Well here we are!

Christmas is over, 2015 is quickly coming to a close, and it’s time to reflect on our year.

To help us all focus on our accomplishments, Cheryl over at Meadowmist Designs had the great idea to host a “Best of 2015” Linky Party. Be sure  to head over there to see everyone’s highlights from the year. And don’t forget to leave comments congratulating them on a year well done. A little encouragement to your fellow bloggers sure does go a long way!

When choosing my top five, I didn’t use any data points as criteria. I just picked the five posts that made me the most proud or that got a great response from you guys.

So, here are my Top Five of 2015:

1. My first post

It’s hard to believe that 7 and a half months ago, I was posting here for the first time. I had no idea how to create a link, center my photos, add buttons, make a header image or create new pages. I knew what I wanted my page to be, and I worked my butt off to learn the things that now seem so simple!

This post is on my top five because I’m proud of jumping in and putting my work out there for the world to see, even when I felt stupid and vulnerable for not knowing the first thing about blogging.

2. Color Play Friday: Sunset Near Cathcart

(If you’re unfamiliar with Color Play Friday, look here)

Color Play Friday has become a huge part not just of what I do here on the blog, but of my life. I find myself looking at color differently. I spent a good deal of time through the summer and fall learning all sorts of amazing things about color theory and putting it into practice in my work.

To me, this post best represents exactly what Color Play Friday is all about. I ended up with a palette I never would have chosen had it not been for the picture inspiration and created a bundle that I would love to own or make a project out of.

*If you would like to start joining us for Color Play Friday, please let Trina or I know! We’d love to have you!*

3. Shimmer Quilt Finish

What a great experience the Shimmer quilt has been for me!

First off, I got to start the quilt at a workshop with the quilt designer, Allison Harris. Besides the convenience of having a designer walk you through your first block, it was just a really fun day to hang out with her and some of the ladies from one of my guilds.

Then, it was featured on two of the linky parties I had joined:  Sew Cute Tuesday (Blossom Heart Quilts) and Needle and Thread Thursday (My Quilt Infatuation). Making things that I love for the people that I love is my top priority, but I have to say that having other quilters appreciate your work is very nice! Thank you, Alyce and Kelly for the encouragement!

Lastly, the Shimmer quilt has been a blessing because I was able to gift it to my dad last week for Christmas and he loved it. It was so much fun watching both of my parents open their gifts this year!

For all those reasons, I chose the Shimmer Quilt Finish post as one of my Top Five. The post also includes a Periscope video with quilting photography tips for you. Check it out here.

4. 7 Pitfalls to Great Organization in Your Studio

The Periscope video featured in this post got a lot of people talking! It may have been both my most liked and my most hated Scope, solely because it was a no-holds-barred talk about organization.

I didn’t really get any hate mail (although I know some of you wanted to send it), but the response I got from quilters who felt like it had really helped them was a turning point for me. It was the point I started to realize that I could actually make a bit of a difference on Periscope and with my blog and maybe encourage people in their quilting journeys.

5. Compass Quilt Top

Lastly, a personal favorite- the Compass quilt top!

I love this one because it was made for my husband, it took forever and I was so happy to finally have the top completed! Also, the photo shoot was a blast with my husband, our eldest son and I tromping around finding good spots for pictures and giggling at our inability to get good photos of the quilt because it’s so darn big.

This top is still siting in my studio. I was going to send it out for quilting, but I’m starting to think I may want to do it myself. Time will tell!

 

 

So there you have it: My top posts of the year according to me.  It was so fun to take a look back on the year before moving on to 2016. Thank you Cheryl, for hosting the linky party!

And stay tuned for my 2016 plans!

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl is hosting a linky party where we can talk about our goals and plans for 2016. That will be coming in the next couple of days!

Happy Sewing! ~L