I don't know about the rest of you but I have a terrible habit of picking up "my next project". For me, I have too many "next projects" sitting around.

Last night I was working on some pillow case kits and started wondering why I was doing them when I had other things I could and should be working on.

Oh the avoidance tactic because the pillow cases are quick. So when I went to bed I thought, "how can I get this back under control?"

Made the decision to bring all "next projects" out and see what was there and start working!

Here they are (all 18 of them):

I have four WIP all different stages on my design wall. And what do I do? I saw a cute wall hanging pattern and started on that. I hate EQ7! I see a picture of a quilt project and I can redraft it perfectly in EQ so I want to make it right then.

I have 16 that I KNOW of, I am sure I could dig around and come up with a couple more.

Soooo which one is up first :D:D:D

You're going to be a VERY busy lady! Sew get busy,lol!! I love your Longaberger baskets, they're great for storage!! Ask me how I know? (I have over 400 of them, not all in my sewing room.)

Girls, don't fret! Just think of all the creative juices that just keep flowing. If you weren't an artist to begin with you'd only have one project going at a time. How boring! Just remember we can't help it and it's a sign...and not of ADD :)

Holy Moses and I was feeling guilting over owning 60 of them!

And, you are right, they are great organizers :)

lol- that is exactly what I mean. Though I did do all my digging this morning and that is all there is. Excluding what's in my mind :)

The one I have to have done by the end of the month. The red/black single irish chain.

Bless your heart! thanks for the reminder :)

lol--it's easy to do :)

I usually have one that has to be finished by a certain date, and I make my self finish that one before I work on the other ones. Well, that's my plan anyway. Since I need to finish my nephew's quilt for his birthday, I've made a quick baby blanket and some curtains and cut out another quilt. ummm, never mind. :-)

Perfect timing for this topic. I started trying to organize my stash yesterday and can't decide the best way to do it. The problem is I buy many pieces of fabric at different times that have the same theme, ex: retro, bears, country, etc. Hoping to have enough eventually for a quilt from each group. I was thinking of getting the gallon size zip bags and put a collection in each one.
Any other suggestions? Currently I have a few "bears" in one place, a few more "bears" across the room in another place. :)

I do exactly that. Usually with the left overs of a project, but I do use ziplock bags to keep things organized. I also like to use rubber tubs and those plastic drawers that you get at walmart.

Only 18???!!! :lol:

I see a Snap Sack in the back right there. I did the one for February of last year. It was pastel hearts and I love it! Which one do you have?

You can put all your projects back in your sewing room, on on top of the other with the one you want to do most on top.

If you figure out another secret to get all 18 done quickly, do share! :lol:

P.S. You're more organized than you think to have all of the patterns and fabrics together in a bag rather than just a pile here and a pile there. :thumbup:

WOW!!! so very neat..... would you come to my house? I have self packaged projects that I am "making for myself" but the minute I pick something up, my eye slides over to something else that all of a sudden seems on intent of having me pick it up and push the others to the side. I have more projects "to the side" then I have sides to push them. And that includes pillow cases. I have a set of 400 thread sheets and I had found the perfect fabrics to make that second set of sheets to coordinate with the plains that comes with it. Unfortunately the new sheets finally got used after sitting for 5 months waitign for the matching pillow cases. I will admit that I have my fabric stash fairly under control. At least until I start picking up more that I absolutely have to have for that ONE quilt I want to make. Not sure what the ONE quilt is anymore, but I think we have done that within our little minds on occasions. I will say this and not in a pity party way, for whatever my quilter skilss are or will ever be, it has been the one thing that has me keep keep my sanity, me with two brain surgeries, my daughter with critial health issues and a son in Iraq for two tours, all this within less then a ten year period. Ny family teases me about getting me into a intervention program for overly stocked stashes, but each of them know what quilting is in my life. So I continue to have those special things I have at the top of my list which consists of no bottom of the lists anymore. I take my quilting seriously but not to the point of being anal, but to the point of wanting to be able to accomplish something from my heart to hand to another. This is a fantastic group that is extremely worth while being involved with and I . IMHO, think this is a great place for those who cannot get out very much to be able to learn, enjoy and visit. Back to my Sulky with another new needle and a "can do this" atitude. hugs, blue

Longaberger baskets! My great aunt died (no children) and I was in charge of her estate: translated: cleaning out her house. It was packed full of 50+ years of stuff. She had a back room full of these baskets. My grandmother said the thinks my aunt use to sell baskets at one time. I think she must have collected them as none looked used. I found one that was a sewing basket. They are nice baskets but so many!

My hat is off to you! And also to your son. Please tell them "thank you" for. I appreciate our men and women in the military and am grateful for all I have today.

I think you have the right mind set. What is to be done is minor to what is done and given with love.

Thank you

You can easily sell them on ebay. I have been thinking about doing that with some of mine since I have them in tubs in the basement. But that is going to wait a bit because they seem to be making a come back through my quilting.

April Showers

I like to think of my 'next project' collection as an investment in the future. Someday I won't be able to afford lots of fabric, or I might be unable to go shopping, something like that. So I am putting away projects like squirrels put away nuts - okay -I'm not burying them! But my opinion is, collect - collect - collect! You never know when your collecting days may come to a standstill.

I understand! I do not even get done with my current project
& my hands up picking up another project and I find myself starting that. Yesterday, I did finish fm on a small lap quilt(love it), but I had another lap quilt all sandwiched and ready to go. I also have my BOM project top pieced waiting to be finished. I was looking at the tulip bag, pattern all laid out with instructions, instead I picked up a little waste basket kit a friend gave me and now I am into that. No wonder my sewing room can't stay clean! I love the longaberger baskets, have many myself. I am thinking of putting them on ebay, some of them anyway. Build an account at the bank just for my sewing room funds, lol

As far as getting organized, I went thru my sewing room this last week and took everything out that don't belong in my sewing room. I put in his den, which sadly I have almost taken over, well it is right next to my sewing room. So now I have convinced him to buy a wardrobe for the stuff. So happy I have my own sewing room!!!!!!

I was playing in EQ5 yesterday. Always getting ideas for more stuff when I have so many that are half finished. I wonder if I should give them numbers (like someone waiting in line at the deli) and do them in some kind of order.

LOL, I have a bunch too, yet I just cant help starting new stuff!

I was looking for some solid fabric last week and realized how many quilt kits I have. Oh and tops waiting to be quilted. I'm set for while. I keep saying I won't buy any more fabric til I finish these projects. But I know I'm just kidding myself.

yes, we need to have a spot for our WIP and give them a # along writing them in a journal, date started and finally date completed!

I have mounds of stacks and ziplock and baskets full!
would not even attempt to count them!
I work on customer orders at least 5 days a week but try to give myself 1 day to sew on my projects.I am always involved in swaps and put them inorder of date to be completed!

Some of the organizing shows on tv will tell you that's exactly what you're supposed to do - Only have IN the room - What you want to do in the room (of course that's if you have the rooms to do it).

A bedroom should be only a bedroom - no computer, no tv, no kids toys, etc.

I made a list of all the 'to dos' I had...but I lost the list.

:) :) :)

Maybe I need to pull them out (or set them in a certain location (say a shelf) so I can keep better track of them.

I'm did really well yesterday - I went to 2 (yes 2) stores yesterday, fondled fabric and DID NOT BUY a single inch! Ain't ya proud!

lol - yes I am :) I went to Galena the other day. Somehow I managed to not find the quilt store I know is there ??!

I took several of my projects and ironed the material today. They are now hanging in my closet. Fortunately for me, many of the projects are Christmas panels and will be very easy to whip out.

Am going to try to get my Snap Sack done today. As soon as hubby takes over computer so I can actually get to it :)

That is too funny!!!I guess I am not the only one...I have fabrics folded together that I want to use together in quilts...Someday....... ;-)

1 down 17 left to go. I am calling this done even though it still has to be quilted and the binding finished. I don't know what happened to my machine but I am no longer able to use it. It clunked and quit. :(

Hope it is an easy fix!
But being without it for even a day can be devastating!