Finish Along - Quarter 4 Goal Setting

Ok it is time to set my goals for the last quarter of 2015. I could easily just copy my list from last quarter since I got so little done, but that isn't the way I roll.  I have things that I have to get done this quarter and there is just no bones about it.

1. Trey and Jess's tree skirt. I've got the fabric and have matched up the strips, but now I have some real sewing that needs to get done. I'm using the Joyful Jelly Roll Tree Skirt pattern that I got from Fat Quarter Shop and Jingle by Kate Spain.

2. Dog Gone Cute quilts.  Yes I said quilts. I changed how I'm doing my quilt and so it will be done in five sections, 4 of the pieces are together, but I still need to piece #5 and quilt them all.  I also have the blocks cut for a smaller version that I need to finish.

3. Callie and Beau's Wedding Quilt. The blocks have just returned to me, so now I have to get them pieced together and quilted. I also have to get a backing fabric picked out, but this one I'm not starting until later November.

4. Memory Quilts. These stay on every list until they are done.  I have made a little progress but not enough.

5. Sharla's Box Trot. I had planned on quilting this last month, but I lost it. I put it somewhere safe and then couldn't find it. Actually I found it last weekend and it looks like I was carrying it and a couple of other things to my bedroom and it got buried under a pile of quilts. But it is going on the machine very soon.

6. Cross Quilt. I'm making real progress but need to push to get it done. I am so loving it, because the colors are bright and fun and I love all the low volume fabrics.  I've been making about 20 blocks per month, and with the time off at Thanksgiving I just might be able to finish it.

7. Turning 20 Seeing Stars. This is a BOM/QAL and it finishes in December, and so far I'm keeping up with each month, so I would like to finish it this year.  I am loving doing the 12" blocks but not so much on the 6" blocks, but I'm doing them.

8. Quilt for Marley. We've done a quilt for each of a fur babies and with the addition of Marley last weekend, that puts the need for another quilt on the list. I actually did one for him that is the same fabric front and back, but it is more to put in his kennel. But this cutie deserves a break and a quilt.

9 to 15. Quilt Things. I have Sharla's Flirt, Sharla's Norway, my Purple quilt, Sharla's class one, my class one, and our log cabin quilts that need to be quilted. I want to try and get a few of these done just to get them off my list.

Non-quilted finishes. I know this is about finishing quilts, but I have some things I want to track for not other reason than listing them helps me get them done.

A. Sewing room re-do. I've changed out my sewing table and have have to rearrange some things. I also want to go through the closet and see what I can get rid of to make room for things I want to keep.

B. Midnight Mystery QAL. It runs through next year so I won't be able to get it quilted before the end of this year, but I do want to stay on top of the steps so that when the QAL is over I have a completed top.

C. Bee Quilts. I have my tic tac toe quilt and flying geese quilt where I need to make some more blocks so that I can finish them. It would be nice if I at least had the tops done this year.

D. Quilt top for my bed. I currently have a quilt my grandmother made my mom on my bed and although I totally love it, I would love something more my style. If I could get the top done this year, it would be on the top of my list to finish next year.

Yes I know this is a very long list and I don't expect to get it all done, but hopefully I will make progress on some of it and hopefully finish at least a 1/3 to 1/2 of it.  I just have to stay focused!!! Today I'm linking up with On The Windy Side.

2015 Finish Along: Quarter 3 Goals

Last quarter I really sucked at my goals. I wanted to do so much, but life just got in the way. I like making lists because it helps me keep on track, but what I found last quarter, is that although I made the list here, I didn't write it down anywhere to see in my sewing room.  So this month I'm going to make a list that I can tape to my fabric cabinet as a reminder.

1. Sharla's Machine Cover.  This is small and should be easily accomplished and I'm making it number one, so that I can get a sense of accomplishment to spur me on to bigger and better things.

2. My Purple Quilt. I had planned on finishing this one to donate to Hands2Help, but didn't get it done. I still want it done, and I will either use it or save it to donate at a future time.

3. Memory Quilts. I have to get on these, because one I just want them done, but two the people they are for would really like them I'm sure.  One is done and quilted, the second is partially pieced, and the patches are made for 3 and 4.  My goal this quarter is to get the second one completed and the third one pieced. But if I can get all four done, I would be really really happy. I'm happy they have moved on from this stage.

4. Table Runner. This is another one that should be a fast finish.  Sharla completed the top, and I just need to get it quilted and bound.

5. Gypsy Queen Mystery Quilt. I'm testing the instructions for a mystery quilt.  I will be done with the top in August, so I would like to get it quilted this quarter. I'm working right along with the instructions, and I've really been having fun making each section. I can't show you the pieces I've made so far, but I can show you the fabrics I picked.

6. Sharla's Box Trot. I really want to get this one done because I bought wool batting for it and I want to see how it quilts but also how warm it is.  I want to do a quilt for my bed and this one will tell me if I want to use wool batting or not.

7-10. I have Sharla's Flirt Quilt, Sharla's Norway Quilt, My Class One Quilt and Sharla's Class One Quilt. I'm grouping them all together here since I don't have photos of them.  But the tops are complete on them so I would like to get them done.

And yes I realize this is basically the same list as last quarter, but they all still need to be done. I have several more things I'm going to add here, but I'm not sure they will make it to the completed quilt stage in this quarter.  I still want them on my radar, and if things work out and I do get them all the way to completed all the better.

11. Cross Quilt. I am about 75% done with the blocks, so with a little effort I should be able to complete the blocks and hopefully get the top done.  If I complete the top, I'm definitely moving it up the list to quilt because it will be big enough for my bed.

12. Bee Hive Quilt. I was the queen of the Bee Hive Swarm Johanna last month so blocks have been coming in from my mates. I want the quilt to be a little larger than just what I will receive, so I need to make some more blocks. I would like to get at least 20 blocks done this quarter.  The blocks aren't hard, so that is totally doable if I will precut the pieces. I don't think I will be able to get the top pieced this quarter, but if I get enough blocks done then it can go on next quarter's list.

13. Stash Bee Quilt. I'm not the queen of Hive 9 until August, but I need to get my tutorial written. I've already prepared one block, but I would like to have several examples done.  It is another one that I want to make larger, so the more samples I make the fewer I have to make later.

14. Mystery Quilts. I am participating in two mystery QALs. My goal for this quarter is to stay on top of the steps. Midnight Mystery by Meadow Mist Designs gives instructions on the first Thursday of each month. Turning Twenty's BOM mystery givens instructions on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month.  Both should be easy to keep up with as long as I keep myself on track.

15. Bee Blocks. I've been very good about getting my blocks out on time each month and I want to continue to do so. Both bee's I'm currently in have been lots of fun and great learning experiences. It has been fun doing different blocks in color combos that I might not have picked for myself. I've had some that I want to do for myself and others that I don't, but that is what is cool. I learn without having to make a whole quilt.

As always I've made a long list for myself. but I believe I have a better chance of getting it done if I put it on a list. I've already typed up the list to go on to my fabric cabinet. It's not fancy, but it will be a constant reminder to me of what I need to do. Today I'm linking up with On The Windy Side.

2015 Finish Along - Q2 Finishes

I have to say quarter 2 sucked.  I could give lots of excuses, but more than anything, I just didn't work on the things on my list.  New projects appeared and I was busy with lots of other things.

I had ten items on my list and I only got one of them done.  I did finish one of the memory quilts. I can't really show it to you, because they are a surprise.  Well they know I'm making them they just don't know what they look like.  But here is the back of the one I completed.

Now I did get other things done, they just weren't on my original list.  I completed all my bee blocks on time...whoo hoo.  I finished Grande Scrappy Tiles. I got more cross blocks done.  I wish I had gotten more done, but life happens.

I'm linking up my one small finish with Adrianne at On The Windy Side. I hope to do better next quarter, but we will have to see. I can say this, I'm not pushing myself as hard, because I want to enjoy the process more than just complete things.

2015 Finish Along: Quarter 2 Goals

Ok it is time to make a list of what I want to get done during the second quarter of the 2015 Finish Along. Now to be honest I want to get a lot done, but I'm guessing that won't happen, but here is a list of what I hope to get done.

1.  Sharla's Box Trot quilt. It has been waiting to be quilted forever, and I keep putting it on the list and somehow it never gets done. But hopefully it will be done this quarter.

2. My Purple Quilt.  I want this one done, it has been waiting even longer than Sharla's but it was packed away for a while, so it wasn't on the list. I would like to donate this one to the Hand2Help Charity Quilt drive.

3. Memory Quilts. There are four of these and  I want them done. I feel bad working on other things with them hanging over my head.  But I'm so want to work on other things. I'm hoping to really be able to work on these in May and get them done.

4. Sharla's Machine Cover.  She finished the piecing late in February, but I haven't had time to quilt it and sew it together for her. I love the colors and it should be a fast finish once I get it onto the machine.

5. Sharla's Flirt Quilt.  I've not gotten a photo of this one, but the top is done and it needs to be quilted. It should be easy to do, once I can get it on the machine.

6. Sharla's Norway Quilt.  Another one that I don't have a photo of, but the top is complete and just waiting for me.

7. Table Runner.  It has been finished since December and needs to be done.

8. Callie and Beau's wedding quilt.  I'm not sure when I will get the blocks back for this, but hopefully in May and if so I would love to finish it this quarter.

9. My Class One Quilt

10. Sharla's Class One Quilt

Ok that is the list, and I know I want get nearly all of that done, but if possible I would love to get them all done. I figure it is better to make a big list and fall short, than not to plan on anything and get nothing accomplished. If I am being honest I would love to get more completed, I just don't think it will be possible. Today I'm linking up with On The Windy Side.

2015 Finish-Along: Quarter 1 Finishes

I will admit quarter one sucked for me. I did get a few things done, but not near what I wanted to get done. I had such lofty goals and they all went to poof. However, we don't need to be depressed about what I didn't do, let's look at what I did get accomplished.

1. Tessellated Leaves.  It is done, pieced, quilted and blogged about. I really love this pattern and will do it again in the future. I did this as a test quilt for Quilting Jetgirl and you can find the pattern here.

Now this is where everything went south. I did get one memory quilt quilted, but it isn't bound and the other three are just hanging over my head. And nothing else got quilted.

Now on my other accomplishments, I did a little better. All of my bee blocks have been on time, and I've even joined another bee. But last month was my last month of three bees since one is now finished. I've also done cross blocks every month, and in February, I made great progress and am just over 50% done. The moose quilt still sits waiting to be unpicked, but I did buy and battery powered seam ripper to help in the process. The sewing room has been re-organized and re-arranged. I still need to work on it some, but it is much better and overall it is more to my liking. My last goal was to get the blocks for Callie and Beau's signature wedding quilt done. I finished those and gifted them to her a week or so ago.

I wish I had gotten more don, but I'm alright with where I finished. I want to get more quilting done next quarter, but April is a busy month, so I will most likely keep my list shorter.  Today I'm linking up with On the Windy Side.

Quarter 1 Goals for 2015 Finish-Along

Ok it is time to set my quarter one goals for the 2015 Finish-Along and I have a nice long list. Yeah, I know what you're thinking I always have a long list. But the way I figure it is...write it all down and maybe some of it will get done. The year the Finish-Along is being run by Adrianne at On The Windy Side. And the link-up just opened today, so if you want to join along, then you should check out the button below (it is linked).

So I'm going to divide my goals into two groups.  The first is quilts that I wanted finish, either tops that are completed or ones that I'm working on currently.  The second list is goals that aren't necessary finishing a quilt, but that I still want to track and try to achieve.

Quilts to Finish

1. Tessellated Leaves.  This is a test quilt that I am making for Quilting Jetgirl.  The fabric has been cut and I've got some of the blocks completed, but I can't show it until later this month.  But here are the fabrics I chose. I"m really liking how the finished blocks look.

2. Memory Quilts.  I have four quilts to complete.  One of the tops is complete, and even on the frame to be quilted.  The other three have the blocks done, but need to be sashed.  I would like to finish all four in this first quarter, but if that isn't possible I hope to finish at least 2 of them.

3.  Box Trot.  Sharla finished the top last year, and I want to get it quilted now.  It will be the first quilt where I use wool batting.  If we like it we are going to by more, but first I want to test how it quilts and washes.

4. Alternating 4 Patch Purple.  I actually made this quilt top to be one of the first quilts I quilted when we purchased the long arm, but it got packed away and lost for a long time.  We recently found it and I want to get it quilted.  I'm not sure if I will get to keep it or not, my nephew was eyeing it when I was piecing it because purple is his favorite color. It needs to be ironed after being packed away for over a year.

5.  Table Runner Batik.  This is another one that was lost for a while, but it wasn't finished being pieced when we found it.  But it is done now and needs to be quilted.  It should be a fast quilt project. I don't have a photo of the runner, but it very pretty.

6. Trip Around The World Green.  This is Sharla's, and she wants it done.  But it is just hasn't worked its way to the top of the list yet.  But if 1-5 get done, this one will be at the top of the list.  Well unless something else pops-up.

7. Trip Around The World Purple.  This is mine and I would like it done, more because it is big and I would like to use it on my bed.  But it is just like Sharla's, ready to be quilted as soon as I have time to do so.

Now that is my list of tops to quilt during the first quarter. Now onto the list of things I want to accomplish that are not completed quilts.

1. Bee Blocks.  I am currently a member of two different bees, and want to make sure I always get my blocks done in a timely manner.

2. Cross Quilt Blocks.  This month I'm the Queen Bee of the Compass Quilters and I've requested cross blocks.  I will need many more blocks so I want to try and do some blocks for myself every month until I have enough blocks for a queen sized bed.

3. Organized Sewing/Quilting Room.  It is a mess, and it is getting hard for me to work in it, because it is driving me crazy.  I had planned on cleaning it this week, but that didn't happen.  I want to clean it as well organize it.  And I want to try and develop an organization method that is maintainable.  I'm not exactly sure what that is, but I want to be able to move around the room and function on a daily basis.

4. Unpick The Moose Quilt.  I was quilting this quilt last summer when I had some major tension issues with my long arm.  I ended up taking the machine in for service, but what I had quilted needs to be pulled out so I can start quilting it again.  In July the last thing I wanted was a quilt on my lap at night, so it just got put aside until winter.  Well winter is here and I need to get to ripping out some stitches.

5. Sew Callie/Beau's Blocks.  Callie and Beau have asked for a signature quilt for their wedding in April.  I'm going to paper piece blocks and then put the quilt together after everyone signs it at the wedding.  Color have been picked out, but so far no fabrics have been purchased.  Hopefully that will be done soon and I can get to piecing.

Ok that does it for me.  It is a long list, and I fully expect not to get everything on it done, but if I can get most of it or even half of it done I'll be a happy camper.  Don't forget you can link up with On The Windy Side as well.  It is a great way to hold yourself accountable.