Best of 2017 Link Up

I thought I had posted my last post for 2017, but who can resist a link up party?  Best of 2017 is hosted by the lovely Cheryl of Meadow Mist Designs, you can find the Party on THIS POST!

I hold my hands up and say I haven't posted as much or had many finishes this year, but three of them ended up in the top four of my most popular ever posts.   So without any further ado (unusual for me I admit) here they are:

1. IT'S CHRISTMAS

I took part in the Christmas in July blog hop, one of the most fun, and stressful, things I have done in my almost two years of blogging.  Fun, well,  yes, after all it was a blog hop.  Lots of us participated over the twelve days and it was wonderful, I loved the experience, and to date I have had over 2,200 page views and still rising.  Stressful?  It included me doing a tutorial FOR MY OWN DESIGN and giving away the pattern templates which will always be available free, there is a link at the end of the post.  It was like the dream of being naked in public, opening myself to criticism and ridicule, but it didn't come, so any people liked it, such a relief.  I also had to work out how to share my templates which I did on Google Drive.  It was difficult for me and I did them high quality so they take a little longer to download, but it was the best I could do with my scanner.

2. Quilters Laundry Day Mini Quilt Along

My third most popular ever post, what a great hop this was, so many quilters participated and as the quilt could be personalised there were so many different versions too, some were even 3D.  If you didn't see the hop it is well worth a visit and seeing what some peoples imaginations can produce.  All the links to the participating bloggers are at the end of the post.

3. It's Finished

Oh yes, I couldn't not include this post even though it is so recent.  I finished my Gypsy Wife quilt top  and do you know it has jumped to my fourth most popular post ever?  Amazing!!!    No I haven't made any progress since, due to circumstances beyond my control I haven't been able to do any sewing or even much blog reading since December 21st.  This quilt took over my life from July to December, it has been top of my wish list and my greatest achievement.  It nearly had me bonkers and I am very happy it's finished.   I am so proud of it.

4. Secret Sewing

How could I not include the most fun swap I have ever had?  It was with my special blogging friend and accountability partner Janice from Colour Creating and Quilting.  I made her a mini quilt and named it Home to Roost, she made me one and named it Chicken Poop!  Enough said, if you want to read about it check out my post which includes the link to Janice, you will LOVE Chicken Poop.

5. April Update, and I've been a Numpty Again

I admit I struggled to choose my fifth post, several were ok and had a fair number of views but in the end I chose this one just because I love the fabric postcard I made.  I was sad to give it away I would have loved to keep it but I know the recipient of the swap loved it so it's ok.  Do you ever give things away and wish you still had them?  It doesn't happen often and after all this is a 6 x 4 inch postcard, but that's how it goes sometimes.

So, that's my round up for the year, I hope you enjoyed it.  I didn't have the best year for production but looking back over my posts, revisiting what I have done it was better than I remembered, and as Scarlett always said 'Tomorrow is another day', or in this case year.  Who knows what 2018 will bring but I know if I look hard enough I will find plenty to smile about.  So I'm wishing you all a very happy and peaceful New Year, and lots of lovely quilty finishes for 2018.

Until next year,
With smiles from
Kate x