My post title today comes from Emily Dickinson (No. 318)–it’s a line describing the sun rising; however, I’ve had the line going through my mind as I’ve been organizing for the new year. I started to feel overwhelmed just by the amount of projects on my lists, so I have to keep reminding myself to take things “a ribbon at a time.”
My photo today is of my only true “winter” quilt–I have lots of Christmas quilts, but not many to put up when I put them all away (note to self: make more winter quilts)! This quilt is called “snowbuddies,” and since we rarely get snow here these little guys are usually the only snow people around! I don’t have many Valentine’s quilts, either, so I’ve also added a few of those to my “to do” list.
Getting back to organizing…I’m just curious…how do you organize your ideas for projects you’d like to work on…do you have an inspiration board? An inspiration notebook? Do you save quilt magazines or just save the patterns from them that you’d like to make someday?
Hope you have a wonderful New Year’s Eve!
Nedra says
I have a stack of things on a shelf in my sewing room closet that are “started and need to be finished”. Then I have a stack of patterns with ideas on my bookcase shelf that I like to look at and dream of my next projects. Then there are the bins marked “UFO’S” that hide and call to me, but I try not to listen to them because of the other two stacks.
Kritta22 says
Oh I save the whole magazine. There are so many ads in there I just wanna soak up!
I have a list of UFO’s too. It’s on my blog in order that I need to finish them. I kinda give myself a deadline. It doesn’t always work but it helps.
I’m just starting so I don’t have a huge scrap pile or even stock pile to play again with yet. So what fabric I buy, it has a purpose. But the fabric store down the road is having a HUGE sale tomorrow…guess where I’m going?
Linda says
Love your snowbuddies quilt, we don’t get much snow here either. Hmm ideas and inspiration comes from magazines other bloggers, but I very rarely buy patterns, choosing to just make up as I go along. Which doesn’t always work with the math…..lol… but the end result is usually always pleasing.
Kristin says
I used to save the magazines, but that got to be just too much to deal. Not to mention the way the moving men looked at me when they saw my closet of sewing stuff. Now I keep notebooks with inspirational patterns. I have them sorted by wall size, throw, bed, and paper pieced.
Happy New Year!
Stephanie says
CUTE snowman quilt! I get inspiration from patterns and quilt magazines (I buy both) and blogs. But I try to make them my very own. I “sketch” what I want. I must say I am not an artist nor can I use graft paper. I don’t want to be a cookie cutter…I like originality. Sometimes I tear pics from magazines that I just like the color of or snatch paint chips at the hardward store. I’m all over the place…
Penni says
I have an inspiration board as well as a notebook for notes. And for projects I use a three ring binder. It is divided into categories of the stages of the quilt (ie., fabric purchase, cutting, piecing top, borders, quiting and binding). I move the project pages through the book as I finish. It gives me a chance to really own all my UFO’s and also when I want to feel like I have accomplished something I can pick a top that just needs borders and get that complete to send off to the quilter. I love my notebook because it keeps me from getting overwhelmed in my sewing room and also reminds me of things I haven’t see in awhile… and I don’t have to brave all the dust looking for something to do.
Terry says
Your quilt is lovley! :0)
I always save the whole magazine, simply because my tastes change and what I don’t like now, I might like later. Individual patterns or ideas I keep in sheet protector pages in three ring binders. I don’t sort them in any special way because this way I look through them all when I want something, and I might find something wonderful I wasn’t even looking for in the first place!
Jane's Fabrics and Quilts says
what a wonderful saying. I used to keep magazines, now I tear out things I like and have a binder with folders maked..tips…fabrics…quilt ideas. Takes up less space and then can just look through it if I need an idea.
jolynnrn says
Sherri, I love snowmen so I was excited to see your quilt. Can you tell me who makes the pattern? Thank-you, jolynn
Kevin and Vicki says
Sherri, love the quilt. It looks like flannel. That would truly make it a “winter” quilt. And you know I would never chew you out. Love ya
Rachel says
I also have a list of project to complete, and it keeps growing because I keep finding more that I want to make…so, where did the “Snowbuddies” pattern come from? I’d love to add that one to my list, too! Beautiful!
Carrie P. says
I love your snowman quilt. Great fabrics. I used to subscribe to all the magazines out there but had to stop that. I have gone through those magazines and taken out my favorite patterns. I have a file box where I keep them in categories in the folders. I also have a folder with just pictures for inspiration. I like to start with a pattern but usually change it some way to make it my own. I keep my UFO’s in the stacks on some shelfs. I am actually whittling them down.
Jeri is says
My friend collects all things snowman, and she made your Snow Buddies quilt. It looks like she even used the same fabrics that you did. It is a darling quilt!
Stina says
Ahhh… inspiration…most of it comes from bloggers and magazines!!
And I always make a whole bunch of wish or todo lists in notebooks… and hope they will be done some day!! lol…
Loved your snowmanquilt!! :o)
OzRose says
Hello Sherri, Glad that you liked your angel :)) Happy New Year.
Hugs Val
happy zombie says
Your snowbuddies quilt is simply adorable!
Happy New Year Sherri!
rachel griffith says
love the quilt.
i save the whole magazine.
i also keep a quilting binder for odds & ends.
it works for me.
Calamity Jane's Cottage, Bonnie says
Hi Sherri, What a great question for the New Year. I put on my giveaway a question as to what your goals are for 2009 and it is all about being more organzied. I have projects probably in everyroom waiting to be started and now that we built the big barn I’m gradually getting organized. Can’t wait to show everyone. Bigggg goal this year.
I love your snowbuddies quilt and you are right about making more winter quilts.
Happy New Year,
Bonnie