2017 Goals

Since 2017 starts tomorrow, it's time to put some goals in writing.  I've been thinking about this for a week or two, and I've enjoyed seeing goals set by others through the 2017 Planning Party hosted by Yvonne at Quilting Jet Girl.

Big Picture/Overall Goals

Goal: Big Quilts
I'm not super comfortable quilting big quilts.  Well, the quilting process is probably where I'm least comfortable for any size quilt, but I especially struggle with large quilts.  I have a few big projects on my list of what I'm hoping to finish in 2017, so working with big quilts and hopefully at least getting over my mental block is a goal.

Goal: Focus on what's already started and what I own
This is hard to quantify.  I have a lot of fabric.  I also have a lot of ideas.  While I do finish things, it's easy for me to finish one thing and start 3 more.  I don't want to stifle my creativity because quilting is my outlet, but I also want to think critically before I jump into a ton of new projects.   I also don't want to completely limit buying new fabric, but I'd like to use up far more than I take in.

Goal: Maintain Commitments
I'm in 2 bees this year: Stash Bee, where I'm also a Hive Mama, and Bee Inspired, which is a small group of us that came out of the 2016 New Quilt Blogger's Hop.  I commit to fulfilling my obligations on time.

Goal: Remember that "It's okay watch from the sidelines and still be inspired"
That phrase is in quotes because it comes directly from Diana at Red Delicious Life.  She summed up what I have been thinking about for the past few weeks.  I see a lot of quilt alongs and similar events and I want to do them all, but I can't.  I can watch and appreciate what others do without needing to join them all along the way.   

Goal: Blog Styling
I wasn't sure what to call this.  Basically, I have a pretty bare bones blog and I have some ideas of features I want to add, but I haven't sat down to figure it out and do it.  I did the 2016 New Quilt Blogger's Hop and I learned a lot.  I know some people in the group are talking about doing it again; I don't know what the rules are on that, but I do know I want to put some time in to the blog beyond writing posts.

Goal: Use my Quilter's Planner
I didn't have a Quilter's Planner for 2016, but I saw a lot of action online.  I decided to get one for 2017.  I suspect this will be more of a Quilter's Journal for me, because I use an online calendar for work and I add the major household stuff to that and it doesn't make sense to keep 2 calendars.  So what I need to do is figure out what using it looks like for me, and if it's something I want to continue beyond 2017.

Quantitative Goals

12 quilts donated to Project Linus
6 mini quilts or pillows completed
6 scrap projects completed

I am also making a list of 12 projects as a part of All People Quilt's 2017 UFO challenge.  While I think it is unlikely I will finish all 12, it is a list of things I want to work on.  And 2 projects on that list need to be evaluated if I don't touch them--I need to decide if I am going to finish them or if I should move on by either using the parts in something else or passing on to another quilter.

This now seems like a long list!  I'm excited to see what I accomplish in 2017!