My last post here was nearly six months ago. I like this blog space as a vehicle to work the “how” of what I’m trying to accomplish now – not the like the show-and-tell  space over at blogger.  Maybe it will evolve as I get more familiar with wordpress and work out my stuff. In the meantime, short week as this Friday marks the end of week 3 for this new year and I’m back to doing my Weekly Review 03:

1. Weekly collage: Three left for this month.  My theme for the year is writing systems and for this first month I’ve focused on the Chinese script. Get this week’s done by Thursday
2. Stitch Explorer Challenge starts thursday. What am I going to do, how… figure it out.
3. Knitting: Start a new pair of socks.
4. Figure out what level of involvement I want and how much time to give to these Social Networks online: Ravelry, GoodReads, Stitching Finger, Fiberarts/mixed media, other(?)
5. Review status of 101 in 1001 – both life and art – been doing lots, just need to update (hopefully I kept the focus!) … and look at 2008 Goals – what I did and if I want to update with 2009 Goals.
6. Quick review of those necessary domestic arts. Check menu planning and household chore schedule. Figure out remaining household maintenance projects for January and get NextAction steps  – pass along to Dave where necessary.
7. Update Flickr.
8. I’m trying to finish up The Vigorous Mind and Hot, Flat, and Crowded this week. Look online and reserve books for February read. Pick up book on hold at the library for read during last two weeks of the month.
9. “Play” with EQ6 and Dear Jane – get familiar with how to make it work for me.
10. Continue with my 20/20 curiculum and get the excel spreadsheet set up so that it is more useful.

Onward.

Ouch.

It’s time to face the truth. I’ve neglected this blog for some time now and as a result haven’t been keeping track of where I am to my goals. My weekly reviews returned to random scraps of paper strewn both at my desk upstairs as well as in the studio. It seems the top of the “list” gets attention but clearly many things that I thought I was going to maintain have fallen by the wayside. I still want to do it all but haven’t managed the discipline. So… no time like the present to get back to it. (It helps that the husband is gone for the week – my time’s my own!)

Where to start? This morning marks the beginning of week 31. Might as well get the Weekly Review written:

1. Weekly collage: I still need to quilt the last “Harmony” piece for July then research/sketch some ideas for the five weeks of August – theme is “Transformation.”
2. TIF Challenge: Lots left to do for July – quilt, add grid lines, brainstorm 55 charm ideas, finish it! (I’ve not been a very good community member… I need to update June’s Flickr, group blog, and Ning)
3. Socks: oops and double ouch – I’ve all but abandoned my knitting. I do want to return to it, just need to start and finish – Anklet (April), Knitty pattern (May), Fair Isle (June), Lace (July).
4. Update Ravelry and decide what I’ll do for Beijing Knitting Olympics (if anything?)
5. Update GoodReads… and figure out how I make it more useful for me and what I want out of it. I am seriously behind with my reading! Pick two (or three) books to finish and do it. Make a list for August.
6. Review status of 101 in 1001 – both life and art. And review my 2008 Goals. (These review WILL generate a couple of dozen ‘todo’ items!)
7. Continue to work out menu plans through August.  Publishing the menu here doesn’t serve me well.  I want to figure out how to make Blogspot work for recipes, pictures, menus, and cooking related. (Re-visit Cook’s Illustrated online and see what’s new.)
8. Household management seems to be working well. Routine has been important and keeping up with chores has been key. The studio is on the schedule this week and I’m also going to be working in the office.
9. Paperwork, etc: Take care of correspondence (rsvp, send wedding gift, emails)
10. Set up a Italian study plan and get music/Netflix for La Traviata.

This should get me started!

Menu for Week 06

My 9th week with – with Laura’s I’m an Organizing Junkie.

Sunday: Potluck Super Bowl Party!

Monday: Leftovers

Tuesday: Chicken Pizzaioli, sauteed potatoes, fennel salad

Wednesday: Picadillo, rice, salad

Thursday: Wild Mushroom soup with sage croutons

Friday: Teriyaki Salmon, asparagus, salad

Saturday: Bowtie pasta w/ artichoke hearts & shrimp

It has been helpful to have the menu for the week done in a timely fashion and online. I’ve actually checked it when I’m out and about to see if there is anything I need to pick up at the grocery store. I still haven’t been consistent about making a weekly shopping list or putting some of the recipes online. I’m getting a little frustrated with linking to Laura’s website – getting connected takes too long and I think there’s a tracking cookie.

Menu for Week 05

My 8th week with – with Laura’s I’m an Organizing Junkie.

Sunday: Pizza!

Monday: Baked Chicken, squash, Moroccan rice

Tuesday: Ravioli, lamb sausage and broccoli

Wednesday: Indian Food a la Trader Joe’s, rice and nan

Thursday: Lentil Soup and bread

Friday: Spinach Ricotta Pie and salad

Saturday: Meatloaf and twice-baked potatoes

Need to set aside time on Sunday to get this posted!

Wk 04

I’ve been scribbling my weekly review on scraps of paper and in notebooks for the last couple of weeks. Finally had a what-the-hell moment and decided that this space was the best place for it.

Wk 04: Jan18 – Jan 25

1. Weekly collage: For wk04-08 carry over from previous weeks ‘orange, spiral, & grid’; Sketch ideas for next month theme Gratitude – five weeks.
2. Finish Jan TIFC
3. Page swap for Alis – Egypt theme
4. Sketch ideas for Emmy’s page swap – Mandala theme
5. Start January socks – get one sock of pair complete
6. Knit two swatches
7. Update Ravelry – SA
8. Update Goodreads – make  read list for next several months
9. Finish notes from Romancing the Ordinary and Mrs. Sharp’s Tradition.
10. Review status of 101/1001 for both life & art
11. Collect ideas for menu plans for wk05-09
12. Send out thank you cards
13. CMR: prep, check, breakfast
14. Make no-rise bread
15. Log-in and visit Cook’s Illustrated
16. Finish setting up Google calendar
17. Clean up RSS feeds
18. Mail package
19. Play with the tablet
20. Catch up with correspondences

I’ve been keeping the with no more than 25 items and doing a final review every Friday morning. Gives me a chance after breakfast to finish up what ever I didn’t get to before I write out the new list Friday evening.

Menu for Week 04

My 7th week with – with Laura’s I’m an Organizing Junkie.

Sunday: Pizza with football or is it, football with pizza?

Monday: Teriyaki Salmon, green beans, and rice

Tuesday: Smoked Turkey Chowder and bread

Wednesday: Lemon chicken, pasta, and roasted asparagus

Thursday: Spinach Ricotta Quiche and salad

Friday: Gruyere and basil quesadillas with stir-fried Brussels sprouts

Saturday: Lamb sausage, baked sweet potatoes with leeks and Gorgonzola, salad

I’m late posting this week. Having the menu online is helping me keep organized although I’m still relying heavily on scraps of paper and notes tucked in cookbooks. I still need to get more focused about getting the shopping list and shopping done in a more timely fashion!

Menu for Week 03

My 6th week with – with Laura’s I’m an Organizing Junkie.

I had planned to make Lentil soup last Friday so that we could have it for dinner on Saturday. Didn’t. Instead we had Chicken Pad Thai on Saturday and I made soup for Sunday dinner.

Sunday: Lentil soup and bread.

Monday: Spinach Ricotta Pie and salad

Tuesday: Meatloaf, green beans, and baked potato

Wednesday: Leftover

Thursday: Grilled chicken with fettuccine with sun-dried tomatoes, salad

Friday: Hot & Sour soup

Saturday: Salmon en papillot, couscous and mixed vegetables, salad

On to other things!

Menu for Week 02

My 5th week with – with Laura’s I’m an Organizing Junkie. This is a week for keeping it really simple!

Sunday: Chicken Curry and rice.

Monday: Leftovers

I am cleaning out the refrigerator – dinner will be whatever doesn’t get thrown out!

Tuesday: Teriyaki Salmon, green beans, and salad

Wednesday: Spinach Frittata and homemade bread

Thursday: Dinner out 😉

Friday: Fried Polenta with Italian sausage tomato sauce and salad

Saturday: Lentil Soup (yet again! will provide for many a lunchtime throughout the week!)

Menu for Week 01

My 4th week with – with Laura’s I’m an Organizing Junkie. This is a week for keeping it simple or delegating!

Sunday: Trader Joe’s Indian food, nan, and rice.

Monday: New Year’s Eve Dinner out with Friends

Tuesday: Black-eyed Pea and Collard Green Soup*, rice pudding

(* I’m going to make this soup up as I go. I’m going to start with this recipe – substituting with peas and greens, sauteed onions with bacon… I don’t know… whatever!)

Wednesday:Chicken Enchiladas and black beans

Thursday: Turkey Noodle Soup (using turkey stock and turkey from Thanksgiving) – I never got around to making this last week (after Christmas shopping got in the way!)

Friday: Take out… kid’s choice: sushi, Chinese, or pizza

Saturday: Grilled Salmon, broccoli, salad

Have a Happy New Year!!!

Finally… goals for 2008!

It’s a little wordy but I do believe I’ve captured my FiberArt, Knitting & Crochet, and Drawing/Painting/Photography goals for 2008!

FiberArt…

1. Journal Quilts & Take it Further Challenge

I’m participating in SharonB‘s Take it Further Challenge this year. The challenge will run all year and aims to apply textile technique skills to design. I’m not yet sure how I will explore the challenge for each month but I am committed to have a Journal Quilt as the final design project.

2. Weekly collage & Figments

A few weeks ago I decided on the following words for the monthly themes for my weekly collage quilts – Transition, Gratitude, Simplicity, Authenticity, Order, Contentment, Harmony, Transformation, Beauty, Remembrance, Acceptance, Joy (in order January through December, respectfully.) I have decided not to finish the edges and not set a predetermined size. My goal is to “reuse” the weekly pieces in other projects throughout the year (or years to come!)
Each week I am also planning to work on figments – (by definition: something invented, made up or fabricated) and collect them in a sketchbook (a la Kay Greenlees). I’ve been wanting to be more disciplined and get in the habit of recording my ideas and technique samples. This year is as good as any!

3. Quilting projects

This year I’m going to make at least six pieces that are larger than six square feet. I haven’t worked out the specifics yet except the first piece “Icarus,” scheduled for completion by the end of Feb.

4. Swaps & local quilt/textile groups

Finish the swaps I’m currently committed to: Swap pages (Jan, Feb) & Birthday postcards (Feb-2,Mar-1,Apr-1,Jun-1,Aug-1) and participate in a select few throughout the year.
Locally, I’ve committed, each month, to explore a textile techniques with a group of fiber artist… should be lots of fun and hours of work.

5. PIF & gifts

I’m planning to make gifts for family and friends this year, primarily for birthdays and Christmas. I am determined to start and finish early!!!!
PIF: I like the idea of Pay it Forward so I’m planning on offering a PIF again in the fall of 2008. I also need to complete and mail 2007 PIF.

6. WIP: TAST & UFO’s

The dreaded unfinished! This year, I’m committed to finishing the unfinished or moving it on! I still want to finish TAST. The rest… look at, make a decision and take action. I’m planning to have this all resolved before summer.

7. Misc projects: art dolls, fabric journals, mixed media projects

Art Dolls and fabric journals have been on various lists of mine throughout the years. I’m setting a goal this year to do five each.
Mixed Media projects – I enjoy the “stuff” in Cloth Paper Scissor and the work of Beryl Taylor. This year, my goal is to make at least six projects.

8. Textile decoration: dye fabric, surface design, art cloth, embellish
9. Maintain sketchbook
10. Inventory, photograph, and catalog all finished pieces.

Knit & crochet…

I blame Ravelry for this! Most years I’ve oohed and aahed over things I thought would be fun to make or try to make. Joining Ravelry started me thinking about yarns and patterns. Knitting is an activity that I can take anywhere and I do find it relaxing. It also appeals to me as an activity because it fits in with the “Zen-like” quietness that I’ve been searching for. (Beading is like that, too.) Okay, for 2008…
1. Knit a pair of socks a month
2. Knit 3 projects from Cat Bordhi’s A Second Treasury of Magical Knitting.
3. Knit these from Knitty: Branching Out; Tiffany; Venezia; Ice Queen; Muir.
4. Knit a couple of “Fair Isle Pillows”.
5. Crochet a couple of bowls and felt them.
6. Finish or frog any WIP started before 2008.
7. Organize existing stash and needles.
8. Make swatches of patterns I like.
9. Crochet a bag using recycled plastic bags
10. Participate in 2008 Knitting Olympics

Drawing/Painting/Photography…

1. EDM weekly Challenge
2. structured study
3. Work with pen tablet
4. Madme
5. DrawMo! in November
6. “Photography” – practice, study, play

Okay, on my mark, get set , go….