Tuesday, December 31, 2013

January 2014 Goals

Projects have now been chosen for January 2014 completion.  My goals are to:

1.  Complete Paul's Man Cave quilt.  I've already cut out all the pieces, and sewn together the 9 patch squares and 3rd row modules.


All of the appliques have been prepared, and the only ones left to iron on are the pieces to the fishing rod, which will be attached after the rest of the quilt top is sewn together.




All of the appliques are ironed on, then an embroidered blanket stitch is added.  So far I've blanked stitched the Salmon and Bait squares.  It doesn't take long to complete each square so I  believe I can have most of these finished the first week in January.


2.  For my needlework project, I have chosen the Shaker Sewing Kit project I started last year about this time.  I stalled on this, probably because another new shiny project caught my eye and I couldn't resist starting it.


The pieces for the scissor fob, pincushion, and needle book are completed and are ready for me to pick out fabric, ribbon, and embellishments.




And, the sampler for the top of the sewing box, which I still need to purchase, is well on its way.


3.  My knit/crochet projects for the Stash Down A to Z group are ...

A Zombie Named Skip - he works up quickly and should be completed in just a few evenings.  When complete, he will be a marionette!  So cute.


Austin Boot Liners and Mitts - A few pieces for the boot liners have been completed.  With all the pieces, this project is a bit fiddly, but I really want the finished product so will make a concerted effort to get them done before boot weather is over.


Ann Marie:  Pink Ribbon Stockings for Breast Cancer Awareness - These are thigh high stockings and are quite the frivolous knit for me.  No way am I going to wear pink striped thigh highs out in public.  Not at my age or thigh size lol.  But I adore these and will definitely wear them around the house with my jammies on chilly evenings.  Even though these appear to be quite an undertaking, all of the sizing/shaping is done by changing needle sizes and not by increasing/decreasing stitch count, and the pattern is a simple 4 row repeat so I think they will knit up fairly quickly once I get past the heel turn.


All in all, quite an ambitious list for January completion, but I am determined.  I have plans to join 2 teams for Ravellenics in February, and need to finish a couple of projects to make room for the new ones to be started.  There are also a couple of swap goodies that need to be completed in January too, but of course, those won't be making an appearance on the blog until they have been received.

Monday, December 30, 2013

Resurrected Blog

It has been 18 months since I posted anything on this blog, but with the new year dawning, I thought I'd resurrect it.  In years past it has helped me keep track of my goals and progress against them.

A lot has happened since I last blogged.  First and foremost, we've relocated to Wisconsin where the winters are blustery (but the skies are sunny, unlike Ohio that had such dreary winter months), and since moving, I have become a full time homemaker.  I'm thoroughly enjoying this role and don't miss working outside the home in the least.  The problem with this new setup is that I went a bit crazy and started a ton of new projects (of varying types), and have finished very little.

Goals need to be set.  Structure and rules need to be put in place.  I know myself.  Without these, put into writing so I can review them, I will continue on the path of "start everything, finish nothing".

Without further ado, my "craft" goals for 2014 are:
  1. To complete or frog the following knit/crochet projects (which have been in progress for more than a year) - Mermaid Jacket, Mary Tudor Cardigan, Chain Reaction Afghan, Sock Yarn Blanket, Beekeeper's Quilt, Great American Afghan
  2. Complete one knit/crochet project per month that meets the criteria for the Stashdown A to Z group on Ravelry
  3. Spend more time quilting, cross-stitching, and weaving, and less time knitting/crocheting
  4. Plant a vegetable garden and can what I harvest
  5. Be picky about what knit/crochet projects I start - VERY picky (I've culled my queue, and frogged a lot of projects that I know will not be used if finished)
  6. Organize my craft area and get rid of items that will never be used.
Okay, now on to the structure and rules.
  1. Each month I will choose a knit/crochet project to complete for the Stashdown A to Z group.  A new project can only be started if I do not have a WIP that meets the criteria for the month. (Chain Reaction Afghan, Sock Yarn Blanket, Beekeeper's Quilt, and Great American Afghan are excluded as there is a plan to complete each in 2014)
  2. Each month I will choose a quilting WIP and needlework WIP to work on.  I will spend one hour each day on one of these projects.
  3. I will knit one hexipuff for the Beekeeper's Quilt, and one module for the Sock Yarn Blanket for each day of the week.
  4. Each month I will complete one square for the Chain Reaction Afghan and one square for the Great American Afghan.
  5. A new project (of any type) can only be started if 2 WIPs of that type have been completed. (The exceptions to this rule are a knit/crochet project can be started for rule 1 if no WIP meets the criteria for the month, and gifts and swap items can be started if need be)
Well, that's that.  Next is to compile a list of all the projects I have in progress so I can track what gets finished and what new things get started.  I'm sure this list will grow as I discover projects while organizing my craft area.  Now to see if I can get my craft buddy, Amanda, to join me in my quest.