4th Quarter goal setting - 2013 Finish Along

Time for my 4th Quarter goal setting.

The kids damaged my keyboard so I am trying to write this out with minimal use of the letter "v" and for some reason the shift key and the "t" don't want to work together.  I have only managed to get those letters into the text of this post by coping and pasting them from other posts, or by relying on spell check to fill them in.  Kids!

As I mentioned in my 3rd quarter progress report, this goal setting list is a bit of a challenge.  I have loads of things I want to finish in time for Christmas, but at the same time, I really want to be realistic with what I can finish.  If the last two weekends are any indication, it is going to be pretty busy around here.  I do like to challenge myself too.  Here's what I came up with considering all those things.

Finish my Handstitched Medallion Quilt - this was also a goal for October.  I am hand quilting away and can I just say, burying knots bites.  Some of my knots are not staying buried and it is really annoying.

Swoon - I want to finish the blocks this month, but the entire quilt by Christmas

Commission Quilt - the sooner the better on this one

Pattern testing quilt - I just started quilting this one, so it should be done soon

2 more QAYG tote bags for gifts - these take at least 4 steady days to finish each one.

• T-shirt quilts for my girls - I really, really, really want to start and finish these for the girls.  T-shirts are piling up to the point of over-flowing, so accomplishing a couple of finishes here would be a huge relief in consideration of space.

I think those are pretty lofty goals.  I still have blocks to finish for Star of Africa, Simply Solids, the Lucky Star BOM, and of course my UFO group, the Lazy Bums.

Thanks for reading today,

Jen

Linking up with:

September progress report and October goal setting

I have felt behind this month since it started.  But looking at my list, it looks like I got most of what I hoped to finish completed.  October is already proving to be a difficult month.  It seems like every email and phone call I receive is adding one more thing to the calendar.  I guess I will really have to focus on my tasks instead of just working on what I want to like the free spirit I was in early September.

September UFO's:

• Summerville DP blocks - My Lazy Bum secret partner chose this as my project for September's UFO challenge.  I am happy to report that they went from these plain Drunkard's Path blocks to 2 table toppers and a potholder.  I literally finished them up this morning, the last day of the month!

• Swoon - I wanted to get 6 more blocks done. Well I fell a little short, I only got 4 done.

September NewFO's

• Commission quilt - I've took on a commission quilt for a friend and hoped to get the top completed and I did! I now need to piece the backing and get it basted and quilted.  
• 60 degree ruler mini quilt - I finished my candy corn table runner.  The tutorial is HERE.

Now for October

October UFO's:

• Handstitched Medallion - My Lazy Bums group has decided that this month's challenge item should be blue or aqua.  I have several quilts on my UFO list that would fall into this category, but I decided to take a little liberty and choose the one I most want done before Christmas, my Handstitched Medallion quilt.  It has a little blue and some aqua, and I hope that the group won't consider me a cheat for choosing it.  Honestly, it has a lot of work left to be done, and other than attaching the binding, all of it is handwork and time consuming.

• Swoon -since I didn't finish up the blocks in September, I hope to finish them up and get to the flimsy stage this month.
• Commission quilt - get it backed and at least basted.

October NewFO's

• Wicked Blog Hop - I seriously have a problem signing up for things.  I actually tend to binge-commit.  I say no to half a dozen things, then all of sudden I feel like I must reward myself by saying Yes to something and I may continue and go a little crazy. (I buy fabric the same way.) I signed up for the Wicked Blog Hop at the end of the month, so I will be creating something with a Halloween theme to it.
• Pattern testing quilt for a dear friend
• Sewing mat for another dear friend
• One Block Wonder QAL quilt - I almost forgot to add this one!  I can't host a QAL without making one myself, right?

Wow, that's a lot!  Wish me luck this month, looks like I will need it.

Thanks for reading today as I list myself into a frenzy,

Jen

Linking up with:

August progress report and September goal setting

I've been performing a bit of an experiment the last few weeks.  Rather than trying to stick to any one project from start to finish, I've been working on whatever strikes my fancy that particular day.  I've been surprised how much I've gotten accomplished considering some days I've only had 30 minutes or less at the sewing machine.

August UFO's:

• Catch up on Star of Africa Bee Blocks -  I finished 2 of the 5 I needed to finish.  I am really stuck on executing my idea for a postcard inspired one.  My idea just won't let me move on.  I have to figure out a way to do what I want.
• Finished my Sewing Mat - DONE!
• Swoon - I have 6 blocks done!  I think the cutting is what takes forever on these.  Now that I have most of the cutting done for the remaining blocks, I think the rest will come together quickly.  I especially delight in how each one looks when finished, so I am eager to work on this project.

August NewFO's

• small projects - I didn't finish a one!
• QAYG bag - I finished this one.  I think I am going to alter the pattern for the next one.

September UFO's:

• Summerville DP blocks - I doubt anyone will remember these, but I haven't done anything with them since I made them.  My Lazy Bum secret partner has decreed this to be my project for the month's challenge.  So, I need to assemble these blocks into something, but I'm not sure what yet.  They were originally supposed to be potholders, and perhaps that is the best thing for them to become.  I am going to play around a little with possible layouts for something else.  Perhaps one will strike my fancy.
• Swoon - I would really like to get 6 more blocks done.

September NewFO's

• Commission quilt - I've taken on a commission quilt for a friend.  I would like to get the top completed this month.  The pattern looks easy enough, but I think the cutting will take forever.  I better get started on it.
• 60 degree ruler mini quilt - I've already started this one and I've promised a tutorial for Wednesday, Sept. 4th.  So it might be my first finish of September.

That about wraps it up!

Thanks for reading today as I list myself into a frenzy,

Jen

Linking up with:

July progress and August goal setting

I'm skipping WIP Wednesday today, despite having something in the works.  As it is the last day of the month, I am posting a progress report instead.  These reports are probably more helpful to me, and less interesting to you, so bare with me....

July UFO's

• Finish "Gigantor" - DONE!!
• Baste Beginner QAL quilt - Uh....not so done.  I did cut out the batting today and pieced the backing, so hopefully I will get this basted in the next few days.  My attention is drawn elsewhere at the moment (no surprise).

The "Gigantor" quilt

July New FO's

• Bring some kind of hand project with us on vacation - I opted for some more Sashiko coasters rather than hexies.  The problem was, when given a choice between stitching and taking a nap while on vacation.  I chose to take naps.  Thus, only one little coaster got finished and another is barely started.  I am not particularly pleased with the stitching on this one.  I could blame Olivia for climbing in my lap every time I started one of these, but that would only be partially true.  I find that it takes a coaster or two to really get a good rhythm; clearly I haven't yet.  
• Have fun - DONE!

August UFO's

I recently joined the Lazy Bum group on Flickr, which is a UFO busting group, and I am waiting to see what the August challenge is.  Regardless, my priorities really need to be in this order:

• Catch up on Star of Africa Bee Blocks - I am 5 blocks behind so this really needs to be my #1 priority.  I have ideas for the 3 oldest ones, one of which is really ambitious.  So cross your fingers for me.
• Finish my Sewing Mat - this one is almost cheating because I am nearly done.  I decided I want to add some hand quilting to it, but then all I have to do is assemble and bind it.
• Swoon - I've done a lot of cutting for this one and assembled a couple of flying geese, but I really want to get going on this one.

August NewFO's

• small projects - I am fresh out of goodies to give to friends, so I need to make some more.
• QAYG bag - I finished my class for this project and am itching to do one, like NOW.

There are going to be plenty of "Camp Mommy" days in August, so this might be too ambitious a list, but that would be nothing new around here.  I always seem to be more optimistic about what can be accomplished in a day than is actually possible.

Please tune in later this week for more of my musings.  Mixed in with my normal ramblings, I may have a giveaway announcement!

Thanks for reading today,

Jen

Linking up with:

3rd quarter goal setting - 2013 Finish Along

OK, so I posted the 2nd quarter progress report, so you knew a post with the 3rd quarter goals was coming, right?

Since this quarter includes nearly a month away from my machine and the start of school in August, I am trying to be realistic in my goal setting.  "TRY" being the key word.

Here it goes:

• Finish Gigantor - this is a summer weight quilt for my king sized bed.  It would be nice to finish it while it is still summer!  It is nearly done so it shouldn't be difficult to finish it by the end of the quarter, especially if I decide to machine bind it (I imagine a king sized quilt would take me nearly a week to hand bind).
• Finish my Sewing Mat - I started this one at the end of June, but ended up choosing a design with several components including some handwork.  So, it is taking a bit longer than I originally thought.

• Beginner QAL quilt - Goodness, I am sick of typing this one.  The best solution for that problem is to get it finished and OUT of my house.

While not really part of the Finish Along, I also have:

• Bee commitments and BOM's - luckily a few of my bees finished up last quarter, so my list is smaller
• Star of Africa Bee - MUST catch up!!!  I have at least 5 blocks to finish
• Lucky Star BOM - I think I have 5 months worth to finish
• Simply Solids Bee - 1 block per month, so 3 for the quarter

Not really a huge list for this quarter, especially since most of my projects are already out of the piecing stage.  That said, somebody slap me if I don't get them finished!

Thanks for reading today,

Jen

Linking up with

June progress and July goal setting

I am so lucky to have my husband.  He took the girls away to the mountains for a night this past weekend so I could have a little alone time before a week of "Camp Mommy", followed by 3 weeks of vacation with the girls.  I had a lovely evening out with a friend, then spent nearly all of Sunday working on my "Gigantor" Impromptu quilt.  (It is still unfinished, but close.)  I was so immersed in quilting that I completely forgot about all the end of the month link ups, etc.  Oh well.  I can still report my progress and set my goals for next month (what few I have).

June UFO's:

• I made very little progress on my Beginner QAL quilt.  In fact, I decided piecing the backing was ridiculous.  So I took a coupon to Joann's and picked out some pink backing fabric.  Perhaps in July I will get it basted.
• I DID finish the SID on my Handmade Medallion quilt.  I will get back to the hand quilting soon.

June New FO's

So here's a quick summary of New FO's I wanted to tackle in June:

• new ironing board cover - DONE!  But I haven't taken a picture of it yet.
• sewing machine mat and cover - Mat in progress, cover not started

• Swoon - cutting of colors done, need to finish the cutting of background, and get going.  I realized when I made the Swoon block for the sewing machine mat, that the cutting for the HST's is a little tight.  Of course, that was AFTER I did all the cutting of the colors.  So when I go to put them together, I will have to be very careful.
• Impromptu - pieced, basted, and partially quilted!  This one is nearly done!  If you've been following me on Facebook or Twitter, you've already seen a sneak peak.  But I can't wait to show you the finished quilt!  It would be so nice to finish up before we leave for vacation but I doubt it will happen.  I have to be realistic, right?

July UFO's

• Finish "Gigantor"
• Baste Beginner QAL quilt

July New FO's

• Bring some kind of hand project with us on vacation - this will probably be some form of hexi's because I have a ton of the precut papers.
• Have fun

Today was Day 1 of "Camp Mommy" (where the kids are at home instead of at a summer camp). It has been interesting.  While giving the girls a sewing lesson in the garage this morning, Lizzy managed to lock us out of the house!  That was around 9:30.  The rest of the day went alright, but I wonder what will happen next.  I am now wearing a house key, just in case.

Thanks for reading today,

Jen

Linking up with:

May progress report and June goal setting

Have you ever noticed that sometimes when you are SUPER busy, you are also more productive in general?  I feel like I have had a lot fewer sewing days this month, yet I am very satisfied with what I've accomplished.

And the best part is that I'm not just talking about my sewing list.  I've also made a few dinners and even exercised a couple of times!  GASP!  Yep it is true.  Esther at Threads on the Floor, who I find inspiring in so many ways, once mentioned that she had started a Couch to 5K program on her new phone.  I have had the app for a while and even made it through the program about a year ago before I promptly stopped exercising completely.  Well, I started it up again and it feels good.  But, this is a quilting blog so let's get back to that sewing list....

May  UFO's

I was determined to do something with my fusible rose project - a project that started back in, oh the beginning of 2011.  Now that I have the blue and white OBW done, this was probably the oldest UFO I had.  I am happy to report that it just needs the binding sewn on!  I would love to show it to you, but I have to save it as a surprise for my day on the "Say it with Flowers" blog hop  - June 4th will be here soon!

May New FO's

I wanted to start and finish my quilt for the Hands2Help Charity Quilt Drive and hooray!  It is done!

It just needs a label and it is off to Happy Chemo.


Now for June.....I'm declaring June for Jen!  I've made a few charity quilts and quilts for others the last few months, and as good as that feels, I plan on being a bit selfish in June.  Since I haven't actually started any projects for myself in a while, June is going to be heavily weighted on the NewFO side.

June UFO's

I will continue to work on piecing the backing for my Beginner QAL quilt.  I am using this is a leader/ender type project so a little gets done every week, but I fully admit that this one isn't really striking my fancy these days.

I have also decided to go back and machine SID some of my Handstitched Medallion Quilt.  After reading some blog posts about hand quilting not keeping the quilt layers together forever under some circumstances, I felt I needed a little reassurance.  I don't know yet what I am going to use the quilt for, but just in case it gets more wear and tear than is meant, I would at least like the layers to stay together, especially since my quilting is not 10 stitches per inch quality.

June New FO's

I was glancing around my sewing space (AKA the dungeon) the other day and I noticed a few areas of need.  For example, I have completely worn holes into my ironing pad cover and what isn't holey is somewhat scorched.  I desperately need a new one.   I could buy one, true, but I want to make myself one.  I've got tons of fabric, even some home dec weight stuff.  Surely, I can figure it out, right?

I also need a sewing machine mat with pockets and it would be really nice if it had a thread catcher component.  I keep shoving all kinds of stuff underneath my machine's quilting table, but it looks terrible and sometimes it isn't even convenient to go digging under there.  I should also make myself a machine cover while I am at it.  My machine came with one, but it is pretty plain.

I am also going to get started on some of those bucket list quilts that I've been putting off way too long.  The Swoon craze is nearly over and I haven't even started mine.  I'm going to get started this month if it kills me.

I've also shown interest in the Impromptu QAL at I'm a Ginger Monkey.  My interest generally comes from having at least 2 layer cakes languishing around with absolutely no plans for them.  The Impromptu pattern is cute, looks easy, uses a layer cake, and would be perfect for the big girl bed I ordered for Olivia's room!

So here's a quick summary of New FO's I hope to tackle in June:

• new ironing board cover
• sewing machine mat and cover
• Swoon
• Impromptu

A quick look ahead to July.....we are going on vacation!  I hope to have made enough bee blocks, etc. to pre-schedule posts for Building Blocks Tuesdays, but other than that posts are going to be rather sparse.  I want to take a hand sewing project with me, but I doubt I will post any progress until we return at the end of the month.  

Thanks for reading today,

Jen

Linking up with:

April progress and May goal setting

Whew!  April sure did come and go quickly.  I can't believe how quickly!

Let's get down to business.

April UFO's

I wanted to finish my Beginner QAL quilt, and Les Amis Baby Quilt.  Well at least the later is done:

And the BQA quilt did progress in some ways.  I put on the final borders and started piecing the backing.  Some of the pieces are rather small.  Why I don't take my own advice about these things, I will never know! I'm holding off more pictures until it is done!  The suspense isn't affecting anyone, I am sure.

April New FO's

I was certain that I would start on my Hands 2 Help Charity quilt.  Our quilts are not due until June,but I wanted to cross something off my to-do list well in advance.  Yeah, that didn't really happen since I was actually given a perfectly reasonable deadline to make my friend's baby boy quilt.

I am happy to report that progress was made on this one!  It is all pieced and the SID is finished!  I am really hoping to finish this one for a Friday finish, so I'm going to hold off on pics of it too.  Here is where I last left it with you guys.

 Can't wait, can you?

May  UFO's

I am determined to do something with this:

Since I have a spot on the "Say it with Flowers" blog hop that starts towards the end of the month, it seems only fitting that I dust this UFO off and do something with it.  It's only been a few years after all.

May New FO's

Well now that the baby boy quilt is almost done, it's time to do my charity quilt for Hands 2 Help. I've decided on the design, and it is all ready for cutting!


Thanks for reading today,

Jen

Linking up with:

2nd Quarter Goal Setting - 2013 Finish Along

Just a quick post to formalize my goal setting for the next quarter.  This 2nd quarter list will take me to June, when things really get crazy around here with the kids out of school.  I should try to make the most of them still attending classes, while I can, because my 3rd quarter list will undoubtedly be more sparse.

Here it goes:

• Beginner QAL quilt - need to finish it.  I still need to add outer borders, back, baste and quilt it.

• Les Amis Baby quilt - This one is partially quilted

• Baby Boy quilt - my friend is due in July, so I need to get going on this one
• Hands 2 Help quilt - I signed up for this year's charity drive and quilts are due in June.
• I also have my bee commitments
• Star of Africa Bee - I am 2 months behind, plus I will have 3 more during the quarter
• Skill Builder QAL - I still have 6 blocks from last quarter, plus another 6 from this quarter
• Lucky Star BOM - will have 3 to do.
• We Bee Learning Bee - 2 blocks per month for 3 months
• Simply Solids Bee - 1 block per month for 3 months
• Make it Modern Bee - April is my month, so I will only have 2 blocks per month for 2 months
• For the Birds Blog Hop item for a May date tbd
• I would also really like to start on a quilt for my own bed!  I've chosen the pattern, and started collecting fabrics.  Truthfully, it will be a miracle if I even get it into a top in this time frame.

That's a lot of stuff!  There is also a potential for all my goal setting to be for nothing.  If we decide to move this quarter, I will be lucky to keep up with my bee commitments while packing/moving.  But, at the moment, there is no house to move into, so I better get cookin'!   I hope you will come back to cheer me on!

Thanks for reading today,

Jen

March finishes - April Goal Setting

I thought I would post this a few days early since I'll be shredding up the ski slopes this week with the family.

So how did I fair for March's goals?  Not particularly well.  As I anticipated, March was a busy month.


March UFO's

My Beginner QAL blocks went from this:

 to this:

Progress, yes, but not really that much of it.

I also wanted to finish my Les Amis quilt, but only got as far as finishing the SID.  Now I need to get started on quilting the feathers.


March New FO's

I decided to just focus on projects from my Curves Class, and I was successful in finishing a few of the projects before I needed to move on to other things.  These sure were fun!

1. My Rainbow Road table runner, 2. droplet journal covers, 3. Clamshell journal cover, 4. drunkard's path pot holder, 5. drunkard's path pot holder, 6. Summersville DP, 7. For my Valentine, 8. Clamshell Journal cover

Now for April......

April UFO's

It would be silly not to try to finish up the same two UFO's from March.  I am only one step closer, but it is a step in the right direction, right?

So Beginner QAL quilt, and Les Amis Baby Quilt.  Check, check!

April New FO's

As you know, I recently signed up for the Hands 2 Help Charity quilt drive.  Our quilts are not due until June, but I think things are only going to get busier leading up to summer vacation.  Better to get that done now.  I will be pleased with myself that I crossed something off my to-do list well in advance.  Perhaps it will give me the momentum needed to start a few other projects on that list.




Well, I should still be pretty busy, right?

Thanks for reading today,

Jen

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