12/1/13

December Progress Report and Goal Setting

It's always good to start fresh on the first day of the month. That old incomplete list falls by the wayside, and a whole new wave of optimism (cough) sets in. November's list proved to have a few projects I simply wasn't ready to tackle yet, and so I actually made more progress on October's list. Here's what was on November's list:

1. Quilt and bind the Vintage Miniature Sewing Machines quilt. No progress.


Here's a case in point. I have a plan for quilting this that will require me to do some practicing. Also, I'm still considering if the plan I have is what I will really end up doing. Sometimes I have a few motifs in mind, but sewing them and fitting them around the designs of the quilt isn't necessarily nailed down. Besides, I just spent some time counting up the number of quilts I have quilted so far this year. Including doll quilts for the Doll Quilt Swap, I've quilted 19 quilts in 2013. When it came time to start on this one, I just didn't want to. I'm putting it off for a few months to give me more time to think about it.

2. Add the final two rows to the Salt Water Taffy quilt (pictured above) and sew all the blocks together. Complete!


3. Finish the September and October blocks for the Hello Moon QAL.  Complete!




4. Catch up with the September, October, and November blocks for my Rainbow Scrap ladies. Complete!


5. I do want to at least start the NewFO I had in mind for October, this Corn Flowers table runner. "Starting" is complete! In progress.



6. I want to get started on the NewFO I chose for November, this Good Morning quilt which appeared in McCall's magazine last year. Starting is complete! All the blocks are made now.


Here's what I had on my October list:

1. Make the next door for the Doors of Ireland quilt. Complete!



2. Make the next block for the Folk Art Cats quilt. Complete!


3. Finish the first "Wind in the Whiskers" quilt block. Making good progress. Here's where I left off yesterday:


4. Piece together section D of the Gardener's Journal quilt. Complete!


So I didn't get the number one thing on my November list complete, but I'd still say it was a very productive month, and I'm proud of myself.

For December, I'm making up for not finishing the Vintage Miniature Sewing Machines by putting two quilt finishes on my list.

1. My first priority is to tie and bind the Salt Water Taffy quilt (pictured above). With this one being made of flannel, I'm thinking it needs to be ready for winter. Besides, I can get the quilt sandwich made and then just tie a row each day. If I do that, I should be able to finish it in about two weeks.  That will be my goal when I link up for A Lovely Year of Finishes.


2. Also, I'd like to quilt and bind the Heart of the Home table runner so that I'll have it for Valentine's Day in 2014.


I know just what I want to do for this one, so it should be easy and quick.

Also on my list for December:

3. Complete the last block for my "We Are the World" Rainbow Scrap Challenge quilt (pictured above). This month's new color is...uh-oh, there is no new color. Shoot. I really want to finish this, so I'm picking my own color for the month: turquoise. When the last block is made, I'm going to sew the whole thing together. Yes!

4. Make the next blocks for the Debbie Mumm "Mumm's the Word" sampler. The next blocks will be the fish blocks you can see kind of in the middle of the quilt.


5.  Make five more blocks for the Hobo Quilt:


I started this quilt way back in May. Here are the blocks I have so far:


6. Make the sky blocks for the Quiltmaker's Garden quilt. This is another one I started way back in May. 

So far, I have completed the sort of pinwheel-looking flower blocks. Here are a few of them:


These blocks are paper-pieced, and since I am not fond of paper-piecing, this tends to get put off.

7.  Make one more vertical row for the "For the Birds" quilt I started some time ago. It's the cover quilt for this book:


So far, I've completed one vertical row.

8. I'm hoping the last blocks for the Hello Moon quilt will be posted. I'd like to finish those up.


And I think that's a pretty ambitious list. If I can get the first two items checked off, I'll be feeling pretty good about my progress in 2013.

So with that all enumerated and spelled out, it's time to get busy. On Thursday, I'll link up to:

Never Too Hot to Stitch!

What's on your list for the month?

11 comments:

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I think you did very well for feeling so behind on things. It is all a no pressure thing, so relax. I do like that heart runner - gosh need to start a few more Valentines items, but in January - December is a month of rest for me.

Junebug613 said...

I'm always impressed by what you get done in a month. I too am hoping the Hello Moon blocks are posted soon.

gpc said...

You have so much self discipline and I am always impressed and amazed by all you do. I am not doing much sewing, but I am still eating the (second batch of) cranberry hand pies from the recipe you shared. We all have our special strengths, I guess.

Kate said...

You did great this month! Your December list is pretty ambitious, but even if you just get part of it done, you'll have finished a lot.

Lyndsey said...

Great work off your October and November lists. December looks ambitious but it is only a guide to what you would like to do so no need to stress and any movement forward in projects is a joy.

Lynette said...

It's a terrific list. I still just gawk at how gorgeous the Vintage Machines quilt turned out - good call on letting that marinate while you get geared for it. Don't want to do less than your best there - not worth a rushed finish. And you always have the funnest projects going, like the folk cats. Wind in the Whiskers is just stunning so far.

Anonymous said...

You have a lot of goals, but you also accomplish a lot. Good luck with your list.

Brown Family said...

You made good progress on a lot of your old list!

Mary said...

Many Projects and Goals accomplished there. Good Job!! I love all the STARTED ones. I just started the Bonnie Hunter 2013 Mystery so keeping up with that is my one goal this month.

quiltzyx said...

Looks very good to me! Congrats on all the finishes & beginnings too. :D

Sarah said...

Brilliant progress in November! Good luck with December. It's always my busiest month. End of school in Australia, Christmas, New Year, holidays, visitors!