1/1/15

January Progress Report and Goal Setting



Cue Auld Lang Syne...oh wait. I guess it's a little late for that. Maybe something like "Bringing in a Brand New Year". (Yeah, I don't think I know that song...Google suggested that title. Don't blame me.) A whole new year...a whole new set of goals...a whole new cat! Oh wait. Never mind about the cat.

So the year wouldn't get off on the right foot without reviewing my goals from last month and setting yet another impossible list for the month of January. January is generally the coldest month of the year around these parts, and so there should be plenty of time for sewing. But first, let's see what was on my list for December.

Quilting and Flimsies

1. My first priority is to finish up my the Oh Christmas Tree wallhanging. Complete!




2. Also, I want to finish quilting and binding a Gardener's Journal quilt. Complete!




3. Finally, my absolute top priority after those three that come before it is to sew the Hello Moon blocks into a flimsy. Complete!




Monthly Challenges

4. I want to finish up two more blocks for the

Soscrppy

Complete! All twelve blocks for this quilt are finished now.


5. I have selected a project for the Let's Book It Challenge.


I'd like to get a start on this project called "Quilter's Helper". Complete!



It's from this book that I've had absolutely forEVER! 



6. And I simply must make something for:

2014 NewFO Challenge

Complete! I changed my mind about the project I had intended to start originally. Instead, I started this little blackwork stitchery. It was a house-warming gift for some friends who moved to Bend this past year. This pattern is from Bird Brain Designs.



7. Of course I always have good intentions about making the monthly block for:


Join me on the Block Lotto Blog
blocklotto.com
Complete!


WIP's

8. I'd like to make Door #9 for the Doors of Ireland quilt. In progress. Fabrics are selected, but that's as far as I got. It's the very next thing I'm going to do in my sewing room.


Bonus Points

9. As crazy as it might seem to the casual observer (that would be you), I'm going to try to finish quilting the Never Underestimate quilt. It's sandwiched and ready for quilting, and I want to see it hanging in my quilting room right there next to Eliza. No progress.


Not a bad showing, if I do say so myself. (Polishes fingernails on shirt.)


Okay, so here we go...my first list of goals for the new year.

Quilting and Flimsies

I have several quilts to sandwich and quilt, and I'd like to make all the sandwiches at the same time. 

1. First on my list is to quilt the Never Underestimate quilt, shown above. This month is its moment to shine.

2. I'd like to finish the top and sandwich the "Aspen Tree" that I started several months back. It still needs borders:


Quilting will come later.

3. I'll plan to sandwich and quilt "Shoot for the Moon". The "Never Underestimate" quilt is small, as is this one. I'm thinking it's not unreasonable to set a goal to quilt both this month.


4. Also on the list to be sandwiched, but not necessarily quilted: Psycatdelic:


5. And this little mini I'm calling "Sew Helpful". It'll get it sandwiched, but quilting will come later.


Swaps and Monthly Challenges

6. I have so enjoyed the "Let's Book It" Challenge over the past year, and my plan is to continue.


For January, I'm planning to start this quilt:


from this book:


And that will also be my project for a new swap I'm participating in this year:


That one isn't due until April, and so I have some time.

7. I have a partner for this month's Doll Quilt Swap, and so I'll be making a quilt for that. This month's optional theme is "A Good Book", and I've already decided on a project. It's a secret, so I'll have to show you later.

 Doll Quilters

8. Of course, I want to make a block for this month's Block Lotto.


Join me on the Block Lotto Blog
blocklotto.com


This month's block is the Double 9-Patch.


WIP's

9. So, my list is long already, but I'd still like to move some of my oldest WIP's along. I'd like to make the next section for the Mumm's the Word quilt that I've been working on since August of 2012. 



I believe the last time I worked on this was last March. The next blocks I'd like to make are the cat blocks in this lower section:


10. Finally, I'd like to make another set of two blocks for the Yard Art quilt:


There are still six sets to make before I can start finishing this one off.

11. Finally, I still want to finish my next door for the Doore of Ireland quilt, pictured above.

Bonus Points

12. And my list is never complete without a goal for extra credit. I'd like to at least get a start on the next section for Wind in the Whiskers, The Local Branch:


Phew! If all of that doesn't keep me out of trouble, then my case surely is hopeless.

The Stitches in Bloom quilt show is coming in January as well, and I've signed up for a workshop at the Oregon Garden that will take me away from home for the weekend. The 2-day workshop is by Heidi Leugers. It's on wool felting and embellishing three dimensional creations. I've never done anything like it before, and so it'll be a new challenge.

What's on your list for January?

10 comments:

quiltzyx said...

Great job on accomplishing things on your December list Barbara! And another ambitious list for January too, wow!
I want to decide on my quilt for the Another Small Quilt Swap 9 & get started on it. I also need to work on my "Once in a Blue Moon" challenge for my guild too. Small list, but workable for me!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

You had a super December! And you January plans look doable - a lot of sandwiches to make. I love the Debbie Mumm project.

Kate said...

You were really productive in December. Hope you plans for January all work out. That's quite a list, but if anyone can it all done, you can. Happy New Year.

Andra Gayle said...

I LOVE your sewing machine blocks. Where did you get that pattern?

Lynn - JnL4God said...

Awesome Barbara I love how you have ump-teen projects - makes me feel normal with all of mine. As I read your goals and how you set them up each month I think, I should do that, maybe it will keep me on track. Heavy on the maybe. :) So I might just be a copy cat and give it a try to blog some of my goals this month.

Dar said...

A great finish for 2014 and impressive list for 2015 and I know you will add to that list too! I have a list too long to post - people would think I was nuts, but I have it in front of me all the time trying hard to make progress on MY things. Maybe 2015 will be the year I get to cross off some of my UFOs. We'll see.

Denise :) said...

Okay. I'm just going to say it. I got a little excited when you said, "a whole new cat!" And then instant bummer. I'm pretty sure Smitty would enjoy a new playmate! Happy New Year, Barbara! I look forward to seeing all your pretty projects as the year unfolds! :)

ana-ane said...

Preciosos. trabajos y estupenda excursión en Diciembre, Te deseo que el 2015 sea igual de productivo y divertido.

saludos

ana-ane

Tami C said...

You amaze me with how much you get done in such a busy month. Everything looks wonderful!

Michele said...

You accomplished a lot last month so yeah to you for that. As always your list of to do projects is pretty intense and I do hope that you are able to cross many of them off as done by month's end.