52 Project Challege, 2012 - Page 2

[OkiMom]

Im not a fan of making or hanging curtains either. Probably why I have a sheet tacked up in my window I might want to get the curtains actually made and hung BEFORE my husband gets home.. Might be a good idea

[kitchensqueen]

Okay, I have made my list. This will be a dangerous game, indeed. I put every possible thing I want/need to do in the next year on it. I ended up with 56, so I weeded out the craziest, most impractical ones (like the furniture project that requires a scroll saw that we do not own) and got it to 52. Then I categorized everything that has to be done by a specific time. Then I organized it by whether it's for a holiday, a Christmas gift, or just for me. There's a lot of me stuff on it, but in all fairness a lot of that stuff is really for our home. Everything that doesn't have a month assigned I can just choose off the list depending upon what I have the supplies for and feel like working on in a given week. And I put my inspiration links in for fun too. :-) So, here goes - 

House slippers	January	Me
Circle scarf	January	Me
Travel tissue case	January	Me
Scrapbook paper seed envelopes	January	Me
Valentine's Day postcards	February	Holiday
Embroidered stationary birthday cards	February	Holiday
4th of July flag bunting	June	Me
4th of July pinwheels	June	Me
Halloween costume for the baby	September	Holiday
Spiderweb skirt for Halloween	September	Holiday
Snapfish photo calendar	November	Christmas gift
Snapfish Christmas cards	November	Christmas gift
Fanny pack/belt bag	TBD	Me
Dinosaur hat	TBD	Christmas gift
Magnetic paper dolls	TBD	Christmas gift
Lion stuffed animal	TBD	Christmas gift
Gorilla stuffed animal	TBD	Christmas gift
Kitchen knife roll	TBD	Me
Jelly jar shelf	TBD	Me
Patchwork table runner	TBD	Me
Apron	TBD	Me
A-line skirt	TBD	Me
Coming home from the hospital outfit shadow box	TBD	Me
Wedding/honeymoon scrapbook	TBD	Me
CD wallet scrapbook	TBD	Christmas gift
Tote bag	TBD	Me
Cold frame for the window box planter	TBD	Me
Portable spice rack	TBD	Me
Pour spout mason jars	TBD	Me
Gold glittered deer	TBD	Holiday
Travel cosmetics case	TBD	Me
Tile coasters	TBD	Me
Pattern piece lampshade for sewing desk	TBD	Me
Embroidery hoop pocket organizer	TBD	Me
Scrapbook paper pattern envelopes	TBD	Me
Diamond quilt - cut blocks	TBD	Me
Diamond quilt - piece horizontal	TBD	Me
Diamond quilt - piece vertical	TBD	Me
Diamond quilt - assemble quilt	TBD	Me
Diamond quilt - quilt/topstich	TBD	Me
Laminated kitchen helper magnets	TBD	Me
Change purse	TBD	Me
Crocheted ice skate ornaments	TBD	Christmas gift
Glittered paper leaf wreath	TBD	Me
Cookie cutter Christmas wreath	TBD	Me
Shutterfly photo story book	TBD	Christmas gift
Christmas gift for nieces - TBD	TBD	Christmas gift
Christmas gift for son - TBD	TBD	Christmas gift
Christmas gift for husband - TBD	TBD	Christmas gift
Christmas gift for husband - TBD	TBD	Christmas gift
Stocking stuffers for son - TBD	TBD	Christmas gift
Stocking stuffers for husband - TBD	TBD	Christmas gift

[rere]

Ha!I finished the pair for the bedroom but let myself get easily distracted before doing the pair for the dining room.ugh.I really should do a pair for the dining room.

[ms.shell]

Happy New Year, Mamas!  It's nice to see so many new folks on this thread; i look forward to getting to "know" you all!  Hi, rere, WTG on claiming the first point!

The great thing about having done this challenge for a few years now is that I no longer have a ton of UFOs!  I use the thread more as incentive to just go ahead and finish new projects (and claim the points!) i start rather than accumulating a new half- finished pile. 

i do have a few, though!  i started a diaper bag a few days ago.  i finished the outside and went and bought lining fabric (and 5 more yards of interfacing- i can't believe how quickly i go through that stuff).  But for the last 2 days I have had to work mess management and laundry and run interference between the kids, so I haven't been able to get in there at all.  I am hoping to get it done tonight, but not holding my breath!  Thank Goodness school starts back tomorrow!

I also bought backing fabric to finish a quilt I pieced together years ago.  I finished most of the quilt tops on my rack last year, but there are I think three more.  And I need to finish the brown knit dress that has been hanging on my dressform for several months unfinished.

I guess it is a tradition now for me to get my sewing room ALL cleaned and sparkly pretty before the new year.   It's the nicest room in my house right now!  I can't tell ya'll how badly I want to go in there and get to work, but these kids are pretty wild today and I am STILL not done with Mt. Laundry, lol.

[mamaofprincesses]

I'm in. Although I think I will need to break up the big project into numerous small ones, because it's too overwhelming.

[Smokering]

Heh. OK, I'm game. I already made a New Year's Resolution to do one Pinterest-inspired project a week, so some of these can double up as that. And I reserve the right to make up my own rules. :p

I have a TON of UFOs, although most of them are technically unstarted objects... as in, I have the fabric and/or the pattern and/or good intentions. Some of them are clothes for me which are waiting for me to finish losing weight; some are clothes for me which are waiting for my sewing/pattern-drafting skills to miraculously improve; and some are clothes for the kids which are waiting for the right season to roll around.

Here's my list of planned/UFO objects:

1. Green fleece pyjamas for DD (UFO)

2. 1950s polka dot dress with nursing adaptation for me

3. Slinky black nightie for me

4. Ankle-length swirly coat for me

5. Grey nursing dress for me

6. Fixing up my boots with new ribbon/cord

7. DD's summer quilt (UFO)

8. DS's floor quilt mat thingy to lie on (UFO)

9. Alphabet magnets for DD (UFO)

10. Underbust corset for me

11. Manly apron for DH (UFO)

12. Sailor outfit for DS

13. Aviator cap for DS

14. Elephant overalls for DS

15. Beige shirt for DS (UFO)

16. Painting the living room

17. Painting DD's room

18. Painting the bathroom

19. Painting the kitchen

20. Rigging up a tension wire or something along porch and growing a climbing plant up it

21. Painting the back door

22. Setting up an attractive computer/work station for me, including storage for (future) homeschooling materials, work folders etc

23. Pinboard/whiteboard/art display board thing for DD (Pinterest)

24. Hula hoop mosquito net-style tent for DD's room (Pinterest)

25. New Christmas stockings

26. Christmas tree skirt (Pinterest)

27. New duvet for me and DH (Pinterest, if I do the ruffly one)

28. New curtains for living room

29. Tweedy coat for DD

30. New "Gnome Girl" pinafore for DD, for winter

31. Cabled-owl face cloths/dishcloths for MIL (for birthday or Christmas)

32. Some kind of ugly-fireplace-disguising thing - a screen, fake surround or something

33. New cushions for living room

34. Paint laundry

35. Tuxedo bib for DS, for friend's wedding

36. Rest of outfit for DS for friend's wedding

37. Green spotty dress for DD

38. Yellow dress for DD from hand-me-down dress with nice fabric

39. Winter top/s for DD from Ottobre

40. Utility skirt for me

41. Red jersey dress for me

42. Beautiful fairy-inspired dress for me, made with sheers and lacy fabrics which I bought at great expense and then got too scared to sew

43. Turning DD's old jeans into shorts (UFO)

Sigh. And even if I get all that done this year, I'll still have plenty of wool and fabric in my stash that I bought for ill-defined reasons. And plenty of these will take me way longer than a week. And that doesn't even include presents - I was vaguely wanting to buy and "renovate" an old dollhouse for DD's birthday, and make homemade gifts for the nephews and DS and everyone.

The house-renovation stuff is there because we're moving into a new rental in two weeks (ulp). The landlords are really nice - we know them - and don't mind us painting, and the house is kinda run down and skungy, but the location is GORGEOUS (the middle of an apple orchard!) and the rent is ridiculously cheap, so I'm determined to make it as nice as possible and live there as long as possible while we save up to buy a home. Right now the living room is a garish green, so that's the top priority; but really, the whole house could use a paint job.  And I have tons of work to do on the garden, although not really the kind of thing I can mark off as accomplished, gardens being sort of never-ending in terms of weeding and planting and such.

Well. Speaking of all that, I guess I'd better do a bit more work on DD's quilt top before the baby wakes up!

[kitchensqueen]

Originally Posted by mamaofprincesses 

I'm in. Although I think I will need to break up the big project into numerous small ones, because it's too overwhelming.

Oh yeah, I broke a quilt project into five weekly sessions. While it would be completely awesome to just bang out a quilt in a week, I know it is Just. Not. Going. To. Happen. Ever. Better to set myself up for some modicum of success. 

[FrugalGranolaMom]

I think I'm going to give this a shot this year. I have lots of projects in mind (not sure if I'll get to 52) but I will have to take some time to write out my list. I'll be back to update...

[Smokering]

While it would be completely awesome to just bang out a quilt in a week, I know it is Just. Not. Going. To. Happen. Ever.

I used to read a blog in which the woman routinely said things like "Here's a crib quilt I whipped up this weekend while watching all the Anne of Green Gables movies". I consoled myself by telling myself I didn't like her colour combinations, but yikes, she was seriously productive.

Went to Spotlight today and got some more fabric for DD's quilt. On huge clearance, I got some beautiful quilting cotton for $4.79 a metre! So I got 5 metres of one colour for backing the quilt, rather than just getting cheap dress cotton like I'd planned. Unfortunately they had next to nothing in the dusky/vintagey colour of pink I need, so I'll need to go out again sometime to a fancier quilting shop. Still, I have plenty to go on with!

[kitchensqueen]

Originally Posted by Smokering 

I used to read a blog in which the woman routinely said things like "Here's a crib quilt I whipped up this weekend while watching all the Anne of Green Gables movies". I consoled myself by telling myself I didn't like her colour combinations, but yikes, she was seriously productive.

Oh god, I know! I still read one like that - her projects are just amazing. She'll do, say, a change purse - but she'll make a dozen in a sitting, which takes her maybe a half hour. How is that even possible!? It would take me the entire half hour just to get the zipper pinned in the correct position...  

[OkiMom]

When I read blogs like that I remember that 1) I haven't really been crafting all that long (I only started sewing 3 1/2 years ago and knitting Ive only been consistently doing it for about 7-8 months (I learned when I was pregnant with DD1 but I only did maybe 10 rows of a blanket then life got in the way)) 2) you don't know how much they actually did or the time they did it in (for example I count projects from washing the fabric/cutting to trimming off the extra string and pressing for the final time and 3) I have three young children Im taking care of pretty much by myself. Im not going to be as productive as someone with older children, no children or has an active spouse home on a nightly basis.. Honestly if I didn't remind myself of those things Id get discouraged by those blogs because it would make me feel inadequate.

[OkiMom]

I love all the lists! I have issues setting set plans and sticking to them so Ill list all the ideas I have so far.. The thing is that they might or might not get done and I might do totally different things as the year goes on. I have the attention span of a gnat when it comes to crafting so things change (ALOT!).

Unfinished projects:

Bus Sweater

12 in 2012 challenge (I'm trying to knit 12 projects for ME in 2012, I rarely craft for myself)

fingerless mitts

Shawlette

Echo Flowers shawl or 198 yards to heaven shawl

twisted rib yoga socks

girlfriend market bag

a pair of socks with the yarn I got for Christmas

criss cross ballet slippers

Irish hiking scarf and basic cable hat to match

October nursing shawl

Christmas Sweater

a pouch for my Ipad.. The thing needs some protection from sticky fingers

Household things to think about:

New kitchen towels

curtains for any windows that don't have them yet

fixing the couch cushion that still hasn't been done

unpacking the apartment in NC

Unpacking and sorting/decluttering the 3 storage units we have thanks to Uncle Sam

Framing and hanging family pictures, I did some this year but Id like more done next year

actually decorating the house.. you know with things that might just match

chore cards and lanyards for them.. meant to do these are while ago and they haven't happened

Convert toy chest into bench with shoe storage

Home school items:

decide on a curriculum.. buy said curriculum

make a general idea of what we are doing each day..

make our bulletin board pretty.. with things that are laminated so they LAST..

Make file folder games for quiet time (the girls LOVE these)

Binders/folders to hold work I want to keep for a portfolio (just in case, it isn't technically needed but Id like the ability to show her improvement if I ever need to..)

Sea shell bags (3)

Make a felt board

Make a fabric covered magnetic board

Other children things needed to make

3- Kids towel totes for swim lessons

oilcloth messanger bags (x2) for nature hikes

handmake kites (project to do with kids)

quilt for toddler bed for son

curtains for girls room (windows are small and high so the curtains they had before won't work)

2-3 reversible sun hats each for when we go to the beach

lrg beach bag for when we go to the beach

a terry cloth caddy for each bathroom

Baby Items:

Fix diapers that are still serviceable

make diapers to fill in gaps

make 50-100 wipes (we go through a ton)

coming home outfit

blanket for coming home

carseat cover for if its a girl )

6-12 girl beanies

6-12 girl booties

cover for nursing pillow

hospital gown for birth (don't know if it will be a home birth or a hospital one but either way I prefer having something I won't mind getting ruined but I still look good in)

a couple of baby sweaters

blessing outfit (girl)

blanket for blessing

A couple of baby blankets

Some new burp cloths

A mai tie for my husband

special stuffed animal

a safari mobile

nursing bracelet

growth chart

Tummy time mat

5 mini scrapbooks so all I have to do is add pictures

craft kits for after birth (these really helped when my son was born)

custom travel wipes container

custom wipes container for home use (x3)

2-3 nightgowns with the ability to nurse in them

skirtie

baby legs (several pairs)

nursing pads

mama pads

Maternity:

4-5 Maternity shirts

4-5 Maternity skirts

3-4 Maternity dresses

convert regular tanks to nursing tanks

convert a couple dresses to make nursing accessible

Gift ideas or other projects with a deadline:

October:
Halloween:
Oldest DD: Pirate Princess
DD2: Oompa Loompa
DS: Giraffe (maybe)
Baby: Boy: ewok Girl: fairy
Me: Ms Frizzle (from the Magic School Bus books.. my girls think it would be “perfect” for me)

November:
Middle daughter’s birthday. Monkey Beach Party theme
monkey
Fresh-Picked Color 3/4-Sleeve Cardigan
Dress- either view A or C
hair tie or ribbon
Quilted scripture case
Art case
Hair tie organizer (I made this for last Christmas and our cat got a hold of both of them and they got ruined so the girls asked for new ones)
Monkey bookmark

Husband’s birthday, hes turning 30 so I need to tease him :)
Scripture case, Journal and new set of scriptures (his request)
hygiene bag
duffle bag for the gym

December:

Christmas:
Non-present crafting:
at least 1 stocking, would like to do more but we will see
2 santa hats
3 snowman hats

wreath
x advent calender (already about 50% done, I started it up a while ago)
advent candles
Elf for Christmas activities
2 Christmas dresses for the girls
Outfit for my son
outfit for the baby
6 Ornaments: 1 monkey, 1 horse, 1 giraffe, 1 marine cover, 2 I have no clue :)
fabric garlands so they don’t rip when we put them on the tree

Husband- hes most likely deploying again in 2013 and has requested I make him a few things to go with..
Presents:
Quillow
Phun Phur Phanatic
Noro Yarn Men Zipper Sweater

Stocking ideas:
IPad cover
Scarf
Beanie
Sewing kit
Eagle paperweight

Shared presents for the children:
All3- Dress up area- they have grown out of all their dress up things so they are asking for more
Middle 2: play kitchen with play food/dishes

DD1 Crafting kits, reading tent
DS: Aliens and Spaceship
Baby- gender not known-: Quilt, Noahs ark

Stocking ideas for older two (they won’t get all of this but Ill pick and choose from the list depending on time/what I think they will like)
Topsy Turvy dolls, quiet book, photo album, picture block, magnetic dolls, church puzzles, socks, scarf/mitten/hats, mug cozy, finger puppets, washcloths, water bottle cover, hot water bottle cover, crayon wallets, ornaments, necklace, grumpy the lump of coal, bath mitts, pop up book, doll clothing, matching game, slippers
Stocking ideas for the younger two (again, pick and choose depending on child/my mood)
braided ball, scarf/beanie (or beanie/booties for the baby), photo albums, finger puppets, quiet book, pop up book, mug cozy, bath mitt, mug rug (baby, the boy already has one), wash cloths, crayon wallet, rattle (monster and smile face), molded soap, bath paint, roll up chalkboard, stuffed animal, slippers, puppets, tie

Optional- family gifts:
MIL- Jewelry frame organizer and set of jewelry
FIL knitted Santa
SIL1- Jewelry frame organizer and set of jewelry
Niece- Jewelry frame organizer and set of jewelry
SIL’s boyfriend: ??? Maybe a coffee kit or something similar
SIL2- Jewelry frame organizer and set of jewelry
Nephew: Knitted monkey, activity book, bathmitt
SIL2’s boyfriend: ??? Maybe a coffee kit or something similar
SIL 3: Eeyore pillowcase (Ive been working on this for her for a while!), slippers, scarf/beanie/gloves.. This is the most likely one to get done since she lives alone and I don’t see anyone else in the family sending her anything :(
BIL: snake bottle wrap and ???
Grandma 1- framed picture
Grandma 2- Jewelry frame organizer and set of jewelry
Grandpa- Scarf or memory quilt depending on time.. Hes not expected to make it to next year and I know he would love either one. This one is also likely to get done since I love the crabby old guy.
My brother: Scarf, photo mouse pad
My father: Scarf and commode-o-dragon (you would have to know my dad to understand, he would think its hilarious)
My brothers birthday: hot chocolate basket or something similar.. Its 3 days after Christmas so I always send him something when Im sending him his Christmas gifts.

Edited by OkiMom - 5/14/12 at 9:21am

[ms.shell]

LOL, Heather!  That's some list!  I can definitely relate to the crafting adhd and not being able to plan it.  It seems to me that if I list stuff out here that's a guarantee that those are the projects that won't get done, though!  It's my rebellious spirit, I guess, that is apparently averse to method and order!  So I won't make a long list, but be surprised by what projects get done when.  For me it is largely an inspiration kinda motivation, and having to stick to a list throws off my mojo, lol.

Okay, ya'll.  IKWYM about the blogs, but a crib quilt IS totally doable in a weekend.  Easily on a 3 day weekend, if you have a rotary cutter and a sewing machine (and a Daddy at home if you have demanding little ones).  I have pieced much bigger quilt tops in that time, too, but my problem with quilts bigger than lap or crib size is I love piecing them but then fold them on my rack; the quilting them is intimidating and not nearly as fun as starting another patchwork!  A crib quilt takes almost no time to quilt, though.  

I came here to lament.  I went into my sewing room tonight to finish my diaper bag.  There were 35 minutes on the dishwasher, and i thought that would be enough time.  I was tired and trying to hurry.  I BROKE my favorite sewing machine!  Luckily, it is a mechanical (timing) issue, not an electronic one, and so hopefully to goodness I will be able to fix it!  But I messed with it for all of those 35 minutes (and more) and then tried to use google for help to no avail, and since tiredness was at least partially to blame, I had to walk away for tonight.  I am hoping that tomorrow will be a nice new day and I can look at it in the morning and see clearly what to do!   I don't wanna use another machine and I don't want to take my favorite machine to the shop!  I'm gonna fix it myself tomorrow, and easily, knock on wood!

[zebra15]

OK here is what I have so far... Keep in mind I have not organized the craft closet and my cross stitch stuff is jammed in a laundry basket.  I have very high hopes for this list.   And to make matters worse I just bought 12 skeins of yarn today with plans of 2 more blankets(or something)

 

leg warmers ds  - started

leg warmers mother (if ds' turn out good)

table runner - snow man

blanket-pink/white - continual 

blanket- sock monkey

hat- sock monkey

sock monkey

blanket- brown/creme/blue   greg's brithday, half done for MAY! (needs more yarn, waiting for a sale)

blanket- hobby lobby green yarn

holiday latch hook kit

flip flop latch hook kit

10 Christmas Ornaments

10 Christmas Ornaments

10 Christmas Ornaments (maybe)

Printer Table/Tv stand?

 

15 projects

[FrugalGranolaMom]

Ok, so here is my list so far (although I'm sure I will come up with more projects that need to be done...)

1. apron

2. pillows for the couch (2)

3. window seat cushion

4. advent calendar

5. felt board for DS

6. felt animals/people/vehicles

7. pot holders

8. scarf

9. clean/dirty sign for dishwasher

10. upcycle old calendar into wall art

[rere]

I'm married to someone who has a natural talent for his art and I see it come way easier to him than others.I try to keep that in mind when I read those blogs with those fabulous projects that took no time at all.Also,I try to remind myself when it's taking all my brain juice to line up that zipper correctly that I'm at least  giving my brain a work out.HA!Right?

[Thursday Girl]

I'm in too.

List

make quilt for baby

make purple dress for Juniper

make some kind of spot to hang towels

wooden rainbow stacker

alphabet blocks

homemade airsculpt clay

post partum bath herb mix

learn to make granola

laundry soap

check off various pinterest finds

finish making sock babies for friends kids (5)

make purse for friends daughter (3)

little dollies for younger 2 girls

doll clothes for Jewel's AG dolls

marble maze

quiet book

applique over the rip in Josie's dress

Foofa applique shirt for Juniper

baby shoes/booties

teepee for kids lalaloopsy's

log cabin for kids lalaloopsy's

teepee for kids

garden prepped

garden planted--does gardening count??

[OkiMom]

Gardening totally counts!! I hope to be able to do some planting if I get my green houses back in time. I use to have a bunch of small plants before we moved from Japan and missed spring planting time for the states.. I miss being able to go pick fresh veggies (and fruit since tomatoes are actually a fruit!).

[OkiMom]

My problem is if I DON"T have a list I spent to much time searching for patterns or playing on Ravelry rather than actually doing the projects. If I have a list of what I can do I just pick something off of it, find the pattern in my handy dandy notebook and go to work. I get distracted way to easily! Or maybe its the fact that I have three munchkins climbing all over me thats distracting!

Sucks about your machine! I hate when my machine starts acting up right when Im doing something. Then I have to spend the time to fix it rather than sew. I hope it isn't anything major!
 

Originally Posted by ms.shell 

LOL, Heather!  That's some list!  I can definitely relate to the crafting adhd and not being able to plan it.  It seems to me that if I list stuff out here that's a guarantee that those are the projects that won't get done, though!  It's my rebellious spirit, I guess, that is apparently averse to method and order!  So I won't make a long list, but be surprised by what projects get done when.  For me it is largely an inspiration kinda motivation, and having to stick to a list throws off my mojo, lol.

Okay, ya'll.  IKWYM about the blogs, but a crib quilt IS totally doable in a weekend.  Easily on a 3 day weekend, if you have a rotary cutter and a sewing machine (and a Daddy at home if you have demanding little ones).  I have pieced much bigger quilt tops in that time, too, but my problem with quilts bigger than lap or crib size is I love piecing them but then fold them on my rack; the quilting them is intimidating and not nearly as fun as starting another patchwork!  A crib quilt takes almost no time to quilt, though.  

I came here to lament.  I went into my sewing room tonight to finish my diaper bag.  There were 35 minutes on the dishwasher, and i thought that would be enough time.  I was tired and trying to hurry.  I BROKE my favorite sewing machine!  Luckily, it is a mechanical (timing) issue, not an electronic one, and so hopefully to goodness I will be able to fix it!  But I messed with it for all of those 35 minutes (and more) and then tried to use google for help to no avail, and since tiredness was at least partially to blame, I had to walk away for tonight.  I am hoping that tomorrow will be a nice new day and I can look at it in the morning and see clearly what to do!   I don't wanna use another machine and I don't want to take my favorite machine to the shop!  I'm gonna fix it myself tomorrow, and easily, knock on wood!

[Thursday Girl]

ms.shell-that sucks about the machine,  mine is acting up too.