Do you make lists?
 

I keep a little notebook listing all of my projects, ideas etc. it helps me keep track of QALs, due dates, etc. i recently started to make a list of what i want to accomplish during the week. For example, i know there will be a block of the week so i write that down. Then perhaps i need to make a backing or a binding. I set weekly goals for WIPs. Boy this has helped so much. Don't always get it all done but it sure keeps me from staring off into space wondering what i should do next. I make the weeks list on Saturday nite. Keeping track on a computer spreadsheet doesn't work for me. With my list and notebook in front of me, i can roll along.

Does anyone have a method to stay organized on a short term goals? I'd love additional ideas!

I have a shelf dedicated to staged projects so I don't lose or use something needed for that project. If dates are important, those projects are on top with a post-it pinned to it, or in the same clear bag. There is a list on the same shelf were completions are crossed off. that part is gratifying ;-)

I know too many people who are so 'list obsessed' they never get down to doing what's actually listed. I keep track of deadlines and progress in Outlook, just as I did when I was working, but I'd much rather be accomplishing something than listing it at this point in my life. To each their own.

I have a notebook too! Of course there are many times I don't complete what is on my list, but at least I have an idea of what to work on next...I guess it is old age..if I don't write it down, I would never remember to do it

Yes I make list for just about everything EXCEPT quilting. I only make a list for quilting when I'm needing supplies or take swatches with me when I'm trying to match fabric.

I think its great that we all have different systems that work for us. I'm enjoying hearing about how each of you works.

the only lists i make are my shopping lists

Back in the early 90's, the corporation I worked for bought us a Franklin Planner and sent us to class to learn how to use it. Your entire life info was in there, everything was planned and organized. Now I just use steno pads and sticky notes.

I have a dry erase board that I list the projects I hope to finish. It's kind of nice when I mark things off the list. It also helps keep me focused on my projects. That being said - I've never let it top me from doing something else.

I don't make lists of projects very often. Christmas crafting time I do. I also have a new OCD candidate --my list of gotta haves for my Bernina 380 ---- made a list of what is available, marked off what came with the machine and have been marking off as I purchase more. LOL I think everyone has a style they develop through experience. We may not write it down, but generally we have some sort of method in the madness to which projects we are working on.

For quilting, I use 3 x 5 cards to tell myself what I need to work on next. I also use them remind myself that I have to take a picture of something that is done. I can put them on the bulletin board in the sewing room or just leave them sitting on (or near) the sewing machine. Works great.

I also make lists of other stuff too. Movies coming on in next week, things I need to tell my sister. All kinds of stuff. You should see me getting ready to go on a vacation.... Yikes. There goes another tree.

Yes, I keep notes on all my quilting projects. Materials and where I get them. I keep notes how long it takes me and for whom the quilt is for. I also take pictures of quilts from the pile of material, cut out, pieced, laid out, and the final product. Then, I upload the pictures to either Snapfish or Shutterfly and make a book of the progress on the quilts with notes about each one. I have made 2 books over the last 1 1/2 years of quilting. With coupons from these companies (only do it with specials and/or coupons), I now have books with my quilts in them and a record of dates and name of the quilts, and who they were created for including me!

I make a list at the beginning of each weekend of what I want to achieve. As I "do" I cross of each item - sometimes I am happy as to just how much I have achieved and others well !!!!!!!!

Since we office in our house, there are lists all over, can't throw a piece of paper away, it may be someone's list.ha. I do make shopping lists. DH makes lists all the time on fool's cap.

Lists? NOTEBOOKS :) filled with ideas, most of which I will probably not live long enough to complete

I love this idea! Talk about a visual!

Quite a variety of how to make lists!

This summer I made a list of everything I needed to complete by the time school started. I make my own Christmas cards and except the verse those are finished. I have one book I made that I need to put together. My Quilting projects I have to finish by Christmas are done. Now, I am working on crazy quilt blocks for pillows for gifts.

I am retired. No more lists or deadlines. I sew when I want to and I like it that way.

What a great idea!!

its how i keep up with everything lately i have so many list lately that i have trouble finding them lol. thank god for post it notes and scrap paper it seems like the one list i can keep up with is my quilting supply list. hmm i wonder why that one is more important ??? i have lists everywhere at work too.
carla

i love lists---my favorite is my new year wish list a recent entity put it up where you see it dayly you will be suprised how many ticks are on it at the end of the year[not always ticked off by you birthdays etc] label it well with your name + be reasonable with your wishes

Oh, did this ring a bell with me! I was super organized when I worked outside the home-out of necessity- and since retirement border on slugdom. Thinking I might look at a more middle ground! But I do love to be at my place behind the sewing machine or at the cutting table

I've been using Microsoft OneNote to track my Christmas quilt projects. I have a chart that lists quilt name, who it's for, start and (eventually) finish date. Then I have a separate area where I have a separate page for each quilt, where I list things like size, how many blocks of each color/size, and usually throw in a .jpg of the quilt from EQ. Eventually (when I get my DH to take a bunch of photos for me) I intend to add real photos of the quilts. It'll be interesting to see the EQ design right next to the real thing and see how close they came out.

I have three notebooks; one for groceries, one for me and one for my mother (96 in a few weeks). I start when I get up in the morning (around 5:00 AM), check the computer, do that stuff for the day, and get my notebook out and write down what I have to do during the day, who may be coming over, what has to be done, what I have to get, what I am going to fix for dinner, who to call. Then I have a NEON highlighter and cross each one as the day progresses. Then I sit down and sew. So far I put three ice cubes in each of my two orchid plants , have to remember that. Not only does it keep me from forgetting what I have to do, it gives me great satisfaction of what I have accomplished during the day. Sometimes I even go to the next day and start planning tomorrow - I even write down "Give Bess her heartworm pill". It keeps my head working and I need all the help I can get. Oh yes, I do have a quilting notebook for things I need when I get to JoAnn's or Hancock's. Change the calendars, gals, I have that written down, too!!!!!! Happy October! Edie

I keep a notebook of what I made.. Listing just makes me depressed as I never get it all done- so I just started keeping a listing of what I accomplished. That way I know I have done something !LOL

In the early 90's where I worked sent me to learn how to teach Franklin Planner and then came back and taught most of our employee's to use them. I really helped me keep on track at work and home and helped many others . I really enjoyed doing that. I use a form of it today with quilting and life. Keeps me on track.

I don't make as many lists now as I used to when I was younger...DH used to say I needed a list to tell me where all my lists were...LOL
I do have steno pads or note pads in every room in the house....Just in case I think of something I need or need to do while I'm in that room....
I do make a list of projects (sewing/quilting/crafting) that need to be done before a certain date. Sometimes they don't all get done, but the ones for clients always come first and in order according to when I was contacted to make them.
I do make lists of needed supplies for my sewing studio...some new things that I read about in magazines, hear about from other quilters,or see on the computer. I write down thread colors and numbers as they get low along with needles and other notions that are getting low/used up, etc. I keep a small notebook in my purse and put these lists in that notebook so I have it with me when I go out...I keep my Hancocks, Joanns, Hobby Lobby and etc. coupons in that same notebook.
There have been some really good ideas in this post and I will use some of them as well...This helps me to keep things in order and keeps me focused on my projects...unfortunately, sometimes life gets in my way and I have to stop and clean house, do laundry, cook, help DH work on this old house (it's a 1902 house that we have been redoing for about 5 years now) and sometimes yardwork and shopping.

Keep the good ideas coming! Hugs, Drue

I have a UFO list tacked to the wall next to my design wall. It keeps me from starting too many new projects before some of the old ones are finished. It is immensely satisfying to cross off a UFO when I have finished it with a thick red sharpie.

Sitting staring off into space! When I get to this point ( I'm not sure what to do next), I take all the thread off my spider!

I hate that clean house part. Boy, i sew want a cleaning gnome to come in when i'm sleeping.

Not usually for quilting, but
when planning for a trip
I do.
J J

A friend is completely re-doing her sewing studio. She is very talented and has taken an antique picture frame, removed the mirror and put in a board painted with chalkboard paint. She lists things on that....it is very elegant! As for me....scraps of paper, post its, notebooks, tablets - all have lists of some variety --- yard work, groceries, UFO's, etc. I never kept a calendar/date book until I retired.....lol

I have a dry erase board by my space-it keeps me on track as I work on blocks of the week and month. It also keeps me organized-if I am not feeling the love for one project, I can move on to the next. And because there is finite space, I actually finish things (something I am not particularly good at).

Me too if I don't make a list of things I want to get done around the house nothing gets done. And once everything is crossed off for each day then I can sew or read or go gala-vanting with a clear mind (and conscience)

No lists for me! When I retired, I vowed to take each day as it came, do what I want when I want, and finish things as I get to them. Boy, is life simpler now!!!!

Me too. Then I get to the store and my list is usually at home! lol

I have a list of projects I want to do. I like to mark off finished projects and it helps me priroitize who get or what get done first. This past weekend, I got to mark three off my to do list. There are always projects showing up about the time I get it under control and re-write. I have a list I know I need to do before Christmas and I have the drop dead date to get them to the quilter. Keeps me straight.

Make your list. I also have notes for all quilts made and photos in a book.

Nope, no quilting lists for me. I have a small planner for birthdays and doctor appts. I have my projects sitting around the sewing room and if I have hours to sew, then I know I better work on DGS quilt. If I have less than an hour, I might cut the binding for a quilt or look at my fabric to see what will work for a binding. I go with the flow of time.