June was not a nice month. The washer went out, a job change required quite a bit of overtime the last half of the month. Both problems are now solved. I was going to say that stitching didn't go so well, but it really wasn't a bad month on that front, other than my 15 minutes of stitching time went out the window for a week while I dealt with the fall out from the job change. The end of June also marks the end of second quarter. So it's a good opportunity to check how I'm doing on my 2017 quilting ambitions that I posted to Quilting Jetgirl's 2017 Planning Party.
Since this is the stash management report, I'll start with that and if you are not interested in the rest you can stop there.
Quilt Ambition #3: Manage the Stash/Organize the Sewing Room
Used last week: 0.41 yards
Used year to date: 38.79 yards
Added year to date: 215.55 yards
Net added year to date: 176.76 yards
The one advantage of being really busy with work is that I've not had much time for fabric shopping, so the incoming numbers stalled this month. That's a good thing. Even so it's not likely I'll meet my goal of using more than I buy this year. Fabric usage is on track. I've used more than half of the 70 yards that is the goal for this year.
Organizing the sewing room has seen a few fits and starts. I found a good way to organize the fabric pieces for all the in progress quilts. I showed that off here. Now that my deadline sewing is done, I've been spending more time working on organizing the rest of the sewing room. I still haven't done anything with the scraps. But I have done a bit in the fabric closet. Here's how it looked last July.
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| July 10, 2016 |
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| As of June 18, 2017 |
Quilting Ambition #1: Finish a Few Quilts
I've done really well on this goal. There are four finishes so far this year: Poinsettias, Bejeweled, Geometry and The First Amendment Quilt. Three of these were high school graduation gifts. They were finished in time to gift them the last day of school.
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| The graduation quilts: Geometry, Zombies in Paris and Bejeweled |
There should be at least two more finishes this year. The 2016 Meadow Mist Mystery is being bound and Blooms and Butterflies has been shipped off for quilting. That will make at least 6 finishes for 2017. Definitely not shabby.
Quilting Ambition #3: Participate in Challenges and Mystery Quilt Alongs
I've gotten a good start on the blocks for the 2017 Rainbow Scrap Challenge. Though I still need to finish up the yellow blocks for June.
The Magnolia Mystery from Meadow Mist Designs starts up in a few days. That will be the next quilt along for 2017. There are a couple of other mystery quilt alongs that are very tempting. I'm contemplating if I can start one or both of those two. I probably won't start either because the UFO list is still pretty huge, but I can dream anyway.
Quilting Ambition #4: Make Time to Sew
The goal is to spend at least 15 minutes each day stitching. The second quarter of 2017 hasn't been as good as the first, but I've found those 15 minutes more days than ever before.
Days with 15 minutes of stitching: 165 days out of 181 days
Percentage success: 91%
More fabric out and more finishes this year. Pretty sure that's tied to this one goal.
Quilting Ambition #5: Work on Blogging Skills
My goal was to blog three times a week. I didn't do so hot on that each week during the second quarter. Some weeks I managed 5 posts, other weeks just 1. On average I posted about 3 times per week for the year. Not sure yet if I consider that success or not.
I've written 2 of the 4 tutorials that was in my goals for this year. On track with that one. The last goal was to improve my photography skills. I've been more conscious of staging my photos this last quarter. Not sure that equates to better photos, but it's something different I'm trying.
It's been a really good year so far. I'm happy where I'm at in my ambitions for the year so far. Now to keep up the momentum over the hot summer months and into the fall. How are you doing on your stitching goals for 2017?
Linking up with QuiltPaintCreate for the weekly stash report.
That's a lot of goals with a full time job and a family. I'd say you've made good progress. Love the rainbow blocks. The different settings give you lots of options.
ReplyDeleteYour goal setting is a good base for spending time with fabric and thread! Glad it hasn't been derailed by a few setbacks. Beautiful quilts!
ReplyDeleteHooray for progress on your goals! I also aim for three post a week and sometimes I have to plan my weekend sewing around what I want to try to post about the following week. It's unglamorous, but it definitely helps me focus on reaching milestones in each particular project. :)
ReplyDeleteKate, you are so inspiring. You're so faithful to write down goals and work toward them. Even when life throws you curveballs you still manage to get some sewing done. And I love your RSC blocks. That will make a super striking quilt!
ReplyDeleteJust think--you did--so far--you had a very tough goal in the beginning of the year with all the quilts for gifts and a due date and then before you could really 'breathe' you were forced to end a job and start a new one--
ReplyDeleteand still keep up home life and sewing--you have done well girl--
so enjoy the future stitching--di
Okay...first of all, those girls' smiles are worth everything!! I LOVE that picture...thanks for sharing it. Sorry about the job change and ik that came with it...that never makes life easy. Finally...awesome progress on your goals. I've been kinda all over the place with my goals this year...but am finding I'm okay with it. :)
ReplyDeleteI like that your ambitions are varied and not all confined to sewing. 91% of 15 minutes a day is great - that adds up to over 40 hours of stitching, if I did the math right. No wonder you are accomplishing things!
ReplyDeleteYou have made tremendous progress this quarter - don't sell yourself short. Sometimes life gets in the way, but as long as you keep the priorities properly where they belong, quilting and blogging can wait. I'm glad you are coming back to them when you get a chance.
ReplyDeleteI'm really impressed with your goal-setting and how you keep track of it all, Kate. I love that picture of the graduation quilts and their recipients! So fun to see! And your RSC blocks are wonderful - looking forward to seeing how they will go together.
ReplyDeleteYou've accomplished a lot! Hope the next month gives you more time and mental space for sewing, and look forward to seeing your progress on the Meadow Mist mystery. I did one of hers, but haven't quilted it yet, so won't let myself start another one until the first is done!
ReplyDeleteHopefully July will be easier than June.
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed at all you got accomplished in the second quarter. Best wishes for the third! (Especially those RSC fan blocks - I'm just fascinated with them!)
Love the yearly goals review. And, for the most part you are being really successful. Amaizingly you actually quantified some of your goals. I'd say 91% is a great number for sewing time when we all know how easily other things can interrupt. I sure hope the new job (same company?) settles down for you. Enjoy some extended sewing time this weekend.
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