Here are the participants in the Create Year Long Challenge (CYLC2025).
Participants are in alphabetical order by last name. Participants with a last name starting with L-P are on this page.
Participants with a last name starting with A-C can be found here.
Participants with a last name starting with D-K can be found here.
Participants with a last name starting with Q-Z can be found here.
Completed projects can be found here.
From Sherri Lackey:
I plan to do A Little Merry from Robin Betterley for my year long project. If I get it done I will start on the Secret Christmas House.
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March Update:
I completed the rest of the accessories and got the horse done, too. Just need to put together.
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June Update:
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Lesia Lennex:
My goal is to finish Nick's Cottage in 2025. I think it can be done! I made the shell in 2016 at Gals, Gangsters, and Gatsby. I then spent another 6 months on finishing the shell and making furniture. It's good to take our time and finish things the right way! I'm making progress on Nick's Cottage, the back half. I've completed the first floor, prepped the landscaping, porch, chimneys, windows, and some of the upstairs wallpapering. I've also completed the first level exterior shingling/ painting. and the openings are cut for the downstairs lights. I don't know if I'll keep the carpets in it but they're in the right time frame if I do.
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March Update:
I've attached my progress photo on Nick's Cottage, back half. It's moving right along!
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June Update:
Still a work-in-progress but it's coming along! Attached are my update photos for the back half of Nick's Cottage from Great Gatsby. It's roughed in to show how it'll look.
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Bonnie Lesher:
I want to join the challenge to have to push to get something done. I became a NAME member last August. I attended my first National convention in Nashville, TN last year. I have absolutely no idea what I am doing in this project. This will be a challenge for sure!! I bought the kit about 3 years ago at a regional ‘estate sale.’ It looked super cute and I do like the 1/4 scale best. Here’s to a year of work and completion.
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March Update:
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June Update:
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Doreen Lindsay:
For my year long challenge I will be starting off with two projects - Sweet Rose from Debbie Young and the Winter Wonderland from Karen Benson plus all the interiors kits. If I complete both, I will do a third project but not sure what yet.
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March Update:
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June Update:
Haven’t done too much lately but have started Sweet Rose.
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Sally Lonn:
Hello, I think these challenges are what keep me going....
From The Fresno Small Scale Inside/Outside convention of 2007, here are my winnings. A bag of stuff, some pictures of Brambly Hedge books, and a huge cupboard with some artwork. I'm not sure what I will do with everything, but willing to give it a try. From 2010 two very talented, Seattle/Vancouver BC, ladies, Georgia Matuschak and Lori Ann Potts made this kit, A Ladies Sewing Secretary. I think it is time that I tackle this project. Which I think will lead into a larger project as I get going. I found these projects as I was cleaning out all of my quarter scale stashes, although I kept a couple. I have more projects than I will get done, but that is the fun of miniatures.
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March Update:
I have mostly completed the Brambly Hedge Cupboard, built and furnished the book case, draped the window, started on the table, and made a flower arrangement….all while fighting a nasty bacterial sinus infection. It is coming along.
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June Update:
I've had so much fun working on this small Mexican room box for a dear friend. Her father lived in Guadalajara, Mexico for many years. She has been admiring my Mexican store for a few years now and I hope she will love this....like me, this will be her big birthday in November. I'm waiting for an artist who is cutting me some banners. My Brambley Hedge is on hold for the Royal mail to bring my cakes. I can't remember working on two or really three projects at one time. Miniaturing is so much fun!!!!
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Joshua and Elizabeth Loper:
My daughter and I are going to build a ship's compartment. The dollhouse is being built in compartments and is based on a US Navy cruiser around 1895. It will be part of the gun deck with working machinery and hoists in 1/12 scale.
March Update:
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June Update:
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Tamara Madore:
I just recently found a beautiful NEW in box Allison Jr. Victorian from Really Good Toys. I plan to go a bit more gothic Victorian with dark, moody colors and a rich interior. This is my first project of this size and I feel that it could really challenge me as I have recently become disabled and desperately need a project. I have not removed my house from box yet.
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March Update:
I have been focused on the interior and have been collecting vintage kits for furniture for each of my 9 rooms in my dollhouse. I am just starting the build process of these kits starting with two little chairs. I also made a little floral piece for decor. Things have been moving slowly 🐌 as I have been navigating loss of mobility on my left side. This has been a good project for me so far.
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June Update:
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Stephanie Marshall:
I've been collecting parts for years. The oak display box is from a flea Market near our home in Waterloo, Belgium. The window opening was cut by a friend who was actually going blind. The frames are antiques, the petit point I purchased at Convent Garden. The walnut Gothic piece had been a clock. It will be a Gothic Revival library circa 1890. This is my favourite style, I collect it in real life, too. :)
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March Update:
I've settled on the basics . Now I'll work on woodwork, inlaying floor and stained glass. I'm working in these antique leather book covers for the ceiling.
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June Update:
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Preble McDaniel:
With things I have signed up to do, I know this year is going to be crazy. However, I still plan to finish 2 of the following: Sprinkles Sundae Shop, Alice in Wonderland Cheshire Cat, Christmas Tree Shop, Camp Make-A-Mini 1, 2, 3, or 4, plus design furniture for my workshop in National, design and make another unnamed workshop. Life with a laser is fun because there are so many possibilities.
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March Update:
This year started off good with making minis for myself with working on the Sweet Rose. I got the first floor assembled, wallpapered including the stairs. Although I realized I need to work on the stairs to fit since my second floor is too tight. Sigh. Then I got sidetracked with making things for workshops. My goal for this year is to get at least one project done for myself and then let my new laser take me wherever it leads. On the latter I have definitely done that with my laundry room workshop and others that I can’t show yet.
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June Update:
In April, I worked on Sweet Rose, then got busy with making furniture for my roundtable kits for Aug.
In May, I was able to take a few days off and work on my Alice in Wonderland Cat. The table is set now except for cups.
In June, I have been working on my A-frame cabin including getting lighting added.
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Pam McDonald:
For 2025, I hope to finally finish these two small shop buildings from Sue Herber that I bought and built I think about (gasp!) 40 years ago. I began retrofitting lights last year, so that will have to be finished before I tackle furnishing and landscaping. I also plan to finally put together a 1:12th Christmas room I have been planning for many years, once I figure out how to wire the old 12v lights I have for it.
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March Update:
I made some progress on my challenge this quarter. I finished adding lights to all of the rooms. This is always difficult when retrofitting a completed structure, but by adding trim strips to the upper peaks and new ceilings to the lower rooms I was able to hide the lights. The wires run down the channels in plastic stir sticks that I painted and used as vertical trim (a trick I learned in the old QC chat group). I am now collecting furniture and accessories for the shops - some purchased, some from kits and some scratch built.
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June Update:
I had hoped to accomplish more this quarter, but I was held up finding a case for my buildings and trying to make up my mind about the layout. However I have completed nearly all of the remaining furnishings and hope to install everything and complete the landscaping in the third quarter.
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Carla McIntyre:
After completing my 2024 challenge (with a lot of family challenges thrown in), I am ready to start 2025. I’m way behind with the Betterley’s 2024 Calendar Club - 7 boxes left to do. This was the first year I didn’t get them done monthly. I want to do the Letters to Santa project (yes, from the Betterley’s) that I preordered before it was available on the website. I have no recollection what year that was! And also from the Betterley’s I have the “Peppermint Twist” market stall and the “A Little Harey” peddler’s cart that have been sitting on the shelf partially finished and waiting for me to unearth them from my pile of UFOs. There are plenty more UFOs but these 4 projects will be my focus this year. And I promise not to buy any more kits unless the Betterley’s or Debbie Young or Ruth Stewart or anyone else comes out with something I absolutely can NOT live without!
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March Update:
I made a lot of progress this quarter! Still have to wrap most of the “packages” for the RMB 2024 Calendar Club. All the boxes are built and furnished. Thanks to a friend’s ingenuity, I also be adding lights to each box.
Been able to do a little on the Peppermint Twist this quarter, too. I think the painting is all done, but that may not be quite true. Looking forward to playing with snow on this one!
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June Update:
Really excited with the progress I’ve made this quarter! I got the 2024 RB Calendar Club project finished. Took a while to figure out how I wanted to place the boxes and get them lighted (this idea was blatantly copied from a friend!). I was also able to complete the “Dancing Hare and Peppermint Twist” kits also from RB.
Along with these projects I also designed a Fun Day kit for our club and have started working on the 2025 Calendar Club kit from Robin Betterley. Now it’s time to start on the “Letters to Santa” kit also from RB!
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Ann-Cary McLain:
Swept up in the Bridgerton craze, I plan to make Petite Properties' new Parterre Garden with Orangery for my CYLC 2025. In addition to the structure kits, garden sculptures, urns, and all the paint colors, dolls by Pat Hamilton are patiently waiting.
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March Update:
I assembled the garden base and walls, coated all MDF with a builder's bond PVA, and applied "Spackle" to the walls. Next quarter will be scribing the stonework.
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June Update:
This quarter the garden walls were sanded, the orangery was started, a rose trellis and bench were assembled, and the topiary hedges were completed.
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Jan Mickelson:
I will be doing a one inch scale project this year. I found these sweet little dishes on eBay and decided to build a cottage with this Roombox kit. I picture a one room with an outside bathroom and a small base with a little bit of landscape on the end with the door. This is my first challenge project in one inch scale.
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March Update:
I have decided to do a base with a small garden in the front end of the room box. I’m thinking of a small outdoor toilet room and have a great vintage toilet that will work well. The inside is coming along too. The window area is where the bed will be.
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June Update:
I am sad to report I have not made any progress this quarter. I have my landscaping supplies ready to start on the outdoor area and hope to have some major progress over the next three months.
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Laura Miller:
I am trying again, but I am choosing something different for this year. I have been collecting those adorable Chinese miniature kits and I have picked 5 to do during the year. I am hoping I didn't pick too many, but I wanted it to be enough to be a year long project. I chose to do these as my project since I had promised myself I would work on these this year. The Magic shop in a Jar is about 1/4 inch scale, the others are closer to 1/8 inch scale. They have stuff to make for inside and I will be doing the insides, but I may change some of those provided out with other items made completely by me.
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March Update:
I have almost finished the first of my 5 kits I have signed up for. This one is the Magic Shop. The original kit is shown in a jar, but I turned that upside down to make it a dome. I have made a bunch of modifications, some by choice and some due to mistakes! I put the cash register artwork on wrong, so instead covered it with teensy nail art, gold stickers, no-hole beads, and a piece of brass wire. I used my own rock and tile floor to replace the one in the kit so I could change the placement of walls and the cabinet. I used some of the artwork included with the kit and replaced others with ones I found online. I made additional items for in the window and in the cabinet. I made the cabinet to have to shelves and a "glass" front. I have put lights next to the door, in the cabinet, and at the top of the window. I have put "glass" in all the windows. I still need to get the top railing glued to the top of the "stairs" and the door, make the fancy knob at the top of the dome, and attach the USB power adapter with switch to the lights. As soon as those are done, I will move on to one of the other four kits.
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June Update:
Here is the second of my kits that I signed up for the YLP with.
I mixed paint to match the buildings and painted all the laser cut edges (around the windows, etc.). I sanded, glued, and painted the roof so that the seam would not be as noticeable. I changed out and added items to make the scene my own, used my own lights, and added Molly, a lovely doll by the talented Pat H.
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Samantha Murray:
This year I am doing something for myself. I am going to try my best to finish this room box that I began in a workshop with Ray Whitledge. I haven’t touched this for about 12-14 years. It looks like I have collected most everything for it and mostly just need to finish the needlepoint rug and assemble it all together. I just got a new magnifying glass light so I am ready to tackle those tiny stitches!
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March Update:
Made some progress on the rug for my room box. The stitches are so dang tiny!
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June Update:
A little more than 3/4 of the design is stitched. Will go very quickly once I get to just background and border.
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Linda Napier:
I want to complete the Sweet Rose, inside and out and complete the Yankee Doodle shop.
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March Update:
I've spent a lot of time on Sweet Rose. I'm deciding if I like my electric ideas before continuing, so I got some work done on Yankee Doodle.
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June Update:
Lately, I've been distracted with another project, but the furnishing kits for the Yankee Doodle are in process. I just need to order a few more things. Sweet Rose is waiting for me.
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Angela Neely:
This year I want to complete Stonehaven by Robin Betterley.
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March Update:
This project has been a joy! I’m working on other projects along the way so I can savor every moment. I’ve completed the table, the interior walls and most of the exterior of the house. I haven’t decided whether I will use the shutters because I love all the stonework and hate to cover it up. Next is shingles and finishing the roof top. I added a little white paint to the fire in the left side but not the right. I really like the way it draws your eye in so I’ll go back and do the right side fire too.
I’m taking my time with the furniture. The pieces have all come together perfectly as usual with Robin’s kits. I’ll continue obsessing over the furniture through the next quarter 😄
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June Update:
This project has been going along quickly! It will be completed soon so I have been working on Ravenwood to have something to show for the 3rd and 4th quarters. The shingles and exterior are done and the furniture is moving in. I need to hang the curtains on the front windows as well. Great kit!
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Marjorie Parker:
Thank you for another opportunity to participate in CYLC 2025. Like some, I have a lifetime of mini challenges to complete, so I am hoping this is an annual event. Especially because Real Life challenges keep getting in the way of Mini Life challenges. This year I am stepping down again in scale to quarter-scale and keeping it easy, and have been inspired to complete my own True2Scale Joie de Vivre, exterior only. My photo logs tell me I started it on November 10, 2018, and put it away on March 29, 2019; frustrated by all the extra lighting I was trying to add by myself. What it looks like in January 2025, after being packed away for five years.
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March Update:
Well, I went backwards instead of forwards. Using glue without clamps is a big mistake, which I will try to fix. I also figured out what I was trying to do with my own wiring and worked on that. It had seemed like a good idea in 2019 but really doesn’t add much in 2025. The base is glued on backwards and upside down - switches are supposed to be on the plain side. One of the switches appears to be glue-frozen and no longer works for the fireplaces. The battery drawer also appears to be glue-frozen and no longer slides out. It all seemed to work ok in February but now in April I will have to take a scalpel to it all. Maybe I will have better news for the next report. More quoins, at least....
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June Update:
Managed to check all my lighting and get it to work and added the quoins (decorative exterior trim).
Still struggling with the battery drawer, which is why all the papers are sticking out.
Added decoupage to an otherwise plain side wall. Oops, the balcony sure is crooked.
However, the dollhouse “inhabitant” doesn’t seem to mind.
Next up, complete exterior and interior, start on meager furniture.
Sending more photos than you need, but you can pick your favorites.
This is one of the most beautiful kits I have ever done, designed by one of the best miniaturists out there, but my own talent and experience weren’t quite up to the task.
Still, in person, it’s breathtaking.
Can’t wait for CYLC 2026. Already picked out my project!
From Alician Pearce:
I did not get last year's challenge finished. Life got in the way, and the last 3 months, I have not had any time at all to work on it. So, this will also be my year long challenge for 2025 ...... LOL!!!
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March Update:
Not a lot of progress, but I have gotten some of the furniture done.
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June Update:
Here is my progress for my year long challenge. Not much. Have not had time to work on it at all.
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Melody Petlock:
This display house is almost where I wanted it to be at this point. There are only a few bits of wire to conceal, baseboards to glue down, and draped windows to make before it is completely move in-ready. The dolls and I are so grateful for this challenge. Having accountability really moved my project forward!
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March Update:
My hope was to get the Hartman family of dolls and their helpers moved in through this year. So far I did put in a lot of furniture. I realize what I need to do is fill shelves, hutches, and other furnishings whether with toiletries, books, collections, china or pantry items. My goal was to finish the 4th floor this quarter. Instead it's at the "worse before better" stage. Thanks to this challenge I am making progress. Here are the rose and the blue suites with a lot of shelves and vanities I have bashed and filled during this quarter. I have prepared windows that need to be dressed. I am looking forward to making more progress in Q2.
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June Update:
M'Lady is very pleased her blue bedroom suite is finally complete with curtains, Marie Antoinette-inspired accessories, and all the luxury and comfort she expects.
Between the suites, in the hallway to the attic, are shelves full of lovely linen and racks for extra clothing and hats.
Miss Rose's suite is also ready for her. She will be adding more touches as time goes on. She has a collection of seashells and seaside prints to add to the bathroom for example. She is never done!
M'Lady and Miss Rose hope to see big progress in the salons next quarter.
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Anita Pickens:
I received this Sam's Club dollhouse from my sister as a Christmas present. This will become my Christmas house. I would love to be entered in this challenge. I will not be using most of the furniture included as it is wood and not the style I'm going for.
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March Update:
I still have a lot to do on the front. I included just a corner of my kitchen. I can't decide on what to do about lighting.
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June Update:
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Cheryl Polito:
Here are the kits I will be working on this year. They are all from the QC Weekend, but I can’t remember the year.
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March Update:
Here’s what I’ve got done on my salon. I was babysitting my granddaughter so I didn’t bring everything I needed. I thought I had an X-Acto knife or razor blade and didn’t have either one so I couldn’t cut the paper out the window. This kit went together really well, not finished with it yet obviously.
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June Update:
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Marlene Prickett:
I went a bit crazy in 2024 and bought the Robin Betterley Calendar kits for both 2023 and 2024 but didn’t get very far before I got sidetracked by other projects and real life! I have 10 - 2023 kits to complete and 8 - 2024 kits to complete so that’s going to be my priority for this year! Fingers crossed that I will be able to stay focused!
2023 kits…
2024 kits…
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March Update:
It’s going slowly but surely! I have completed 3 1/2 kits but still have 14 to go!
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June Update:
I made real progress this quarter and have completed all of the kits to complete the 2023 Robin Betterley Calendar Club project! Now I have 7 kits to complete the 2024 Robin Betterley Calendar Club project!
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September Update:
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Final Update:
