Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Clean Slate


Happy New Year! As promised, I have some clarified intentions for my stitching activities this year.

For the past three years every New Year has started with a list of my UFOs (UnFinished Objects, for any non-stitchers out there!), and a plan to finish them. So every year has started weighed down with last year's baggage. Not this year! This year I'm starting with a clean slate.

Usually I tend to think UFOs are like this:


Doesn't that look like a disapproving aunt? LOL. "Finish what you started!" "Don't waste good fabric!" I've already rid myself of most of these.

It's the innocent-looking ones that are trickier:



"This would just be a quick, fun project," is what these misleading UFOs say. Soon it is a Trouble with Tribbles situation...




...and you never get any serious work done again. Or at least, I don't.

It's clear that I have to make some choices, narrow my focus, and start to work with a goal in mind. I want to get away from projects that are 100% machine sewn, and do more work that incorporates hand applique, hand embroidery, and hopefully hand quilting too. Which ones will make the cut? Right now I'm going with the projects that I will be most proud of when they're done. My WIPs page has been updated accordingly.

And, hand over heart, I firmly resolve to start more new projects this year!


Many thanks to Microsoft for their instructive clip art.


12 comments:

  1. Wow, you've really been exercising the little grey cells over the last few weeks. Good for you. I'm pleased to see Friends Forever and Sedona Star on the current list. Look forward to seeing how it pans out.

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    1. I realized a while ago that I've had far too much time to think about this post! I am actually very excited to get back to Sedona Star -- I think I have it all figured out now. Happy New Year!

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  2. good idea you don`t want to be bogged down art the start of the year. IOhave joined a modern quilt group and they are having a day later this year where you can bring in your UFO`s and swap them if you want to. being new to quilting I will not have any but it will be interesting to see what they want to disgard.

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    1. I think projects become UFOs for quite personal reasons sometimes, so a swap is a good idea. One person's UFO is another person's ideal project! Have fun!

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  3. I love the little UFO's! I just realized that I didn't have you on my list of blogs that I follow, but I've remedied that now. Happy New Year and keep warm! I see you have a lot of snow in the forecast!

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    1. Thanks very much, Cynthia, I appreciate the support! I must admit, that little UFO was designed specifically to look cute in a thumbnail, be it a sidebar or a future "link within" choice on my blog. We already have plenty of snow, thank you -- the local ski resorts are reporting the best start in 35 years. Maybe you would like some?

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  4. Brilliant post. Love the WIPS and am looking forward to watching them grow.

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  5. yay, good for you! Nothing like a whole slew of projects on the go to focus the mind... on a new project!

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  6. What a great post!! Everything you've said is so true! The UFO picture sum it up so well, the disapproving aunt is hilarious!! Enjoy finishing the quilts you're proud of!

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    1. Thanks very much, Rachael! Unfortunately, it seems to be easier said than done -- I'm having a heck of a time letting go of some of these older projects. I've been thinking that you're doing a better job with my resolution than I am!

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I'm told Blogger has been bouncing some comments, so if it happens to you I'm sorry! But the settings look right so I can't explain it. In any case, thanks for reading!

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