One of my goals for 2018 is to become more focused in my quilting life. I have a tendency to get carried away with numerous project ideas bouncing recklessly in my brain, each competing for the top spot on my mental to-do list. Sometimes, I admit, it makes me feel scattered! I know I’m not alone. Other quilting friends in this new social media age have told me the same thing.
My first step toward quilting focus was to purchase Lori Holt’s Scrappy Project Planner. I ordered it from my friend and sponsor, Allison of My Timeless Day. We’re both big fans of Lori’s clear and concise pattern writing, as well as her self-proclaimed love of list making (a passion I share). Somehow I knew that Lori’s planner would suit my needs, and I was right!
The Scrappy Project Planner includes project planning/sketching pages, weekly planner pages, tips on organizing your scraps, and six awesome scrappy quilt patterns! It is spiral bound, printed on high quality paper, and just as cute as can be. I’ve only had my planner for a couple of weeks, and already three positive things have happened!
1. I created a list of quilts I want to make. That may sound like an obvious thing to do, but I have never done it before. It was exciting to see them all on paper, in one spot! Focus!
2. I read Lori’s tips on better organizing my scraps, and I’m going to make that a sub-goal for 2018! Act!
3. I feel a renewed desire to sew from my scraps and stash. I adore these fabrics I’ve been hoarding . . . why on earth am I not sewing from them? That’s going to change. Sew!
I felt so excited by #3 that I pulled out my much loved and long saved collection of Fig Tree creams and bit the bullet. (Or should I say, bit the rotary cutter?) I selected one of Lori’s patterns from the planner called “Happy Trails” and got to work, first in my planner, and then on the cutting mat!
While Lori\’s original quilt is much more colorful, I decided to make my chain the dominant color element (in red and green), with the low volume creams making up the main portions of the blocks. I\’ve made one block so far, and I\’m really pleased with the result!
Before any cutting, I used the planner to sketch out what was in my mind. I spend a lot of time working on my computer, so it was gratifying to pull out some colored pencils and play around on paper. You can see some of my doodles and notes below.
I also purchased some of Lori’s washi tape from My Timeless Day. Okay, that may have been a frivolous purchase, but I really like washi tape and it was super fun to tape fabric bits to my project planning page. (quilting nerd alert)
Here’s my Scrappy Project Planner, at work on my kitchen counter, in tandem with my personal daily planner. Right now I have 10 quilts on my Project List. Only three of them have deadlines and a couple are already in progress. The rest are just quilts I really want to make. This was a simple exercise that left me feeling very focused and excited.
Having said all this, I want to assure you that I will continue to get carried away now and then, and I think you should too. But, I am feeling a sense of quilting focus today that I am enjoying!
When I mentioned to Allison that I would be sharing my Scrappy Project Planner experience on my blog, she asked that I share some fun shop news from My Timeless Day. All of you Lori Holt fans will enjoy these tidbits:
The Let’s Bake Sew Along with Lori Holt starts next week, and My Timeless Day has a few Let’s Bake Quilt Kitsremaining in stock. You better snatch one up quickly!
Also (drum roll) Allison has just opened preorders on another fabulous quilt kit which will feature Lori Holt’s upcoming fabric collection, Autumn Love. Isn\’t this beautiful?
With that lovely news from My Timeless Day . . . I may have just lost my quilting focus. I better head over to my planner and rethink my project list.
~Taunja
I really enjoyed this blog post because you have hit the proverbial nail on the head. Ironically, I'm in the process of making a list of projects I'd really like to make this year and I'm using Lori Holt's planner (although I didn't want to ruin it by writing in it. LOL)
I know exactly what you mean! I'm the same way. I stared at it and looked through it several times before I could \”mess it up\” with my notes. Once you get past that, it's fun, isn't it? 🙂
Oh I am in love with your Fig Tree \”Happy Trails\” quilt!! Your fabrics are going to make a gorgeous quilt! I have Lori Holt's Planner, too. I got it more for the quilt patterns, but love seeing other \”organized\” sewist's plans !Susie
Like you Taunja, I am all over the place sometimes with my quilting ideas and projects. I need to write down everything and focus. I have always loved Fig tree fabrics–they are so soft and pretty. Love your block that you are doing with these fabrics. I am the person who won the Jingle birds fabric from Stash Addict quilts. That was the most exciting thing that happened to me since my mothers death. The quilt shop even included a Frixion pen and candy with my gift! Thank you so much, love your work and your blog.
I did get the planner this year. I am using pencil hahahaI am also digging into my hoard. It is time. This is going to be a productive year, I hope
Oh I hope it is to you and me both, Rosemary! Keep stitchin! Keep having fun! 🙂 Thanks so much for always stopping by!
That doesn't surprise me about the Stash Addict folks! They have always been so good to me too! I am so glad that came at just the right time for you, and was a cheery pick-me-up! Quilting should be a way to bring others joy! I really appreciate your support and following!
I think it is totally worth the purchase just for her patterns, so I get what you are saying! 🙂 I'm pretty excited with where this Figgy Happy Trails is going too. Thanks so much for your kind words and visiting my blog!
I love the focus that a planner brings. I carry one in my purse because sometimes there is just way too much going on and I can't retain it in my brain. So thankful for planners. That Scrappy Project Planner looks like a must have!!
Hi Taunja,I would love to see your Happy Trails low volume quilt finished and quilted! Is it done yet? Please post it! Thanks, you are a huge inspiration to me, thank you.Nina