CRAFTY | 2014 QUILTING TO-DO LIST

I’ve been pondering my to-do wishlist for 2014 and I’m having a little bit of a problem deciding what direction I want to head in for 2014.

I found having 12 quilts to make in a year a really great way to stay motivated, on track and working towards increasing my skill set. I did however also find that with the responsibilities of the Exhibition in August the momentum of my sewing kind of took a slide and I’ve not managed to get it back on track since.  However, it’s a new year and it’s time to clear the books and put together my hit list.

In September I started thinking about the things I wanted to do in 2014 and here’s where I think I’m at…

January – Calamine Lotion Swoon Quilt

Last year I started another swoon quilt. I just woke one day with an urge to see a certain combination of fabrics turned into a Swoon block and it’s grown from there. I had an itch that needed to be scratched.

February – Blankets of Love Quilt

The Canberra Quilters donate small quilts to the parents of babies that pass away at birth or just after.  The quilts are small and the requirement is to make a small quilt for the child to be wrapped in and then a representational quilt for the family to keep.  It breaks my heart to think of a family needing to use one of these blankets, but I think that if a blanket is needed than what better blanket than one made with love.

March – Canberra Quilters Exhibition Challenge Quilt

I have been thinking about this quilt since the challenge was announced last year and at this point I have no idea what quilt I will make, but I will make a quilt. The Challenge is a great way to participate in the Exhibition and it’s also a way to force myself to finish a quilt all by myself.

The theme is “opposites” and I have so many ideas floating around I suspect the problem will be locking on to one and sitting down to make it.

April – Quilters Choice

I’m giving myself a bit of breathing space and making this month a quilters choice.

May – Shimmering Saltwater

A year after starting it I’m going to finish it. I’ve even decided that this will be my UFO Pledge quilt for 2014. I’m really struggling to find motivation and get it done, despite me really loving the look of it. I don’t know why but sometimes I just stall on a project that I was really loving because of some reason and it drives me nuts. It’s like the telltale heart beating away under my floor boards.

June – All the Single Ladies Quilt-A-Long

I have no idea how I’m going to pull this off, but I’m determined to complete the Single Girl by Densye Schdmit and help others complete it as well. It will be the first time I do curved piecing and the first time I’ve hosted a quilt-a-long. I’m excited at the thought of both and guess I’d better start the planning now!

July – Midnight at the Oasis

Another quilt I started in 2013 that’s just begging to be finished and in July I will finish it. I’m scheduled to return to work in July and a little bit of hand stitching in my lunch break seems like something that the doctor would recommend.

August – Hawaiian Quilt Pattern

I’m not sure which pattern I’ll do, what size I’ll do or in what direction it will take me but I’m going to have a crack at a Hawaiian quilt this year.

September – Quilters Choice

Another month to just have a play and do something that’s captured my attention. Who knows, it might just be another Halloween or Christmas quilt.

October – Secret Squirrel Project

I have a quilt pattern all of my own making floating around in my head and this will be the month that I make it a reality.

November – All Solids All the Time

I have no idea what the pattern will be, but I’m making an all solids quilt in 2014.

December – Handmade Holiday

I’m going to make something as a gift for someone.  I really enjoyed gifting quilts last year and I plan on doing it again.

I’m planning another big year of quilting. There’s still so much I want to learn and do. On top of the quilting I’m going to be doing The Frosted Pumpkin Once Upon a Time Sampler (finishing off my Woodland Sampler and Halloween Sampler).  I also plan on mastering the art of cloth making by making some dresses and skirts for me. (Yes, I know – who am I and what have I done with the gnome that hates to wear a dress or skirt!)  I’m also planning on making some more bags (maybe even with leather), zippered pouches, kids cloths and cushions.

I have a pretty full dance card and I’m really excited about it.  Are you planning any quilting to-do’s for 2014?