Hello…I didn’t mean to stay away so long; I meant to get this post written before leaving on a little New Year’s getaway to visit family. But there just wasn’t time to get everything finished up before I left, and so here I am about 5 days later writing what I’ve been thinking about for a week now!
Beginnings are the best, and with the start of a new year I always evaluate my life and my “quilting life” and make plans for the new year. My husband and I have a lot of decisions to make in the coming months as his retirement which always seemed so far away seems to be sneaking up on us quickly. So this will be an interesting year as we try to decide if we want to stay where we are or move to a cooler climate in the next year or so. (The fabric in the first photo is a little treasure I found while up in Utah this weekend…I’ve always loved these Moda big red dots, and I was able to get the last couple of yards of a bolt of this at 30% off! I also found some fabrics to add to my stash and some wool felt for some Christmas ornaments I want to make for next year).
First on my list in my plans for quilting in 2014 is some “purposeful” quilting. I have a few specific spots in my home for which I want to complete projects: a space above my kitchen window, a wall-hanging for above the bed in the master bedroom, and some new seasonal place mats. I’d also like to make at least 10 quilts for charity this year (I’m kind of cheating with the number on this one…I actually already have 3 about finished for this goal…so 7 more need to be made). I have a few family members who will need quilts this year including a quilt for a granddaughter who will be arriving in March! My husband also needs a new work quilt…his current quilt is so old and worn that I bet the guys at the fire station don’t believe him when he says his wife is a quilter. I’m actually planning on making his new station quilt this week!
I also want to have fun with my quilting in 2014. Designing quilts is a lot of fun for me, so I have plans for new patterns already in my sketchbook. I also want to be flexible enough in my goal-setting that I can stop and participate in quilt a longs–some of my favorite projects from 2013 came from a spur of the moment decision to quilt along with other quilters around the world via blogs and Instagram. Of course I also have a “patterns I love” list of quilts by other designers that I need to make asap!
New Year’s is the perfect time for a little organizing in the studio–I’ve ordered a new thread holder (will share this soon–spotted from Lisa–thanks for the ordering information!) which should be here soon, and I picked up this amazing utility cart while at Ikea on Saturday (my first visit to that store, I might add).
Not sure what I’ll be storing in here yet…doing some sewing room organizing is first on my list for tomorrow morning…
I’m also looking for a more sturdy sewing room table for cutting…I have a kind of flimsy one from Joann’s that I’d like to replace this year. And I’m still hoping to find the perfect quilt ladder to store quilts in my family room (actually, I found one…hoping to be able to get one made just like it)!
Creating a wish list for fabrics coming in 2014 was another part of my new year’s planning. This is a list I know I’ll be adding to soon as new fabrics start showing up here and there.
Okay…and just so I can hold myself responsible for my goals…here are my Winter 2014 specific quilt goals:
- Work quilt for my husband
- Baby quilt
- Two mini-quilts
- Finish 2 works in progress (I’ve been keeping up with projects pretty well, so I don’t have too many of these)
- 5 new pattern quilts
- 1 “spur of the moment” quilt
Here’s to a productive winter!
My first finish for 2014 was this Divided Basket I made using mostly Happy Go Lucky prints. It was a gift for my niece’s little boy who came home on Christmas Eve!. This coordinates with his nursery and will be perfect for storing diapers and other baby items!
Thanks so very much for stopping by! What are your goals for winter?
ShirleyC says
I have to admire anyone who can accomplish their goals. I managed to get more done in 2013 than I thought I did, but still wish I could have done more.
I just mostly sew and embroider, but I do love quilts.
Kathy says
Happy New Year's. Just thought I would share the cutting table that I bought this year after seeing it on Julie's blog – The Crafty Quilter. You will love this table. I was able to buy this table from Home Depot online and had it shipped to my house (free shipping). Perfect height, nice crisp white finish, storage space for your rulers, large cutting mat fits perfectly on the top – I can't say enough about this table. Here is the link to Julie's blog where she showed her table. Hope it's ok to post this – http://thecraftyquilter.com/2013/08/my-sewing-room-tour/
Carla says
Happy New Year! I love organizing my room. Looking forward to seeing your hubby's new quilt
WoolenSails says
I have lots of plans for this year too, but I know I will be lucky if I can do half of them, lol. Love your cart, nice storage idea.
Debbie
Vroomans' Quilts says
I am so pleased to see you have charity quilts on your list. I plan a much slower year and if something hits an 'urge', then I;m guilt free to play.
Carol says
Looks like it's going to be a wonderful year! Love your cart!
JoAnne says
I can really sympathize with the whole "unknown" year ahead with retirement. Mine is retiring from the Army this year, and we have no idea where we will end up–wherever he can hopefully find a civilian job and hopefully near our daughter.
Josie McRazie says
What an adventurous year it will be for you! The guys at the station (my Husband is also a fireman) raz him about his quilt he wraps up in… but that doesn't stop him! He keeps his '11years left' in the back of my mind! LOL it seems FAR away!
Dee says
Sounds like a long list. I hope you have a lot of fun working through it! My husband is also looking at retiring this year and understand all the changes it entails. Good luck!
gailss says
You give me inspiration to get organized and that is a wonderful thing! Thanks for sharing your plans and will get going on doing a organizer journal today….
Looks like you have some really busy months ahead…
Lynn says
I agree with the quilt alongs!!! I love them and I always seemed to get sucked into them. One of my goals is to starts dear jane. I found them online and was instantly sucked in to their beauty!
Nedra says
Congratulations on a new grandbaby coming soon! And I guess I can't motivate you to move our way if you are looking for cooler climate 🙂
Melanie says
I'm new to your blog and am a new-ish quilter, so the thought of making 10 quilts in a year is beyond comprehension for me. Good luck, and I am finding your blog very inspiring. Thanks!
Maxine says
HAPPY NEW YEAR. Can't wait to see your husbands work quilt. My husband is a retired fire fighter. He was assistant fire chief and fire marshal. Love reading your blog. Do not know how you get so much done and work. I'm retired and do not get half of what you get done in a year. Congrats on new grand baby. They are so so much fun. I like the quilt ladder I seen on Camille's blog. Your are such a inspiration and so darn organized. Maybe I could talk you into coming to St George and organize my sewing room? Looking forward to reading your blog everyday.
Carrie says
Congratulations on becoming a Grandmother! You're going to be great at it. 🙂
I love those Ikea carts. I kept thinking I didn't need one but a sweet friend gave me one. I now have two of them – one is next to the ironing board, it holds the water-tank part of my iron. And starch. 🙂
Happy 2014!
Camille says
My goal this year is to accomplish half of what you do. A pretty good goal, don't you think? 🙂 You are amazing!! Keep it up!
Bouts Choisis says
I chuckled to think of you wanting to move to a cooler climate – people in the UK want to move somewhere warmer when they retire! Although we ended up in Normandy where the weather is much the same… I've found that being together all the time works out fine but the one thing that really is a problem is trying to buy gifts for the OH when we always seem to go shopping together:-) Thank goodness for Internet shopping at Xmas! Lynne.
jlgwyn says
I echo the cutting table from the earlier comment. I bought from the same Martha Stewart collection, but I got the table which comes in a shorter height option (31") and it is wider than the cabinet and less expensive. I store my stash boxes under the table very easily and it is a GREAT table for cutting! Crisp white, but comes in other colors also (wood tone, dark mossy green and a cement gray). Here's a link to my table and where I got it from: http://www.homedecorators.com/P/Martha_Stewart_Living_Craft_Space_Table/400/. I look forward to your new book release and all the great projects you will showcase this year!
Nanette Merrill says
I want that blue cart!!
Mary Ann says
I really enjoy reading your blog and all the great ideas you come up with. I am trying to get organized in my quilting for 2014 starting with quilting my UFO's I made last year and just didn't have time to get the quilting done. I started out last year with that plan and did get 3 done but then other quilting projects took over. Thanks for giving me the motivation I need for this year.
Patti says
I love your blog and read it as soon as I get an email telling me you've posted a new post. Could you please tell me what sewing machine table you use and is it suitable for any make of machine? Thank you so much
Jackie at Adirondack Urban says
I love reading about everyone's goals for the new year! It looks like you will be pretty busy. I don't know if you have space for this table in your sewing room, or what your budget will be, but I have a great Ikea kitchen island that I use as a cutting table. It's the perfect height and there's so much storage. It's the Varde base cabinet. Here's a link: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/14631607/
Cara says
I think I'm going to start a new blog just about my crafting, and leave my original blog for family-related stuff. I'm always not sharing craft photos because I think it's overkill, but that wouldn't be the case on a blog devoted to the subject.
I'm learning to FMQ, so I want to do lots of that this year. And I want to give EPP a try because it's just so stinkin' cute.
I'm hoping to make two quilts this year, at least. We'll see…
liz n says
I have more WIPS (I refuse to call them UFOs; I live in unfinished quilt denial) than I care to admit, and plan to finish five of them….but my main goal is to reduce the contents of the scrap bin. I'm not foolish enough to say "empty the scrap bin," because there is no way that will ever happen! So it will be a GROTS-focused year for me!
Thimbleanna says
Wow Sherri — a great list of winter goals! It will be fun to watch your progress. And admit it — you MISS THE SNOW! I vote for living in a winter climate LOL!
Di~ says
Inspirational! I'm curious what ornaments you plan to make? I try to make a new one every year.
Laura Fedewa says
I am very jealous of your organization for 2014! Even having a goals list, you ambitious girl you!! LOL! I LOVE your cart from IKEA I will need to have this for my sewing area too! I hope you achieve all your goals and I can't wait to see them!!
Paula says
I love the cart. I don't have an IKEA near me. Went looking on the website but could not find it. Do you have more info on it. Who made it? IKEA catalog number?
Thanks
I always love reading your blog and find so much that motivates me.
Happy New Year.
Deb@asimplelifequilts says
I have that cart and love it! I wish all furniture came on wheels. I love beginnings too… Monday mornings, 1st days of the month and especially new years! So many options to dream of.
Jocelyn says
Are you enjoying your cart? I almost bought one last week but the two on display were unsteady….which worried me. It was like they were uneven & the wheels weren't all on the ground. Love hearing about the cutting tables people have. I'm trying to reconfigure my quilting space & need a table to put my machine in like yours (is yours a Janome table?) as well as a cutting table! I'm taking my time trying to find something perfect!
Karen says
I have that same Ikea utility cart for my sewing supplies. I love the color! My rulers are on the bottom (my large Tucker Trimmer has to be carefully placed at an angle on top of the others since it is too big to lie flat), various notions are in the middle basket, and most used items are in the top.
Sarah says
Congratulations on becoming a grandparent this year! And your husband retiring. Surely neither of you are old enough for these milestones! I admire your quilting goals and hope you can achieve them. I, like you, have plans to do this and that, but then get distracted by spur of the moment things I just have to start. I've joined Instagram this year and I am following you. You are welcome to follow me too at sarahkrothe and see what I'm working on.