Friday, January 7, 2011

2011 Goals . . . .

Woo Hoo,
a new year,
a perfect time to reflect, refocus, and share my goals!!

Unlike most folks, I like setting goals, mainly because I like achieving goals, there's just something about the sense of accomplishment that I feel when I achieve a goal that keeps me on track, focussed and setting more goals.

I have all types of goals, personal goals, family goals, quilting goals, weight goals, fitness goals, eating goals, if it's a part of my life, I have a goal for it. I'll only make you suffer through reading my quilting goals . . .

I maintain a project list on my blog, upper right hand column, those are more like reminders of what I want to work on, I wouldn't necessarily call them goals...but here are a few things that are goals for 2011:

First up,

I'm going to continue to work on this project, which I've named Mamaw's Flower Garden.


If I've learned anything the last couple of months, it's that finishing the smallest of tasks adds up, I have over 700 hst units for Belle Meade to show for it. So my goal is to baste 7 hexies a week and when I get the required number of hexies, I'll make my flower. If I only make 6 flowers in 2011, that's 6 more than I made in 2010.

I'm going to finish this . . .

soon . . . !!!

And then I'm going to finish this . . .


before fall.

I signed up for this BOM last year. When the first block arrived I figured out that the shop's fabric was not the same as the fabric in the pattern, disappointing, especially since I didn't like what was being substituted. I'm flexible, so I figured I would just buy my own fabric and still use the pattern. Since the same fabrics are used in different blocks I really needed to know how much fabric was required for the total project. I asked the shop for the information, twice, I'm still waiting for them get back to me.



But now I have collected all the blocks and can figure my fabric requirements myself. I'm very curious to see if I like working with what's basically a monochromatic project. I'm going to start this project this year.

I bought this book last year and fell in love with several of the patterns,


if nothing else, I want to start collecting fabric for one of the quilts in this book.

I'm going to learn to do needle turn applique. There are too many wonderful projects out there not to have this technique in my quilting repertoire.

I'm going to complete one major project a month. I get bored and the project turns into work if I let it stretch beyond a month, that's just my personality, so a month per project suits me.

I want to squeeze in some small projects, if I get a major project done in less than a month, then instead of starting another one, I hope to finish out the month making pin cushions from scraps, a mug rug or two, maybe aprons, table runners or Christmas stockings...something!

I'm going to try to balance my philosophy of "if it's worth doing, it's worth doing perfectly" with "good is good enough"...... This maybe the hardest goal of all!!

I'm looking forward to 2011 and especially your comments and support along the way, I couldn't do it without you!!

21 comments:

  1. Best of luck. Knowing your output though I'm sure you'll get all your goals achieved. Love the quilts you are working on

    Love and hugs Gina xxx

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  2. I got that book for my birthday this year and LOVE. IT. It is definitely much harder than anything I've ever done, but I would love to do so many of them too! I think that like you, I'll be collection fabrics for a while before I actually start one.

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  3. That basket quilt is going to be beautiful! I can't wait for you to finish that. I'm also struggling with working on my Grandmothers Flower Garden...it seems like a lifelong project:)

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  4. I'm going to look into that book, I seem to have a common theme in my quilts....stars. Though I'm loving your basket quilt and may have to add one to my to do list.

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  5. I am so looking forward to seeing what you come up with this year too!! :-)

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  6. Yes, Stellar Quilts! I'm working up to one of the quilts on the cover. I like your approach, collect the fabrics first!

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  7. What great goals Thelma. Your calendar will be full and very interesting for the year. I really look forward to seeing your once a month accomplishments. Then at the end of the year you will have an incredible array of completed projects. Bravo!

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  8. That border on the basket quilt is awesome. Good luck on you goals. I wish for you a very productive year, Thelma.

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  9. Amen and amen. You do such gorgeous work, can't wait to see your applique.

    I want to get back to needle turn. I tried a bit of it last year and liked it. The same type of border is my inspiration too. That and the blog Don't Look Now. Amazing stuff!

    Keep dazzling us!

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  10. Ditto for me! You took what I'm thinking and put it into words. Great goals!

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  11. Love your goals and you do beautiful work! Can't wait to see your finishes.

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  12. Looks like you are in for a busy year! Hope you manage to achieve all your goals.

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  13. Fabulous goals! Sounds like a whole lot of fun coming your way!!

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  14. I always, always enjoy your projects! You've got some great goals and I know I'm going to enjoy your posts this coming year.

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  15. Love your quilts and your blog. Can't wait to see some of your finishes.

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  16. Thelma, I love your goals for the year and I can't wait to see your upcoming projects. But I have to disagree with you about one thing in your post. I believe that most of us do set goals. Though not all related to my quilting, my hubby and I have set goals to improve our lifestyle. A goal we set two years ago but review and revise our methods often. This in turn has helped me too feel better and this year I hope my health will allow me to quilt more. I am especially anxious to see your needle turn applique projects as I know they will be wonderful. I've tried for months by my fingers (no feeling in the tips of them) just can't learn the trick as well as I want them too and I can't accomplish the finished look I want so I will let my machine do my applique for me, just as I let it do all the binding on my quilts. I can do simple embroidery stitches but they are no longer sleek and beautiful like they once were but I refuse to give up the stitchery quilts I have fallen in love with. So I guess my quilting goal will be to let go of the struggle for perfection and just enjoy what I am capable of doing. Hugs...

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  17. Looks like you will have a great year! I am with you do what works for you.
    I set my goals weekly and daily...I am a big list maker, love being able to cross off the list!
    can't wait to see all your projects this year!
    I bought that book last year too, maybe its time to take it back out and give it a look again
    Kathie

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  18. I am really looking forward to seeing all your new quilts this year. If its anything like 2010, it's going to be very inspiring.

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  19. I love your goals! I started working on a quilt today that I started back in July...I think I might actually be able to finish it next week...and what a great feeling that will be! Good luck with your applique' goal, too...that is such a good one! I had that for my goal for about 3 years before I finally felt confident...and I'm still not an expert by any means...but if I hadn't kept making that goal I would have given up! Have a great week!

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  20. Great goals Thelma! I'll be cheering you on! ENJOY!

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  21. I like your plan, Thelma - I am a great starter, not so hot on finishing so I might set a goal of finishing one project each month before I can work on the newest, exciting project that I've started (because there will always be one!) Thanks for sharing, Terri in BC

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