Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Quarterly Review

Here we are on April 1st (and nope, no April Fool's jokes here) and it seems like a good time to do a business style review of my progress this quarter. Based on my New Year's goals and projections -- let's see how my work has been progressing (or not -- which is much more to the point here).


Skills:


Hand quilting -- actually, I've been working on this one. I still have a bit more to do on my second mini-wholecloth but not bad. I figured it would take much longer to get to this one.


Applique -- still a total and complete wimp.


Embroidery -- I have at least two projects in progress and one that I've finished the embroidery part but I can't show yet (and need to finish the other part and get it in the mail -- eeek!). I also finished the embroidery on my Winter Four Season's Swap. So -- not too bad here. It would be better if I FINISHED a few more things -- but, I'm working on it. And just to prove that I am -- a hint about some of the work on my current Four Season's piece.



Knitting -- well, actually there is more to report here than anywhere else. I've made three and 1/2 pairs of mitts over the past three months, finished a scarf, started another scarf, almost finished a sweater for my daughter, almost finished a princess/fairy dress for my daughter, made three washcloths, a couple of bath scrubbies, and a really long piece of lace and some flowers for embellishments. Whew. That actually is a lot. If you would like to see photos of most of these -- you can check out my Flickr page. I'm still enjoying knitting so it's likely to continue -- though, I have an experiment that I tried over the weekend that is getting frogged when I have enough heart to do it. UGH. As for not adding to the stash -- um, yeah, we just aren't going to go there.


Projects (this is the category that is going to just KILL my stock values here):


PIBS -- (projects in bins) Yeah, haven't touched them. They're still there. They're still waiting for me. See above for some reasons why they haven't been touched.


UFOs -- still there. Still UFO's. Though -- I did finally buy a backing for one UFO (though if I'm kind I'll call it a WISP -- Work in Slow Progress though I haven't touched it since -- let's see -- um, LAST March) that needs to be a FO by June 1st for my daughter's birthday.


Bags -- not going there. Have plans for three or four, have two I need to make pronto. Yep. Not going there.


Stash:


Um, haven't been sewing much, haven't been using up what I have. Though, I will say -- I did find a use for this piece from my stash while Mom was here visiting. Yep -- another new project. There's a surprise.


And if I keep on giving in to lovely new fabrics that I just want to play with -- how I'm ever going to get to use what I have is beyond me. But, really, these? Can you blame me???


And well -- when kind friends decide they want to send you bits and bobs to help you have MORE fabric -- can you REALLY say no? And, let's be honest -- do you really WANT to say no? Especially when you have a little one with a shoe fetish? No -- I didn't think so. (but I will say thank you so much KATE!!!)

As for hoarding fabrics (a nasty little tendency) -- um, is it really hoarding if you haven't been using much fabric AT ALL?!?
Christmas:

It sounded like a good idea, get Christmas presents done throughout the year so that my November/December isn't totally crazy. Started well -- hasn't been working out all that great. The one present I had managed to make has already been given away. NEED to get on top of this one if I don't want a repeat of last year's sweat shop.

Life:

Trying. Best I can do some days.


So -- overall report. Um, yeah, not so great. I have a ton of projects started, in the works, plots and plans and not much action. Not to mention I've been neglecting my blog. I won't even mention the number of posts I have plotted out in my head and haven't gotten to yet. Not to mention how far behind I am in my blog reading (yeah -- when bloglines tells you there are over 1000 posts you haven't read -- time to do some serious reading and/or editing of your lists -- so I apologize if I haven't been commenting much lately).


As for my giveaway -- I've had a terrible work stoppage problem here at my house (Tink and Mr. Cornfields have been sick). The drawing that was supposed to happen while my Mom was here didn't -- so I will be drawing names TONIGHT and posting winners tomorrow. My helper is feeling better so -- time to get her back to work!

26 comments:

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

You do so much... quilting, embroidery, garment sewing and knitting! I always think, right after Christmas, that I'll adopt the "gifts throughout the year" habit of working, too. It's never happened. Hope Mr. Cornfields and Tink get better and stay healthy.

Libby said...

Well it sounds to me like you have been living life and that's a good thing *s*

Carolyn said...

First priority is: are you having fun working on the projects you're doing? If you are, then it's all good. I've decided not to feel guilty about my projects anymore. Now, customer quilts are another story!

Lisa said...

I love that little hint of the embroidery. It sounds like you have been busy!!! So what if the projects aren't quite finished! You are enjoying yourself, aren't you??

Tracey @ozcountryquiltingmum said...

You are forgetting all those extra little things not on the list, like play with Miss Tinkerbell, spend time with Mum and DH, smell the roses...wash the smelly washing!! and read blogs and chat to me!! Perfectly satisfactory quarter I would say!!!lol Tracey

Libby said...

I agree - I don't think you're doing too badly :) But regardless, you're just setting yourself for a very successful NEXT quarter - or third quarter, or fourth :)

Thank you for the term WISP. All my UFOs have just become WISPs.

Finn said...

Hi sweetie, you get a A+ for trying, in my books! You've got a just-barely-past=toddler, remember? All is forgiven. Big hugs, Finn

Helen said...

WISP, work in slow progress! I like that term! You post made me think about my quarter progress for the year too.... have strayed from the tracks on other projects. *sigh* oh well! :)

Anonymous said...

Uauuu!!! Your blog is beautifull, and too your works!!!
Sorry but my english is not very well!!!

Sassenach said...

As for applique, awww...jump in, the water's fine! You'll love the flexibility and creativity it offers.
:-)

Unknown said...

I would say a very full quarter it was! I hope your DH and Tink get better soon. Take care.

Red Geranium Cottage said...

Glad to see your back. I missed ya!! I slip my gloves on every now and then just cause I can. LOL I love them!!!!

Nan said...

For being unhappy with your "lack" of progress, I would say you are progressing along very nicely! You are a Jill of many trades and, I would say, a master (mistress?) of most of them, and you have been hopping! I'm sorry to hear that Miss Tink and her daddy are sick again. I hope you don't come down with whatever it is, too! You have accomplished so much more than I have this year, and that's the truth!!! You go, girl!

julieQ said...

Pretty fabrics! My opinion is that if you enjoy your fabrics and are not bankrupting your family with fabric purchases, it is OK to enjoy...right?

Marla said...

LOVE YOUR REPORT! You made me smile in a big way. I think we are twins at heart. We set these huge goals for ourselves....then we feel guilty when we really accomplish more than expected but less than our goal. No problem setting the bar high, just don't get bruises kicking yourself. I bet your family ate dinner every night, noone went naked and you giggled quite a few times with each other. That trumps finished projects any day!!!

Anonymous said...

You always bring a huge, friendly smile to my, dear ! Reading your report was just as if I read mine. LOL LOL
Don't worry, my friend, we're living in the same happy mess :>) By the way, your handquilting is GREAT ! Bravo !

Hugs & smiles to you,
NADINE

Felicia said...

I enjoyed your review of projects :) Hope everyone is better in your household.

Magpie Sue said...

I'm glad to learn I'm not the only one who's been neglecting her blog ;- ) You have some very legitimate reasons for not posting though!

BTW, I'm just about ready to begin doing some handwork on a certain swap quilt...

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

Love you sense of humour and your clever acronyms! I have a few PIBS myself.

Unknown said...

I checked out your Knits and oh sooo love the little pink wrap : ) I have an 8 month old and it would probably fit her. Shes my little tubbers. Great blog! Check mine out to win some fun stuff at bonnielouvintage.blogspot.com

julieQ said...

Sounds like you have been very productive in a variety of projects! and hopefully having fun in the process...

Kate North said...

Hi stranger - hope you are ok, haven't heard from you in while... Thinking of you!

Magpie Sue said...

Hey, are you still connected? Haven't heard a peep from you in a month! Hope all is well.

Helen said...

I wonder how it would feel to have "everything" finished. Would you feel really good and then think 'what am I going to do now?' I can't imagine ever not having anything 'on the go'.

Tracey @ozcountryquiltingmum said...

Hey missing you and your posts. Hope to hear from you soon, lol Trace

Tracey @ozcountryquiltingmum said...

Hi Angela, me again!
i sent you an email but it got bounced back, please drop me a line, Tracey