2022 - The Year Ahead

We are now back home from our holidays, so it is time to have a think about the year ahead.  At the start of 2021 we hoped that the year would be better than 2020, but were prepared to expect the unexpected.  That was a pretty accurate description, as last year progressed.  So what for 2022?

If I was to choose a word for the year, which I won't, it would be  CHANGE or ADAPT, as I have a pretty big change coming up and will have to adapt accordingly.

At the end of June I will be giving up work.  I will have been with the same employer for twenty years, so I feel that is a good time to move onto the next chapter of my life.  Mick has been working quite a bit this last year as well. So much for retirement.  They are starting to call him "Johnny Farnham" - with so many comebacks. Hopefully, he will really call it quits then too.  We plan on taking a long caravan trip once I finish up, all things being equal, after which we will have to work out our own "new normal".

On the stitching front I have decided on a few goals, keeping in mind we will be on the road for a while.

I intend to continue to take part in One Monthly Goal, hosted by Patty at Elm Street Quilts.  It keeps me on the straight and narrow.  The goal can be lofty, or quite small.  Just set it and achieve it.

After taking a year off, I will once again join in with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, hosted by Angela from So Scrappy.  I hope to make some blocks to end up in donation quilts.

I started to work on some donation items last year, and wish to continue along these lines in 2022.

Over the last two years I have joined Cheryll in the WOOFA Challenge to work on or finish a project, or work on something that you have been eyeing off, or have a kit sitting patiently for its turn.  I'm not sure if it is running again this year, but I will endeavour to keep on with the idea anyway.

One Project a Month has been run for the last twelve years by Kris of Tag Along Teddies.  I will once again join in.  

I always have great intentions of joining in with Friday Night With Friends, also hosted by Cheryll, but in the end it is only on a sporadic basis.  The first Friday was this week.  I had good intentions, but after unpacking the caravan, I opened the doors to my sewing room, had a look and then did nothing.  Hopefully next time.

I hope to work on something Christmassy, but won't commit to a monthly goal.

So, what projects do I have in mind?

Swoon is a priority.  It will also be my first foray into quilt as you go.

My next priority is to make a start on this quilt.  It has been waiting patiently for a few years now.  I have all my suitable blue fabrics quarantined, which is a bit of a nuisance at times.  I am not a great hand stitcher, and there is lots in this quilt, therefore it will definitely be a long term project.  The applique will be done by machine, but the stitchery and EPP will be obviously done by hand.  If I have this prepped, it will be a good project to work on while travelling.  I actually miss having a long term, involved project on the go.

I have a few different blocks I wish to make for RSC. Once again, if I get some prepped, they would be good to take on the road.  I will take my baby Elna Stella sewing machine away with us.  There is no needle up/needle down, knee lift or buttonhole stitch, but it will be fine for simple piecing.

It would be good to have a lot prepped, so they can be used as leaders and enders.

I've made a good start on my project from last year's Scrub Stitchin'.  I'd like to have in completed for this year's event.

Like each winter, some crochet or knitting would be good, especially as I now have my new stash of yarn.

I'm sure the list will grow, as the year progresses, but that will do for now.

As far as non stitching goals go, they will continue much as in the last couple of years.

I would like to continue to read at least one book a month, try new recipes, have Friday Fun Day, go away in the van as often as possible and maybe, finally, get out on the motorbike a bit more than the last couple of years.

As usual, it will be interesting to look back in twelve months' time and see how things panned out.

One Monthly Goal for January

My goodness, 2022 is already upon us.

We are currently on holidays, but I can't miss out on setting my One Monthly Goal for January.  I am keeping things nice and simple to ease into the new year.

After working out my adaptation of the Swoon Block to suit directional fabric, which I think Joey approves of, I need cut out the whole quilt.

I want to then finish off that first block and have another pieced.

That's it.  Nice and simple.  My plan is to quilt as you go, but I need to decide what backing I will use.

Thanks Patty, as always for hosting this little challenge.  It really helps me keep focused each month.

My Big Finish for December

Here it is, well into December, and I have finally finished off the little donation quilt that I started in October. It was my one stitching goal for December.  I just had to trim back the batting and backing after doing the quilting and add the  binding. You can read about it here, here and  here.

I'm not happy with the finish I am achieving with a binding added by machine, but it will be more durable for a quilt that could be washed frequently.  I will donate it to Ronald McDonald House in Orange, when I get up there at some stage.

Despite not being a big task, this ticks the box as my One Monthly Goal for December, a WOOFA Challenge project, One Project a Month and working on a donation project. 

I managed to meet my One Monthly Goal for every month, other than March this year, which I'm pretty pleased about.

In the background, I wanted to get my Swoon Quilt cut out ready to work on next year.  As I previously said, what was holding me back was deciding on a background fabric.  

I ended up going with the fabric I had put aside with the Bonnie and Camille fat quarters.  There won't be a lot of contrast with some of the fabrics, but it will be a nice, light, fresh quilt.

My next issue was that there are quite a few directional fabrics in my little collection.  If I cut out the blocks using the directions on the pattern there would be quite a few funny looking sections.  Therefore, I decided that I would cut the larger points of the star as one piece, rather than several half square triangles.

After a bit of mucking around, reworking my cutting list and making sure everything was facing the right way, I started to make one block to test my notes.  Fortunately, they worked.  I still have to trim down the flying geese and half square triangles, before completing the piecing.  That will be a job for next year.  I will then go ahead and cut out all the blocks, using my modified cutting list.  

I think Joey approves.  He certainly had a good check over it.

I haven't made a start on cutting my Rainbow Scrap Challenge fabrics, but they will still be there for next year.  One project I wish to work on features fusible applique.  I do, at least, have the design traced onto the fusible web, ready to go.

I don't expect to get any more stitching completed this year, but am fairly pleased with my output for 2021.  

Finally, I received a cute Christmas card with a little bookmark from Maria.  I know it will get lots of use in this house. Thanks  Maria.

I will link up with Elm Street Quilts in the next few days.

My December Goals

As it is December, and now that busy time of the year, I am keeping my goals very simple, and therefore, hopefully achievable.

On the stitching front, I just have one goal, which will tick lots of boxes.

My goal is finish my little donation quilt.  All I need to do is to trim down the excess batting and backing and add the binding, all by machine.  It will only take a few hours, so easy peasy.

This will be my One Monthly Goal, a finish for One Project a Month, my WOOFA challenge finish (even though WOOFA has finished for the year) and working on a donation project.

There are a couple of other things in the background.  I'll just see how I go.

For the first time in I don't know how long, I do not have a single quilt in progress (other than the little quilt I will finish this month).  I have so many I want to make, so I want to  prep a couple into cut out kits, so I can just pick them up and sew, whenever I get the chance.

Firstly, this box of fabric has been sitting, waiting patiently, for several years.  I took part in a fat quarter birthday swap and requested Bonnie and Camille fabrics.  The plan is to make the Swoon Quilt, but it seems to get put on the back burner, year after year.  Next year I am going to make it.  The thing that has been holding me back is deciding on a background fabric, as I don't want to use white.  I have a couple of options and will have to finally make a decision.  Also, I am going to make it as a quilt as you go.  As there are points on the edge of the blocks, I will have to use the method that ends up with half inch wide sashings.  A new process for me to learn.

This little pile of scraps came from the op shop last week.  There are lots of yellow pieces already cut into squares.  I hope to use them next year, so will cut them up.

I have decided that I would like to join in with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge again next year.  I don't need or want any more rainbow quilts, but I reckon this will be a great way to work on some donation quilts.  It means I will hopefully have several quilts to finish off at the end of next years, but that is OK.  My plan, once again, is to get lots cut in advance.  I'd like these to be leader ender projects, as I really miss having one on the go.  

My non stitching goals are pretty much the same as usual.

1.    Read a Book

2.    Have a Friday Fun Day

3.    Try a new recipe and revisit an old one.

4.    Go away in the caravan.

I think these are all achievable.

Now I just need to get a wriggle on with some stitching.

I'll be linking up with Elm Street Quilts.  Pop over and see what the others plan to do.

Stitching for November

It's been a while since I have posted, so time for another catch up.  But where to start?  I have so many things to share from the last couple of months.

I've been taking things quietly for the last week, as I had surgery last Monday to remove my gall bladder.  There will be no more trouble from those pesky gallstones from now on.  Everything went well and my recovery has been good.

I suppose, as it is the end of November I had better start by sharing what I have been up to in the sewing room.  You can check out my goals here.

Early in the month I got a wriggle on with my donation quilt. Firstly, piecing the backing, then doing some simple straight line quilting.  While I was at it, I also made the binding.

All I need to do now is trim down the excess backing and batting and add the binding, which I will finish by machine.  So, no finish on that one, but I have made good progress, which is what I had hoped for.

That ticked off my WOOFA Challenge and Donation Quilt goals.

My One Monthly Goal was to finish off my Laundry Basket Mystery Quilt by Edyta Sitar.  The design has now been given the name of "Michigan". (I believe the instructions are still free on her website, for the time being.) All I needed to do to complete the quilt was to make and attach the binding.  I had the binding made and attached by machine early in the month, but didn't get around to hand stitching it down.

Chooky arranged another Zoom sewing day a week and a half ago, so it was the perfect opportunity to sit and do the hand stitching.  I tended to pop in and out during the day, but managed to get a finish.  I so enjoy catching up with all the girls during these sewing sessions.  They are my equivalent of a quilting group.

I'm beyond thrilled with how this quilt turned out.  It was a spur of the moment decision to join in with the mystery sew along.  All the fabric, including backing, borders, binding and batting were from stash.  

Val did a lovely job with the quilting.  The swirly design compliments the border and backing fabrics, while adding some movement to the sharper piecing shapes.  It was handy that I could drop it in to her, despite being in lock down.

The quilt along started in May, I completed all the blocks by the end of June, then it had a little rest.  In September, all the 225 small blocks were joined together and in October the borders were added and the  quilting was done.  Now it is finally completed.  I didn't realise it had been on the go for quite so long.  I'm very happy to now have it on our bed.

Anyway, that ticked off my OMG and provided a finish for One Project a Month finish.  Bonus.

My only other stitching goal is my secret stitching, which is still secret and progressing very slowly.  I think I need to get a wriggle on.

On an aside, I have always used this lovely old chair as my sewing chair.  Mick and I bought it about 30 years ago, coated with thick layers of white gloss paint. My Dad did a beautiful job of restoring it.

He took so much time restoring the details on the back, using a dentist's drill to get the paint out of all the crevises.

Anyway, my back was getting a bit stiff as I was quilting the donation quilt, so went and got my office chair, which was much better.  As a result, we decided that an upgrade would be a good idea for my sewing chair.  (Also, I find the timber chair quite cold to sit on during the winter.)  

This is what has been added to my sewing room.  Who'd have thought you would be able to get an aqua office chair.  The colour is ideal for my sewing room, being nice and bright.  I definitely didn't want a black chair.  I haven't done any sewing as yet, but I am sure it will be better for my comfort than my old one.  And, yes, I will be keeping the old chair.  It is too sentimental.

Just a couple of other things to share.

I received this lovely tea towel from Maria through the week.  It was for a little swap she arranged.  I won't share what I sent, as I don't think she has received it just yet.  The post is somewhat unpredictable at the moment. This was a quick, simple little swap.  Thanks Maria.

Last month, I forgot to share this star block I made to send to a friend.  It was quite different from what I normally make and I'm happy with how it turned out.

I'll be linking up with Patty from Elm Tree Quilts and Cheryll from Gone Stitchin. Thanks girls.

Setting my Goals for November

Here we are again, starting another month and deciding what to focus on for November.  This time of year is always busy for us, and now that we are out of lock down, it is no different.  Therefore, I am going to set rather modest goals and will hopefully get to meet them.  Here goes.......

STITCHING GOALS

1.    ONE MONTHLY GOAL and ONE PROJECT A MONTH

I will be combining these two goals this month.

My main goal is to add the binding to my Laundry Basket Mystery Quilt.  I still have to cut and join the binding.  It isn't a big job, but at least I can be pretty sure of getting it done.  I can't wait to put this quilt on our bed.

2.    WOOFA CHALLENGE and DONATION PROJECT

I have a combined project for these as well.

I want to continue to work on a donation project each month.

This is where I got up to with my latest donation quilt last month.

I've since selected backing fabrics.  The blue is left over from my Jocelyn Proust quilt backing and the green was a very lucky find at an op shop.  There is one metre of this Robert Koffman green, which matches the quilt colours perfectly.  Joined together, they will make a nice backing.  I'm so pleased I bought a great big roll of batting on special from Spotlight recently.  It is getting lots of use lately, and having consistent left overs, they will work well for some quilt as you go.

I want to have a go a spray basting on this quilt.  It is something I haven't tried before.  I will have to make sure we have a nice still day to do it outside.  It would be nice to have the quilt finished this month, but I'm not sure if that will happen.  I just want to keep it moving along.

FRIDAY NIGHT WITH FRIENDS

Tomorrow is the first Friday in the month, so some stitching should take place.  I don't know that I will get a lot done, as there is a TV show I want to watch, but I will make some progress.

CHRISTMAS PROJECT

I'm still slowly working on a secret project........It's secret.

NON STITCHING GOALS

These will probably be the more dominant goals this month.

READ A BOOK

Well, I've actually already read one, so I'd better expand the goal to two books.

TRY A NEW RECIPE AND REVISIT AN OLD RECIPE

I'm going to be trying a new recipe tonight.  Fingers crossed it works out OK.  I haven't decided what old recipe to revisit.  I'll have to have a look through my recipe books.  We hope to continue experimenting with the camp oven as well.

FRIDAY FUN DAY

This is going to happen tomorrow.  All things being equal, there should be a couple of other fun days, just not necessarily on a Friday.

HAVE A WEEKEND AWAY IN THE CARAVAN

Nope.  Won't happen.  Too much else going on.  I'm OK with that.

I'm now a little enthused to get a start on these.  Let's see how we go by the end of the month.

October's Stitching

Reading my most recent posts you would think that I have turned into a travel blogger and not been doing any stitching.  One thing about being able to be out and about is that my stitching time is reduced.  However, I have still been getting some done.

I was a bit frustrated by my Janome sewing machine needing a service.  Finally, once lockdown had been lifted I was able to take it and Mick's Mum's Elna in to the shop that arranges services.  I hadn't used this person before.  I was delighted to have them back in just a few days and my Janome is running like a dream again.  It was fine using my Mum's Elna, but I do appreciate needle up and needle down, as well as the knee lift.

Let's see how  my goals for the month went.

1.    ONE MONTHLY GOAL    

Firstly, I was lucky enough to be one of the winners in last month's draw, being the recipient of a $25 voucher to the Fat Quarter Shop.  Thanks Patty for drawing out my name.

My goal this month was to fill a post pack with Santa Sacks to send down to Jan Mac in Melbourne for children in need.

I managed to make fifteen, which I am happy about.

2.     WOOFA CHALLENGE

This month I planned to work on another donation quilt.  

I had hoped to have this totally completed, but all these days out have eaten into my time.  I did get the top together on Sunday, so I should at least get it finished next month.  Its a nice and cheerful quilt.

3.    CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE

I didn't make any progress on a project with my redwork stitcheries - still procrastinating.  I did start a secret project but no pic - it's secret.

4.    MAKE A DONATION PROJECT

The first two projects are for donations, which is nice.

5.    FRIDAY NIGHT WITH FRIENDS

It was fun to join in.

6.    ONE PROJECT A MONTH

I think fifteen Santa sacks will count.

7.    ZOOM SEWING    

This didn't end up happening, but there is always next time.

8.    MY LAUNDRY BASKET MYSTERY QUILT

 I wasn't sure how far I would get with this quilt.  I managed to add the borders and have it to my quilting fairy fairly early in the month.  I think the borders ended up suiting it really well.

She worked her magic and had it back to me last week.  Slack me has not prepared the binding as yet.  I need to get on to that and get it finished.  I'm looking forward to having it on our bed for a while.  I love swapping out the quilts, as a different quilt gives the room a whole new look.  Something else I would like to have finished next month.

I like to thank the girls who arrange the challenges I join in.  They make stitching such fun.

The month isn't over yet, so I may get to sneak in a little more, but there are other plans afoots, so we'll see how we go.