The Denim Project

A couple weeks ago, I went through my sons' closets. I cleared out all their jeans that had massive holes or were too small. My 9 year-old son had 8 pairs to donate to this project. EIGHT! I stuffed all these cast-offs into my denim bin and could hardly close the lid. I knew it was time to get to work.

Babco Unlimited - The Denim Project

With my (good) sewing machine still at the Sewing Machine Hospital, I've been keeping busy with non-sewing machine projects. There are always tons of non sewing projects to work on. Or always a project I can do all the prep work for. However, suddenly all I can think of doing are projects that require a sewing machine! Why is it always like that?

I already have a large pile of 5" squares cut, which started to feel boring. So I decided I needed to find other ways to use up my stash.

After spending some time on pintrest, I've discovered many other denim projects. Here are some of my favorite denim quilts.

Image sources clockwise starting top-left: strippy quilt, denim cathedral window, triangle quilt, climbing the walls

It's okay to have lots of ideas...I obviously have a lot of denim to cut up. And with 3 active kids, I think I will always have a supply of old denim.

Linked up with Let's Bee Social here.

A Broken Sewing Machine

I'm so sad! My sewing machine is sick. Boo! I totted my machine to a local sewing shop to take a class on machine embroidery. We both entered the shop, but only I returned. Dun-dun-dun!

My embroidery module doesn't want to work. My teacher and I tried everything, but to no avail.  I've had to leave my machine with the technician...who is 2 weeks out.

So.....now I twiddle my thumbs and clean my house. Haha--just kidding! I've still have so many other fun things to do.

I am worried about my January goal. I don't think I'm going to be able to finish up my quilting with my machine in the sewing machine hospital.

A New "Old" Chair

Look what's new in my sewing room! A new "old" chair. This beautiful antique chair belonged to my great-great aunt, and I feel so blessed to have it. 

Antique Chair

January Goals

All those goals I set for myself for 2015 won't happen by themselves! They need some help along the way. I love the 'Lovely Year of Finishes' Linky Party for that very reason. Little steps and small goals in the right direction to keep me moving forward.

JANUARY GOAL: Finish all quilting on Wheel of Fortune Quilt.

Wheel of Fortune Quilt

I'm so close to finishing this quilt! All my spirals are quilted, and I'm so happy with it.

Wheel of Fortune Quilt

I can totally finish up all my quilting on this beauty.

Linked up with Lovely Year of Finishes here.

2015 Here I come!

Calvin just has a way of saying things perfectly, don't you think? I think I'm pretty awesome, but I do have some goals for this coming year. There are projects I want to complete, new skills I want to conquer, and life I want to enjoy.

GOAL #1 -- UFO Project: Finish at least 6 of my current WIP projects.

I need to conquer a few UFOs. As I've been organizing my new sewing room, I've come to realize that several of my UFOs are so close to being completed. I want to finish at least 6 of my current WIP projects, including:

• Project: Fractured Flower Quilt

Fractured Flower Quilt

I'm still mad at this project, so it hangs out in a time-out bin. I just need to buck up and finish it. All the rows are sewn, I just need to sew the rows together. That is all! 

• Project: Wheel of Fortune Quilt

Wheel of Fortune Quilt

Again, so close to finishing this one. Just need to finish quilting the edges. I've already made the binding. Not much longer.

• Project: Cathedral Window Pillow

Modern Cathedral Window Quilt

This only just recently joined my WIP page, but I'm anxious to complete it only because I LOVE Cathedral Window quilts. I want to make a pillow for my quilting Great-Great Aunt's chair I inherited.

• Project: Purse

I have been intimidated by this project. I absolutely LOVE this purse, but I've never done anything like this so I'm afraid. I'm afraid I won't understand the instructions. I'm afraid I'll mess it up. I'm afraid mine won't be as pretty. 

My goal is to banish the fear, learn something new, and embrace what comes. (fingers crossed)

GOAL #2 -- Learn New Skills: There is so many things I still want to learn!

• Skill: Free Motion Quilting--I have had so much fun quilting my own projects. I want to explore new FMQ patterns. I especially want to improve my feathers. I've been eyeballing a class on Craftsy called Free-Motion Quilting Feathers. Hmmmm.....maybe I'll take the class.

• Skill: Machine Embroidery--My mom LOVES machine embroidery. It is her  preferred method of quilting her quilts. My new (to me) sewing machine has an emboidery module, and I want to learn how to use it. I might love it, I might hate it, I might thing "meh." But I want to learn the basics. 

• Skill: Crochet--I know this isn't a quilting skill, but I still want to learn to do it. My craft pintrest board is being filled up with more and more crochet projects. 

GOAL #3 -- Enjoy Life: Be Grateful for Each Day!

I want to be able to go to bed each night knowing I accomplished something good. It could be supporting my kids with their various sports activities, making a new friend, finished a quilting goal, or cleaning my fridge.

This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. -- Psalms 118:24

This has long been my favorite scripture because it reminds me that each day is gift. Each day is a new beginning. And I should make something out of every day.

Here's wishing everyone a Happy New Year! I'm excited for what 2015 might bring.