The Year of the Pig

As I'm sure you know, the Chinese name each year after a different animal. For me, this year is the Year of the Pig. I have sooooo many PIGS ( also known as UFOs) in my sewing room that it has truly become a PIG STY! I spent a good hour ( Here Piggy, Piggy, Piggy! ) looking in every nook and cranny for those PIGS in hiding. I came up with a list of 25 (not too bad) which you will see in my sidebar now called Pigs in the Poke. I had forgotten about some of them but others have been calling to me. "Finish me, pick me next!" I can't take the squealing any longer!!!!


So the first of my resolutions for 2009 is to get as many of these piggies done as possible. Surprisingly, some just need binding, others are flimsies that need to be quilted, and there are a few that are truly just a few blocks in a bag. I really want to spend the first couple of months of the year clearing out old projects and freeing up space not only in my sewing room but in my head. I still like all of these projects but for one reason or another, I never got them done. I feel like they are weighing me down like a quilted albatross around my neck. I hope by finishing these up it will free my head creatively to work on other things.


The second thing I'd like to do is finish cutting up my scraps. I have one (sort of LARGE) wicker basket that needs to be sorted, ironed and cut. My scrap management system ala Bonnie is in place so I just need to allot some time each day to iron and cut. I hope to spend 15-20 minutes a day on this little project.


The third is to do some knitting and quilting for charity. I am hooked on the knitting and I have only so many nephews and nieces with heads and hands (well, they all have head and hands, LOL) to be covered. I am looking into different organizations to donate hats, mittens and scarves. If anyone knows of a worthy group, let me know. And three of the quilts on my list are already earmarked as charity quilts.


Once I get the Pigs out of the Poke, I'm headed for my quilt bookshelf. I know there was someone out there who wanted to try and make at least one project from every book on her bookshelf. I have soo many books, patterns, and a couple of kits that I would like to revisit. I must have at least 7 bag patterns. So this year may become the Year of the Bag as well.


In the spirit of keeping resolutions and as a part of my promise to Finn's Fantastic Finnishes before the New Year, here is the first charity top of the year. I have this top done and another 1/2 done.. Finn, it's not totally finished but it will be quilted and in the hands of someone by the end of the year!

This is my helper. He insisted that I put a picture of him on as well as the quilt. This is called "Chinese Coins" or "Crayon Box". It was a day class that our guild holds every November. I used all sorts of crazy fabric that I had collected. It always amazes me when you put it all together that it looks good! This will go to some gentleman at the Southington Care Center where we ocasionally hold our guild meetings. I really tried to pick "masculine" fabrics in browns and greens.


Well, we are heading out early tomorrow morning for NJ to visit friends for the New Year. Connecticut is expecting 4 to 6 inches of snow starting early in the morning and going all day so we will be up and out early. Seww, a very Quilty New Year to all of my blogger gals!!! I'll see you in January!