I have things I wanted to make this year but knew they were too labor intensive for the time I had, so I am going to start on them in the next couple weeks. I owe my DDIL two Christmases worth of gifts, because my machine broke mid-project last year and I never got back to that one. Then this year with the dog thing I just couldn't spend the time I needed in the basement on it. So that one gets done next week. My problem is that I have lofty ideas and then time runs out.

Our LQS is holding a "New Year Resolution Challenge." Bring in your list of UFOs and 'intended' projects and they will list you on a chart. Every time you finish one, bring it in or send a picture and they will check it off your list. When you have completed 5, you get 10% off a purchase, complete 10 and receive 15% off and so on. At the end of the year a gift card will be given to the one finishes the most on her list. Now there's some incentive!

I think January 1st. Is a very good Idea get them done and rest for the holidays.

I think I need to start in January! I ended up having foot surgery on both feet this year which meant I couldn't use the sewing machine for a total of 4 months......so now I'm really behind LOL

Merry Christmas Everyone!

LOL, I will TRY!!!!!!!!!!!!

When you finish early, Do you think of more things to do?

In my 51 years I have done that just once. I was done shopping and gifts were all wrapped by the first week of October. The down side to this is that I kept seeing stuff in the stores that my daughters would like and buying it! I was way organized that year, but spent more than you could believe! My kids were extremely happy on Christmas morning : ) If you have the willpower to STOP shopping (I don't), it's a wonderful way to go :lol:

Will you remind us please??!! :)

January 1 is best for me if I want to get it done on time.

I'm with you on that one - I need to start the day after Christmas!

I'm with you on this promise. My resolution for the new year is to finish ALL my UFOs and perhaps that will place me far ahead for Christmas in 2011. Thanks for another incentive. Merry Christmas.

I used to start Christmas items very early in the year. Always had a project going - some for gifts, some to sell or whatever. I just haven't been able to get back to doing that the last couple of years. I think I'll push myself to get back in the habit though. I know I'm a happier person when I am accomplishing something. I may have to ask someone from here to get after me with a big stick and help push!LOL. Merry Christmas!

First thing I have to do is get all the quilt ideas out of my head and start cutting.

I am one of those people that wait till last few months. Didn't happen that way this year as ended up with surgery for knee replacement in August and rest of year sewing and quilting was the last thing on my mind. I plan to start early doing planned projects so maybe I will be ready next year. Merry Christmas to all!

Hi BarbaraTX,
My quilting group were just remarking about the same thing. But we decided to start in JANUARY! Speaking as an un-repentant UFO-er, I NEED to start in January, myself!

My problem is that I only get ideas for quilty gifts a week or two before Christmas. May in Jersey

Melinda, I would LOVE to see a photo of that reversible tablerunner. Funny the things that never occur to me!

Here is the link: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-74853-1.htm
It is the 2 bottom photo's

I try to make all my tablerunners reversable, dual duty!

Already started!! :-) We're planning to do a lot of little stuff next year. Costs too much to ship anymore. So yesterday, I made an octagon pattern and am trying to make one of those lovely table toppers I keep seeing here on the board. If I'd known what I was doing, it might have even been really nice, but at 4 a.m. what it amounted to was a beautiful bowl. LOL!! I'm now taking it back out & longer strips are waiting.. Now to find something to give me a good 45 degree angle! Hmmm!

My system works for me--on the twenty-fifth day of each month, except December, I work on Christmas gifts. They may not be finished that day, but the tub holds all the patterns and pieces till the next time. This does not eliminate the last minute rush for baking and decorating,sad to say. piecefully, the old one

sounds great, but like many resolutions....--my DH says he will learn to use the computer to shop next year -- he is the most un-etech person I know -- I am thinking about placemats and tabletoppers for relatives -- we will see how I will actually do! lol

Of course! LOL!! The list keeps running along. I just keep on trying new things & having fun. Of course sometimes I have to work in the old favorites, too! :-)

I had mine done but changed my mind when I saw all the great things you all have come up with. So really I am already ahead for next year! Except for the fact that you all will have come up with even more great stuff by then that I will have to try. Thanks a lot and I really do mean that! Merry Christmas to all!

lol Gayle me too...no matter how much I plan ahead I always tell myself " oh you have plently of time" then before I know it time has run out. I do have a list & fabric sitting on my table for next years gifts already...hey I always have good intentions. Good luck keeping that promise.
I did manage to get a few projects done that have been sittng on my table forever, here 2 of them.

Oh I had it done, but saw a pattern or fabric I like better, then started over again, so on and so on! Merry Christmas to all!!

I agree to that. Every year I say I am not going to wait till December and every year it is the last minute. I made three scarves yesterday for Christmas. I get so many cute ideas off this site. Everyone is so clever and have made some cute projects.

I like to start at the first of the year, but not everything was done for Christmas this year. There's just too many other factors such as - work, birthdays, anniversaries, vacation and other holidays - St. Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving etc. for me to accomplish one gift a month. This year we have two friends (one in Afghanistan and one in Iraq) plus a nephew in Afghanistan. I made sure that they received their boxes in advance of Christmas. So that included holiday baking twice this year. But I do plan for quilty gifts because I keep buying fabric (LOL)!!!

I've had many years when I was still finishing gifts Christmas morning! But I work best under pressure.

I do every year, but there are always things that I decide to make at the last minute any way. This year Michigan had a very hot summer and it was too hot to quilt so I did three counted cross stitch pictures so I had nothing hot on my lap and saved the hand quilting for when it turned cooler.

Merry Christmas to all !!!

I'm with you. I did start early in January but I still have binding to put on three quilts. I just can not stress over it. they may be given unfinished I I can then complete them when I'm off over the Holiday. Merry Christmas to all.

I just had to smile when I read your post. I have been trying to get a quilt (big bed) made for each of my grandchildren for some time. Last year I bought all the fabrics for the designs in my head. Almost immediately, I was given 3 children of my military son to care for so not much sewing got done. By the time that was over, my other son changed his mind about what he wanted, so new designs and new fabric had to be acquired. Then, when I thought I had all planned, they are expecting another one (6 total). So, I am 3 down and 3 to go. They are getting impatient since it is now one year and a half. Oh, me. All you can do is keep plugging away.

I think you are right (smile); they will outgrown them before I get all through. There are several on this board that don't know it, but they are helping with this goal (total 10 grandchildren plus 4 children). Charisma will be doing some of the quilting and the fabric shop in Orchard Park, NY is the only place I have found to provide the "tools" fabric that one grandson has requested.

I started next years Christmas gifts two years ago :lol: They still aren't finished and my boys are not happy with me. I told them I'm still collecting just the right fabrics because I want them to be special. ;) You think they believe that?

Sounds good to me. Wishing you the best!

I started 2010 projects in January after I got my new sewing machine. I'm happy to say I finished all my projects just this month (I made 1 queen, 4 lap size, 1 baby and 12 quilts for kids) I also pieced an 85x85 which I have sandwiched and started quilting.

I'm feeling pretty good about now.

Merry Christmas everyone!
Roxanne

I am just now sewing the binding on my grandaughter's quilt. She will be here on Monday.

Lucille Ball asked how you knew who your friends would be in December if you bought gifts in July.

I agree with you in principle that starting early would be a great idea. If I had done that, I wouldn't be looking at attending the Christmas Eve candlelight service, having a tamale supper with DD and her family and coming home to finish the sewing, sometime Christmas morning!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
froggyintexas

I'm not promising anything!

Actually, I have been seriously thinking of starting next week or maybe on Sunday. :-D

I started last spring. It's Christmas eve and I'm not finished.