15 Years(!) of A Quilter's Table

15 years?! Yes. I recounted just to make sure. 

Over the course of the last several weeks, I've noticed folks posting pictures from 2016. I'm still not sure why, but I thought it would be an interesting way to approach this year's blog anniversary. In 2016, I had been blogging for 5 years - not a newbie by any means, but obviously still early in my journey. But looking back, I see it was a big year for me, creatively speaking.

Mod Mood, my initial quilt with Bee Sewcial, won first place in the Group/Bee category at QuiltCon.

Steeped in Tradition was my first quilt sale, also at QuiltCon.

I got my JUKI! There was so much to love about it, and it was my primary machine until last June.

The making of Yay or Nay was a profound experience, reminding me still, "Don't be afraid of getting it wrong." 

I hosted the Crosscut Quilt-Along, and had 52 participants join in trying out this fun improv technique.

I made my second Bee Sewcial quilt, Baconrific, named by my then 6yo granddaughter, and it remains a favorite.

So why the focus on 2016, when I'm actually celebrating a 15 year anniversary? Well, I couldn't have remembered all that good stuff without keeping track of these events here on the blog. A Quilter's Table is indeed still a pretty fine vehicle for following my own creative journey. It holds snapshots of of events and creations large and small, and just as importantly, has been an excellent space to engage with my maker community. Thanks, as always, for being here, and sharing the journey.

11 Years

Seriously? As of today, I've been blogging for 11 years. The online quilting community has evolved so much over that time, that I sometimes feel like a bit of an enigma. Blog-writing and blog-reading aren't as popular - or prolific - as they once were, but right here still feels like home to me. Sure, I post frequently on Instagram, and occasionally on my A Quilter's Table facebook page. And The Scrap Basket newsletter is a whole 'nother thing, with a more outward focus. But here's where I enjoy sharing in detail about everything I make and more, so I'm figuring I'll just keep doing that.

Quilting Modern, 2012 - first improv quilt

It's hard to know how to even talk about all those years of blogging. I guess if I look back at some early posts, I see a few things have changed dramatically over time.

Mod Mood , 2015 - Bee Sewcial group quilt

• Most of the quilts I create these days are improvisational.
• In general, scraps play a much larger part in my projects of any size and type.
• Different substrates are also used much more frequently.
• I'm no longer afraid of color or choosing fabric for a project. It took me years to feel comfortable doing that alone.
• Overall, I guess I'm more confident, and enjoy creating whatever feels fun to me.

Sizzling, 2015 - Pantone Marsala challenge quilt

Truth is, I don't have a whole lot to say this anniversary. It's been a unique couple of years, hasn't it? And I think I'm just feeling grateful that I'm here, doing what I love to do, creating every chance I get and sharing it with you all here. Heartfelt thanks for following along, being a part of so many of my days, and for encouraging me along. It means so much.

Chaotic Order, 2016 Embrace the Chaos pattern by Libs Elliott

Sooo.... are you wondering about the collection of quilts I'm sharing today? Made during my years of quilt-blogging, these happen to currently all hang in our home. The first, over my desk, where I can be reminded of my improv-beginnings; Mod Mood is front and center in our family room, a QuiltCon ribbon winner; Sizzling, AKA the bacon quilt, is in the dining room of course; and the final two - Chaotic Order and Double Tall Skinny Vanilla - in living spaces where their colors coordinate. Do you hang your quilts in your home??

Double Tall Skinny Vanilla, 2017

Eight Years

Swoon, 2011

A year ago, as I was contemplating the fact that I'd been blogging at A Quilter's Table for seven years, I was in the midst of prepping for a class with the Seattle MQG; anticipating a Facebook Live chat with one of my mentors; skimming through a magazine that contained my first article; finishing up a guest post on a new-to-me topic; and finalizing plans for a couple of teaching gigs. In short, I got overwhelmed and let the anniversary pass and the post sat in draft form clear to today.

A Maisy Quilt, 2012

Fissures, 2013

Looking back, I see something similar happened at the end of year six, and that Five Years was the last time I documented the annual date with a post, and I think I know why. As much as my sewing style had been evolving over the course of those first five years, the last three have been compounded - by opportunity mostly - and none, absolutely none of those things mentioned above could I have said back in 2011. The bottom line is... things have changed.

Unlocked ~ A City Sampler Quilt, 2014

Sizzling, 2015

For years I was sewing at the dining room table as I could find the time, and there was more slow-stitching considering I only hand-quilted back in the day. But when I hopped on the blogging train, things started moving a little faster. Truth told, hubby and I were still relatively new to the empty nest phenomenon, and not only did that allow more time, but I needed a focus that would help me deal with the changes. Blogging and sewing more to have stuff to share on said blog... well it was a bigger deal than I'd thought, and I certainly didn't anticipate where it would lead.

Yay or Nay, 2016

Follow the Dots, 2017

I still hear the comment, "What you do now is sure different from what you used to do." And I'm always happy to hear that. Because I'm glad I opened myself up to what could be, and somehow became less afraid of trying something new. Even now, I have a project on my design wall that I've been thinking about for a while, and now that I'm into it, I don't like it. And I've come to a place where that's ok. To be honest, I feel a stab of disappointment in myself when this happens though. Like, I've traveled far enough, I should be able to avoid situations such as this. But that's not how life goes. I move forward, willing to explore a bit, and just see where it takes me. Sometimes it's a marvelous place, and just as often, not.

All In, 2018

This isn't quite the post I thought I was sitting down to write, but in the end, that's ok too. In fact it's down-right reflective of the last eight years. What I was searching for back in 2011 was "a fuller presence." I wanted to join in the online quilting community in a larger way. And in stepping into that, a whole new creative world opened up. I sure didn't expect my 'style' to evolve, and I definitely didn't anticipate the myriad of opportunities that have come my way. I got way more than I had hoped for, and for that I'm grateful. I owe alot of that to you. And going forward? I'd say the possibilities are endless. Thanks for your part in it all.

Five Years

Seriously, how can it be that I've been doing this bloggy thing for FIVE full years? The memory of a time before A Quilter's Table is kind of faint. This blog and its related social media personas, the newsletter, the bees, the quilt guild, the quilt shows, the projects . . . well it's never far from my mind. And I can't deny that it all adds up to a big part of my free time.

Swoon, 2011

Every year when I write this annual post, I can't help but go back and read those from previous years. One Year expressed an appreciation of the growth and creativity that had blossomed. (More than one person has told me, "What you do now is sure different from what you used to do." Indeed.) At Two Years, I commented, "What I love about a journey is that no matter how well you plan, there are usually elements of surprise, new experiences you could not have anticipated, and often growth in unexpected ways. And this last year has held all of that for me." Three Years found me speechless and emotional - seriously! Then by Four Years I was a bit incredulous at the changes that had happened - in my stash, my studio, and my sewing itself.

A Maisy Quilt, 2012

Now I'm marking five years, and I sit here awed by the scope of it all. On one hand, it feels like alot of it has come of its own accord. Invitations, gentle prodding from the community, inspiration in so many ways - it all has drawn me to a place I couldn't have imagined five years ago. But boy am I grateful for it all. Nor could I have anticipated how tied I'd become to our community. I mean, really now, I am so proud to be a part of it all.

HST Love, 2013

At the time I began, I felt late to the game but I'm sure glad I didn't let that stop me. Stepping out to become an active participant rather than just a follower has been so fulfilling, so challenging, and so much fun.

Thanks to Vesta, 2014

So thank you. Your presence here is a gift every day. I know blog-reading has diminished some with the popularity of other social media avenues, but I tell you. Here is where I get to share my truest creative self, and that still means alot.

Monochrome, 2015

To mark the occasion, my friend Kristina/Fabric Bubb has agreed to partner with me in a celebratory give-away! Just leave a comment on this post for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to her modern fabric shop. I'm a real fan, and in addition to a beautifully curated selection of fabrics, her customer service can't be beat. Check out the online shop, find Fabric Bubb on Instagram, but before you go, leave a comment. I'll choose a random winner Friday night! And again, thanks for being here.

Four Years

It’s really hard to believe A Quilter’s Table has been up and running for 4 years. I clearly remember the nervousness I felt as I brought it into existence ... the conversations I had with my family about what I should name it ... the downright courage it took for me to put it out there.

Since that moment, things have changed - how and what I quilt, how I spend my free time, how wide my circle of fellow-quilters.

Socken - my first use of solids

When it comes right down to the nitty-gritty, in the 4 years since I began blogging, I have:

• curated a fairly modern stash, where before I only had ‘project leftovers’
• incorporated fabrics other than quilting cotton into my work
• created a workable dedicated sewing space that even has a design wall, something I had no idea had value
• upgraded to a sewing machine that gave me machine quilting capability
• shown my work in a variety of real-life settings and even entered quilt contests
• become active in a modern quilt guild, where ‘modern’ was something I barely knew existed before
• moved beyond sewing from a pattern – though I still love them – to creating my own designs, even sharing some as tutorials
• been known to cut fabric without a ruler . . . improv was not a word in my vocabulary back then
• expanded my presence in social media . . . starting a blog was huge then . . . now A Quilter's Table is on Pinterest, facebook, Instagram

Plain and simple, my life as a sewist has evolved, and it really is tough to take it all in.

 Mini-X - my 1st tutorial

And then there’s you.

None of the above would have been half as meaningful, as fulfilling, without you. The affirmation you’ve given has made me believe I was capable of things I would never have considered. You have encouraged me to think outside the box I knew to a place where just about anything can happen. You've made it all downright fun, and I am so eager to see where this journey takes me next.

Mango - the first quilt of my own design

 

I'll confess I've looked back and read my posts marking each year of blogging, and it really touched me to see how many of you have been with me from the start. That says a lot about the camaraderie and support we find in each other, and honestly, it's at the crux of why this blogging thing is so rewarding to me. If we weren't in this together, I'm not sure I'd enjoy it quite so much.

 

So thank you for being here day in and day out. And thank you for all you do to make creating one of the most satisfying things I'm about. I hope you'll mark the occasion with me as I offer a little giveaway. Just leave a comment on this post and on Monday, I'll choose a random winner to receive a $40 credit to fabricBUBB, a shop with beautiful modern fabrics and terrific customer service. It may be a small way of showing my appreciation, but it's heart-felt nonetheless. This giveaway is now closed. Thank you!