(Now before I get too much further, I need to confess that the only reason I write in stitchy notebooks is because my little sister (and stitching sen-say) does it, and God knows I'm trying to be as cool as she is when it comes to "this thing of ours").
I started keeping track of my stitchy stuff sometime in 2008. Every time I start a new project, I write down all of the particulars of it so that I can go back someday to see if I used the linen that the chart called for, or if I changed anything about the design, and where/when I might have purchased the project. You know....yadda yadda yadda.
So today I went back and made some lists, and I am very happy to report that it's not as bad as I had originally thought:
24 projects have been "archived"
18 projects are "in progress"
and
46 projects have been finished!!
18 projects are "in progress"
and
46 projects have been finished!!
So there you have it, folks. I'm not a mathematician (I just play one on TeeVee), but I think the statistics are a lot better than I could have hoped for. All this time I thought that I had HUNDREDS of started projects languishing about up in the studio, but it turns out I only have 18!
Now before you point out that there are 24 projects that have also been started in that "archive" pile, may I just say that the fact that they are "archived" at all is actually progress for me. Rather than sit on the floor in front of that pile, wringing my hands and fretting over the fact that there are just so many of them, I just popped them all in a bin and promised myself that every now and then I'd take a peek to see if anything looked like it might blow my stitchy skirt up.
I'd say that this little development calls for a celebration, don't you? I'm thinking....Peppermint Latte from Starbucks, followed by a little nap with you-know-who as soon as I can wash all of the mud off his tummy.
Yup. Mr. Fussypants decided to act like a dog for once and chase a squirrel, but he miscalculated the boggy-ness of the grass and did a little slip 'n slide action when he lost his footing. I told him that he looked like a baseball player stealing third base, but he had no idea what the hell I was talking about and just peevishly wiped his little spectacles off instead. Methinks it's time to break out that Gingerbread Man body wash and call it a day.
Now before you point out that there are 24 projects that have also been started in that "archive" pile, may I just say that the fact that they are "archived" at all is actually progress for me. Rather than sit on the floor in front of that pile, wringing my hands and fretting over the fact that there are just so many of them, I just popped them all in a bin and promised myself that every now and then I'd take a peek to see if anything looked like it might blow my stitchy skirt up.
I'd say that this little development calls for a celebration, don't you? I'm thinking....Peppermint Latte from Starbucks, followed by a little nap with you-know-who as soon as I can wash all of the mud off his tummy.
Yup. Mr. Fussypants decided to act like a dog for once and chase a squirrel, but he miscalculated the boggy-ness of the grass and did a little slip 'n slide action when he lost his footing. I told him that he looked like a baseball player stealing third base, but he had no idea what the hell I was talking about and just peevishly wiped his little spectacles off instead. Methinks it's time to break out that Gingerbread Man body wash and call it a day.
I am an obsessive 'list-maker' but it's all on my computer. I keep a history of my projects like you with what fabric and threads I used, I have a project list where I track what's 'in progress', and I move stuff to the 'finished' list by year. I guess I have a need to establish some order amid the chaos of crafty projects! One good thing though is I'm happily down to ONE quilting WIP/UFO project from having about 25 a few years back. Still have too many XS UFO's but most are BAP's so they aren't going anywhere soon.
ReplyDeleteHi Coni. I have been reading your blog for quite a while and I just love reading you, Steweys and Aunt Chrissys antics. Your stitching is awesome too,.
ReplyDeleteLinda
I bought a stitchy calender to do just as you but alas I have failed. I recently had a friend ask me what fabric and threads I used for a particular chart and wouldn't you know it that was the ONE I neglected to write in said book!
ReplyDeleteDRAT!!
Little "slip 'n slide" action. That is just too funny! Congrats on all your finishes. Wow! I'm thinking a stitchy book might just be my ticket to remembering why I order linen. Many times it just goes into the supply drawer and then I forget for what pattern I ordered it for. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI have no lists of stitching - so many other lists occupy my life. And I would be very, very afraid to list the progress or stored away...finished may be okay...but I have many, many more started, not finished than you - probably would be near 100.
ReplyDeletePerhaps Stewey should try out for a team this spring!!
Oooh, to be that organized. Sometimes I make a note on the actual pattern or class notes and that is that. So after all these years of doing 'this thing of ours' I should really get my act together. Especially when I was asked recently how many finishes I had framed of my favorite designs (Shepherds B.)and said four, how embarrassing to count seven later at home.
ReplyDeleteA stitchy notebook may stop the feeling of Alzheimer's slowly creeping up!!
Love to Stewey.
The word verification I just had to type was funpot, lol.
I think that is a great idea to log your stitching.
ReplyDeleteCongratuations on so many finishes.
Make that Peppermint mocha a venti!!
Wow! Congratulations Coni on a year well-done! :) Cathryn
ReplyDeleteI started making lists when I came home with a canvas only to discover that I already had it! Too much needlepoint.
ReplyDeleteI do like the notebook idea. You are one smart girl or Aunt Chrissie is???
Stephanie in Texas
Gingerbread Man body wash? Are you trying to get Stewey beat up by all the other kids at school????
ReplyDeleteOh - you slay me, SS!
Congrats on the finishes :)
Hey the Seattle Mariners could use a new man with wheels !!! Can Stewey catch a ball too? Sign him up.
ReplyDeleteDo you also put a picture in your book? I've not been one to make lists but I do take pictures of all my finished projects. Thanks for sharing what you do.
Mmm! My favorite drink is a grande, two pump peppermint, soy, latte. Cheers to you.
I agree that congrats are in order re: the stitchy stats. Personally I would go with an iced venti latte and a piece of pumpkin cheesecake to celebrate.
ReplyDeleteThe gingerbread bodywash sounds delish. Poor Stewie, at least you only muddied yourself, no real harm done. Pesky squirrel.
I love the idea of your stitching notebook. I almost always change the color of linen and floss to something other than what's called for, if someone asks for my conversion, unless I'm still working on the project, its hopeless.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could bring my WIPs down to a more manageable level. That's my goal for 2012.