2012 Blog Goals Recap!

Here's a recap of my goals accomplished for 2012! I have accomplished almost all of them!!

Favorite things made 2012

2012 Goals: 

• Finish my Swoon quilt - free motion quilting it by domestic machine (even though it's huge!) - DONE!! Finished on my new-to-me Juki Tl98e. This was one of the first major projects I did on the machine!

• Finish my {Sew} Beautiful Bee quilt - drunk love with AMH. It's even huger than the swoon quilt! Done! It now lives on my bed! :) 
• Try a mid-arm or long-arm machine. Just to say I did. I know it's been offered before but I'm still a little shy about it. I need to give it a try. Done and not done. I tried out some long arm machines at a quilt show this year and it was a lot of fun! However, I didn't quilt a whole quilt on one yet. My friend Marla has offered to let me come play on her long arm - and I intend to take her up on that this coming year!

• Do a bit more designing of quilts and tutorials. As in actually record the how and what. Maybe put together a quilt pattern? Several new tutorials here on the blog this year, as well as a couple projects on Pellon's website. I have a couple more coming too! I've gotten a lot better at keeping track of my measurements and process too.

• Sell, swap, etsy, or commission. I'd like to sell something this year to make money for more fabric. Done! I've funded most of my upcoming trip to QuiltCon already by selling some pouches and Christmas stockings. All these things were by commission and I welcome future commission work too. 

• Meet local bloggers (specifically Sally, Sara, and Angela). I met two of the three! Sally and Sara are both just as sweet in real life! I'm so glad to have met the m in person! I look forward to meeting many more blogging friends next year at QuiltCon!

• Continue with swaps and bees. Pushing myself each time to learn something new and challenging myself to work on more and more difficult blocks. Done! I continued with the Doll Quilt Swap (and became a mama, and now head mama!). I also did Pillow Top Swap and Ratz Swap! Some of my most intricate work has come from swap projects!
• Work on making connections within the sewing industry community. Also, I'd love to take a class on sewing machine repair.... anyone have an idea of where one learns such a thing? Done (although this step will never stop being done). I've learned so much from other bloggers, local guild friends, and facebook friends. You guys are all great! Although I haven't found a way to learn sewing machine repair!
• I'm toying with the idea of trying to get published somehow. I'm working on this. I have two projects in an upcoming book by my friend (eek!) But I won't consider this accomplished until I see my name in print. I suppose I would also consider my Pellon Projects to be "published" too. So cross this one off the list!
• Go on the quilt retreats offered by the CMQG - continue getting to know those fabulous ladies! Done! I had the absolute most fun at the last retreat, and I feel like it really solidified a few major friendships with fellow guild friends. I learn so much from these talented ladies and I'm glad to share the journey with them!

• Co-host a new swap with Emily. We did this swap and it was a real hit! My {modern} Robin quilt top is finished and I just need a bit more of a specific fabric for the backing. The swap itself was so much fun and I think Emily and I should do this again sometime!

• Quilts to make this year 

• Michelle's Celebration Quilt - almost finished! The top and backing are both done, and the binding is prepped! I'm just waiting for Michelle to order her batting. This will be one of my first finishes of the new year!

•  A quilt for Lindsey - Done! It's finished and she loves it! 

I did pretty good on my goals for the year. I've been working on a new list of goals. I'm looking for more challenge and growth this year. It's always fun to come up with new goals! They all start as pipe dreams!

Checking in on my 2012 goals!

Here I am crossing things off my 2012 goals list! I'm not doing bad considering we're halfway through the year! 

Swoon finished and FMQ'd on my Juki!

• Finish my Swoon quilt - free motion quilting it by domestic machine (even though it's huge!) 

{Sew} Beautiful Bee 2011 quilt finished and FMQ'd on my Juki

• Finish my {Sew} Beautiful Bee quilt - drunk love with AMH. It's even huger than the swoon quilt! Done!
• Try a mid-arm or long-arm machine. Just to say I did. I know it's been offered before but I'm still a little shy about it. I need to give it a try (maybe on that ginormous bee quilt?)

Summertime Sewing Adventures Tutorials

• Do a bit more designing of quilts and tutorials. As in actually record the how and what. Maybe put together a quilt pattern? Three new tutorials this year... and some stuff yet to come.
• Sell, swap, etsy, or commission. I'd like to sell something this year to make money for more fabric. I feel like I suck a lot of money into quilting... obviously. I'd feel better about it if I had a little cash coming in. 

I met Sally!

• Meet local bloggers (specifically Sally, Sara, and Angela. Speak up if you're from the general Chicago area and want to meet up for some coffee or something and chat about blogging/sewing/quilting!  (I met Sally at the CMQG - she's just as lovely in person as she is online!)

My favorite quilt ever, made for Mona during the Doll Quilt Swap 12!

• Continue with swaps and bees. Pushing myself each time to learn something new and challenging myself to work on more and more difficult blocks. Finished PTS, DQS12, and RATZ -MAY.
• Work on making connections within the sewing industry community. There is so much growth happening in the are of modern sewing that I feel like I should have an idea of how it all happens. Maybe contact a book or magazine editor, or see if I can write a pattern for a new fabric line. Who knows I just find this to be pretty interesting. Oh also under this topic, I'd love to take a class on sewing machine repair.... anyone have an idea of where one learns such a thing? (working on it!)
• I'm toying with the idea of trying to get published somehow. Is it worth jumping through hoops to do so? (working on this).
• Go on the quilt retreats offered by the CMQG - continue getting to know those fabulous ladies! Done!

Emily & I's {Modern} Robin quilt tops finished!

• Co-host a new swap with Emily (Pretty awesome!)  The swap is over and it went great!

• Quilts to make this year

• Michelle's Celebration Quilt 

•  A quilt for Lindsey (I wonder if she reads this blog??) Haha... it may be a surprise to her. Still working on these.

Intricate.

Is late March too late to declare a word of the year? 

The word "intricate" has been written up on my inspiration board for months now. It is how I frame my thoughts about most of my projects. Not necessarily tiny, not necessarily hard to do, just intricate.

I thrive in the challenge. I want to learn precision and structure. I want to design it all myself. 

I want to be my own sort of quilter. And yet, I often get bogged down by what my peers are doing, how they're succeeding, and gaining popularity that I don't have. I think spring will help me sort these things out...but I need to just keep pushing myself to do my own work - rather than following the crowd. 

Where does that leave me though? Is my desire to teach? Is my goal to write a book? Do I just want to sit around and create however I please? I'm not sure. 

But as for now I want intricacy. I want little complex points, and circles upon circles, nesting together perfectly. 

Who knows where it will take me, but I like the journey I'm on. 

The pictures here are from my current project which I'm calling "Bella Bella..." It's for someone special and is inspired by this book (although I haven't used any of the patterns in that book...) I'm really loving it. 

2012 Goals - update!

It's the beginning of March, and already I'm crossing some things off my goal list. :) Also, I just realised that I haven't done a full blog post/reveal fo my Sew Beautiful Bee quilt - it's been finished for over a month!! that will be coming soon!

• Finish my Swoon quilt - free motion quilting it by domestic machine (even though it's huge!) (I'm so close!! Just a couple stitches left on the binding!!
• Finish my {Sew} Beautiful Bee quilt - drunk love with AMH. It's even huger than the swoon quilt!  Done!
• Try a mid-arm or long-arm machine. Just to say I did. I know it's been offered before but I'm still a little shy about it. I need to give it a try (maybe on that ginormous bee quilt?)
• Do a bit more designing of quilts and tutorials. As in actually record the how and what. Maybe put together a quilt pattern? 
• Sell, swap, etsy, or commission. I'd like to sell something this year to make money for more fabric. I feel like I suck a lot of money into quilting... obviously. I'd feel better about it if I had a little cash coming in. 
• Meet local bloggers (specifically Sally, Sara, and Angela. Speak up if you're from the general Chicago area and want to meet up for some coffee or something and chat about blogging/sewing/quilting!  (I met Sally at the CMQG - she's just as lovely in person as she is online!)
• Continue with swaps and bees. Pushing myself each time to learn something new and challenging myself to work on more and more difficult blocks. 
• Work on making connections within the sewing industry community. There is so much growth happening in the are of modern sewing that I feel like I should have an idea of how it all happens. Maybe contact a book or magazine editor, or see if I can write a pattern for a new fabric line. Who knows I just find this to be pretty interesting. Oh also under this topic, I'd love to take a class on sewing machine repair.... anyone have an idea of where one learns such a thing? 
• I'm toying with the idea of trying to get published somehow. Is it worth jumping through hoops to do so?
• Go on the quilt retreats offered by the CMQG - continue getting to know those fabulous ladies!
• Co-host a new swap with Emily (Pretty awesome!)  The swap is in full swing and going smoothly!
• Quilts to make this year

• Michelle's Celebration Quilt 

•  A quilt for Lindsey (I wonder if she reads this blog??) Haha... it may be a surprise to her.

Making Preparations.

Today is all about making preparations for submitting two of my quilts to the Modern Quilt Guild Showcase at the International Quilt Festival. The link there will take you to the submissions forms; submissions are open until Friday!

Wally wrestling the quilt while it was on the rod for pictures.

This wasn't even on my radar until Sunday at our Chicago Modern Quilt Guild meeting. I'm really pushing myself to get some good pictures of the one quilt since being in a show is one of my quilting goals this year! The other quilt I'm submitting based on a photo that's alright. I think it's a more unique quilt than the other, but it's my mom's and I don't have it here presently to take any better photos. I'm chalking it up to experience if I don't get in - especially for my mom's quilt since the photo isn't what I'd like it to be. 

I spent all day today sewing a sleeve onto my {Sew}Beautiful quilt - that was trying... then after all that handstitching I realise I could have just pinned it with safety pins... duh. Next time. 

I used some horrible or awesome batik fabric for the sleeve since that's the only thing I had a large amount of on hand (I keep mostly small cuts of fabrics). The batik came from the bookstore... yes someone sold us 5+ yards of it with some quilt patterns and books last year. It went home with me for free and what can I say... lol. It's ugly or maybe ok? But I don't really use it. 

Now we're trying to contact my BIL so that he can come help Wally hold it up for the picture... but I'm going to try to get some pics of it with just Wally holding it now, since the sun is out and beautiful!

Update: Yes the sun is out... so is the wind! lol. After taking more than 45 pictures of wally holding that quilt I think I may have one that I can use.... but it's not nearly as "flat" as I'd like! I hope it's alright, and no, there are no fingers showing!

Another update: I am only submitting the one. I don't have a decent high resolution close-up of my mom's quilt, so it won't be submitted this time. 

Sewing and Blogging Goals of 2012

Fabric for Michelle's Celebration Quilt
(yes I had to re-fold it all - typical fabric.com)

• Finish my Swoon quilt - free motion quilting it by domestic machine (even though it's huge!)
• Finish my {Sew} Beautiful Bee quilt - drunk love with AMH. It's even huger than the swoon quilt!
• Try a mid-arm or long-arm machine. Just to say I did. I know it's been offered before but I'm still a little shy about it. I need to give it a try (maybe on that ginormous bee quilt?)
• Do a bit more designing of quilts and tutorials. As in actually record the how and what. Maybe put together a quilt pattern? 
• Sell, swap, etsy, or commission. I'd like to sell something this year to make money for more fabric. I feel like I suck a lot of money into quilting... obviously. I'd feel better about it if I had a little cash coming in. 
• Meet local bloggers (specifically Sally, Sara, and Angela. Speak up if you're from the general Chicago area and want to meet up for some coffee or something and chat about blogging/sewing/quilting!
• Continue with swaps and bees. Pushing myself each time to learn something new and challenging myself to work on more and more difficult blocks. 
• Work on making connections within the sewing industry community. There is so much growth happening in the are of modern sewing that I feel like I should have an idea of how it all happens. Maybe contact a book or magazine editor, or see if I can write a pattern for a new fabric line. Who knows I just find this to be pretty interesting. Oh also under this topic, I'd love to take a class on sewing machine repair.... anyone have an idea of where one learns such a thing? 
• I'm toying with the idea of trying to get published somehow. Is it worth jumping through hoops to do so?
• Go on the quilt retreats offered by the CMQG - continue getting to know those fabulous ladies!
• Co-host a new swap with Emily (Pretty awesome!)
• Quilts to make this year

• Michelle's Celebration Quilt 

•  A quilt for Lindsey (I wonder if she reads this blog??) Haha... it may be a surprise to her.