2024 Habits: September Update
To see the video, click HERE or on the image above.
Just in case you are new to this series, here is a recap:
I decided in December 2023 and the beginning of January to change some things in my quilting life that just weren’t working for me. After evaluating the good, bad, and ugly, I came up with my top five habits I wanted to implement in 2024. I have a video on this, which you can find here and a blog post, too! You can find that here.
Although I have kept my goals in mind throughout the year so far, I haven’t been great about updating my progress each month (yet another goal I need to implement? I think so!). These videos and blogs have helped keep my accountable. After all, I know I will be reporting to all of YOU on this, and I don’t want to let you down. I highly recommend having someone to keep you accountable, if not in a public way like I am doing, then in a group of friends. It helps me so much!
September Update: On Track!
Here are some highlights from this month. I took a wonderful class with Andrea Hoke called The Wonky Log Cabin (LOVE it!), we added lights to my sewing space, I made a bunch of reusable holiday gift bags, and sweet Daisy had TPLO (human equivalent of ACL) surgery.
Now that it is the first week of September 2024, I am going to evaluate how I did in August by giving myself a score and where I did well and where I need to improve. Since I am a former teacher, I am going to stick with what I know, using the terms Glow (where I did well) and Grow (where I need improvement).
If you are interested in tracking your own progress with habits, click here for a worksheet to help you out.
Let’s get started evaluating this month’s progress!
Habit 1: Keep My Cutting Table Clear
This Month’s Score: 3/5
Okay, okay. I didn’t do that well with this. Are you ready for the excuses? HA! I always have them! This month, we are starting the renovation in the sewing room. This will probably be a long process, so please hold your applause for when it is complete. Anywho, we (and by “we” I mean my husband mostly) has been putting in the lights—28 of them, as a matter of fact! Because of this, things in general were a mess and unfortunately, the cutting table became a workbench table. It was a mess. The good news is it drove me crazy, telling me I am making progress, right? I enjoy having this space clear. It helps with my crazy brain.
Glow: It must be an established habit because—hello!—the clutter made me crazy!
Grow: Figure out a solution for the rest of the renovations.
Habit 2: Finishing Projects
This Month’s Score: 5/5
I am kicking butt with this one! Wow, am I ever on a roll. This is also becoming a habit, I think. This month I completed five reusable holiday gift bags, have most of my yellow wonky log cabin blocks completed from a class I took on August 24th, AND I have been making progress on my Pumpkin Kisses quilt that I started last year. I also dropped off the camping quilt at the longarmer. Finally, I finished a quilt for a collaboration video that is going to be released in November. It is made with all scraps, and I can’t wait to share that quilt with everyone. In fact, I just ordered the backing for it today, so that is yet another finish for next month, I hope.
Now for the downside: I am getting a bit too obsessed with finished projects, to the point that nothing else matters. It is called balance for a reason. I need to find that balance for sure.
Glow: Staying on track!
Grow: Maybe back off a little on the urgency and find a good balance.
Habit 3: Creating More Healthy Quilting Habits
This Month’s Score: 4/5
This! LIGHTS! New lighting and, more importantly, appropriated lighting for the size of this space has been a game-changer in my sewing space. I mean, look at all that light! Wow, wow, wow! You’d think I would give myself a 5/5, right? Welllll, haven’t been great with taking movement breaks OR staying hydrated.
Glow: Literally glowing with lighting!
Grow: Remember movement breaks and hydration!
Habit 4: Learn to FMQ (Free Motion Quilt) On My Domestic Machine
This Month’s Score: 0/5
I did nothing in this area. Nada. Not once did I FMQ. I can’t hardly believe it when I reflected in this area. This needs to be a priority! If you don’t use it, you lose it. Sort of. Lemme explain: It is like riding a bike in many ways. When I DO sit down to do it, it all comes back to me, BUT the longer I wait between FMQing sessions, the scary it becomes. I tend to get into my own head with it, saying things like: It takes so long to set it up (it doesn’t); what if I mess up because I am out of practice (I won’t, and if I do, I can take it out); I don’t have the time to do it (I do.). Excuses, excuses, excuses.
Glow: I’ve got nothing. Nada.
Grow: This is easy—DO it already! You need the practice, Kris!
Habit 5: Further Embrace My Quilting Community
Habit 5: Further Embrace My Quilting Community
This Month’s Score: 5/5
So much happening in this category! I took a class with Andrea Hoke called Wonky Log Cabin. It was so much fun! I also participated in Conquer Your Fabric Scrap Summit sponsored by The Ruffled Purse. Lastly, I worked on our guild’s Christmas quilt. So much happening in this month!
Glow: I am doing great with this goal!
Grow: I still haven’t taken on online class. I really want to do that.
Let me know what you think! This helps me stay accountable, so please feel free to give me any suggestions!
Happy Quilting!
Kris