2015 Year in Review and 2016 Goals

I am going to go a little out of order here and post the year in review and this year's goals before I wrap up December and my stash report, but I will get back to them soon.  I also have a couple quilts to wrap up for 2015, so will work to get them posted quickly...might be a busy weekend on the blog! 

First up, 2015 recap. I declared 2015 the Year of the Kits - I started with a lot of kits and focused on working through them. Below are the pictures of the kits at the start and end of each year, stitching and quilting kits. 
Quilting Kits - Before (bottom) and After (top)
Stitching Kits - Before (top) and After (bottom)
I am really pleased with the progress I made and I am glad to have so many of them completed or in progress. I will continue to work on the kits over the next year, a little at a time. 

My other goals for 2015 and comments on how I did follow: 
Crafting goals: 
1. Experiment with some single color piecing (many fabrics, one color) - I did pretty well on this by making string blocks almost every month. I really enjoyed making the blocks and now need to decide whether I will make more or finish up what I have made into a top. I am leaning toward making more. 
2. Start to clear out some of the stash - I feel like I knocked this one out of the park. I got through a little more than half of my bins and donated over 80 yards of fabric to the guild for our quilt show. I have also been setting aside additional yardage for a quilter's garage sale, which we do every few years at our guild - and I am hoping we do it this year! 
3. Keep quilting - quilt at least another 20 tops on my HQ Avante. I didn't make this one. I quilted 12 quilts this year, and didn't do any from early June to late August, the longest gap in quilting since I got my Handiquilter.
4 Keep stitching - continue my momentum from the past month and get some serious cross-stitching done this year. Done - very successful on this one as I finished up 13 stitching projects. I now need to spend a little time on getting them into frames, fabric framed, or made into cubes or stand-ups. 
Stitching finishes - 2015
5. Continue to learn crocheting - I continued to crochet this year, and learned a few new stitches. I got close to finishing two projects, but came up short. I did buy a fair amount of new yarn throughout the year, but almost all of it for specific projects. 

Personal goals: 
Each week, I will clean up one small space. I started and ended the year well on this one, but didn't do much picking up in between.  I am happy to report that several of the small spaces I cleaned up are still in pretty good shape. 
Quilting finishes from 2015
Now it is time to turn to 2016 and establish my goals for this year:
Crafting goals: 
1. First, a finish - this is going to be my mantra for this year. I would like to start each month by finishing something. It can be cross-stitch, crochet, or quilting. It can be a UFO, a project that is already in progress, or something new that I dedicate my attention to. I have lots of things in half-done status or I have good ideas to finish up things that I just don't execute, so I hope this will help. 
2. APQ Resolution - I have made a list for the American Patchwork & Quilting UFO Challenge. I did this with my bee several years ago and really made some good progress. This time, I am mixing up UFOs with kits and patterns that I just really want to make, so some months I will get to start something new. 
3. Keep quilting - quilt at least another 20 tops on my HQ Avante - let's see if I can get back into the swing of things to get more tops done! 
4. Keep stitching - I'd like to make more ornaments this year and have them ready to go on my tree or be gifted next Christmas. I have joined a facebook group to help me make progress in this area, and we will be working through ornaments in Just Cross Stitch Ornaments 2015. 
5. Finish some crochet projects - I'd like to get at least 3-5 crochet projects done this year to have something to show for my new skills. 

Personal goals: 
1. Get moving on house work - our house needs a lot of work these days...new roof, paint, updated kitchen and bathroom, etc. and I am bad at taking the time to make the calls to get quotes and then get the work done. I resolve to be better at this so that we can get some improvements made. 
2. Start swimming again - I was on the swim team as a kid and loved my time in the pool and used it as a good way to keep fit in college. I haven't swum for many years now, but a new Y opened near work and they have a lap pool. I have a new suit and goggles on the way, so I'd like to use them! 

That's my plan!  What do you have on your list for 2016? 

Comments

DeAnna said…
Happy New Year! Awesome list of versatile goals. Looking forward to reading your posts as you accomplish your goals.
Carol said…
I'd say you had a very successful year both in stitching and quilting, Jennifer! I'm amazed at all you continue to achieve with a growing family and your job... I don't make goals (except my ornament a month one!), but I wish you much luck in achieving both your personal and creative goals. Happy 2016--it's been nice getting to know you this year :)
Marie said…
Congratulations! You stayed on task -- it's been fun following the finishes -- keep up the hard work ...

Denise :) said…
You have a rather impressive set of goals!!! I have tons of patterns (and small kits); I forget about them (out of sight, out of mind) but your post reminded me they're all stashed away somewhere. I need to get them out and measure them against my proverbial "Joy" stick! Good for you on the APQ challenge -- I think that'll be great fun!! Happy New Year! :)