Creative Journey of 2017 and What's Ahead in 2018

Oh my what a creative journey 2017 has been!!
How about a little look at some of my favorites in no particular order...and some thoughts on the creative journey for 2018!!

Island Ways are Winding has to be my favorite post because of the photos. My hydrangea bushes were just beginning to bloom and they were the perfect accent to the scrappy colored little quilt.

Included in this post has to be my favorite make of the year. What fun was had at a retreat with Edyta Sitar for the teacher!!!

Being part of a blog hop for the release of Christa Watson's new book was one of many new exciting creative adventures for me this year!!!

Frosty Times Four has multiple reasons to be included in my list of favorites!! It has had the most views. Once again--I am loving the photographs in this post. And it is the first pattern I put for sale on my Craftsy page!!

Having an original quilt block--Adventure Seeker--published in Quiltmakers 100 Blocks was a super exciting adventure!! Add to that being part of the Road Rally blog Tour with other designers--well life is good!!!

My most favorite of the year is the camping/motorcycle adventure my husband and I took to Yellowstone this summer. Hands down the B.E.S.T. rides we have ever taken!! The country side that can be experienced from the bike is just beyond words to explain!! Check out the post for how this adventure inspired some creative block designing!!

The cycle ride through Shell Canyon in the Big Horn Mountains was so inspiring that I was so busy experiencing it in the moment that I forgot to take any photos--but the experience inspired this quilt block that I entered into the AccuQuilt Barn Quilt contest this past fall--and it was the runner-up!! This design now hangs in their corporate office for a year!! Super exciting!!!

So what doors will be knocked on and opened in 2018?!?

I will be having a few quilts/patterns available through the Island Batik Spring/Summer 2018 catalog. Super excited about this opportunity. Looking into ways to expand the pattern designing side of my business.

I want to stay more organized and on top of my customer quilts in the coming year. They have been so understanding this past year and I am very grateful to each and every one of them!!!

I need to start an exercise program that works for me. I am very active during the 6 months of the year where my husband and I  do a lot of sort and loading of hogs--but the other 6 months are a bit stagnant in the physical activity department.

I am linking up with Meadow Mist Designs and Quilting Jet Girl. Check them out for more reflections on 2017 and thoughts to 2018!!!

Click here to find Meadow Mist Designs.

Click photo above to go to Quilting Jet Girl

Wishing you beautiful moments, treasured memories, and all the blessings a heart can know!!
Happy New Year!!

Follow me on Instagram to see what crazy adventures I do in 2018!!!

Windows by Christa Watson

So excited to be part of this blog hop to get the word out on Christa Watson's new book Piece and Quilt with Precuts with Martingale. You can purchase a signed copy from Christa HERE.

You know how books and patterns can say those three dreaded words at the end of a pattern....Quilt As Desired"....well this book teaches you how to look those words in the eye and tell them that you are not scared of them anymore!!!

With excellent cutting and assembly instructions, any of the quilts in this book will be a breeze to put together and then get to my favorite part--I have to say that since I am a long arm quilter--the quilting!! Each quilt has it's own quilting suggestions and instructions on how to do it!!

I chose "Windows" as that was the design featured for today--August 26--my birthday!!

The pattern is written with instructions for using 2 1/2" strip rolls, but since I had just received my second ambassador box from Island Batik, I went with some coordinating fabrics in a stash builder roll. These strips are 5" x WOF.

So I cut a 5 1/2" x 5" rectangle from each of my 8 chosen strips.

Then sub cut those into 2 1/2" x 5 1/2" rectangles--super easy and fast!!

Using the super clear instructions and diagrams I had this put together in no time at all!!

 Do you see those lovely puffy white clouds in the sky--well in just an instant they turned into a small little 1 mile square cloud burst of heavy rain. Then there was this beautiful full double rainbow!!

Trust me it was full and double--I just love living on the hill and seeing these!!! But I digress!! Get back to sewing Terri!

Since I wanted a table runner for the dining room I chose to make 2 A rows. In order to ensure the blocks lined up correctly I put little marks on the sashing so I could pin it together nicely.

I looked through the book if any of the other quilting designs I might like to try--but ended up going with what was suggested--ribbon candy in sashing, ribbon in window space and meandering through rest. I really like how it turned out--but then I will always love a good meander!

From cutting to binding this was a less than 4 hour project!! 

And I LOVE how it looks on the dining table!!!

 If you want to see what others have done from Piece and Quilt with PreCuts click HERE for the list. 

I am giving away an e-copy of Piece and Quilt with PreCuts. Just comment below with your favorite birthday cake flavor--mine is yellow cake with chocolate buttercream frosting. On September 1 I will randomly chose one to receive the copy.

Thank you Christa for letting me be a part of your blog hop!!