New Year's Resolutions & Giveaway

Two winners chosen at 4 pm New Year's Day. I notified Patty and Kathryn. The contest is over.

It's coming! It's coming! 2013 is coming SOON! Are you ready? Do you have any New Year's resolutions? And how did you do last year? Can I share with you what my resolution (yes, only one, let's be realistic here) was for 2012? I resolved to always listen to the voices in my head. Wait! Don't leave! I'm not crazy.

We all recognize those little, tiny, insistent "voices" that seem to compel us to take a different path, to make a different choice. And most are based on good information. I paid more attention to my hunches in 2012 and I was very thankful I did. Don't speak that sharp word. Stop speeding. Only eat one cookie (and not 5). Be kind to the person you don't like.

Happy New Year blocks from my Quilter's Block a Day Calendar

And what about quilters' resolutions? What are yours for 2013? At the bottom of this post I'll ask you to share your own quilter's resolution (and any others you have: lose weight, go back to school, save more money, etc) and I'll have a giveaway (actually 2!). But, I was reminded of a challenge I made to myself regarding making a block a day for an entire year! Yes, can you believe it?

Here is the first paragraph as it was published in Quilt Magazine in 2003. The story is actually true!

"I heard of a professional quilter who challenged herself to stitch a quilt block a day FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR. It seemed an impossibility for anyone other than a woman stranded on a desert island with her sewing machine, fabric and thread. It certainly couldn’t apply to me - a busy wife and mother, living in a very large metropolitan city with an outside job to help put two daughters through college. Where did this lady find not only the time to sew a quilt block each of the 365 days in a year, but where did she get the mental persistence to make one on her busiest days, her down days, her days when she traveled? I never got a chance to ask her. No need to wait for New Year’s Day (though I did) to begin. I just set out to do it! Here is how..."

For the full story and tips on how to keep it all together with a monthly theme, click on the article here:  Block a Day Challenge

I am going to post these blocks throughout January, February and March so you can see how I did. The set is over 10 years old - yikes! 90 blocks!

Now, for the giveaway for the New Year. I have a partial jelly roll from Blank Quilting - 13 strips 2-1/2" x wof. They are from their Fabrications Brights Collection and are so fun to use with a black or white background.

Half jelly roll (13 strips) = 7/8 yard

13 strips in bright, playful colors and patterns

And the second giveaway? A sample collection from Red Rooster Fabrics a few years ago. These 6 fabrics are approximately 10" x 24" for a total of one yard of fabric. They were crying on my shelf wanting a new home since I never bothered to use them.

Earthy sunflower collection of 6 fabrics by Red Rooster

What do you have to do to win? Tell me your Quilter's New Year's Resolution. Or any other resolution for 2013.  I will use the Random Number Generator to select my winner.

Please be a follower. I don't want you to miss all my future posts about my own Block a Day challenge. I will be sharing over 90 blocks!

Remember, in order to win, I must have your email. And the contest deadline is New Year's Eve at midnight.

I read every one of your comments, though with a heavy volume when there's a giveaway (wonder why that is?), I can't always reply. But I do value what you say and I bet I'm going to really enjoy all the plans and resolutions you share with me! Thanks so much for visiting.