MJPEncenitas ... you're right in recognizing that sometimes organizing ourselves can be a secret to getting things done ... and even to our sanity. However, we can be over-organized. I agree with you ... your phone is your scheduler/planner tool, so include your Quilting scheduling there too. You mentioned that you have three projects for the end of January ... if they are "musts" then, do as you would in business schedule your time!(and maybe these projects are business to you?) Make appts with yourself and keep them.
I also agree with you, that sometimes an hour spent to organize can reward us significantly and perhaps as you suggested, this is what you need right now? Some things that I would do ... get rid of excess clutter. Also excess projects that are maybe causing diversionary thinking/quilting! Do you have everything you need ... make a shopping list? or if you have it, create a project bin for each of the projects. Another big help when feeling overwhelmed with all that needs to be done (not just in our quilting lives!) ... learn to say NO! ... It is too easy to say, oh I can do that (bake for the community fundraiser, run an errand for a family member, take kids to sports, etc.) ... and next thing we have given away our time and lost our time for what we need to do. Of course, some of those things we must do .... but often, there are things we say yes to, that we definitely can say NO ... if we choose!
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At one time, I set up three binders .... Past, Present and Future.
The idea was great ... and I thought simple enough that it would work.
The Past Binder was for patterns and details about quilts/projects that I had completed.
Present ... the ones I was currently working on including a list of UFOs and Flimsies.
Future ... all those I wanna-would-like-to-do-dream-about quilts. Anyone have those?
Like I said, great idea, but I found that was another step. The binders were not conveniently placed, nor part of my daily routine to keep them up to date. They have fallen by the wayside, even though I have kept them, and think about them. I still think it is a good idea and maybe at some point, I will find a way to make them a habit instead of a shelf filler?
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Now for what has worked!! ..... project bins have been a huge asset and great time saver for me.
Initially I had a hodge podge of plastic bins with lids, but as a space saver I gradually switched to matching stackables and now just have two different sizes. They are all labelled so that at a quick glance, I know which project is inside.
Futures Projects ... they are gathering bins ... pattern goes in, along with fabrics as I acquire them and any other necessities. Plus, any ideas that I have for my own touches, I just make notes and drop into the box. I can sort it all later ... or say, what was I thinking and turf it out!!! Time saver!
Time to start cutting/sewing ... the box comes out, and I have what I need. If it is a BOM or something I will do over an extended time, I put everything back into the bin, including the blocks etc. that are made, and back onto the shelf it goes until the next time I work on it .... and bring out the next bin.
A few bonuses ... Shelves filled with inspiration (OK sometimes guilt!
). Everything is together. Plus fabric is reserved right to the end ... and no fretting later of OMG, I used that fabric in another project and now I do not have enough to make the borders or WHY!
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In the same sense ... when I have a flimsy made, I do not stop .... the backing is assembled along with the binding. If I do not go straight to sandwich/quilting I know that I have all that I need for whenever that time comes.
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Another activity that works for me is to keep a few books of graph paper of different sizes with pencils and assorted coloured highlighter markers (pencil crayons or crayons work too).
If I see a pattern I like and would like to do at some point, I will sit and sketch it out (or just keep the picture for later when I have the time). I include my notes re measurements, assembly, variations I have already considered, embellishment ideas, etc. Glued/taped/stapled with the graphed sketches are any pictures I have of the quilt and/or weblinks for reference later.
This works for me ... as it's in the family room which makes it accessible as something to do while watching TV, waiting for supper to cook, laundry to wash, etc. Or simply, something quilty I can do, when I just don't feel like going to the sewing room and actual doing some stitching! And it's not all about quilting ... the other day, I used the graph paper to figure out a crochet pattern! It's also a good travelling project ... I have taken this with me on holidays and business trips for a quilty change of pace!
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A few years ago, I started to keep a log book at my machine ... a 5"x7" size works for me.
At the top of the page, I write the name of the project and date started and if an extended project, I add the date completed.
I use it mostly, when I get to the machine quilting stage, but sometimes I have included variations while I cut/stitched/assembled.
For each project, I list: Machine Foot, Stitch #, Needle-Type/Size, Tension, Stitch Length, Stitch Width, Thread-Brand/Type/Colour/Weight, Batting Used .... and any other relevant info.
If everything is consistent, just one comment but if there are adjustments, for example tension ... the original setting is there, stroked out with new one added, and if more adjustments, stroked out and the next noted.
If I change things up (eg. different stitches) there could be additional lists with the related info . Or just a separate note showing that for the straight line quilting .... the specific changes I made to the foot, needle, stitch length, width etc.
All of this gives me a good reference if I leave the project in mid stream.
Plus when I sit down to do a similar project later, I look at what I ended with before, and use that as my starting point .... making note of those first settings and then adjust as needed.
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I realize that you may already be doing many of these!
Or perhaps they are some food for thought for you and perhaps others too.
Happy Quilting!