2011 ….. the year that was

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I know I have been missing in action, taking some well needed time away from the computer to refresh my brain, catch up with my family, spend some special times and create some memories…. as much as I have missed you all, sometimes it has to be done…. and now I am ready for the year to come… and ready to write my family Christmas letter and say hello again to you all.

I hope you all had the most wonderful Christmas and a happy new year!

2011 seems to have passed in a blur….. I had many dreams on my list for the year and at times thought they were all a bit above a little old (well getting older) mum and designer way down here at the bottom of the world….. so it was nice to look back through the year of blog posts and see exactly what I did achieve – I’d thought I'd revisit with you all, but it is a long post so feel free to leave now :) as I get all sentimental….

January brought floods and fires… whilst I was away sunning myself in Fiji, Australia was suffering terrible weather events. I was busy stitching my new BOM Truly Aussie, so it seemed right to offer some of these patterns for you all to stitch in the ‘Aussie spirit’ project – I have to say that the four resulting quilts are still not quite finished but are happening and will be presented soon I hope. Many of you then joined in to make your own Truly Aussie quilt.

In March we all made Hearts for Christchurch after the devastating earthquake – our hearts go out to them again over the holiday break as they experience more and more shocks and aftershocks leaving them unsure about their futures..

Also in March a magazine tutorial on my Gluestick appliqué technique meant the release of this pattern – which  I still really love…..Tigglywinks

April was mad month preparing for the Spring Quilt Market in Salt Lake City, classes at HMQS and of course some new patterns to release including:

Spring Fling

and Sweet Candy Dreams

Also in honour of Lori’s best friend we released Ode to Keri, with donations going to Breast Cancer research.

in June I travelled to Adelaide for Inspired Stitches where I released this pattern – Inspired to Stitch, and had a wonderful time with so many likeminded and passionate women…many of you!

And then we began the wonderful Stitched Sunday program where so many of use shared new challenges and achievements

Whilst you were busy learning new stitches I also completely re branded my website, blog and released a Hugs ‘n Kisses app – which was very exciting for me….

And then as if I had nothing else to do a few months were spent from June to November working on Quiltaid- this time three of them at once – in Australia, the USA and Europe.

I have to admit this was not easy and produced many sleepless nights of worry and work – but it is for a good cause – I hope you are all enjoying supporting it and the wonderful blocks that 12 designers donated this year – they are the best! Not too late to join in girls – or spread the word to your stitching friends.

October and November were busy working up to the Australian Quilt Market and finally some new projects that I had been busily working on in the background.

the Needle Nookie was first a My sewing Room Project with Country Hart – many of you would have done this – I hope you liked it!I then of course had to make a matching bag to put it into!

the Brodiery bag

and  more bags at the last minute – needed some quick gifts so the Girly Stuff pattern was created – four different bag options and five designs – one to suit everyone..

By this time I hadn't made a quilt for some time and wanted something to use this lovely soft fat quarter pack in so the Matilda May quilt was born – simple and quick and some very therapeutic appliqué blocks in there to keep me happy with some handwork.      If you are a Facebook friend you would have followed along with me each night with the ‘in my hoop’ peeks as I restitched my 12 Little Love notes in to this new BOM quilt. Very therapeutic in times of stress this project was…     Late October I also travelled to Launceston for a Gathering where these projects were born.. 

A Heartfelt wish

 Grans Christmas Pud and the Festivity Stockings…  

which then by request led to the Grans Christmas table set.

I am sure there were a few free guest blogger projects in there also and a few other magazine projects or tutorials…at We Love French Knots, Sew we quilt, QuiltenZo and more…

but that brings 2011 to an end…phew….. now I can see why I needed a break!

There were a few other exciting things happening behind the scenes also which I will be telling you about when I can in the next few weeks and months… I promise to continue to share my love of life and stitching throughout 2012 – please continue to share with me…. it was a pleasure to know you all in 2011 and will be a pleasure to meet many more of you this year..

thanks for reminiscing with me….

first hugs for 2012

Helen

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