Followers

07 March 2012

Stitching through the week

I'm having a hard time putting needle to fabric this week. I've had to work late both nights to make up for having to go to the doctor, so I'm usually worn out by the time I get home. Last night, though, I decided to suck it up and work on Hearts of America to try to get some progress on that. I'm starting to worry I'm going to lose the buttons before it gets done, and that would be bad. So if I work on this one week a month, Summer Ball one week a month, and the ornaments the other two weeks, that's progress, right?

I realized on Monday that I've reached a mini-goal. I had told myself that, if I finished 5 ornaments or 5 UFOs, I get to start a new start. Well, I met that goal last month--I have 5 ornaments done this year. I've almost finished 5 UFOs, whatever I finish next will be that milestone. Trust me, I am thrilled to think that there are 5 less half-finished projects in the bin. But, when it comes down to it, I don't want to start anything new. It feels like cheating on the other projects, like I could be using the time to finish those, not on a frivolous new start. But there are so many things in my stash I would LOVE to work on, shouldn't I want to start something new and carefree? Maybe I'm just taking this too seriously and next year, I'll have that bin back up in numbers, and won't look at an ornament-sized project . . . or will be too busy to open the sewing room door. Is anyone else who is working on UFOs, either as part of the organized groups like WIPocalypse or UFO stitchers, or on your own, are you feeling this?

6 comments:

riona said...

As you know I am also concentrating on WIPs and old class pieces, the oldest of which is [dare I say it] seven years old! I am also trying to do one Town Square ornament a month for our old Town Square SAL. I have managed exactly one ornament so far this year ... so am not doing all that well on that goal, since I should have two finished and one more ready to start. But I have finished 2 of the class projects and 2 of the WIPs from my lists so far this year, so I am good there. I have snuck in a two small new starts that are already stitched but not finish-finished [a bookmark and a scissor fob] but, for the most part, resuming work on some very old class projects and WIPs has met my need for novelty ... what are the words of the song about things that are so old they are new again? So I, like you, am pretty much sticking to stitching from my lists, with only very brief deviations. Doesn't it feel ever so virtuous? But my next question is: how long can this last?

Julie M said...

I think I am a little bit Rachel. I am almost finished with the Inn and I told myself that when I finished that I could start on the parrot pattern but I am leaning more towards finishing Tuscan Rose first. I'd like to finish that before retreat which would mean some long stitching days!

Congrats though on meeting the goal you set for yourself!

Are you feeling well?

Siobhán said...

Wow, good for you!! I am so impressed. And suddenly am also remembering that I was to do an ornament per week. Cough. Ahem...

Meari said...

I told myself at the beginning of the year that I'm working on JG and finishing up other projects before I start something new (The ornament-a-month SAL doesn't count).

I finished Blossom Splendor, and now I'm going to finish a scissor case I started years ago. Until it's finished I'm not starting anything new. Must. Hold. Out!

Trust me, it's hard not to pull out something new and get started on it since I have sooooo many I'd like to do.

I can relate to your feelings.

Anna van Schurman said...

I go in cycles, lots of finishing up WIPS then lots of new starts. I can't overthink it. Anyway, I definitely think you should make the bats in a specimen case. It's all the rage! ;)

Pumpkin said...

I'd say you're doing pretty good considering it's only March. Being pregnant too, I've resolved myself to small goals now, otherwise I'm too hard on myself.

I do my thing and you do yours. I am not in this world to live up to your expectations, and you are not in this world to live up to mine. You are you and I am I, and if by chance we find each other, then it is beautiful. If not, it can’t be helped--Frederick Perls