new thinking for a new year . . .

Happy New Year!!  A new year always feels so fresh and sparkly . . . a clean slate on which to start over (or press on) . . . a new opportunity to get it right!  But so much for a clean *stash* slate. Between spending time destashing and spending time shopping (and even spending some time stitching) my slate is already showing bigger overall numbers than it did for the whole of 2015!

Ha!!  How's that for a first report?! I really went through all my yardage with an attitude of, "Does it have a purpose . . . does it bring joy?"  If it couldn't be yes to one of those, in the to-go bag it went, to the tune of 48.5 yards. And I was on the lenient side. I think I'll give it a couple of months and then go through it all again. Since I ended the year with an accumulated total of better than 200 yards, it's obvious my stash needed some pruning!

I used up a half of a yard preparing all my EPP 'houses' for the Hexie Birthday Swap. It adds up pretty quickly, eh?  I have all of them (seventeen, including one for me and an extra one for Sarah) for the year cut and ready to be basted together (with the exception of several ladies who haven't made a color/fabric choice yet) . . .

And a lonely little Chrysanthemum for a late-comer to the club. Between those and this . . .

my poor, neglected POTC block, I should have enough to keep my stitching on a slow Sunday afternoon!

And then the purchase . . . I purchased more fabric in the space of one day at the New Year's Day sale at Patches & Stitches, than I purchased in the entire of 2015. CRAZY! But, to my credit, it's got a specific purpose! Our Stitcher's group is doing a block swap.  Six blocks (a 3.5" nine-patch) for sixteen ladies.  So 96 blocks (by June)! Here's the quilt the blocks are for . . . 

It's really lovely, but I'm not convinced I'll be using my blocks for that particular look. We're using all Civil War fabrics and a cream.  Here's what I picked up for my offerings:

Isn't that gorgeous??? Oh yeah, and those are some beads I picked up for 'snowflakes'! But back to that fabric.  I just loooooove it!!

Yup, it'll be fun playing with this stuff! The nice thing about going to the sale with a bunch of gals from the Stitcher's group . . . we didn't get the same fabrics -- lots of variety -- spice of life.  ;)

I've challenged myself in several quilty/crafty ways for 2016. For one thing, I've got way too many UFOs hanging around. Most are pieced and just need to be backed and quilted, but I've got an older one where the piecing needs to be finished. Anyway, I'm tired of them taking up space. So when I saw that All People Quilt was sponsoring a UFO Challenge, I jumped right on it! I printed and filled out my list of UFOs . . .

On January 1, I hopped over to the APQ webpage to see which number I'd be working on. Would you believe it?

Number 2! LOL! My Christmas Hexie Topper. I didn't realize how old this was.

Hmmmm.  The reason this is unfinished is because I've never determined exactly what I wanted to do with it! Any ideas?! Hahahaha! If this particular challenge is of interest to you, you can check it out HERE! 

My second goal is to complete a very modest two Christmas ornaments per month, for a total of 24 by the time next Christmas rolls around.  

I loved the wool snowman and the Christmas tree, so for January, I'll stick to one of each of them! This way, when I'm wanting to attach a little something handmade to a special gift, it's already crafted, and I don't feel the pressure of *having* to stitch into the wee hours to have something ready.

My third goal is to reduce my stash this year, in a significant way (hopefully a combination of use and gifting away anything I don't find appealing anymore) -- and not to purchase *anything* that doesn't have a specific purpose! 

And finally, I want to keep my Nook in better order! I spent the better part of a day cleaning/tidying/tossing so I could sit down and create. I am definitely one who needs order! And the Nook was rather chaotic (it's a small space -- it doesn't take much)!

So, what about you?  Any specific quilting/stitching/crafting goals for 2016?

I'll be linking up to Patchwork Times and Kathy's Quilts!  Enjoy the remainder of the weekend!!

:)

ch-ch-ch-changes . . .

Oh yeah, the blog 'look' for sure.  It seemed to be time for a bit of a perk-up! And since this will be the year of crazy quilting . . . or perhaps more succinctly . . . quilting crazily (!!!) . . . the new header seemed appropriate.  And yellow and purple have long been a favorite combination of mine.  :)

I haven't talked about resolutions or goals or a word for 2014.  I've been reading a book by Josh Hunt called, Break a Habit; Make a Habit ($2.99 on kindle right now).  

It's a fascinating read.  One of the statements he makes early in the book is that instead of making a list of changes you're going to make, pick ONE habit you need to make or break and focus on that ONE goal.  He further writes and has the research to back it up) that not only are you more likely to succeed, but that other areas of your life will fall into line as well.  

I see the wisdom in this line of thinking but my problem is this:  which ONE habit do I want to tackle?!?! LOL!  I could easily write out a list of changes I want to make and disciplines I want to master . . . but which ONE is worthy of *all* my focus and attention?!  Heh.  Really . . . honestly and truthfully . . . I know what it should be.  I just have to decide if that's what I WANT it to be.  :) 

I have decided that in my quilting life, I also want to make a change.  I want to be diligent to spend at least 15 minutes a day in the sewing bunkroom.  Kate, over at Life In Pieces, has challenged herself in this very manner for the last three years.  She's even done a weekly linky party for others.  I've never participated before (and I believe she's decided to discontinue it in 2014), but I do want to make that commitment. Fifteen minutes daily -- either piecing or constructing or quilting -- *some* tangible aspect of quilting. Whether or not I'll post my results, I haven't decided.  Only to press towards the goal.  :)

Tonight I'm sitting in front of the computer watching the introductory and month one videos for The Quilt Show's new BOM, A - Z for Ewe and Me.  

Isn't it a really cute quilt?!  I'm not ready to start it right this minute, but I am saving the steps for later (who knows when).

While I watch, I'm playing with My Orange Crush.  

I still have eight blocks that need to be quilted before I can assemble it.  This quilt WILL be done before the year's end.  Now *that's* resolve.  I've put it out there . . . so y'all can call me on it!

I also picked my GC next block to work.  Number 11 -- Little Red Schoolhouse.

I think I skipped this one because of the templates.  It doesn't look too terribly difficult.  Perhaps I'll have this one finished before the end of the weekend!

And so . . . kick off in the Alabama vs. Oklahoma game just started. Guess it's time to change focus-it promises to be a good game!!  Roll Tide!!

:)

november / december goals . . .

I completely missed the September/October goals, egads! But I'm not going to pass up November/December, especially when I've got so much to do! So, without further ado, my goals are:

1) to post every day during the month of November, for National Blog Posting Month;
2) to finish by December 10th, any handmade Christmas gifts that will be shipped;
3) to research and find some new healthy recipes for entrees and desserts;
4) to get Christmas cards signed and in the mail by November 30th;
5) to make a reasonable Christmas budget (with Todd);
6) to stick to our Christmas budget;
7) to post a separate post of Holiday Traditions for both Thanksgiving & Christmas;
8) to sort and pack up all my summer clothes and get rid of anything that I know I will not wear again, with Todd's input;
9) to wean myself off artificial sweeteners (note: the products that are made with them will be another month's goal);
10) to continue to sort and organize my quilting/crafting/working area;
11) to work on the sheets and bumper pads for Jocelyn's nursery;
12) to finish piecing two quilt tops; and
13) to take the time, during the season of Advent, to really reflect on its meaning and the cause for Christmas celebration.

Whew! I think I've got my work cut out for me! No time like the present to start . . .

:)

charmed, i'm sure . . . !

I don't usually blog twice in one day, but today I'll make an exception for several reasons.

The first is because I can't do what I *was* doing any longer, which was redwork! Yes, I've almost finished my first little redwork Sawyer, and I'll share a picture of him tomorrow. That is, *if* the power comes back on any time soon and I can see what I'm doing!

Backstitching by candlelight is not my thing . . .

The second reason is because I came across a novel idea in several of the blogs to which I subscribe. It's called the Charming Girls' Quilt Club, and it's hosted by Kelly, at Cotton Charm Quilts. You'll actually find it on her blog, Charming Chatter.

She sets up bi-monthly themes, and members post their goals toward this mark, share them on her blog, and encourage each other through the months! It's really a splendid idea, and I feel fortunate to have been included [whispering: because I was a tad late]!

So. The theme for July/August is:

This is a little ironic to me, because I've been receiving a lot of attention over the past two months, due to an accident which left me (temporarily) unable to walk or drive or do a lot of things that I took for granted prior to this! And it's been hard to be "taken care of" so much; I feel a little guilty and frustrated.

Well, now, if that's not fodder for Goal 1, I don't know what is!

#1: To accept that things are the way they are, and to graciously accept the help of others.

#2: To ensure that birthday and anniversary cards are sent out in a timely manner, as well as thank you notes!

#3: To continue to withstand the call of the vending machine at work. It's been three months since I last fed that stinker any money, and I'd like to keep it that way! (There's absolutely nothing healthy in it!)

#4: To put the final touches on Sawyer's quilt and get it to him and his mommy!

#5: To finish the redwork squares (there are 10) that I started today. I think this is within the range of possibility. I like having handwork to do in the evenings!

#6: To work on the degree of motion in my foot. It's currently at about 20 degrees; I'd like to get it up to 50-60 degrees before I start physical therapy next month!

#7: To organize (or at least develop a plan by which to organize) my quilting area in the RV to make it more user-friendly. Clutter is very discouraging to me!

There. A lucky seven. I don't want to over do it my first go 'round! Most of my goals are 'self-care' oriented, but some of them are quilt-project oriented, which is okay. One of them is both!

Deep breath. These are healthy, positive goals, and this is do-able!

:)