2015 Quilting Goals

I've been thinking about this for a couple of weeks.  I haven't set many new quilting goals in the past because of my work schedule.  Now is the time!

There are two quilts on my radar for 2015. 

The first is Austin Bluebird Sampler by Minick & Simpson.  This quilt blew me away when I first saw it for a couple of reasons.  First and foremost, it's Minick & Simpson, and everyone knows how much I love their fabric.  I don't know if I'm their biggest fan, but I'd wager I'm in the top ten or so!  The second reason is that I want to dip back into needle turn applique.  I was a fairly good appliquer before life got in the way.  It's time to embrace that love.

Laurie, I apologize for snagging this picture off of your blog ... sorry.  My cover picture is packed away in one of those mystery boxes out back.

This quilt is gorgeous.  I signed up for the Minick & Simpson BOM as soon as it was offered, but I haven't started it yet what with packing and moving.  I'm going to start with the couple of months of shipments I've received since the move, the pieced blocks.  As soon as I find my applique supplies (freezer paper, light box, the thread pack, the first shipments), then I can get started on the applique.  I'm really excited about this one.

The other quilt that I zoomed in on from the Market pictures is Brenda Riddle's Seedlings quilt with her new Ambleside fabric for Moda.

 

I just received all of her new patterns yesterday.  Brenda, *thank you* for the wonderful package and for rushing them out to me.  Again, this one has a touch of applique and lots of fun nine patches.  As soon as the fabric is available I'll start this one. 

 

The soft colors were my first love, and no matter how many quilts I make using more modern fabrics or the darker Civil War colors, these will always be near and dear to me.

 

On the UFO front, I have several that will get finished up pretty quickly once I'm set up in the new sewing space, the Cottage.  I have the James River Blues blocks all made and ready to assemble.  The Quick Curve Ruler quilt is also ready to assemble.  There are a couple of more that are in that same state.  I was waiting until I moved but I didn't expect to be delayed on the sewing .... those emergency room trips and wheelchairs and walkers certainly screwed up my unpacking schedule.  Hopefully in the next month things will all get sorted out and I'll be ready to sew away.

 

Of course, today I need to get ready for the 20 something degree weather they are predicting for tonight.  Jeepers, I'm eight or ten miles from the Gulf.  You wouldn't think it would get that cold here but it does.  I forgot that South Louisiana is seasonal.  Anyway, the downstairs heater in the Cottage is broken and a part is on order, but I don't think it will be fixed today.  So I have to make sure water is dripping, and the upstairs heater is turned up in the hope of warming the downstairs enough to keep the pipes from freezing.  And then there are those hundreds of faucets outside that need to be wrapped.  Okay, so I exaggerate when I say there are hundreds, but there are probably more than a dozen.  Last winter there was a faucet pipe that burst out back and spewed water for a week until the lawn service found it.  I want to try to avoid that this year if I can.

 

Too bad the bayou won't freeze.  Then I could add ice skating to my list of things to learn this year!

 

Kidding, just kidding!  Imagine clumsy me on ice skates.  I can't even walk downstairs without falling.  Heck, they'd have to reserve a permanent bed for me in ER and give me a private parking space right outside the entrance!

 

I wish everyone a Happy New Year, especially a healthy one.  Each new year gives me another chance to get it right, and I'm going to do my best to meet THAT goal this year!