2012 Goals, Revisited

Wanted to go over my goals from last year, and I'll try to improve upon it this year!


Crafty Goals:

1. Finish the Little Folks quilt 
1. Top is done, backing is still non-existent
2. On that note, finish 5 (at least crib-sized) quilts this year. I did 3 this year, and I didn't even get a sewing machine until August, so that seems pretty doable to me.
1. Um, only got 1 whole quilt done, and one top done. That's ok. Not great.
3. Make ONE wearable piece of clothing. Even if it's for one of the babies. One piece of clothing that doesn't necessarily look handmade.
1. I'm going to count the Wiksten tank (that didn't end up fitting anyone). It was just too small for my friend Ashley and too big for my mom, and I don't know anyone who is a true size medium.
4. Use my craftiness to decorate my apartment in a way that I feel satisfied with. I feel like I accomplished that fairly well around Christmas time, given my budget ($0), and I'd like to continue that throughout the year. This is not limited to sewing or fabric.
1. Hooray! Accomplished! I've been really happy with how my apartment has looked this past year :)
5. Make more presents for my loved ones. Again, I did pretty well this Christmas, and I'd like to continue that.
1. Nada. But that's ok. I've rocked the present front.

Life Goals:

1. Cook at least 1 meal a week from scratch. They don't have to be perfect, or low-calorie/carb/fat/sodium or whatever. Just from scratch. I'll get to the rest.
1. I'd say accomplished. A lot of repeat dinners, but hey, I did it!
2. Start saving money for whatever is next in store, be it moving, a new car, a vacation, or some other unexpected thing.
1. Yeah, no. Have some money, but not enough.
3. Make more time for myself. A lot of my time I spend focused on other people. Even crafting is usually for someone else. I need to learn that it's ok to spend time that just for me. Maybe take a vacation with myself at some point.
1. I've been doing ok with this, actually. Nice!
4. Spend more time with California family, whether it be via Skype, phone, or an actual vacation. It just needs to happen.
1. I could call more, but I'd say check. Vacation this August, another planned for June.
5. Just be healthier. I don't care about losing weight. Yes, I'm solidly a plus-sized woman, but I like who I am and I don't need to be skinny to feel happy about myself. I just think that everyone could be a little healthier.
1. Eh. I wouldn't say yes to this. Or no, either, though. 
6. Do something new. Maybe learn a new skill, take a language class, something. I miss learning, and I'd love to get back into that.
1. Started going back to church, and have been singing with the worship team. 
7. Project 365. Here's to hoping I don't give up on this one in a week.
1. I lasted a whole month! Amazing!

New list to come.

Swoooonnnn

I finished my swoon. And I am in love.

The front, before washing

The back!

It's currently at Mom's being washed now. I cannot wait for it to come back all wonderful and crinkly :)


On another note, being a part of the Swoon-a-Long group was a totally new experience for me. I had never done a quilt-a-long, and had never really participated on flickr. This group changed everything. Everyone was so encouraging, and the hostess, Katy, was so wonderful. She commented on every. single. picture. I posted to the group, with such encouraging things to say. I couldn't have had a better experience with it. Thank you so much Katy!!

Quilt 1 out of 5 for 2012: Check. And this one is staying with me!

A Goal, Accomplished

Wow, I actually accomplished one of my goals! And it's only March!

The goal I accomplished? Make a wearable piece of clothing. I made a tank top for my mom from the Wiksten tank pattern. I want to make one for myself, but as the pattern does not come in plus sizes, I decided to make one from a size that's suggested before I go modifying it. My mom is a perfect medium, and a lover of all things I've ever made (she still has macaroni art in a box saved for memories sake).

Annnddd so. Wiksten tank pattern + Moda Crossweave in Storm = fabulous tank top that I personally think doesn't look handmade. Which was totally the goal. Check!



Full disclosure: I had totally forgotten this was a goal when I made it. And it honestly feels kind of amazing to have accomplished it, even though I had forgotten.

2012 Goals!

I figure I might as well set some goals for this coming year. Because that's what the new year is for!

Crafty Goals:

1. Finish the Little Folks quilt
2. On that note, finish 5 (at least crib-sized) quilts this year. I did 3 this year, and I didn't even get a sewing machine until August, so that seems pretty doable to me.
3. Make ONE wearable piece of clothing. Even if it's for one of the babies. One piece of clothing that doesn't necessarily look handmade.
4. Use my craftiness to decorate my apartment in a way that I feel satisfied with. I feel like I accomplished that fairly well around Christmas time, given my budget ($0), and I'd like to continue that throughout the year. This is not limited to sewing or fabric.
   
5. Make more presents for my loved ones. Again, I did pretty well this Christmas, and I'd like to continue that.

Life Goals:

1. Cook at least 1 meal a week from scratch. They don't have to be perfect, or low-calorie/carb/fat/sodium or whatever. Just from scratch. I'll get to the rest.
2. Start saving money for whatever is next in store, be it moving, a new car, a vacation, or some other unexpected thing.
   
3. Make more time for myself. A lot of my time I spend focused on other people. Even crafting is usually for someone else. I need to learn that it's ok to spend time that just for me. Maybe take a vacation with myself at some point.
4. Spend more time with California family, whether it be via Skype, phone, or an actual vacation. It just needs to happen.
5. Just be healthier. I don't care about losing weight. Yes, I'm solidly a plus-sized woman, but I like who I am and I don't need to be skinny to feel happy about myself. I just think that everyone could be a little healthier.
6. Do something new. Maybe learn a new skill, take a language class, something. I miss learning, and I'd love to get back into that.
7. Project 365. Here's to hoping I don't give up on this one in a week.
   

I think that'll work well. For now.

Heirloom

My Papa is a quiet, strong man. He loves fishing, tying flies, watching football, and the color orange. He's the one who taught me how to whistle (we started with the Andy Griffith theme, of course), and build a birdhouse.

My Gram is a kind, fiery woman. She loves country style, gardening, visiting with just about anyone, and any color but orange. She's the lady who taught me how to count back change, play a scale on the piano, and who started (and has unfailingly enabled) my skeleton key collecting.

Of course, I had to make them a quilt. With orange. When I saw Joel Dewberry's new Heirloom line with the Citrine palette, I knew what I had to do.

Quilt pattern modestly borrowed from Faith at Fresh Lemons

Stats:
6 selected prints from Joel Dewberry's Heirloom in Citrine cut into 6.5" blocks
The sashing and binding is Kona stone
The backing is some camel-colored flannel I bought from Joann's on sale.
It's approximately 54 x 64 inches in size.


Merry Christmas Gram and Papa!!!

Checking In

Hello.

Just checking in to say it's probably going to be just a bit before any more big finishes. Student loans are sucking, and I've been working as much overtime as they'll let me trying to make ends meet and have just a little bit leftover for Christmas. Needless to say, it's not going as well as I'd like.


So, fabric budget is officially non-existent. Here's hoping that there'll be some Heirloom left in the Citrine colorway by the time my loan consolidation goes through.

Baby H's Quilt

Again, I apologize for the crappy cellphone pictures. It was like 11 at night, and I forgot to have my mom hold it up the next day for pictures.

Stats:
1 charm pack Sherbet Pips by Aneela Hooey
Sashing and backing is Kona Medium Gray
Binding is Sherbet Pips
Pattern is a modified Charm Squares baby quilt by Elizabeth Hartman of Oh, Fransson!

Baby H - I hope it's ok I didn't make you a Christmas themed quilt, even though you are going to be a Christmastime baby. I figured you'd get enough of that in your life. I can't wait to meet you little girl. See you soon.