The LIST

The two words for my 2017: "Habit" and "Endure"

with my dreamcatcher doodles :)

Several people are rolling out link parties and challenges with resolutions for the new year, so I thought it was a great opportunity for me to look back at my 2016 list and see what I did there!

So this is the 2016 list, with the current status of each project.

1. Play with Me QAL - hosted this extra fun QAL (confession: I haven't put together my quilt just yet O_O). It was a great success and brought me to the 2017 QAL so I am happy about this project!!!
2. "Jane Tiger, the Nearly Insane Wife of a Farmer" - completely abbandoned... I designed the full layout, made few blocks, but it fell off the ongoing project train early in the year :)
3. Block Swap Adventure quilt - I continued the swap for few months, then it was suspended for lack of participants, then I started a new swap on Ello, and that got suspended too for the lack of participants... oh, well... 
4. Charity quilts for Fran and the Quilts for DC General Homeless Shelter project - wow, I didn't work on this much unfortunately! I have 3 quilts done, few pillow cases and several extra quilt tops ready... I need to get my head in the game!!
5. Americana QAL - done, completed, gifted.
6. Play with Me 2016 QAL - duplicate of 1 :) I must have been tired when I wrote the list!!
7. Allietare QAL - top completed, and in the pile to donate for charity...
8. Pantone Color of the Year 2016 - completed
9. The SK project - many blocks got done... still very far from completion, but good progress here!!
10. the 31000 Xs project - abandoned, no progress throughout the year....
11. Spirit cross stitch project - abandoned, no progress throughout the year.... 
12. Mirror Mirror Afghan - abandoned, no progress throughout the year....
13. Alice in Wonderland quilt - abandoned, no progress throughout the year....
14. As You Wish -  abandoned, no progress throughout the year....
15. Crazy optical illusion - abandoned, no progress throughout the year....
16. Memory quilt 2 - abandoned, no progress throughout the year....

Ok... so it seemed like I didn't do much from the list... but I promise that I had a ton of completed projects, they just seemed to come along during the year so they were not in the initial list!! :)

I will feature all my accomplishment in a separate post at the end of January for my blogoversary! I think I accomplished a lot, but I need some time to collect them all in one post :)

And now... what about 2017?
Let's make another list!!! Let's make it SHORTER so I may be able to accomplish more!! :)

1. GROWING UP QAL - I had so much fun hosting a QAL that I want to do it again! This year will be more "traditional" because it will have 12'' finished blocks but they are all kind of techniques, skills, sashings, etc... as usual a great learning experience
   
   
2. Splendid Sampler - I just want some progress here, just more blocks done. I don't aim at completing it, but just at working on it
3. Charity quilts - I want to complete the tops that I have and then deliver the quilts to the final destination. My goal is around 7 quilts
4. SK project - I want to complete all the blocks, not the final quilt, but at least all the missing blocks
5. Be a good QUEEN :) - well... I don't know if I am supposed to say it yet... but I will be a Queen for the Molli Sparkle's "The Honey Pot Bee"!!!!! I already have an idea for the block... just wait and see
6. Pantone Color of the Year 2017 - planning my traditional mini
7. En Provence QAL - Planning to add this on the pile of donation quilts... maybe... not sure about the final layout yet :)
8. Bullet Journaling into my Quilter's Planner - planning to explore and expand my new obsession with planning! 
9. 70273 Project - keep working and supporting this amazing project!

9 projects to track and advance seems to be duable. I am also planning to decide what to do with the UFO that I abandoned in 2016... they probably just need some time to rest :)

This list is shared in for the following link parties and challenges:

• Yvonne (quiltingjetgirl.com) - 2017 Planning Linky Party

The LIST (review)

Back in December, Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl hosted the #2016Planning Party, and I linked up (she reminded me of this because I completely forgot of course ;) )

She published a post to reflect on her the goals and she welcomed us to take this opportunity to look back and reflect on our year as well. She is offering a #2016MidYearReview link up, and there are great giveaways available to those who link up.

This the previous list, with updated status on the different projects (these are my goals for the year... so if I am at least half done, I will say I am on a good track :) )

1. Play with Me QAL - this is a QAL I am hosting, so I don't just plan to finish it, but I plan to cheer everybody along, offer giveaways, inspire and get inspired!
   STATUS: 6 blocks made, quilted and joined. 2 blocks completed. 1 board missing.
   
2. "Jane Tiger, the Nearly Insane Wife of a Farmer" - I want to complete my version of the Dear Jane, Nearly Insane and Farmer's Wife quilt. I already started it and it looks fun!!
   STATUS: I lost momentum on this...  23 blocks done, many many more missing :)
   
3. Block Swap Adventure quilt - I have been swapping blocks for about 2 years now, so I should have enough to put together a quilt!
   STATUS: I completed a quilt with last year Snail Trail blocks. Unfortunately the swap was closed because of lack of participants. But now I am running the Hello Block Swap so I am still collecting blocks and turning them into quilts!
   
4. Charity quilts for Fran and the Quilts for DC General Homeless Shelter project - I plan to have 12 quilts done for her... let's see if I can make (or pass) that goal!!
   STATUS: again, I lost momentum on this. I have 2 quilts completed + 3 matching pillow cases. I also have 4 quilt tops ready to be quilted... maybe this review will encourage me to get back on track with this
   
5. Americana QAL - finish my version of this quilt and gift it to my dad probably for Xmas
   STATUS: completed! and I am using it because it's sad to leave a quilt waiting to be gifted. I will wash it and send it out later this year, but in the meantime I am enjoying it!!
   
6. Play with Me 2016 QAL (secret) - all January posts are ready!!
   STATUS: this is a duplicate of 1. :) I was distracted when I wrote the original list
   
7. Allietare QAL - I plan to complete this quilt, and probably donate it for charity
   STATUS: no change. This is one of the 4 quilt tops of point 4.
   
8. Pantone Color of the Year 2016 - my traditional wall hanging has already been designed!
   STATUS: completed!
   
9. The SK project - here I need real progress as I wanted to have it done by 2017... it's a big quilt done in very small blocks so I need to get this rolling!!
   STATUS: I lost momentum for several months. Last month I got the ball rolling again, and now I have a few "side" projects that are going to help me give this project a real push forward, stay tuned!!
   
10. the 31000 Xs project - a cross stitch project that I started and I would love to get done... eventually :)
    STATUS: where did I put this project??? :) I moved things around my sewing corner and I have no idea where this ended up being stored. :) so the status is Missing In Action :)
    
11. Spirit cross stitch project - this is supposed to be a Valentine present... well... not sure if I will be able to pull it off, but I will try!
    STATUS: ah ah ah, same as 10. where did I put this project??? :) well... Valentine comes every year, so eventually I will get this done
    
12. Mirror Mirror Afghan - a tapestry crochet afghan, I was very passionate about... and then I was not :) crochet is like that for me, ups and downs! :)
    STATUS: I lost momentum on this... I made several more blocks at the beginning of the year but now I am stuck again
    
13. Alice in Wonderland quilt - I have several blocks done, just need to find some motivation to finish up some more
14. As You Wish -  same comment as 13.
15. Crazy optical illusion - same comment as 13. :)
16. Memory quilt 2 - same comment as 13. :)
    STATUS (13-16): completely lost interest in all those projects... eventually I may get back to them but for now I archived them all!

Well...

I guess that I had so many new projects this year, that several lost momentum. Some are still going, some are kind of dead for now.

I can report that I am still sewing, I am still designing, I am still organinzing events, I am still having fun so I guess it's all good!!

The LIST

Several people are rolling out link parties and challenges with resolutions for the new year, so I thought it was a great opportunity for me to look back at my 2015 list and see what I did there!

So this is the 2015 list, with the current status of each project.

1. Xmas tree decoration for 2014 - done one for 2014 and one for 2015!
2. Pumpkin's play mat - done!
3. the SK project - some progress here, not as much as I hoped
4. Tea Towel challenge and PPV BOM - done and has been decorating my living room for most of the year
5. Reversible sewing machine cover - done and has been keeping my sewing machine for many many months!
6. College Days Blog Hop blocks for tote/grocery bag - done and it's holding my xstitch projects
7. Alice in Wonderland quilt - no progress here
8. As You Wish - no progress here
9. Happy Halloween wall hanging - done and hanged in the living room in Oct/Nov
10. Crazy optical illusion - no progress
11. Bonnie's Hunter Grand Illusion - dropped, didn't like the design, but I am up to speed with Allietare!
12. Color of the Year mini - done, preparing the 2016 one!
13. D wall hanging - done and gifted
14. B quilt - dropped for now, maybe forever :)

So basically I had 14 items on the list, 8 of them are done, 2 were dropped probably forever and the rest... I think I may carry them over because I don't want to give up on them just yet!

On another note, there are a ton of projects that I didn't have on that list at the beginning of 2015 but they started and got done in 2015. I will feature all of them in a post at the end of January for my blogoversary! I think I accomplished a lot, but I need some time to collect them all in one post :)

And now... what about 2016?
Let's make another list!!! Let's make it longer so I will accomplish more!! :)

1. Play with Me QAL - this is a QAL I am hosting, so I don't just plan to finish it, but I plan to cheer everybody along, offer giveaways, inspire and get inspired!
   Today I had a post discussing fabric, so if you are interested, just click and check it out!!
   
   
2. "Jane Tiger, the Nearly Insane Wife of a Farmer" - I want to complete my version of the Dear Jane, Nearly Insane and Farmer's Wife quilt. I already started it and it looks fun!!
3. Block Swap Adventure quilt - I have been swapping blocks for about 2 years now, so I should have enough to put together a quilt! 
4. Charity quilts for Fran and the Quilts for DC General Homeless Shelter project - I plan to have 12 quilts done for her... let's see if I can make (or pass) that goal!!
5. Americana QAL - finish my version of this quilt and gift it to my dad probably for Xmas
6. Play with Me 2016 QAL (secret) - all January posts are ready!!
7. Allietare QAL - I plan to complete this quilt, and probably donate it for charity
8. Pantone Color of the Year 2016 - my traditional wall hanging has already been designed!
9. The SK project - here I need real progress as I wanted to have it done by 2017... it's a big quilt done in very small blocks so I need to get this rolling!!
10. the 31000 Xs project - a cross stitch project that I started and I would love to get done... eventually :)
11. Spirit cross stitch project - this is supposed to be a Valentine present... well... not sure if I will be able to pull it off, but I will try!
12. Mirror Mirror Afghan - a tapestry crochet afghan, I was very passionate about... and then I was not :) crochet is like that for me, ups and downs! :)
13. Alice in Wonderland quilt - I have several blocks done, just need to find some motivation to finish up some more
14. As You Wish -  same comment as 13.
15. Crazy optical illusion - same comment as 13. :)
16. Memory quilt 2 - same comment as 13. :)
    

This list is shared in for the following link parties and challenges:

• Yvonne (quiltingjetgirl.com) - 2016 Planning Linky Party
• Sandy (quiltingfortherestofus.com) - 2016 Quilty Resolutions Challenge (not formally announced yet), but she talked about it in her podcast.
  These are the 3 projects I want to put as my "Cleaning House" items:
• Block Swap Adventure quilt (3. above), because those blocks have been there waiting to be used for about two years
• Mirror Mirror Afghan (12. above), because I have a sitting box full of yarn and I want to be able to use the space and enjoy the afghan before the end of 2016
• the SK project (9. above), I highly doubt that this King size project (all the opening lines and book cover of Stephen King's books) is going to be done by 2016, but I want to have it done for Sept 2017 to honor his 70th birthday so I will put this here to get some momentum. I have about 30 blocks done already (see here) but I have many more to go!

Happy Blogoversary to ME!!

Today is time to celebrate!!

I am TWO years blog-old!!

This second year has been amazing! I practiced many new things, learned a lot and accomplished enough to be pretty proud of myself.

Let's put it down in numbers and pictures!

Numbers:
- 140 posts (about 1 every 5 days!!)
- > 80000 pageviews
- 315 followers (between GFC, Blogloving and Pinterest)
- 104 original patterns created and shared for free on this blog (22 still untested!) - about 1 new pattern a week!!
- 1 pattern shop closed (issue with Craftsy)

So what did I made in this second year? Here are some pictures!
(click on the picture if you want to see it bigger!!)

If anyone is interested in pattern/instruction for a specific project, just drop me an email!! :)
All of them have been shared during the year, but sometimes it's hard to find things in blogs.

Color of the Year wall hanging, Cardinal pillow, Grocery bag, Music & Downton Abbey pillows, Xmas decorations, Bibs, Convertible bag, Evil Eye Wall hanging, Grocery bag 2, Dachshunds pot holder and pouch, Ties pillow, Convertible bag 2, Xmas coasters, Xmas table runner.

On the right - All the blocks received in my Block Swap Adventure.
On the left - blocks made for the Block Swap Adventure + 3 blocks (lower right corner) made for Jennifer @ Sewhooked for charity quilts.

Triangle QAL (baby quilt), Celtic Solstice + Celtic Sunrise (baby quilt), Topolino (twin size), Rainbow Starburst (twin size) & Message in a Quilt (twin size)

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And now let's stop looking at the past... and let's look at the future!!
I already posted the list of projects I have for 2015 (see the complete list here), but by now I already added several things to the list and I want to highlight few of the main projects I will focus my attentions on:

I will be running a monthly series of tutorial to learn new techniques or new tricks to known techniques ;) we have a pretty cool list of authors for the different tutorials.

Check out the SYS 2015 page for more information.

Bea @ beaquilter.com is hosting a Peanuts BOM with my patterns! I am not sewing more of them myself, but I designed new patterns because people seems interested in making bigger quilts with these characters! 

I will follow some QAL because I plan to collect animal blocks to make some quilt tops for charity. No specific plans for that, except that I want to use several orphan blocks that I have, so I need to make my collection larger!

I also run a weekly link party (MOP Monday) and I post every Thursday about my weekly Tangle (in the My Tangle Thursday series).

So yes, this following year will be busier than the previous one!!

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I want to conclude this post with an Happy Blogoversary to me... and a huge thank you to YOU ALL.
With your comments and support you fuel my passion for sewing and you gave me so much inspiration!! If you promise to keep the support going, I promise to keep sewing and sharing!!

The LIST (2015)

Today is the first day of the year so let me list all my "ongoing" projects...
the ones that I may want to complete by the end of the year.

I said "may" because many of them are for myself so if something else comes up and takes the priority I won't be disappointed (I declare this up front so I will be ok for the whole year ;) ).

So this is the LIST, with the current status of each project.

1. Xmas tree decoration for 2014 (ehm... a little late, but my tree is still there ;) )
   This is my project for "A Lovely Year of Finishes - January"
2. Pumpkin's play mat
3. the SK project - 20 blocks done, no overall design, no idea how many blocks I want
4. Tea Towel challenge and PPV BOM - 13/34 blocks done
5. Reversible sewing machine cover - 4/8 blocks done
6. College Days Blog Hop blocks for tote/grocery bag - 1 block done, no pattern picked for the bag, no idea how many blocks I will need
7. Alice in Wonderland quilt - 6/15 blocks done
8. As You Wish - 8/16 blocks done
9. Happy Halloween wall hanging - 13/32 blocks done
10. Crazy optical illusion - 1 "row" done
11. Bonnie's Hunter Grand Illusion - grabbed some fabric, but no actual selection done yet
12. Color of the Year mini - designed, fabric picked, ready to start!
13. D wall hanging - to be designed
14. B quilt - to be designed

The list doesn't look too overwhelming...
And aside from this list I will have at least 10 finished projects from our wonderful SYS 2015 tutorial series (Stretch Your Skills, if you want to know more click here).
So I think that by the end of next year I will have plenty of Xmas presents ready to go ;)

It looks like I am going to have a very creative and productive year!

How about you? did you make your quilting resolutions?
Let me know in the comments! I would love to hear that!