Looking back at 2013

1. A peek at my sewing room is the landslide winner this year. 2. The DIY quilt-as-you-go Christmas stocking post proved you all love a good tutorial. 3. Craft markets and their aftermath were big this year too. 4. Seems you are just as in love with my latest modern quilt as I am. 5. My first ticker tape quilt made it on the list as well. 6. I did a little sewing for myself this year - this foxy sleeveless top was my favourite. 7. I didn't start any fashion trends, but you all seemed to like the wonky stripes in the post about my stripey top. 8. I invented a photo scavenger hunt game to keep Abner busy back in May. 9. That reversible skirt is just as popular with you lot as it is with Abner. 10. One of my favourite Japanese sewing projects made it on the list this year! 11. I finished several quilts earlier this year. 12. The photo post about our new camera was a hit.

Well, hello there, 2014. Let's take a look back at the year that was 2013, shall we? I'll kick things off with a look at the ol' blog stats...

• The images and caption above provide a list of the top 12 posts from 2013. I love seeing what makes this list every year!
• A total of 66 posts were written in 2013. Not my best year, but not my worst either. 
• Surrey, BC has taken the lead for visitors' locale this year. [This may or may not be my mother checking the site every day to see if I've posted anything new.] I'm thrilled to see Regina, SK was in the top five!
• The Around the house: the sewing studio post has become not just my most popular post of the year, but of all time. By a landslide. Left all the other posts in its dust. Ahead by a mile. It was also the most commented post of the year!
• For the first time this year, Pinterest has become the most frequent source for traffic to the blog. I get about twice as much traffic from Pinterest as I do from all other traffic sources combined.

Reflecting on 2013 in general...it was a freakin' amazing year. There were plenty of incredibly positive experiences and some great lessons learned. In 2013...

• We took an enormous leap of faith and moved 12,500 km away from friends, family, and the only country we've ever called home.
• We learned that it is, in fact, possible to fit one's entire life's possessions into a shipping container.
• We learned that all of a family's necessities for two months of living can fit into suitcases (if you don't mind paying the excess baggage fee, that is).
• We came to love New Zealand - it took all of 30 seconds to love this place.
• We made heaps of amazing friends from all over the world in our new home.
• We mastered the art of driving on the wrong side of the road.
• We learned that even though Canadians and Kiwis both speak English, we don't necessarily speak it the same way.
• We took part in the milestone of a lifetime - the first day of school for Abner.
• We were blown away by our clever little daughter who learned to read all on her own.
• We learned a whole new appreciation for insulation and central heating.

A few thoughts on looking ahead to 2014...

• I am going to continue to savour this new country I call home - it's an amazing place.
• I will once again vow to eat healthier.
• I will try once again to master the art of patience in my parenting.
• I will do a better job of keeping in touch.
• I will sew more of my own clothes.
• I will get my body moving more often.

Happy New Year to you all and best wishes for 2014.

Looking back at 2011

1. Advent activity card printable - the most popular post this year, by far! 2. Reversible bucket hat from Oliver + S. 3. The cutest little tree skirt. 4. Apparently I made a few quilts this year. 5. Kids' messenger bag - another Oliver + S goodie. 6. A surprise on this list - the homemade magic bag. 7. My first craft show. 8. Evidently folks like my sewing room. 9. No-sew fabric art - the most popular DIY of the year. 10. Folks seemed to like Abner's room too! 11. The pink cross quilt experiment. 12. Fabric boxes also made the list.

So, here we are. A new year has begun. Like so many other bloggers out there, I'm taking a look back at the year that was 2011. I'll kick things off with a look at the ol' blog itself...

• The images and caption above provide a list of the top 12 posts from 2011. I'm pleased to see that some of my favourites were also your favourites as well this year.
• A total of 91 posts were written this year. A little down from 2010, but not bad considering the year's big move to the prairies and the fact that I was MIA for big chunks of time. 
• Regina managed to bump Vancouver out of top spot for visitors' locale this year. In fact, it was no contest - Regina is ahead by a landslide! Thank you Regina!
• My first kick at doing a free printable download turned out to be my most popular post ever. I've had trouble figuring out exactly where all those visitors came from, but I suspect that Pinterest is to thank (and those who pinned my images there, of course).
• Most of the traffic to my blog continues to come from Facebook. Thank you to my friends and family, far and wide, who take the time to stop by and to the folks who've taken the time to "like" Milkybeer Handmade on FB. I hope you all continue to visit in the year ahead.
• Early Observations was the most commented post of the year. Though, truth be told, about half the comments are my own replies.

Reflecting on 2011 in general...it was a good year. There were lots of ups and some great lessons learned. In 2011...

• We took on and survived a rather stressful start to the year. 
• We kept secrets for a short while.
• We took a tremendous leap of faith and moved half way across the country (or is it only a 1/3? My God, Canada is a big country) to the prairies.
• I learned how to say goodbye to good friends.
• I learned how to Skype.
• I learned that even strangers can become friends in an instant and am thrilled to count so many new and amazing people among my friends this year.
• I learned (am still learning) how to live with less.
• After years of listing to bosses go on about setting goals, I finally set a few of my own. And wouldn't you know it - I achieved them all.
• Was humbled to learn that just because you try your hardest and want something really badly, doesn't mean you're going to get it.
• Confirmed the notion that "if you build it, they will come." is totally bogus.
• I saw my daughter off to school for the first time.
• I learned that you don't need mountains to enjoy the great outdoors.
• I walked away from one of my favourite little side projects ever (but left it in good hands).
• I saw that pure joy is watching your kid slide down a hill on a sled for the first time.
• I made more time to sew and was happier for it.
• Confirmed the notion that "use it, or lose it." is completely true (as evidenced by my complete inability to spell or punctuate anything properly after six months off the job) [side note: there were several typos in this sentence before I spell checked it. d'oh!]

A few thoughts on looking ahead to 2012...

• I may try that goal setting thing again...I may not.
• More effort will be put toward finding outlets to sell my creations.
• I will put myself out there more than I have.
• I will do my damnedest to learn a little patience.
• Oh, and I'm going to eat healthier (phft...yeah, right). 

Happy new year to you all and best wishes for 2012.