Revisiting goals...

So on January 1st of this year, I published a list of goals I would like to accomplish in 2013.   I thought I should consider revisiting them to see if I've made progress or if they changed or if I blew them all off!

1. Work on FMQ. I really would like to improve in this area (not that it will take much to improve!!!) I have definitely worked on this one after I learned more about FMQ (see this post) and I have successfully FMQd a couple of quilts.
2. Make Girl a Christmas Quilt (fabric is already picked out, pattern is already picked out, just need to do!) Yeah...nothing going here...but a new idea is brewing
3. Make a quilt for me (Sister's TEN BOM) Part of my BOM addiction...I have made a handful of blocks and that's about it
4. Finish Terrain Swoon (quilt top is made, need to make the backing and get this puppy quilted and finished!) another zero...
5. Make a quilt for Guy done!  see his quilt here
6. Attend Sew South Retreat (this should be easy!!! :) ) DONE DONE DONE!  Unfortunately not to be repeated in 2014...next year is way to crazy to plan for anything along those lines...maybe next fall...
7. Make Christmas gift quilts for 2 of my nieces (I really want to get this done EARLY this year!!!) ummm...haven't done anything with this, not sure if I will or not...this might still happen
8. Move my sewing space upstairs (this was a goal in 2012, had to extend the goal, need more time to accomplish it!) DONE!!!  See post here, back when it was clean and orderly...not the disaster area it is today!
9. Make a bottled rainbow quilt (really looking forward to this!!!) completely lost interest in this one
10. Continue with the 15 minutes a day challenge! I'll call this one a success, I've done the best I can each week!

So...by my calculations, that makes 5 of 10 goals complete, 1 goal sort of started, 1 goal completely off my radar, and 2-3 goals that might still see action before the end of the year.  Not bad!  I don't make these goals to determine if my sewing year is a success or failure...I make them because it may be helpful to see where I want to go, to give myself a bit of a starting point when the year is fresh and open for all kinds of things.  Not accomplishing some of these is merely a reflection of how things change over the course of a year.

With just over 5 weeks left in the year...who knows if something else on this list is completed.  I'll revisit the list at the close of 2013, see if any of these have sparked some motivation or drive for the rest of my 2013 sewing.

2013 goals

So here we go...what I'd like to accomplish in 2013:

1. Work on FMQ.  I really would like to improve in this area (not that it will take much to improve!!!)
2. Make Girl a Christmas Quilt (fabric is already picked out, pattern is already picked out, just need to do!)
3. Make a quilt for me (Sister's TEN BOM)
4. Finish Terrain Swoon (quilt top is made, need to make the backing and get this puppy quilted and finished!)
5. Make a quilt for Guy 
6. Attend Sew South Retreat (this should be easy!!! :) )
7. Make Christmas gift quilts for 2 of my nieces (I really want to get this done EARLY this year!!!)
8. Move my sewing space upstairs (this was a goal in 2012, had to extend the goal, need more time to accomplish it!)
9. Make a bottled rainbow quilt (really looking forward to this!!!)
10. Continue with the 15 minutes a day challenge!

So there we go, not too shabby.  I tried to re-focus my goals to the more realistic, and find areas that I really want to improve upon.  The biggest one is FMQ, I enjoy FMQing, but I want to do more (and make it look like it INTENDED to look like!).  I am also getting so very excited about attending Sew South Retreat (just a few months away!!).  I fell in love with the Rainbow quilts I made in 2012, so I plan to make more in 2013 (and beyond).  Most of all...the 15 minutes a day challenge really improved my sewing time and what I accomplished in 2012, I am very much looking forward to continuing in 2013.

2012 goals...final visit

So back in January (seems like it wasn't that long ago) I created a list of goals for 2012.  Here they are, with their current status in RED.

1.  Finish T's Quilt (hasn't been touched since December 10th 2011) - replaced original with Paris Race, original T quilt is in the UFO stack, one day to be revisited.

2.  Finish OUR Quilt (not touched since August 2011) - still not touched, one day I'll get back to it

3.  Complete at least 2 FWQAL blocks a month (this was becoming an overwhelming project last year, so I'm hoping to keep it honest and accept that it won't be 2 blocks a week!) - so fell out of love with this one, might do something with the blocks I have finished, or may just leave them until inspiration returns

4.  Blog at least once a week - which I pretty much have done...so SUCCESS!

5.  Complete Pinocchio Cross Stitch  -  started working on hexies, pretty much replacing this goal...so Pinocchio will just have to wait some more

6.  Relocate sewing space to craft room (currently sew in the living room, and rarely use my office/craft room...I want that changed!  will also require a LOT of reorganizing and cleaning and getting rid of stuff!) - still working on this one, hope to have the majority moved before the new year starts, but won't have all of the stuff in place for a few more weeks...so I shall call this...a Goal in Progress!

7.  Make a Christmas Quilt in time for it to be used at Christmas!  (so wanted to do this last year...didn't get around to it!) - quilt top made.  and then I got caught up in making Christmas gifts.  

8.  Make at least one quilt just for me! - still in progress, all the blocks are made, just have to get it all put together!

9.  Attempt applique on at least one quilt (mini-quilt would work here!) - not yet!

10.  Make Swoon Terrain Quilt - Quilt top completed!  needs backing, and basting, and quilting...but the top is complete!

11.  Attempt FMQ! - DONE DONE DONE!

12.  Quilt and bind Girls SQ (before Halloween!) - DONE!

13.  Finish White Rabbit Surprise/Strawberry Swoon (at least do something with the blocks that have been made!) - DONE!  

So, there we go...I only accomplished a handful of these goals in 2012...but that's ok...goals can change as you go!  I found stuff I would rather do, expanded my horizons, and had a great year of sewing.  I think for 2013...I'll try and set some goals that are a little more broad.  Some of the 2012 goals may carry over to 2013...and that's ok too. 

I hope everyone has a fantastic last day of 2012.  See you next year!

2012 Goals Update

it's been a long while since I looked at and/or updated my goals for 2012 (last updated here):

1.  Finish T's Quilt (hasn't been touched since December 10th 2011) haven't touched it...to be honest I've kinda fallen out of love with this quilt.  But...I'm actually working on a different quilt for T.  So this goal may be met...but with a different quilt than originally intended (which will make the original quilt another WIP/UFO...but I can accept that)

2.  Finish OUR Quilt (not touched since August 2011) untouched still

3.  Complete at least 2 FWQAL blocks a month (this was becoming an overwhelming project last year, so I'm hoping to keep it honest and accept that it won't be 2 blocks a week!) NOT HAPPENING!  Another project that I've really just fallen out of love with!  It's way back burner right now...so we'll see.

4.  Blog at least once a week I actually think this has gone pretty well.  I may have missed a week once or twice...but that's life and I'm really pleased to see the total number of posts have increased regularly!

5.  Complete Pinocchio Cross Stitch it's been awhile...

6.  Relocate sewing space to craft room (currently sew in the living room, and rarely use my office/craft room...I want that changed!  will also require a LOT of reorganizing and cleaning and getting rid of stuff!) zero/zilch/nada...the logistics and the desk are making this really unlikely to happen.

7.  Make a Christmas Quilt in time for it to be used at Christmas!  (so wanted to do this last year...didn't get around to it!) nothing so far.  but it's next on my list!

8.  Make at least one quilt just for me! using my Flea Market Fancy in the HST BOM...so this is officially in progress 

9.  Attempt applique on at least one quilt (mini-quilt would work here!) not yet

10.  Make Swoon Terrain Quilt so so so close!  to getting the quilt top done at least, which is so silly as I only have ONE border left to attach...as a matter of fact...that's my weekend goal!

11.  Attempt FMQ!  DONE!  

12.  Quilt and bind Girls SQ (before Halloween!) DONE!

13.  Finish Strawberry Swoon (at least do something with the blocks that have been made!) nada

So I crossed off item 12, making progress on item 8 and 10, and some changes to item 1 will mean it's complete soon...is the list looking quite as good as I would have liked for it to be already September??  NO...BUT...I'm pretty happy with what has been accomplished!

2012 Goals update...and some new WIPs

ok...so here we go...my monthly review of my goals for 2012 (last updated here):

1.  Finish T's Quilt (hasn't been touched since December 10th 2011) lots of progress made...should be finishing up soon!

2.  Finish OUR Quilt (not touched since August 2011) untouched still

3.  Complete at least 2 FWQAL blocks a month (this was becoming an overwhelming project last year, so I'm hoping to keep it honest and accept that it won't be 2 blocks a week!) got 2 more done for February!

4.  Blog at least once a week missed last week, but I was recovering from the nasty cold and catching up at work...so I'm giving myself a pass on this one for right now

5.  Complete Pinocchio Cross Stitch did a little bit of stitching early in February...found an error...and haven't touched it since...this may be a road trip project...when and if we go on a road trip

6.  Relocate sewing space to craft room (currently sew in the living room, and rarely use my office/craft room...I want that changed!  will also require a LOT of reorganizing and cleaning and getting rid of stuff!) did some clearing out, got rid of some stuff...still lots more to do!

7.  Make a Christmas Quilt in time for it to be used at Christmas!  (so wanted to do this last year...didn't get around to it!) nothing so far

8.  Make at least one quilt just for me! not yet!

9.  Attempt applique on at least one quilt (mini-quilt would work here!) same as above

10.  Make Swoon Terrain Quilt in progress as part of the Swoon-along, 6 of 9 completed, #7 in progress!

11.  Attempt FMQ!  DONE!  

12.  Quilt and bind Girls SQ (before Halloween!) nothing so far

13.  Finish White Rabbit Surprise/Strawberry Swoon (at least do something with the blocks that have been made!) nada

So not a ton of progress made on the goals...BUT...maybe if I didn't keep starting new projects in the middle of trying to complete some other projects!  This week I've worked on this:

Paris Race (using this video) for Girl...

I saw the video...and desperately wanted to try making one...so I let Girl pick a jelly roll (Pom Pom de Paris) and away I went while watching the Daytona 500 this past Monday...and I  took way more than an hour...but before the race ended...I had a completed quilt top!  I will definitely try this again!

and I just started this for my Sis who has moved into a new house and has new furniture...and now needs a new quilt to go with it all!  

I have a hard deadline for the above quilt, as in a few weeks I'll actually get to see my Sis...so other goals may get pushed to the side (again!).  Fabric is Curious Nature by Parson Gray (love love love this fabric!) and the quilt pattern is City Lights from the book City Quilts by Cherri House.

That's it for now!  Hope you have a great rest of your weekend!

2012 Goal Update...and a new Toy!

As January comes to a close...here is where I stand:

1.  Finish T's Quilt (hasn't been touched since December 10th 2011) nada so far

2.  Finish OUR Quilt (not touched since August 2011) see goal #1

3.  Complete at least 2 FWQAL blocks a month (this was becoming an overwhelming project last year, so I'm hoping to keep it honest and accept that it won't be 2 blocks a week!) got 2 done for January, post to follow soon

4.  Blog at least once a week so far so good

5.  Complete Pinocchio Cross Stitch this one is touch and go, and hasn't been touched in 2 weeks

6.  Relocate sewing space to craft room (currently sew in the living room, and rarely use my office/craft room...I want that changed!  will also require a LOT of reorganizing and cleaning and getting rid of stuff!) more planning than actual action right now

7.  Make a Christmas Quilt in time for it to be used at Christmas!  (so wanted to do this last year...didn't get around to it!) it's only January, 10 months to work on it!

8.  Make at least one quilt just for me! ummm...nothing so far

9.  Attempt applique on at least one quilt (mini-quilt would work here!) same as above

10.  Make Swoon Terrain Quilt in progress, blocks 3 and 4 of 9 in progress!

11.  Attempt FMQ!  DONE!  and more to come, it's so much fun!

12.  Quilt and bind Girls SQ (before Halloween!) plenty of time to get to this one

13.  Finish White Rabbit Surprise/Strawberry Swoon (at least do something with the blocks that have been made!) think I have an idea for this one, but it's still a WIP

So far, not too bad...I'm happy with what I've accomplished so far, and that's all that matters!

Now...the new toy...courtesy of my honey-bunny...he gifted me with this for our Anniversary:

It's AWESOME!!!!!  

Goals...

So for 2012 I have a few goals...so I figured I'd go ahead and publish them so that I can track them (and remember them later!), but also to keep myself honest with the progress!  So here we go:

1.  Finish T's Quilt (hasn't been touched since December 10th 2011)
2.  Finish OUR Quilt (not touched since August 2011)
3.  Complete at least 2 FWQAL blocks a month (this was becoming an overwhelming project last year, so I'm hoping to keep it honest and accept that it won't be 2 blocks a week!)
4.  Blog at least once a week
5.  Complete Pinocchio Cross Stitch (more on this later)
6.  Relocate sewing space to craft room (currently sew in the living room, and rarely use my office/craft room...I want that changed!  will also require a LOT of reorganizing and cleaning and getting rid of stuff!)
7.  Make a Christmas Quilt in time for it to be used at Christmas!  (so wanted to do this last year...didn't get around to it!)
8.  Make at least one quilt just for me!
9.  Attempt applique on at least one quilt (mini-quilt would work here!)
10.  Make Swoon Terrain Quilt
11.  Attempt FMQ!
12.  Quilt and bind Girls SQ (before Halloween!)
13.  Finish White Rabbit Surprise/Strawberry Swoon (at least do something with the blocks that have been made!)

So...there you have it!  Nothing too crazy...some items would be fairly easy to complete over a weekend of sewing once a month (at least!)...I'll be checking in and updating these at least once a month...maybe more frequently if I really start making progress!