Goals for the New Year

I did well with my goals last year and I want to continue to focus on my UFOs in 2014.  I seemed to loose a little steam with my UFO completion rate after I reached my goal.  This year I am going to make my goal even more ambitious.  I have about 70 UFOs left - so I am setting my goal at 35.  I am not sure I can do this  many, but I am going to give it my best shot!  Are you drowning in UFOs?

There has been a lot of discussion in my group recently about what finished is.  My definition of finished is quilted.

I have 20 projects ready to quilt and many more that just need borders.  I have a mix of both large and small projects that have been set aside.

At the beginning of each month I will make a list of what I hope to be working on.  I will also be working on completing some projects that I started in 2013 that did not get finished.

January Goals:

Quilt 4 UFOs (probably small projects)
Finish putting together my scrappy swoon
Put together my Kansas Troubles wall hanging blocks.
Sew on setting triangles and put together the rows on the scrappy 4 patch
Put together the rows for 2 old table runners (twofer is the pattern)

Quilter ADD

With the end of the year quickly approaching, one would think I could stay focused and achieve a few more completions.  Yesterday my friend Tina came over for a little socialization.  I bounced from project to project and made lots of messes in my studio.  It is hard to explain how it can feel so fulfilling to just sit in my studio and piddle (is that even a word).

Remember this tree skirt.  I do not recall the pattern, but something went terribly wrong with color placement (or choices).  My hubby said it was because I didn't like the fabric any longer.  I came to the decision yesterday that I was putting the up for adoption.  I don't want to waste any more time on it.  It will become my first finish of 2014!

While Tina was here, I was thinking about a tree skirt pattern that I have been wanting to try.  It is on the insert that comes with the 10 degree wedge ruler.  I pulled the fabric, cut them and started to sew.  I was able to get the tree skirt together in one afternoon and evening.  It is 2 of the same fabrics that were in the original tree skirt.  By removing the red, somehow it all looks better.  There is red in the pear fabric, but I don't think it was enough blend with the large amount of red on my first attempt.

As always my 2 favorite models were ready for a photo opportunity.  I barely snapped the first picture before they joined me.

This will be gifted to someone for next year's Christmas.  The pattern was easy to make and I am pleased with how it turned out.

World's Record (or at least my personal record)

I just realized that my last fabric purchase was on October 4th when I hit a fat quarter sale.  You remember the one...I was supposed to be getting groceries.  At least that is the story I told my family.  It is really too bad that I had a senior moment in all the fabric excitement and forgot to actually go to the grocery.  There was no way to disguise my fabric purchase when I returned without any grocery sacks.

This must be my longest "no buy" spree (quite by accident).  As you may recall, the last time I "fasted" from fabric purchases it was not good.

12 Weeks tomorrow and counting!

I hope you had a fabulous holiday season.

Year End Re-Cap

It been a really long time since I have found the time to blog.  When I looked back at my last post, it was hard to believe it was November since my last post.

I forgot to post about my October accomplishments.

1. I sewed my bright/black log cabin together.  I am still deciding if it need borders.
2. I sewed my bright 4 patch quilt together and it is waiting to be quilting
3. I worked on my really old scrappy 4-patch quilt and I have the rows sewn together.
4. I made the 4th block to my swoon quilt.

My word this year is FINISH.  I had 24 finished from my UFO Parade, and I made progress on lots more projects from the list.  It was fun to check them off and get them closer to completion.  I do have a few items that were started in 2014 that I didn't finish.

Have you picked a word for 2014?  I am still trying to decide.  

Have you thought about your goals for 2014?

Sort and pet

It seems like forever since I have been able to hang out in my studio.  I am thankful today for a sort and pet day.  I picked out a pattern in the new Quilty magazine that is calling me.  I am starting to sort and cut so I will be ready for Christmas vacation.

Tree skirt

I never blogged about my daughter's finished tree skirt (or the wedding).  I finished the tree skirt binding just in time. The sad part of this story is that I only have one photo of the finished project. 

Even more sadly, this is the only picture taken of me and my DH.   It was snapped by my son before the wedding with my phone.  My dress was originally strapless.  I purchased some fabric and made the straps (special thanks to my garment sewing friends)

My hubby doesn't get dressed up too often, so it is a shame we don't have more pictures.

Which Border

I eliminated some of the prints from the last post and went looking through my stash for more border options.  I also started looking for the perfect backing (since that seems to be a tough decision for me).

What do you think of these border options?  I am certain of the red for the first border, but I am leaning toward one of the green prints on the left for the second border.  Leave me a comment and let me know which one is your favorite.

This pattern is from McCall's Quilting November/December 2011.  I think it would also make a great tree skirt.

Stop over to Judy L's to see what others are working on this week.

3 more sleeps and I will be off to a quilting retreat with around 80 other quilters.  I have my projects picked and packed.  I tried not to pack too much this time.  I am always afraid that I will run out of projects to work on, but this time I tried to be conservative.