Mid-Year Review

At the beginning of this year, I posted about keeping focused on my quilting goals this year. Now that the year is at the mid-point, I'm checking in and seeing what I can check off my list, and what I need to hone my sights on for the rest of 2010.

Overall, I am happy with with the goals I set so far, and feel much more focused than last year. But there is still more to reach for, especially in terms of finishing projects!

First, my skills checklist:

Machine quilting: I will improve my machine quilting repertoire including better free-motion quilting.

I got a walking foot to help with my straight line quilting in February (check!) but I still need to seek out resources for free-motion practice. Shelly is a great FMQ cheerleader- I just need to take a big breath and follow her advice. That will be coming up next as I finish some of these WIPs.

Applique: I will try at least 3 different applique methods this year.

I fused (check!), I needle-turned (check!) and I have a raw-edge applique project simmering on my mental design burner. It's been great to expand my applique skills and be inspired by my ability to incorporate this technique into my work.

Stash: I will strive to quilt exclusively from my stash unless I absolutely can't find a satisfactory option there. By the end of the year I will at least make space for my fat quarter boxes on my fabric rack.

I have definitely been doing a better job of reducing my fabric consumption, but I still have a long way to go before I can eliminate a stack of fabric from my shelves. I need to up my output and get more creative about using my stash to piece quilt backs in order to accomplish this goal.

Stash: I will work on at least 1 Leaders and Enders project this year to maximize my quilting time for the goal of using up my stash of scraps.

I have a L&E project underway (check!) I have pieced enough 4.5" four-patches for a queen sized quilt! Now to start piecing them together as I sew other quilts...

Stash: In the interest of giving back as well as stash busting, I will donate at least half of the 12 the quilts I make this year, or at least 6 quilts if I make more than 12.

I have finished 2 donation quilts, and started a third one. I'm a little behind to meet this goal, but only slightly. I'd be doing really well if I can finish two more this month, but I'd be happy if I finish the one donation quilt WIP.

Quilts to finish/ make

Here are my finished quilts so far this year.
Making this photo mosaic, I realized that

1. I haven't made as many quilts as I would like (I think I should aim for at least 2 per month!)
   
2. I have finished a number of quits that were not on my January list
3. I have a LOT of projects in underway that really need to be finished.
   

Finished quilts from the January list were:

1. I Spy Houses (started 2009) done 1/10
   
2. 2 I Spy donation quilts 1 done 1/10, 1 done 4/10
3. Pink Squares done 4/10

Works in progress that need to be finished, in order of priority:

1. R's mini quilt (quilted and ready to bind) done 7/10
   
2. Baby quilt: floral log cabin (top done 3/10) done 7/10
   
3. Stars & Strings tabletopper (started 2009, WIP) top done 7/10
   
4. Baby quilt: "Sun Break" grey & orange rails (top finished 1/10) done 8/10
   
5. Baby quilt: shirt scrap bricks done 7/10
   
6. Baby quilt: spring strings (top done 3/10)
   
7. Donation quilt: houses top done 8/10
   
8. Bright Snowballs (started 2009, top done)
9. Leaders & Enders
   
10. Applique Flowers Wall Quilt top done 8/10
    
11. Indian Summer
    
12. Crumb Blocks
13. Say Cheese Self-Portrait
14. Stash Busting Bee International Log Cabin
    

On the design burner (fabric has been pulled or cut, but no sewing has been done):

1. Baby quilt: boy blocks
2. Baby quilts: 2 book stacks
3. Baby quilt: bricks & stones
   
4. NJ wedding gift - liberated wedding rings
   
5. 2233 Pineapple
6. Bento Boxes for S
7. Leopard Roses
8. Christmas quilts/ table runners
   
9. Donation quilt for A's school auction

Crikey! It's pretty clear what I need to focus on- finishing up these WIPs and getting to my list of quilts in planning! That's enough to keep me busy for a looooong while!