Saturday, January 24, 2015

Grow Your Blog 2015


It's that time again -- time to meet new bloggers and visit new blogs. If you're new to "52 Quilts in 52 Weeks," welcome! If you're a current follower, welcome back!

Note: I am receiving so many "no reply commenter" comments today! Please, if you think you might be a "no reply commenter," include your contact info in your comment -- if I can't find you, I can't reply to your comment!

Grow Your Blog is the brainchild of Vicki at 2 Bags Full. Visit her blog to view the list of more than 400 blogs, all celebrating today!





About 52 Quilts


"52 Quilts in 52 Weeks" came about when I bragged in July of 2011 that I had made 35 quilt tops so far that year. Elder Son said "hey, that's almost one quilt per week!" And the challenge was on! Could I really make 52 Quilts in 52 Weeks?  Well, yes!  Younger Son insisted "52 quilts in 52 weeks is a great idea for a blog," so Thanksgiving weekend I dipped my toe in the blogging water.

The Younger Son (aka My Little Sailor, currently assigned to the American Forces Network in Yokosuka, Japan) is my tech editor. He updates the blog header each year, and wrote a really touching blog post last Mother's Day. Best of all, he is a professional photographer, so my profile photo makes me look 10 years younger (and 20 pounds lighter!)


UFO Challenge


My favorite posts are the monthly "UFO Parades." Each month, on the first, I post a "parade" of finishes by 52 Quilt's followers. Last year we finished nearly 200 projects! Go here for details, and remember: You are the boss of your quilting!

UFO Challenge


I make a quilt for each of my Mother's great- and great-great grandchildren when they turn 12 (next one will be posted Friday!). Last Summer, I finished my Farmer's Wife quilt for for my brother and his wife to celebrate their 50th Anniversary.


Hats for Sailors


My other "big project" is Hats for Sailors. This group knits hats for US Navy Sailors, and each year we select one or more ships to receive the hats we've knit that year. In 2014, we knit more than 500 hats! My goal for 2015 is to knit 52 Hats for Sailors (nine so far!)

Hats for Sailors.com


There's a Giveaway!


I think the most fun thing about "Grow Your Blog" week is the giveaway. I love sending goodies all over the world -- I've made friends in Australia (Hi! Susan!), Israel (Hi! Debbie!) and England (Hi! Gill!).  This year, I have seven of Miss Rosie's "Schnibbles" patterns plus two charm packs of Bonnie & Camille's Vintage Modern to give away. 


Want to win? All you have to do is:
  1. Comment on this blog post. Tell me if you're a quilter or if your craftiness takes another form.
  2. If you're a no-reply blogger, please include contact info. If I can't find you, I can't send you the prize.
  3. My blog is set not to allow anonymous comments so that the robots cannot find me. If you do not have an ID, you can still enter by email at the address listed under "About Aunt Marti" in the right-hand column of this page and I will post your comment for you so you have a chance to win. 
  4. International entries welcome, of course!
  5. Giveaway ends Valentines Day, February 14 at noon Mountain Standard Time. The winner will be announced on Sunday, February 15.

I didn't quite make 52 quilts in 2014 -- and I probably won't in 2015, either. But it's lots of fun to try, right? Thanks for dropping by!


From the desk of your auntmartisignature