Updated New Years Resolution

OK, Jetgirl is asking for an update on my New Years Resolution which I posted here.....

So I'm going though it by copying my resolution, and putting in red what I've completed.

Resolutions

Do not buy quilt pattern and material unless I sew two quilts YES - the only thing I have not followed is for the ROW by ROW but it was the same last year.

Only buy a new ruler every 3 months.   YES - I have only bought 2 rulers so far so I'm following it.  One of those rulers was by the Quilty Box.

No more books unless I sew two quilts from the same book and do TWO books.  That's 4 quilts.  NO - Sorry, I broke this one.  Have purchased two books, and only did two quilts from the Precu Primer Book by Me and My Sister Designs.
Make time to quilt - it relaxes me.  YES - Take a look at my list of 2016 quilts and what I've accomplished so far.
Be happy! - Hard one - NO - Lost my dad in November and my brother in April.  But trying still.... 

Goals

1.  Start swimming again.  Start with 2 times a week and move to 3 times a week.  MAYBE - Did this until April, then stopped.  Need to try it again.
2.  Walk again.  It's been three months since I walked.   The Plan:  walk one time a week the first week, then 2 times a week, etc.  Build it up slowly.  YES- I am walking every day from Monday to Friday from April until now, walking at least 5 days a week more than 5,000 steps.  Started at work.
3.  Like many people I need to lose weight.  Here's how I'm going to do it.

• Do exercise - see above.  Still haven't started, although the walking was a big part of it.  So I'm partly doing it - MAYBE.
• mark my food with Loseit.com - free program that takes my fitbit.  NO, sorry but I haven't gained weight..
• take time for myself to do the above exercise because I use to love to do it.  OK....NO, this just reminded me to do it.

4.  Continue on with painting lessons.  Started one painting last year - want to do more.  YES - Did do another one, in acrylic.  It's an angry picture, but still a picture (too embarrassed to show it here).  But I have a Craftsy class to follow..
5.  Work less.  I've become a workaholic and my husband is beginning to complain  :)  YES - Started quilting more, and I did go to a movie.  Just took a vacation without my computer, so that's very good for me.  
6.  Enjoy the outdoors more.  I live in Vancouver Canada and there are so many beautiful walking trails.  YES, I was walking outside every morning from May until end of school but I do need to do more walks outside.  I've been on walks by Whiterock on the beach and had breakfast at Krauss (Srawberry season)
7.  Start Roller Blading again.  I fell and hit my head badly.  This time I wear my helmit  :)  OK this one is out.  Still scared of falling.NOOOOOOO
8.  Redo my sewing room so I can impulsively sew and not have to set it up (or move things).  YES, and I'm happy with it.  Put some unfinished projects away so that I don't feel so overwhelmed with UFOs.  Now, it's attainable.

• buy a daybed with drawers in it to replace the old daybed so I can put the containers away, instead of having them on my desk.  Don't need it.  I put some of my projects in the scapbook containers away.
• make a cover for my sewing machine to protect it.  YES.  See below...  I love it.  It has a picket (the SEW section)

• put my sewing machine on the desk instead of under the desk.  YES.
• buy a container (box) for the end of the bed to put my quilts and extra material in that instead of the basket at the end of the bed (it's now overflowing and leaning to the side). YES. I also got a new basket for my magazines.

9.  Finish some of my craftsy classes I signed up for.  There's too many to list.  Still have time for this.

And the big one!!!!

9.  Finish my UFOs so I stop feeling pressure from them.  Here is the list and there is no particular order to them but they do say on the list if I have started it, not started it, have the material, etc.  L- laptop, Q - queen, W - wall quilt, T for tabletop.  YES>  I've been doing very well here, see which ones are finished with the word done.

So here's the big list of

1. L - You and Me by Zen Chic - got material and pattern (haven't started)
2. L - Chic Shells by Sew Kind of Wonderful - got pattern only (haven't started)
3. L - Sew Kind of Wonderful - Sew along - got pattern only (haven't started)
4. Q - green small flowers in a column - need to finish and quilt. YES
5. large L- Flower quilt from Aurifill - need to finish and quilt.
6. L - Vise Versa - need to finish 2 blocks and quilt.
7. Q - Block Lotto - 2014 - need to finish 8 blocks and quilt.
8. Q - Flowers in a circle BOM - some wool.  Applique.  All material and pattern.  Need to start.
9. L - Modern slant - got pattern and material - need to start.
10. L - Snow/Christmas quilt - got material and pattern - need to start
11. L - beach quilt - no material, but got pattern.
12. L - Sew Emma Snapshot quilt - did two blocks, have material, need to finish.
13. L - Dogs quilt - have fabric and pattern, need to start.
14. Q - Driesdon Craftsy - have material and pattern - need to start.
15. L - Learning to quilt on Craftsy - have 6 done, 6 to go.   Need to finish.
16. L - Learning to quilt as you go - 2013  Need to continue on with it.  Need to finish YES
17. large L- Crazy barn applique - have pattern, material, need to start.
18. L - Gro's tea quilt.  Material, pattern for it all, need to finish.  Have 3 to go. YES
19. L - Midnight Garden - wool - Lost pattern, but have material.  Need to start  Have 3 blocks done.
20. L - Cattail - blue quilt - start
21. L - Frogs, have material, pattern, and have started to cut.  Need to finish.
22. Q - pink pin wheel.  Need to finish.
23. T - Chinese circles. - need to finish.
24. L - Pink and green squares - finish.
25. L - Squares in the tin box - pattern and material,  others doing that one.  Got it back.  Many done, need to put it together.
26. Q - Row by Row - Canada - all patterns, all material, need to finish.  Got 3 more completed.
27. Q - Row by Row American side - all patterns, all material, need to finish.  Got 4 more completed.
28. T - flowers pieced in black - Amish. - material, and pattern. Small one.  Need to start.
29. Q - Squares with Hexigons - pattern, material, need to start.
30. L - Batique quilt - pattern, material, need to start.
31. Q - Circle quilt from Craftsy - material red and white, pattern, need to start.
32. Q - BOM 2015 buckets - material, pattern, need to start.
33. L - One block wonder - material, pattern, need to start.
34. L - Video 10" squares - disappearing pinwheel. Material - need to start.
35. Q - Swoon - material, need to start.
36. L - Stain glass BOM - material, pattern, need to start.
37. L - House BOM - material, pattern, need to start.
38. Q - Hand appliqué old fashion girl on white, with squares of color.  top for queen quilt. finish.
39. Q - Girl on a farm - applique that I am designing - Some material - need to continue/finish
40. L - Blue HST's - all HSTs done, need to finish.
41. W - Big city/town pattern.  No material, but I have the pattern.
42. L - Modern pattern just bought on Craftsy on sale.  Have pattern and material.  Need to start.
43. L - Tractor quilt with barns to complete. It's part of the Farm Girl Sampler by Lori Holt.  I purchased the book. Have some material.  Need to finish by June for my cousin.  
44. T - Using charms for Precut Primer pattern.  Have pattern and material.  Need to finish.  YES
45. L - Jelly roll quilt from the Precut Primer pattern book.  Have pattern and material cut out.  Need to finish.
46. Large L - Fat quarter quilt block - have material but have not started.
47. Large L - migration from Craftsy Store.  Have pattern and material.  Need to start.
48. Large L - Large hexi flowers pattern from Craftsy store - have some material.
49. T - circular birds - have pattern only.  Want to do this one with extra material I have and scraps.
50. Q- Apple Quilt - have all the material and the Thangles to do the quilt.  Need to Finish.
51. L Scrappy BOM  from IQuiltModern - scraps - to start.
52. Big Wall - Pixulated quilt Sun Flower - it's done just quilting it and that's taking ages!!  Need to Finish
53. L - Pixulated Eye - have the material, the pattern, everything.  It's the Craftsy free quilting class to learn how to pixulate.  It's fabulous, go take a look!  Need to start.
54. W - The Quilt Magazine, April 2012. of a bird on a Laundry Line.  All material and the pattern.  Half done.  Need to Finish.  YES
55. Star Quilt from the FVRQ Guild - have the material and the patterns.  Have all done but the last 3 starts and then the big middle one.  Need to Finish.
56. Home Tweet Home - McKenna Ryan - 9 blocks. - have 2 of the blocks done and a friend gives me more when I complete the next block.  One more completed.

But I've also done a number of other quilts not mentioned here. 

• The brown Butterfly quilt for my queen size bed (see 2016 Quilts link above). 
• A modern green and pink quilt - also on the 2016 quilts link.

So that's not bad for a 1/2 year.  To summarize:

• Need to start swimming.
• Need to work out in gym in our complex
• Need to do the pixulated quilts (Eye, sunflower, Star Trek)
• Need to continue to quilt up some quilts.
• Keep my room clean (organized).
• Keep on working on being happy.  Don't get stressed.
• Lose weight, stop eating fattening food.
• No more books.

OK, this should work.  Great reminder and thanks Yvonne from Quilting JetGirl.

Busy Weekend...

It's been a busy weekend, but I was able to get some sewing in.  I started to sew around 6:00 and things were going so well, I didn't stop until 2:00 am in the morning.  I'm tired today but I feel so good because I got so much done.  Wait and see the list:

1. I finally mailed out my blocks to the Block Lotto winners (lucky devils!!!)  Had some trouble with one of the envelopes but I was able to finally mail both out to Indiana and New Mexico.  Need to make the next block. 
2. I finished one of the mini quilts from Cluck Cluck Sew patterns.  Check out this link to see the patterns of these minis.  The great thing is that there is more than one mini quilt.  The goal is do seven out of the eight minis.  Most are 12 - 17 inches.  Here is the one that I completed.

 

Arrows pointing the way

about 15 inches - look at the heart quilting

looks great.

4.  I also completed another baby quilt.  Similar to the last one but the quilting is completely different in this one.  Take a look for yourself.

Look at the quilting.

Look at the quilting 

I even like the back.

I even got a book to go with it.  This is a great book.

5.   I've been working on the art quilt of the tree by the water.  I've made a small spirit hawk to fly over the water.

Once I'm done I'll show the completion.  But I need to add more wild grass to the base of the tree, to blend it in more.  But another time.

5.  Finally, I have been working on one of the rows of the quilt for my best friend.  Tea cups.  Will complete those by the end of the week, and start to cut the flowers.

It's been very productive.

So according to my resolution, I've completed two quilts, so I can buy more material.  Instead, I've bought a pattern on sale from Cluck Cluck Sew for $5.00 - a weave that uses jelly rolls.  Here's a picture below.  Can't wait to start it.

That's it.  Not bad for a couple of hours right?

Update on New Year's Resolution

It's been a month and a half now and I thought it would be a good time to review my resolutions to help me keep on track or get back on track.  Part of looking at your resolutions is to be honest, to not get down on yourself if you've gotten off track, but to rethink what you've said you would do, and to reset the goals. 

So here goes:

Resolutions

Do not buy quilt pattern and material unless I sew two quilts

Kept it for about a month, did three quilts in January and thought, OK, now I can buy.  But I bought more than I needed because the owners of Wineberry, a quilting store, retired and much of their stock went to 50 - 60% off, so I went crazy.  Mental note, no doing that agin!!!  Like an addiction, can't be near great prices otherwise I spend!

Only buy a new ruler every 3 months.

Came close to it twice but resisted the temptation.  Thought I better use the ones I have already, and behave!  And I did.

No more books unless I sew two quilts from the same book and do TWO books.  That's 4 quilts.

OK, this one didn't work out.  I've purchased two new books, but I have cut out two quilts from one book and one pattern from another.  So I came close.  I KNOW I need to stop buying books until I have some done.  But my mom and my friends are saying it's OK, you enjoy it.  And they're right.  I do enjoy the book, with all their lovely pattern.  In the end you want to make at least two or three, thus...  

Here are the two that broke my rule - from Some Kind of Wonderful - quilts to make with the QCR ruler (Quick curve ruler):  Contemporary Curved Quilts and one Wonderful Curve.  Check out the website to see some of the patterns - absolutely fantastic.  I'll be doing these soon.  I have a table topper to do for a couple that just got into a new home, and the husband promised them a quilt  :)

The latest book that I did do a quilt top from is PreCut Primer by Me and My Sister Designs.  There are 12 quilts in it, one per grade, and I've started with charm blocks, and I have made one!! Will post a blog about it later.  So I am doing it.  But will I make two?  Yes, I have the material but I did buy another book before finishing the 2nd one.  So I need to smarten up.  Is it only me or are others out there that see a quilt book and want to make AT LEAST two or three quilts in it?  In the Book Precut Primer I want to make all the quilts!!  My new goal, but I don't have time. They did have a blog hop on the book at Fat Quarter, and it's there that I purchased the book.  That's the quilt I made, it was the quilting that made the quilt look like that after I tea dyed it and washed it.  Was going to iron it, but I really like this look.

So this resolution is changing.  Make two quilts from the same book and I can buy a new one.  I am allowed to buy quilting magazines.

Make time to quilt - it relaxes me.  Be happy!

This last month has been crazy.  First exams, then marking exams, then starting up new courses.  And this term I'm teaching 5 different subjects in a class (in two of my blocks - that's 10 courses).  Then I have a minion (a student I am training) to learn how to repair computers, and parts of a computer.  So that's very busy.  Luckily I have cleaned up my quilting room.  I just got to get the pile of fabric down.  

But isn't it funny that when we run out of time, we always give up the things we love the most?  Keep on reading (I know it's boring  but I'm almost done).

Now we're at the goals...  I'm proud of this...  I did not do #1  (swimming) but I did do #2.  I'm walking up to 3 miles a day now.  So I'm getting there.  It's been raining so much I should have time to do some of these things but I'm so tired!!!

Goal #3 was to lose weight and I have, up to 4 pounds last month.  So I'm happy.  I was marking my food in Loseit.com but last week I didn't.  Need to start typing it in.  I have a bet goiong on with another woman and it's to see who loses 20 pounds first.  I'm so competitive this will give me the drive.  But then again, so is she.  :)

So all together three out of four is not bad.  I'll start again this week.

The final goal that I did do well on is to redo my sewing room so I can impulsively sew and not have to set it up (or move things). I bought a bench with a drawer and replaced the basket in my bedroom with the bench.  My cat sleeps on the bench, and I have a place to put my quilts.

The picture to the right is a picture of my sewing room.  I put my sewing machine on the desk instead of under the desk because I was able to clean the desk a little, and I did do enough quilts that this helped me clean the area.  (You can see it in the back by the window - still in progress).  I still need a cover for my machine but I did buy a new transportation bag for it.  I'm pleased with that.  Was only $35 for a very large one with tons of compartments.  Boy, was that a steal!!!

I have added another shelf unit by the bed (tucked in) to hold some of my Precuts that I am working on.  That's cleaned up some area.  But once more, when I get my UFO's cut down then it won't look so busy.  Those boxes are projects not completed on my desk.  and then there are the two (they're yellow) quilts that need to be finished quilting (they're taking so long with the free style!!!)  And the quilt (with backing) that is sitting on that bed.  A friend gave it to me.  GOOD friend!!!

I have finished two of my big UFOs so I can see light at the end of the tunnel.  Look at the list of quilts to complete to see which ones are done.  It's on the tab on top saying 2016 quilts.  But there is also a list on top saying "Quilts to Complete" that show all 50 some quilts that I need to get going on.  The ones that are done are crossed off so that motivates me to continue on.


And crazy me, I'm in the 356 blocks that everyone is talking about.  You make 3 - 6" blocks to make a full quilt in the end.  You'll learn a lot if you start that one.  Its from an Australian group and on facebook.  You sign up here.  Just look at the design!!!  CRAZY but sooooo wonderful.  I can't believe all those beautiful squares.  I'm looking at doing it in red and brown instead of the blue and brown.  If you sign up by mail, they'll do reminders and a link to each and every block.  

I also signed up for the new BOM by Cindy at Quilt Doodle Designs.  As you can probably see from my blog, I've done all her BOMs and I love them.  So this one is no exception, a Christmas quilt that will really shine.  Take a look  at the side bar, for a peak of the latest quilt.  Only two more...  silly me.

Some one said that if you have too much not done you will be unmotivated.  They're right.  But getting 1 - 2 done a week, even when it's small, helps

So some of the resolutions are helping and are getting done.  Baby steps remember? !!!  Oh why did I say baby steps, I have three baby quilts that I need to get done!!

PS> Never showed you this corner picture where the mess really is.  I'm working on it!!!  Remember, baby steps!!

Planning for 2016

I'm trying something new this coming year.  Since the Year of lovely Finishes is winding down and they won't be doing another one (I'm crying girls!!!  I so enjoyed it!!!), I decided to join another one from Yvonne at Quilting Jet Girl.  You get your goals for the year and slowly work through them.  And I have a ton of quilts that I want to get through.  I've been buying a lot of books and rulers, pattern magazines, then I buy the material, put it in a craft plastic container, but it on my desk and move on to the next book, or ruler or pattern!!!  I do sew a lot, but it seems that the pile of plastic organizational containers are getting higher and higher, so my room is getting messier and messier.

I read a great article in February 2016 magazine American Patchwork Quilting that I got for Christmas this year in my stocking.  It had a great article by Deborah J. Cabral, a Certified Professional Organizer who wrote about the different types of organizing personslity, and she described me to a "T"!!!I'm Organized Olivia!!!!  I'm organized, but I spend more time organizing it than doing lately!!  And all the organizing is piling up as well.  So here's my goals

Resolutions

Do not buy quilt pattern and material unless I sew two quilts

Only buy a new ruler every 3 months.

No more books unless I sew two quilts from the same book and do TWO books.  That's 4 quilts.
Make time to quilt - it relaxes me.
Be happy!

Goals

1.  Start swimming again.  Start with 2 times a week and move to 3 times a week.
2.  Walk again.  It's been three months since I walked.   The Plan:  walk one time a week the first week, then 2 times a week, etc.  Build it up slowly.
3.  Like many people I need to lose weight.  Here's how I'm going to do it.

• Do exercise - see above.
• mark my food with Loseit.com - free program that takes my fitbit.
• take time for myself to do the above exercise because I use to love to do it.

4.  Continue on with painting lessons.  Started one painting last year - want to do more.
5.  Work less.  I've become a workaholic and my husband is beginning to complain  :)
6.  Enjoy the outdoors more.  I live in Vancouver Canada and there are so many beautiful walking trails.  Do more of them.
7.  Start Roller Blading again.  I fell and hit my head badly.  This time I wear my helmit  :)
8.  Redo my sewing room so I can impulsively sew and not have to set it up (or move things).

• buy a daybed with drawers in it to replace the old daybed so I can put the containers away, instead of having them on my desk.
• make a cover for my sewing machine to protect it.
• put my sewing machine on the desk instead of under the desk.
• buy a container (box) for the end of the bed to put my quilts and extra material in that instead of the basket at the end of the bed (it's now overflowing and leaning to the side).

9.  Finish some of my craftsy classes I signed up for.  There's too many to list.

And the big one!!!!

9.  Finish my UFOs so I stop feeling pressure from them.  Here is the list and there is no particular order to them but they do say on the list if I have started it, not started it, have the material, etc.  L- laptop, Q - queen, W - wall quilt, T for tabletop.

So here's the big list of

1. L - You and Me by Zen Chic - got material and pattern (haven't started)
2. L - Chic Shells by Sew Kind of Wonderful - got pattern only (haven't started)
3. L - Sew Kind of Wonderful - Sew along - got pattern only (haven't started)
4. Q - green small flowers in a column - need to finish and quilt.
5. large L- Flower quilt from Aurifill - need to finish and quilt.
6. L - Vise Versa - need to finish 2 blocks and quilt.
7. Q - Block Lotto - 2014 - need to finish 8 blocks and quilt.
8. Q - Flowers in a circle BOM - some wool.  Applique.  All material and pattern.  Need to start.
9. L - Modern slant - got pattern and material - need to start.
10. L - Snow/Christmas quilt - got material and pattern - need to start
11. L - beach quilt - no material, but got pattern.
12. L - Sew Emma Snapshot quilt - did two blocks, have material, need to finish.
13. L - Dogs quilt - have fabric and pattern, need to start.
14. Q - Driesdon Craftsy - have material and pattern - need to start.
15. L - Learning to quilt on Craftsy - have 6 done, 6 to go.   Need to finish.
16. L - Learning to quilt as you go - 2013  Need to continue on with it.  Need to finish
17. large L- Crazy barn applique - have pattern, material, need to start.
18. L - Gro's tea quilt.  Material, pattern for it all, need to finish.  Have 3 to go.
19. L - Midnight Garden - wool - Lost pattern, but have material.  Need to start
20. L - Cattail - blue quilt - start
21. L - Frogs, have material, pattern, and have started to cut.  Need to finish.
22. Q - pink pin wheel.  Need to finish.
23. T - Chinese circles. - need to finish.
24. L - Pink and green squares - finish.
25. L - Squares in the tin box - pattern and material,  others doing that one.
26. Q - Row by Row - Canada - all patterns, all material, need to finish.
27. Q - Row by Row American side - all patterns, all material, need to finish.
28. T - flowers pieced in black - Amish. - material, and pattern. Small one.  Need to start.
29. Q - Squares with Hexigons - pattern, material, need to start.
30. L - Batique quilt - pattern, material, need to start.
31. Q - Circle quilt from Craftsy - material red and white, pattern, need to start.
32. Q - BOM 2015 buckets - material, pattern, need to start.
33. L - One block wonder - material, pattern, need to start.
34. L - Video 10" squares - disappearing pinwheet. Material - need to start.
35. Q - Swoon - material, need to start.
36. L - Stain glass BOM - material, pattern, need to start.
37. L - House BOM - material, pattern, need to start.
38. Q - Hand stitched old fashion girl on white, with squares of color.  top for queen quilt. finish.
39. Q - Girl on a farm - applique that I am designing - Some material - need to continue/finish
40. L - Blue HST's - all HSTs done, need to finish.
41. W - Big city/town pattern.  No material, but I have the pattern.
42. L - Modern pattern just bought on Craftsy on sale.  Have pattern and material.  Need to start.
43. L - Tractor quilt with barns to complete. It's part of the Farm Girl Sampler by Lori Holt.  I purchased the book. Have some material.  Need to finish by June for my cousin.  
44. T - Using charms for Back to school pattern.  Have pattern and material.  Need to finish.
45. L - Jelly roll quilt from the Back to School pattern book.  Have pattern and material cut out.  Need to finish.
46. Large L - Fat quarter quilt block - have material but have not started.
47. Large L - migration from Craftsy Store.  Have pattern and material.  Need to start.
48. Large L - Large hexi flowers pattern from Craftsy store - have some material.
49. T - circular birds - have pattern only.  Want to do this one with extra material I have and scraps.
50. Q- Apple Quilt - have all the material and the Thangles to do the quilt.  Need to Finish.
51. L Scrappy BOM  from IQuiltModern - scraps - to start.
52. Big W - Pixulated quilt Sun Flower - it's done just quilting it and that's taking ages!!  Need to Finish
53. L - Pixulated Eye - have the material, the pattern, everything.  It's the Craftsy free quilting class to learn how to pixulate.  It's fabulous, go take a look!  Need to start.
54. W - The Quilt Magazine, April 2012. of a bird on a Laundry Line.  All material and the pattern.  Half done.  Need to Finish.
55. Star Quilt from the FVRQ Guild - have the material and the patterns.  Have all done but the last 3 starts and then the big middle one.  Need to Finish.
56. Home Tweet Home - McKenna Ryan - 9 blocks. - have 2 of the blocks done and a friend gives me more when I complete the next block.

So to summarize:  

27 already started and I need to finish.

26 - not started but I have the material.

14 queen size quilts

32 large lap quilts.

I'll be happy to do half those quilts.  But I do want to do the first 8 items for sure.  Come join us with our resolutions at Quilting Jet Girl!!!!  Click on the link above to go to the link party.