In the lull between Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, we take time to reflect on the past year and plan for the one ahead. As I look back over the year, I had some great quilting experiences so here is my 2018 roundup. Thanks to MeadowMist Designs for hosting a Best of 2018 linky party!  Be sure to visit the other quilt bloggers who are sharing their thoughts as the year draws to a close.

True Blue Quilts Top Five Finishes

Counting down from #5… I’ll start with a project that combines several of my achievements this year:

Winter Blues Two by Two

The Two by Two quilt pattern is featured in my book, AnglePlay® the Easy Way, and I used this wintery color scheme as the basis for my first online class.  If you would like to see the AnglePlay® templates in action and make your own version of Two by Two, check out Andi’s Quilt Academy today.

#4…a quick finish for Christmas

Quilt as You Go stocking

I got a wild idea a few days before Christmas that my daughter should have a handmade stocking. Luckily, there are many patterns available and I found the Falling Flakes stocking at imaginegnats.com.  After a color consultation with dear daughter, I had a quick dig through my stash for teal fabrics. (I’m glad I checked…she has outgrown the purple phase of her childhood and now as a pre-teen the perfect color is Tiffany Blue!) This quilt-as-you-go pattern stitched up quickly and we had a lovely visit from Santa, who delivered fuzzy socks and candy!

#3…working on that UFO list

This year I finished a project that had been lingering for a while. The top of my two-color bargello was finished.  I fired up my longarm and got the quilting done.

Blue Bargello

I can’t wait to see this hanging in my bedroom. What projects have you made for yourself recently?

#2 – class samples

I love teaching quilting classes.  It is so fun to share my passion with others and fulfill the mission of True Blue Quilts to help people enjoy, experiment and excel as they create.   Elizabeth Hartman‘s animal designs will be fun patterns to work on with a group.

Delightful Desert

This class is offered by 35th Ave Sew & Vac in El Mirage, Arizona during 2019. I used a range of Moda Grunge fabrics for the animals, and a sage green from the Dimples line for the background.

And #1 in my countdown of 2018 Finishes…new free motion quilting designs!

My mom (and best longarm customer) brought me a row quilt that was made from triangles. I took on the challenge of stitching different designs in each set of triangles.

Triangle Rows Free Motion Quilting

You can see all of these designs in a video here.

Final thoughts from 2018

I picked a word for last year – VISIBLE. The variety expressed in my top 5 finishes shows the steps I took towards that goal.  I launched my first collection of quilt patterns, which are available in my shop.  Locally, I teach classes in the Phoenix area. (I do love to travel so if your guild or group would like a trunk show or workshop, please visit my Contact page.)  Still in the works is a YouTube channel, maybe 2019 will be the year I finally cross that item off my to-do list!

I hope you can look back with joy on the memories of 2018 and are looking forward to more great things to come in 2019.  Remember to visit more of the Best of 2018 blog posts from MeadowMist Designs’ Linky Party.