The last two weeks of December were just crazy for me. I did a whole bunch of stuff that I didn't have time to photograph (boo!) and didn't end up having time to make a Buche de Noel (double boo!).
The good news is that I was busy mainly because December 31 was my last day of having a corporate office job. I dreamed of quitting my job to pursue my real interests for pretty much the entire 10 years that I had it, and I finally decided that it was time. Needless to say, I'm really excited for the new year!
These Map of the States blocks have such an interesting piecing pattern that I thought it would look cool to photograph Melanie's quilt top hanging in the window.
Unfortunately, it got dark before I could photograph the finished quilt with binding, but I should have photos of the whole thing tomorrow. In the meantime, here's a peek at one of the pink blocks . . .
. . . one of the orange blocks,
. . . and one of the green blocks.
The binding is Mingle Dots in Cocoa. Photos of the finished product coming tomorrow!
I almost forgot my last Fabric Focus project for Sew, Mama, Sew! It's a Simple Party Clutch. The free pdf pattern is available here. (Beth included a really nice list of the other 11 months' projects in the post too.) Thank you, Sew, Mama, Sew for featuring my projects in 2009!
Congratulations on being able to pursue what you love!
Posted by: Alice S | January 03, 2010 at 05:26 PM
I bet 2010 is going to be a cracking year for you! Lovely, lovely quilt.
Posted by: Kate | January 03, 2010 at 05:38 PM
Wow! This quilt is goregeous! :)
Happy New Year!
Posted by: Madeleine | January 03, 2010 at 05:44 PM
what a beautiful quilt! also, congratulations on leaving your corporate job to pursue things you love. i have to admit, i'm a bit jealous. oh how i'd love to "quit my day job" as well. best of luck to you! :)
Posted by: nichole | January 03, 2010 at 05:45 PM
congratulations on your career change!! have a blessed new year :)
Posted by: gardengeekette | January 03, 2010 at 05:45 PM
so very pretty! I love your work!
Posted by: Anna | January 03, 2010 at 06:28 PM
This is absolutely awesome I keep looking at the photos of it.. I love everything about it.. the colors make me so happy
Posted by: sarah | January 03, 2010 at 06:35 PM
The window shot is fantastic!
Posted by: Nadine | January 03, 2010 at 06:41 PM
Congratulations on the big change! Happy New Year!
Posted by: Collette | January 03, 2010 at 06:41 PM
I'm so excited for you to be changing your path to do what you really want! WOo-hooo!!!
The map of far far away states quilt is looking fabooooo!!!!
Posted by: Rossie | January 03, 2010 at 06:55 PM
Is this the one you showed earlier? One of the pattern I would love to make.
Good luck to enjoying fully your new job.
Posted by: Zarina | January 03, 2010 at 07:01 PM
here's to a new year and new beginnings! Yahoo for you!
Posted by: becca | January 03, 2010 at 07:01 PM
Awesome quilt. Love the newness and brightness of it all!
Posted by: AJ | January 03, 2010 at 07:01 PM
Super good for you! Enjoy it.
Posted by: Nicole | January 03, 2010 at 07:12 PM
Congrats on your new endeavor and thank you so much for the tutorials throughout 2009. You are so inspiring.
Posted by: Sulovessew.wordpress.com | January 03, 2010 at 07:18 PM
Congratulations, Elizabeth! I haven't looked back since leaving the corporate world. What an exciting time for you!
And that quilt - I'm speechless! I can't wait to see it! It's just beautiful! I can't find the words to tell you how thankful I am for the time you are spending working on this quilt for me. Your kindness is inspiring.
Posted by: Melanie | January 03, 2010 at 07:45 PM
That's an absolutely stunning quilt! Congrats on being able to pursue your interests full-time!! :)
Posted by: Audrie | January 03, 2010 at 07:50 PM
Love the quilt and congrats on quitting the job! Being freelance and doing a back & forth thing with work I can vouch for how great having all your time to sew is. It's the best. Can't wait to see all that you do with your time in 2010!
Posted by: Alissa | January 03, 2010 at 08:01 PM
Congratulations on having the courage to make the break! I wish you lots of fun and fulfillment. And I love the bag pattern!
Posted by: Leslie Schmidt | January 03, 2010 at 08:22 PM
Congrats on setting forward with following your dreams. I wish you every success!
I love, love, love the quilt. Looking forward to seeing it in full.
Have you written the pattern?????
Posted by: Kim D. | January 03, 2010 at 08:31 PM
Happy New Year!
Congrats on leaving the office job to pursue your dreams!
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the quilt, it's absolutely gorgeous. I'm sure Melanie will treasure it.
Will you still be contributing tutorials and tips over at Sew Mama Sew this year?
All the best for a happy, healthy and quilty 2010.
Kelly :-)
Posted by: Kelly | January 03, 2010 at 08:32 PM
It's just gorgeous hanging in the window and up close!
Posted by: Jackie | January 03, 2010 at 08:49 PM
ENJOY every moment of being able to persue your work with quilts! I love to look at what you do and you've inspired me many times. How wonderful you were able to make that change!!
Posted by: Shelley | January 03, 2010 at 08:55 PM
Congratulations on starting your new job doing what you love! I am excited to see where it will take you, you are so creative and an inspiration to me. I hope you will be doing many more tutorials....maybe write a book? Whatever you do will be wonderful.
Posted by: shannon | January 03, 2010 at 09:12 PM
gorgeous! how fabulous you have left the office! I did 10 years of banking and had enough, left to study and fell pregnant the first month so study didn't last long! I love being at home and having the time to do the things that I love and you'll find there is a whole other world that goes on. One of the best things I also found was having the time to really talk to people when I'm out and about. I feel much calmer!
love the quilt and can't wait till my hope valley arrives and you've just made me realise that derrr I can use the purples of my heather ross with the purples in the hope valley!
wonderful! best wishes for a creative and busy 2010!!!!! I'm sure your hubby will be happy to have you home as well, you are so talented and I'm sure you'll ahve plenty of gorgeous things to show us!
corrie;)
Posted by: corrie | January 03, 2010 at 09:59 PM