulations this past year has brought, or all of the things I thought I would have done by now and haven't (both of which are many), I am going to (as a reminder to myself more than anything) highlight some of the good things that happened this past year instead.

• I started the NOVA Modern Quilt Guild, grew it to 55 members, planned monthly or bi-monthly events, and organized 2 charity challenges.  
• We've worked on our house: new roof, partially new fence, new roof on bay window, new wood trim and fresh paint on the trim, new door lock, paint in the dinning room, new furniture in the dinning room, paint in the basement, new shelves in the basement.
• We bought a new-to-us car (used 2009 Honda Pilot)
• We bought a full sized Christmas tree (7.5' artificial because I'm allergic to real trees)
• I joined Cabin Branch Quilt Guild, went to my first and second quilting retreats, and did my first official quilting related demonstration (English paper piecing).
• We were asked to be God parents to this precious angel:

• I joined my first flickr swaps (Sent / Received), do. Good Stitches {A Charity Bee}, A Dozen Quilters, and made 8 charity quilts (Charity Projects).

• I started teaching my friend Andrea how to sew:

Made by Andrea with a little help and supplies from me

Hand quilting with perle cotton thread

• And she started teaching me how to knit

My first time knitting. I only dropped 1 stitch.

I cut my hair. Again. I think I like it longer but Matt likes it shorter. I'm always in flux.

Before

my sister Leslie, me, and my friend Mary at my Bridal Luncheon

Wedding Hair

 

After

Ann, me, and Ginny. I'm in the AMH Museum Tunic I still need to re-work to fit the 'girls' better

• I was published on another blog for the first time (the Fat Quarterly) with a tutorial for the Marshmallow Brochette mini quilt which is what motivated me to make the pattern a lap quilt size and do my first QAL on this blog.

There are definitely things about this past year that have tested my strength, but there have been some pretty amazing things that have happened too. It's crazy how quickly a year goes by...

Happy Quilting! and Happy Birthday to all the other July babies out there!