Slow Off the Starting Block

yup.  I thought I'd be fast and furious for 2015, at least when it comes to quilting.  But here it is, already January 6, before I even step both feet into the Studio.  Since before Christmas, it's been one foot in to toss things, and then step out again.  oh.  my.  That does not bode well for the year...good thing I'm not much for paying attention to omens!  ;)

Today I sat down with my 2015 UFO list.  hmmm.  hem.  haw.  How many?  Well....it looks to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 38 UFO's.  I think I only added seven.  That might be a new record low, both of New Year's additions, and carryovers from the past.  Not bad.  Not bad at all.

So.  What have I been doing, instead of quilting?  Well, I've been spending a lot of time out at the walnuts, hanging out with Roscoe, and cleaning.

 He's still skin and bones, but his wounds are healing.  His ear and muzzle were the worst.  They probably still hurt.

I haven't been good about checking in with other bloggers.  But Franki's blog pops into my inbox, so I don't have to go looking for it.  She had this post on Christmas, that inspired me.  When I finally, finally got my Christmas cards out yesterday, I sat down with some of the extras and tried my hand at transforming them into boxes.

I think I need some practice, but these aren't too bad for a first attempt.  :)

As I said, today I finally wandered into the Studio.  My plan was to clean up an area and MAKE a plan.  But I got distracted.  That seems to be a theme these days.  I found several woven quiltlets that needed to be secured.

 After an hour or so, they were all stitched down and trimmed.  Now they are back in my quiltlet box, waiting for the next birthday or event that needs commemorating.

 Lest you think that I haven't thought a thing about quilting, I have proof that I've at least thought about it.

In the bottom righthand corner is a stack of new Christmas fabrics.  Yes, I succumbed to the lure of a New Year's sale.  I think I came away with a record low 7 yards.  Since my actual need was 0 yards, I may have overbought. 

Then again, my two LARGE bins of Christmas fabric have been condensed to a single bin after all of the Christmas sewing I did this year.  I may have been low on a few Christmas colors, and the price was most definitely right.

The photo also shows you the enlargement of one of my quilts-to-be.  I would LOVE to be able to have this one together for a Call for Entry in September.  Goals are good, and all that.  In the foreground is a belated birthday card that still isn't together enough to mail. 

So.  January, 2015.  A New Year, a new UFO list, a new set of deadlines.  What is my first quilting goal?  I would love to have Daniel & Monica's wedding quilt finished to enter in Best of the Valley.  That means I have about 6 weeks to finish piecing and quilt a queen-sized quilt.

On your mark.  Get set.  Sew!!

P.S.  I just remembered the three baby quilts that I cut out last year but never sewed together.  oops!