And now, looking forward

I thought that while I'm thinking of what I'd like to accomplish this year, I'd take a look at what  I wanted to accomplish last year. And whether I managed to accomplish anything at all. Sometimes it seems that I did very little, but I know from this post yesterday that is not how 2019 went down. 

Back in January 2019 I wrote that I'd like to try to

• continue cleaning and organizing the studio
• finish the last piece in my Bipolar series
• continue work on the cotton series
• make a low-volume, neutral quilt for our bed
• keep going with the modern quilt guild and lean toward that aesthetic 
• teach at other guild meetings
• use up some scraps
• have fun with improv quilts 

The lines in blue are the ones I completed or accomplished in some way. The last piece of the Bipolar series is still sitting on the design wall. It may not happen. 

Connection #4 of the Bipolar series

Teaching at other guild meetings did not happen, at all! I think I'll make that my priority for this year. I'm off to a good start now that I've become a GSQA circuit teacher, but I haven't worked toward getting my name out where people might see it. Hmm, I would LOVE suggestions on ways to accomplish that. Please.

Otherwise, I like my goals from last year and will try to improve on those that are doable. Here are the new/old goals:

1. get my name out as a GSQA circuit teacher
2. send out letters and flyers to guilds in the state announcing my teaching curriculum and build a calendar for the blog
3. apply for national teaching gigs
4. continue cleaning and organizing the studio
5. keep going with the modern quilt guild and lean toward that aesthetic 
6. use up some yardage and scraps 
7. have fun with AHIQ improv challenges 
8. quilt and complete at least five of the tops that are in the "To Be Quilted" bin
9. help Marley with a few more projects

Looking back, preparing to look forward

To See Such Fun

We're in a new year it seems, so it's time to look back. I'll look forward in a day or so, but I need time to process last year. So much has happened, two new babies in the family, the loss of Richard's dad, my hospital stay and surgery. 

Another Red Feather from Red Is a Neutral challenge

Still, as it turns out, I've been quite busy in my little world. 

Dora and Diego 

Busy with what, you might be asking yourself (because I did set myself up for that question). My sassy answer is finish reading the post. But I'm not particularly sassy. 

Mr. Stripey made by Marley

I made or finished several quilts, taught a grandie to sew as she made her own quilt. All of these are quite small--lap or baby quilts, and a few are some tops that I simply quilted. That basket of tops waiting to be quilted is just a little lighter.

Pink Pieces

A Touch of Teal

We finally finished our bedroom and bathroom remodel, which ended the procrastinating to make (or buy?) a cover for the bed.

The Biggest Finish

The Biggest Finish required a great deal of time and effort to complete because, well, it's the biggest finish. It's bigger than a normal king so that it has a nice, long drape to hide that huge mattress. I don't remember the crazy measurements, but it may be the reason I'm going to therapy for this shoulder.

Dresden Teaching Quilt

So those are the quilts I made: from cutting to binding, even if they've been languishing for a year or four. 

Apparently I did some things that are not on my normal Things To Do list.
A quick rundown:

• made monkey costumes for Beta 
• learned to use the Silhouette machine and completed several projects
• chaired the silent auction (and donated items) for the annual church fair
• turned Daddy's old wooden ladder into two quilt ladders (thanks to Richard)
• and I organized this thread cabinet he made for me (It's crazy how much time that took.)
• 
  

I also ended my presidency for the Cotton Quilters' Guild, managed the CQG quilt show and managed a (first time) CQG sewing room tour, including my room.

Finally, I tackled Doctor Zhivago Yes, reading is generally on my list, but this book!

Retirement is paying off, and I started some new things that I'd like to pursue, such as

1. GSQA meeting (circuit teacher)
2. GSQA Pursuit of Excellence class
3. BRMQG retreat (three finished tops)
4. CFAL show (Baton Rouge)
5. Quilters' Guild Acadienne show (Lafayette)
6. Houston 2019

Reese's Quilt

And then there were a couple of customer quilts. This first one is for my sister, so it didn't pay much. :) But the ones below did and 
have a special meaning for me, as well. There's a fourth that I didn't get a picture of.

If you know anything about my world, you know there is always an art project going,either sitting near my chair, ready to put needle and thread to, or on the studio worktable. I'm still into art quilts. 

Bayou Des Glaises at Bordino Crossing

Cotton on Green 2

Cotton on Green 1

We have our aches and pains. Richard has some health issues, pain in his neck and back, plantar fasciitis, and an annoying frozen elbow. I fall apart, temporarily, then pull it together again--thank you, Bipolar Disorder. 

Cave in Yellowstone

But all of those are simply the result of living a longer life and we are grateful that it's not worse--there are, after all, so many, many illnesses and horrors in the world. 

Indigo Dusk

We feel blessed to be turning 60 (soon). To know that we are loved by God. To have healthy children, grand children, and great-grandchildren. To be able to help others. To be able to live the life we love.

Big Sky in Montana

Happy New Year! 

What Have I Done?

Last year, on January 15, I finally wrote this post looking back at 2017 and, maybe, thought about what I'd do for 2018. A couple of things before I go any farther: 
1. I'm right on time. 
2. I didn't actually write down what those thoughts or plans were. 
3. I surely do not remember. Even after reading that post. So, 
4. I'm probably not getting much of this right.   

That's okay. If you're reading this, you probably know me. And don't have very high expectations.  Good point. So what did I accomplish? Well, it's been difficult figuring it out, but I think I have a good inkling.

Memory Quilts! It must have been the year of the memory quilt. I made five. Wow! And I don't really like making tee shirt quilts. 

Studio cleanup! Most of my gain this year was something I don't think I really intended to accomplish. I was inspired by the many beautiful photos that I've seen in a Facebook group called "Sewing Room Ideas." I've cleaned, folded or rolled fabric, downsized, purged, and generally improved the studio. 

Richard built two pieces of furniture for me. The "hutch" above, which is within arm's reach of the long-arm and this cubbie tower in the closet. It is meant to fit perfectly in the approximate 2½ feet of wall space that had not already been filled with shelving. It's been a life saver in a sense. I fold anything that won't roll on a cardboard and stack it here. Separating prints and solids has also been a real time-saver. I don't have to dig through one to find the other.

I absolutely need to keep working on this "scrub and clean" project!

Month by month outline
January: Something for Jake, Cotton Quilters' Guild presidency begins 
February: The Harley Quilt  
March: pincushions, Billy's Memory Quilt
April: Paducah Quilt Week
May: Two single block quilt finishes, Alan's Crown Royal
June: Mrs. Bertha's quilt top
July: Milly's dresses
August: LSU Memories, Row by Row
September: Bipolar art series (4 complete in two months)
October: Faith, Write 31 Days "Quilting teaches me..." posts 
November: Gina's Surprise, small items, Father Ibe's 50th birthday quilt, Dropcloth
December: pillows, wedding dress alteration 

So I completed only seven normal size quilts. But there were lots of small art quilts and other projects in the mix. Some of those are the Bipolar Art series, of which I have four complete; the cotton paintings, I think there are now 6 or 7; and lots of little dresses. Lots. I have no idea how many. There's even one that Milly hasn't worn. I'm hoping it will still fit in the spring as it is sleeveless. Of course, we can add a long-sleeve tee on a chilly day.

Having all the kids in the house really consumed my studio time. It's hard to believe that for six months we were living in the camper. We transitioned there and back so smoothly that there's no sting in the memory of it. 

Now that we're back, we've been working on the house. I say "we" but I mean "he." Richard has been powering through without me. Thanks to the boys, we're almost finished with the master bed and bath. 

And here we are in the middle of January. I've tried writing goals in years past, then forget I had planned ahead. I get so caught up in a project, I don't think about those goals. At the end of the year, I have to admit defeat. That's probably why I didn't write much in the way of plans for 2018. Well that and my world was upside down. 

But I've decided to make another attempt, so for 2019 I'd like to try to

• continue cleaning and organizing the studio
• finish the last piece in my Bipolar series
• continue work on the cotton series
• make a low-volume, neutral quilt for our bed
• keep going with the modern quilt guild and lean toward that asthetic 
• use up some scraps
• have fun with improv quilts 
• teach at other guild meetings 

Not a bad list. Just vague enough to have lots of wiggle room but still be able to call them goals. What is your most important goal for 2019?

Minus Yards Challenge: and other goals

It's already 1/10/2017! I was planning to make plans for the new year. I guess it's time.  These plans will push me. Hard. But it's what I want for the year that I plan to retire. I want to grow, learn, read, make, write, do. 

Used in 2016:	97½
Added in 2016:	43½
Difference:	54 yds

• "Minus 100 Yards Challenge." I read a recent post on Something Rosemade  in which Rose challenged herself to use 100 yards of fabric above whatever she collected. I'm not that confident. I'm going to challenge myself to use 100 yards. Yep, that's it. Use up 100 yards of fabric from my stash.  (I almost did it in 2016.) Thanks, Rose, I think it's a great idea! 

• Increase content. I am an average gal. I can peck out about four posts weekly.  Oh, I can get five out, but not on a regular basis, apparently. I tried last year...I failed. I'll just shoot for my best and most but expect about four a week.

• More finishes.  Last year challenged myself to more small projects. Great win! I do owe two more king quilts to those boys of mine, so maybe those biggies and lots of littles.

From my scrap bin

• Use more scraps. When I said AmandaJean at Crazy Mom Quilts is my scrap inspiration, I was saying the right words. Wow, I used up some scraps. I'll use more this year.

• Keep track of fabric usage. Easy peasy: figure out how many yards I use for each project and keep track.  Win! I'm doing that again! Plus, it will help me stay on board for the "Minus 100 Yards Challenge."
• Pinterest. You know I like my boards. Winner! Going to continue through 2017. Hope you'll come along.

• Modern Quilting. Read more modern quilting books, maybe even write about them. Watch a few more Craftsy classes. Check out the free stuff on the MQG website. Definitely I want to sew more modern, improv quilts and this, I hope, will help me achieve that goal.  
• Read.  Read and read and read. Pick up those classics that I've been trying to get to. What a win that would that be! 
• Write.  Write on my blog but also write about other subjects. And write in a deeper way about my quilt journey. We'll see what I can accomplish in this area.

Things that went South in a burning basket and I won't attempt again this year.

Better photos. The impossible one. Really. I may have gottten worse. I tried a Craftsy class, huge failure. No excuses. I'm an idiot. Loss. Giving it up. Sorry.

And that's the plan. Or plans. All possible. 
Enough to push myself to read, write, grow, learn, do, make.

What plans have you made for 2017? 

Pin It Weekly #96

It feels so much like a Sunday that I'd already begun a Sunday Quilt Inspiration before realizing that it should be Pin It instead.  

We have the Rose Parade going on TV, so I thought I'd share a few pins that I found from previous parades.

I've found a wonderful Pinterest board with almost 300 pins specifically for Rose Bowl photos.  

Thank you Cindy Dunstan for your Rose Bowl Parade board!

Here's hoping that you're having a wonderful New Year's Day.  

Happy 2015

Christmas, puppies, and Grandpa

Here's hoping that you and your family had a wonderful Christmas.  At the Marcotte home, this Christmas was one of the best.  Although two of the grandchildren had a virus the week before, they were recovered enough to visit and spend the night.  All others are well and accounted for, and we counted our many, many blessings as we attended mass then sat down for Christmas dinner with our children and grandchildren beside us.  

Candy and her two pups

In case there wasn't enough chaos and merriment in our household on Christmas Eve, our Maltese, Candy, decided it would be a good time to birth her puppies.  She did very well for a first timer with a house full of guests and has proven herself an excellent little momma!

Five days old

Today the puppies are five days old and already we can see how much they've grown.  They whimper loudly for such tiny babies, move around and on top of each other and, apparently, are getting lots of milk because they sure are some round little babies.  Pink noses, ears, feet and tummies, they do resemble lab rats but with much cuter faces. Cotton and Candy are awfully proud, but then they did  manage to produce a cute little pair of pups! 


In the meantime, I managed to work up a terrific migraine and spent three days doing my own whimpering.  A Frova tablet combined with lots of sleep (well, sort of sleep) and it finally broke last night, so today I was able to visit my dad for his 82nd birthday!  Now there's a proud poppa!  

All of my sisters and many of our children and grandchildren were there to celebrate, so we had a grand time.  It was wonderful to visit with my sisters, and though they begin leaving tomorrow, there are a few more days of visiting before we all return to work, family and commitments.  


In fact, we're have a "gumbo cook-off" here on Friday.  I likely won't be blogging on Friday night as a result, but I'll give the results of the gumbo tasting and try to get a few pictures as well.  Keep in mind, however, that there will easily be 25 people in and around my house on Friday, so who knows what I may be able to pull off!


In the meantime, feel free to vote for my blog on Picket Fence--just click the button on the upper right.  


Have a Happy New Year!
Happy Quilting,
Mary