Sunday Stash for the New Year

I'm not normally one for the Sunday Stash - usually I just immediately cut into or hide my fabric, waiting for the perfect project to use it. I've realized that I tend to use fabrics I buy now more recently, and the fabric in my stash just languishes. I think it's because now, even if I buy without a project in mind, I know I can use the fabric, but previously I was swayed by irresistible fabric that unfortunately just doesn't vibe with my quilting aesthetic.

Anyway, I took advantage of Pink Castle Fabric's 12 days of Christmas sale. One day they offered all Japanese fabrics at 30% off. I couldn't resist!

Monochrome Points in Silver by Ellen Luckett Baker for Kokka

I bought 3 yards of this gorgeous double gauze to back my Stash Bee quilt. That is one of my goals for this year - piece and finish it off!

I am also obsessed with Kumiko Fujita, so I knew I had to see if any of her fabrics were in stock. Luckily there was some of her First of Infinity collection available (and there still is, if you want to get your hands on it!).

Scaled Alphabet in Grey and Mint 

Alphabet and Flowers in Pink, Faded Pink, and Blue

Alphabet and Flowers in Pink, Faded Pink, and Blue

My plan for these is to use them along with some other fabrics as one of the scores from Sherri Lynn Wood's book, Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters. 

Also, since it's the start of a new year, I thought I'd share some of my goals. I didn't want to do a whole post dedicated to them, like I did last year (it sure is depressing seeing what I didn't accomplish!), but I do have some plans to guide my year. On a basic level, I have 3 quilts that I know I want to finish, two of which are completed tops, and one which is all blocks. I've got 2 long term projects that I don't think I'll finish this year, but that I hope to continue working on. I also want to improve my Free Motion Quilting skills. The whole reason I got the Juki was so I could push myself to learn how to FMQ. I recently purchased a Craftsy class on the subject, and have discovered it's really hard for me. That shouldn't be a surprise, but matching hand speed to foot speed is especially tricky. My stitches look like they've been sewn by a chicken. I'll be sharing about this in a later post. I'm trying to stay positive and think about how much practice plays a role in mastery, and that I won't always be good at things the first time I try them. 

Other goals are more related to personal and mental health. I need to make more time for me and find a better work/life balance. I've really enjoyed sewing over my Christmas break, and I want to be able to make time for it over the regular week. I'm really excited to work on more improv quilting and really push myself compositionally, but that won't happen if I don't make time for it. I'm also changing my diet, trying to eat more veggies, and drink less beer. I already exercise regularly, but am trying to focus on strength training more and less on the scale (which never seems to move!) We'll see what the new year holds, but I want to reduce the number of literal goals, and try and move towards a healthier mindset in general, so I can look back on this post positively, rather than checking off everything I failed to do. 

Happy New Year! and Happy Birthday to my Mom! Linking up to Sunday Stash with Molli Sparkles!