Hello, Blog Friends! Did you miss me?
When I looked at my last post, it was hard to believe the last 4 months of the year flew by. Mom came into town just after that post, and she and I went to Chattanooga for Quilt Week. There were some classes and purchases, but mostly a lot of quality time with Mom. If I can get to the point where I can take some pics of the projects I worked on in classes and fabric purchases, I'll make a post about it. In the spirit of complete honesty, the packed bags are still in my sewing room. I've rummaged through a few, but for the most part, I didn't make it into the sewing room much after I got home.
Why? The short story is my husband went to Peru. It doesn't sound like too big of a deal, until I explain that first I had to prepare him and get him packed to be in the middle of the jungle. He was working at an orphanage near Iquitos. I spent about 2 weeks trying out snacks and putting together his backpack for 100+ degree heat, without clean drinking water or medical facilities. Good thing too. While he was there, he slipped and fell several times. I had sent him with a bandage, which he was able to wrap his knee with so he could hobble around until he got home. When he arrived home, he fell again and could no longer put weight on it. Several Dr. visits and a surgery later, he has a new ACL in his knee, but is still unable to walk without crutches. He is steadily getting better, and we anticipate he will be off the crutches in the next week or two.
It is amazing how much something like this impacts your life, especially when you add in the holidays. He can't do things like carry his own cup of coffee from the kitchen to the table, and there was a 6 week period he couldn't drive. That meant me taking the kids to school (both at different times) and taking him to work. I'd have a couple of hours (assuming I didn't need to take him to a lunch or get him something to eat), and then it was time to reverse the process and pick everyone up. Between housework, the extra help to him, and the holidays, there was simply no time to get to the sewing room. I did hurriedly make a few things, like a clear plastic stadium bag for my mother-in-law and a bag for my sister. These were quick, less than 1 hour projects, squeezed in at the very last moment. Naturally, this was the year we spent Christmas in Texas. After all, I had a new nephew to meet!! (I have a new grand-nephew due any day now, and another new nephew due in April. I'm so excited!!)
Now that things are a little less hectic, and he is starting to put weight on his leg again, things have started to get back to normal. I've been able to spend several hours in my sewing room, both evaluating where I am and goals for the year, as well as trying to catch up on blogs I've missed. (That's how little time I've had...not even time to read!). Just in case you are wondering...I didn't accomplish any of my goals for last year, except getting a quilt repair finished for someone else.
So, as I look forward to this year, I've tried to simplify my goals a little.
1. Reduce Project Pages to 1 1/2 pages
I keep a Quilting Journal. In fact, in December I filled up the one I've been using for the last 5 years. So today, I started a new one. It starts as a standard spiral, and then I add lists of projects, both started and planned, followed by when I work on them. It includes days sewn, monthly goals, any project planning I do, purchases I make, project quantities I complete, number of blocks I make, any guild or class notes I take, and anything else sewing related I want to write down. Right now, that project list is 2 1/3 pages. Many are sewing projects, which could be completed in under 2 days each. If I focus, I can just sew them up and get them off the list and out of my sewing room.
2. Use More Fabric Than I Purchase
I don't have a specific usage amount...just to keep it in the black. The good news is, I have most of the fabric for my projects that have actually been started. I'll be reporting these most Sundays at Patchwork Times.
3. Complete 15 quilts
Normally, this would be a lofty goal. But the truth is, many of my quilts are near completion. In many cases, my projects are basted quilts that just need to be quilted and bound. I am sad that Aunt Marti at 52quilts.com will not be continuing her UFO Challenge and monthly parade this year, but I still plan to complete many quilts that I worked on this past year as part of the challenge. I've decided to report these as part of Judy's UFO Challenge at Patchwork Times.
4. Spend at least 15 minutes sewing for at least 200 days this year.
I'll be following Kate's good example over at Life in Pieces. I've limited it to 200 days, because I need to be realistic.
5. Make 500 Blocks this year
I'll be following along with Shelley over at Prairie Moon Quilts and their block challenge. She hasn't released any updates to last year's challenge yet, but 500 is my personal goal for the year. I have several planned quilts that should be quick quilts and make that number doable.
6. Assimilate all scraps into a scrap system.
This year, I made a start, but I am finding more and more scraps that need to be cut down to various size. I basically follow Bonnie Hunter's Scrap User's System from Quiltville, but I am also reviewing the way Lori Holt at BeeInMyBonnetCo.blogspot.com organizes hers. As I finish quilts and I am finished with the project, I will take all of the fabrics and put them back into my stash and scrap system.
7. Start Pineapple Crazy Quilt
I know this sounds "crazy", but I am going to start this quilt from Bonnie Hunter. My goal is to use up some of the scraps that I have now, especially the smaller pieces. Because the pineapple blocks are small, so are the pieces needed to complete it. My goal is to complete at least 1 block with fabrics I use on each quilt I make. This will allow me to have my own personal quilt of my quilting journey. It is not a quilt I plan to complete, or even at a specific time in the future. I am just going to start it and enjoy the process of making each block.
8. Blog 40 times.
In 2016, I blogged 25 times, so I am looking to increase the frequency this year.
Those are my goals for the new year. I wish you great success as you evaluate where you are in your quilting journey. Thank you for joining me on mine.
Blessings,
Joy :)
Saturday, January 7, 2017
Sunday, September 4, 2016
Stash Report - September 4, 2016
These last two weeks have seemed to fly by. Since my last report showed an embarrassing mess in my sewing room, I spent time cleaning it up! In addition to happily getting my cutting table back, I also put away the fabric I had pulled out to test for various projects and leftovers I hadn't folded and labeled. All done now!
While working on those items, I also pulled out all of the projects I have for members of my immediate family. They are all in a basket now, and I am embarrassed at how many there are. They include things like replacing shirt buttons for Hubby, the messenger bag for my oldest son, and the playroom tuffet and blackout curtains for the younger son.
So as I was thinking about my priorities for September, I decided I needed to focus on getting the things done for my family. I've been worrying about the red numbers at the bottom of this report, and getting these small projects done would help in both showing them I love them and clearing out my sewing space. I still want to quilt a finished quilt top, and it works out because this month's UFO at 52quilts.com is my Scrappy Mountain Majesties. Maybe I can get it done, along with some of the other projects for my family.
First though, I need to finish Bricks in the Barnyard. I have finished all of the blocks, and now I am working on the French Braid border. It helped to spend more than 15 minutes each of the 7 days this week, which brings my total days this year to 133 days. (Kate over at Life in Pieces is reporting her % now, and I won't do that...it will be a failing grade!)
So nothing in or out this week, which leaves my numbers unchanged.
This Week This Year
Used: 0.00 25.25
Added: 0.00 (73.50)
Net: 0.00 (48.25)
Check out how others are smashing their stashes at Patchwork Times.
Have a blessed week,
Joy :)
While working on those items, I also pulled out all of the projects I have for members of my immediate family. They are all in a basket now, and I am embarrassed at how many there are. They include things like replacing shirt buttons for Hubby, the messenger bag for my oldest son, and the playroom tuffet and blackout curtains for the younger son.
So as I was thinking about my priorities for September, I decided I needed to focus on getting the things done for my family. I've been worrying about the red numbers at the bottom of this report, and getting these small projects done would help in both showing them I love them and clearing out my sewing space. I still want to quilt a finished quilt top, and it works out because this month's UFO at 52quilts.com is my Scrappy Mountain Majesties. Maybe I can get it done, along with some of the other projects for my family.
First though, I need to finish Bricks in the Barnyard. I have finished all of the blocks, and now I am working on the French Braid border. It helped to spend more than 15 minutes each of the 7 days this week, which brings my total days this year to 133 days. (Kate over at Life in Pieces is reporting her % now, and I won't do that...it will be a failing grade!)
So nothing in or out this week, which leaves my numbers unchanged.
This Week This Year
Used: 0.00 25.25
Added: 0.00 (73.50)
Net: 0.00 (48.25)
Check out how others are smashing their stashes at Patchwork Times.
Have a blessed week,
Joy :)
Sunday, August 21, 2016
Stash Report - August 21, 2016
This week, there has been no change in my numbers. That does not mean there has not been anything under my needle or time spent in the sewing room though. This week, I got back to Bricks in the Barnyard by Bonnie Hunter. I managed to sew 30 blocks together, which meets this month's 350 Block Challenge number at PrairieMoon Quilts.
I only stopped, because I ran out of one of the pieces I needed to make blocks. I turned around to cut some more, and....uuunhhhh!
Maybe I need to find my cutting table under there somewhere. But since it's out, maybe I should go ahead and find fabric to use as the background for my next Buttercream Summer block and trace it for some hand embroidery. I looked for fabric for a while, and made an even bigger mess. Not having found the piece I was looking for, I put the fabric away. Then I neatly started putting various parts of the BOM back in it's designated container. Voila! There was the exact piece I was looking for. I thought, "I should move the stack off my light table and trace the pattern. What time is it? 2:13AM!!! How did that happen!?!"
Did I mention I started at 8:45PM, and was only going to sew 15 minutes and go to bed early? I was trying to follow Kate's good example over at Life in Pieces. Needless to say, that late night/early morning time in my room counted for 2 of the 5 days I spent in my room this past week. That brings my total days in the sewing room to 122 for the year.
I haven't managed to trace my pattern yet, but I am trying to focus the rest of the day on cutting the rest of the pieces I need for Bricks in the Barnyard, as well as fixing this...
Oops! In addition to the 7 bricks I need to finish what is already cut, I also need to cut the rest of the pieces to make 22 more blocks. I followed the directions when I cut the first time, and made 95 blocks. I've now decided to make it a little bigger. If I can get the pieces cut today, then I can slip into the sewing room for a few minutes each morning before taking my son to school and finish the blocks. I'll also need to resume my 10 minutes a day picking up my sewing room, which will make some much needed progress in cleaning it up.
Still, no actual quilting has taken place this week. I'm seeing my hopes of quilting my 5 finished tops this month quickly fading...At least I know what my goals for September will be!
See how others are doing managing their stash at Patchwork Times. I think they are all doing better than me!
This Week This Year
Used: 0.00 25.25
Purchased: 0.00 73.50
Net: 0.00 48.25
Blessings,
Joy :)
I only stopped, because I ran out of one of the pieces I needed to make blocks. I turned around to cut some more, and....uuunhhhh!
Maybe I need to find my cutting table under there somewhere. But since it's out, maybe I should go ahead and find fabric to use as the background for my next Buttercream Summer block and trace it for some hand embroidery. I looked for fabric for a while, and made an even bigger mess. Not having found the piece I was looking for, I put the fabric away. Then I neatly started putting various parts of the BOM back in it's designated container. Voila! There was the exact piece I was looking for. I thought, "I should move the stack off my light table and trace the pattern. What time is it? 2:13AM!!! How did that happen!?!"
Did I mention I started at 8:45PM, and was only going to sew 15 minutes and go to bed early? I was trying to follow Kate's good example over at Life in Pieces. Needless to say, that late night/early morning time in my room counted for 2 of the 5 days I spent in my room this past week. That brings my total days in the sewing room to 122 for the year.
I haven't managed to trace my pattern yet, but I am trying to focus the rest of the day on cutting the rest of the pieces I need for Bricks in the Barnyard, as well as fixing this...
Oops! In addition to the 7 bricks I need to finish what is already cut, I also need to cut the rest of the pieces to make 22 more blocks. I followed the directions when I cut the first time, and made 95 blocks. I've now decided to make it a little bigger. If I can get the pieces cut today, then I can slip into the sewing room for a few minutes each morning before taking my son to school and finish the blocks. I'll also need to resume my 10 minutes a day picking up my sewing room, which will make some much needed progress in cleaning it up.
Still, no actual quilting has taken place this week. I'm seeing my hopes of quilting my 5 finished tops this month quickly fading...At least I know what my goals for September will be!
See how others are doing managing their stash at Patchwork Times. I think they are all doing better than me!
This Week This Year
Used: 0.00 25.25
Purchased: 0.00 73.50
Net: 0.00 48.25
Blessings,
Joy :)
Sunday, August 14, 2016
Stash Report - August 14, 2016
Note to Self: Do not go on a vacation that ends 2 days before school starts!
Unpacking from my beach vacation and starting back to school has been a complete whirlwind. In fact, I think I just washed the last of the beach towels because I have been so busy. But now, the kids are back in the school, the calendar is up to date, and the house is clean. I still have a few reorganizing projects to do, but the important ones (like the kids closets and pantry) are done.
Way back on August 1st, I woke up early and made my "To-Do" lists. One of those lists was my stitching goals for the month. The kids were going to be in school, so I would have more time to sew. Very ambitiously, I made a list of 18 stitching goals. (Insert laughing here!). How much have I gotten done so far? 4 blocks! I did spend a little time straightening my sewing space, but not much. Total days spent in the sewing room this month...1! (I haven't joined Kate at Life in Pieces in reporting days spent in the sewing room before, but it is now at 117 for the year.)
Fortunately, not having time to sew, also means not having time to shop. So my numbers remain unchanged. Many of the monthly goals involve quilting some tops, so I'm looking forward to having some finishes in the next few weeks now that life has settled back down.
This Week This Year
Used: 0.00 25.25
Purchased: 0.00 73.50
Net: 0.00 48.25
Until next time, enjoy your stitching and see how others are managing their stashes at Patchwork Times.
Blessings,
Joy :)
Unpacking from my beach vacation and starting back to school has been a complete whirlwind. In fact, I think I just washed the last of the beach towels because I have been so busy. But now, the kids are back in the school, the calendar is up to date, and the house is clean. I still have a few reorganizing projects to do, but the important ones (like the kids closets and pantry) are done.
Way back on August 1st, I woke up early and made my "To-Do" lists. One of those lists was my stitching goals for the month. The kids were going to be in school, so I would have more time to sew. Very ambitiously, I made a list of 18 stitching goals. (Insert laughing here!). How much have I gotten done so far? 4 blocks! I did spend a little time straightening my sewing space, but not much. Total days spent in the sewing room this month...1! (I haven't joined Kate at Life in Pieces in reporting days spent in the sewing room before, but it is now at 117 for the year.)
Fortunately, not having time to sew, also means not having time to shop. So my numbers remain unchanged. Many of the monthly goals involve quilting some tops, so I'm looking forward to having some finishes in the next few weeks now that life has settled back down.
This Week This Year
Used: 0.00 25.25
Purchased: 0.00 73.50
Net: 0.00 48.25
Until next time, enjoy your stitching and see how others are managing their stashes at Patchwork Times.
Blessings,
Joy :)
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