2024 Planning Party Q2

Hi Quilting Friends

Time to check in on those 2024 goals, as Q2 has wrapped up. A big “thank you!” to Yvonne @ quiltingjetgirl for hosting the update! Let’s see how things are going so far. . .

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My Goals for 2024

Goal 1- Play With Toys

I have toys (patterns, rulers, gadgets, books, etc.) in my studio that I haven’t played with (yet). My goal was to choose a toy, play with it, and post about my project.

Update– Significant progress.

I’ve pieced the blocks from a kit that I received from a friend. It’s called “Holidays at Home”, by Bloom Creek.

The kit is divided into five monthly packets, plus a finishing kit. I’ve finished piecing all of the blocks, and I’m ready to assemble the quilt during the next quarter. Here’s a picture-

Goal 2- Play With Scraps

My goal was to use scraps to create at least 3 scrappy projects, and then write a post about my creations.

Update- Completed during Q1.

Of course, I have more scraps. Here are the new scrappy projects that I’ve finished since the end of March-

Goal 3- Play With UFOs

Even though my UFO collection is much smaller than it was a few years ago, I still have a stack of several UFO quilts. My goal was to choose one of these larger UFOs and take it across the finish line.

Update– Some progress.

I’ve decided to get started on the Lone Star quilt, and I plan to hand quilt it. It’s 85″ x 85″, so I may not be able to get it finished during 2024. At this time the quilt has been basted, but I’ve had other ongoing projects that have priority, and so I haven’t done any quilting yet.

The other UFO quilts in the slide show will NOT be hand-quilted, so I will choose one of them to finish this year. I’m leaning toward “Star Party”, with the white ground and bright pieced stars, or “Scrappy Sampler”, with the black ground and solid blocks.

Here’s my evil plan! Susan has a Gammill Statler longarm (Rosie), and she needs some practice with this style of quilt. Susan has mastered edge-to-edge quilting designs, as well as making “cut-outs” around an applique, but she is still learning to manage custom quilting the individual blocks and a separate border.

I intend to take my quilt to Susan’s studio for some “lessons”. I’d like to learn how to operate the longarm on my own, and that takes practice. I’m hoping that Susan will have some time to play with me next quarter.

Goal 4- Play With Online Friends

My goal was to participate in several regularly-scheduled activities, including-

• “Sew It Show It Challenge”
• “One Monthly Goal”
• “Rainbow Scrap Challenge”
• “PHD in 2024” (I’m the host this year!)
• “#2024QuiltingQ2Checkin” (This post is my Q2 update.)

Update- Progressing as expected. You can see links to my most recent posts for each activity on the list above.

Goal 5- Play Outside

My goal was to take at least 30 minutes each day to enjoy the outdoors and get some exercise. I was hoping to do this 6 out of 7 days (85.7% completion of the daily goal).

Update- Progress is on target to accomplish this goal.

According to spreadsheet that I use as a tracker, I have met my goal for 95.6% of the days for the second quarter, and 89.0% of the days so far in 2024.

Now that school is out (forever, since I’ve retired), I can be more flexible with my exercise schedule and I have fewer excuses to skip. I know that I always feel better at the end of the day when I’ve exercised. (It’s addictive that way!)

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How are you coming along with your 2024 goals? Do tell! I love reading your comments.

Happy quilting,

Sharon