2010 & 2011

Happy New Year!

I made 16 quilts this year and a handful of other crafts, too.


Here is the status of the sewing goals I made for 2010:

1) Donate another quilt to a worthy cause in 2010.
Completed in October!
2) Experiment more with circles and curves in quilts. I made several circle quilts (here here and here) and loved how they turned out.
3) Sew a child's dress (rolled over from 2009 goals).
I didn't do this. Again. Something about sewing clothing makes me nervous. I think I just need to jump in and go for it.
4) Make a quilt with little houses.
I haven't made this, but January is my month for the quilting bee I'm in and I requested little houses - so hopefully I'll will make a house quilt with a little help from friends!
5) Attempt a values quilt, maybe using this tutorial (or something similar).
I made two (here and here).
6) Make something with buttons - maybe this or this.
Nope. Still want to.
7) Check out my local quilt guild.
I joined my guild and became the librarian, too!

For 2011, I'm hoping to stretch my wings a little bit with some new-to-me projects. I still love quilts, so I'm sure won't stray far. I don't have any specific goals (aside from the unfinished ones listed above), but I'm excited to see what inspires me this year.

This Year and Next

My 2009 progress report:

1) I'd like to make a total of twelve quilts in 2009. Success! I actually completed 15 this year!
2) Learn how to make an applique of an animal or a monogram on a quilt or quilt back. Success! I made a lots of things using applique - including some cute burp cloths, a small applique on a baby quilt, and a tree pillow and table runner that I l-o-v-e.
3) Learn how to do free motion stippling on a quilt. Success! Completed and thrilled about this one!
4) Practice appliqueing on a child's t-shirt. Success! I used applique to make a "big sister" tee for my daughter and announce our pregnancy family and friends.
5) Sew a dress or a skirt for my daughter. Nope... need to add this to 2010's list.
6) Find a better way to photograph my quilts. Pinning them to the wall just isn't cutting it. Success!
7) Make a Christmas quilt or a table runner before the 2009 Holidays. Success! I made a table runner in time for Thanksgiving and a Christmas quilt just in the nick of time for Santa.

2009 brought with it lots of new sewing and crafting experiences for me. It also brought me a new baby to sew for - and boy did I ever! I love tip toeing in to both of my children's bedrooms late at night and seeing them sleeping soundly under the quilts I have made.

For 2010, I have a few additional goals to set for myself. However, I have decided not to create a goal of a specific number of quilts like I did in 2009. I don't think I need that for motivation - I'd just like to see where the year takes me. Some of my other goals:

1) Donate another quilt to a worthy cause in 2010.
2) Experiment more with circles and curves in quilts.
3) Sew a child's dress (rolled over from 2009 goals).
4) Make a quilt with little houses.
5) Attempt a values quilt, maybe using this tutorial (or something similar).
6) Make something with buttons - maybe this or this.
7) Check out my local quilt guild.

Here's looking forward to a new year and decade and lots of crafting and creating to come!

Ten in '08

I completed TEN quilts in 2008 (*compared to two quilts in 2007). Compiling them all together for this photo brought back a lot of memories of people I love who were the recipients. The only quilt I've kept is the black and white one in the middle, which gets a lot of love around here, especially this time of year. In addition to quilts, I made three bags/purses this year (small, medium, and large sizes) and a handful of bibs. I also tried to sew a dress for my daughter, that worked but wasn't ideal (I didn't use a pattern).

For 2009...

1) I'd like to make a total of twelve quilts this year. Judging by my interest in my new hobby and the amount of fabric I have piling up in my little cabinet (!), I think twelve is a very reasonable goal this year. I have four going right now, all to be completed in January (two are done as of this week ~ photos coming soon!).
2) Learn how to make an applique of an animal or a monogram on a quilt or quilt back.
3) Learn how to do free motion stippling on a quilt.
4) Practice appliqueing on a child's t-shirt.
5) Sew a dress or a skirt for my daughter.
6) Find a better way to photograph my quilts. Pinning them to the wall just isn't cutting it.
7) Make a Christmas quilt or a table runner before the 2009 Holidays.

I've loved all I've learned this year and it's been fun to see my abilities and confidence grow. I can't wait to see what 2009 looks like.