It’s a month since I set my goals for the year, my 2020 vision! Twenty things I want to make in 2020. I’ve done a fair bit of stitching in January, but I must also admit to a fair bit of faffing!! I think having two new machines to get to grips with has been a bit overwhelming, but at least I’ve started using them. I really need to sit down at the beginning of the instruction books and work my way through,rather than hitting a problem and trying to sort it, which is what I’m doing at the moment. I am getting much faster at threading my overlocker though!!
Clothes; I have to confess I didn’t do any dress-making in January, I decided half the problem (apart from two new machines!!) was my pattern stash, many of my patterns are like 30 years old, which is fine if; a) you’re going to use them again, b) you’re still the same size as you were aged 25!! and c) all the pieces are there if you do decide to use them. The last one was the most frustrating, I’ve decided I’m really not very good at looking after patterns! What I decided to do was to buy some new patterns which will hopefully enthuse me again. Simplicity were all half price so I ordered half a dozen, I’ve decided that when each make is on offer I will have a look and see what looks interesting, in the meantime I need a good sort out of my patterns and a new storage system.
Quilts; I made a baby quilt for an expected new member of the family, it’s very cute and is now winging it’s way over to Australia to be used and abused hopefully. Next I want to finish the top of my Coming Home quilt, I need a bit of a kick with this one, I’ve been procrastinating over how to finish it as I don’t want another deep border, but also the thought of appliquing 88 leaves on the last corners has been a bit of a damper! This picture is from October – big kick needed!!
Projects; The Stitchbook Collective is progressing nicely, I did two months worth in January, with a workshop on Joomchi and one on Gel printing. February’s box has just arrived too, it looks quite exciting!!
The Anthea SAL started with the beautiful snowdrop design for January. I’m thinking of making this into a book, so I just need to do something simple for the facing page; my plans are coming together!
I’ve done a little bit more stitching on my Harold the Hare at Embroiderers Guild Meetings, though there’s still a long way to go with this one. My Finery of Nature is getting there, I’m probably now half way through the last quarter, so there’s light at the end of the tunnel here, this was my progress a couple of weeks ago…
Things; I’ve not made anything off my list, but other makes from January include a bee cross-stitch small, a temari ball and the last part of my Enlightenment SAL. So I might have been a bit faffy in January but I have managed to make a few things 🙂
thecraftycreek 
Hello Margaret, Wow, you’ve done so well in the first month of the year. I’ve prepped a couple of embroideries but only put in a few stitches. Things have been a bit hectic during the days. Plus I’m also procrastinating on my applique quilt because it has two very fine stems which will have to be cut on the bias as they bend and curl a bit. We’ll see how we do. Good for you, keep at it. Where do you buy your dressmaking patterns, I would love to have a go but something simple at first? Regards Mandy xx
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I tend to get my patterns from Jaycotts, I find their website easy to use.
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Thank you Margaret xx
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Maybe your problem is that you have too many tempting WIPs on the go to finish the quilt. You’ve come so far, just think how amazing it would be to have it finished and not nagging at you any more… Just now it looks as if you’re preferring smaller scale projects, which is totally understandable after the mammoth effort of the quilt! Could you maybe repeat the flower and leaf motifs from the corners of the central medallion instead of the 88 leaves?
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I think you’re right Kate, I’ve done quite a few big projects recently and sometimes I just need some finishes. I’ll try and get cracking with it 🙂
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Beautiful work. I always have more than one piece to finish. You will get it all done
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I think Kate has a very good insight here ~ that you are preferring the smaller projects, because of course there have been lots of other bigger quilts lately. the perfect solution will come to you. It’s not procrastination, it is giving your mind time to find the perfect solution. It will come.
And you have been very busy. The baby quilt is very cute!
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Thanks Anne, I think Kate is probably right 🙂
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I’m not sure but I reckon you must have done 20 already, that’s an impressive list of achievements.
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A wonderful set of projects. I particularly like what you have done with the Joomchi
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All of your projects are wonderful. No matter what your working on, I always enjoy seeing what’s done and in the works…here’s to a great year of crafting 🙂
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I had to look up Joomchi to see what it was. It seems to be a fascinating way to create paper. I now appreciate even more your sample. You have been plenty busy. Sometimes you have to take a break and let your mind rest as well as your body. Then you can fly.
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