Hello and happy Saturday! It’s the last Saturday of 2019, and I’m hoping to really make it count! I’m always so very motivated to sew and get organized this time of year. It’s fun to look back at the past year and use that reflection to help make plans and goals for the one ahead. I’ve chosen this as a mini theme for today’s post…and I hope you’ll enjoy the Saturday Seven Inspiration for Quilters 57!
Saturday Seven Inspiration for Quilters 57
1. Finish up Those Works in Progress
For the past few years I’ve been using the All People Quilt UFO Challenge to make a list of and work on my works in progress. It’s really been a simple and effective way for me to keep track of projects and get them finished up throughout the year. Basically, you fill out the downloadable form with twelve works in progress along with their current status. (I feel like listing the beginning status is the most important part–in years past there have been projects I didn’t completely finish but yet was able to make good progress). Then, each month on the first of the month, the folks at All People Quilt will randomly choose a number, and you work on that numbered project throughout the month. I’ll keep you posted on the project I work on from this list each month. Find all of the details along with the link to download here.
2. More Than Goals…
Shortly before the holidays I found out about these amazing sheets for planning and goal setting. It’s a unique method for sitting down, contemplating, and then making very intentional plans for the year. While the pages come in a binder, this system is not your traditional planner or calendar. I love the format and am really excited to use it this year. Find the 2019 Power-Sheets here.
3. Organization, Organization, Organization
I’ve always been a little bit obsessed with organization (although as a child my favorite way to organize my room was to put anything I didn’t want into the back of a linen closet. It worked great until my Mom found out what I was up too! And I plan on continuing to share organizational tips for quilters throughout 2019. But really, organization boils down to these two steps that you can apply to just about anything you need to organize. Read “Two Steps to Organize Anything” by professional organizer Shira Gill here.
4. Start a Quilt for Next Christmas
Start this fun Christmas Stars quilt now for next Christmas…or make it in any fabric you’d like for every day use! Alison’s pattern gives fabric information for this fun quilt in crib, throw, twin, queen and king sizes. Find the pattern here.
5. Use Your Stash
One of the new features coming to A Quilting Life in 2019 is a weekly “Use Your Stash” idea. I’m super excited about these posts and can’t wait to start sharing them with you. Sometimes the idea will be a free pattern or project from me or from around the web, and sometimes it might be more of a method of getting organized so you can use your stash more effectively. So today I’m sharing a fun idea for setting orphan blocks. Make a 60″ x 60″ quilt (larger if you add borders) using just sixteen blocks 6″ x 6″ and four blocks 12″ x 12″ and these setting instructions.
6. Feel Less Stress
If the holiday hustle and bustle still has you feeling a little stressed…here is a method of slowing down for just a bit in order to bring a little peace and calm into a busy day. Read about “A Simple Practice for Stressful Holidays” here.
7. Ring in the New Year with Good Food
We plan on having an appetizer smorgasbord for New Year’s Eve this year. (I feel like doing so much cooking for Thanksgiving and Christmas has me looking for something simple next week). Here are 50+ Recipes for New Year’s Eve (the mini cheese ball bites are genius…what a perfect way to serve a cheeseball)!
I hope you have a wonderful weekend and get to do some fun things and make some terrific plans for 2019. If you are here for the first time or have missed out on some of these posts…you can find all of my previous Saturday Seven posts here. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Juddaca Heater says
This is such a thoughtful post, & they always are! Thank you for sharing !!
Cindy Ferver says
Hi I hope you meant 2018. I’ve been doing that all week. I get so focused on the future that I lose the present,
Nancy Thompson says
Hi Sheri!
I have been meaning to ask you what method you use to hang all of your mini quilts in your sewing room.
I love how they look and would love any tips you can share.
Thanks and Happy New Year!
Nancy
Susan Smith says
So excited for the Use Your Stash posts!!
Looking forward to all of your great ideas this next year!
Happy New Year!!
Julie Bridgeman says
Love this post! So many great ideas for 2019! Happy new year!!!
Julie Bridgeman says
Ps where did you find the white thread rack?
Cheryl Hammond says
What a dream studio! I love the thread storage!!
Hildy says
I love your post this week and can’t wait to read about the ‘Use your stash’ posts. Have a wonderful weekend:-)
T Holzer says
What a great post, Sherri! I’m really looking forward to the use your stash posts and I have a planner in my cart! Happy New Year to you.
Jenni says
This might be my favorite Saturday yet! So much good stuff! ?
Mary Kastner says
Your quilt room looks beautiful!
Kathi Riemer says
Thank you for the inspiration to organize! and the links. You have been busy this year and now, on to 2019.
Donna M says
The last Saturday of 2019? I guess I slept through it. So many Saturday Inspirations that I have missed. LOL
Helen says
Love the Saturday posts, I get them on Sundays here in Australia. It is nice to sit with a cup of tea and read the blog. Thanks for the inspiration, will work on my lists later after my tea. Happy New Year
Bernie says
Uh…you’re rushing things a bit. It is the last Saturday of 2018, not 2019!
gailss1 says
A wonderful finish to 2018 and loved all your “Saturday Posts” this year.
Happy New Year Sherri
Gail
Sue H says
I am also looking forward to the upcoming stash-busting posts. Wow! Was that ever fun browsing the 50+ recipes. Happy New Year!
Virginia A. Marien says
Thank you so much for your Sat. posts. I look forward to them and have used lots of them,
Rebecca says
Except it’s still 2018, not 2019! (see your first sentence).
Helen LeBrett says
Just saw on the Martingale blog that you and Cory Yoder have a new book coming out this year: Can’t wait to see it!! They showed the cover and it looks beautiful, plus I know that I love the colors that you two work in!! Hugs, H
Monica Kostak says
Happy New Year..my lunch is over-i printed a couple UFO sheets and hope to make a real dent this year. the stash and scraps sounds great–and makes me think of utilizing my scraps and Accuquilt and make some hexagons to frame….A new year..new ideas and also time to get back into exercising 🙂 but am going to try and give myself a few minutes a day in my space, even if it’s pressing, preparing a project or organizing. Thanks for the wonderful posts!