Visitors from 45 countries have stopped by Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats and have left approximately 600 comments. I’ve replied to almost all of them, except for the ones caught in my spam filter. That’s taken a bit of work and my husband can vouch for the fact that I’ve spent a good chunk of time sitting at my computer. I’m flattered to have almost 200 followers already. Those are pretty good statistics considering this blog is only eight months old.
Cheryl at Meadow Mist Designs is hosting a special linky party for bloggers to post their five top posts. So here’s my year-end review highlighting some of the top posts.
Find out who Tu-Na is.
I introduced myself on my very first post Tu-Na? and explained the significance of that name. I have my five year old grandson to thank for that inspiration. It was a real “light-bulb” moment.
2. Tu-Na Travels: So Where’s the “Loot”?
Every pirate keeps their loot in a treasure chest. I guess that makes me a quilting pirate and this was my treasure chest.
This summer, my husband and I traveled around the entire state of Minnesota visiting and shopping at 72 quilt shops on the annual Quilt MN Shop Hop. I wrote about our adventures such as going for a sailboat ride and some of the delicious meals we ate. Each day I featured a quilt shop (two shops on Day Six of the hop) on this blog. While I could have chosen any of those posts (after all I met some very nice shop owners and staff who were more than just “Minnesota nice”), I chose Tu-Na Travels: So Where’s the “Loot”? because it was very fun to write. I could think of no better way to introduce all the stuff I bought on the hop than pretending to be a pirate. After all, some of it was such good buys that I couldn’t believe my good fortune. I can honestly tell you that I was rolling on the floor laughing out loud (for real) as I wrote and then read aloud this post. My husband even had to come to my desk to see why I was laughing so hard.
3. Tu-Na Travels: Tu-Na Helper’s Side of the 2016 Quilt MN Shop Hop
This pic was one of the first ones we took using our selfie stick. I think we need practice with it.
My husband guest wrote a post Tu-Na Travels: Tu-Na Helper’s Side of the 2016 Quilt MN Shop Hop telling his impressions of the trip and why he went along on it. Yes, he was lovingly nicknamed Tu-Na Helper since I put him in charge of photographing the shops while I interviewed and shopped.
4. Tu-Na Quilts: Presenting Anne’s Flower
Don’t let the curved seam on the stem scare you from making this block. It’s rather easy. This block uses a method I called “Piecelique” which is a combination of piecing and applique. I wanted to design a block that was pieced and kept the applique to a minimum.
Anne’s Flower was my first block that I designed. It is available at Tu-Na’s Pattern Shop on Payhip here.
5. Tu-Na Eats: Apples, Apples, and More Apples
I use an older point-and-shoot digital camera, but it takes really good pics.
Life was very busy this fall as we tended to an abundant apple crop. The post Tu-Na Eats: Apples, Apples, and More Apples gives you an idea of what we did with all the apples that we harvested. By the way, we are still eating apples and our oranges are now starting to turn color.
What I Learned Today:
- Picking only five posts is very hard to do since I like all the posts I’ve written or I wouldn’t have included them on my blog.
- Sometimes it’s nice to “toot one’s own horn” because it may go untooted otherwise.
- I’ve “met” some really nice people through this blogging community and I thank you for reading my posts, following my blog, and leaving comments. I am so glad you stop by and I hope you’ll come back again.
- Eight months sure went fast.
Question: Tell me about your greatest accomplishment or memorable moment from this year. Here’s your chance to “toot your own horn,” too.
Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats 
I’ve loved all your posts that I’ve read. Yes, I’ve missed some. My favorites were those about your shop hop.
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I’ve enjoyed following along on your adventures, whether it was driving around Minnesota or staying home. Have a good New Year!
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My greatest 2016 quilting accomplishment will be – on Dec 31 – finishing the 365 challenge. It is a 90” square quilt designed out of Australia that features 365 blocks. Yep – we got one a day via email or facebook. 1000s of pieces. Some finish to 3/8”. I have 5 blocks left to receive. I will post a picture.
I trust you Christmas weekend was fun, friends and family, food, and happy filled!!
Sharon
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The 365 challenge is quite a feat to attempt and you are almost finished! Wow, that does need to be tooted. I’d love to see a pic.
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Your blog is very enjoyable to read. I like that you have other aspects of your life included in here. I believe, we quilters, can’t live on quilting alone, or can we? You have a very loving and supporting husband, bless his heart.
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Congratulations on growing so much in the 8 months you have been blogging! My most memorable moment was getting to fly in a Burt Rutan designed experimental aircraft for the first time. I hope you have a lovely final week of 2016 and wonderful 2017!
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Seventy-two quilt shops? OMG!! I’ll have to go back and read your posts. You sure have been doing alot in the last eight months. Love Annie’s Flower. My greatest accomplishment this year was actually making something from all of my dyed fabric – some small purses. I loved one of them so much that I gave it to a local silent auction. In the past I would never give anything away that was sewn! So I’ll be sewing more in the new year. Nice to meet you through this linky. Have a great rest of the year and a wonderful 2017.
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Karen, I just love how you share what you’ve learned! I’ve certainly enjoyed your adventures the past eight months! Ok, here’s my horn tooting…I didn’t know where blogging would take me, but after a year, I too, have met some really nice quilters and even wrote a totorial or two. Here’s to 2017!
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Thank you so very much. I am glad you’ve enjoyed Tu-Na’s adventures. Sometimes, the fun never seems to end around here.I enjoy reading your blog too. You’ve come a long way in a year and have done so much. I am looking forward to reading about great things coming your way on your blog in the coming new year.
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So very very glad you took the plunge into the casserole of QBL, LOL. Can’t believe it’s only been 8 months! One of my quilting highlights was taking a class from and then meeting and having my photo taken with Angela Walters. 🙂
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I wouldn’t have done it (started the blog) without your encouragement!
To take a class from and then meet and have a photo op with Angela Walters is a big deal and worth tooting your horn for sure. Did you learn lots of new things that you continue to use?
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What great finishes! I loved seeing your blog hop block in person, it was one of my favorites of the entire hop! Thanks for linking up to the Best of 2016 linky party!
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Congrats on a fun year! Looking forward to checking out next year’s projects.
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Eight months and you have been busy! I really need to join in with my groups and quilting get togethers.
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