Getting It Done--January report, February goals

I am finding that Judy's Getting It Done challenge is helping keep me more focused on reaching the goals I had set for myself at the beginning of the month.  It must be something about writing it all down and sharing that list of goals in public.  It's easy to think "Oh, I should finish up this or that project this month," then get distracted by so many other things, whether they are new projects or everyday life.

Here is the list that I posted for January 2013 with notes on how I did with these goals.  I completed two of my goals and made good progress on the other two. 

1.  Assemble Easy Street quilt top--I got the center of the quilt together in early January but need to figure out what to do for the border.

2.  Finish binding Hidden Nine-patch quilt--binding is machine stitched to quilt; need to trim edges, then finish by hand.  I have been working on this but am not finished yet.

3.  Make at least two more blocks for red, white & blue Scrap Club Sampler.  DONE--two star blocks finished, 4 pineapple blocks started.

4.  Make blocks for new Scrappy Sampler BOM.   DONE! 

Other projects I worked on in January:

1.  Dancing Stars Quilt-Along--made 10 blocks

2.  Shirt for husband (Christmas gift)--added pocket that had been forgotten.

3.  Vest project--patterned and constructed a vest for a theater production.

FEBRUARY GOALS:
1.  Dancing Stars--make 8-10 blocks in this month's color for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.
2.  Scrappy Sampler BOM--make this month's set of blocks.
3.  Red, white & blue Scrap Club Sampler--finish 4 pineapple blocks.
4.  Hidden Nine-patch quilt--finish binding and add hanging sleeve.
5.  Storm at Sea--hanging sleeve.
6.  Alter shirt I bought at Christmas.



Go to Patchwork Times to see how everyone else did on their January goals.


Julie

15 Minute Challenge

This has been a good week for finding little pockets of time for quilting.  The only day I didn't have any quilting time was Monday when I took a short lunch break and we had a friend over for dinner in the evening.

There were a few days when I worked on quilt projects during my lunch hour at work.  I discovered that my train ride to work was a good time for pulling the paper out of my paper-pieced Dancing Stars blocks.  Plus there were several evenings when I managed to sew for 30 minutes or more after dinner.  It all adds up!

Tues., 1/22--Scrap Club Sampler Red/White/Blue Stars

Wed., 1/23--Dancing Stars

Thurs., 1/24--Hidden 9-Patch binding

Fri., 1/25--Dancing Stars, Hidden 9-Patch binding

Sat., 1/26--Scrap Club Sampler, Hidden 9-Patch binding

Sun., 1/27--Scrap Club Sampler

Mon., 1/28--nothing

Looking back at previous posts, I see that there have been only a couple of days in January when I didn't get any sewing time.  I feel good about that and hope to keep up the pace in future months.

Check out Life in Pieces to see how others are finding time for creativity.


Julie

Design Wall Monday 1/28/13

The same three projects are still up on my design wall as last week, but two of them have additional blocks.  I added three more blocks to the pink Dancing Stars in the middle.  They are being made for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, and we will find out a new color soon for February.

I also made two more string stars for my red, white & blue Scrap Club Sampler.  They are the two blocks below the pineapple block.  My next goal on that project is to make four more pineapple blocks.

There weren't any additions to the Scrappy Sampler BOM blocks on the right side this week.  Our next group meeting is Feb. 9, and we will get the patterns for our next set of blocks then.

As usual, I will be linking up to Patchwork Times for Design Wall Monday.  Check out all the great inspiration there. 

Julie

Stash Report 1/27/2013

Not much change to my stash this week.  I have spent some time sewing every day, but haven't finished any projects lately.  I did finish up two more string stars for my red,white & blue quilt.

Here we are, almost a month into 2013, and I have used more than I have bought.  I hope to keep up that pattern for the rest of the year.


Used this week:   .5 yards  
Used year to date:  5.5 yards    

Added this week:   0 yards

Added year to date: 2.5 yards

Net year to date:  3.0 yards used 

Check out more stash reports at Patchwork Times.

Julie

Scrappy Pink Saturday

It's almost the end of January, and I have made a good start on the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  I have finished 10 Dancing Stars blocks so far, right on target for my goal per month.  They are dancing around on my design wall and getting ready for some companions in another color next month.  This pattern is available to download at Amy's Creative Side.

Every Saturday is ScrapHappy Saturday where quilters show their progress on the Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2013.  That's where you will find me next.  Go check out what everyone has made in pink.

Julie

15 Minute Challenge

I just finished reading Kate's post about making time for your creative pursuits, and being prepared when free time presents itself.  I don't always succeed in having a project ready to go when I have extra time, but I do try to think ahead in that regard.

My job is making theater costumes, and I  am fortunate to work in a very well-equipped costume shop full of sewing machines and cutting tables.  We get an hour break for lunch, and I usually bring my lunch to work, which certainly doesn't take a full hour to eat.  Many days I spend the second half of my lunch hour doing a bit of sewing or cutting for whatever project I have along with me.  Some days I just want to read or fool around on the Internet, but it's amazing how much I can get done in that little chunk of time if I keep at it.  My next goal is to come up with a hand stitching project that is easy enough to work on when I ride the train to and from work each day.  I would have 20 - 30 minutes each way to sew.

Last week was a good one for stitching time.  I worked on at least one project every day, and many days it was more than one.  That three-day weekend sure helped!

Tues., 1/15--vest project, Scrappy Sampler
Wed., 1/16--vest project
Thur., 1/17--vest project
Friday, 1/18--Dancing Stars, vest project
Sat., 1/19--Dancing Stars, Scrappy Sampler
Sun., 1/20--Dancing Stars, Scrappy Sampler, Scrap Club red, white & blue
Mon., 1/21--Dancing Stars, Scrap Club red, white & blue

The vest project was an outside job for another theater company, and I finished it up on Friday night, leaving the rest of the weekend for quilting projects.

Design Wall Monday & WIP Wednesday

My design wall has blocks for three different projects hanging together right now.  I have been working on two of them recently, and am trying to decide what to do with the other one.

It feels a little scattered to have three different projects going at once, but I like it that way.  If I get stuck on one, I can switch over to another.  Some days I feel like planning and designing a quilt, other days I just want to sit down and sew something.  As long as I can follow through on finishing these quilts, all will be well. And the best part right now--all three of these projects are made with fabrics from my stash!

I should have been cleaning up my sewing room over the three-day weekend, but I couldn't resist these little pink & black Dancing Stars blocks.  I currently have seven blocks together, and they are so much fun to make!  The pattern is a quilt-along at Amy's Creative Side.  They are foundation pieced, and I cut fabrics for another 7 blocks on Saturday.  I am making the blocks as part of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2013, and this month's color is pink.  My goal is to make 10-12 blocks each month in whatever color is chosen for the rainbow challenge, and that should give me enough by the end of the year for a throw quilt based on Amy's pattern.

I did a little work on my Scrappy Sampler blocks since last week's Design Wall.  I remade one block to get more contrast, and there are a couple more finished bowties.  I also spent some time playing in EQ7 with this quilt's blocks, trying to settle on my color palette.  Other than pulling together more fabrics for this project, I am set until our next meeting in February.

The other project hanging on the design wall is my Scrap Club Stars from last year.  I have a few more blocks made for this, but I need to settle on my final design in order to know how many additional blocks to make.  It's time to get back to this project and get it finished!

As usual, I will be linking up to Patchwork Times for Design Wall Monday.  Check out all the great inspiration there.  I am also linking up to WIP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced.

Julie

Stash Report Sunday 1/21/13

Quilting time was in short supply this week due to another project I needed to finish.  Fortunately, that was completed on Friday and shipped out Saturday. 

I have a three-day weekend, and I hope to get in some serious time in the sewing room.  I need to do some cleaning up in there, but I will also try to get some quilting done.

My yardage used this week was for the blocks I made for my Scrappy Sampler BOM quilt.  I am planning to subtract my yardage used for this project each month as I make the blocks.  It will be too hard to figure out at the end of the year since there are so many different blocks.

Used this week:   1 yard  
Used year to date:  5 yards    

Added this week:   0 yards

Added year to date: 2.5 yards

Year to date:  2.5 yards used 

Check out more stash reports at Patchwork Times.

Julie

Rainbow Scrap Challenge 1/19/13

So far I have finished four Dancing Stars blocks, my block of choice for this year's Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  The pattern is a free download at Amy's Creative Side, and Amy is hosting a quilt-along for this design.  If I can make 8-10 stars each month in the colors posted for the challenge, I will have enough at the end of the year for a throw quilt.

Every Saturday is ScrapHappy Saturday where quilters show their progress on the Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2013.  That's where you will find me next.  Go check out what everyone is making in pink.

Julie

15 Minute Challenge

For several months I have been following Kate's posts about the 15 Minute Challenge 2013 at her blog, Life in Pieces.  I love the idea that we can accomplish a great deal if we just dedicate 15 minutes a day to our creative projects.

I have tried getting up early to allow some time to quilt in the morning before I get ready for work, but too often I would get on the computer while my coffee took effect, and suddenly that extra time was gone!  Lately I have been heading to my sewing room for a little while after dinner most nights.  That has been working out better for me.  

Here is my list since the beginning of the year:
1/1, 1/3, 1/4, 1/5, 1/6, 1/7--Easy Street mystery
1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/8, 1/9, 1/10--vest project
1/10, 1/14--Dancing Stars make 2 blocks
1/12, 1/13--Scrappy Sampler blocks

The only day I didn't do any sewing was Jan. 11.  Not a bad way to start the year!

Check out how others are doing at finding their 15 minutes here.

Julie

Design Wall Monday 1/14/13

There are some new blocks up on my design wall this week.  The pink star is my first Dancing Stars block from the quilt-along at Amy's Creative Side.  I will make more pink stars this month as part of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2013.

I spent lots of time over the weekend making my first blocks for the new Scrappy Sampler BOM at Intown Quilters.  Most people are making theirs in bright batiks like the store model, but of course I felt the need to go my own direction.  I am going to use fall colors instead.  This takes care of my "homework" for the BOM this month.  I can't wait to see what we make next month!

As usual, I will be linking up to Patchwork Times for Design Wall Monday.  Check out all the great inspiration there.

Julie

Rainbow Scrap Challenge--pink

This is a first for me--two posts on the same day.  I am a day late with this post, but I do have a little something to show.

I followed the posts for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge last year, enjoying seeing the different ideas people came up with each month.  This year I am going to join in on the fun for RSC13.  

Amy at Amy's Creative Side is hosting a quilt-along of her Dancing Stars pattern.  The pattern is a free download on her site.  I love the look of the pattern, and it seemed like a great choice for rainbow colors.  I am planning to make a few of each month's color, all with black background.  Here is my first block. 

Every Saturday is ScrapHappy Saturday where other quilters post their links for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  That's where you will find me next.  Go check out what everyone is making in pink.

Julie

Stash Report Sunday 1/13/13

Yesterday was the first meeting for the 2013 Scrappy Sampler Block of the Month at one of my favorite quilt shops, Intown Quilters in Decatur, GA.  The pattern comes from another shop that I adore, Quilt Country in Lewisville, TX.  Here are links to the original pattern and to info for the BOM at Intown.  

Taffy is the leader for our group at Intown, and she makes each meeting very fun and informative.  I am excited to get going on my first attempt at a block of the month.  I hope I can keep up.  Many people in the group are getting the  patterns as a kit with fabrics like Taffy's sample, but I am going to use my own fabrics in an attempt to use up more of my stash.  My plan is to go with fall colors--rusts, golds, browns, greens, and beige backgrounds.  Here are the first few fabrics I have pulled out as possibilities.  They look a little Christmasy in this photo, but I will be adding more gold and brown.

For Christmas one of the gifts from my sweet husband was a gift certificate for Intown.  I took it along there yesterday and bought a beautiful Santa panel that he had seen when he was shopping there, plus some fabric to back it with.  Both were in the 50% off clearance area.  The store had all books and patterns on sale this weekend, so I also got one of Bonnie Hunter's books.

My fabric usage for the week was for Easy Street (see post here.)  I have the center of the quilt together, and I figured out my yardage for the portion that is done.  I ended up with many extra units of 4-patches, flying geese and such, some of which may end up in the border.  I will calculate that yardage whenever I manage to finish off the top.  


Used this week:   4 yards   
Used year to date:  4 yards    

Added this week:   2.5 yards

Added year to date: 2.5 yards

Year to date:  1.5 yards used 

Check out more stash reports at Patchwork Times.

Julie

Design Wall Monday 1/7/13--Easy Street

There were other projects I should have been working on over the weekend, but my Easy Street blocks kept calling to me.  I gave in and finished making the rest of my blocks, plus got them all joined together yesterday.  This is planned to be the center of a throw quilt.  I have been trying out some border options in EQ7 to make it a bit bigger, but haven't decided on one yet.  Right now it measures about 43" x 64".

I will be linking up to Patchwork Times for Design Wall Monday and also to Bonnie Hunter's Easy Street link-up.  I can't wait to see the many different versions of Easy Street there.

Julie

Stash Report #1--1/6/13

I had hoped to have some yardage usage to report this week, but not yet.  I have been putting together blocks for the Easy Street mystery, but I think I would like to add a border to my smaller version.  That may mean some time playing with EQ7 to come up with a way to use my leftover units.

Used this week:   0 yards   
Used year to date:  0 yards    

Added this week:   0 yards

Added year to date: 0 yards

Year to date:  0 yards used or added   

Check out more stash reports at Patchwork Times.

Getting It Done--January 2013

Judy over at Patchwork Times is sponsoring a new challenge for 2013 called Getting It Done.  Each participant will post a list of four quilting goals for the next month.  At the end of the month, we will all report on how we did on those goals and set new goals for the following month.  

I am hoping that I can be more productive if I break my quilt projects down into manageable parts.  Here is my list for January 2013:

1.  Assemble Easy Street quilt top--all the parts are made and Bonnie posted the final clue today.  Mine is going to be much smaller than her pattern.

2.  Finish binding Hidden Nine-patch quilt--binding is machine stitched to quilt; need to trim edges, then finish by hand.

3.  Make at least two more blocks for red, white & blue Scrap Club Sampler.

4.  Make blocks for new Scrappy Sampler BOM.  

I will report on my progress at the end of January.  Now it's time to get off the computer and start sewing.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Julie