Reflecting and pondering

As noted in my previous post, I have been reflecting on my quilt accomplishments of the past year. I made a bunch! Most of them have new homes and I hope the are loved. 

I have also been reflecting on previous quilting goals and where I stand in achieving those goals. 

Previous goals included entering quilt shows (accomplished), selling quilts(done), having an exhibit (did it), publishing a pattern (not done), teaching (yep), taking classes (yes, but want more), joining a guild (took a while but finally did it), learning paper piecing (need to work on this!).

For 2012 here are my tentative goals:

1. Make more quilts for charity

2. Really learn paper piecing

3. Make 1 more Christmas quilt

4. "Do" my studio: paint, decorate, arrange (in process!)

5. Make another King-sized quilt for my bed

6. Make more scrappy quilts

Not a long list, not intimidating. I have been folding my fabrics, as the hubby and I painted my studio, so another goal is: SHOP MY STASH! 

I resolve to refrain from buying any more fabric until I make at least 3 quilts/quilted projects. The only purchases I am allowing myself are backings and batting!


Care to share your quilting goals?

And what is a post without a photo? Here is a cute pic of my 2 Mals:

Sarge & Pepper

Happy New Year!!! All the best to you in the coming year!

Happy New Year!

It is 1/1/11 and I have been mulling over what I would like to accomplish this year.

2010 was a tumultuous year in my personal life, 
my father faced a severe health challenge (but is doing well, thanks be to God!); living apart from my husband while trying to sell our house in a horrendous market; 
living through the "house buyers from Hell", (a horrible experience, suffice it to say that while I am so grateful they came along and bought our house, I really hope that when the time comes for them to sell, they get buyers just like them!); 
trying to find a house to buy (not fun at all); 
moving twice(once out of the sold-house-belongings into storage, then into bought-house 2 months later);
continuing drama at work but most of that is beyond my control

So, my first goal of 2011 is to live it with as little drama as possible! Coming in a close second is my goal to stop complaining.

In my quilting life these are my immediate goals:
1. Finish "Wildfire" which will hang in our new great room
2. Design and complete another king-sized quilt for our bed. I plan on making this in 4 sections so I can FMQ it at home.
3. Do several smaller pieces for our upcoming exhibit.
4. Do my challenge piece for Sewingly Yours show in April. I selected a vibrant orange fabric as my starter piece.
5. Christmas quilt for son - Queen sized
6. Christmas quilt for guest room - full sized.
7. Whatever else comes along

I am also going to do some tweaking to the blog design.

Since I am now teaching a Free-motion advanced class, I need to develop that lesson plan. I have some ideas, just need to get them on paper. I am looking forward to making quilts and living the quilter lifestyle in 2011.

Happy New Year to all!

So, how'd I do?

Here we are, December 23, and a lyric comes to mind: "So this is Christmas, and what have you done?"
For a long time, I did not find this song remotely festive. I found it accusing and not too inspirational in the way of more traditional holiday fare. But, as I have aged, and mellowed, I have gained understanding. And in the ways of genius, John Lennon was asking a question I need to answer each year. I actually look forward to hearing this song now, I feel it propels me to do more, accomplish more, not in any competitive way, but to pursue more for good. So, in the name of end-of-year lists, this is how I stacked up to the goals I set for myself in January:


1. Christmas quilts for my king-size bed and for our full-size guest bed (2 quilts)-DONE! But the full-size became a gift for my beloved MIL.
 
2. Finish the string quilt for our king-size bed. (1 quilt)-OOPS, not done yet!
 
3. Sew curves! Currently working on a quilt that incorporates them. (1 quilt)-Done, here it is!

4. Make one of these cute circle quilts using my scraps. (1 quilt)-Nope, not done.
 
5. Enter quilting shows. The only way I'm going to get better is to pursue some critique! I have 2 entries ready to mail tomorrow for the AQS show in Paducah. I know, I am reaching for the stars, but you never know... I also have forms for 2 other shows, but they do not have to be mailed until April.Yep, did it and got juried into both AQS shows I entered! Also created a month-long, 2 woman show with my Mom for local Arts Council!
 
6. Teach what I know. I am lined up to teach 2 free-motion classes (if enough people sign up!). It is scary, but I know I will have fun, meet new friends and continue to improve. Yep, and now lined up to teach beginning classes and a more advanced class, 1 class each month at my LQS. Lovin' it!
 
7. Compile and publish a quilt pattern. I love to do my own thing, but why not share? Nope, just would rather create them instead of documenting them.
 
8. If what I am making/sewing/quilting is not fun, I am not going to do it. This is supposed to be a fun hobby, not work! It also became my solace and therapy in a tumultuous year.
 
9. Find a quilting group/guild. I really need it! Well, didn't find a guild, but with our move I am closer to my LQS and able to participate in activities there. And LOVING IT!
 
10. Dye more fabric. I love the process and the colors I end up with inspire me to do more intuitive piecing, which makes me more creative. Oh yeah! Did more of this and looking forward to doing more!

11. In addition I designed and made a quilt that was raffled for the Stokes County Humane Society and I quilted a top that was raffled off for the Yadkin Valley United Fund. I love that this hobby that brings me such peace and joy can also bring funds to worthy organizations!


So, there it is for all to see: I am 7 for 10 in my quilting goals. And I feel pretty good about that!  As for numbers, this year I have completed these:


17 quilts, 5 tabletoppers, 5 wall quilts and quilted 2 tops for friends. 


I am working on my goals for 2011 and will post those later. Thanks to all of you for your wonderful comments, feedback and for reading my blog! And I wish the Merriest of Christmases and all the best the season has to offer for each of you. God Bless Us, everyone!

Quilt Mojo is active and engaged

Okay, my missing quilt mojo has returned with a vengeance! I am now back to having too many ideas and not enough time. I have been getting up, going to work, coming home and into the sweat shop I go! My 3 hounds lay about my feet while I sew! It is a constructive way to cope with being here alone. And what do I have to show for my efforts? I give you "Rutherwood Trail":

A fun exercise to both use up scraps AND create something more "masculine".

Just a simple "Courthouse Steps" style block sashed with solid Kona. The center batiks were leftovers Mom gave me. I free-motion quilted organic trails inside each block and a squared-off continuous line in the sashing. Measures 56" by 72". I am still on my mission to build inventory and reopen my etsy shop.

No lookers for our house. We are now planning on trying to rent it. And we are jumping back into looking for a house to live in together. I really couldn't summon up the enthusiasm to do it again until just this week. I guess I needed to mourn the house that didn't work out. But now, we begin again.

And thanks so very much for the prayers and good thoughts for my Dad. He is doing well and is on the mend. He is back to walking and trying to rebuild his strength. I am so grateful and glad!

Current Projects

I hope you have enjoyed my "Old Quilts" show. I certainly have and I have enjoyed your wonderful comments. I have noticed that quilters love old quilts and the stories that go with them. I have also renewed my affection for the old feed sack quilts. I really love that an object of necessity (covering for warmth and protection from the elements) is born from frugality (using materials at hand) and an innate talent (QUILTS). I feel I am so lucky to be able to chose from so many beautiful fabrics, and I hope the love I have for my art comes through in every stitch, much the way I feel the love from the artists who created my old quilts.

Enough, what have I been doing as I have shown my collection? Well, things are quite crazy for me in my studio. I did get my machine back from service but it is going back in for a tweaking. I have cleaned, organized and rearranged my studio and I am really happy with the layout. What I did discover is (believe it or not!) I really do not have much of a stash. Oh the horror! I have tried to be efficient about my fabric purchases, but I really need to add some basic yard goods to my stash. I really need several yards of light neutrals and perhaps some solids for projects that spring from inspiration. And I need to buy these since I do not live near a LQS that I can visit easily. Sounds like a good reason for some shopping. I just need some time!

(my little stash, the top shelf is all fat-quarters, the stack on the bottom shelf is a mix of 1/2 yds, 1 yds, and 2 yds, the big bin is scraps and the small bin is apparel fabric I bought in China)

This Saturday (Jan 16) I am teaching my very first class in Free-motion Quilting. Now, I am nowhere near the skill of Leah, but I have been developing my skills and have done some decent work, so Wannita at Sewingly Yours contacted me and asked if I would lead a class, and I agreed. I have been working on my lesson plan and samples and I am excited about this opportunity. I am also quite humbled that enough people signed up to make the class, because I know that this will also be a learning experience for me! This follows on the tradition I started when I turned 40 of doing something every year that I have never done before. When 40 came up, I decided to try snowboarding and it was fun! I just want to explore and try things and live with no fear, forcing myself out of my comfort zone has made me braver and more creative. 

Quilt wise I have 2 flimsies (unquilted tops) done. One is a black/white/yellow disappearing 9-patch, and the other is a quarter-circle block (1 of my quilt goals!). The quarter-circle quilt is pinned and I have begun stitching as I am using this for my demonstration quilt in the class. I started stitching it just to establish my direction and had to force myself to stop since it was flowing easily and I could finish before class!

Wish me luck with the class!

The other big event on my horizon is the exhibit of my Mom's and my quilts. We hang the show Jan 27 and the opening reception is the 29th. I have been sewing hanging sleeves and selecting quilts for this. This is compounded by the fact my Dad has been diagnosed with a brain tumor and will be in surgery on the 27th as well. No, I am not being too cavalier about this, the tumor is on his pituitary gland, and while large, it is most likely benign. It has to be removed to prevent it from damaging his sight. While we are concerned about this, we have confidence in the team of doctors handling it and Dad feels great going in to this. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Please also keep the people of Haiti in your thoughts and prayers. The devastation there is horrific. I am contributing to the American Red Cross since I know they are already there and will use my donation well. Please find and donate to a reputable organization to help Haiti.

2010 Quilting Goals

AACK! It is scary to put this list up here, but, here I go! Here is what I am going to try to accomplish in 2010:

1. Christmas quilts for my king-size bed and for our full-size guest bed (2 quilts)
2. Finish the string quilt for our king-size bed. (1 quilt)
3. Sew curves! Currently working on a quilt that incorporates them. (1 quilt)
4. Make one of these cute circle quilts using my scraps. (1 quilt)
5. Enter quilting shows. The only way I'm going to get better is to pursue some critique! I have 2 entries ready to mail tomorrow for the AQS show in Paducah. I know, I am reaching for the stars, but you never know... I also have forms for 2 other shows, but they do not have to be mailed until April.
6. Teach what I know. I am lined up to teach 2 free-motion classes (if enough people sign up!). It is scary, but I know I will have fun, meet new friends and continue to improve.
7. Compile and publish a quilt pattern. I love to do my own thing, but why not share?
8. If what I am making/sewing/quilting is not fun, I am not going to do it. This is supposed to be a fun hobby, not work!
9. Find a quilting group/guild. I really need it!
10. Dye more fabric. I love thate process and the colors I end up with inspire me to do more intuitive piecing, which makes me more creative.


Whew, there is my list. As for 2009, I completed 22 quilts, 9 bags and 10 table runners. I can get a lot of sewing done since my only child is now 20 and in college. And since February of 2009 my husband is living with my parents during the week and I stay here in our house (til it sells). I really want it to sell. Being alone during the week is not easy, but at least we both still have jobs, we are healthy and quite blessed. So, sewing and quilting keeps me busy instead of lonely. Okay, lets make 2010 a great year!