Wednesday 15 January 2014

Wrapping It Up and Moving Forward

Snow Crab Nebula
Ever feel like you are about two weeks behind? That's how I'm feeling on the quilting front, mostly because I haven't done a 2013 wrap up or done my goals for 2014 and our computer's WiFi connection is giving me such problems that doing pretty much anything online through the WiFi is crazy making. I'm connected via Ethernet at the moment -- bliss!

I know neither a wrap up or a goal-setting post is really necessary, but they help give me direction. At the beginning of last year, I set out some BHAGs (Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals). If you'll indulge me a little, let's review 2013 and then set some goals for 2014. :)


2013 Wrap Up - The Year I Became a Hard Core Quilter

When I was forecasting my quilting year last year, I certainly did not foresee that I'd learn how to quilt with a broken wrist. It stopped me from quilting for about 10 days, until I took Elaine Quehl's class. I still remember that goofy excitement when I realized I could do the technique she was teaching us with my cast. LOL!

1) New and old projects:
Falling for Stripes
  • Since I'm still hosting TGIFF! once a month, I'd like to have a quilt finished per month. Wrap-Up Update: Achieved and then someI'd also like to enter three quilts into our guild show this May. Wrap-Up Update: Done! I entered six and actually won three ribbons -- still woo hoo-ing that one! Some of my finishes this year will hopefully be:
    • My existing WIPs - There are now 18 on my list, 12 of which were on there this time last year. Those 12 will be either finished, repurposed or given away for someone else to finish. May join Project U.F.O. Wrap-Up Update: Umm, yeah, about that…maybe in 2014?
    • A quilt for the guest room Wrap-Up Update: Nope
    • A big boy bed quilt for my youngest Wrap-Up Update: Nada
    • A few more things off my updated bucket list Wrap-Up Update: Yes! Su{Brrr}nova, Happy Canada Day, Eh! and Hexed
2) Design:
Hexed
  • Design a quilt pattern for a magazine or Moda Bake Shop. Gulp! Wrap-Up Update: I did design a pattern for Falling for Stripes, but it's not finished. I just need to finish the diagrams. 
  • Scrap Bin Mission - I'd like to explore ways of using the insane stash of scraps I've collected over the years. Wrap-Up Update: I did use some scraps up for various projects, but I'd like to do more in 2014. 
  • Modern Block Monday - I miss doing these modern blocks so 2013 will see a comeback -- maybe on Mondays, maybe not. Wrap-Up Update: Yes, I've kept this up, but only sporadically. 
  • Keep on keeping on with Electric Quilt (EQ). Wrap-Up Update: Yes, a few more quilt designs were made with it. Still not all that comfortable with it.
3) Colour:
  • Play with different colour schemes using EQ and the Stash Play gameWrap-Up Update: Wow, that one really fell of the wagon, eh? Hmmm...
  • Bee blocks - I'm part of one bee and just joined another so I'll get to play with other people's fabric and colour choices. Always a great way to try new colour schemes and blocks. Wrap-Up Update: Loved doing bee blocks this year, especially the Simply Solids Bee. 
4) Technique:
  • Practice more layered free motion quilting designs, combining motifs to create images or scenes. Wrap-Up Update: Definitely more comfortable with this now. :)
  • Learn and experiment more with new-to-me techniques, including:
    • Drawing/sketching - I'd love to try some zendoodling. How fun would that be to quilt? Wrap-Up Update: This one also fell off. 2014!
Lunch bag


Goals for 2014:

We're definitely keeping it simple this year because I will be returning to the paid work world. Hopefully soon. I'll still be keeping up the blog though, but I doubt I'll be as productive as the last few years. C'est la vie!  

1. Finish Falling for Stripes pattern! Maybe design another one?
2. Triage my WIPS and UFOs. Seriously, some of them just need to be put out of their misery. 
3. Quilt for the guest room. Yes!
4. Quilt for oldest son's bed.
5. Quilt for youngest son. Cobbler's child, that one. He received a hoodie for Christmas and asked who it belonged to before him! LOL!
6. More scrappiness and more working with prints. Still love my solids, but I'd like to get better at mixing and using prints.
7. Drawing/Sketching/Zendoodling. 
8. Organize my sewing studio. :)

There, that feels better. How about you? What are you hoping to do in 2014?

5 comments:

  1. Hahaha little Lois will grow up the same way but there's nowt wrong with hand me downs! You've achieved a lot, especially in terms of your amazing quilting ability! Scrapping things that aren't important and doing what you enjoy is what it's really all about :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. feels good to see all that you have accomplished, doesn't it? Even if you don't check off everything on the list, it's nice to have an idea of where you are going, but even better to allow yourself to tackle unexpected things. give yourself a great pat in the back!

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  3. that hoodie story is priceless! Looking forward to seeing what you make in 2014!

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  4. You certainly have achieved a lot over this past year, and it's evident you're raring to go for 2014. You mentioned getting the diagrams done for Falling for Stripes, I may be able to help you with that if it's over the next couple of months. Get in touch if that's of interest to you. Cheers.

    ReplyDelete

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