I’m kind of surprised, but I have kept up with blogging for an entire year. It has been fun, and a bit more work than I expected. It has also served to keep me motivated – I like to have something to share every week.
These are a few of my favorite finishes for the year.
After a year of blogging, I have learned some things.
- Participate in community events. This year I participated in the 2016 New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop. It was very helpful, and a lot of fun.
- All of those articles about making money with my blog don’t really apply to me, and that is okay. I quilt for personal enjoyment, and that is also the reason I blog.
- Being a consistent blogger is important. When I lose track of my Friday posts I feel anxious.
- Participating in the quilting community takes effort. I’m not fantastic about commenting on blog posts or responding to comments on mine. I am working on that. Sometimes I spend so much time thinking about what to write, I lose track and write nothing.
- I need to do a better job of planning my post schedule, and then stick to it.
One thing I have used this year to help organize myself is my Quilter’s Planner. I’ve always been a paper calendar girl, ever since my mom bought me my first DayTimer (which I still have!) I haven’t taken full advantage of it this year, but I am getting better as time goes by.
Blog goals for 2017
- Improve my quilt photography
- Keep up with weekly posts
- Participate in more link ups
- Host a sew along
Giveaway!
**Giveaway is now over. Thank you for playing. Congratulations to Marla from Penny Lane Quilts. **
For fun, I ordered a second Quilter’s Planner when I ordered my personal copy for 2017. I will be giving it away, along with a Quilter’s Planner mini. The giveaway opens today, and closes on 12/16/16, so that I have enough time to get it in the mail to you before Christmas. This giveaway is only open to US residents only.
One of my favorite features of the planner that I have not taken advantage of at all this year are the weekly block patterns. You can see them all here. I do believe I will be rectifying that situation this year.
To win your very own 2017 Quilters Planner, check out the 2016 block patterns and tell me which one is your favorite. Regatta has been nagging me for months – it wants to be a made and gifted this year. Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
First, congratulations on a successful first year of blogging. That’s quite an accomplishment. I’m only 8 months old and I know how hard it is and that it takes a lot of time. Now to answer your question–I really like Beach Balls by Beth of Cooking Up Quilts. I think that one is begging to be made by me. Here’s to another year!
kthurn(at)bektel(dot)com
Thanks! Beach Balls is really cute. And good luck on your blog, too.
Congratulations on your year anniversary! I hope you have a fantastic 2017 and many more anniversaries to come. 🙂
Thanks for being such a constant supporter. I really enjoyed getting to know you over the past year.
I enjoy following your blog. I know I wouldn’t be good at blogging. I’m not as dedicated to writing about what I do or designing new patterns. I enjoyed looking at the blocks from 2016 and would like to make Summer Perseid. Thanks for the opportunity.
Summer Perseid is very cool. And thanks for the blog love. It is still so strange to me that there are people who want to read about what I do in my studio.
Yes congratulations. Don’t forget to link up a post in Yvonne’s link up for goals and plans for 2017 that is really helpful for seeing how you are doing.
Thank you! I will be doing another post on my goals for 2017. I have enjoyed seeing Yvonne’s posts about that this year. She is definitely a blogger I am inspired by.
Congrats on your one year anniversary-I don’ t know how you find the time! I love your Pablo’s Hooters-you’re right, Nightfall is amazing! A very different block! Thank you, Susan
Hi, Susan – I find the time by avoiding house work like it is poison. And thanks for the compliments on my little owl quilt. It was so much fun.
Girls’s best friend quilt block Is my favorite. The link wouldn’t let me comment.
Congratulations on your first blogging anniversary, you have accomplished much and have a lot to be proud of. I found it interesting to read your goals for the next year, my anniversary is next month and I would say my goals would be similar. I’m not eligible for your giveaway but I wanted to congratulate you anyway, well done.
I really loved Anja’s block. Looking forward to any sew along you host. Happy Holidays, grinnie1961 at gmail dot com
Congratulations on your One Year! Woot! I didn’t look at the blocks, but I just finished the Scrappy Picnic Plaid quilt that is in there and I love it. I might even make it again with a different color scheme.
Congrats on your first year! Scrolling through the blocks Cabana caught my eye. I’d like to size it up and make a full size quilt out of that block!
Congrats on your anniversary! Lovely work all year long. May you have many more. And as for the block…I like picnic pinwheel.
Modern Popsicles caught my eye! I am looking forward to seeing what 2017 brings to you and your blog!
Fearless Sparrows by Sarah Fredette is my favorite. Kind of sounds like me. 🙂 And aims upward! Congrats on your first year!
My favorite is the Fearless Sparrows block. I can imagine so many quilt variations possible with that one block.
I love your English Paper piecing…. Very jealous of your skills….. I like Beach balls also…. super cute…
Thank you! Don’t be jealous- just practice. I use plastic templates, insanity, and determination.
I am currently working on a runner for my dresser. Good work for me when I can’t be in front of my machine and need to keep my hands busy. We shall see how it turns out.
Would love a new planner, I need help, hehe. Lots of great blocks to choose from. My pick is Floored.
usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com
ps New follower via BlogLovin ;-D
Happy One Year!
Congrats on your anniversary!