Tag Archives: goals

Happy New Year 2014!

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Happy New Year everyone!

2013 was one of those “life changing” years I’ll never forget, but I’m also glad it’s over & I’m ready to move forward!

I didn’t make resolutions for this year like I normally do, instead I reworked a “life map” (something that evolved from me reading the ebook “Tell Your Time” (with some changes, ok, a lot of changes- if you really want me to go into it, just let me know & I can post about it).  So in my “life map” I picked the areas I really want to focus on & I can make short term goals based on the year & eventually break it down to weekly goals.  It’s all done visually (those are my changes), so it works for the artistic/visual side of me.

I’m very excited because for the first time I’ve separated “work” & “life” goals with respect to quilting!  Hopefully this will help keep me energized throughout the year (ok, for the 1st part of the year, i.e. before baby!) as I see will be able something happening with my personal projects.

I’ve got some good plans for the website/blog to include some design changes & the Tuesday Tip will be coming back!

I’ll be teaching classes for kids again at Art at the Center.  They went so well last Fall I can’t wait for them to start up again!

So what am I doing now?  Well besides some background stuff no one can see (& honestly you don’t want to see!), here’s what’s currently on my machine: EKG Quilt
What better way to start the new year than by finishing a personal UFO?  This is from a few years ago- it’s got a great story & I can’t wait to share it with you!

Oh yeah!  And the scrappy UFO I blogged about last time is done, I just need to get outside to take decent pictures- but it came out great & will make a fantastic baby quilt!

Happy Quilting!

Do You Have Quilting Gremlins?

quilting, ,
First, watch this video from Patricia Lawless…
So, do you have Quilting Gremlins?
And I’m not talking about the little things that move your rotary cutter & hide your pieced blocks!
What I’m mean is- do you have those voices in your head that say “you’re not a good quilter” or “you’re not talented enough to make that quilt.”
Sound familiar?
I’ve heard many, many piecers give me their quilt top & tell me it’s a terrible.  I’ve heard guild members say they’ll never be able to do “difficult” quilts.  I’ve heard students say they’ll never improve.
So here’s what I want to tell you- you ARE a good enough quilter!  Your work IS NOT terrible!  Jump in & try that pattern you’ve always loved but have hesitated about starting.
This is our craft, our hobby!  It’s supposed to be fun & freeing & expanding- so squash those gremlins & try that new technique you’ve been scared of….

Happy New Year!

life, quilting

I’ve debated whether or not to do a recap of my 2011 projects & in the end decided to just do a short list:
– Baby Quilts: 4
– Wall hangings/Table Toppers: 5
– Bed Quilts: 3
– Pin Cushion: 1 (hey, this counts, it’s made of 1-inch hexagons ala English Paper Piecing)
– Knitting: Per Ravelry, 31 projects- this ranges from a dishcloth to socks to shawls

Not too shabby of a list considering I had another job for the 1st three months of the year, went to Texas 3 times, and spent some time at Yellowstone for the great family camping trip.

Now for 2012. I’m usually not a “new year” goal setting kind of person, (I think goals can & should be made at any time of the year) but this year it just seems right. So many other things in my life are now wrapped up & for the first time in who knows how long, I actually *feel* like a new year is starting. So here’s *some* of what I’m thinking for 2012:

Quilting Goals:
– Quilt 12 personal quilts (that’s one a month, should be doable with a little focus)
– Finish about 6 flimsy’s (quilt tops) (This isn’t too strict of a goal, basically I just don’t want to forget about piecing my own quilts)
– Go through “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain” & “The Artist’s Way” (Already reading the first book)
– Create 4 (quarterly) challenges for myself, encouraging me to expand my free-form quilting
– Learn a better way to machine applique (Have registered for Craftsy’s “Pictorial Quilting” class which should help me with this)
– Master feathers on the longarm (Have registered for 2 feather classes at MQS just for this!)

I’ve also got some other ideas in my head, but they will need some research before I can say anything 🙂

It’s gonna be a great year!