2014: A Lovely Year of Finishes ~ Finale

Well Melissa from SewBitterSweet Designs and Shanna of Fiber of All Sorts  are doing a Finale link party for those who completed at least 6 of their goals for last year. I checked and I did complete my goals for 7 of the 12 months, well I actually did 8, but didn't get November completions linked.  I think that in some ways setting goals every month, even if I don't complete them really helps me, so I plan to do it in 2015 as well.  Here are photos from the months I did complete.  So 7 out of 12 ain't bad, but hopefully this year I will get 12 out of 12.
Now here are the links for each of these.

February Goals
February Finishes
March Goals
March Finishes
April Goals
April Finishes
May Goals
May Finishes
June Goals
June Finishes
August Goals
August Finishes
September Goals
September Finishes

So that a wrap for 2014!!!

Finishes for December, Last Quarter And The Year

Overall I'm very happy with what I got accomplished in 2014.  The first half of the year I was on fire, but the second half not so much. I ended the year with 29 completed quilts/table runners, which I think it pretty darn good.  I know I could have done more, but such is life.

Before I review the year, lets see what I got accomplished on my December goals.  I did not get the memory quilts done.  I have one top complete and loaded on the long arm, but haven't felt well enough to quilt it.  The blocks are all pieced for the other three.  The test quilt is cut, and I've began working on the HST, and really hope to be over the flu and able to really put some time into this weekend.  My tutorial is written and pre-posted....woooohooooo!!!!  I didn't get any organizing done in the sewing area at all.  It is close to being where I have a breakdown and just stop everything to clean and organize.  And lastly test blocks for Callie.  I did two sizes with two different sized snowball corners for her to check out. She selected the 5 inch square with 3 inch snowball.  I decided to paper piece the blocks and leave the paper on to give some stability for the people signing the blocks.  Now we just have to get fabrics chosen and we'll be good to go.  I will be linking up with Shanna of Fiber of All Sorts and Melissa of BitterSweet Designs.  Boring picture, but the only one I have.

For the quarter I sucked big time.  I made a big list HERE, but I only finished one quilt on my list and that was my Looking Glass quilt.  Now it is one of my most favorites I've done this year, so that is good, but I need to get back onto quilting.  Here is my version of Looking Glass and I will be linking up with The Littlest Thistle for my quarter 4 finish.

Now let's talk about 2014 in general, 29 quilts ain't bad, and I'm very happy with that number, but other things happened as well.  I participated in lots of new things this year.  I joined some linky parties, set monthly and quarterly goals, did some challenges, donated my first quilt, did my first quilt along and joined my first quilting bee.  Yes it was a busy year packed with all kinds of great things.

I'm so sorry that my quilt from the Texas Road Trip QAL isn't done, but it is probably my favorite thing I created this year.  It was so much fun and I can see why people love doing QALs.

I also got to know some great people doing a new quilt blogger hop.  Got some great advice on my blog and even got to join a quilting bee through it.  It has been fun seeing what each person picked for there block each month and what the others created.  I have also had fun putting a little Texas into one of my blocks every month. I also joined Stash Bee for 2015 and can't wait to get started.

I have really really loved setting goals monthly and quarterly and I think they have helped me keep on track...well as much as anything can.  I'm a list maker by nature, and these have really helped me track what I want to do as well as what I finished.  I've also really loved joining linky parties of different kinds, but my favorites are ones that show what people have done for the week.  I love seeing what other people do, it gives me so many ideas.

I am also happy to say that I donated my first quilt as well as some blocks for quilts to be donated.  I hope to do even more this year.  It is good to help, and it helps whittle down my stash.  Ok I know that is never going to happen, but I can try.

I also gave away my first quilt this year.  Now technically the very first quilt I did I gave to my mom, but since I now have it back, that doesn't count. Sharla and I made a baby quilt for a friend. I know that she really loved it, but I'm not sure Samuel loves it...well maybe he didn't like the mini photo-shoot.

Now it is time to gear up for 2015, my current list shows 17 tops that are complete and need to be quilted, 27 projects for me where fabric has been purchased, 30 projects for Sharla.  So we have plenty to do!!!!  I hope each of you has a wonderful New Year....lets bring on 2015!!!!!!!

A Lovely Year of Finishes: December Goals

Ok I officially sucked for November.  I did get one goal done, but I didn't even get if posted for the finishes party.  I could give a big list of excuses, but it simply boils down to I didn't do what I needed to do.  But I never let failure keep me down.  So I'm going to set goals for December and hope that I get more done.

Goal 1 - I want to finish the memory quilts.  I hate them, love them, hate them, love them....etc.  But I just need to finish them.  The only progress I made last month was to get the backing and sashing fabric ordered. But I'm not letting myself start anything new until I have made progress.

Goal 2 - Test quilt for Quilting Jetgirl.  I've been given the opportunity to test her Tessellated Leaves pattern that is so cool.  I've found fabrics in my stash that I think will be perfect for it.  I have them set aside to get cut this month.  Here her photo of the two options (I'm doing the four color option).

Goal 3 - Finish my tutorial for my time as queen of the Compass Quilters Bee.  I've already been cutting, piece and even writing some of it, but I want it all done before the holidays so I don't have to worry about it.  Here is one of the sample blocks I have made.

Goal 4 - Organize my sewing room.  We've uncovered more fabric that we had purchased as well as taken advantage of some great sales so I need to get everything onto the shelves or into bins so that I have room to work.

Goal 5 - Get a couple of practice blocks done for Callie to look at over Christmas.  She has asked for a signature/autograph quilt for her wedding.  I want her to see some options, but I'm pretty sure she knows how she wants it done.

These goals are added to Christmas shopping, wrapping, baking and a million and one other things, so will I get them all done, probably not, but I'm going to give it the old college try!!!  Today I'm linking up with Shanna of Fiber of All Sorts and Melissa of BitterSweet Designs.

A Lovely Year Of Finishes: November Goals

I could just copy my goals from October to November, but that would be too easy and too lazy for even me.  Plus I'm going to change up things just a little.  I have a lot I have to get done between now and the end of the month, I know I won't get it all done, but hopefully at least some of it.

1.  Finish my Looking Glass test quilt.  I want to get the top completed, and if all possible it quilted as well.  I have all the fabric cut, and am in the process of piecing the blocks.  If all goes well the top will be done by this weekend.  Here are the fabrics I chose.

2. Finish at least 2 of the memory quilts.  I still struggle to work on these.  I make progress and then I stop.  The deadline I set for myself is fast approaching, so I have to get myself in gear and soon. This is what I have done so far.

3. Quilt 3 quilts and bind them.  Now the most likely three would be two memory quilts and my Looking Glass quilt, but I have a stash of quilts I need to quilt, so it could be any three. But I am really looking forward to quilting this one, because it is the biggest top I have and will almost work as a bed quilt.

4. Complete my bee blocks and get them into the mail.  This month we're doing bow tie blocks.

Now that is where I'm going to stop, do I have more to do, you bet. But if I complete the above list I will be very very happy.  If I get more done, it will be even better.   I am linking up with Shanna of Fiber of All Sorts and Melissa of BitterSweet Designs.

A Lovely Year of Finishes: October Results

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

I waited until the last day to list my results in hopes that I would get more accomplished, but that didn't work.  I didn't get much done, due to lots of reasons, most of which revolve around "life happens". I am happy to say I did get a few things done, and here is my list and what I did or did not do for each item.

1.  Memory quilts...I wanted at least one top pieced, but that didn't happen. I got the third top's four patches made and the fourth top's squares matched.  I am going to have to get busy on these, maybe this weekend will be better.

2. Two quilts quilted...Not a single thing got quilted this month.  I twisted my knee and haven't been up to standing for long periods of time.  But it is feeling better every day and I hope to get a quilt on the frame on Monday. I think it will be Sharla's Box Trot, but I also found a couple of quilts that were lost...aka packed away, so I have plenty of selection.

3. Cut a top out for Sharla...Sharla decided to work on a project that didn't require any cutting from me, because it used pre-cuts.  But in the same box that I found packed quilts I found fabrics for a Cowboy (as in the football team) quilt.  She said today that she wants to work on it this weekend, so I might get some cut tonight for her.

4. Bee Blocks done and in the mail...YEAH something I did get done.  My bee blocks went into the mail last week.  I am really having fun doing the different blocks.  I've been wanting to do some string blocks and these babies just made me want to do more of them.  These were great fun and I think I'm going to strip a bunch of my scraps and just have them at the sewing table so I can periodically sew one or two.

5.  Cut blocks for Simple Greek Cross quilt...I have cut lots of the backgrounds for my blocks and a few of the crosses.  I bought a bundle of low volume fat quarters, to beef of my stash and have cut some out of almost all of them.  The crosses will be mostly scraps left from other quilts.  I've pieced one block.  I've even started writing the tutorial...but the blocks are so simple it isn't much to write.

Over all I sucked this month, in fact I turned on my sewing machine for the first time in weeks on Tuesday.....and boy did it feel good.  I'm putting together blocks for a test quilt and did all that I could do before fabric I ordered arrived.  So hopefully I will have things to show ya'll soon.

I am happy to say I'm feeling better and so is my little fur baby.  He is eating and moving around much better with each passing day.  I'm realistic enough to know that he is old and his time will come, but thankful that it wasn't this month. He is sometimes a bit of trouble, but ohh so worth it. Since I'm working for home 85% of the time now, he is always close, like today he is under my desk.

Now I need to get my but in gear and cut some fabric so I can finish my test quilt.   I am linking up with Shanna of Fiber of All Sorts and Melissa of BitterSweet Designs.

A Lovely Year Of Finishes: October Goal

This year is just passing way too fast, can you believe it is October already.  I will say I'm so looking forward to cooler weather.  I want soup, stew, chili, all the stuff that you eat when it is cold outside. Plus I'm looking forward to snuggling under some quilts.  But I do think that October is going to a slow month for me, well not really slow, just a month that I can't show you the things I'm doing.  But I do want to have some goals set, because they help keep me accountable.

My first goal is one of those things I can't really show you.  I'm making four memory quilts for a friend and her three children.  They are the hardest thing I've ever made for lots of reasons, and because of that I'm moving very slow with them.  My goal is to have at least one of the tops completely pieced.  I have blocks pieced for 2 and the third is being partially done.  After going around and around I finally decided to do simple four patches that are sashed with a solid color.  Everything I did with pretty quilting fabrics seemed to take away from the shirts themselves, which are really the point of the quilts.  I've got to get the solid fabrics ordered as well.  I don't want to show these on the blog until they are gifted, but here is what they looked liked when I received them.

My second goal is to get at least 2 tops quilted this month.  I have a stash of tops to complete, but I want to do Sharla's Box Trot (which you'll see the top on Friday) and one of our trip around the world quilts.  If I get time I would love to get both of your trip quilts done.

My third goal is to get another top cut out for Sharla.  I think she is going to do one using green, yellow, tan, and orange.  But she has a list of possibilities, so it will be up to her to choose. I would love to get another one cut out for me, but I don't want to start another one until I get the memory quilts done.

My fourth goal is get my bee blocks done and in the mail.  I just checked to see what the blocks were going to be and they are sting blocks.  I can't wait to get started on those, I have been saving my scraps to do a quilt like this for myself, so I know I have lots of choices.

My last goal somewhat contradicts the statement about cutting another quilt for myself. I want to get blocks cut out for my Greek Cross quilt.  Now I'm not doing a entire quilt, in fact what I'm working on is my tutorial for my turn as Queen of the Compass Quilters Bee.  My turn isn't until January, but I want to get photos of every step.  It is a super simply block but I will need a lot of them even with what I receive from my Bee mates.  So if I cut a bunch out, and do a couple a week between now and January, then I should be sitting in a good spot once I receive all of my blocks from my Bee mates. And it allows me time to get my photos done, and my tutorial done and not have to worry about it over the holiday season.

I have a ton more things on my list for this month, but most are not really quilt related...ok that is not even everything quilt related, but it is the most important things.   I am linking up with Shanna of Fiber of All Sorts and Melissa of BitterSweet Designs.

A Lovely Year Of Finishes: September Finishes

Ok I'm not sure what happened to September, I swear it just started  a couple of days ago and now it is gone.  I didn't get nearly as much done as I wanted to this month, but I did get lots done.  Hope that makes sense.  I had listed 5 goals and I completed 4 of them, so not bad.  Of course there weren't really hard goals, but still I will take 4 out of 5.

My first and main goal was to finish my Cupid Shuffle quilt, which I did last week.  I really do love this quilt and can't wait for colder weather.  I wish I had been on my game when this line first came out, because I would have purchased enough to make a bed size quilt with it.  But for now I will settle for the one I have and I have the fabric to do another that hopefully you see sometime soon.  My favorite part of this quilt is the backing, I simply love it.

My second goal was to finish the test quilt I did for Cora's Quilts.  I'm very happy to say it is quilted and bound.  But sad to say I still can't show it to you because the pattern hasn't been release yet. It was the pattern that used 388 - 1" squares, yes that is right 388.  I was really surprised at how fast I was able to sew them, I guess there are fewer stitches on little pieces.  But just so ya'll know the project is real, here is a tiny snippet.  It shows mainly the backing but if you look close you can see a couple of snowball corners.

My third goal was to finish and mail my bee blocks.  They went into the mail this week.  Yeah!!!  I had a lot of fun making the Cross Stitch blocks once I moved to a smaller ruler to trim them.  The colors she requested were orange, yellow and pink, which I think turned out awesome. I think my favorite block was the one that used the text print for the background.  I am developing a real attachment to text prints.

My fourth goal was my fail for the month.  The border fabric still sits, and nothing has been done on my Texas quilt.  I plan on finishing it soon, but borders aren't my favorite thing to do, and so it has languished this month.  On a happier note my sister did get hers finished and I'll show it to ya'll soon.

My last goal was to get another quilt cut either for me or for Sharla.  I did get Box Trot cut out for Sharla, but not from the Wishes fabric.  She decided she wanted to do a test one out of some fabric we had purchased for a different quilt that never got made.  It is definitely bright and cheerful, which is Sharla's favorite type of quilt.

Now I did get other things done not on the list.  I have started the memory quilts.  After a lot of debate with myself, I have decided to do simple 4 patches that are sashed. When I get them all finished I will show them to you and explain my process.  I will say for simple quilts these are some of the hardest things I've ever done.  I also got more work done on organizing my sewing area.  I almost have it the way I want it.  I'm still tweaking a few things.  But then I'm not sure I will ever be totally happy with it, I'm sure I will always find something else that I want/need/desire.

September was a slow month, but not a bad month.  I have lots planned for October...ok not a lot, but hopefully I will get a little more done than this month.  Today I am linking up with Shannon of Fiber of All Sorts and Melissa of Sew BitterSweet Designs.

A Lovely Year Of Finishes: September Goals

Can you believe it is already September?  I am struggling with how fast time is flying these days.  But never the less it is time for me to set my September goal(s).  I know for A Lovely Year Of Finishes it is only supposed to be one goal, but I like doing all of my goals for the month and it helps me stay accountable, if only to myself.

Goal 1 - This is my primary goal for the month, and it is to finish my Cupid Shuffle quilt.  I cut it out this weekend and began sewing.  Right now all the columns are sewn together and I'm sewing the background onto the columns. I want to finish the top and get it quilted.  I have to say I am loving the pattern and the fabric on this one.

Goal 2 - Quilt the test quilt for Cora's Quilts.  I've finished the top and instead of quilting it over the holiday weekend I worked on the above quilt.  It shouldn't take long to do, because it is only a crib size, but I want it done.  I plan on hanging it behind my sewing machine in my sewing room.  I can't show you a photo of it, because it hasn't been released yet, but you'll see it before September is done.

Goal 3 - Bee Blocks in the mail.  This month our Queen Bee is Nesta of Ella and Nesta's Little Room and she picked a Cross Stitch block. Since the block she picked is small, we are going to do 8 blocks for her. I want to do my test blocks this week, so I can make sure I have everything down, before I start working on her blocks.  Here is the photo she shared of her test block. She wants low volume background with orange, yellow or pink "X's".  I'm excited because I'm going to try glue basting with these.

Goal 4 - Finish borders on my Texas Quilt.  I went to my local quilt shop on Monday and found fabric for the border.  So I am hoping to get all the borders on it, and if things go well, maybe even get it quilted.  I looked at greys and blacks and didn't care for any of them and then found a white on white print that I really like.  Since I had it with me all the ladies in the shop had to oooohhh and aaaahhh over it, which was fun.

Goal 5 - Get another quilt cut for either Sharla or I.  I think it will be a quilt called Box Trot for Sharla using the Wishes by Sweetwater line, but if I can I would like to get another one cut for me.  I'm thinking my next one will be one using Mod Century by Jenn Ski for Moda.  I have a charm pack and jelly roll and I plan on just framing the charm square with the jelly roll fabric.  It should be easy, and I just love the bright colors of this line.

Now I have more than 5 goals for the month, in fact if I listed them all there would be about fifteen or more. But I know I can't get them all done.  I will say this, writing down my goals has really helped me focus my energy this year, and I like that so much.  I am linking up with Shannon of Fiber of All Sorts and Melissa of Sew BitterSweet Designs.

A Lovely Year of Finishes: August Finishes

Ok I'm very very happy with my progress for August.  I completed not 1, not 2, not 3 but all 4 of my goals. Yeah me!!!  Alright my goals were fairly light, but that was because it was going to be a busy month.  My first goal was got quilt my Watkins Star quilt. It was the quilt I made while testing the pattern for Sew Incredibly Crazy.  I did an all over meander in Signature's Pearl thread.  I'm very happy with how it looks.  I think it will go into my donate pile, ok start my donate pile because it is a little small for me.

My second goal was to complete my #TexasRoadTripQAL top, and I will admit this isn't totally done.  The top is complete, but I want it to be a little bigger so I'm going to add some borders to it.  My LQS is having a sale tomorrow, so I'm going to and audition some fabrics. I'm am totally loving this top!!!

My third goal was to get my Bee blocks done for my Compass Quilters group.  I finished these fairly early in the month, but didn't get them in the mail until last week.  I've got to get better about going to the post office.  I am very very happy with these blocks.  I really worried about making something for someone else, but with a little trial and error, these came out great.

My last goal was to get at least one new quilt cut.  I did even better than one.  I cut out a test quilt for Cora's Quilts (and the top is even done on it) and I got another top cut out this yesterday and today.  Ok the second one uses a jelly roll, but I got the strips sewn together and cut to size so I'm counting it. First is the test quilt cut.

And my jelly roll quilt cut.  The pattern is called Cupid Shuffle and seems to be pretty simple.  I hope to finish the top this weekend.

I'm happy with my progress this month.  I really wanted to get more quilts quilted, but My off days were booked pretty heavily, so I'll just have to be satisfied with what I did.  I am hoping that September is a little less crazy, so I can get more done.  I am linking up with Shannon of Fiber of All Sorts and Melissa of Sew BitterSweet Designs.

A Lovely Year of Finishes: August Goal

Ok last month wasn't my best month, but I'm going to make up for it in August, well I'm going to try.  I have four goals for the month and each is very doable, so here goes.

My first goal is to quilt my Watkins Star quilt.  I am going to work on the back today and hopefully have it loaded to quilt this week.  Now I want to do more than one quilt, but considering every Monday this month is booked, I'm only going to commit to getting this top quilted.

My second goal is to finish my #TexasRoadTripQAL flimsy.  I've finished quadrants 1, 2 and 3, so that just leaves 4.  I would love to have it quilted as well, but I will settle for finishing the top. Here is quadrant 3 which I finished yesterday.

My third goal is to complete my Compass Quilters Bee blocks.  This is my first time ever joining a bee and I'm pretty excited.  I love the block chosen is call the hummingbird block.  It is paper pieced and looks really cool.  I am planning on doing my test block this week.  But so you know what it looks like I'm borrowing the photo from our Queen Bee.

And my last goal for August is to get another top cut.  I honestly don't know what top I will cut.  I have my PB&J fabric ironed, so maybe that one.  Or I could do a charity quilt or I have so many to choose from, but one needs to be cut and ready to piece by the end of the month.

I am linking up with Shannon of Fiber of All Sorts and Melissa of Sew BitterSweet Designs.  Let's see if this will be a better month!!!!

July Finishes for A Lovey Year of Finishes

I can officially say that July sucked.  I knew there would be a lot happening, and that with the heat I wouldn't want to do much, but I didn't anticipate how bad it would really be.  I did get some things done, but not nearly what I wanted or needed to get done.

My first goal was to quilt my Watkins Star test quilt.  But alas it is still in this stage.  Now in my defence I had some issues with my long arm, and it took it in yesterday and I believe they fixed it.  It is top of my list to do now that my machine is fixed.

Now the month was not a total loss I did get two table runners completed, and both were sewn and quilted in July.  The first is one was done with some scraps of lesser "quality" to test the fix on my long arm.  At the time I thought it was fixed, but not so.

Then I did a test quilt call Diana, and made my block into another table runner.  I will say it was lots of fun to start and finish a quilt so quilting.  After this one I thought my tension issues were over, but when I put my next quilt on the frame it all started again.

I did make some process on my Texas Road Trip quilt, I'm about 85% done with quadrant three and should have it finished by the end of this week.  I didn't get anymore progress on the shirts for the memory quilts. And most important I got a wonderful present for my birthday.

If everything is fixed on my long arm I'm hoping to much more productive in August, but then it wouldn't take much to be more productive than July.  I am a little disappointed with July, but at the same time not really.  I think I needed a break.  I will say that Sharla and I have been consistently putting our change (and sometimes paper bills) into DiNozzo and McGee (DiNozzo is the duck and McGee is the monkey).  Thanks to Sarah for suggesting the names.

Today I am linking up with Shanna of Fiber of All Sorts and Melissa of BitterSweet Designs.

June Finishes: A Lovey Year in Finishes 2014

I cannot believe that June is almost over...time really flew this month.  I did get my main goal done, and I'm doing good on my second goal.  The gift quilt is done and gifted.  It was very well received and you can read about it on the Monkey Blanket post.  But so you can see it for yourself here is a picture of it.

It was a fun blanket to do.  I think it will be treasured for a long time.  I have also been working on my #TexasRoadTripQAL and have quadrants one and two completed.  Now I decided to do the city blocks separate, because I really love the look of the patch work alone.  I need to get caught up with my city blocks which I'm making into a separate wall hanging and start on quadrant 3.  Here is one and two side by side

I am so loving the Alison Glass fabric line call Sun Print.  It is bright and cheerful, but it also has some subtle prints as well.  I'm using Kona Ash as my background.  I've decided when I'm done I'm going to do a small Ash border all the way around to that Texas is framed....just as it should be.  Can anyone tell I am a native TEXAN??

I didn't get much more than this done in June...well I did another quilt finished and a major clean done on the sewing room.  I was feeling a little down that I didn't get more done in June, but I went back to my quilts spreadsheet...yes I have a spreadsheet to track my quilts.  I have quilted 21 quilts this year...not bad really and add to that I finished 5 tops, and cut out 4 others for Sharla.  So I'm quite happy with the progress I've been making.  I am linking up with Shannon at Fiber of All Sorts and Melissa at Sew BitterSweet Designs.

June Goals - A Lovey Year of Finishes 2014

June...can you believe it is already summer?  I've got lots of goals for this month, but my main goal is to finish a gift quilt.  I can't tell you much about it because the person may read this post.  But it has to be ready to gift this month.  Sharla pieced it and I have to get it quilted and bound.

Now for the other things on my list, I want to keep up with the Road Trip Across Texas QAL.  I've done a test block for the first city, Dallas and hope to get my fabric this week so I can really get started. When I'm done I will have a quilt with the great state of Texas on it.  Actually we'll have two because Sharla is doing one as well.  But they are going to be different fabrics.  I also want to try and continue quilting one quilt per week, it is a little slower in the summer, because I always seem to have more to do.  And lastly I really want to finish getting the shirts for the memory quilts cut into squares.

I really hate having a post with no photos, so I'm going to show you one of my cutie. Tucker sleeping on his quilt I made him.  The pattern is called Star Crossed, but you can't see it because he is laying on the backside.  He loves laying on quilts.

I am linking up with Shannon at Fiber of All Sorts and Melissa at Sew BitterSweet Designs.

A Lovely Year of Finishes - May Wrap Up

May is almost over, and I'm happy to say I've made progress on my goal.  I had my main goal for May was to get the shirts for the four memory quilts I need to make deboned and cut into pieces.  I decided to do very simple quilts, square in a box is what I'm calling it.  The center of each block will be a square cut from one of Samuel's shirts and then it will have a frame around it of fabric.  I have purchase a grab bag of fabric from Fat Quarter Shop as well as some destash sales off of instagram for the framing fabrics.  They all will be scrappy, so that some of every shirt is in every quilt.

I put off cutting the shirts for a long time.  It was a real mental block for me.  I was most afraid of messing them up and disappointing my friend.  So they sat in this stage, while I fretted and tried to figure out the best way to go about cutting them.

Then I sat down one night and began cutting them into parts.  I cut the sleeves off, then the fronts and backs, stripping off yokes, cuffs, collars and button plackets. Those pieces went into a bucket for me to worry about later.  I'm going to use them to make some string blocks for the labels.  When I was done I had this.

The photo is a little blurry, but I was tired and didn't want to go get my camera so I just used my phone.  And they sat in this stage for a while, and then I began cutting again.  I decided to cut the center squares 5" and I'll do the framing strips at 2 1/2".  I've been cutting several nights on the bigger pieces and as of last night this is where they stand.

I'm about 1/4 to 1/3 done, because the tote on the right was jammed full when I started.  I'm hoping to keep cutting some every night until I'm done.  Once that is done then I can start dividing them into four piles so everyone gets some of each shirt.  

My other goals for May were to get more quilts finished.  I am happy to say that I quilted five quilts this month.  I even tried out my ruler base....didn't have much success with it, but will try again.  I've blogged about 4 of the quilts.  Which include Star Crossed, which is the one I used a ruler to quilt and it is being slept on nightly by Tucker.

Then I did Sharla's batik quilt, which is one of my favorites to date.  It is bright and colorful and just makes me smile.  I think she would have it on her bed if it were big enough. 

Then I did Sharla's Turning Twenty High Street.  This line of fabric is great, the colors are bright and cheerful.  I think that is why we both loved it.  I told her I put it on the ground to take a picture and she wasn't thrilled, but she was ok with it.  

Then number four was my Every Which Way quilt, which I'm donating to Quilts of Compassion.  I have to say I love the quilts so much more once they have been washed and get all scrunchy!!!  I'm hoping this makes some little girl very happy.

I've not blogged about my last quilt, that will be tomorrow.  But here is a photo of it while it was still on the frame.  It is Sharla's sock monkey quilt.  She is really loving it and hopefully I will get some great pictures of it for tomorrow's blog.

I did have one more goal and that was to get another quilt cut.  I was only partially successful on that one.  I did get one cut out, but I can't show you because it is a gift.  I got my PB&J pressed and starched, to cut, but it is still on the ironing board.  If all goes well I maybe able to cut it this weekend.  Overall I'm very happy with my progress.  Could I have done more, sure, but I'm not in a race.  I've had fun and that is really all that matters.