The last update I did was from May or June.  This is the last list of goals I posted and it was for June!  Not much has changed – but there has been some change. 🙂

1. Continue to count fabric in and out of my stash – Well, the good thing is that there have been no movement these last couple of months.  The last addition was from the Quilt Run in June and since then nothing in and nothing out. 🙂 

2. Concentrate on one thing at a time. –

• Scrapitude
  • buy the border fabric and batting
  • cut and sew it on
  • determine what the backing is going to be
  • determine what the quilting is going to be
  • get this on Bailey and quilt it!
    • UPDATE: This sat in a bag for a long time and a couple of weeks ago I pulled it out and worked on it a little bit at a time.  Without a design wall, it was difficult and I played it by ear.  But it is done and now I’m ready to check my batting stash to make sure I’ve got enough batting; cut it down and start quilting!

• Tell It To The Stars –
  • piece the backing for it
  • determine what the quilting is going to be
  • get this on Bailey and quilt it!
    • UPDATE: The back was finished in June and this is waiting on me to quilt it.  Since the move, Bailey and the frame is sitting patiently in the garage waiting for me to move it in.  I’ve told the hubby that I’m ready to quilt as soon as he’s ready to bring it in for me.  

• Moon Glow –
  • cut and sew the borders on
  • buy batting
  • determine what the backing is going to be
  • determine what the quilting is going to be
  • get this on Bailey and quilt it!
    • UPDATE: Nothing has been done for this since June.  Now that Scrapitude is ready for quilting, I plan to get going on this project. 

• Raining Cats and Dogs –
  • I need to look at where I am on this block and figure out what the next step is.   
  • Then I need to put this on my calendar so that I actually work on this a little bit at a time.
    • UPDATE: I’ve gotten half of the block applique’d on.  

• Hampton Ridge –
  • Piece the rows together
    • UPDATE: Nothing has been done for this since June.  It’s on the docket once Moon Glow is complete. 
• Mystery Quilt –
  • First clue is released on Thursday, 6/4 – retrieve the clue and complete it.
    • UPDATE: I’m not going to do this anymore.  

3. View and complete Craftsy Classes. –

Stephanie Japel’s Hats Four Ways – Work on the second project

UPDATE: Still working on this. 🙂

Finish the gardening class I started a few weeks ago. – write up a review for this one and post it 

UPDATE: I finished the class but I’m not going to write up a review.  I enjoy watching the gardening classes but I do not have the time to actually do any gardening right now. 

4. Complete projects from my craft books

Do the second project and make sure I have the supplies for the third project.

UPDATE: Not sure I have the mental capacity for this right now.  I may have to be okay with just getting 1 project done this year and let this goal go until I’m able to actually find time to do this more consistently.  I think my goals are shifting to using what I’ve got so rather than do projects in my books and getting the supplies for those projects – I would do projects I’ve got the supplies for.  

5. Scrap system?  – I think I need to get myself organized… Not sure how this is going to work but I need to figure out something really fast.

UPDATE: I’ve been thinking of this for awhile.  I need something quick and easy, otherwise I won’t use it.  I’ve set up bins.  They are not organized yet but they are in my closet.  For Bin#1 – I have a pillow case lining a small bin (like a trash can) that can easily be closed if I want to.  This bin sits next to me when I’m at my sewing machine.  This is the bin I put the scraps that are too small to do anything with.  I’m saving the bits for pet beds, or stuffing bits for packing or keeping breakable gifts safe.  The rest of the bins are thrown about haphazardly in my sewing room closet.  First, is the bits that are bigger than 1/2 an inch and can be pieced together randomly with other bits (Bin #2).  I piece these together when I want to sew but don’t want to think about what I’m doing.  DD is getting into doing these for me too as there are times when she, too, wants to sew but doesn’t want to get into a project that she doesn’t have the time to do.  The next 2 bins are in the closet somewhere but they haven’t been figured out.  I kind of mixed them up and I have to go through all the bins to separate these two out.  So, Bin #3 are bins smaller than a fat quarter but bigger than the bits in Bin #2.  I can usually cut these up into squares or strips if I wanted to.  Bin #4 are bigger than a fat quarter but not a full yard.  The rest of the bins are actual yards of fabric.  So Bins #1 and #2 are working well.  Bin #3 and Bin #4 and the yardage still need to be gone through and separated.  I have pre-cuts (fabric I actually pre-cut) stored somewhere and I’m not yet sure where I put them after I unpacked them.  Those will probably be with Bin #3.  When I get these organized more, I’ll figure out if I like it or not and if it works for me or not and I’ll let you know.

Here’s to a great year!

Happy Quilting!

~Melanie

1. Continue to count fabric in and out of my stash – I’m getting tired of this goal… 🙂

2. Concentrate on one thing at a time. –

• Scrapitude  –
  • buy the border fabric and batting
  • cut and sew it on
  • determine what the backing is going to be
  • determine what the quilting is going to be
  • get this on Bailey and quilt it!
• Tell It To The Stars –
  • piece the backing for it
  • determine what the quilting is going to be
  • get this on Bailey and quilt it!
• Moon Glow –
  • cut and sew the borders on
  • buy batting
  • determine what the backing is going to be
  • determine what the quilting is going to be
  • get this on Bailey and quilt it!
• Raining Cats and Dogs –
  • I need to look at where I am on this block and figure out what the next step is.   
  • Then I need to put this on my calendar so that I actually work on this a little bit at a time.
• Hampton Ridge –
  • Piece the rows together
• Mystery Quilt –
  • First clue is released on Thursday, 6/4 – retrieve the clue and complete it

3. View and complete Craftsy Classes. –

Stephanie Japel’s Hats Four Ways – Work on the second project

Finish the gardening class I started a few weeks ago. – write up a review for this one and post it 

4. Complete projects from my craft books

Do the second project and make sure I have the supplies for the third project.

5. Scrap system?  – I think I need to get myself organized… Not sure how this is going to work but I need to figure out something really fast.

Here’s to a great year!

Happy Quilting!

~Melanie

1. Continue to count fabric in and out of my stash – done! 

2. Concentrate on one thing at a time. –

• Scrapitude  – April and May clue. – April is done. May is practically done – I just need to get fabric for the borders and attach that. 
• Month by Month – Finish quilting the border, trim it, bind and label. – the border is quilted and it was trimmed.  I bound this last night and I will add the label today.
• Tell It To The Stars – Get the backing done for this so I can get it on the frame to quilt. I already got the batting so all that I’m waiting on is the backing.  — Still need to get the backing done. 
• Moon Glow – assemble the quilt and attach the borders – the inner top is complete and I’ve got to attach the borders. 
• Raining Cats and Dogs – this is next on the list.  I’m not sure this will actually make it on the schedule this month but as soon as one of the items above is done, this is next up. – nothing.  I think I need to add this on my schedule or something because I’ve not touched this in almost a year. 

3. View and complete Craftsy Classes. –

Stephanie Japel’s Hats Four Ways – Finish up the first project.  I’m actually working on the decrease now and it should be done in the next week or so.  I spent a lot of time knitting a couple of weekends ago and my wrist/arm started hurting.  I’m still resting it and that’s my reminder to not knit so much at one time. 🙂 — I finished the first project at the boy’s baseball game yesterday.  I started working on the second project. 

Finish the gardening class I started a few weeks ago. — I finished the class and I just need to write up a review on it. 

4. Complete projects from my craft books

Do the second project and make sure I have the supplies for the third project. – still need to get this done. 

5. Get my Scrap System going – still need to figure out what I’m going to do.  Right now I’m concentrating on simply finishing what I’m working on and really trying hard NOT to start something new.  So I’ve got to do something with it. — I really don’t know what to do here… I’m still working on it. 

Here’s to a great year!

Happy Quilting!

~Melanie

Here’s my May list…

1. Continue to count fabric in and out of my stash – been doing this. 

2. Concentrate on one thing at a time. –

• Scrapitude  – April and May clue. – April is done. May’s clue was postponed because Charlotte had a family emergency. 
• Month by Month – Finish quilting the border, trim it, bind and label. – the border is quilted and it was trimmed.  I need to bind and label it. 
• Tell It To The Stars – Get the backing done for this so I can get it on the frame to quilt. I already got the batting so all that I’m waiting on is the backing.  — Still need to get the backing done. 
• Moon Glow – assemble the quilt and attach the borders – the inner top is complete and I’ve got to attach the borders. 
• Raining Cats and Dogs – this is next on the list.  I’m not sure this will actually make it on the schedule this month but as soon as one of the items above is done, this is next up. – I’m bringing this with me to Vegas and I hope to get some of it done. 

3. View and complete Craftsy Classes. –

Stephanie Japel’s Hats Four Ways – Finish up the first project.  I’m actually working on the decrease now and it should be done in the next week or so.  I spent a lot of time knitting a couple of weekends ago and my wrist/arm started hurting.  I’m still resting it and that’s my reminder to not knit so much at one time. 🙂 — I’m almost finished with this. I have to cut the string and hide the loose ends within the knitting.  I’ve already started the second project so I just need to keep working on it. 

Finish the gardening class I started a few weeks ago. — I finished the class and I just need to write up a review on it. 

4. Complete projects from my craft books

Do the second project and make sure I have the supplies for the third project. – still need to get this done. 

5. Get my Scrap System going – still need to figure out what I’m going to do.  Right now I’m concentrating on simply finishing what I’m working on and really trying hard NOT to start something new.  So I’ve got to do something with it. — I really don’t know what to do here… I’m still working on it. 

Here’s to a great year!

Happy Quilting!

~Melanie

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Here’s my May list…

1. Continue to count fabric in and out of my stash

2. Concentrate on one thing at a time. –

• Scrapitude  – April and May clue.
• Month by Month – Finish quilting the border, trim it, bind and label.
• Tell It To The Stars – Get the backing done for this so I can get it on the frame to quilt. I already got the batting so all that I’m waiting on is the backing.
• Moon Glow – assemble the quilt and attach the borders
• Raining Cats and Dogs – this is next on the list.  I’m not sure this will actually make it on the schedule this month but as soon as one of the items above is done, this is next up.

3. View and complete Craftsy Classes. –

Stephanie Japel’s Hats Four Ways – Finish up the first project.  I’m actually working on the decrease now and it should be done in the next week or so.  I spent a lot of time knitting a couple of weekends ago and my wrist/arm started hurting.  I’m still resting it and that’s my reminder to not knit so much at one time. 🙂

Finish the gardening class I started a few weeks ago.

4. Complete projects from my craft books

Do the second project and make sure I have the supplies for the third project.

5. Get my Scrap System going – still need to figure out what I’m going to do.  Right now I’m concentrating on simply finishing what I’m working on and really trying hard NOT to start something new.  So I’ve got to do something with it.

Here’s to a great year!

Happy Quilting!

~Melanie

I didn’t think I did a lot this month but after reviewing my list – I feel like I actually got a lot done.

1. Continue to count fabric in and out of my stash – done

2. Concentrate on one thing at a time. –

• Moon Glow – Finish Month 12. – DONE
• Scrapitude  – March and April clue. – FINISHED MARCH; WORKING ON APRIL
• Month by Month – Actually finished quilting the body of this but I need to finish quilting the border.  Then I need to trim it, bind and label. – FINISHED QUILTING THE BODY
• Tell It To The Stars – Get the backing done for this so I can get it on the frame to quilt. I already got the batting so all that I’m waiting on is the backing. – DIDN’T GET A CHANCE TO DO BUT WILL MOVE TO NEXT MONTH
• Raining Cats and Dogs – this is next on the list.  This isn’t something I plan on doing in april but I’m just keeping this here so I know what I’ll be working on once, I finish something. – HAHAHA – MOVE TO NEXT MONTH

3. View and complete Craftsy Classes. –

Stephanie Japel’s Hats Four Ways – I STARTED KNITTING AGAIN.  I started listening to a podcast called, Knitmore Girls, and it has inspired me to knit again.  It helps that I’ve been going to my son’s baseball practice and games and knitting projects are great to take to these events.

Go through, pick and complete another Craftsy class. – I’M REVIEWING A GARDENING CLASS.  IT’S NOT YET DONE BUT I’VE ONLY GET A FEW LESSONS TO COMPLETE IT.

4. Complete projects from my craft books

Do the first project. – DONE! 🙂

5. Get my Scrap System going.  I’ve got full bins of scraps.  I need to figure out what I want to do, cut and put the fabric in that system.  I started using Bonnie Hunters method but I’m not sure it is for me.  We’ll see.  Any suggestions? – I’M STILL THINKING THROUGH THIS ONE.

Here’s to a great year!

Happy Quilting!

~Melanie

Here’s my April to do list:

1. Continue to count fabric in and out of my stash

2. Concentrate on one thing at a time. –

• Moon Glow – Finish Month 12.
• Scrapitude  – March and April clue.
• Month by Month – Actually finished quilting the body of this but I need to finish quilting the border.  Then I need to trim it, bind and label.
• Tell It To The Stars – Get the backing done for this so I can get it on the frame to quilt. I already got the batting so all that I’m waiting on is the backing.
• Raining Cats and Dogs – this is next on the list.  This isn’t something I plan on doing in april but I’m just keeping this here so I know what I’ll be working on once, I finish something.

3. View and complete Craftsy Classes. –

Stephanie Japel’s Hats Four Ways – OMG – my knitting bug has left me and I’m just not in the mood to pick up the needles.  I’m keeping this on the list though and hope that I actually get this done.

Go through, pick and complete another Craftsy class.

4. Complete projects from my craft books

Do the first project.

5. Get my Scrap System going.  I’ve got full bins of scraps.  I need to figure out what I want to do, cut and put the fabric in that system.  I started using Bonnie Hunters method but I’m not sure it is for me.  We’ll see.  Any suggestions?

Here’s to a great year!

Happy Quilting!

~Melanie

Moon Glow
Month #12
3/12/2015

I didn’t have a chance to get this out last week so here it is.  Better late than never.

I haven’t done a lot in March but here’s a quick update on my March goals:

1. Continue to count fabric in and out of my stash – DONE

2. Concentrate on one thing at a time. –

• Scrapitude  – 3/10 clue – Not done… moved to the April list
• Month by Month – quilt, bind, label and be done with this baby – This is half quilted in March but I was not able to finish quilting it and will move this to the April list.
• Tell It To The Stars – this one is next on the to be quilted list but I’m not sure I’ll be able to quilt, bind, label this so soon after Month by Month.  I’ll keep myself open on this one.  I do want to at least get the backing prepped for this. – This is started and is hanging on my design wall but is not yet finished.  Moving this to the April list.
• Moon Glow – I put this and Raining Cats and Dogs on the list but only because I need to know what’s next.  If it’s not on the list, I may get stuck in a rut… – I started working on this at the beginning of March before I had the clue for Scrapitude and never put it away.  There are so many pieces on Month 12 for Moon Glow that I felt that I should just finish it so that I wouldn’t mess it up.  It’s still on my sewing table and I’m hoping to get this done pretty soon.

3. View and complete Craftsy Classes. –

Stephanie Japel’s Hats Four Ways – I plan to knit 1-2 rows daily on the first project so that I can actually get this class done. – I probably knitted the first few days of March and then stopped.  I’ll have to keep this on my list for April.

Bag Making Class: Drawstring Bag and Bucket Bag – I finished this class on Sunday, 3/1.  But it was part of my list for this month. – This one was actually done.  I did it early in March so I get to complete this one. Yay!

4. Complete projects from my craft books

Do the first project – Not done.  Moving this to April! 🙂

Here’s to a great year!

Happy Quilting!

~Melanie

Here’s my quick list for March:

1. Continue to count fabric in and out of my stash

2. Concentrate on one thing at a time. –

• Scrapitude  – 3/10 clue
• Month by Month – quilt, bind, label and be done with this baby
• Tell It To The Stars – this one is next on the to be quilted list but I’m not sure I’ll be able to quilt, bind, label this so soon after Month by Month.  I’ll keep myself open on this one.  I do want to at least get the backing prepped for this.
• Moon Glow – I put this and Raining Cats and Dogs on the list but only because I need to know what’s next.  If it’s not on the list, I may get stuck in a rut…

3. View and complete Craftsy Classes. –

Stephanie Japel’s Hats Four Ways – I plan to knit 1-2 rows daily on the first project so that I can actually get this class done.

Bag Making Class: Drawstring Bag and Bucket Bag – I finished this class on Sunday, 3/1.  But it was part of my list for this month.

4. Complete projects from my craft books

Do the first project

Here’s to a great year!

Happy Quilting!

~Melanie

Tell It To The Stars
Border #5 Fabric
2/18/15

Month 2 done!  10 More to go… not that I’m counting, it seems time flies way too fast for me.

1. Continue to count fabric in and out of my stash. – still doing this with my stash report.  I’ve added 10.5 yards so far for the year which is not bad when I added 34.5 for the same time frame last year.  🙂  I’ve been counting fabric since 2013 and it is such a habit now that next year I’m not going to put it as a “goal”.  Unless I start making real goals like using x# yards for the year I do not need to remember to count my fabric anymore. 🙂

2. Concentrate on one thing at a time. – This is really working!  I’m so excited.  I’m caught up on Scrapitude  and I’m waiting for 3/10 for the next clue.  I finished the secret project, I finished the top for Tell It To The Stars and I finished the top Month by Month.  To be fair, all I had to do for Month by Month was to put a border on it.  For March, I’m going to quilt it and Tell It To The Stars.  For piecing, it’s time to pull out Moon Glow and get going on that again.  If memory serves, I am finished with all the blocks, I have to put together the alternating blocks and then I can put the top together.  I may also pull out Raining Cats and Dogs so I can work on a hand project again.

3. View and complete Craftsy Classes. – I didn’t finish the classes that I originally put on my list.  But I did watch Leah Day’s Free Motion Fillers Volume 1.  I’ll write up a more complete post but I consider this class complete.  Since I got my mid arm and it’s on a frame, I’m not as into the FMQ classes for domestic machines on my Craftsy class queue as I was.  However, I do want to see the various options so I know about them and I’m sure I’ll learn something or simply add something to my FMQ arsenal.  The original two classes I listed are still on the docket.  I may jump in and do the Bag Making Class once I get Month by Month finished as a break between quilting that and Tell It To The Stars.  But the Hats Four Ways is project based and I will just have to knit periodically to get it done.  So my goal is to get 1-2 rows done a night.  The problem is I use KnitCompanion to track my progress and its on my iPad.  While working on the first project of Hats Four Ways, my iPad broke.  I haven’t been able to get myself going on that project since.  I will commit to getting KnitCompanion on my iPhone and knitting 1-2 rows a night for the month of March.

Stephanie Japel’s Hats Four Ways

Bag Making Class: Drawstring Bag and Bucket Bag

4. Complete projects from my craft books

Purchase the supplies for the first two projects of Sew Practical – done. I purchased everything I need for the first two projects so I’m ready to get going on the first project.

Do the first project – haven’t done this yet.  I’m just really excited to get started on quilting on the Bailey that this was put aside.  It’s nice to know that this is waiting for me.  I’ve got two quilts to do but once those are done, there will be time until the next top is ready to be quilted.

Here’s to a great year!

Happy Quilting!

~Melanie