My Best of 2020

Hi and welcome to my stop on the Best of 2020 blog linky party!  I had such fun going through my posts from the year to figure out which 5 posts I would be highlighting today.  It was a great way for me to review the year and revisit some finishes from earlier in the year that I had forgotten about.  I'm ready for 2021, how about you?

Click on any of the titles to be taken to the actual blog post for more details and pictures.


1.  Morewood Mystery Quilt

The Morewood Mystery Quilt kicked off in July and is going strong.  The quilt along posts are always among the higher view count posts of mine.  If you want to join in the fun, you can find all of the information about the Morewood Mystery Quilt here.

2.    Mosaic Mystery Quilt

Coming in at number two is the Mosaic Mystery Quilt, the free quilt along that started in July 2019 and finished up this spring.  The instructions are still up on the blog if you would like to make this quilt, you can find out all of the information here.

3.  Glue Basting Curves Tutorial

The Glue Basting Curves tutorial was my most popular tutorial this year.  I created this tutorial when I was making my Awning quilt.  You can read the tutorial here.

4.  English Trellis Pattern

My most successful and poplar new pattern this year was English Trellis which I made using Morrison Park fabrics by Pat Sloan.  You can see more pictures and read about the quilt here.

4.  New Logo

One of my favorite posts from this year highlighted a new logo and branding for Meadow Mist Designs.  I had the old logo for over 5 years so I felt it was time for a little update and upgrade. 

Thanks for stopping by my blog!  I hope you will consider linking up your favorite posts from 2020 or stopping by to see other blogger's best of 2020 posts!  You can visit the Best of post right here.

 

Best of 2020 of Linky Party

Welcome to the Best of 2020 Linky Party! 

 This is the fifth annual "Best of" blog party to share your and read others top posts of 2020.

To take part in the link party, simply write a new blog post highlighting your "best" 5 posts from 2020 and linkup.  There is no set way or rules to pick your best, you can pick and highlight your posts anyway you would like.  Some examples include:

• Posts with the most views
• Posts with the most comments
• Posts that provoked the best discussions
• Posts showing your favorite 2020 finishes
• Posts of your best tutorials
• Posts that are simply your favorites

I invite you to grab a cup of tea, coffee, apple cider, or your favorite blog reading beverage, relax, and have some fun reading the best blog posts of 2020:)

The link party now through Saturday, January 2nd.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Please note that this year end party will take the place of the Favorite Finishes Monthly Linkup, so there will be no monthly linkup for December.

 

2020 Goal Review and 2021 Goals

2020 is almost done and I can't really say that I am sad to see it go.  I'm looking forward to 2021 and getting back to a more "normal" life.  I miss my family, friends, and co-workers.

I must admit that some good has come out of the covid 2020.  I have been working from home since March and I really enjoy having windows and natural light (my office is in a windowless cubicle room) and my cats around.  Also, my commute to work (my dining room table) has been fabulous! 

My children have also been virtually learning since the spring and I enjoy being able to have lunch with them everyday.  I will miss that once they go back to attend school in person next fall.

And now for a look back at my 2020 goals and plan for the new year...

My wonderful bloggy friend Yvonne, who blogs at Quilting Jetgirl, hosts an annual planning party to layout goals for the upcoming year. I thought that I would use this post to first go back to my 2020 goals to see if I had actually accomplished them and then post my 2021 goals.  

2020 Goal Check-In

My main goal and word for 2020 was APPRECIATE.  I wanted to limit my commitments to focus on my family and appreciate them as they are growing so fast.  I think that I did pretty well against my list...

1.  Design and host the next mystery quilt starting this summer. - DONE, the free monthly Morewood Mystery kicked off in July and will finish up in April.

2.  Focus on giving back including teaching others to sew/quilt and making charity quilts - I made the switch from in-person class/workshops to lecturing over Zoom and that has been great.  I have been able to "visit" with many more guilds 

3.  Host the Best of 2020 Linky Party - This will go live the day after Christmas.

4.  Submit a proposal for my next book - I submitted the proposal in January and it was accepted!  My second book, called Just one Charm Pack Quilts will be released in June!!

Overall, 2020 has been a great quilty year!  

2021 Goals

I have no idea on when 2021 will go back to a more "normal" so I do not want to overcommit or plan.  

My main focuses for this year will be:

1. Just one Charm Pack book launch - I am going to have a traditional blog hop and also am planning a charity sew along with prizes.
2. Pattern releases - I have a number of new pattern ideas in the works and want to get those written.
3. Mystery quilt - the next mystery quilt will kick off in July and the design is almost set.
4. Charity sewing - I would love to be able to donate at least half a dozen quilts.

How are your 2021 plans shaping up?  You can read all of the 2021 planning posts at Yvonne's #2021PlanningParty.

 

Best of 2020 Linky Party Coming Soon

It is no secret that I love blog link parties.  One of the main reasons I started my blog was so that I could take part in the sharing of knowledge and inspiration through the parties and so I am very excited to announce that I am hosting my sixth annual blog linky party, the Best of 2020 Linky Party!

Please note that this year end party will take the place of the Favorite Finishes Monthly Linkup, so there will be no monthly linkup for December.

To take part in the link party, simply write a new blog post highlighting your "best" 5 posts from 2020 and linkup.  There is no set way or rules to pick your best, you can pick and highlight your posts anyway you would like.  Some examples include:

• Posts with the most views
• Posts with the most comments
• Posts that provoked the best discussions
• Posts showing your favorite 2019 finishes
• Posts of your best tutorials
• Posts that are simply your favorites

This post is not only a great way to find new readers, it is also wonderful to be able to highlight some of your best posts for those readers who have joined your blog throughout the year.

The link party will open the day after Christmas, Saturday December 26th and will be open for one week ending on Saturday, January 2nd.

While you are waiting for this linky party to start up, you can take a look through the Best of 2015-2019.  Thanks!

 

Christmas Nostalgia

One of the best parts of being a quilt pattern designer is the opportunity to collaborate with fabric companies.  

Recently, I was able to connect with Michelle, the CEO and founder of the new fabric company, Dandelion Fabric & Co.  Dandelion has a number of great collections full of creative colorways, fun prints, and useful blenders.

I worked with Dandelion Fabric & Co to render some of my patterns in their holiday collection, Christmas Nostalgia.  I really like how this Christmas collection is different than the typical red and green prints, the collection has some pink, tan, and blue designs.  

Here is the full 12 piece Christmas Nostalgia collection:

I had a great time playing around with these prints, not only in my patterns I designed with the holidays in mind, but some others as well.

Candy Stripes

Flock of Geese

Jelly Lanterns

Looking Glass

Winter Wreath

Which is your favorite?  What are your favorite colors to use in a Christmas quilt?

As a special bonus to celebrate this collaboration, I am offering 20% off of all quilt patterns in my shop using the code DANDELION,  now through 12/21 (midnight EST).

Morewood Mystery ++ Hourglass Units

Happy December!

Welcome to the December instructions for the Morewood Mystery Quilt along. There is plenty of time to join in on the quilt along!  You can find all of the information about the Morewood Mystery, including schedule, past instructions, links to the Facebook group, sneak peek, and more at the Morewood Mystery Page.

We are going to be making some Hourglass units this month.

Now that the Mystery Quilt has ended, you can find a easy to print, full version of the pattern for sale in my pattern shop.

Full pdf Instructions of Morewood Mystery Quilt

 Hourglass Units

Combine 15 fabric D squares 5 ½" x 5 ½", 15 bg squares 5 ½" x 5 ½", and 30 bg squares 5" x 5" to make 60 hourglass units 4 ½" x 4 ½".

1. Place a fabric D square 5 ½" x 5 ½" and a bg fabric square 5 ½" x 5 ½" right sides together. Draw a diagonal line using a removable marking device on the back of the lighter square (shown as the solid line).

2. Sew a ¼" seam on either side of the solid line (shown as the dotted lines). Cut on the solid line and press seams open or toward the darker fabric.

3. Do not trim the half square triangles (HSTs) at this point.

4. Repeat to make a total of 30 D/bg HSTs approx. 5" x 5".

5. Place a D/bg HST approx. 5" x 5" and a bg square 5" x 5" right sides together. Draw a diagonal line using a removable marking device on the back of the HST (shown as the solid line) perpendicular to the seam.

6. Sew ¼" on both sides of the solid line (shown as the dotted lines). Cut on the solid line and press seams open.

7. Trim half hourglass blocks to 4 ½" x 4 ½". Repeat to make a total of 60 hourglass units.

Do not worry about the orientation of the seam between the bg fabrics in the hourglass units.

Many thanks to the generous sponsors of the Morewood Mystery Quilt!

Quilting Jetgirl | Sew Fresh Quilts | Cotton Cuts | Fat Quarter Shop | Busy Hands Quilts 

Aurifil  | Quilting by Anne-Marie | Sew Colorado Quilting  | Whims and Fancies | Cooking Up Quilts

Bear Creek Quilting Company | BackSide Fabrics | Make Modern

Needle & Foot | Meadow Mist Designs | Honey, Bunny, and Doll

Any questions?  Leave them in a comment below or post them to our Facebook group page.  I look forward to seeing everyone's units.  The next set of instructions will be published on the first Thursday of January, the 7th.