Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Best of 2018 Linky

I like participating in Cheryl's "Best of" Linky Party as it creates the opportunity and motivation for me to look back and see how my year of blogging and quilting has been. 
 My "word" for 2018 was CREATE. But....in reflection, well, THAT didn't really happen now did it. I find myself wondering, how can so much happen in a year, and yet, so much not. In review, I did finish seven quilts, but if I were to be honest, it was more a year of self growth than creative expression. It's not the details that matter so much, but truly the lessons learned. My lesson being that of acceptance and choosing to move forward and authentically begin to creatively define myself not as a teacher, or even as a mother, but a creative women who's esteem is independent of these outgrown roles. So today, I reflect upon 2018, grateful for my lessons learned but planning to be more authentic in 2019.

#1: My little buddy asking to teach him how to sew.
I cherish my relationship with this little guy and am so grateful for his presence in my life.
As I move forward, I will continue to cherish the fact I am a grandmother and value that I have grown to understand my role as such. I offer my daughter and grands comfort and wisdom. They need that kind of grounding in their busy, busy lives. I offer that. Lucky me.

#2: Hubby and I discovered a new hobby we  really enjoy together. As I move forward, I'm so grateful we found Golf as it challenges us and finds us laughing a lot. But most of all, I've grown to appreciate that the one childhood wish I had, that came true, was that I married my best friend. This man truly completes me. He is so patient, so kind, so wise. He makes me a better me. 2019 will find us selling our home and downsizing and really just having fun within that process. We're excited!

#3: Our Annual Piggy Bank Challenge continues for it's 6th year!
As I move forward, I'm grateful there are still a few others of you that like to save spare change as much as me. I'm grateful that even though I haven't been really "quilty" this year, that you continue to follow and join in on the challenges and linkys I offer. Thank you!
 Val's Quilting Studio

#4: Our Eye Spy Swap was a huge success.
Receiving 1,758 views, this was just so much fun! I move forward, valuing the community we have in our blogging world and commit to continuing to be an active part of it.
 This swap lead to...my favorite finishes of the year. They all make me smile as I think about the five energetic boys they were each created and gifted to over the past year.



#5: Career Transition. Retired Quilts and yes, Jackson.
As I move forward, I'm so grateful I had the confidence and opportunity to move into a mentor role at work and thus, start to value the time this has created for me to perhaps expand myself creatively outside of work. Time has been presented as an opportunity to embrace new found freedoms as for the first time in thirty years, I'm truly living without the obligations of children. I'm liking it. And, of course, there's always comfort found in having a loyal companion like my Jackson by my side.
So there you have it: The 5 Best Lessons learned here at Val's Quilting Studio. I want to thank all of you who have become my blogging friends over the past years.  I also want to welcome you if you are new to my ol' spot here in blogland. Please take a look around, and if ya are even a little bit inspired by what ya see, I hope you'll follow too. In the meantime, happy holidays to you all and thank you Cheryl for hosting this party. Click on the picture below to check out everyone participating and celebrating:
Meadow Mist Designs


23 comments:

  1. Lots to reflect on Val. Our roles do continue to change and morph as the years go by. Embracing it and diving into what is offered is such a great way to go. My husband and I talk often about how these years are so different and we are happy to consider all that it offers us. With Julia going off to college next fall, we will be empty nesters! Having my children so far apart in years means I have been parenting for 34 years (as in having a child at home) so this is a crazy thing to look forward to. As far as grand parenting..... is there anything better??? H is really talking now and when we had a FaceTime session with her yesterday she could clearly say Grandpa and Grammy. Our hearts melted. It is the best.
    Wishing you and your family a joyous 2019 Val. :-)
    needleandfoot@gmail.com

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  2. Hi Val, it's been a pleasure following you and joking in with the fun things you offer. I have an idea for my eye Spy, not adding much to my piggy bank but it's still happening. I love reading your posts and the encouragement you give.
    Keep it up and enjoy 2019.

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  3. What a fun and wonderful year! I enjoyed seeing all of your finishes and about the swap. Thanks so much for linking up!

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  4. What a great post, full of wisdom and happiness! That photo of Little Buddy sewing his Spiderman fabric is the best thing on the Internet all month :)

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  5. It is nice to look back and reflect on your achievements. Well done.

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  6. Precious, Val, the family aspect of your goals/lessons. Looking so forward to seeing all of your 2019 projects.

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  7. Enjoyed seeing all the different things you achieved though 2018.
    My favorite is watching your buddy learn to sew..

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  8. I enjoy your colorful and whymsical quilting style. Your new stitching buddy had to be number one and of course, Jackson, to be included. New horizons for you to enjoy.

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  9. Wonderful review and goals for next year, dear friend! So many blessings to be grateful for!

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  10. What a great top 5 post. I love that you shared the lessons learned and that sometimes the goals we set and maybe not complete help us to learn something more valuable. Happy New year and I can't wait to see what you do in 2019 whatever avenue it is. :)

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  11. Fantastic year! I love that you did an I Spy swap - I think it is the only way to get alot of great fabric. Finding something new for you and your hubby is a great thing and it looks like you are truly enjoying it. Downsizing is great, but does take a lot of time. We rented an apartment and moved into it as we sold. It was a great way for us to do it. I am sure you have many followers who have similar experiences to share! And while you may not have finished as much as you would have like, it sounds like you are getting closer to that goal. Have a happy and productive new year.

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  12. I love that you expanded top five and have included us on your journey this year. I loved the Eye Spy swap and finished a quilt with some of my squares on Christmas Eve. Hope to post it soon. Wishing you a lovely 2019, Val!

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  13. I'm saving away for the piggybank challenge and hope to have enough to send a quilt to a longarmer (something I don't usually indulge in).
    I hope you will be hosting another Eye Spy Swap, I'd like to join in that one.

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  14. What a fun round up of blog posts from 2018. I am sure Jackson very much enjoyed your company!

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  15. I am so glad your Eye Spy swap was such a big success! I had planned to participate in that but just had too many things going on to add one more thing. I hope you do another one! My sis and I made a small I Spy quilt this year for her grandson and that was so fun to make! I didn't have that many novelty prints so we had to repeat some of the squares here and there but overall, what a fun little quilt! I love hearing you talk about your husband the way you do. So much man bashing going on these days that it is refreshing to read something positive. I enjoy following your blog and look forward to what you go going on in 2019!

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  16. Of course a teacher would talk about lessons learned! What a lot of wisdom gained in 2018. I like what you said about grandparenting and all the transitions we all make. It can be difficult but it's very rewarding to move to new roles in life. Wishing you another year of growth in wisdom in 2019! (Great quilts, too!)

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  17. Inspirational year for you. I love saving change too. I build a 3'tall birdhouse style change container out of fence pickets. It doubles as a fun door stop too. Love your Eye-Spy projects. They are such a fun way to scrap and stash bust!

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  18. A year with lots of changes in it means challenge, growth, and sometimes a little fear. You navigated all of it with a lot of grace. Good luck as you and your guy embark on the next stage. Wishing you lots of creativity and growth in 2019.

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  19. A great year! 👌💖 I look forward to reading more about your adventures in 2019.

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  20. I read this the day you posted but couldn't leave a comment. I so enjoyed this post, and love Jackson too

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  21. It is just so great share. I am pleased with the details. From an online portal I just booked the prettiest LA venue for my bachelorette and it is truly going to be a fun evening. I want to use the snow white theme for this bash so going to use the glitter and white pearls for the décor. Can’t wait.

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I have to admit, your comments make me smile! Thanks for sharing and for letting me know you stopped by. I Hope your day is awesome!

Val:)