A Final Look - 2010 Crafting Goals

Last year, I came up with a list of goals for 2010. I posted recaps on all the goals in May, but I haven't posted about them since then.

While I may have gone overboard with things to put on the list, but I am sure that I wouldn't have done a few things without keeping the Goals in mind throughout the year.

1. Show at least 100 yds Net Fabric used in the Stash Reports. I am ending the year at less than -100 yards so I am happy about that! I finished 2009 at -178 yards so I think that this year was a step in the right direction. :)
2. Finish a 'big' project before starting a new 'big' project. I think that I have done pretty well on this front. I don't have a lot of new projects from this year that added to last year's UFO list.
3. Organize Stash Room. This was done in January, but so much new fabric was acquired with little old space made so there are some stacks of fabric around the room. Definitely needs to be remedied!
4. Use scraps and crumbs. I have used scraps for various little projects, but not nearly enough of either scraps or crumbs to make any kid of a difference.
5. Make a project using applique. I haven't finished an applique project, but I have made great progress on the Which Witch wall hangings. I'm definitely feeling more comfortable with the entire process.
6. Use 10 new patterns. Accomplished!! 1 - Regina's Quilt; 2 - sock knitting bag; 3 - Reversible table runner, 4 - Stars and Pinwheels (SIS quilt); 5 - Bento Box; 6 - Optical Illusion; 7 - Spin City; 8 - Lucky Charm Table Runner; 9 - Margo Lazy Girl bag; and 10 - Block of the Month - teal and brown
7. Make 12 charity quilts. Almost accomplished. Got pretty darn close! 9 have been quilted and bound as of 10/20/10
8. Don't buy any new books or patterns. I went most of the year without buying any new quilting books or patterns, but I did get several knitting books. I think that I only bought 1 or 2 quilting books myself. the rest were gifts. :)
9. Complete Granny Square afghan. The blocks are done. I think that I even went so far as to look up how to attach the blocks to each other. But I am going to have to look those up again.
10. Knit 1 pair of socks. DONE - 3/28/10
11. Knit 12 baby caps. 4 DONE by 6/12/10. Four is better than none, right?
12. Finish bear cross stitch. I attempted this. Although, it wasn't much of an attempt - I only spent 1 evening actually stitching on it! lol
13. Get rid of stamping stuff. A lot was sold, but there is still more. I have plans to start listing the crap stuff on CraigsList this weekend.
14. Get to 1,000 posts on blog for Awesome Giveaway!- Done!!! WOO HOO!!

It looks like there will be a few goals that get carried forward into 2011. I will have to think on the goals for the new year for a while though.

Happy New Year!

More lists!

It’s that time again! I have a lot to get done before the Holidays and time seems to be slipping away. I need to post my list of things to do and start posting a progress report a couple of times a week. At this point, I am not sure if I can even rank what I have to do in order of importance. Ugh!

1. Bento Box quilt – needs to be quilted, labeled and bound. I know that this will be the easiest top to quilt, but I just haven’t made the time to load it on the frame and get started on it.
2. Meghan's quilt – needs to be quilted, labeled and bound.
3. black, white and red quilt - needs to be quilted, labeled and bound.
4. Orientals quilt - needs to be quilted, labeled and bound.
5. Granma’s quilt – I am still in the assembly phase of this one. I need to get my strip sets cut and then I can make the 9 patches. Then, I can assemble the quilt and put it in the To Be Quilted pile.
6. The Super Secret Quilt – This whole thing is just a pile of folded fabric right now. The fabric still needs to be starched per our rules of the challenge before I can even begin to make the blocks.
7. Mug Rug for Cincinnati Modern Quilt Guild challenge – I saw the mug last night that I have to make the rug for and I have pretty much free rein. But I still need to come up with an idea and make the rug by December 7 for the next meeting.

That list is of all the things that HAVE to be done in December at some time. It would be nice to get a couple of them done in November, but I really am not going to hold my breath.

On top of all of this, I have things from my 2010 Goals that are still hovering….

1. Use scraps and crumbs – I may be able to do a little of this if I can get my butt in gear and start on the Midget Mania Blocks. But with the list above, can you see why I have yet to start those blocks?
2. Make a project using appliqué – I was planning on the Which Witch wall hangings, or at least one of them, to fill this void. If I make 1 block with the dress, shoes, legs and ruffle, would that count? J
3. Make 12 charity quilts – I have flannels paired up for a few more quilts and could easily quilt 3 of them up to round out this goal, but I will have to find the time to quilt them. And then there is the binding of them once they are quilted.
4. Complete the granny square afghan – the squares are made. I just have to crochet them into the afghan and crochet a border. Easier said than done?
5. Knit 12 baby caps – well, I am at 4. I doubt that I will knit 8 more in roughly 7 weeks. I have shared my baby yarn stash with my granma and bought new skeins for her and her senior group friends and I know that many caps were made. I think I am going to mark this one off by default.
6. Finish bear cross stitch – I doubt this will get done. My heart is just not in the cross stitch anymore. Time to go through the stash and get rid of what I can.
7. Get rid of stamping stuff – I have made great progress on this, but I could definitely re-list what is left on Craigslist and try to get rid of it by Christmas. Although, meeting people to sell it could really cut into my sewing/quilting time. And so would updating my list of what I still have!

And things that I really WANT to do….

1. Start Midget Mania Blocks
2. Make Witch wall hangings
3. Work on the 2009 Mystery blocks
4. Cut the kit for the Paris in the Fall BOM
5. Make a bag for my mom
6. Knit on my Two at a Time socks

Oh, I’m sure the list could go on and on!

And now I am thinking about what I will do once I post this… Probably knit on my socks! Bwah ha ha ha

Seriously, I will have to make up a list of things to try and get done this weekend and then make myself work on them. I have no idea why I keep putting myself into corners like this! Send help! :)

Stash Report Week 39, 2010

Nothing used this week so my numbers are just getting worse and worse. Today, I plan on buying the fabric for my Granma's birthday/Christmas quilt. I think that I need to change my goal to break even for the year instead of use a net of 100 yards. UGH!!!

I had fabric come in on Friday - black and white for the Which Witch? wall hangings. I got enough for 4 wall hangings.

Fabric added this week: 7.14
Fabric added year-to-date: 306.74

Fabric used this week: 0.00
Fabric used year-to-date: 183.62

Fabric Used: 123.12

I do plan on using something this week though! :)

Stash Report, Week 27, 2010

Or as I like to call it, my mid-year crisis!

There were a few yards received this week. Just a few. From Regina and from shopping on Friday.

I'm thinking that I should update my goal to just break even... I have a FQ tower coming in this week and I still have the Fat Quarter Shop Gift certificate (courtesy of Vicky) to use...

I could possibly be in trouble here!

Fabric added this week: 35.88
Fabric added year-to-date: 141.79

Fabric used this week: 0.00
Fabric used year-to-date: 99.10 - this doesn't match last week's report - the Net for the year was correct, but this number wasn't updated on the last report. We are correct now.

Fabric Used: -42.69

Wow! I'm in shock now....

So is Max...

So much for busting

Last week, Regina found a Craigslist listing for a store that was closing that had Civil War reproduction fabrics. My favorite!! Shellie and Regina made several trips between Friday and Sunday and Regina got me some fabrics. I had no idea what she picked up until I got the box.



She sent it on Saturday and it was in my mailbox on Monday. Talk about great service!!

I think that I need to reevaluate my stash Goal for 2010! This is 21 yards of Civil War Repro fabric! They are all great pieces! Two purples, a red and several tans/neutrals. In all, 21 yards!!! She also sent a couple of non fabric goodies - a Joann's gift card and a yarn book mark.



After seeing my neighbor's condo, I realized that Kim loves everything Oriental and that she would need a quilt in Oriental fabrics. Regina had just the thing that she didn't plan on using and she passed along to me. Here are 10 coordinating FQs. Now, I just need to find the perfect pattern and maybe add a background fabric.



A big THANK YOU to Regina!!! But my stash report is a little upset. It's now at -31 yards again. UGH! ;)

The pups were just happy to smell some new smells and investigate the delivery!

2010 Quilt Goals Revisited – The final post!

I’m doing a series of posts (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6) on my progress so far on my 2010 Quilting Goals.

Goal 13 – Get rid of stamping stuff

Writing about this Goal reminds me that I need to re-list things on CraigsList. I have done pretty well about selling my stamping stuff. Most of the paper is gone along with most of the ink pads and markers. I’d be very happy to have more of it gone by now, but not eager enough to part with it for the piddly amount of money that people have had the audacity to offer. Some of these offers have made me want to respond – Would you rather I pay YOU to take it???

In any event, I’m still finding humor in dealing with the responses. I hope that I find another big selling period soon! And I think that in my decluttering I will find more things that I want to list on CraigsList with these stamping items.

By the way, if any stampers are interested in the items that I am selling, just drop me an email through my profile. Most of what I have is from Stampin’ Up – some 12 by 12 card stock, punches, glitter, embossing powders, etc. :)

Goal 14 – Get to 1,000 posts on blog for Awesome Giveaway!

This week, I made a list of the last few things that I want to add to the Giveaway! I have pulled the fabric out of my stash to make these items and I can’t wait to get started on them!

So far, I have an Art Bin, 4 novels (maybe 5 depending on space) that I have read, some notions and fat quarters! I may have to see if I can find some patterns that I can add. Possibly, the McCall’s pattern for the Snuggie? The McCall’s patterns will be on sale at Joann’s next week!!!

I’m having a lot of fun deciding on things to add! And I think that I can get the hand made items done this weekend! Hooray!!!

And now for the best news? This post is post #956!! This means that I have 44 posts left until the giveaway! I think that I will start a countdown when I get closer to 1,000, but I am very excited! Are you?

I think the pups are!!

2010 Quilt Goals Revisted - Post 6

I’m doing a series of posts (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) on my progress so far on my 2010 Quilting Goals.

Goal 10 – Knit 1 pair of socks

While it may have taken me an excruciating amount of time and energy, I have successfully completed this Goal! And I am halfway to the finish line of completing it again! But the Goal is only for one pair and anything else is a bonus.

Goal 11 – Knit 12 baby caps

To date, I have finished 3 baby caps. I started the 4th on Sunday. I got a pattern from one of my hospitals that they like their knitters to use and because I am dumping them off on delivering the caps to a co-worker to deliver to the hospital, I figured that I could at least try using their pattern. It is the same basic pattern that I was using before, but it’s using thicker yarn and it yields a cap quite a bit larger than one for a NICU baby. The other big difference is that the needles that I have to make the larger size are plastic needles and I have discovered that the plastic needles don’t play as well with one another as the bamboo needles do. I think that I may need to upgrade my needles in this size…

In order to meet this Goal, I must make at least 1 baby cap a month. At this time, I believe that it is too soon to tell if this Goal will be met by 12/31.

Goal 12 – Finish bear cross stitch

I know that I started this cross stitch within the last 8 years because I did not have it until after I moved into my current residence. I am just as certain that I have not worked on this for a prolonged period of time in the last 3 or 4 years. I know that my road block is the back stitching. Generally, the back stitching is my favorite part of cross stitch because it just makes the piece come together. It gives the piece the definition that it was lacking throughout the process of creating the x’s with the multitude of thread colors. For this piece, the back stitching showed itself to be a formidable enemy!! Instead of just making stitches that were over one hole and up one hole, I found myself trying to figure out where the stitch should end! Should it be down 10 holes and over 1? Or down 20 and over 19? What a mess!!



I wonder if I could find someone to finish it up for me….. Any takers? ;)

If I made an effort with it, I could probably finish it in a week if I worked on it in the evenings. It also makes me wonder what I should do with the rest of my cross stitch kits that I have. There are only so many finished wall hangings that you can having hanging in your house…

The pups say...

"We slept under this new blankie last night!!!"

Doesn't it look great on the bed?

2010 Quilt Goals Revisited - Post 5

I’m doing a series of posts (1, 2, 3, and 4) on my progress so far on my 2010 Quilting Goals.

Goal 8 – Don’t buy any new books or patterns

I am going to stipulate that the books and patterns for this goal relate to quilting and fabric books and patterns.

In my last post on the Goals, I ruminated on the use of new patterns. One reason that I know that using 10 new patterns is achievable is because of the excessive number of patterns and books that I have acquired over the past three and some change years that I have been quilting. If I keep buying books that people recommend on their blogs, I am going to run out of shelf space!

So far this year, I have done a bang up job of not buying new quilting books! I have been gifted several, but I have not purchased any myself. I must admit that there are a few books that I have my eye on, but I remember this goal and I can easily pass them by. I can write with confidence that I will be successful with this goal!

Now, the knitting books… I don’t think that they can be included in this goal because this is a new craft for me and there are things that I am finding that I want to try. This means that I need to get the book. I have purchased a several knitting books – some sock and some sweater. I think that I can assert that I am finished buying knitting books for the year, too. But it is still not part of the goal. ;)

Goal 9 – Complete Granny Square Afghan

This is not an extremely aged UFO, but I do not want it to get there either. I have been enjoying watching the blocks come together and when I work on it I can usually complete quite a bit on several blocks, but I also have to make more of an effort to work on it when I have knitting readily available. I think that once I get all of the blocks done, I will be very anxious to finish it by sewing all the blocks together.

I have thought about taking my crochet bag to the office so that I could work on the blocks there, but I have been carrying my current sock with me. I think that once I start knitting the two at a time socks, I will want to leave them at home and just work on crocheting or baby caps there. I suppose that this will be my plan once I finish the pair of purple socks.

Maisy says...

BBBBbbuuuuuuuuurrrrrrpppppppp!

She just ate...

Table runner finished!

I finished the table runner this evening! In addition to being able to record the finish, I used a new pattern! Another check for Goal # 6!! Woo hoo!!

The pattern is from The Quilt Company and is the Reversible Table Runner.

Side 1



Side 2



I really had fun with the assembly on this quilt.

The pups think it's a great blanket!

2010 Quilt Goals Revisited - Post 4

I’m doing a series of posts on my progress so far on my 2010 Quilting Goals.

Goal 6 – Use 10 new patterns

I didn’t specify the types of patterns when I wrote the goals post, but I am treating this as fabric and quilt patterns.

The purpose of this goal is to actually use the quilt patterns that I already have in my possession and to expand my quilting horizons. Some people seem to be quite content using the same pattern over and over and over. And while that is perfectly acceptable for them, if I kept using the same pattern repeatedly, I would probably end up bashing my head in from the repetitive boredom. I mean, making bags from the same pattern but with different fabric is one thing. But to hone in on one single pattern and to use it as a ‘catch all’ for each new line of fabric manufactured is a bit absurd considering the seemingly endless array of free patterns available on the web and the quilt books that are available for check out in most libraries.

Keeping that in mind, this goal has been similar to the Stash Busting in that I have been shopping my books and patterns first when I need an inspiration for something to make. When I was organizing and folding my fabric in January, I perused a couple of newer books for patterns that I could use with my scraps and with groups of fabric from one line that I had forgotten I owned. I have a few of them bookmarked to start when my dreaded UFO list has been adequately reduced.

As of today, I have only used 2 new patterns this year – Apple Crisp from Sweet treats by Sandy Bonsib and an online pattern for a sock knitting bag that is on Terry Atkinson’s blog. I feel confident that once I start working on my UFO’s I will be using quite a few more new patterns. Off the top of my head, I can think of 4 patterns that are in line at the moment. I feel that coming up with 4 more to use by the end of the year will be a piece of cake.

Goal 7 – Make 12 charity quilts

It means a lot to me to have the ability to do something for those less fortunate or who are in need of a little emotional pick-me-up. I have worked on the charity quilts for the Guild since I became a member and while it’s nice to be able to practice on those pieces, once I hand them in I am not able to see how my efforts are enjoyed by the recipients of the quilts.

A couple of years ago, a co-worker’s son was having some physical problems. I made a really quick quilt for him and gave it to her for him to have at the hospital. I wanted to get the quilt finished and I had to quilt it on my Brother because this was pre-quilt frame days and I really pushed it to get it quilted and the binding on within a week. I really botched the quilting because I was rushing and hadn’t used the best batting for the quilt. I ended up with a couple of large puckers on the backing that were sort of covered in the binding. When I took the quilt to my co-worker, she was floored that I would think of her son and go to the effort for him. She has told me quite a few times in these past 2 years how much the quilt meant to him and his emotional well being as he was miles away from home in a hospital for his illness. She even brought him into my office when he was in the building because he wanted to thank me. I know that he still uses that quilt and it brings me joy to know that I made a little difference in his struggles.

I’d like to think that every quilt I help to complete brings the recipient the knowledge that someone cared enough to make it for them. This is why I want to push myself to make 12 this year.

To date, I have completed 6 baby quilts for Project Linus and Kid Komforts for the Guild. I am only counting the 4 quilts that I quilted and bound and I am also setting a limit that at least 6 of the 12 have to be pieced by me. I do have plenty of books to find patterns in!

Maxie says...

"Quilts do help."

2010 Quilt Goals Revisited - Post 3

I’m doing a series of posts on my progress so far on my 2010 Quilting Goals.

Goal 4 - Use Scraps and Crumbs

While I haven't created a quilt kit made strictly out of scraps, I have been using my scraps for various small projects. I ran out of darks and then lights on the 2 secret quilts when I was piecing and I was able to pull from my 5" scrap containers. I didn't keep track of how much I used, but I think it was a strip or two at least.

I have plans on using Scrap Basket Surprises to pull a couple of quilts together from my scrap bins. I think that there are at least 2 that will work. But I am going to wait until I have finished another quilt or 2 to do this.

My other plan is for the crumbs. I have lots of crumbs! And the pile is building every time I cut anything. As Bonnie Hunter says, "Even the scraps are worth $8 a yard!!" In August, I took the Crumb Workshop from Bonnie and while I liked the idea of using the crumbs, most of the blocks that we made didn't look right sitting right next to one another. It's like you have to use a sashing in order to give them their own separate space. And I would rather use my yardage as backings or back grounds.

I found a blog that gives instructions on how to make crumb blocks that look a bit more like log cabin blocks. You can find the post here. I plan on pulling out my crumbs and the skinny strips that I have saved and going to town making a bunch of these blocks. I can see that it would be very addicting. I know that it was addicting to make the crumb blocks Bonnie's way, too. I just have to make the time to do it. I was initially thinking that it would be a great summer time activity to make a few blocks a night. We will see what happens.

Like everyone says, even making a bunch of blocks, you never use up your scraps, but I am willing to try! ;)

Goal 5 - Make a project using Applique

I have quite a few table runner kits that have just a bit of applique on them and I pulled them out a few weeks ago and contemplated working on one of them. And then my body went rigid, my hand got clammy and my stomach started clenching so I just threw them all back in the box and put it away.

Yes, this was a bit of an unreasonable reaction, but I couldn't help it! I was trying to take small steps and I was just going to cut the fabric for a couple of the table runners just to have them ready to sew. And the first one that I pulled out... well, everything was already cut into strips so I couldn't cut anything for the stash busting. The second one I pulled out was a Thimbleberries and there were so many small pieces that would need to be sewn around that I got overwhelmed and called it a night.

I know that I can do this, I just have to pull out all of the materials and get to work on it with no distractions. I will probably start with the ghosts because there weren't many pieces on that runner. Maybe in a couple of weeks? Check back!!

Can you tell that the pups are impressed? Yeah, me neither!

2010 Quilting Goals Revisited – Post 2

I’m doing a series of posts on my progress so far on my 2010 Quilting Goals.

Goal 2 – Finish a ‘big’ project before starting a new ‘big’ project.

So far, I have been doing pretty well on this goal. At the beginning of the year, I had several small projects that were in various states of completion and I think that I finished them all by mid-February. Once those were done, I concentrated on the 2 secret quilts which were all UFOs and therefore not new projects.

The only big project that I have finished so far this year is the secret quilt A Little Latte for Regina. I’m really close to finishing the second secret quilt and Milky Way, but I have to do the binding and labels on both.

I have started two new projects this year. First, I cut out the Judy Martin Log Cabin Quilt, but I had been gathering fabrics for that quilt since November’s shopping trip with Barb (again with Barb?!?! lol HOLLA!!). Technically, it wasn’t started in 2009, but I didn’t start the cutting until I was finished with one of the Secret quilts. And second, I cut the pieces for the SIS quilt, but I just did that last week.

Looks like I should sew the binding and label on one of the quilted quilts so that I can finish something and start sewing on the SIS quilt!

This goal hasn’t been that difficult to keep except for the cutting on the SIS quilt. Since both Sue and Regina are assembling their blocks and almost done with the centers of their tops, I am a bit behind them and was getting anxious to start on my quilt. But this post is helping me realize that I really should work on the binding on the quilts that are in limbo so that I can have more ‘big’ finishes and then I can start something new!

I don’t think that it will be a problem to keep this Goal for the year.

Goal 3 – Organize Stash Room

This goal was finished in January, but the second part of the goal is to make sure that the room stays clean and the fabric is put away in an orderly fashion. Up until a week ago, it was a cake walk! I know that after I brought in all that fabric in April I spent about 30 minutes folding the fabric and making sure that it all went onto the shelves in the proper spots.

I think that when I was trying to bust fabric to get my Stash Report back in the black I may have pulled out a bit of fabric without replacing it immediately. There may be some yarn on the floor, too. Who knows where that came from! ;)

This Goal has truly helped me keep the room in order a lot longer than I had expected. And I am considering other improvements to the room that would help me keep it clean and organized better. I also have some decluttering that must be done to the non-crafty portions of the room!

Maxie says....

"Just leave our toys alone! No decluttering needed for them!"

2010 Quilting Goals Revisited – Part 1

I had thought that I would give an update on my goals and how I was progressing periodically through the year. My first thought was a quarterly update, but I sort of missed that at the end of March so I am going to do a few posts now to give an update and my feelings about this exercise so far. I have 14 goals, but I think that 14 posts on the subject would be overkill so I am going to start writing and break it up into posts when it feels right. My original post of the goals can be found here.

Goal 1 – Use 100 yards of fabric more than what I bring in. I want to show that I actually busted some stash in 2010!

This is possibly my biggest goal this year! Last year, I ended at -178.21 yards used. I did use 205.44 yards during the year, but I had way more come in that I should have. And actually, this didn’t include a lot of the fabric that was in the 33 pound box of fabric that I won at the quilt retreat because that fabric sat in the stash room in the original box collecting dust waiting to be organized and added to the stash. As terrible as this number is, I would hate to think what the number should have been.

‘Turn it around!’ I told myself when I was thinking about my goals for this year. As much fabric as I used last year, 100 Net Yards for 2010 will be a cake walk. I had a plan… Stay out of quilt shops and fabric stores!!

In looking at my stash reports, I can tell that I have been making a really good effort in using my stash. As of the last stash report, I have used just over 76 yards so far and it’s only May.

In looking a little further back, I can see where things started to go wrong. I agreed to join in the Super Secret Quilt Challenge with some co-workers at the quilt shop where I used to work. Joining wasn’t the issue. The issue came about when I agreed to make the quilt for Barb while she made her quilt for me. If I was making the quilt for Regina, a scrap quilter, all would be well. But Barb is …. Well, Barb is Barb and I have to make the quilt matchy matchy for Barb. This meant buying fabric. (Yes, Barb, I am blaming you for falling off the wagon here! Just want to be clear! Hee hee hee! Hollaa!!) The quilt does need to be finished in December so it will all get used in 2010 and it made the purchase easier knowing that it wouldn’t be sitting on the stash report forever and ever.

I quickly overcame this purchase and got just over 2 weeks of no buying under my belt before Barb struck again I went shopping with Barb. I did need fabric for the 2 not so secret anymore quilts, but did I need to go over board and buy 35 yards? Probably not! Do I regret the acquisitions? Not really. I got some great deals from Joann’s! Did I need to then go to a sale at Best Friends Quilt Shop and buy 22 more yards? Well, it WAS a sale and I needed to get the accent fabrics for my Judy Martin quilt and the backing for the Super Secret Quilt, so I am going to go with a YES!

Where does this leave me? Quite a bit below the 100 Net Yards for the year.

I need a plan! A course of action! Someone (ahem, Barb!!) to stop asking me to shop with them! Or to tell me that I can only push the cart or hold bolts of fabric!

Right now, I have figured out that I need to use roughly 14 yards of fabric each month between June and December. Strike that – I need to have a NET usage of 14+ yards of fabric each month between June and December.

I am definitely going to be monitoring this situation very closely in the coming months! I don’t want to get down to December and have to cut a plethora of kits to use 50 yards of fabric rapidly. I still think that this is an attainable goal.

Maisy says...

"I have a stash to bust, too...."

A bit of progress made!

A couple of years before I started quilting, I was a Stampin' Up demonstrator and I held many classes and stamp camps and made lots of cards and samples. Since I hardly ever send cards and it would be a boring scrapbook of just me and the pups, I decided to give up the stamping. A lot of my customers were losing interest and I just couldn't support the stamp habit without them.

In the time that I was a stamper, I acquired a lot of stuff.... A LOT of stuff! I had over 80 stamp sets at one time! And all of this has been dormant in the basement for the past few years. Just taking up space.

I finally decided that this was the year to clean it out! It's even one of my 2010 goals! I have spent the last 2 nights taking an inventory of everything that I have. And I will slowly, but surely be ridding myself of this mess! :)

This was just part of what I brought upstairs to take pictures of and to inventory.





Before I started working on the stamp stuff, I was able to finish all of the cutting of the light blue for my Judy Martin Log Cabin Quilt. LOVE this fabric!! It is super cute!



Maxie says...

"All of that working has worn me out! I'm taking a nap!"

The secret is out!!!

Saturday, I sent Regina's quilt to her. The post office said it would be 3 days. I figured it would be 3 business days. I told her it would be 6-10 days just to throw her off the scent! Usually when I send smaller packages on Saturdays, she has it by Tuesday.

So imagine my surprise when she called at 6 tonight and said she had a lot of hand work to do!

And now that she has it, I can do the big reveal here!!







And this is the backing. It is an extra wide that I got at Joann's and it is quite nice!



The pattern is from Sandy Bonsib's Sweet Treats book. It was a new pattern for me to use (first of the year for my goal!!) and it's called Apple Crisp.



Maxie says...

"And I helped!"

Goal # 10 DONE!

Today, I finished the third attempt at a comfortable sock with the yarn that I started using in my sock class! And because I now have a finished pair, I have a completed 2010 goal!



The third sock fits wonderfully! The first sock is still a little loose, but I have also tried it on a few times. I am hoping that a washing will take care of some of the loose stitches.

I have a book from the library that I read about on Mary's blog. It explains how to knit 2 socks at a time and how to knit on circular needles. The only problem is that I don't have 2 sets of circs in the size required for the next yarn that I am going to use so I will have to wait on trying this technique.

And here is the next yarn that I am going to use - Panda Soy in a pale purple. It's very soft! And I have already wound it into a ball!



Maxie says...

"Way to go, Momma!"

Just in case...

I know that Christmas is behind us, but it won't be too long before Valentine's Day and then my birthday... And just in case someone was wondering what would be a fantastic gift idea for me, I thought I would give an option.

I just picked up Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch from the library and took a few minutes to look through it. It's awesome!!!

Since I was hesitant about how much I would enjoy knitting socks, I didn't want to buy any books and actually, not buying books is one of my 2010 goals so to buy the book for myself, I would be violating a goal.

For now, I will settle with sharing the book with other library patrons. BUT if anyone needed an idea for something to get me, this would be great!

**Edited to add - I also checked out More Sensational Knitted Socks and I'm sure that one is just as good, but I haven't looked at it yet.

2010 Crafting Goals

I didn't make any goals for 2009. I tried to work on UFOs and I thought about starting on the kits that I have in the room, but I don't think that I am ending 2009 in better shape than when I started. I'm OK with that though. :)

I have decided on what I want to Focus on for 2010.

1. Use 100 yards of fabric more than what I bring in. I want to show that I actually busted some stash in 2010!
2. Finish a project before starting a new one. I'm talking about before starting big projects like quilts, table runners and purses. Little things like small bags and travel cases wouldn't count for this because they can be done in like an hour and are great for fast gifts. But I can’t keep starting quilts without finishing anything!
3. Organize Stash Room. And keep up with it. I feel like keeping the stash and scraps and crumbs organized will make them work for me.
4. Use scraps and crumbs. ‘Nuff said!
5. Make a project using applique. I have several table runner kits that I bought without realizing the extent of the appliqué on them. If I can just finish one of these without any problems, it would give me the confidence to do the rest!
6. Use 10 new patterns or books from my personal library or free downloads that I haven't used before. This really shouldn’t be a problem!
7. Make 12 charity quilts. With all of the scraps and crumbs I own, this shouldn’t be a problem either.
8. Don't buy any new books or patterns. I can’t help it if they are gifted, but I shouldn’t be buying any new ones if I can’t use any that I already have.
9. Complete the Granny Square afghan. Right now, this is my only crochet project going. And it shouldn’t take more than a year.
10. Make at least 1 pair of socks. After the 1 pair is made, I will decide on whether I should make any more. But any more than 1 will be a bonus! :)
11. Make 12 baby caps. I have the yarn for them already and they are super quick so this should not be an issue.
12. Finish the Bear cross stitch and decide on what to do with the rest of the cross stitch kits and materials being stored. I have been storing the kits and books and cloth for too long. If I’m not going to use them, I don’t need to keep hoarding them!
13. Get rid of the stamping stuff in the basement. CraigsList will become my friend this year!
14. Get to 1,000 posts on my blog and have a tremendous giveaway!

I think that this is a pretty good list. And I think that it is pretty attainable if I keep my mind on the goals!

These will be added to my side bar and I will try and remember to update the results regularly. Or at least once a month! ;)