Motivation 2017

Welcome 2017!  I am looking forward to a new year.

It has been about 18 months since my last blog post.  I have found that blogging really helps keeps me focused and motivated.  When I am sitting in my studio dreaming about all the new projects I want to start, having my monthly goal posted on my blog brings me back to reality and gives me a little direction.  So without wasting any more time, I am setting some easy January goals.

1. Quilt 2 customer quilts
2. Quilt 1 item from my UFO parade 2014
3. Quilt 1 item from  my recent quilt flimsy pile
4. Get my paperwork in order for taxes
5. Blog at least once a week

May already?

I can't believe May is almost over.  I have been so busy I haven't even blogged since April.  I only completed 1/5 of my April goals, so I am working on the same goals for May.  I haven't even had much time to turn on the sewing machine.

Sometimes life takes you in a different direction.  I started a Facebook page to promote my new fabrics and interesting color combinations.  You can view my page by either searching for "Patchwork Playground" in the search box.  You don't even need a Facebook account to do this.  If you would like to see my stuff on your news feed, simply click the like button.  I have started vending at some local quilt retreats.  I really enjoy getting out and meeting new people and helping people pick great fabrics.  I mostly sell Moda fabrics and pre-cuts, but I carry a few bolts from other companies.

I am going to try to keep up with both pages, but when life gets busy, it is much easier to do a Facebook post than type a blog entry.

I did manage to make a few boxy bags to showcase some of my fabrics.  The pattern is Mallory's Big Box from This 'n That.  I wanted to showcase some of my more modern fabrics with traditional ones in the first box.

The second box was to showoff some fun fabrics.  I love the asterisks for the lining.  It was the perfect choice.

If I will try to post more regularly in the summer, but if you are looking for me, you can stop over to Facebook also.  

https://www.facebook.com/patchwork.playground

Until next time, keep on stitching!

April Goals and March achievements

Where have I been?  It was spring break for my kids and we did our first road trip.  I will post more about this later in the week after I get caught up a bit.

How did I do with my March goals.  I quilted several customer quilts, I bound all my January projects, and I am continuing to work on cutting and organizing my scraps.    I made a few more blocks for my blue quilt, but I still have more to go.  I also did not start my t-shirt quilt yet (yes, I know....I am dragging my feet on this one).

April Goals will remain similar to previous months- 

1. Quilt 2 customer quilts 
2. Quilt one of my quilts from the UFO parade (it is feeling so great to finish these)
3. Work on the t-shirt quilt (really I am going to do it this month)
4. Continue to cut and organize scraps
5. Make and attach a hanging sleeve for the green log cabin quilt that I finished

Having been on vacation, I haven't been in the studio for more than 10 days.  I am looking forward to a little sewing time in the near future.  I am missing my fabric fondling.  

Monthly Recap and March Goals

Judy reminded me yesterday that she needed a little inspiration on my blog.  I haven't posted because I haven't really done much sewing lately (besides at the retreat).  I had hoped to make a little more progress on my projects this month.  I was 2 out of 5 for my goals this month.  I am going to focus on the positives

I finished one quilt from the UFO parade.  I managed to get it quilted.  I have no idea what that shadow in the middle of the quilt is, but trust me I do not have a big stain on the quilt.

I did play with the blue scraps.  I also added a little brown and green.  This quilt will be 5 blocks long.  I am about 1/3 the way done with the blocks.  I have lots of pieces ready to put together.  

I am moving my other 3 goals that I did not complete to March.  

1. Quilt 2 customer quilts (they are ready to go!)
2. Bind my projects from January- binding is picked and ready to be made.
3. Work on the t-shirt quilt
4. Finish the blocks for the blue quilt
5. Continue to work on my scrap-cut-a-thon.  I have 6 of the bakery trays lined with scraps. Instead of using these trays for projects, they have been filled with scraps.  It's time to cut them up and get them ready to sew.

It's hard to believe, but I have made a lot of progress in cutting my scraps this month.  In the process, I think I have cutting stations in almost every room of the house.  I don't think my family (mostly my husband) is a huge fan of my big messes.  Feel free to grab a scrap bag and cut along with me.

I have learned one thing about my scrap storage system.  I don't mix brights with other colors (country or reproduction) in projects.  I now have a bin for brights.  It is easier to merge these brights with the more muted colors if I need to than to sort them out.  I generally don't make a bright quilt with only one color, so I am going to let all my brights live happily together.

I am not cutting for a specific project, however, I have another pixelated project planned and also kitting together greens and neutrals for a Carolina Chain.  I love this quilt set on point.  It is a great scrap quilt as it takes 6" (3X 2" squares) or 11" (2X 2" square and a 2X3 1/2")  of fabric.  Since I just finished my log cabin quilt with 2" strips, and my blue/brown/green quilt is with 2" strips...I have plenty of leftover pieces.

Hello February!

I always seem so motivated after Christmas is over and I do the UFO parade.  Perhaps it is because all those projects are no longer hidden in the cracks and crevices of my studio.  They hit me square across the face and stare at me.  With the amount of UFOs I have, it is more like a brick in the face.

I did well on my January goals.  I have the 4 red projects ready to quilt with the backings made.  I quilted 3 UFOs from the list (2 nested churn dash blocks, country log cabin quilt, and my green log cabin quilt).  I put together 2 charity quilts and the backings (not on the goal list).  I have my blues organized for February, but I haven't picked a project for them yet.

It's time to put my list in writing for February.

1. Start a commissioned t-shirt quilt
2. Quilt 2 customer quilts
3. Finish one UFO from the parade
4. Play with my blue scraps
5. Bind the projects that were completed in January

The January Plan

The UFO parade helped to "organize" my massive amount of projects under way.  For January I have a few goals (yes, I know the month is more than half over)

1. finish the red/pink projects that I started (4 to be exact)
2. Quilt one UFO from the list.
3. Start to organize my blue scraps and pick some projects for February to start.  

That seem pretty reasonable.  I am trying to limit myself to smaller projects so I can complete them easier.  This worked pretty well last year.  I need some new things to keep the old things fun and interesting.

Because post without pictures are just boring, I will show you pictures of my half done red/pink projects (heart pillow, 3 runners).  Both the runner patterns are from the Stripology book.  The back ground is a white with little pink dots from the hello Petal Collection of fabric.  It is a great background.

New Year and a new Focus

EDITED:  After reviewing my UFOs for the year, I feel the need to update my goals a bit.

I have been working on UFOs for so long that I seem to be having a little trouble coming up with my new plan for the year.  Happy 2015!

These are a few of my quilting goals for the year:

1. Finish 20 more quilts that are already in process (I still have plenty to pick from)
2. Make some new fun things while sifting through my scraps- finishing the new projects that I start
3. Make a quilt for my bed that actually matches my room
4. Use some of my fabrics that I have been collecting so I can enjoy them
5. Play with some of my new rulers and gadgets

Theses seem like achievable goals.  I did not meet my goal of finishes last year, but I did make huge progress on my UFOs.  I didn't use a lot of fabric for the last 2 years since I was focusing on finishing my UFOs.  I am not going to quit shopping this year, but I do want to use some of the fabrics I have accumulated.  I want to enjoy it while I still love it!  I want to bring new things to retreats.

Each month I have decided I want to play with a specific color of fabric.  This month I was inspired by red.  Why was I inspired?  The red scrap drawer simply wouldn't shut any more!  I have a vision of sort of working my way through my scraps this year.  

So for the month of January, I have already started 3 red projects.  I have been cutting and cutting and cutting the little bits that I have been saving  hoarding for way too long.  

 The first project was the pixel heart.  I just loved this project when it was first posted on the internet.  I am going to make this into a pillow.  I put it together in less than an hour.  The background for one block takes 1 1/2 strips (if you are using 2 1/2" squares like the tutorial)  I love how it reminds me of candy hearts.  One block is the perfect size for a pillow or small wall hanging.  This is a great way to use up some of those left over charm squares.  It takes exactly 42 squares for one heart (yes, that is how many are in a candy pack).

The next project I started was from the book Stripology.  There are some great patterns in the book for 1 1/2" strip.  Most of my scraps are at least 1 1/2" wide so this book is perfect for those little bits.  Of course if you are a math brain, you can convert them to all different size strips.  This will be a Valentine's runner for the cabin.  All the colored sections are the same size which makes it a fun pattern to cut out while sifting through scraps.  Notice all the color pieces are staggered so there are no seams to line up.  There are some typographical errors in the book (just so you are aware), but it has some great patterns.

The 3rd pattern I started is from the same book, but I haven't started putting the pieces together.  

I am looking forward to sewing with friends this weekend.  I hope to makes some more blocks for my runner.

My word of the year is 

Organize

I am told that re-organize way too much.  I am always looking for a better more efficient way to do things and store things.  This word applies to my quilting, family, and home life.  I want to spend more time doing, and less time looking for things.  

Do you have a great organizational tip you would like to share?

December goals

It is hard to believe November is already over.  This year is flying by!

November goals were:

1. Quilt 2 customer quilts
2. Put borders on 2 quilts
3. Quilt 3 quilts from the UFO parade
4. Cut out the pieces for the new Bonnie mystery.

I did not do much quilting in November.  I did manage to put the borders on 1 quilt and I have the border pieces ready to go for the second quilt.  I quilted two things of my own from the parade (very small items).  I had enough pieces already in my precut bin for Bonnie's mystery, so I am off and running on another UFO.  I fell short on my goals, but I made a little more progress.

December goals are mostly the same:

1. Quilt 1 customer quilt
2. Quilt 1 of my own
3. work on the Bonnie mystery 
4. Put borders on 2 more quilts

Those seem like pretty simple goals, but every weekend seems to be filled with activities.

November Goals

I didn't post my my accomplishments for September because frankly I didn't get much accomplished. I am hoping to do better in November.  I did quilt 2 quilts for others already this month.  One was a runner, but I think that counts too.

To entertain you, I thought I would post some pictures of the chaos in my studio last month.  I believe this to be the worst disorganization that it has ever been in.  It is such a lovely space, however, it is hard to get inspired when this is the first look in the door.  

 The other side of the studio wasn't any better.  I have since done quite a bit of cleaning, purging, and organizing.  That is mostly what I accomplished in September and October.






Since it is the beginning of November, I want to set a few goals.

1. Quilt 2 customer quilts
2. Put borders on 2 quilts
3. Quilt 3 quilts from the UFO parade
4. Cut out the pieces for the new Bonnie mystery.

Hoping to be back (to blogging) soon

It's hard to believe, but June 4th was my last post- 3 months ago.  A lot has happened in the last 3 months.

I survived the baseball/softball schedule.
I played nurse to an ailing dog and a son who had a serious injury
Household renovations moved forward
After a long delay, my daughter made it to Mudgee Australia
We welcomed a new daughter into our home from Switzerland as an exchange student

A lot has NOT happened in the last 3 months -

I haven't completed any UFOs
I haven't quilted a customer quilt
I haven't really done any sewing at all!

My goal for the month of September:

• Add borders to 3 UFOs
• Survive - Volleyball, 2- Football, Soccer, Baseball, and put dinner on the table at a somewhat reasonable time
• Quilt 2 Customer quilts
• catch up on paperwork

May Goals Recap and Looking forward to June

I did do a little quilting in May, but my UFO progress has stalled.  June marks the mid-year mark and I am still hoping to meet my goal of 35 finishes from the UFO list.

I quilted 3 customer quilts in May.  The first one was a swoon quilt.  I did a baptist fan pattern.  This pattern gives just enough texture to make the fabrics in the quilt shine.

 I also made the Bionic Gear Bag.  You can purchase the pattern from craftsy.  The instructions were written well enough that I made it to the finish line.  I used Moda Linen Mochi Dot on the outside.  I love all the little compartments in the bag.  I think it would make a great bag for electronic cords or even Camera stuff.

I will admit the first bag took way longer than it should have.  I started a second bag and it is going together much quicker.  I just have a problem with things that are not flat.

My favorite part of the bag is the space between the zipper pockets that is perfect for Aurifil thread.

 My June goals are as follows:

1. Quilt 2 customer quilts
2. Bind 3 Spicy Spiral Runners
3. CLEAN MY STUDIO (this one could take all month!!!)
4. Quilt 2 items from the UFO list.
5. Bind a customer quilt

These seem do-able to me.  I have 2 weeks with my mornings free which is really helping.  I quilted most of the day today finishing up some of my runners from the Moda Candy Club.  

May Goals (April shortcomings)

It is hard for me to believe that April is almost over.  I managed to put my Lewis and Clark quilt together and put the borders on, and I did put the borders on my orphan block churn dash quilt.  I have all my bindings done except one.  I fell short on my quilting goals.  I hope to work on some of these during the first week of May.

1. Quilt 2 more customer quilts.- Working on this one still
2. Put together the blocks for Lewis and Clark quilt.  I did manage to get the alternate blocks made in March
3. Put borders on my 4-patch quilts set on point.- I really did try to get this done but I didn't have the right color fabric
4. Put the last border on the Churn dash blocks
5. Bind the remaining 4 quilts from January  1 left to go
6. Put together a new project that I cut out- Carry over to May
7. Quilt the pillows/runners that I made in February (after number 1-4 is completed)-Carry over to May

May focus will be on QUILTING!....and baseball, softball and track....

1. Quilt 4 quilts
2. Quilt the pillow/runners that I made in February.
3. Put together my new pear quilt during the May Retreat
4. Continue to work on the FW blocks.
5. Get some of my UFOs ready to quilt (cut the batting and make sure I have backings and bindings made)

I have been stuck at 22 finishes from the UFO list for several months.  I am still working on these UFOs, but I haven't had any finishes.  The goal is 35, so I need to get busy!  Many of these are are ready to be quilted and bound.  

April Goals/March Recap

I fell a little short on my April goals.  I still need to quilt my pillows and bind 3 more quilts from January.



April starts baseball/softball/track stuff so that doesn't leave much sewing time.  I have a retreat this weekend which should help me to get a few things done.

This is what I will be working on in April -

1. Quilt 2 more customer quilts.
2. Put together the blocks for Lewis and Clark quilt.  I did manage to get the alternate blocks made in March
3. Put borders on my 4-patch quilts set on point.
4. Put the last border on the Churn dash blocks
5. Bind the remaining 4 quilts from January
6. Put together a new project that I cut out
7. Quilt the pillows/runners that I made in February (after number 1-4 is completed)

Focus!!  I seem to be having some trouble with this lately.

I am ready for borders for this old scrap quilt.  I made the sashing in October.  I put it together earlier this year.  Now I am having some trouble picking the border fabrics.  I may just go with large bricks of several fabrics.  It is so large that I have to gather it in the middle to make it fit on the design wall.  I think it will be about 118" with borders.  Do you have a border preference?

We are still waiting (rather impatiently) for a city assignment for my daughter.  I don't know why this is harder than waiting for the country assignment.  I did manage to put together this cute little mug rug as a test block. The pear pattern is from Fig Tree quilts.  I love how it turned out.   

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

March Goals and February Finishes

I didn't have ANY finishes for February.  This was pretty disappointing, but I finished all my goals with the exception of the quilting ones.  I put borders on several quilts and finished piecing a few.  I have a long way to go to get to my goal of 35 finishes from the UFO list.  

Since March is half  over, I better make my goal a little easier.

1. Quilt 2 customer quilts (carry over from last month)
2. Quilt 2 pillows that I started recently (Hexie Pillow and Moda Candy Pillow
3. Figure out a setting for my Red/Tan blocks and put them together
4. Bind the rest of my quilts from my January finishes

My Lewis and Clark blocks are still hanging on the design wall.  I need to try out some alternate blocks and see what I can come up with.  This weekend is another sewing retreat, so hopefully I can get a little piecing done and have something to show you by next Monday.

February Goals

Bindings. Borders, and Applique are my focus this month.  More than half of my remaining UFOs need these few things.

1. Bind 8 quilts
2. Finish putting together Carolina Crossroads (In 2 pieces)
3. Put the borders on 2 quilts (KT log cabin, Monkey Quilt)
4. Do the applique on my table toppers and banners(2 winter banners, 2 snowman toppers, 1 spring banner, 1 summer banner)
5. Quilt 1 quilt of mine
6. Quilt 2 customer quilts
7. Put the blocks together on the my blue and white quilt

 I worked on this quilt at the last retreat.  It was a long forgotten project that is now ready for binding.  This is one of the quilts I hope to get bound this month.  I quilted it with a panto - Feathered Curls.  I  think it was the the perfect touch to finish it off.

This is an ambitious goal, but I have a retreat next weekend.  The forecast is snowy where I live-Bring it on so I can Sew, Sew, Sew. 

What's up for this week

I had a fabulous time sewing with my sister and other friends at a retreat this weekend.  I made some progress on both some older projects and a new one.

I put these blocks together.  I have blogged about this quilt when I started it after Christmas.  I don't want this project to get forgotten.  I am ready to cut the border pieces and put them on.

 This is a older quilt that I worked on at Shipse several years ago.  It is ready for borders now also.

I wish I could credit the designer, but it was from  a blog post long ago and I have looked and looked for the original post.  It is a great pattern and it is cut from 2" strips.  The white stars get finished in the first border.

I also finished putting the blocks together from a really old lodge quilt.  I didn't take a picture this quilt, but I am deciding if I need to put a border on it.

This is my new project that I recently started.  I am using light blues and Kona Snow.  I used it as my leader ender project at the retreat.  I have lots more blocks half finished that I hope to work on this week.

My goal for this week is to quilt 3 of my larger quilts that I pieced the backings for last week.




I have one finish to report this weekend.  I moved this table topper to a new home.  I decided it was just best to abandon this project.  I am sure it will be loved where it went.  This makes 11 finishes for me in January.  I am energized by the UFO progress I am making.

I have already declared February as the month of B's.  I will be working on BORDERS AND BINDING(s)

I hope to are off to a great start on your goals this year.  Stop over to Judy's to see what others are working on this week.

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)

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?

Transitioning to October Goals

I completely missed the month of September.  I did not set any goals and I rarely turned on the sewing machine.  As football, soccer, baseball and the play finish up for my kids this month I will ease back into my sewing.

I am gathering up some of my UFOs to finish at the October retreat in Shipshe sponsored by Ruth.  It is a great retreat.

I need to be careful that I don't bring ANY UFOs from a previous retreat there!  How embarrassing would that be to admit that another year has gone by and the project still isn't finished.

These are the things I am planning on taking to the Retreat

1. Bright/Black Log Cabin
2. Bright 4 patch quilt that I was working on here
3. This scrappy 4 patch quilt that has been hanging around for a lot of years.
4. My stockings that I started 15 years ago for my family
5. The last block to my swoon quilt
6. A new project (NewFO)

Since I will be piecing mostly this month, I doubt that I will have any finishes.  

August Goals

I have already exceeded my goal for finishes this year. August will be an adjustment month for both my family and myself since we will be easing back into the school schedule.  I hope to have just finishes for August.  As I look through my picture parade of unfinished projects, I notice lots of completions.  I did not find a lot of projects that were exciting me for this month.  I hope this won't end my desire to finish things.

1. Quilt my bright Christmas Star quilt
   
   
2. Quilt something for fall
3. Sew the blocks together for my bright scrap quilt
4. Sew the blocks together for my bright log cabin