Charming Girl's Club Aspirations for Sept and Oct

Somehow with all the time away from home recently, I missed the announcement of the Charming Girl's Club new theme and setting of new goals.  Not sure how that happened as I tried to keep up as best I could.  So here is the Charming Theme:

We are to share how we quilt our quilts, tips and tricks we use, books to recommend, and pictures to show.   I can't wait to hear what my charming friends have to say.  I'll just have to think on this one a bit more.  

My July/August goals were just about completed.  Our vacation/family times were wonderful!  I finished all my quilting goals with the exception of Happy Camper 2 quilt.  This was intentionally put on the 'back burner' due to the 3 wedding and a new baby announcements we received over the summer.  My stitchery quilt layout was designed but I will not be putting it together yet [for the same reasons].  

My reading goals were surpassed as mentioned here.  I also finished reading The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks, read 3 books in the Cedar Cove series by Debbie Macomber and I'm currently reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett.  That's 9 books finished and one on the way!

My aspirations for Sept/Aug are:

Reading: continue reading although the pace will slow as I'm back in school.

Exercise: I joined a local health club and my goal is to get there 4-5 times a week.  I actually joined with my D1 so she could push me there, literally.  But she got a job teaching [yay!] and needed to move closer to school.  I am on my own to get there unless she is visiting.  She is still encouraging me as she has given me pep talks on the phone!

Quilting: ~ I have joined a Free Motion QAL.  I hope to practice my free motion quilting so I can feel more confident in my quilting.  

~ I have begun the piecing for my D2's wedding quilt.  I need to continue piecing the blocks.

~ Plan and prepare wedding quilts for close friend's daughter's wedding and nephew's wedding.

~ Plan and prepare baby quilt for another nephew's first baby.

~ Continue Frosty Flakes BOM and making hexies from my scraps box when I am away from my machine.

Family and Friends: ~ assist D2 in wedding plans as needed.

~ learn to Skype to make communication easier with daughters.

~ clean and organize newly spare bedrooms

~ time with hubby and friends: local HS football games, camping one last time over Columbus Day

I really like setting goals and working to get those check marks ~ DONE! Seems to be a great motivator for me...let's hope it continues as the weather cools off and fall begins.  [hint: I am a warm weather gal!] 

Another great motivator is Friday Night Sew-In!  The September FNSI is on September 17th.  If you would like to join us, hop over to Heidi's blog and sign right up!  It is a lot of fun!

I'm off to read some Charming Friends goals and quilting ideas then off to the gym!

What's up!

It has been a while since I have posted and I do have so much to share.  First up, I would like to say a BIG thanks to those who voted for my Mariner's Compass quilt.  The response was awesome and my quilt won!! The sponsor for the week was Around the Block Quilters Shop and I won a $30.00 gift certificate to use in the shop.  I already picked out and received my prize!  I chose 3 - 1/2 yards of Woodland Bloom by Lila Tueller for Moda, 2 charm packs and 2 - 1/2 yards of Frolic by Sandy Gervais for Moda.  They are so pretty!  Thank you Christine !

Next up is an update on the Charming Friends QAL.  I am in the process of hand quilting my quilt.  Kelly has given us free range on how to quilt our quilt.  I have never hand quilted an entire quilt before so I thought I would give it a try.  May take me awhile!  

Kelly also opened up the Charming Girls' Quilt Club to new members!  Yes, I went along and joined.  Kelly's QAL was so much fun I couldn't resist.   I hope I can keep up with it.  We are to post goals every 2 months and each month there will be a theme.  July's theme is 

Here are my thoughts on the subject....

Moms (myself included) generally have a hard time with this subject.  It is a part of us to be the caregivers to others, especially our children.  When our children are small, they need us - we drive them to their activities, wait for them, help them, nurse them, feed them, clean up after them, encourage them, cry with them, etc.  You get the picture - there is not much left for ourselves.  Our needs are happily sacrificed. Our identity becomes tied to our children.  

Have you ever been known as [insert your child's name] mom? 

But our children do grow-up and their need for us becomes smaller.  When this happens, our role changes.  Yes, I will always be their mom but the time invested decreases and now there is more time available for me. I tend to find it hard to allow myself 'me time' [other than quilting].  I need to learn to allow myself to relax, enjoy life, be thankful and feel pampered.    

To start, I think I'll get a pedicure this week!

GOALS!

My goals for July and August will include some quilting but I will be away from my machine for a good part of July.  

Vacation - Week 1 - really enjoy our visit with our daughter, Kirsten.  Make it quality time! See and experience her new life out in South Dakota! Visit Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, caves, some quilt stores and more!

                       - Week 2 - hubby and I head to Colorado for some alone time.  Relax and enjoy each other in the beautiful mountains atmosphere.  Outdoor activities may include hiking, biking, hot springs, sightseeing.  

Reading - Summer reading is really lagging behind my usual goal.  Pick up the pace and read at least 2-3 books during July and August.  

Quilting - Finish QAL - hand quilting

              - Red and White - add borders, sandwich and quilt

              - Applique Needle Case Swap

              - Stitchery Quilt - design layout

              - Happy Camper 2 - recut and piece top

Lastly, I wanted to mention that I did have another finish for June.  It is my Happy Camper quilt that I have previously mentioned and gave peeks of here.  I finished the last stitches in the binding and labeled it on June 30th!  I can't show you yet as it hasn't been received by the special recipient.  Pictures soon!