2013 Quilting Recap and a Goal for 2014

I hope y'all all had a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year. After our Vegas trip, it seems as if Christmas just rushed in and we've had company coming and going and coming. Many batches of cinnamon rolls have been made and devoured and much merriment was made. Now much walking off of said cinnamon rolls and merriment must take place. If a little round belly that shook when you laughed like a bowlful of jelly' was a requirement for North Pole employment, I would fit the bill quite nicely.

Y'all may be wondering if I still even sew. I think it was September the last time I sat behind my sewing machine. I know. I see you shaking your heads and tsk, tsking, but I've even been too busy to miss it much.

 In short: I had company for a week, cooked for a crew for a couple of weeks when we worked cattle, our boy was home for a couple of weeks on his pre-deployment leave, I made a trip to see my Mom for a week, we went to the WRCA for 3 days, had surgery, Thanksgiving arrived, we went to Vegas for 4 days, and then suddenly it was Christmas!  Hence, sewing has not made an appearance since early September.

 I enjoyed every minute of those last 4 months though and I wanted to soak in all the time with loved ones I could. When either of the kids is home, sewing is the last thing on my mind. Now, with January already marching along at a brisk pace, I am beginning to feel the need to stitch...and catch up with all of you.

I feel like I didn't get much done in 2013, but pulling it all together in a collage, made me realize that I DID make progress.

13 quilts completed in 2013. I set out to finish as many unfinished projects as I could and I was excited to cross off  8 of those. I started out the year with 18 so I still have some to finish including 2 quilts that just need binding. I imagine I'll get to those during the Olympics...maybe. But that brings the total completed UFOs to 10 and I'll just keep chipping away at the others.

 My goal in 2014 is to refrain from buying much fabric. I need an intervention and when I popped over to Staci's blog, I found help. Thank you, Staci! I like that she is committing to 6 months of fabric fasting. That seems much more feasible than the whole year and come July 1st, I can reevaluate. My stash is starting to take over and although I know that just comes with the territory if you are a quilter, I really hope to make a dent in my fabric collection. I'm running out of room and I refuse to buy one more container. So if you too are a quilter in need of an intervention, you can visit Jess at the Eleven Garden and join in here.

                                                              

I know I will need fabric for backings, but if I buy that for particular projects, then I won't be adding to the fabric insanity. I am going to stop and pray for strength before I walk into any fabric stores this year. Or better yet, just don't walk into any, but we all know that's not likely to happen so your snort of laughter is entirely appropriate. Of course, if I want to make a dent in my fabric stash, I probably ought to make some time to actually sew.