2013 :: A Year in Review

Welcome to my review of 2013 on The Pink Button Tree. In my last post I mentioned that I have a number of ways to review the year, this is one of them. Alongside using my Project Life album I take time to reflect on what I have posted on my blog this year. I've added links to some of my posts and how to's so you can jump back if you fancy it.

2013 brought with it my first year of real deep reflection. I used a few tools at the start of the year, I will share these with you over the next week or so. The greatest impact was having my One Little Word for 2013, I chose GROW as my word for the year and what a impact it made. I will be continuing this fantastic project by Ali Edwards and seeing what my word for 2014 brings.

We had another winter with snow and a long but pretty walk to the train station...

For a few months at the start of the year I needed space and time away from my blog to allow me to process feelings and thoughts, and spend time hibernating after a life changing tragic event effected two very special people in our lives. I needed to take time to think about life and plan how I could make that step forward, to try and bloom and awaken my creatively. I finally managed to grow stronger and wake up after my creative slumber.

I made a quilt in a weekend for an incredibly special little person in our lives, our beautiful niece Alice...

We travelled to Amsterdam for my birthday. We didn't get to see the Keukenhof tulips as the cold weather had stalled the tulips flowering, but we saw inspiring urban container gardening in action.

I spent time during the year loving our courtyard garden and trying to learn more about gardening.

I was bridesmaid for one of my best friends and spent time making things for her handmade hen do!

Find out how to make ribbon rosette / brooch

and make the something blue...This is how I made a pretty handmade bridal garter

I celebrated having flowers in our home

I celebrated the annual flowering of our clematis...

We had some success in our courtyard garden

 I got inspired by The Festival of Quilts

I bought some fabric for me!

Planted some alpines in my window boxes...

Started learning to make pinwheels for a new baby quilt

Enjoyed August in our courtyard garden

Enjoyed seeing my orchids flowering again...

Felt a wave of success as I harvested crops from our courtyard

Grew my first potatoes!

Grew very hot chillies!

Learnt something new and went on a curtain making course at The Makery

Was inspired to start baking again with a weekend course at Bake with Maria.

Celebrated the arrival of Autumn one of my favourite seasons...

 Gained confidence with crochet and loving the simplicity of traditional granny squares...

Took time to have a long weekend to get crafty and relax with my favourite magazines and tea...

Started a patchwork cushion cover...I will finish this in 2014!

Spent time making Christmas cards and loved working on my Project Life album.

Made a Roman blind, a huge achievement and my biggest project to date

Spent time decorating our home for Christmas...

 Made my own delicious Delia Smith Christmas cake

Made my own handmade Christmas table decorations

Enjoyed spending time documenting Christmas using December Daily

What a year! I just want to thank you for sharing it with me, I really appreciate you stopping by. I would love to hear more about what you think and what you are doing as well, so please leave me any comments.

Onwards....I'm hoping for a fantastic year of crafting and inspiration ahead in 2014.