Wednesday, January 01, 2014

A Lovely Year of Finishes - "Chanting the Beauty of the Good"!

I am feeling a little better on this first day of a new year. I am walking slowly and moving gently as I try to decide how sturdy I actually am today. While feeling a little bit sorry for myself, I decided to take the bull by the horns with this thought...
“Don’t waste yourself in rejection, nor bark against the bad, but chant the beauty of the good.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
I plan to spend today "chanting the beauty of the good". Doesn't that sound like fun!??! 
In 2013 I participated in A Lovely Year of Finishes and benefitted from the regular goal setting and end of month celebration of success (or confession of nonsuccess). In reviewing my UFO list (on right sidebar) I realized I had 6 finished quilts, which means a 50% success rate. That's pretty good for the kind of year I had! Actually I'm declaring that to be amazing!
This is the review of my UFO list for 2013, while "chanting the good" ...

1. Flannel - DONE!





















2. BeAttitudes - DONE!



3. Sunflower mystery - not touched, don't even know where it is! 



4. Letters Q/A - DONE!






















5. RRCB - a valiant effort was made over the summer, but it was not meant to be at that time. (notice how I avoided the "fail" word!)


6. LoTE K/F - DONE!










7. Shattered - DONE!
















8. Civil War Sampler - again a valiant effort at the end of the year, but it will be finished at the beginning of 2014.
9. Tetris - neglected quilt top
10. Knot Blocks - still a pile of pretty blocks
11. Quilt Square Quilt Along - also a pile of lovely blocks












It's the 2013 Finale Party over at A Lovely Year of Finishes, so you can hop over there and see what the participants accomplished over the past year. A big thank you to our hostesses Shanna and Melissa for keeping us on the UFO completion track! And if you think this might be helpful to you in conquering your UFO pile, you'd be welcome to participate in 2014 - to sign up, click here.

So my 6 unfinished UFO's from last year will be bounced over to the new 2014 list. And 6 more "quilt wannabes" will be added. To locate those honoured 6 new inductees, I carefully opened the door of the UFO closet. There are 20 hangers in that closet, so I asked which projects are desperate to become a finished quilt in 2014. Apparently they all are!
Those that shouted the loudest and made the list of 6 new inductees are:
1. Log Cabin - never showed on my blog (made in mid 90's)         
2. Block Sampler - from Kingston shop hop 
3. Countdown to Christmas - newly made top that I want to have for next ready for next Christmas
4. Plaid Beauty - blocks made at a class with Bonnie Hunter
5. Storm At Sea - small project that will be a fun finish in a busy month 
6. Scrappy Hexagons - a really interesting scrap quilt that I would like to finish this year

So that's it! 
The quilty goals for 2014 will be posted in a list on the sidebar of my blog, along with a slight change in my long term hand quilting projects, since one has been finished (woohoo!), one can be added.
I plan to finish my Civil War Sampler  quilt top as my January project.
Cheers to a great quilty year ahead!

24 comments:

Teresa in Music City said...

SO glad you are feeling better Kathy! And I think you did a great job on your UFO's this year. I totally agree with you - to finish up 6 big projects is pretty amazing really! Good luck with exceeding that great accomplishment with even more finishes in 2014!

Cathy said...

Wow, considering the year you had, you did an amazing job getting those finishes. I'm joining in on that finish challenge this year. I've listed 10 I want to get done. Good luck with getting yours done. So glad to hear you're feeling a bit better today. Happy New Year to you!

Ivani said...

You gave life to 6 quilts that had sat aside inside the UFO closet (I love the way you hang them). And they are lovely. Congratulations. Thinking to join the group. Maybe I will be able to push myself to A Lovely New Year of Finishes. Good to know you are feeling better. And that is a good quote, when we can see the good side, life changes. Happy New Year Kathy. Hugs

Janet O. said...

I'm glad you are feeling improved--and that is a great chant!
You have done really well through a stressful year. I dare say you will have even more finishes this year. I'll watch with interest. : )

soscrappy said...

Finishing 6 UFOs is quite a reason for a pat on the back! There is always a need to balance the old with the new. Glad you are feeling a bit better. Nothing like illness to help us appreciate good health as the blessing it is.

Pam said...

You are so cute! I love that you can't even find #3 on the list--a girl after my own heart!!

Many blessings to you this year!

Kindred Quilts said...

Congrats on the 2013 accomplishments! You should be proud! I'm really looking forward to watching your progress on the Civil War Sampler blocks throughout January... love the fabrics you are using! Happy you are on the mend as well! Happy New Year!

karen said...

Hmmm, I took a look at your UFO closet, & the 10th one in is your mystery quilt Easy Street. That didn't make the cut?!? I'm just kidding, but seriously, I love that color combination, so I hope that one is eventually finished. Save it for 2015?

Andee said...

Wowza on the accomplishments and be organized for 2014!

Jill said...

50 percent is great! I do not know many people who have accomplished what you have sewn. Plus share your progress on a blog. You did very well. Remember that we quilt for fun.

Deb@asimplelifequilts said...

50% is way better than 0% (just sayin')!! And your finishes are gorgeous - you do such beautiful work. Welcome to the 6 new inductees - I look forward to meeting them over the next months!

Mary said...

YEA, I had 6 finishes this year too. We have to relish in the GOOD! Done is better than Perfect. Especially in my case. Glad you are feeling better.

margaret said...

good to read you are getting about a bit easier, I am sure you will soon be back to full mobility. Lots of things achieved last year and your list looks interesting for 2014, best of luck with it, I am sure there will be other things done as well. Being new to quilting I have realised quilters do not complete one project before moving on to another but it seems the more on the go the better, you have so many nearly finished in you closet. I have always worked one project at a time with my embroidery but now I am into quilting I seem to be going down the same path as other quilters!!

Béa said...

Congrats ! all are beautiful.
Happy New Year Kathy !

Deanna W said...

Funny girl!! Can't even find that one..bahaha!! You haven't lost you sense of humor, I am glad you are feeling better too!
Indeed a great 50% finish rate, considering your year you bet it was a good one. Although we have a UFO challenge going on at guild I am seriously considering a list for this year. I feel that I want to do big things in my quilting world this year!

Mary said...

You did great!

Carol Swift said...

I love your chanting for the good and all your beautiful finishes!

HeatherK @ A Reformed Heath'n said...

LOVE that quote ... I think I'm going to borrow that :) You are ambitious! Can't wait to see the finished Civil War quilt.

make.share.give said...

Enjoyed this post so much! I've been clicking links for 20 minutes!

Tricia said...

My favorite? Sunflower mystery--"I don't even know where it is!" LOVE that! Tell it like it is, sista!
Tricia

Kate said...

You finished some lovely quilts this year. Congrats on your success for 2013. Have fun with your 2014 list.

Stephanie Zito said...

Wow! Your finished creations are gorgeous! I love the way you organize your UFO's! Can't wait to see your finished Jan goal!

Shanna of Fiber of All Sorts said...

Great job my dear!!!

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

You got lots done. Congrats.