Quilt Ambition #3 Manage the Stash/Organize the Sewing Room
Used last week: 0.94 yards
Used year to date: 48.44 yards
Added year to date: 335 yards
Net added year to date: 287 yards
Stitching time was at a premium during third quarter. I switched positions at work to one with more responsibility, which means a lot more working from home in the evening. That's really cut into my stitching time. Add in vacation and getting the Scientist in Training ready for college, it was a really busy quarter. The goal is to use at least 70 yards for the year. That means using 21 yards between now and the end of the year. Probably not happening based on what my fourth quarter typically looks like. On other end of the stash management plan, I pretty much shattered any possibility of using more than I buy this year. After two years of very limited buying, I had no will power for another year like that. A fabric diet is definitely in the cards for fourth quarter. That's it for the stash report, the rest of the post covers all my other stitching ambitions for 2017.
The big organization project for this year has been to whip the stash closet into shape. This is what it looked like back in July:
This is what it looks like now:
I'm almost finished with the second shelf. All that will be left after that is to tackle that top shelf. So I've made good progress on that front this year.
Quilting Ambition #1: Finish a Few Quilts
While the stash management hasn't been the greatest, I have done really well on this ambition. There have been six finishes so far.
Poinsettias, Bejeweled, Geometry, The First Amendment Quilt, Meadow Mist Mystery Quilt plus Blooms and Butterflies are all finished. When I was putting this together last year, there were three quilts I had to finish for graduation in May. That was pretty much my goal, finish those three. To have six finished is a smash success in my book. My record is seven in one year. I should at least tie that this year. There are three quilts I'd like to finish before Christmas, that would put me at 9 for the year. Check back in January to see how well that went.
Quilting Ambition #3: Participate in Challenges and Quilt Alongs
Quilt alongs and challenges are such fun. Since I don't belong to a guild (the one here only meets during the week while I'm at work), these projects keep me engaged with the blogging community of quilters. The Rainbow Scrap Challenge has been a long running favorite. I've been working on those blocks since January.
The Magnolia Mystery kicked off last month over at Meadow Mist Designs. I've kept up, so far anyway. I'm hoping to finish September's clue before Cheryl posts the next clue on Thursday.
I've got 50 of the HSTs finished. Just 22 left and I'll be caught up.
The other planned quilt along is Bonnie Hunter's annual mystery. If she's doing one this year, the fabric planning posts should be going up sometime this month. I need to finish off last year's mystery quilt before then.
Quilting Ambition #4: Make Time to Sew
I've been doing really well on that front this year. I've managed to stitch for 15 minutes 245 out of the the last 273 days. So 89.7% of the time, I meet my goal. That's an "A" if you round up. Definitely the best year I've ever had on finding time to stitch. Lately it really has been only 15 minutes a day, but that is better than nothing.
Quilting Ambition #5: Work on My Blogging Skills
There were several parts to this goal. The first was to blog at least three times per week. On average, I managed three posts per week this last quarter. Most weeks I get in three, but there are few with just two. So I'm doing OK on this goal.
Another goal was to write four tutorials this year. I've managed two. So to meet this goal, I'll have to come up with two for this quarter. I'll have to put some thought into that.
Another goal was to improve my photography. I didn't put any metrics with that goal, so I'm not sure what I was thinking. I've been trying to pay more attention to the lighting when I take photos. I've been less than happy with some of my finished quilt shots, so that's definitely an area I need to make more improvements in.
The final part of the fifth ambition was to write a post each quarter summarizing where I was. First quarter's post is here, second quarter's is here. And this concludes the third quarter post.
It's been a pretty good year on a lot of fronts. I know some think it's a bit extreme to have goals for your hobby. It's so easy for me to get caught up in the "I've worked all day, I'm too tired to go sew." I usually perk up once I get to my sewing room. These ambitions have helped me get up those stairs most days.
I'm a big fan of planning and goals. Without them, it's hard to get where you want to go. Don't be too hard on yourself if you don't hit them all. You had no idea about the job change when you set your goals. I think every plan has to have room to adjust for the unexpected.
ReplyDeleteAwesome job on your goals! Six finished quilts! Amazing! Your closet is looking great also! I like your thoughts about challenges and quilt alongs! Thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of quarterly goals instead of monthly goals. I also had an increase in job responsibilities & time required this summer and got my daughter off to college! Not as much sewing happened as usual. The quarterly goal balances that out a bit better and takes the pressure off.
ReplyDeleteYou have been doing very well this year--thanks to the goals you set for yourself--keep it going!!
ReplyDeleteNow me--it seems if I set goals--then I never get nearly as much done--it is crazy--I know--but it is what seems to happen to me--I am happy that I did not quit on my bom in March and April like I usually do--so that has been good--now to finish out the Patchwork one, the wool one, and the color of the month one--think those are the only 3 left to do blocks for--need to get the Christmas bom blocks into a top, too!!
it is raining hard here today!!
enjoy the moments, di
You're doing great with all your goals. Six quilts in one year! That's very impressive.
ReplyDeleteI love that you have goals for your hobby and that you do so well in reporting your progress. Reading your posts always inspire me. In fact, over the past few days I've been telling myself all I need is 15 minutes in my sewing room because that's what Kate would do. So keep up the good work!!
ReplyDeleteWth all the time to sew I still don't think I could put out that many big quilts!! Wonderful collection there.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with you on being tired at the end of the day, but feeling energized after getting to my sewing room! You've made great progress this year, especially with everything going on!
ReplyDeleteYou're doing great with your goals, and I'm a fan of goals. It gives me a way to measure progress, and progress equals growth, no matter how one measures it. Great job with all those finished quilts. Getting into the sewing room when you're working full time is a big accomplishment. When I started doing embroidery, I set a goal of two strands of floss each day. Usually I do more than that now, but at first two strands was all I could muster. It was surprising how much progress I made with just that little goal I set. With all your finishes, it looks like your 15-minute goal is working for you too.
ReplyDeleteI find that setting goals for my hobby is very helpful, as long as I don't get down on myself if they aren't met. You have done so well with all your finishes, finding time to stitch most days, and getting your stash organized.
ReplyDeleteLike you, there isn't a quilt guild near me that fits my work schedule. I am so grateful for the connections through the blogging community.
I think you should be really proud of your accomplishments.....i.e. your 6 finishes! And, your stash doesn't look all that disorganized in the midst of your whirlwind completions! Good for you!
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