Sunday, January 19, 2014

2014 Quilting Plan

Finally I'm back...sorry for the delay in getting my list up.  Let's just say lots of changes have made getting on the computer difficult the past few weeks...grrr...I used to be better with change!

Anyway, have you been following the blog and facebook posts about choosing a "word" for 2014?  For some reason it reminds me of that TV show from about 10 years ago, Allie McBeal,  where the characters selected individual "theme songs."  But I digress.  I went along and selected my "word"...it is Acceptance.

Now this isn't a weaselly quitting acceptance...trust me acceptance is difficult.  This is more along the line of the prayer "Give me the wisdom to change the things I can.  To accept the things I can't.  And the wisdom to know the difference."  So basically I'm trying to live smarter this year.

So what does this have to do with quilting you ask?  Well last year I was a finish maniac.  I had faced the mountain of UFO's in my quilting room and I was determined to demolish it.  (this was quite literal as I had boxed up my UFO's and the pile reached the ceiling and then some!)  It was a productive year at the end I didn't feel as if it was a creative year.  hummm.

So this year I have fewer projects on my list which allows me to play a bit more.  Also takes into account a greater need to rest and reflection.

I am also taking on fewer outside projects.  I accept that MS isn't something I can muscle through and if it only allows me so much energy per day then I need to allocate that wisely.  Already this year I've said no to a guild board position and handed over being the donation quilt Mom to another member.

I'm not just focusing on what I will "not do."  I have a short list...

1.  AQSG entry...for which I have all the patterns drafted (9 blocks and 4 borders,) two blocks finished and two half finished.  This is my project for the next couple of months!

2.  Quilt or have quilted the Russian Sunflower quilt...it is still in the same stage as it was a year ago!

3.  Quilt or have quilted my Charleston Basket quilt...it is basted and I have a "plan."

4.  1904 Halloween quilt - put the borders on and send out for machine quilting (after taking all the cat fuzz off of it!)

5.  Continue work on my Sherlock Holmes Crazy quilt...

As with last year I'm sure a few things will slip in but these are the projects I really want to focus on.

As for road trips/education...
1. Pigeon Forge show in March
2. Pilgrim and Roy exhibit at the Boston Museum of Art this May
3. Charlotte AQS show in July
4. Chattanooga AQS show in Sep
5. Exhibit at the DAR IN Washington in Nov

Same goes for this list...I'm sure there will be others but for now this is the plan...

8 comments:

Sue SA said...

Good to have a plan, I agree it helps keep you focused, but you need to have fun also!

Robin said...

You can't move forward unless you have a direction to go, you've made some great plans. I wish I could to those shows - how delightful!

Impera Magna said...

Good for you to say "no" to things for the sake of your health! It's hard but others need to share the load...

Thanks for the head's up on the Charlotte quilt show in July... didn't know about it and it's within easy driving distance!

:)

Mary Johnson said...

I also find that a super productive year isn't necessarily a super creative year and I do try to balance both ... And I'm getting better about saying no too. Finding creative time for is as important as all I do for others. Have a great 2014!

Sherrill said...

I think you're being very wise..since you never know when you're going to have a 'flare up' and how long that will last, having a short list is probably better for you mentally as well as physically. Good luck with getting it done AND, if it doesn't all get done, it will still be there waiting for you. ;-)

Tonya Ricucci said...

glad you're going to have some creative fun this year and not just finish finish finish. i think the halloween quilt NEEDS the cat fuzz. heh heh heh. and yay for going to see the Pilgrim Roy collection in Boston. Hope they have an exhibition book.

Jeff Rutherford said...

I love the Sherlock Holmes quilt!

McIrish Annie said...

Hello old friend!i know i have been MIA. Not blogging but lurking and had to stop to see you. Acceptance-excellent choice! Very intrigued by the sherlock crazy quilt.