Eight Quilts for 2013

I didn't really make a list of New Year's Resolutions this year. I don't make them most years to be honest. I like to list all the books I read in the year. But the last time I made a Resolution I remember it being "to be kinder to myself". A few weeks ago I was reading another blog and commented on someone else's plans for 2014 - I said that I wanted to read more books, finish ONE project for myself, finish a project I was not excited about (The Ugly Quilt) and exercise more. I think that sounds fairly attainable. There are more things on my "to do" list, but lets not get too overwhelmed!

I only read 27 books last year but I've already read 4 this year so I'm on the right track. 

I ran my first 5K last year. I also ran my first 8K and 10K, plus one more 5K. I ran the Resolution Run on December 29, but I sort of counted that for this year in my head. I'm signed up for an 8K in two months and a 10K in three. The boys are running the "Move Your Paws for the Polar Bear Cause" in a few weeks at the zoo and I'm SUPER excited about that!

My kids are happy and healthy. My husband is still my best friend. 

I have good close friends and a cosy home. My mother and Grandparents are still with me. My extended family is close. Life is good :) 2013 was a good year.

I haven't done a lot of knitting as my wrist seems to object, but 2013 was the year I became a QUILTER.  I had dabbled before but when I caught that particular bug I was HOOKED! 

 These first two were for my boys. I took apart the receiving blankets I had made when they were small and upcyced the fabric for these two toddler-sized quilts. The blue and purple one is N's and he struggles to like it - the purple really throws him off, but he likes the story of his first word "up" and that's why I bought cloud fabric. He sleeps with it underneath his other blankets - it's close but no one can see it!

The purple red and green one is A's. The red border was totally not what I was going for but the lady at my quilt store suggested it (and they didn't have much else in stock that worked at all...) and when it was done it just worked! This lesson paid off when I was making the Ugly Quilt this month. That border fabric really makes a difference!

#3:Grandma's 85th Birthday Quilt

#4: The Quilt for my Mother-in-Law 

(and my first jelly roll race quilt)

#5: My Sunstreaks Quilt. One of the things I need to finish for myself this year. I"m counting it for last year because...well, the ability to finish a quilt top in an evening still blows my mind!

 #6: The Veggie Quilt for my BFF Vegan.

God I miss the cottage....and the summer...and the sun!

#7: The Peace Quilt I made with N's Grade One Class. I LOVED this quilt! 

It's made of felt and each of the kids coloured a rectangle with permanent marker. The chance to use Sharpies was pretty exciting. Then we traced all their hands to make the border. Stitching all those little fingers was a big project, but it was so totally worth it. The school plans to hang it in the library but for now it's on a roller cart and gets moved around the school and has been on stage for quite a few assemblies. 

The kids are SO proud of it!

 #8: Last but not least, A's Fishy Quilt. 

And snow. I swear I'm going to bring this to the cottage next summer just so I can photograph it on the dock in the sun!

(Though it was very nice last week when we were sick to snuggle under)

So that was 2013. I'm 4 books and 1 quilt down for 2014. Can't wait to see what all gets done this year :)