UFOs and the "Stash" Resolutions for 2012

"I could open a shop with all the fabric I have at home..."
"I have sooo man kits that I haven't even opened yet...."
"I just can't buy any more fabric, I have so much..."

Sound familiar? As I shop owner, I hear comments like these all the time. 2012 is here and it is time to do something about all those unfinished projects!

Where do I start, you ask....at the top of the pile! Here are some helpful hints to get you started on your road to a UFO-free quilting existance:

1) Lock  yourself in your quilting room. Maybe it doesn't have a lock, that's okay, just get away from the kids, grandkids, husband...the distractions.
2) Take a deep breath. Yes, it may look like mountains of fabric, but remember you will conquer the pile!
3) Start to organize. Whether you prefer to organize by color, amount, or project, start a pile for each type.
-Remember to have a "what was I thinking" pile. Toss all fabric, kits, etc you can no longer see the beauty in into this pile. This pile will go to Goodwill, a church quilter's group, or to anyone who would jump at the chance for it.
4) Use bins or tubs to organize fabrics and a small see through bin or a box to put each full project in. It will keep the fabric together and keep them neat.
5) Make a list. What projects do you think you can get done this month, quarter, or year? Add only projects that are do-able and keep this list somewhere you can see it and keep it updated. There is nothing like crossing off one of those items!
6) Join a group. Talk to your guild or to your quilt shop to see if they have scrap or UFO groups. They will keep you interested in decreasing your to-dos while you get the latest gossip!

Do you have any ideas for reducing stash? What can we do at the shop to help you get rid of all your excess projects? (Short of tossing them, of course!)

Happy New Year!

Do you have a New Year's Resolution? I have plenty: lose some weight, spend more time at the gym, call my friends more often.  The one resolution I am going to have to really work on is spending more time keeping the website and blog site up to date. As you can tell I haven't been doing all that well at it...my last post was October!

So....2012 resolution....blog more often and include recipes and patterns or tips in my blogs. Hope you enjoy the "new me"...

Katie

Pie Social at Quilt Essential

Please join us for a pie social
Thursday, October 27th from 4-8pm!

Free pie and coffee.

See you there!

Katie

Long time, no post!

Just back from the show in Fargo (Indian Summer Quilt Show). Whew.  We blew through most of our fall and Christmas items and are re-kitting as much as we can. We even got to show a few brand new items at the show, "Christmas in the Country" and "Believe". Very cool.

After I got back, Sherry and Mercedes got an itch to try out a tool that is new to us, the Double Diamond tool. They came up with the runner below:

Super cute! (The binding hasn't been hand stitched yet).

3 Times the Charm

I finished one of the very neat, very fast projects in the 3 Times the Charm book today. "Greta" is made out of the Terrain Charm Pack, Moda solid for sashing, and bordered in a batik (since Terrain will come out later this summer). I love it! Very cute, but kinda small. It would be an easy table topper or use a couple charm packs to make it bigger. Fun, fun!

charms on sale

As part of our Christmas in July sale, select charm pcks are buy 3 get one free this week! Stop in early for best selection!

Christmas in July

We've been inundated with fabric this week! Northern Cardinals by Holly Taylor for Moda came in yesterday, oh so pretty. I'm sure the line won't last too long on the shelves.

An extra helping of Winterberry Lane arrived as well as Countdown to Christmas, Merry and Bright, and I Love Snow Flannel. I'm about half done with the I Love Snow quilt, it is adorable.

In addition to all the bolted fabric, eleven lines of charms came in...we are now officially up to our ears in charm packs!

Last, but coolest of all, a line of Frixion pens in Red arrived and I was eager to try them out. They write on fabric and iron off with one swipe of the iron. They are REALLY COOL. We've been playing with them a lot the last couple days :)