Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Birthday-palooza Extravaganza with Shenanigans!

*Um, there's still no pictures on yesterday's Schoolhouse Tunic post. Ask me how much I love technology. Trying to get my camera sorted out. Please don't give up on me just yet!

Ok ok, so the title of this post makes it sound like there's a marching band or something. Which maybe there is over here on my end!


This little blog is one year old as of last Friday!

[in no certain order] In one year of blogging I have:
  • Taught myself everything I know about quilting...I've never taken a class nor was I taught to sew by my mom/grandma/etc. I've soaked it all up through blogs and a lot of trial and error [mostly error]! Thanks, guys!
  • Spent hundreds of dollars on fabrics and notions and accessories for my sewing machine
  • Had a booth at a huuuge craft fair
  • Cursed a lot as I ripped millions of stitches out over the course of the year
  • Realized that I don't have a lot of patience for being bad at something
  • Accepted my first, and then additional, commissioned projects
  • Opened an Etsy shop
  • Created PDF embroidery and cross-stitch patterns
  • Started making my own clothing
  • Been hired to teach quilting classes at a LQS
  • Participated in 5 swaps so far
  • Encountered countless blank stares from people who don't get why a 23-year-old quilts
  • Conducted an apartment search based on the fact that I wanted/needed a room for my sewing to grow
  • Joined my first online sewing bee
  • Pulled 3 all-nighters to finish quilts for certain occasions
  • Been accepted to an e-zine and a newsstand magazine for my sewing/patterns
  • Decorated my apartment in more patchwork than should probably be allowed for 1000 sq ft
I'm pretty proud of what I've accomplished so far with this little random venture of mine and pretty excited to see where I have yet to go on this journey. I love having a useful hobby that isn't common among my friends. I love having a place online to connect with people who get it.

As a thank you for following along on this crazy ride I'd like to host a giveaway for a mini quilt, made by yours truly. This mini quilt will feature a block that I'm currently working into a pattern...it's a 24" block, so the mini will be a decent size. I'm not going to give any sneak peeks of the design, but it does involve curves and was completely inspired by The Sometimes Crafter's Retro Flowers quilt! The winner will get to choose the desired color scheme, and then I will have a month to make and ship the mini. Plus there might be some other goodies thrown in too :)

If this is something you're interested in, please leave a comment on this post by 12 pm EST Friday October 26th and I will randomly choose a winner. Open to anyone in the world.

30 comments:

  1. Well sure, I'm interested! Happy blog birthday. You have accomplished so much!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Happy one year blogiversary!!! How fun! I love pink, so if I get the mini I'd like a pink theme. Or red and black. Or aqua/teal and lime green. Haha. I'd love anything homemade. Homemade gifts are the best <3

    ReplyDelete
  3. Congratulations on how much you have accomplished. That is quite a list. Can't wait to see what happens in the next year!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow you have accomplished so much (I'm jealous you discovered quilting so young - I wish I had as it is the BEST thing I've ever done!!). I would love to win one of your handmade goodies! It would take pride of place in my little house :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. woohooo, congrats and happy blog birthday, i'd love to win a mini - I told steve to order me a must-stash one for christmas! hahaha

    ReplyDelete
  6. Congratulations (I celebrated my 2nd yr today) and good luck to many more.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Congrats and happy blogiversary! :D

    ReplyDelete
  8. Congrats on a year! I recently found your blog and am looking forward to seeing what you come up with next!

    ReplyDelete
  9. That's quite a list! I love a mystery, so thank you for the giveaway, one way or another I'll be looking forward to seeing how it turns out :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Happy blog anniversary! Your list of accomplishments is impressive and inspiring and I can't wait to see more to come!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wooo! Congrats! It's been an awesome quilty year for you - here's to many more :) (I also always get those looks about "why is that 22 year old quilting?") I would be PSYCHED to win a mini quilt from you!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Congrats on your one year! I assure you you've accomplished more in a year than I will in ten, but so it goes! I've loved reading your blog. I didn't realize you were entirely self-taught-- just tonight I encouraged an acquaintance that "knew I quilted a bit" and who wanted to try making a quilt for her forthcoming godson. I sent her all of the great online and book resources I know! I'll have to be sure to point her to your blog as evidence that yes, she can teach herself with great success!

    ReplyDelete
  13. WOW, that's a LOT, and in just a year! Happy Blogiversary! I'm interested (and intrigued)!

    ReplyDelete
  14. You have been busy! Sounds like an exciting year though :) A mini would be fun!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wow! I wish I could say I have done 1/4 of that! Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Woo hoo! Congrats, Rebecca! That's an impressive list for a year -- can't wait to see what you do in year 2. :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Congratulations! Making a list of what's been accomplished is such a good idea - we often forget and get overwhelmed by what isn't done. So good for you!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Congrats on 1 year! As a new sewer and quilter, I'm impressed by all that you've accomplished. I can't imagine doing all of that in one year. (Side note - I'm having a lot of fun with the sew-along. Excited for my dress!)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Congratulations on your first blogiversary, you have been busy! Wishing you many more fruitful years of stitching.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wow congratulations! I like your list of the things you have accomplished. It's better to start sewing when you're younger, you can get so involved in it....as well as the whole spending reckless amounts of money too =D

    ReplyDelete
  21. Happy one year!! Mine was last week I think and I totally bonked on doing some post about it. I don't understand why young twenty somethings being quilters is strange - I get the same looks!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Happy one year blog-day! Looking forward to more of your posts!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Congrats on what seems like a busy (and awesome) bloggy year! May the next one be just as good :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Congrats on your Blogiversary!! You've accomplished so much I'm totally jealous. Wishing you many happy blog posts ahead. And yes I love mini-quilts.

    ReplyDelete
  25. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Congratulations on all your accomplishments! I would love a mini quilt made by you!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Congratulations!!
    I would love a mini quilt made by you!
    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  28. Congratulations Rebecca! You've gotten so much done in one year-- it's truly amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  29. that is an amazingly impressive list for one year!!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Congratulations!
    I started teaching myself how to quilt this year and you're one of the first blogs I followed!

    ReplyDelete

Messages from friends :)