2017 goals

2016 was an interesting year. With a cross country move and then unpacking there wasn't much quilting done. And when we found out we were expecting, well everything got put on the back burner while I trudged through morning sickness. The two quilts that did get finished were done prior to the move and the backing for Alex's quilt was prepped and batting purchased, but I never got around to actually quilting it.

Here's a look at my 2016 goals:
1. Alex's twin size
2. Dad's jelly roll race DONE!
3. Feed Company BOM DONE!
4. Gavin's quilt
5. Logan's quilt
6. Winterberry stars (top)

So things got moved from one year's to do list to another. ;) I hope 2017 will be more productive but with a newborn, I'm not counting on it. That's why I'm trying to get as much done as I can before baby arrives. The top 3 quilts are for one of my friends, her boys have been waiting years for their quilts and she recently lost her daughter. I thought getting all 3 done at the same time would make for some happy mail for them. I'm planning on sewing up the new baby's crib bedding since I haven't found anything I like in the stores. It wouldn't be anything fancy, just simple patchwork if anything. There's two quilt tops that I hope to finish piecing (I'll get them quilted later) along with Alex's quilt actually being quilted and binding done. And the advent calendar is practically done, it just needs embroidery and the pockets attached.

Here's what I hope to accomplish in 2017:
1. Gavin's quilt
2. Logan's quilt
3. Jillian's memory quilt
4. Crib bedding
5. Treehouse Club (top)
6. Winterberry stars (top)
7. Christmas advent calendar
8. Alex's twin quilt

So there we have it. Let's see if I actually get it all done. I'll be documenting it on Instagram if you're interested. :)

Re-evaluating

Some exciting things are happening in our neck of the woods that's caused me to re-evaluate my 2016 goals. I'm going to have to seriously whittle it down if I'm going to save my sanity over the next few months.

So here were my original 2016 quilt goals:
1. Mom's quilt
2. Winter Wonderland BOW
3. Holly's Tree Farm BOM
4. Gavin's quilt
5. Logan's quilt
6. Winterberry Stars
7. Strawberry Fields Revisited granny squares
8. 1930s Farmer's Wife
9. Re-quilt Fair Isle
10. Alex's twin size quilt

And if you remember, my original goal for the 2016 first quarter finish along was to get my Winterberry Stars and my son's twin size quilts completely done. I had to seriously look at my list and re-prioritize some things.

Here's my new list:
1. Alex's twin size quilt - completely finished and washed
2. Feed Company BOM - completely finished and washed
3. Dad's jelly roll race - completely finished and gifted

These 3 are top priority and need to be done in the next month. Everything else can wait until the dust settles. When that happens I'll do another re-evaluation and see what's next on my to-do list. Most are almost done anyways, it's just a matter of quilting and binding. In fact my Feed Company is getting custom long arm quilted as we speak. Check out my Instagram feed for pictures. It's turning out beautiful and I'll definitely blog more about it when it's done.

2016 Goals

I've been working on writing down my list for 2016.

Here were my 2015 goals:
1. Mom's quilt
2. Fair Isle quilt DONE!
3. Winter Wonderland BOW
4. Great Granny quilt DONE!
5. Feed Company BOM DONE!
6. Holly's Tree Farm BOM

Not too bad, 3 out of the 6 completed. That's better than I thought. :)

And here are my 2016 goals:
1. Mom's quilt -- if only she would give me pictures!
2. Winter Wonderland BOW -- 3 rows done, just need 2 more and then quilt top assembly
3. Holly's Tree Farm BOM -- need to complete some of the embroidery blocks, then cut fabric for the blocks
4. Gavin's quilt -- he's all about the Avengers
5. Logan's quilt -- he's all about the Army and its vehicles
6. Winterberry Stars
7. Strawberry Fields Revisited granny squares
8. 1930s Farmer's Wife
9. Re-quilt Fair Isle -- long story short, the long arm quilter messed it up and it needs a lot of work
10. Alex's twin size quilt

The top 3 are pretty much leftover from 2015. Then there's the two quilts for twin boys who have been waiting for a good few years. So this year it must be done! My son is need of a twin size quilt, so that's high on the list. And the rest is all selfish sewing, things for my "wishlist" and of course continuing work on my 1930s Farmer's Wife.

And because I need some accountability I joined the 2016 Finish Along. For the first quarter I've decided on my son's twin size quilt and my Winterberry quilt, mainly because I have the fabric for those two already. Plus I don't want to put too much pressure on my head just yet as it'll probably crack until the weight. ;)

Here's hoping 2016 is a productive year! :)


Edit// Well things change and my goals got shifted. Here's an updated goal list for the first quarter (and probably the second quarter too).

Looking back and moving forward

My original 2014 quilt goals were simple, I wanted to finish 3 quilts that have been lingering (either in my UFO pile or in my head).

1. My mom's quilt
2. My sister's quilt
3. My second son's quilt

Well, I succeeded in getting two of those checked off. Two out of three ain't bad in my book. :)

My pinwheel sampler quilt was the first quilt done off that list. I set a deadline and got it done by summer. This quilt was done in memory of my second son, Joseph, whom we lost to miscarriage.

My sister's quilt was her Christmas present this year. Super easy pattern, I just let it sit unfinished far too long. But she loves it so I'm happy. :)

And my mom's quilt? Well, it's half way through cutting. :) I cut all of the colors, and got through part of the white. She wants pictures on her quilt so I'm waiting on her to pick out her favorites.

I have a few quilts that are still unfinished (like the Great Granny Along and Fair Isle) but I'm hoping to get those done this year. I also purchased Sweetwater's newest block of the month featuring their upcoming collection Feed Company. I hope to at least have the top put together by the end of the year.

My quilt goals for 2015 are:
1. My mom's quilt
2. Winter Wonderland block of the week (a birthday present)
3. Fair Isle
4. Great Granny
5. Feed Company block of the month
6. Thanksgiving tablecloth embroidery (not really a quilt but still a goal)