weekly goals update

From my earlier post HERE

Here's my update and next week's goals list ...

Goal #1 Cut and sort this basket into usable pieces and finish last week's basket. BUSTED THIS ONE!! finished this one - cut, sorted and everything is put into it's proper place ;o)
Goal #2 Work on the borders for the 30s Top pictured above. (PROGRESS ... found my border idea, have fabric cut and ready to start piecing it today.)
3. Find something to sort and organize each day. A little bit of progress is better than none! (PROGRESS ... did a bit each day inside and out and happy with my progress.)

This week's goal list ....

Goal #1 ... finish borders on the 30s Quilt Top.

Goal # 2 ... sort, cut and put away this basket of scraps and such. I have lots of these little baskets in my sewing area if you remember from my previous post. I am slowly getting through all of them and hope to keep at them until they are all done.

Goal #3 ... work on more crumb blocks as my leaders and enders this week.

Goal #4 ... work on organizing little man's closet this week

until next time ... happy quilting and work on those goals

weekly goals update

Goal #1 - BUSTED!! Here is the backing I have been piecing for the TN Strings Quilt. It is finally finished. Now to find batting and get to quilting on it.

Goal # 2 - BUSTED!!! Sashing strips have been added to the 30s blocks - whatcha think so far? I know it needs a border but still haven't decided on what to do yet. Gotta get on the stick though as the deadline to have this in the mail is looming. (sorry I was running outta light for this one.)

Goal #3 -- not quite finished but made some progress. Remember the basket I was sorting this week, well this is some of what I found while sorting it. Lots of pieces and parts to blocks. I got to work and pieced the most of them into blocks but I have a pile still to complete. I have one (the blue square one) that is leftover pieces from a border than I am turning into a hotpad. I have it sandwiched ready to quilt here but it is now completed.

I have no clue what the one set of pieces are supposed to be for (those in the upper right corner and in the center of the picture are the pieces and parts I have left to put together). I guess I need to play with them and find the layout for them. I hate when I come across block parts and no pattern is there with them. I am going to do better about putting the pattern with the block parts and putting them into baggies. Then I won't have this trouble.

Next weeks goals.

1. Cut and sort this basket into usable pieces and finish last week's basket.

2. Work on the borders for the 30s Top pictured above.

3. Find something to sort and organize each day. A little bit of progress is better than none!

until next time ... happy quilting and work on those goals.

This week's progress report next week's goals

Sounds like I've been in school and the teacher sent home my grades with comments huh? lol

This was my list for this week's goals
1. Piece the backing to the TN Strings Quilt -- got another row added and cut enough pieces to add the last row of ten blocks
2. Figure out a layout for these blocks for a blocks to top swap -- found the setting I am going to use, started cutting sashing strips already
3. Spend 20 minutes or more each day organizing something -- didn't work on this each day but almost every day.
4. Sort and cut the basket into usable pieces -- BUSTED this one!!! I got the basket sorted and put away the squares, strips and bricks that I had cut the pieces into. I did find some blocks pieces that will need to put pieced into blocks. I put those into a holding basket beside my machine. I think I will work on these this week as my leaders and enders. This week I did crumb pieces as my leaders and enders and finished four more blocks and have several more started. (I am happy with my small bits of sewing room organization I do each week. I'm trying to get it into shape by the end of the year so I can work steadily on Judy's stash busting challenge for next year. )

My goals for the coming week ..

1. Finish the backing blocks .. this is going to come off the list this week if I have to stay up all night one night doing so. I have other projects that I want to work on but this one is looming over me saying finish me finish me!!

2. Add the sashing to the blocks into tops blocks

3. Sort and cut this basket into usable pieces

unit next time ... happy quilting and work on those goals!

Week's Progress Report

I decided to start posting some small weekly goals to help me stay on track and get things done even if it seems like small meaningless things to others, it all adds up and makes a big difference to me, my amount of progress and the organization and tidiness of my house.

Update of my progress from this Monday's list. I did good but didn't completely finish them all.

Weekly goals

1. Sort and cut basket into usable pieces - BUSTED!!

2. Piece the backing to the TN Strings Quilt -- SOOO CLOSE I can taste it!

3. Spend 20 minutes or more each day organizing something - did this almost every day - I think I missed one day but made up for it on other days by doing over the 20 minutes. This one will be on the list weekly.

This week's goals

1. Piece the backing to the TN Strings Quilt

2. Figure out a layout for these blocks for a blocks to top swap

3. Spend 20 minutes or more each day organizing something

4. Sort and cut this basket into usable pieces

unit next time ... happy quilting and work on those goals!

Weekly Goal Busted!

I posted HERE my weekly goals and showed the messy basket of fabrics. I am so happy to be able to mark one BUSTED!!! I now have a nice stack of usable squares, strips, bricks and binding pieces all ready to use. Doesn't this look better than the first picture?

I put everything away except for the three stack at the upper left top corner of the mat. They will be used to make blocks for the backing of the TN String Quilt.

Weekly goals
1. Sort and cut basket into usable pieces - BUSTED!! Gonna pull another basket for next week and keep at it.
2. Piece the backing to the TN Strings Quilt - should have enough pieces cut to get the blocks started in the morning.
3. Spend 20 minutes or more each day organizing something - doing good with this one as well.

until next time ... happy quilting and work on those goals

Weekly Goals

Weekly goals
1. Sort and cut basket into usable pieces
2. Piece the backing to the TN Strings Quilt
3. Spend 20 minutes or more each day organizing something

As part of Judy's Plan for us to get organized by the end of the year ... I post before pictures HERE. To get me started I pulled a basket from beside cabinet to start reducing and organizing my stash. See the second picture in that post. The blue basket is in the stack to the right of the three drawer thingy.
Here is what I will be working on this week to help get the backing pieced for the TN Strings Quilt and to help organize my stash a bit. I am going to be sorting and cutting this basket done to usable size pieces. I started cutting this morning and got these nice piles agoing.


so what are you working on this week ... any small goals you are setting for yourself?
until next time ... happy quilting

UFO Challenge/Contest Week 3 Progress

As I posted about earlier - we are doing a UFO Challenge/Contest for September and I am working away on three different UFOs this month. Depending on the number that is chosen I get to work on a different one each day.

UFO List for September's Challenge/Contest
1. crumb blocks -- began with 35 total blocks (6inch blocks and 6.5 inch blocks mixed)
2. string blocks - began with 16 string blocks blocks and 16 TN blocks- this one will be called TN Strings (combined TN blocks and my String blocks together.)
3. red split nine patch blocks - began with 24 blocks

Day 15 --- chose wild card (I am choosing to work on number 3) got those pieced blocks pressed and tried a couple different layouts. Made my layout choice and now need to make another 16 blocks
Day 16 -- chose UFO #2 - I was able to sew the borders on my TN Strings top
Day 17 -- chose wild card (I am choosing to work on my number 3) cut and sewed enough HSTs to make the last 16 blocks
Day 18 --- chose UFO #1 - chain pieced several block parts
Day 19 -- chose wild card - no progress on any UFO on the list today - worked on double nine patch blocks instead
Day 20 -- chose UFO #2 - I washed, pressed and laid out the backing for this one only to find it was not large enough to do what I need it to do so I will have to piece the backing :o(
Day 21 -- chose wild card - I didn't work on a UFO today - I started and almost finished a baby quilt for my neice.
Not too bad for another week of progress. Any progress is better than none right? I am so hoping to complete at least one of these by the end of the challenge. I won't have pictures to share for this one but might sneak some in next week.
until next time ... happy quilting

cluttered caos

As I was looking around my sewing area I realized something. My area could be considered cluttered caos to someone who didn't have the quilting bug. I have stacks of shoe boxes on top of both my cabinets of UFOs and BOBs, I have bins, baskets and tubs of fabrics and scraps scattered here and there. I have patterns either printed out from the web or bought ones just laying here and there on top of one cabinet in a stack on the floor and then on my sewing table. It just seems that my sewing area is about ready to burst with unfinished projects and fabrics. I am going to vow to work more on UFOs and BOBs from here out and to use soley from my stash and swap out fabrics when I am need of a certain color or prints. I feel so guilty as I look around at how much stuff my sewing area holds and some of it is unused and unfinished.
About my closet ... well I've been meaning to clean it out and something always comes up and I've been putting it off. Guess what happened?? I come in from work and find the rod holder thingy has BROKEN!! Now that means I have too many clothes on the rod. Funny though it seems I always wind up wearing the same clothes every week. With the rod holder thingy broken I have to remove all the clothes from the rod lying on the floor. What a heavy bunch of clothes it is. I am working on it steadily and finding lots to put into the next yard sale pile. Why was I keeping things that I know I will never wear? Not my size? Not my style? Not my color? I have gone through half of them so far and plan on slowly getting through the rest of them. My closet is getting organized and I will only have the clothes in there that I will actually wear when it's all done. So the rod holder thingy breaking is a POSITIVE thing!
I've been slowly doing some decluttering and cleaning a bit at a time, a small area at a time and finding it easier to keep the house clean by doing so. I look around at all we have and am amazed. Why do we have so much STUFF?!? going to continue to work on sorting, tossing, and selling things from around the house that we don't use or need. Next on the list are the old computers sashed behind the TV stand out of sight but collecting dust. Computer resale shoppe here they come!
until next time ... continue working on those goals .. take small steps of progress every chance you can

Judy's at it again

JUDY is at it again ... making us stay on our toes and work on those goals from January. Ain't she just great!

here's my list from January ... let's see how I've been doing so far and what I need to work harder on ...
My goals for this challenge will be ...
to REDUCE my scrap bins in half - I think I have four now -- have been cutting and sliming these down but no where near half 'cause they keep multipling like rabbits in there!
to USE UP those 2.5 inch strips I have cut - two oversized shoe boxes located up on the top on that cabinet I posted a photo of before - I believe they are like rabbits and mulitiply quickly! haven't even touched these yet - shame on me!
to COMPLETE half of the UFOs/ BOBs I have on hand - I think I have 10-15 that come to mind - nope I found more and I am afraid more are lurking in the cabinets. let's see I have completed 3 UFOs from the list ... still have lots to do but working on three this month at least for a contest/challenge I am a part of and hope to complete all three if not more.
to NOT buy unless it is absolutely necessary to complete a project - I have been really good on this one - have only bought 6yds of Kona White the whole entire year
to CONTINUE to piece the backings of my quilts to use up those uglies and what was I thinking fabrics -- I have been good on this one too and have pieced the backing on two of the one's I've completed so far this year. The third completion was just a top - I am sending it back to the owner for her to finish it off completely. I plan on using the pieced backings for all my scrappy quilts that I can.
to NOT print another pattern from the internet without using at least two that I have already printed. I have binders of patterns that I have not even made yet. Also have a stack of patterns that need to be put into binders. Those were shown in a photo I posted earlier too. I've been working on organizing these patterns putting them into binders and tossing the duplicates I find along the way and thinning these down a bit more too.
to SORT through and organize my stash so I can find what I need - getting there - see my newly cleaned up sewing area photos. still working on this - organizing as I go thru and swapping out fabrics I find but will not use. Need to show an updated photo soon.
to NOT join a swap that requires me to buy fabric failed at this one .. had to buy the Kona for a 30s block swap I am doing
to ONLY join swaps that help me complete a UFO/BOB or allows me to use from my stash. {I love to swap and don't want to give that up just yet :o) } not done too bad I have only joined one swap so far that has not been to complete a UFO
to COMPLETE one UFOs/BOBs before starting a new project (kinda like a reward system) completing three so far this year and starting only two I have done better than expected.

now ... for the rest of this year I am going to continue to work on these goals and my other goals I post along the way too. thanks Judy for the reminder. need to start posting my stashbusting updates again too.

Ongoing Goals List

Here are only the goals with updates ... not too shabby of a progress update
1. Finish Mother's 30s Quilt - need to get this one quilted and bound. Backing is here need to package up and ship to Tirane to do her magic on it shortly! Hope to complete this one by the 8th of October for their 49th Anniversary!
2. Finish reworking Kimberly's Black and White RR - top is so close to being done I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now .. seriously though ... lack three sides of what I think will be the last border. hope to complete it shortly.
3. Finish String Quilt - blocks are here just waiting to be used; I thinking of combining them with the TN blocks to make my little man a large quilt for his bed. this one is now on my September of UFOs for a challenge/game I am a part of - should be able to make some progress on it this coming month.
4. Clean out my closet and redo my bedroom - looking better with every chance I get to go through more stuff.
5. Continue to sort and organize my stash for better access - I am making some nice progress here. Slowly but surely I am getting there - will take some updated pictures soon. Went through some more fabrics and folded and organized them and they all fit into their baskets better so more fit in there. The sewing area is looking neater with every decluttering/organizing spurt I give it.
6. Continue to sort and organize my patterns so I can find them more easily - I have started putting these into four binders and will keep at it as I find the time to do so. Gonna thin as I go. -- I have been working on this on and off - almost done with this one - hope to complete it over the weekend while watching a good movie! Didn't happen - maybe this month??
7. Continue to thin out my scraps - I haven't thinned out any scraps but I have been organizing them. Will try and make some crumb blocks this month and some pineapple blocks too. crumb blocks are on my UFO list too - gonna reduce that scrap drawer yet.
8. Lose 6 more pounds and more - still need to lose the 6 pounds but am at a standstill. Need to try harder and exercise more. hmmm ... haven't weighed myself lately .. need to and then update my total loss or gain ;o(
9. Work on decluttering my house more - do small tasks as I can. If I don't love it, need it, use it or can wear it - it needs to go. This will be a never ending goal of mine. lol -- I have been doing good with this one ... have been trying to clean a small area a day and toss, sort, give away, put away and so on. The house is looking neater and less cluttered every day. Now to find a way NOT to bring more back into the house!
10. Finish the Bears in the Farmhouse quilt to use as a raffle quilt for my friend who was diagnose with ovarian cancer. It is quilted just needs to be bound. The raffle quilt has not been completed. My neighbor friend had her surgery and they are saying they think they got it all and that she will not have to have radiation or chemo but with no insurance her hospital bills will be out of this world so I hope they get lots of items donated for the benefit that is coming up.
11. Rework DDs room to fit in the bigger bed - we will see how this one goes - she has been going through her stuff and getting rid of things she feels she has outgrown and has made great progress on this, hope she continues and we can move her new bed in soon.
until next time ... happy quilting and take steps and work on those goals

August Goals Update

not much sewing going on this week but I have made some progress on my goals lately. It's mid August already - I had better kick it into gear if I am going to complete at least half of the goals on my list this month. Who else has goals that they'd like to complete this month? How do you stay motivated to do so? I have so many irons in the fire I get over-whelmed at times with everything that needs to be done and that I want to get done.

Here are only the goals with updates ... not too shabby of a progress update
2. Finish reworking Kimberly's Black and White RR - decided to not take them apart but do some fabulous border to tie them all together instead. -- I have put the rows together in pairs so far. Now to get the whole center pieced and start on those wonderful borders. Anyone got any reds, black and white or burgandies they want to swap out please let me know. I need a nice combination of fabrics to make these borders pop!
5. Continue to sort and organize my stash for better access - I am making some nice progress here. Slowly but surely I am getting there - will take some updated pictures soon. Still have lots to do though. -- I got a nice storage unit from my sister and worked on that stash stuffed under the bar. It looks much nicer. I will have to take a picture and show ya soon. I am giving away some flannel pieces I found while cleaning that area to a quilty friend who does Linus quilts. I am trading off some other fabrics that I found and know I will never use that someone else might. Gonna keep on sorting and organizing. I am finding fabric I didn't know I had. lol
6. Continue to sort and organize my patterns so I can find them more easily - I have started putting these into four binders and will keep at it as I find the time to do so. Gonna thin as I go. -- I have been working on this on and off - almost done with this one - hope to complete it over the weekend while watching a good movie!
9. Work on decluttering my house more - do small tasks as I can. If I don't love it, need it, use it or can wear it - it needs to go. This will be a never ending goal of mine. lol -- We had a yard sale last weekend and got rid of a ton of DDs clothes and lots of other stuff too. Nothing like decluttering and making some money doing so ;o)

until next time ... happy quilting and take steps and work on those goals

August Goals

Thanks Babs for the reminder to post my August goals. I am a bit behind but it is okay.
I'm going to be expanding my list a bit this month. Maybe I will be able to mark some more off by the end of the month ;o)
From my July list .... some of these will never get off the list as finished but I am happy with the progress I have made so far on them.
1. Finish Mother's 30s Quilt - need to piece a backing and get this one quilted and bound.
2. Finish reworking Kimberly's Black and White RR - decided to not take them apart but do some fabulous border to tie them all together instead.
3. Finish String Quilt - blocks are here just waiting to be used; I thinking of combining them with the TN blocks to make my little man a large quilt for his bed.
4. Clean out my closet and redo my bedroom - started but not much progress yet. Need to really attack it on a weekend I don't have the kiddos. Thinking the weekend of the 15th.
5. Continue to sort and organize my stash for better access - I am making some nice progress here. Slowly but surely I am getting there - will take some updated pictures soon. Still have lots to do though.
6. Continue to sort and organize my patterns so I can find them more easily - I have started putting these into four binders and will keep at it as I find the time to do so. Gonna thin as I go.
7. Continue to thin out my scraps - I haven't thinned out any scraps but I have been organizing them. Will try and make some crumb blocks this month and some pineapple blocks too.
8. Lose 6 more pounds and more - still need to lose the 6 pounds but am at a standstill. Need to try harder and exercise more.
New goals added for August
9. Work on decluttering my house more - do small tasks as I can. If I don't love it, need it, use it or can wear it - it needs to go.
10. Finish the Bears in the Farmhouse quilt to use as a raffle quilt for my friend who was diagnose with ovarian cancer. It is quilted just needs to be bound.
11. Rework DDs room to fit in the bigger bed - we will see how this one goes
until next time ... happy quilting and take steps and work on those goals

without knowing it

I have been working on some of my goals this week .... I didn't even think about my goals until I glanced back at them just now.
some of my July Goals updated ....
5. Sort and organize my stash for better access ... update ... purchased some storage tubs to try and work on this soon. Have used half of these tubs to put fabric into the bottom of my closet instead of in those copy paper boxes I showed earlier. I have been sorting and pressing and folding fabric and have made some progress I can see it too.
6. Sort and organize my patterns so I can find them more easily ... update ... pulled them all and have them stacked waiting to be put into binders with dividers that are here. Thinking I am going to reduce these by half or more and if I need a pattern then I can print it off the internet instead of having to keep it in my sewing area. Have all the patterns pulled and sitting on my sewing table to work on tomorrow night.
7. Thin out my scraps ... update ... I have used some this month but they seem to reproduce with each project I make though. Can't tell I have used any! Might need to have a scrap give away. I have been sorting, pressing, cutting and putting my scraps away. I have tossed some fabric, have a bag started to donate, swapped a few pieces and have lots still to go through. My precut square drawers, strings and crumb drawers are starting to get full, making it time to start sewing with them again.

my crazy - upside down life

sorry for the delay in posting life has been crazy and upside down lately but I am hoping that things are starting to calm down again so I can get on with my 'normal' activities again and post a bit more often.
I have gotten to sew a bit the last couple of days. I made these blocks for a swap I am in for a swapper. She sent the floral fabric and asked for green, purple, pink or yellow tone on tones to be added to the blocks. Hope she likes them.

I made these blocks for another swapper in the same swap. She sent the black fabric and asked for black on white and white on white with no HSTs in the blocks. Thinks she'll like them?

I hope to be able to work on my mother's 30s Sampler Quilt soon. I have one more set of blocks to make to complete my swap committments and I am not looking to join any more anytime soon. Too many irons in the fire here ;o)
to update on these two goals in one posting {4. Clean out my closet and redo my bedroom 5. Sort and organize my stash for better access ... update ... purchased some storage tubs to try and work on this soon.} I started pulling out boxes of stuff from my closet to start organizing my bedroom last night. I pulled all the fabric - quilting boxes from the bottom of my closet. I now have some nice organizing drawer units in the bottom of the closet instead of those boxes I showed long ago HERE I have one copy paper box full of various Debbie Mumm fabrics and novelty fabrics pulled that I know I will never use - gonna see if someone wants these. I am happy that my bedroom re-organization has at least begun now :o)
update on another goal sort of {8.. Lose 6 more pounds ... Update .. I am now down 12 pounds and hope to continue to lose and lose my goal of 10% of my starting body weight.} I haven't been keeping up with my weight since my last post so I will try and do an update on that tonight or tomorrow. Need to stay focused on down-sizing and not only my weight but the clutter in my life too ;0)
until later - happy quilting and focus on those goals for July!

Goals for July

Since June is almost another completed month in the books I am going to make my goals list for July and really really work on getting the most of them completed by the time the kids return from their dads at the end of the month.

Here is the updated list of goals I made a bit ago. I finished several of them since my last update - you will notice I now have only EIGHT goals still listed from my original list - painted the railings and shutter, wood is on the porch roof, flower beds are done for the season
1. Finish Mother's 30s Quilt - center is done need to make a few more blocks to surround the center and then see from there.
2. Finish reworking Kimberly's Black and White RR - this is in rows but will be taken apart and reworked
3. Finish String Quilt - blocks are here just waiting to be used; I thinking of combining them with the TN blocks to make my little man a large quilt for his bed.
4. Clean out my closet and redo my bedroom
5. Sort and organize my stash for better access ... update ... purchased some storage tubs to try and work on this soon.
6. Sort and organize my patterns so I can find them more easily ... update ... pulled them all and have them stacked waiting to be put into binders with dividers that are here. Thinking I am going to reduce these by half or more and if I need a pattern then I can print it off the internet instead of having to keep it in my sewing area.
7. Thin out my scraps ... update ... I have used some this month but they seem to reproduce with each project I make though. Can't tell I have used any! Might need to have a scrap give away.
8. Lose 6 more pounds ... Update .. I am now down 12 pounds and hope to continue to lose and lose my goal of 10% of my starting body weight. Working on this still - slowly but surely. Clothes are fitting better and I feel better too. Wonder why other's can't tell when you lose 12 pounds but I can??

until next time ... set your goals and work on them as you can

Goals Update for May

We are almost to the end of May and I have some more updates to make on my goals list ... progress is a good thing. I guess finishing four goals outta fifteen ain't that bad right? I did make progress on eight others so maybe this weekend I can finish another one or two and get those marked as DONE!! before the month is really over. It feels good to have gotten so much little stuff done so far though.
Here is the list of goals I made a bit ago.

1. Finish Mother's 30s Quilt for Mothers day (June Birthday)- this is in the block stage still, swapping out the rest of the blocks this month and hope to have it completed in time for her .. Update ... here is where the top lies at the moment ... off to a good start. Hope to work on more blocks as I find the time.

Here is the center ...

and here are the other blocks I have made/swapped so far... I plan on surrounding the center with these blocks and then another series of borders to finish the quilt off.

2. Finish reworking Kimberly's Black and White RR - this is in rows but will be taken apart and reworked
3. Finish String Quilt - have been swapping out blocks this past month and should have enough for a quilt for DS's bed. He hasn't gotten a scrappy quilt yet and has pointed that out to me :o) ... update ... blocks are now here waiting to be used; I think I am going to combine them with the TN blocks to make him a large quilt.
4. DONE!!!
5. Paint railings on front and back porch
6. Remove old wood from roof of porch and replace ... update ... old wood is removed and take care of; now to borrow a truck to get the new wood to the house and get it installed.
7. Redo flower bed by front stairs .. update ... my tiller is now home so I should - weather permitting - be able to start on these soon. Update ... made some major progress on the flower bed. have one bag of top soil still to spread and about 35 stones to lay and I'll be done!!!
8. DONE!!
9. Clean out my closet
10. Sort and organize my stash for better access ... update ... purchased some storage tubs to try and work on this soon.
11. Sort and organize my patterns so I can find them more easily ... update ... pulled them all and have them stacked waiting to be put into binders with dividers that are here.
12. Thin out my scraps ... update ... I have used some this month but they seem to reproduce with each project I make though. Can't tell I have used any! Might need to have a scrap give away.
13. DONE!!
14. Lose 15 more pounds ... Update .. I am now down 9 pounds and hope to continue to lose and lose my goal of 10% of my starting body weight. I will feel so much better and my clothes will fit again.
15. DONE!!

I get to update the list as the month rolls along. I hope to have weekly updates with major goals finished by the end of the month. Life does tend to get in the way though so I may not. until next time ... stick to your goals!

Update on my goals list

gosh - May is almost over and I feel so behind on posting and sewing and my goals. I have been making progress but not at the pace I wanted to but some is better than none right?
to update my goals list .... Some are quilting related some are not so bear with me. If I have completed it - the goal is going to be removed from the list next go around.
1. Finish Mother's 30s Quilt for Mothers day (June Birthday)- this is in the block stage still, swapping out the rest of the blocks this month and hope to have it completed in time for her .. update ... rest of blocks are made and swapped out for this one; now to finalize the layout and work on a border. Plan on working on this during the upcoming weekend. WRONG!! I pulled the blocks and only had NINE made - not enough for her quilt so last weekend I got busy and made a couple more - this coming weekend I plan on getting enough blocks made to make the top then onto the layout.
2. Finish reworking Kimberly's Black and White RR - this is in rows but will be taken apart and reworked
3. Finish String Quilt - have been swapping out blocks this past month and should have enough for a quilt for DS's bed. He hasn't gotten a scrappy quilt yet and has pointed that out to me :o) ... update ... blocks are now here waiting to be used; I think I am going to combine them with the TN blocks to make him a large quilt.
4. Pressure wash front porch and siding on house -- DONE!!!
5. Paint railings on front and back porch
6. Remove old wood from roof of porch and replace ... update ... old wood is removed and take care of; now to borrow a truck to get the new wood to the house and get it installed.
7. Redo flower bed by front stairs .. update ... my tiller is now home so I should - weather permitting - be able to start on these soon. update ... I started doing flower bed work but not the one I had talked about in the post earlier. The yard is looking so much nicer with my progress - need to find time to take some pictures this weekend for the updated post.
8. Clean out DS's closet - DONE!!
9. Clean out my closet
10. Sort and organize my stash for better access ... update ... purchased some storage tubs to try and work on this soon.
11. Sort and organize my patterns so I can find them more easily ... update ... pulled them all and have them stacked waiting to be put into binders with dividers that are here.
12. Thin out my scraps ... update ... I have used some this month but they seem to reproduce with each project I make though. Can't tell I have used any! Might need to have a scrap give away.
13. Cut back on my coffee intake ... update ... I am down to two cups a day. Now to increase my water intake to boost my weight loss. I haven't had a cup in over a month now!!! Now to keep at the water intake instead of Diet Coke. I am going to mark this one as DONE!!! and remove it from the list.
14. Lose a total of 18 pounds ... update ... well ...I am doing this slowly but surely. I am now down EIGHT pounds. TEN more to reach the 10% of my starting weight target. Will see how I look and feel to determine if I want to push myself to lose more.
15. Put pool back up in back yard and get it all level this time around ;o) -- update ... pool is getting filled up as I type!!! this one is going to be marked DONE!!! and removed next update!

I get to update the list as the month rolls along. I hope to have weekly updates with major goals finished by the end of the month. Life does tend to get in the way though so I may not. Life has gotten in the way - I haven't been posting much and haven't been sewing much either. Hope to keep at my goals and work on those UFO/BOBs on my list and get them reduced and reduce my size as well.
until next time ... stick to your goals!

making the most of May

I am going to pull my April goals to May and see what I am accomplish this month. I am doing good with my diet - now to get to walking more and really make the weight come off. If the weather would hold off and stop raining I might get more walking in.

I have lots of little goals/projects that I need to start getting done before the hot-humid summer weather hits here. Some are quilting related some are not so bear with me.
1. Finish Mother's 30s Quilt for Mothers day (June Birthday)- this is in the block stage still, swapping out the rest of the blocks this month and hope to have it completed in time for her .. update ... rest of blocks are made and swapped out for this one; now to finalize the layout and work on a border. Plan on working on this during the upcoming weekend.
2. Finish reworking Kimberly's Black and White RR - this is in rows but will be taken apart and reworked
3. Finish String Quilt - have been swapping out blocks this past month and should have enough for a quilt for DS's bed. He hasn't gotten a scrappy quilt yet and has pointed that out to me :o) ... update ... blocks are now here waiting to be used; I think I am going to combine them with the TN blocks to make him a large quilt.
4. Pressure wash front porch and siding on house -- DONE!!!
5. Paint railings on front and back porch
6. Remove old wood from roof of porch and replace ... update ... old wood is removed and take care of; now to borrow a truck to get the new wood to the house and get it installed.
7. Redo flower bed by front stairs .. update ... my tiller is now home so I should - weather permitting - be able to start on these soon.
8. Clean out DS's closet
9. Clean out my closet
10. Sort and organize my stash for better access ... update ... purchased some storage tubs to try and work on this soon.
11. Sort and organize my patterns so I can find them more easily ... update ... pulled them all and have them stacked waiting to be put into binders with dividers that are here.
12. Thin out my scraps ... update ... I have used some this month but they seem to reproduce with each project I make though. Can't tell I have used any! Might need to have a scrap give away.
13. Cut back on my coffee intake ... update ... I am down to two cups a day. Now to increase my water intake to boost my weight loss. I haven't had a cup in over a week now. Now to keep at the water intake instead of Diet Coke. I am going to mark this one as DONE!!! and remove it from the list.
14. Lose 15 more pounds ... update ... well ... I did lose two pounds but now I have gained that back plus a few more. UGH! I hate how much I weigh and nothing in my closet fits me right anymore. Warmer weather means short sleeves too which means my fat arms are going to be showing. Got to work harder on this - this is for my health and energy level too. It's time to stop slacking and start working! Update .. I am now down 5 pounds and hope to continue to lose and lose my goal of 10% of my starting body weight. I will feel so much better and my clothes will fit again.
15. Put pool back up in back yard and get it all level this time around ;o)

I get to update the list as the month rolls along. I hope to have weekly updates with major goals finished by the end of the month. Life does tend to get in the way though so I may not.
until next time ... stick to your goals!

Goals Revisited

time to revisit my goals list from April 1st post and see how I am doing with them. I haven't gotten to really focus on them all but I am making progress. It is nice to see how much I have gotten done so far this month. Now to focus and get some more done this weekend. The kiddos will be with their dad so I have more time to get stuff done. Updates in GREEN!

Quote from April 1st ... I have lots of little goals/projects that I need to start getting done before the hot-humid summer weather hits here. Some are quilting related some are not so bear with me.
1. Finish Mother's 30s Quilt for Mothers day - this is in the block stage still, swapping out the rest of the blocks this month and hope to have it completed in time for her .. update ... rest of blocks are made and swapped out for this one; now to finalize the layout and work on a border.
2. Finish reworking Kimberly's Black and White RR - this is in rows but will be taken apart and reworked
3. Finish String Quilt - have been swapping out blocks this past month and should have enough for a quilt for DS's bed. He hasn't gotten a scrappy quilt yet and has pointed that out to me :o) ... update ... blocks are now here waiting to be used; I think I am going to combine them with the TN blocks to make him a large quilt.
4. Pressure wash front porch and siding on house
5. Paint railings on front and back porch
6. Remove old wood from roof of porch and replace ... update ... old wood is removed and take care of; now to borrow a truck to get the new wood to the house and get it installed.
7. Redo flower bed by front stairs .. update ... waiting on my tiller to come home this weekend before I can start on these.
8. Clean out DS's closet
9. Clean out my closet
10. Sort and organize my stash for better access ... update ... purchased some storage tubs to try and work on this soon.
11. Sort and organize my patterns so I can find them more easily ... update ... pulled them all and have them stacked waiting to be put into binders with dividers that are here.
12. Thin out my scraps ... update ... I have used some this month but they seem to reproduce with each project I make though. Can't tell I have used any! Might need to have a scrap give away.
13. Cut back on my coffee intake ... update ... I am down to two cups a day. Now to increase my water intake to boost my weight loss.
14. Lose 15 more pounds ... update ... well ... I did lose two pounds but now I have gained that back plus a few more. UGH! I hate how much I weigh and nothing in my closet fits me right anymore. Warmer weather means short sleeves too which means my fat arms are going to be showing. Got to work harder on this - this is for my health and energy level too. It's time to stop slacking and start working!
15. Put pool back up in back yard and get it all level this time around ;o)

time to refocus on life

Sorry for the lack of postings ... I have been a bit lost in la-la land here. Life has been getting the best of me and I have decided that it's time to fight back a bit more.
I have not even posted my stash busting report for this past week. I have not sewn on much of anything to count over the weekend. Tried sewing on some 30s blocks for a swap and got two sections paper pieced and that is all I had in me. Sad I know but sometimes you just have those kinda days and don't get anything much done.
I need to focus on my goals I set for myself this year and really work on them with earnest. The weather is changing around us and I hope that with the warmer weather and all the pretty green grass that is coming to life and the beautiful flowers are are filling my beds that will re-awaken my inner voice to kick myself into gear and life too.

I have lots of little goals/projects that I need to start getting done before the hot-humid summer weather hits here. Some are quilting related some are not so bear with me.
1. Finish Mother's 30s Quilt for Mothers day - this is in the block stage still, swapping out the rest of the blocks this month and hope to have it completed in time for her
2. Finish reworking Kimberly's Black and White RR - this is in rows but will be taken apart and reworked
3. Finish String Quilt - have been swapping out blocks this past month and should have enough for a quilt for DS's bed. He hasn't gotten a scrappy quilt yet and has pointed that out to me :o)
4. Pressure wash front porch and siding on house
5. Paint railings on front and back porch
6. Remove old wood from roof of porch and replace
7. Redo flower bed by front stairs
8. Clean out DS's closet
9. Clean out my closet
10. Sort and organize my stash for better access.
11. Sort and organize my patterns so I can find them more easily
12. Thin out my scraps
13. Cut back on my coffee intake
14. Lose 15 more pounds
15. Put pool back up in back yard and get it all level this time around ;o)

That's enough for now - see a good mix of quilting and non-quilting things that should be done by summer. These are all do-able. Small projects but things I need and want to get done to make my house look nicer and then to finish some UFOs too.
so .... until next time ... happy quilting