Goals & Plans - March Update

Looking at my list of things that I would like to accomplished this year, there are several, ok more than several....lol, that i would like to accomplish in month.  To keep track of them for the immediate 2-3 wks ahead I've added highlights - the yellows are what needs to be finished first, followed by the ones in gold.

Completed -

1. Memory Christmas stockings from red/blue twill shirt for KA - Completed 9 stockings from the shirt
2. Memory t-shirt pillows for KA - 14 total have been completed
3. Memory Christmas stockings from denim overalls for KA - 20 stockings completed
4. 2 totes from denim overalls for KA
5. Grandmother's Butterflies - Finished!
6. 2019 Stretching Art Quilt - Finished and given to the coordinator 
7. Mystery fabric project - Top completed and blogged about.  Done for now.
8. Make Feb F2F blocks for this round of the swap - Blocks were finished and mailed before the end of the month!
9. Test/sample block made with strings

Commissions -

1. Memory pillows from denim CarHartt shirts for KA  - Completed!
2. Pillow forms for the pillows in #1 for KA - Completed!
3. Memory Christmas stockings from denim overalls for KA - Fronts have been cut out
4. Cut out Stocking Backs from Kona
5. Cut out Stocking lining sections from final HD sheet
6. 5 totes from denim overalls for KA (need to find out what she wants to do on backing fabric for these)
7. 16" pillow from bodice of wedding dress for KA
8. 4 or 5 10" ring bearer pillows from wedding dress for KA
9. Christmas stockings for J&J for RG, due no later than July 2019
10. Covers for patio chair cushions for LT - Customer re-evaluating this due to price of fabric
11. T-shirt quilt for LC - (a possibility, but not for sure)
12. Minky Blanket for K (~24" square) - Fabric bought and I know how I'm going to make this one.

UFO's planning on completing -

1. Eye Spy (H-Blocks) (For family who lost all in Campfire wildfire)
2. Eye Spy (Snowball blocks) (For family who lost all in Campfire wildfire)
3. Old time Baseball quilt (For family who lost all in Campfire wildfire)
4. Teddy Bear, full-sized
5. Scrappy snail (to be sold)
6. Scrappy kitten (to be sold)
7. Scrappy puppies (to be sold)
8. Wolf (to be sold)
9. Whale and Anchor baby quilt (to be sold?)
10. Perhaps pull out a set or two of UFO blocks and put into tops

New starts/ Ongoing projects - 

1. Quilt top from Susan (For family who lost all in Campfire wildfire)
2. Maze (strings and 3-d bowtie blocks) (planning to submit for possible publication) - Still only half assembled
3. Snail quilt for me - In Progress, 15 or so blocks made now
4. Make the planned curtains using my F2F blocks
5. Batik string blocks, no plan for them yet - In slow progress
6. Make setting for Bear Family Album and write up for pattern
7. 2019 Row-by-Row possible....not sure on this theme, but I do like winning....lol....
8. Develop better photography skills for use in my quilting
9. Lap quilt for wedding present for J&J (wedding in April 2019), true blues/wow/silver, traditional pattern (dbl wedding ring?) - Pattern and fabrics need to be chosen for this before end of March

BOM - 

1. Release Marine Bear - Sample block made
2. Release Coast Guard Bear - Sample block made
3. Release Air Force Bear - Sample block made
4. Release Setting
5. Decide on next BOM Theme

Quilts to Sell - 

Realistically go through my quilts and think about whether I really want them or have a place to use them and sell the ones that I don't.

Think I'll manage to get through what I want to do for March?

Gratitudes:

1. For the knee being enough better that I can at least drive and sleep w/o the brace on.

2. For friends who check to see if I'm doing ok.

Goals for February

Looking at my list of things that I would like to accomplished this year, there are several, ok more than several....lol, that i would like to accomplish in February.  Of them only is a must do because of when the due date is, to keep track of them I've added highlights in green, the yellows are what I want to get finished up.

Commissions -

1. Memory t-shirt pillows for KA - first 3 completed Jan 2018, waiting to hear if there are more wanted/needed
2. Memory Christmas stockings from denim overalls for KA - Have overalls (2 pair) and lining fabric in hand, need to pull backing
3. Memory Christmas stockings from red/blue twill shirt for KA - Have shirt and lining, need to pull backing fabric
4. Covers for patio chair cushions for LT - waiting for her to buy the fabric for these

UFO's planning on completing -

1. Eye Spy (H-Blocks) (For family who lost all in Campfire wildfire)
2. Eye Spy (Snowball blocks) (For family who lost all in Campfire wildfire)
3. Old time Baseball quilt (For family who lost all in Campfire wildfire)
4. Grandmother's Butterflies - Mailed to machine quilter, should have back by end of March or sooner
5. Teddy Bear, full-sized
6. Scrappy snail (to be sold)
7. Scrappy kitten (to be sold)
8. Scrappy puppies (to be sold)
9. Wolf (to be sold)
10. Whale and Anchor baby quilt (to be sold?)
11. Perhaps pull out a set or two of UFO blocks and put into tops
12. 2019 Stretching Art Quilt - quilting has started on this, needs to be completed

New starts/ Ongoing projects - 

1. Quilt top from Susan (For family who lost all in Campfire wildfire)
2. Mystery fabric project - In Progress
3. Maze (strings and 3-d bowtie blocks) (planning to submit for possible publication) - In Progress
4. Snail quilt for me - In Progress, 2 blocks made
5. Finish up the January F2F blocks for this round of the swap - Finished!!!  Jan 2018
6. Make Feb F2F blocks for this round of the swap - Fabric pulled
7. Make the planned curtains using my F2F blocks
8. Batik string blocks, no plan for them yet - In slow progress
9. Make setting for Bear Family Album and write up for pattern
10. 2019 Row-by-Row possible....not sure on this theme, but I do like winning....lol....
11. Develop better photography skills for use in my quilting

BOM - 

1. Release Marine Bear - Sample block made
2. Release Coast Guard Bear - Sample block made
3. Release Air Force Bear - Sample block made
4. Release Setting
5. Decide on next BOM Theme

Quilts to Sell - 

Realistically go through my quilts and think about whether I really want them or have a place to use them and sell the ones that I don't.

Think I'll manage to get through what I want to do for February?

Gratitudes:

1. For feeling better which means that I'm getting more things done most of the time 

2. For the very PT job that God has opened up, even when the software that I'm using doesn't cooperate with me.

Goals for October and Onward

It's been a while since I looked at my to-do list & goals that I wrote up in August.  Time to once again get everything down so that I can keep everything in mind on when it's due and what needs to be done so I don't forget something. 


Blog / General -
-- Art Quilt Blog Hop Post, Due November 2018 - still need to decide on which quilt I want to feature in this post
-- Go to quilt Store and pick up Row-by-Row quilt


Pattern Designing / Quilt Challenges:
-- Military Teddy Bear #2 - Pattern needs to be written, reviewed and released
-- Military Teddy Bear Setting
      - Bind finished wall hanging and photograph

      - Pattern needs to be written, reviewed and released

-- MQG Michael Miller Challenge - due last week of October for submission to QuiltCon
      -- Precut fabric pieces - Done, 10/3
      -- PP blocks (11) - Block piecing underway, 10/4
      -- Assemble top
      -- Piece backing
      -- Quilt top on small machine
      -- Bind quilt
      -- Enter quilt show online

-- Stretching Art Quilt Challenge, theme= "20", due January 2019
-------- Decide on design
-- Ready & ship Quilt for entry into Road to CA if juried in


Quilting -
-- Bind baby quilt and send it out - Completed and mailed out, 10/6
-- Applique saying (Bear Hugs) onto filler strip of Scrappy teddy bears
-- Bind Military Bear wall-hanging and photograph - Binding on, 10/2

-- Make November F2F blocks (3) and mail
-- Quilt and bind Scrappy Snail quilt, list for sale
-- Quilt and bind Scrappy Kitten quilt, list for sale
-- Quilt and bind Scrappy Puppy quilt, list for sale
-- Quilt and bind Hatbox quilt (for sale?)
-- Quilt and bind Teddy Bear quilt for Valerie
-- Giftie for Shoebox swap - due the middle of November
-- Quilt and bind whale and anchor baby quilt, list for sale

Commissions -
-- Music Quilt, due before Christmas (dependent on getting a NR deposit)
-- Finish Christmas Stocking, due before Christmas (dependent on getting a NR deposit)
-- Winter tote bag, due before mid-Oct
-- Msg gal who has tops to be quilted - Msg sent 10/3, waiting on her decision
     -- Commissioned Quilt (quilting only), due _____
     -- Commissioned Quilt (quilting only), due _____
-- Ladybug Passport Wallet, due before end of Oct - Completed and mailed out, 10/6
-- Wolves Passport Wallet, due before end of Oct
     -- Cut fabric sections
     -- Make pockets (double, single, zippered, phone)
     -- Layer main body of wallet

     -- Add pockets and Velcro to main body
     -- Add binding, elastic loop and button to main body

Ebay Postings:
-- Completed passport holders (5)
-- Quilt Magazines
-- Embroidery Floss
-- Finished Quilts
-- Vintage glass button and bow collectables (canoe, shoe, top hat, etc)


House:
-- clean up dead branches and trim trees/bushes in the back yard

Hmmmm, looking at all that, maybe I should schedule time to sleep since I also work full-time....lol.

Gratitudes:
1. Project due dates aren't all at the same time

2. For paying commissioned work.

3. For having the fabric already in hand for the music quilt

Goals For the Next Couple of Weeks

Lots going on these days that I need to keep focused on getting done, and these break down into several categories.   Will I get them all done probably not, I can but try.  =)




Blog / General -
-- "My Happy Place" Row Along - scheduled date is around the 20-something of September Prep and schedule post
-- My introduction and "story" for Benita Skinner of Victoriana Quilt Designs "Meet and Greet" Blog hop in September.  Her blog can be found here.  This is due sometime in September (don't know date yet), but I want to have it ready to go. Prep and schedule post
-- My post for an Art Quilt Blog Hop that will take place in November - this is a ways off, but I want to dig out the quilt I'm going to feature and get some good pics of it in preparation for the hop.
-- Remember that I'm meeting friends on Saturday morning for a time of fellowship, antique shopping, and lunch


Pattern Designing:
-- Teddy Bear Quilter #5, BOM for Sept. - This needs to be designed and the sample block made.
-- Write pattern for TBQ #5 and send for review
-- Complete pattern for "My Happy Place"


Quilting -
-- Get baby quilt on frame quilted and binding onto it
-- Finish sewing the binding down on the quilting wall hanging. - completed
-- Sew binding down on "My Happy Place" sample - completed
-- Make filler strip for Scrappy teddy bears


Commissioned/For Sale Work:
-- Get quilt onto Frame (Ruthie's) and quilted
-- Make credit card holders for two sale passport holders
-- Start work on three commissioned passport holders

House:
-- Get towel holder up in master bath
-- complete caulking around fixtures in bath's
-- clean washer
-- clean up dead branches in back yard
-- Get yard mowed

Gratitudes:
1. Having plenty of things to keep me busy

2. Having a house to work on even when I'd rather be quilting

March Goals and Projects

This past week I've been able to finish up a couple of major projects both of which were goals for February.   Both my publication project and my wall hanging for the art quilt challenge are in the mail.   And the publication one has been received by the magazine safe and sound.  And I am now looking forward to the next projects on my horizon.

The next commissioned project is a set of 5 pillow covers for a friend in Phoenix using these fabrics.  The print will be the front, and the one on the left the backing for them.  I'm planning on making them in an envelope style with a button closure to hold them closed.   And that way she can use them on either side.

I also have two more potholders to make for the current commission in the works, but am waiting for the needed fabric to arrive in the mail sometime this week.   Hoping to get those finished up this weekend.  Also potential is a commission for 8 more fruit pie/cobbler potholders.  Need to check if those are going to be wanted or not.

Next up is a project for myself - yes wonders never cease....lol.   I need to make myself a new purse (well actually I've needed one for about a year now) because the tote I had been using has a broken strap.   So my need just became urgent.   This is needed before I leave for my niece's wedding the end of the month.

The main part of the new purse will be one of these two denims from my stash.  The one on the left is a tone-on-tone floral print, and the other one has polka dots on it.   Eventually I'll use both in a purse, but just need to decide which one to use first.

I'm going to use the messenger bag version in this Vogue pattern as a base for my purse.  I do plan to adapt it to what I want/need which means adding more pockets to it and maybe an internal divider.   Can you tell I like my purse organized?

I also plan to add pieced sections into the outside of the purse for added interest and probably will use either some of the batik or the fairy frost scraps that I have for this.  When i picked this up, I also bought a pattern that included a travel wallet (ie passport holder) that I'm considering making from some of my snail or kitty print fabric.

In both of them I will be using the RFID blocking fabric to add an extra layer of security since so many things now have chips in them.   The RFID fabric helps to block any one trying to scan cards to try to steal credit card numbers.   This will be the first time I'll have sewn with it, but I shouldn't have any problem with it.  I do plan to start adding it to my little bags and similar items that I make for sale.

This wall hanging also needs to be finished now that the shower has been held and the back signed.  Thankfully this isn't too big, so hopefully won't take me long to finish up this month.  (yes, that is first and middle name on the blocks)

And the final big project that I have for the month of March is to get the wedding quilt bound.   It is back from the quilter and waiting for me to bind and label it.  =) 

Oh and I still need to continue looking for a place to move to............sigh...........

Gratitudes:
1. The rain is supposed to be stopping for a few days so we might dry out some here in N. TX

2. My nieces wedding present is back from the quilter and ready to be bound and looks wonderful!  Now to get it bound.

2018 Goals and To-Do's

I don't normally do yearly goals or resolutions, but do make myself lists of all that I would like to accomplish in the foreseeable future.   For me these normally break down into at least five different categories.

Non-Quilty

• Look into finding and getting Tableau training
• Email to Sharing Committee re: missions and status / to-do's
• Make word doc copy of missions application and send out to committee

Quilty

• Applique sweatshirt for D - pattern printed, needs fabric pulled
• Stretching Art Challenge Quilt - Due in February, layout has been sketched and material obtained
• Tablerunner for QuiltMaker - Finished piece due to QM by end of Feb.
• Tablerunner for QM, pattern pieces/sizes - due first week of Jan to QM
• MQG mini swap quilt - Due in February, PP'd sections made, need to be assembled
• Wedding quilt - Binding and Label
• Wedding Quilt - Make backing
• Send the Wedding quilt off to be quilted
• 2018 BOM - Make the blocks in a timely manner
• Start working on next block (for Vol.18) for submission to QuiltMaker
• Scrappy Wolf - in process of cutting 2.5" squares needed for quilt
• Scrappy Deer - pattern chosen
• Finish Hankie Butterfly quilt (quilting and binding) - Send out to be quilted
• Complete the Regatta QAL

Commissioned Sewing

• Appliqued T-Shirt for D (commission) - Materials have been pulled and templates printed.  
• Follow up on possible t-shirt quilt commissions (2 of them)

UFO's

• Complete 30's Baby Cakes blocks quilt top and donate for sunshine auction
• Put together top with 30's Granny's Choice 9" blocks (12 blocks)
• Put together top with Aqua & Brown Swap blocks, set 1, 11 blocks
• Quilt one of my 2015 mystery quilt top

Design

• Get needed information together for my pattern that QuiltMaker is publishing.  Due to them ASAP (will be sent off the first week of January)
• Publish the final bear pattern for the 2017 BOM
• Write up pattern for Calico Lion, Block 1 for 2018 BOM
• Write up pattern for Sherry Bear 
• Write up patterns for the military bears (5 individual patterns + 1 combined pattern) and publish on Craftsy
• Write up patterns for the quilting bears (3 individual patterns + 1 combined pattern) and publish on Craftsy
• Write up snail quilt pattern and publish on Craftsy

Gratitudes:

1. For safe travel to/from Tucson to visit friends

2. For The blessing of time with friends and family

Goals - Week of 7/18

I know I've made progress....but sometimes it feels like I haven't done as much as I need to.   Gotta use these to keep me on track the final 3 weeks before leaving here.

Miscellaneous

1. Start getting boxes out of storage room and to Apt - Not done
2. Gather stuff for Goodwill and take to store in Cheyenne. - Second car load taken to Goodwill, third load of stuff in progress
3. Turn in resignation at school - DONE!
4. Turn in notice at the apartments - DONE!
5. Msg with friends about looking at rental possibilities for me - Done with one person, need someone else for a different town
6. Email with realtor about rental possibilities
7. Turn in address change at PO
8. Reserve moving van
9. Arrange for utility turn-on after getting rental house

Rooms to Pack:
1. Bathroom - Almost done, just the basics left to toss in a tote at the last minute
2. Storage - Completed
3. Fabric Stash Room - 2/3's completed
4. Kitchen - Not started
5. Pantry - Not started, but I am using up stuff in it
6. Sewing Room - Just barely started
7. Living Room - Not started
8. Bedroom - DONE!

Chores:

1. Clean bathroom (tub) - still not done
2. Email Ann - Still not done
3. Clean ceiling fan
4. Finish cleaning floors
5. Clean baseboards - Not started
6. Clean ceiling fan - Not done

Sewing/Quilting

1. Continue making Rows for the Row-by-Row 2016 quilt - Done!
2. Make at least 15 scrub tops to send to customer -  Still at only 7 total completed, aiming for at least 4 more for this coming week
3. Make the 3 August blocks for the F2F swap - Not started
4. Cut just received fabric for scrubs up (this will give me 33 total cut out) - DONE!
5. Put Row-by-Row quilt top together - DONE!
6. Quilt Row-by-Row quilt - Quilt is pin-basted and ready to quilt
7. Turn in Row-by-row quilt for prize (turn in TX)
8. Make and upload final block for the Modern Quilts block design contest - Done, but I didn't win!
9. Make the 54 'petal' units needed for the sashing on the final Mod Quilts quilt top - started, 3 of 54 made
10.  Make Mod Quilt Entry
11. Make backings and bindings for quilt tops for Sunshine - not started


Gratitudes:

1. Will be receiving full mileage for the trip to Purdue along with the stipend for attending the conference there

2. For the housing possibilities and knowing that God will provide the right one for me