Five Years Strong
I sit here amazed that I started this fantastic journey five years ago this week. I was in the US for my mum’s funeral. Prior to her passing, I had been working with larger websites (Quilters Club of America and the Quilting Company) to get my designs and patterns out there. It was hard to meet their expectations and deadlines while traveling, grieving, and living in a different country. Although I enjoyed working for others, I did everything volunteer to try to grow others’ websites and businesses.
I decided since I wasn’t getting paid anyway, why not step out on my own. After fulfilling all pattern contracts, I started our Facebook group page on 3 July 2018, while on the road from Ohio (my parents home) and Colorado (daughter’s home). I thought I would maybe get a few followers or friends along the way. What started as a way to give of the talents God gave me, has grown way beyond my expectations in these five years. I started the group because I LOVE MYSTERY QUILTS and could never find something I hadn’t already done. Most designers put out one mystery a year… I was determined to be working on something at all times.
As a celebration of five years, I sat down last night and designed a quilt, Window of Time. I am going to offer this to you as a sew-along celebration. I haven’t even thought this completely through, I just know I want to “party” with YOU, for without YOU, there would be no Mystery Quilts Anonymous. I know this “window” will pass, but this design will tell our story!
There are so many options with this design, we have to sew together! As I sat and played with it, rotating one block or set of blocks I got a different look. I want you to see this process and play along with me! I am thinking of making a video of the design and the rotations I made… knowing you could make a myriad of changes rotating different blocks. I am only offering the 12″ blocks, but you can add a border to make it larger. It is currently a large lap/twin, measuring about 68″ x 84″. It is designed on point, but don’t worry… I will be with you each step of the way. YOU GOT THIS. I figure if I can do it, you can too!
I am going to get busy with the “thinking it through” and you can get busy collecting fabrics! ENJOY!
I didn’t see that thread until I uploaded the pic! Now I can’t un-see it!! I don’t know why these fabrics keep speaking to me, but they do, I will listen and work to get a dark brown for that background. Can’t wait to sew with you! ~Debi
Congratulations on 5 years!!! I wasn’t even sewing 5 years ago… but I’m sew glad I am sewing/ quilting now… I’m also so so so glad that I met you along my journey! I’m honored to call you my friend! I hope you have many many many more anniversaries! Love, your friend Samantha Macrina
I am so happy to have met you and walk with you on this journey! Been amazing! Here’s to heaps more fantastic friend years!
I’m going to finish quilting my grandson’s quilt tomorrow and then put everything else aside while I work on this quilt with you, Debi and all others joining in. I haven’t done a mystery quilt for quite awhile. With 3 new grand babies this past year I’ve been quite busy. Also started making bags to sell and just completed all my orders! Sew much fun!
It is so good to see you happy sewing and even selling! Well done you! Let’s celebrate YOU as well! Thank you for sewing with me, this is going to be so so much fun.
Thank you for all your time and dedication!
Thank YOU! For the encouragement and fun!
It has been an honor to travel with you! I look forward to the next 5 years. Thank you!
The honour is all mine, what a joy to be with you on this journey!
Oh boy, oh boy, this has been the best 5 years of my life, learning and meeting new friends along the way.
I’m never bored since I joined your group.
The ink company loves all of us as we print out your mysterious masterpiecing of creativity.
I’m here for as long as you are here
My husband is shocked on how many crockpot meals I can come up with.
Well off to the fabric store I go.
I am blessed to have you in my happy life of quilting
My husband decided a couple years ago he likes to cook! That’s been fun!! I love this happy life of quilting we have created here. Your comments made me giggle with glee! Thank you so so much. ♥️
I guess I’m one of the older ones. I think I’ve been with you from almost the beginning. Crazy how time flys! Anyways to answer your question about your dark fabric. I would go with the blue shown and a lighter blue as your middle color since that is what your girls like. Am picking colors today.
That’s a great idea!!! I’m headed to look for another blue! ♥️❤️♥️ thanks for making this journey fun and rewarding.
You have been on an amazing journey and I am so glad I have been part of it! God has truly blessed you with this talent and your gift of sharing and love. Thank you!!!!
It’s easy when God puts people on this journey to encourage, love, and play with along the way. I’m thankful for YOU. Thank you for everything.
I am fairly new to your blog, and reading the reason that you started this page and site is inspiring. I am enjoying the challenges each week, and absolutely love your designs. Thank you for sharing your talent that you have been blessed with. May the Lord continue to bless you!
Hang here with me for a while and you’ll be addicted to mystery quilting! It’s so much fun and fulfilling. Thanks for sharing your time with me! ♥️
Congratulations! I’ve enjoyed the journey with you. Love your designs.
I love that you’re on the journey with me. ♥️
WAY TO GO DEB!!!! Congratulations! I am just starting my own “side hustle” with my daughter & just can’t get over the amount of time it requires! But I keep up with the mysteries for when i retire (again) and haven’t seen anything you have shared with us that I haven’t loved (I really really like star quilts). I hope you enjoy every minute of your “work”.
It truly is more like “play”. I wish you success in your side hustle, I do know how time consuming it is. Enjoy what spare time you can with me! I love having you around.
Is there a way to make this 102 x 102?
Absolutely!! Let me play for a hot minute and I can let you know along the way what you’d need to add to make it a square at 102”. Let’s do this!
I also enjoy mystery quilts and found your site July 2018. I have made several of your designs and printed almost all of your patterns. I really like the the way your instructions are presented, they are so simple and easy to follow. Congratulations on 5 years!
Thank you so so much! You’ve made the journey way more fun.