A month of posts!

Well I set myself a goal to post every day for January and I've made it! Obviously posting WIP pics has helped a lot but I wanted to get myself back into the habit of blogging after being so lazy about it last year.

I don't think for a minute I'll be keeping up with a post a day for the rest of the year but I do have a lot of WIPs that I haven't added yet (32 stitching WIPs plus various quilting and sewing ones are probably a couple of months of posts on their own) so I may manage it for a while longer and certainly want to keep up with two or three posts a week.

Looking back on January I've managed to keep up with my 2011 goals quite well:

1. Blog more - I couldn't have blogged less this month LOL
2. No stash purchases - yep none at all
3. Reduce my stitching WIP list - one HD so that's a yes
4. No new stitching starts in the first half of the year - check
5. Find the quilting bug again and reduce my quilting WIPs - I did get my sewing machine out so that's a good start
6. Read at least 50 books - 4 read in Jan
7. Reduce the clutter in the house - yep stuff has gone
8. Lose weight - 3lb down which isn't a lot but I only really started in the last week or so
9. Stick to the household budget and find ways to reduce expenditure - absolutely
10. Work on the garden - not this month so a fail here.

All in all a pretty good month.

In addition to the above in February I have set myself the goal of sell, sell, sell! We're trying to raise cash from what we have to put towards paying for our big party in April so I need to get my finger out and put things on eBay, in the paper, etc.  I have no idea how much I'll make from it all but anything is a step up!

December Goals

So, here's the updated 'to do before the baby comes' list. Anything in italics has been worked on during November. Anything finished is crossed off. But I guess you could work that out yourselves...

For the Baby

1. Silly Safari Quilt - blocks and border all made, it just needs to be put together and quilted
2. Alphabuddies quilt - quilt top made
   
3. Slash and sew baby quilt - quilt top made
   
4. Raggedy pram quilt - not started
5. Stitched Noah's Ark baby quilt - lots of progress made
   

Christmas Gifts

1. Bag - started
2. New Baby Sampler - for my Great Niece, promised by Christmas
3. Baby Quilt - for my Great Niece as a Christmas gift
4. Winnie the Pooh quilted book - Christmas gift for my nephew, cut out
5. Sue Hawkins book marker for teacher gift
   
6. Sue Hawkins book marker for teacher gift
7. Sue Hawkins book marker for my god daughter - started
   

To be done for Christmas

1. Christmas Stocking - binding done on top
   
2. Christmas Stocking - binding done on top
   
3. Advent panel - not started
4. Advent panel - not started
5. Blue christmas quilt - started
6. Red christmas quilt - started
   
7. Christmas panel 1 - started last year, needs finishing off
8. Christmas panel 2 - started last year, needs finishing off

For Stash Reduction

1. Scream House - all the stitching done
2. Plaid quilt - two blocks made
3. Bag - a birthday present for my Mum last August
   
4. Grandma's thread minder - stitching all done
5. Jingle In the Tin - stitching all done
6. Boo In the Tin - stitching all done
7. Hop In the Tin - stitching all done
8. Sue Hawkins pin cushion - stitching all done
9. Flannel quilt for Lia - top made, layering and quilting to do
10. Table topper - it's done other than finishing the quilting and sewing some binding

November Goals

So, in line with my post on 25th October I am slightly changing my goals list as I have a long list of things I want to complete before the baby arrives.

The list splits roughly into four categories - things I want to do for the baby, things I want to gift, things I'd like to do for christmas and things that I really could do with finishing because they are lying around making the place look messy! Having done this before I am fully aware of how little crafting I am going to get done after the baby arrives so clearing out this little lot will be a big bonus.

Anyway, here's the list and I will keep it updated over the next five months - anyone care to bet on how well I do? I'm sure I can come up with some sort of prize if anyone gets the right answer - pick a number between 1 and 30 and leave a comment on this post before I post my first update on 30th November and we will see who is closest. If people guess the same correct number I'll get Lia to draw a name from a hat.

For the Baby

1. Silly Safari Quilt - blocks and border all made, it just needs to be put together and quilted
2. Alphabuddies quilt - not started
3. Slash and sew baby quilt - not started
4. Raggedy pram quilt - not started
5. Stitched Noah's Ark baby quilt - working on

Christmas Gifts

1. Bag - a christmas gift for my MIL
2. New Baby Sampler - for my Great Niece, promised by Christmas
3. Baby Quilt - for my Great Niece as a Christmas gift
4. Winnie the Pooh quilted book - Christmas gift for my nephew, cut out
5. Sue Hawkins book marker for teacher gift - not started
6. Sue Hawkins book marker for teacher gift - not started
7. Sue Hawkins book marker for my god daughter - not started
   

To be done for Christmas

1. Christmas Stocking - pre quilted and have been cut out so just need to be put together
2. Christmas Stocking - pre quilted and have been cut out so just need to be put together
3. Advent panel - not started
4. Advent panel - not started
   
5. Blue christmas quilt - fabric sorted
6. Red christmas quilt - fabric sorted
7. Christmas panel 1 - started last year, needs finishing off
8. Christmas panel 2 - started last year, needs finishing off

For Stash Reduction

1. Scream House - all the stitching done
2. Plaid quilt - two blocks made
3. Bag - a birthday present for my Mum last August
   
4. Grandma's thread minder - stitching all done
5. Jingle In the Tin - stitching all done
6. Boo In the Tin - stitching all done
7. Hop In the Tin - stitching all done
8. Sue Hawkins pin cushion - stitching all done
9. Flannel quilt for Lia - top made, quilting to do
10. Table topper - it's done other than finishing the quilting and sewing some binding

October Goals

Stitching Goals
1. Continue WIP busting
2. Work on Christmas by the Letter
3. Work on Coeur de Brodeuse
4. Work on Birds of a Feather
5. Work on Snowman Trio

Quilting Goals
1. Make two advent panels
2. Quilt something!
3. Make the two bags I should have made in August!

Current Stitching WIP List
1. Bent Creek - Snapperbets
2. Tournicoton - Coeur de Brodeuse
3. The Cat's Whiskers - Birds of a Feather Dilly Bag

4. Dimensions - Sleigh Ride
5. Bothy Threads - Row of Christmas Fairies
6. Margaret Sherry - Santa's Journey Afghan
7. Stitchy Kitty - Snowman Trio

8. Lizzie*Kate - ABC Lessons
9. Lizzie*Kate - Christmas by the Letter
10. Glendon Place - Murky Manor

11. Just Nan - Four Wishes
12. Michael Powell - Cottage Garden 2
13. Bent Creek - Snapperville Series
14. Ink Circles - Cirque de Cercles
15. Michael Powell - Handmade Houses 4

16. Stoney Creek - Noah's Sub
17. DMC - Wild Ones Alphabet
18. Teresa Wentzler - Tradewinds
19. Dracolair - Dawn Awakening

20. Midsummer Night Designs - Heaven Above
21. Shepherd's Bush - Be Attitudes Afghan
22. Dragon Dreams - Dragon Virtues Afghan
23. Bothy Threads - Cut Thru Fairy Hill

September Goals

Stitching Goals
1. Finish Happy Haunting (it has to be sent to the framer by 28th September)
2. Work on Tempest
3. Work on Birds of a Feather Dilly Bag
4. Work on Coeur de Brodeuse

Quilting Goals
1. Make three bags
2. Finish last jungle quilt top
3. Work on Baby Jane
4. Work on Tail Feathers

Other Goals
Stash Reduction
Take pictures of my recent WIPs and finishes to share!

Current Stitching WIP List
1. Teresa Wentzler - Tempest
2. Bent Creek - Snapperbets

3. Dimensions - Sleigh Ride
4. Bothy Threads - Row of Christmas Fairies
5. Margaret Sherry - Santa's Journey Afghan
6. Stitchy Kitty - Snowman Trio

7. Shepherd's Bush - Happy Haunting
8. Glendon Place - Murky Manor
9. Tournicoton - Coeur de Brodeuse
10. The Cat's Whiskers - Birds of a Feather Dilly Bag

11. Just Nan - Four Wishes
12. Michael Powell - Cottage Garden 2
13. Bent Creek - Snapperville Series
14. Ink Circles - Cirque de Cercles
15. Michael Powell - Handmade Houses 4

16. Stoney Creek - Noah's Sub
17. DMC - Wild Ones Alphabet
18. Teresa Wentzler - Tradewinds
19. Dracolair - Dawn Awakening

20. Midsummer Night Designs - Heaven Above
21. Shepherd's Bush - Be Attitudes Afghan
22. Dragon Dreams - Dragon Virtues Afghan
23. Bothy Threads - Cut Thru Fairy Hill

24. Lizzie*Kate - ABC Lessons
25. Lizzie*Kate - Christmas by the Letter

August Goals

Stitching Goals
1. Work on Happy Haunting
2. Work on Christmas by the Letter
5. Work on ABC Lessons
6. Work on Tempest

Quilting Goals
1. Get caught up with the Baby Jane blocks
2. Work on the flannel quilt blocks
3. Make four bags
4. Work on Tail Feathers

Other Goals
1. Stash reduction
2. Stash organisation

Current Stitching WIP List
1. Teresa Wentzler - Tempest
2. Bent Creek - Snapperbets

3. Dimensions - Sleigh Ride
4. Bothy Threads - Row of Christmas Fairies
5. Margaret Sherry - Santa's Journey Afghan
6. Stitchy Kitty - Snowman Trio

7. Shepherd's Bush - Happy Haunting
8. Glendon Place - Murky Manor
9. Tournicoton - Coeur de Brodeuse
10. The Cat's Whiskers - Birds of a Feather Dilly Bag

11. Just Nan - Four Wishes
12. Michael Powell - Cottage Garden 2
13. Bent Creek - Snapperville Series
14. Ink Circles - Cirque de Cercles
15. Michael Powell - Handmade Houses 4

16. Stoney Creek - Noah's Sub
17. DMC - Wild Ones Alphabet
18. Teresa Wentzler - Tradewinds
19. Dracolair - Dawn Awakening

20. Midsummer Night Designs - Heaven Above
21. Shepherd's Bush - Be Attitudes Afghan
22. Dragon Dreams - Dragon Virtues Afghan
23. Bothy Threads - Cut Thru Fairy Hill

24. Lizzie*Kate - ABC Lessons
25. Lizzie*Kate - Christmas by the Letter

July Goals

Stitching Goals
1. Work on Happy Haunting - a big push to finish this (I've ordered the Jill Rensel mat for framing)
2. Work on Snapperbets
5. Work on Lizzie*Kate ABC Lessons
6. Work on Wild Ones Alphabet

Quilting Goals
1. Get caught up with the Baby Jane blocks
2. Work on the flannel quilt blocks
3. Make a bag
4. Organise my sewing projects

Current Stitching WIP List
1. Teresa Wentzler - Tempest
2. Bent Creek - Snapperbets

3. Dimensions - Sleigh Ride
4. Bothy Threads - Row of Christmas Fairies
5. Margaret Sherry - Santa's Journey Afghan
6. Stitchy Kitty - Snowman Trio

7. Shepherd's Bush - Happy Haunting
8. Glendon Place - Murky Manor
9. Tournicoton - Coeur de Brodeuse
10. The Cat's Whiskers - Birds of a Feather Dilly Bag

11. Just Nan - Four Wishes
12. Michael Powell - Cottage Garden 2
13. Bent Creek - Snapperville Series
14. Ink Circles - Cirque de Cercles
15. Michael Powell - Handmade Houses 4

16. Stoney Creek - Noah's Sub
17. DMC - Wild Ones Alphabet
18. Teresa Wentzler - Tradewinds
19. Dracolair - Dawn Awakening

20. Midsummer Night Designs - Heaven Above
21. Shepherd's Bush - Be Attitudes Afghan
22. Dragon Dreams - Dragon Virtues Afghan
23. Bothy Threads - Cut Thru Fairy Hill

June Goals

Stitching Goals
1. Work on Sleigh Ride
2. Work on Tempest (complete?)
3. Complete Alphabet Baubles E
4. Complete Boo Club
5. Work on Snapperbets
6. Work on Cirque des Cercles

Quilting Goals
1. Complete lots and lots of Baby Jane blocks (I'll have 30 blocks arrived by the middle of the month and only 2 done!)
2. Finish up the outstanding flannel quilt top
3. Finish up the outstanding jungle quilt top
4. Sort out all 'current' projects and get a plan in place to get them finished

Current Stitching WIP List
1. Lizzie*Kate - Boo! Flip Its
2. Bent Creek - Snapperbets

3. Dimensions - Sleigh Ride
4. Bothy Threads - Row of Christmas Fairies
5. Margaret Sherry - Santa's Journey Afghan
6. Stitchy Kitty - Snowman Trio

7. Shepherd's Bush - Happy Haunting
8. Glendon Place - Murky Manor
9. Tournicoton - Coeur de Brodeuse
10. The Cat's Whiskers - Birds of a Feather Dilly Bag

11. Just Nan - Four Wishes
12. Michael Powell - Cottage Garden 2
13. Bent Creek - Snapperville Series
14. Ink Circles - Cirque de Cercles
15. Michael Powell - Handmade Houses 4

16. Stoney Creek - Noah's Sub
17. DMC - Wild Ones Alphabet
18. Teresa Wentzler - Tradewinds
19. Dracolair - Dawn Awakening

20. Midsummer Night Designs - Heaven Above
21. Shepherd's Bush - Be Attitudes Afghan
22. Dragon Dreams - Dragon Virtues Afghan
23. Bothy Threads - Cut Thru Fairy Hill

May Goals

Okay, I'm modifying the rules ever so slightly this month in light of my not getting much done last month. Because I retired the WIP I was going to stitch on this month I've decided not to replace it with anything but to use the WIP's week as a finishing week. I hope to get two or three pieces finish finished by doing this and also to catch back up a bit with my Snapperbets pace.

Next month will be back to normal though

Stitching Goals
1. Work on Scream House - (finish?)
2. Complete Alphabet Baubles E
3. Complete Lizzie*Kate Brew / Monster
4. Complete two Snapperbet Letters
5. Work on Wild Ones Alphabet
6. Finish Finish as many of the following as possible - Grandma's Thread Minder, Sue Hawkins Pin Cushion, Scream House, Boo! Needlekeep, Hop Scissor Fob, Jingle Biscornu

Sewing Goals
1. Complete some Dear Jane blocks
2. Work on Lia's quilt - hopefully complete the quilt top
3. Finish my Sewing pouch
4. Finish Lia's curtains
4. Start some cushion covers

Current Stitching WIP List
1. Lizzie*Kate - Boo! Flip Its
2. Bent Creek - Snapperbets

3. Dimensions - Sleigh Ride
4. Bothy Threads - Row of Christmas Fairies
5. Margaret Sherry - Santa's Journey Afghan
6. Stitchy Kitty - Snowman Trio

7. Shepherd's Bush - Happy Haunting
8. Glendon Place - Murky Manor
9. Just Nan - Scream House
10. Tournicoton - Coeur de Brodeuse
11. The Cat's Whiskers - Birds of a Feather Dilly Bag

12. Just Nan - Four Wishes
13. Michael Powell - Cottage Garden 2
14. Bent Creek - Snapperville Series
15. Ink Circles - Cirque de Cercles
16. Michael Powell - Handmade Houses 4

17. Stoney Creek - Noah's Sub
18. DMC - Wild Ones Alphabet
19. Teresa Wentzler - Tradewinds
20. Dracolair - Dawn Awakening

21. Midsummer Night Designs - Heaven's Above
22. Shepherd's Bush - Be Attitudes Afghan
23. Dragon Dreams - Dragon Virtues Afghan
24. Bothy Threads - Cut Thru Fairy Hill

April Goals

Stitching Goals
1. Work on Sleigh Ride
2. Work on Heaven's Above
3. Complete Monthly Baubles - March
4. Work on Boo Club - catch up from last month and hopefully complete Pumpkin / Fright (if they arrive in time!)
5. Complete two Snapperbet Letters
6. Work on Cirque des Cercles

Sewing Goals
1. Work on Lia's Quilt
2. Start my Baby Jane quilt blocks which should arrive mid month
3. Make some bags for gifts
4. Finish Lia's curtains

Current Stitching WIP List
1. Lizzie*Kate - Boo! Flip Its
2. Bent Creek - Snapperbets

3. Dimensions - Sleigh Ride
4. Bothy Threads - Row of Christmas Fairies
5. Margaret Sherry - Santa's Journey Afghan
6. Stitchy Kitty - Snowman Trio

7. Shepherd's Bush - Happy Haunting
8. Glendon Place - Murky Manor
9. Just Nan - Scream House
10. Tournicoton - Coeur de Brodeuse
11. The Cat's Whiskers - Birds of a Feather Dilly Bag

12. Just Nan - Four Wishes
13. Michael Powell - Cottage Garden 2
14. Bent Creek - Snapperville Series
15. Ink Circles - Cirque de Cercles
16. Michael Powell - Handmade Houses 4

17. Stoney Creek - Noah's Sub
18. DMC - Wild Ones Alphabet
19. Teresa Wentzler - Tradewinds
20. Dracolair - Dawn Awakening

21. Midsummer Night Designs - Heaven's Above
22. Shepherd's Bush - Be Attitudes Afghan
23. Dragon Dreams - Dragon Virtues Afghan
24. Bothy Threads - Cut Thru Fairy Hill

March Goals

Stitching Goals
1. Work on Scream House (hopefully finish the stitching)
2. Work on Coeur de Brodeuse (hopefully finish the stitching)
3. Complete C is for Cupcake
4. Complete Lizzie*Kate Eek and Creepy
5. Complete Two Snapperbet Letters
6. Work on Grandma's Thread Minder (hopefully finish the stitching)

Quilting Goals
1. Make cushion covers for Lia's room
2. Complete the Inspired by Rugs quilt top
3. Work on the Mariner's Compass quilt top
4. Start Lia's quilt top
5. Complete the Quilter's Friend Sewing Kit

Current Stitching WIP List
1. Lizzie*Kate - Boo! Flip Its
2. Bent Creek - Snapperbets

3. Dimensions - Sleigh Ride
4. Bothy Threads - Row of Christmas Fairies
5. Margaret Sherry - Santa's Journey Afghan
6. Stitchy Kitty - Snowman Trio

7. Shepherd's Bush - Happy Haunting
8. Glendon Place - Murky Manor
9. Just Nan - Scream House

10. Brightneedle - Garden Party
11. The Trilogy - Spring Lineup

12. Tournicoton - Coeur de Brodeuse
13. The Cat's Whiskers - Birds of a Feather Dilly Bag
14. The Cat's Whiskers - Grandma's Thread Minder

15. Just Nan - Four Wishes
16. Michael Powell - Cottage Garden 2
17. Bent Creek - Snapperville Series
18. Ink Circles - Cirque de Cercles
19. Michael Powell - Handmade Houses 4

20. Stoney Creek - Noah's Sub
21. DMC - Wild Ones Alphabet
22. Teresa Wentzler - Tradewinds
23. Dracolair - Dawn Awakening

24. Midsummer Night Designs - Heaven's Above
25. Shepherd's Bush - Be Attitudes Afghan
26. Stitchin'Spirations - Getting Lost in a Blackwork Maze
27. Dragon Dreams - Dragon Virtues Afghan
28. Bothy Threads - Cut Thru Fairy Hill

February Goals

Stitching Goals
1. Work on Sleigh Ride
2. Work on Charlie is Born (hopefully complete)
3. Complete B is for Bee
4. Complete Lizzie*Kate Black Cat (and maybe Spiders)
5. Complete two Snapperbets letters
6. Work on Cirque des Cercles

Quilting Goals
1. Start Lia's curtains
2. Work on the Quilter's Friend Sewing Kit - hopefully complete it but it's very complicated so I'll be taking it slow!

Current Stitching WIP List
1. Lizzie*Kate - Boo! Flip Its
2. Bent Creek - Snapperbets

3. Dimensions - Sleigh Ride
4. Bothy Threads - Row of Christmas Fairies
5. Margaret Sherry - Santa's Journey Afghan
6. Stitchy Kitty - Snowman Trio

7. Shepherd's Bush - Happy Haunting
8. Glendon Place - Murky Manor
9. Just Nan - Scream House

10. Brightneedle - Garden Party
11. Millhouse Designs - Charlie is Born
12. The Trilogy - Spring Lineup

13. Tournicoton - Coeur de Brodeuse
14. The Cat's Whiskers - Birds of a Feather Dilly Bag
15. The Cat's Whiskers - Grandma's Thread Minder

16. Just Nan - Four Wishes
17. Michael Powell - Cottage Garden 2
18. Bent Creek - Snapperville Series

19. Shepherd's Bush - Be Attitudes Afghan
20. DMC - Wild Ones Alphabet
21. Ink Circles - Cirque de Cercles
22. Stitchin'Spirations - Getting Lost in a Blackwork Maze
23. Midsummer Night Designs - Heaven's Above
24. Teresa Wentzler - Tradewinds
25. Dragon Dreams - Dragon Virtues Afghan
26. Michael Powell - Handmade Houses 4
27. Bothy Threads - Cut Thru Fairy Hill
28. Stoney Creek - Noah's Sub
29. Dracolair - Dawn Awakening

January Goals

Stitching Goals
1. Work on Scream House
2. Work on Joyful Summer (hopefully complete)
3. Complete A is for Apple
4. Complete Lizzie*Kate - Spooky
5. Complete two Snapperbets letters
6. Work on Grandma's Thread Minder

Quilting Goals
1. Finish up my outstanding quilt tops and quilting
2. Make bag

Current Stitching WIP List
1. Lizzie*Kate - Boo! Flip Its
2. Bent Creek - Snapperbets

3. Dimensions - Sleigh Ride
4. Bothy Threads - Row of Christmas Fairies
5. Margaret Sherry - Santa's Journey Afghan
6. Stitchy Kitty - Snowman Trio

7. Shepherd's Bush - Happy Haunting
8. Glendon Place - Murky Manor
9. Just Nan - Scream House

10. Brightneedle - Garden Party
11. Millhouse Designs - Charlie is Born
12. The Trilogy - Spring Lineup
13. CCN - Joyful Summer

14. Tournicoton - Coeur de Brodeuse
15. The Cat's Whiskers - Birds of a Feather Dilly Bag
16. The Cat's Whiskers - Grandma's Thread Minder

17. Just Nan - Four Wishes
18. Michael Powell - Cottage Garden 2
19. Bent Creek - Snapperville Series

20. Shepherd's Bush - Be Attitudes Afghan
21. DMC - Wild Ones Alphabet
22. Ink Circles - Cirque de Cercles
23. Stitchin'Spirations - Getting Lost in a Blackwork Maze
24. Midsummer Night Designs - Heaven's Above
25. Teresa Wentzler - Tradewinds
26. Dragon Dreams - Dragon Virtues Afghan
27. Michael Powell - Handmade Houses 4
28. Bothy Threads - Cut Thru Fairy Hill
29. Stoney Creek - Noah's Sub
30. Dracolair - Dawn Awakening

December Goals Update

First a couple of pictures:

And here's a close up of the blocks - the dragonfly fabric is also the backing fabric:

This quilt wasn't actually included in my December Goals but it was 'commissioned' by a workmate for a baby girl (her partner's granddaughter) who arrived in the world at the beginning of this month. Because I used fabric from my stash she paid me with six metres of wadding which helps me with the rest of my quilting goals as I now have more than enough to finish my other quilts.

If you're mad enough to read my 'goals' posts (if you ignore them and who can blame you, they're long!) you may remember I had ambitious quilting plans for December.

These were:

1. Finish Christmas Quilt
2. Finish baby quilt
3. Finish Heart to Heart quilts
4. Finish Christmas Panel
5. Quilt bargello
6. Make up Jungle quilt top
7. Sew some more of the flannel quilt blocks

So, at the 1st December the 6 quilt tops I wanted finished this month were in the following state:

3 finished
1 needing three layers of border attached
1 cut but not sewn
1 not even planned

Today, roughly the middle of the month, I have:

1 completed quilt (the one not even planned)
1 completed quilt bar two sides of binding (the one that was just cut)
2 with wadding and backing cut ready to layer
2 with wadding cut and backing needing sewing before layering

I've done about 3/4 of the quilting and binding for the A-Z Christmas panel I want to finish (goal 4). Also, I've sewn together 10 more flannel quilt blocks (goal 7).

The only thing I haven't made any progress with is the sewing together of the last jungle quilt top but you never know, I'm doing well.

I've also managed a bit of stitching and have completed the Jingle tin topper and done a bit more of Sleigh Ride. I haven't stitched much though as evenings have been spent hand quilting or sewing binding. No doubt there'll be more quilts to show off before the weekend though.

Finally, if you've made it this far here's a treat for you, Lia has a fancy dress party next week and I have a friend who just started working at the Disney Store (and gets a great discount) so here's a Christmas Fairy just for you all: