ccthomas

I like the phrase, "embrace yourself" as "life" knocked me hard (three special needs older teens/adults issues, husband's retirement and cancer) I found the life changes carried to all aspects of my life, even broken fingers - I became disorganized everywhere - my kitchen, as a teacher, every room in my home, my computer, and of course, quilting. In an attempt to become more organized, I ended up in three rooms, and even my bedroom. My sewing machine BROKE and could not be fixed. I GRIEVED. I look and felt like a hoarder or a Survivor in a MAJOR STORM. Needless to say, productivity became LOW and quilting HAPPINESS took a nose dive last year. It is important to take care of myself, to heal myself, and to "embrace" life's JOYS - quilting. Since the holiday break from teaching, I have started TAKING MY LIFE BACK - QUILTING. I know myself. I need to be in one room; LESS FABRIC STASH, LESS BOOKS. Donating to several groups have been helpful. I started too many projects - completion is important to me and learning to stay focused, to say NO to all those BLOCK OF THE MONTHS starting. I am only signed up for the 2013 CRAFTY class and this is GOOD.

As I have been cleaning out my computer, I came across the "Power of Ten" guide; I have this one printed and read it each day as I am taking better care of myself and "embracing ME."

1. First, simply find the projects that you are no longer interested in completing and pass them on to someone who would love it as much as you once did.
2. Second, list "10" projects that you would like to complete. Now remember "Only 10" projects are to be on the list.
3. Third, begin working on the projects on the list and spend three hours toward completing it.
4. Fourth, keep a list of projects and the hours worked.
5. Fifth, once three hours are spent on a project move to the next. A quilter's interest wanes and is usually spent after three hours. Now if a project requires two to four hours it doesn't matter. Simply finish the project. Feel good about finishing it.
6. Sixth, find another project and add it to the list. Remember, only Ten Projects are your focus.
7. Seventh, continue to rotate the projects you are working on.
8. Eighth step is to list the supplies needed to finish your projects.
9. Ninth would be to shop at Texas Quiltworks (or your local quilt shop) for items to finish your projects. Local quilt shops need your support more than ever in today's economy.
10. ...and Tenth, the 'Power of Ten' becomes reality when you are able to share your project. Be sure to share your quilt at guild meetings, quilt shops, family and friends. Remember by showing your finished project you are inspiring someone else to finish a project."

lots2do

I love this thread and I love the power of ten list,too. My DH and I are in a new period of transition with his retirement, mine coming in the next few years, if all goes right and a big move after that. I've had some anxious moments...our life has been the same for so long!
I thrive on chaos and some clutter for a while, then it all makes me crazy. I'll clean up until the cycle starts all over again! It's as if I can't see until I really see it. I would like to become more efficient so that I can enjoy quilting and knitting more.
Thanks for this thread.

newbiequilter

Messy while I work and clean up after - check. 2013 UFO list made - check. Want to finish Bonnie Hunter's Easy Street and working towards that - check. Trying to NOT be overwhelmed by the amount of work to do - check. Issued a moratorium on fabric purchases for as long as I possibly can - check. This quilt board - priceless!

IBQUILTIN

My studio is organized chaos. And undoubtedly will always be. But, I too am learning who I am, so I don't let it bother me

EmiliasNana

Great minds must think alike LOL After completing all my Christmas gifts, I decided to clean up my sewing room. My projects have always been organized together with the pattern, fabric, etc. but the leftovers had taken over. I can't stand chaos, can't focus, can't find what I want, don't even know what I have, etc. Prior to Christmas I folded all the yardage on comic boards. Now I am organizing those fabrics between a FQ and 1 yd. by color. Anything smaller than a FQ is being cut into either 2 1/2" strips, 5" sqs. or 2 1/2" sqs. Smaller scraps are being saved to stuff dog/cat beds. I can feel my body relaxing already : ) Here's to a Happy New Year to everyone and hopes that you figure out what works and makes you happy!

newbiequilter

ccthomas - thank you for sharing the Power of Ten. I have passed that message on to other quilt friends.

KimmerB

I guess I am organized messy while I sew, I know where everything is, then I clean up before the next project. My space is small and I have too much stuff. I hate to get rid of anything, I may want to use later. I do not save scrapes unless the are fairly large. Never thought to cut them into 2 1/2" strips or squares until this post. I think I will cut squares and strips while watching the Packers play the Vikings tonight. Really need to organize my space better, have talked about it but need to do it. Did bring up moms custom sewing table finally after a year and ordered the correct insert for my machine and put wheels on it so it can be moved easily. Good start for me. I do like this site and all the great ideas. Thank you.

llong0233

What good advice. Thank you. I've been working in my messy room thinking I had to clean it up; deal with this pile and that pile. Just a few days ago I decided I must like it like that because every time I tidy up it's back to messy in a whit! So, thanks for reminding me to honor who I am and just SEW!

butterflies5518

Thank you Thank you Thank you for asking! I am still a newbie but more 'advanced' now but I never really thought about all these things that DO effect my quilting passion. All family has quilts so this year is for me, what I want, colors I chose and freedom to explore new patterns. I also want to try applique. This is my year to 'let it all hang out' so to speak. Wishing all my quilting family the most wonderful quilting year to be.

lots2do

I attended an organization workshop once where the speaker told us that some of us need to create a kind of nest around ourselves where we can see and touch our stuff. Found it really comforting that other people prefer to operate this way, too, at the time and I still do.