I thought today might be a good day to review my summer goals and progress (or lack thereof). After all, yesterday was the first official day of Autumn. (Note to self: stop complaining about the heat publicly and privately for at least the next 7 months–should be easy since the weather is beautiful now)!
Back in early July I posted ten goals I thought I might reasonably accomplish over the summer, and although I haven’t finished them all I’m pretty pleased with how things turned out. Goal number one was to start on the Minick & Simpson quilt, Coastal Lily. I did make a start and have fabrics chosen and some of the cutting started (see photo above). I’m making a 30’s version using the recent Moda collection, 30’s Playtime, some Happy Go Lucky green dots, and some extra 30’s fabrics from my stash. I actually have this ready to start sewing the flying geese! Goal number 2 didn’t even get a start…my Steam Punk pattern still sits on the shelf.
Goal number 5 was to make more hexies…and to try a paper-pieced diamond star. Check…I made lots of hexies while on a short trip to a mountain cabin, and I also made one diamond star block.
Goal number 6 was to make a list of all of my finished quilts…another no…but something I’m keeping in mind for fall.
Goal number 7 was to finally cut into my Moda American Jane Potluck bundle. I guess you’ll have to trust me on this one. I did…but it’s for a project I can’t share just yet!
And goal number 8 was to make more string blocks. I actually tried to make a block a day for a short time (clearly, that didn’t go so well), but I did make a few, and I finally organized my string scraps so it will be easy to get to work on these soon!
Goal number 9 was to finish my Christmas Scrappy Trip. Well, I do have 19 blocks which is a pretty good start…thanks to my Bee friends!
And goal number 10 was to find a quilt ladder…another “not yet…but hopefully soon.” So even though I didn’t complete all of my goals–I completed several and made good progress on most. There were only three goals that I didn’t get to at all…and so I’m going to count the summer as a quilting success. After all, I did a few things that weren’t even on the list including….
finishing up my Tula Pink quilt which has been in a box for a couple of years…years! Just need to finish up hand stitching the binding on this one!
And I started a new quilt, Camille’s On a Whim, on a whim (thank you Instagram friends)! I’m super happy with this project as it gave me a terrific use for the Anna Maria Horner fabrics I’ve been collecting for a few years!
And now it’s fall…and I’ll have new goals and a renewed sense of motivation to work on them. I guess it’s time for a new list! How did you do on your summer goals?
Thanks so much for stopping by!
sarahquilts.com says
Some great projects but if I had to pick a favorite that AMH On a Whim is just beautiful!
charlotte says
I didn't make any goals for summer. I think cleaning the sewing room and organizing is a never ending job. about every 3-4 projects it must be done. Good job on your sewing goals.
Sarah Lizzie says
Ooooh….. what a summer filled with creativity, colour and lavishness that you have had! Such gorgeous stitching there! Looking forward to seeing what you are going to dream up for Fall!!
Missy Shay says
Congrats on all of the great accomplishments for this summer!
Ajka says
This is awesome …. a lot of work …. you are very smart …. I like to watch 🙂
Ajka
Nancy E says
I love the way you have laid out your Christmas Scrappy Trip.
Janis says
My summer quilting didn't go so well. I'm currently entrenched in caring for my elderly dad. He is 97, isn't that amazing? I do love stopping by and seeing all of your beautiful quilts. Someday I'll be back in the saddle. For now though I'll have to be content at looking at all the beautiful quilts you and others are making. Keep up the good work and thank you for the inspiration.
Mary W Quilts says
A scrappy trip Christmas quilt! Great idea! I want to make one too….. Mary
Nedra says
You always get more done than most people I know. wonderful goals. I always love everything you make.
Jude Jones says
Hi Sherri, when you make your string blocks what do you use on the back? Paper? Muslin? The paper is a pain to tear away and the muslin makes them so heavy. Just wondering if you had a magic formula? Or do any of you out in blogland have a magic formula? Thanks so much, I love all you get accomplished! Jude cjudygo at hotmail dot com
Anita says
You did better on your goals than I did. I guess I wasn't totally realistic on how much time and energy a move was going to take. Plus setting up my sewing room took a couple of weeks. But I'm back at it now and my goals are still there even though I missed the end of summer deadline. 🙂
gailss says
You did accomplish quite a few of your items on your list….Yea! I am going to try and do a fall list that will go into winter…..will see how that goes. Great job
mascanlon says
I am starting to get the lure of the list. It helps keep us focused when all the prettiness on Instagram calls out.."Me next!"
CJ says
My main summer goal: get kid #1 out of the house and into her own place so I could have her room as a sewing room. Accomplished!!
Linda R says
Great work on reducing your list! Doesn't it feel great?? I cleaned my sewing roon once – am currently at it again 🙁 Never ending job.
Got my Quilt Guild "Mystery Quilt" done and on the way to the quilters. Got 10 of the 12 blocks down on one of my "Block of the Months".Got my section of the Round Robin done. I have kept up with my Tula Pinks Quilt along (3 – 6 1/2 inch blocks done and posted per week since May) Have a Happy and productive Fall!! 🙂 🙂
Karen says
Way to go! Thanks for sharing.
Suzy Sparrowe says
Goals are so great aren't they! Part of the fun is simply in the making of them, and now you can just olive the unmet goals over to the new list and start again! Love Suzy
Farm Gate Creations says
Goals are a great way to keep motivated..you have some lovely inspiration there.
Jeanna says
You made good progress Sherri! Goals are good to have…
I haven't really set any goals for fall yet. I just wanted to get my daughter's graduation quilt to the long arm quilter…which I just did. Now is a great time to set some goals.
I'll give it some thought…
Hope you are having a great week 🙂
pandchintz says
You've done so well with your list. Makes me feel good that there are some things you've not done…..you're human after all!! I'm so with you about the sewing room – mine needs another good clean up…never ending!
Thimbleanna says
You always get so much done Sherri that it wouldn't even matter if you didn't get anything done on your "official" list. I love seeing what you're working on — there's never a dull quilting moment at A Quilting Life — and we can't even see it all. Can't wait to see what market goodies you've been working on! (Btw, I never did hear from the Fashionable Fabrics guy. 😉 )
Jana says
Your blog is so much inspirational – I love to watch your projects. You are so hardworking quilter. Thank you for sharing!
Sinta Renee says
Fun seeing all of your progress on your Summer list! I think you did quite well on all of your projects. You did a lot more than was on your list though… that should count too! I have Steam Punk now on my Fall list!
Karen says
Yay for you!! I didn't even make a list :(. Can't pick a favorite – maybe the strings :).
Patty D from NC says
I like that On a WHim pattern – may have to do that one myself!
Sarah says
Great progress made! You set yourself so much to do over three months. I don't think anyone could have finished ten projects in that time, but having made progress on all and finished some is fantastic.