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Saturday, January 12, 2008

A New Year

The past year I wasn't able to accomplish the goals I had set for myself in quilting or in health and fitness. I was doing pretty well until I ended up in the hospital in July, then when I was getting going again, my Dad had a heart attack and passed away.


2007 Goals accomplished:

_Strippy Solar Quilt for a child in the Quilt Studio 40 Quilts Challenge

_8 monthly quilts done for the12 x12 x12 Challenge (Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Oct)

_Pieced top for Sean's Mythical Horses Quilt (see photo)

_13 of the 39 blocks finished (26 made in 2006) for the Women of the Bible quilt

_7 blocks of the Praying the Names of Jesus quilt



We are blessed in that we are constantly being given a new chance, and with this new year I am setting goals again, both in quilting and in health and fitness. I find that without goals that have definite daily tasks to accomplish, it is too easy to drift along and not get anything significant done.

Healthwise, it is essential for me to take off weight and to strengthen my muscles with aerobic exercise and stretching. My goal is to take off 50 pounds in 2008. In order to visualize this, I bought a 4 pound package of lard; that is the amount I will need to take off each month to reach my goal. Can you imagine how big a chunk of lard I'd have with 12 of these lumped together!?

In order to accomplish this goal I will need to stick to a healthy and doable eating plan as well as exercising at Curves 3 times a week and walking on the other days.







My quilting goals are:

_Finish 4 UFOs, Mike's Bargello, Mom's Album, Alex's Depression Toys, and Sean's Mythical Horses quilts; they all need to be assembled and quilted, either by me or sent out to a professional quilter.

_Finish the December 12 x 12 Challenge block.

_I will learn to do free motion quilting with the new sewing machine foot I bought earlier this year and haven't removed from it's bag.









_I will piece the top of Carl's antique airplane quilt from the Depression Era reproduction fabrics I've collected. I need to figure out how to do the layout on EQ5.


_I will finish the 10 remaining blocks of the Women of the Bible Quilt and assemble the top.

_I will finish the 20 remaining blocks of the Praying the Names of Jesus Quilt and assemble the top.


_I will make a block a week (30 total) for the Quilting the Names of God online study group.

_I will make one small experimental landscape quilt each month, as my own Challenge for this year.


As a gesture of good faith, I actually finished the first Quilting the Names of God block this week as we were studying it. The first name is from the first chapter of the Bible, Genesis, God, Mighty Creator. The block is Light and Dark done in black, white and gold fabrics from a collection of fat quarters with gold touches (see photo) that I found at the Creative Cloth Closet in Canon City. I wanted to get an effect similar to the William Blake painting of The Ancient of Days.

17 comments:

Debra Dixon said...

Maybe it is time to get the Quilter's Lounge back into motion for 2008. Are you game?

Micki said...

You got quite a bit accomplished last year, way more than me. Good luck with your plan for losing weight. I know how hard that is. I wish you the best of luck and health for this year.

Kim said...

Love your list Fran! I'm looking forward to seeing you accomplish everything (and more!)

The lard... now, that's a four pound none of us wants!

Rose said...

Just wondered if it helps you to have a list actually typed out of the goals you want to accomplish? I have never sat and made an actual list and I have heard that people who actually make lists get more done.

DebbyMc said...

Wow, that's a good list! I will enjoy seeing pictures throughout the year of your goals accomplished! Good luck with the healthy eating and exercising...I like to walk by the lake, there is so much inspiration there...

Rian said...

Wow, I think you did a LOT in 2007 and your list for 2008 is pretty industrious too. I stopped doing the goal list because I change directions all the time. I don't think I got more done by having a list, I just got self-disappointed by it. Now I live in the moment and just do what I do.

Dorothy said...

You've set some loft goals, and I have no doubt that you'll achieve them. You're a mighty force, Fran.

You accomplished so much last year despite your trials, this year you'll be unstoppable.

And that four pound blob of lard is disgusting. LOL!

allie aller said...

More power to you, Fran! I know you can reach your goals..or most of them! The exercise one seems to me the most important..all good things flow from being physically active!

Looking forward to seeing your beautiful work.

Anonymous said...

Just surviving two major set-backs is pretty darned admirable. That's the thing about setting goals and resolutions--there's no way to factor in life's surprises. (But my money's always on you, girl.)

McIrish Annie said...

Fran, it sounds like you are feeling better. I hope this year sees you thinner and surrounded by quilts!

Juryizstillout said...

Wow, I never get tired of seeing that quilt you did for the kids! I'm so happy I sent that to you and it's simply beautiful.

I'm sorry I'm just now getting back in to the blogging groove. To answer your question about my graphics: I click on Google and go to images. And just sort of hunt for what I'm after.

Jen said...

Fran, I think you did pretty well for yourself in 2007. It was challenging in so many ways, yet here you are looking forward and setting goals. I think you are inspiring! I look forward to seeing your work. Jen

Quilter In Paradise said...

Fran,,, we have some of the same goals ---- I need to loose about 50 pounds this year, too! You can find me at quiltramblings.blogspot.com...

we should keep track of each other - fellow encouragement works!

great quilts, too!

beth

Perry said...

You have a lot of goals you are attempting this year. Good luck with every one of them. Keep the faith!

Deb Hardman said...

Good for you Fran. You accomplished a lot last year, good luck with the new list!

Claudia Meydrech said...

Thank you, my Colorado friend, for mentioning my HerBulletin Blog in one of your posts, I've added you to my blogroll there.

I saw your resolutions. We have more than a few friendly folks gathering for a weight loss challenge, it's just for fun, no pressure, just friendly support. There's people sponsoring prizes, should be fun!

Have a blessed Sunday,
Claudia

Samantha said...

Wonderful goals, Fran. You're on an amazing path this year!!