I've been spending way too much time sitting like eggplant and laying like broccoli. LOL
I'm sure this behavior would be acceptable in the produce aisle at my local grocery store but in this house it's definitely a complete waste of time. :-)
I usually 'fly by the seat of my pants' but it's obviously not working for me.
I've been thinking long and hard about where I need to make changes and adjustments. Would a daily list, weekly or monthly list work? I already know that when I take time to pre cut projects I can be very productive. Should I take time to prep a variety of projects? I've found that when I finish a project I waste time trying to figure out what's next. Sigh! Some days I feel like a little dog chasing my tail. LOL
There are many bloggers who are incredibly productive and organized. The list is very long but Kathie at Inspired by Antique Quilts and Yvette at BOM Quilter are two who come to mind. I chatted with Yvette earlier this week about her discipline and organizational methods.
Enough said - Friday evening I made a short list of things I wanted to accomplish on Saturday. I'm happy say that I accomplished every thing on my list and a few more. WooHoo
 |
| Simply Charming mini - quilted and bound |
 |
| Topsy Turvy by Cotton Way Quilts made with Noteworthy by Sweetwater for Moda |
I've been working on Topsy Turvy by Cotton Way Quilts with Noteworthy by Sweetwater for Moda for a couple of weeks. Yesterday I added the yellow outer borders. Ready for quilting! This particular pattern called for a much wider inner border and narrower outer border. I used the same pink for the inner border that I used for the corner stones and decided it was way too bright to be super wide - think Pepto Bismol - LOL I really enjoyed making this quilt and am looking forward to quilting it.
 |
| Backings & Bindings for Topsy Turvy & Rockin' Bobbins |
I pieced the backings and bindings for Topsy Turvy and Rockin' Bobbins - woohoo! I'm hoping they will be quilted very, very soon. :-)
Will you please leave a comment telling me how you organize yourself to get your projects done? I'd really appreciate it.
Thank you!
I hope your days have been more 'pieceful' than mine. :-)
I appreciate your visit; come again soon.
In Friendship!
37 comments:
Good for you getting motivated again! I love the mini! I think that might be the next one on my list! Keep up the good work! :0)
Love your finishes but my heart goes to the Topsy Turvy top. My kind of colors. I am a total list maker in life but rarely do I finish the whole list. I do have a list of sewing projects that HAVE to get done in 2013. Whether they are gifts or just been hanging around here way too long. So far, I've knocked 3 off my bannister and got them quilted. Only 5 more to go! :)
I'm enjoying a productive burst and I think what is really helping me is setting goals. I have 2 big goals for 2013 - finish a UFO a week and learn to FMQ. Then I broke it down into quarters and monthly goals that I track on my blog. Each Monday I look at where I'm at. Being "public" about it works for me. I guess I need positive reinforcement!
Making a list is my usual way of organizing my time and projects... I just don't always stick to it! Sometimes a few days of doing nothing will springboard me into a new frenzy of activity,and I'm okay with that too. I like to have several projects cut and ready to piece... this works well after working all day, and then wanting to spend an hour or two sewing in the evening. On to your projects... love Topsy Turvy! The fabrics,the colors, everything! And the Simply Charming mini... so cute!
Hello my Wonder Quilter!!! Ya know, laying like broccoli is okay now and then, but my gosh, not in the produce isle! The produce is lumpy and the floors are hard and cold, LOL.
Okay, in all seriousness...I wasted so much time auditioning patterns and fabrics between projects that I could have made two or three quilts while I was doing that, every single time I finished a project. I'm still very slow at the fabric selection process too. But what helped me get out of that mode came as a complete fluke. I moved my sewing room upstairs for the warmth and in the room behind the door was a dry erase board about 20" X 24". I was going to take it down one day as I arranged my room, then it occurred to me that I list my UFOs on it, projects I wanted to do next, those that had to be finished etc. I even list a few patterns I at the top of my "I want" list and add to them possible fabric choices, along projects that have been selected and are in boxes waiting to be started. I really didn't think it would make a difference but in the 3 months I have been in there, I have finished 3 large UFO's and numerous small projects, table toppers I have needed to get made for my house, wall hangings to decorate and make it look like a quilter lives here, etc. Best of all, I have crossed off those 3 finished projects but left them up there and oddly that encourages me. I have even finally, after two years of waiting started a difficult, beautiful colorwash quilt that I bought the kit for in Sedona AZ. I wouldn't let myself start it until I had finished two specific UFOs. They got done and I got started on this project. Though it takes so much concentration that after every set of four blocks, I go to the board and find a easy, small project, that I want or need to do, and work on some of those for a couple of days before going back to the brain drain quilt. I think the only reason this has worked for me is because with my sewing room door shut, I have to look at the board, it is in my face constantly and I am learning to love it. I'm a list maker anyway, but this board has worked far better because it's bigger and I can read it no matter where I am in the room. I'm just sayin...Big Hugs my sweet friend... ***I know is sounds like I have a huge list on there and I do...but I write very small, LOL. Hugs...
Well, for goodness sakes, this is TWICE I've seen how Yvette has motivated and inspired someone. Isn't she wonderful? She gets more done than I ever could and she works full time too ! God bless her.
You aren't so "Topsy Turvy" after all - just the quilt is. LOL Hugs.
I'm afraid I am no help. I have the same difficulty. Especially when it comes to completing a project. Sometimes I do better when I am under pressure, but then I don't enjoy it as much.
Love you Simply Charming quilt, like the contrast in fabrics. Think I will do this one next. I used to make these long list of things I wanted to do for the month. Too overwhelming. Now every night I write down three things I want to do the next day-------------works for me.
I think you're incredibly productive by what I read on your blog. In January I pulled together all of my UFO's so I could get a handle on them and this year I plan to finish as many as possible. But I still have projects I want to do, so when I need a change I just dive in. For me it's mental. If I decide I want to get something done, then I do it. Your comments are full of good ideas.
Gorgeous quilts...and yes, I too fly by the seat of my pants!:o(
P
I came to the comment section to get some help for me from the help they offered you and found most are like me. That does provide some comfort but doesn't get much done.
Love your quilts! As you know I am kind of in the same place you are. I will be reading all comments here for help!!!!!
Lots of great ideas. Topsy Turvy is so cute.
Me - I use a list...topping are the things I'm committed to someone else and has a deadline, then personal deadlines for birthdays, new babies etc. If any of these are something I'm not really excited about doing, I slip in a project for ME and then try to catch up by working faster on the others.
Hi, Darlene: The only way I can ever accomplish everything that I was to accomplish each day is to make a list....I suffer from Quilter's ADD and if I don't make a list, well, Hey, Look, fabric.......You get the idea!
Love your quilts! The mini is adorable! I never used to make lists, but I've started using a white board. It is so fun to erase things off of it! LOL I also spend time cutting a few things at once, organize them in their own little bins and then I can just grab a bin and sew. Sometimes one project is the leader/ender for another~ keeps me from getting bored with either one! LOL Have a happy day!
great work Darlene,i just roll with things each day,but i do have a list of things that i would like to get done each day and mark them off as i do them,if i dont get them done i add them to the next days list.xx
I sew or quilt every day but WHAT, is however the spirit moves me! I some times even try to organize my stash!
What a wonderful post! I love your Topsy Turvy...it's on my list but I've committed to finishing my spools before I start...well, we'll see how that goes...LOL!
I'm afraid that I'm not going to be any help ... I've quilted for 30+ years and I've always been a one-project-at-a-time kind of quilter. ;-)
Love that mini!
Love your simply charming mini! I am a list maker...when I get overwhelmed with the number of projects, I make a weekly list, and/or a daily list. It seems to work for me!
SEE!!! Look at you go!!! Lists work my friend.
I adore your mini!!!!! I really need to get going on mine soon.
Other than making a list I am not very organized. I know in my head what I want to work on next so when I finish the current project I move on.
Your latest projects are beautiful!
I think you are very productive and organized! Your mini is so cute!
Lists are very effective for me, too. Your charming mini is particularly nice...now I want to try one, you "enabler," you!
If they would stop coming out with all the cute things that we need to make, a list would work for me. But then out comes something new and I have to make it today so there goes the list. You get tons of beautiful quilts finished!
You seem very productive to me. I love your new Topsy Turvy quilt and great fabrics picked and ready for quilting. I don't make lists but I need deadlines or I set some for myself, it doesn't always work. Well most of the time I get side tracked by "what's new" in quilting or my mood changes. I also spend too much time thinking and looking at patterns instead of actually starting something. This doesn't help you I bet. Maybe I do need to start making lists.
This is a great post to get those gears in motion.
I'm a fly by the seat of my pants girls too - armed with a list. ;) Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't, but just HAVING a list makes me feel better. In fact, there are multiple lists. They may be counterproductive since I often spend time looking for them. :)
Simply Charming is a great finish! Such pretty colors and I really like the yellow border on your Topsy Turvey.
Envy your progress. Always love seeing what you do. They are both great.
Beautiful finishes.
I spend a different day each week on a particular project, so for example, on Mondays I work on my English Paper Piecing quilt and on Wednesdays I piece using the sewing machine, Sundays are for quilting on the sewing machine etc.
I"m in exactly the same place as you funnily enough so I've been making lists and trying to focus better. It's working.
Loving seeing your finishes.
Love your Grandma's Scrap Box quilt, very cute. I'm not a list maker, never have been so I guess I'm not much help. Cutting out fabric one day and sewing it up another day works well for me.
I think writing lists is the best method of getting things done. I love what you got accomplished! Your little Charming quilt is so sweet! And your TT quilt is just adorable too!
well done!
Choosing three UFOs a month this year has really worked for me. I feel like I got a lot done this month.
I don't like making lists.
Great job, love your projects!!! I'm getting inspired, thanks to you.
Carolyn:)
Ha, ha, how I organise myself to get projects done...?? Well.... I don't! At some stage during the day I just sit down and start on whatever is still on the table. Not a great system, hubby was complaining this morning he has no clean socks anymore.. :-))!
Question for you (hope you can help): what is that great black and white fabric with the writing..?? Good luck with organising yourself!
I'm not getting much done so my words of advice are rather empty. When I am productive, it's usually when I have a purpose and deadline for a project. I'm working on a quilt for our bedroom. I've decided to make it a priority. Let's see if it gets done:) Have a great weekend!
Some very pretty finishes!
Post a Comment