I, too, had my ideas in folders (even tho' they were copies/alias') for all my hobbies AND had them on my desktop. I thought ithat was a great idea and very handy.
My tech-saavy son, however, said that takes up 'memory space' on the (computer's) desktop and I should not have alias folders on the desktop ...just access the original folders in "the Finder" of documents. Then I can search for the most recent documents on or about the time/month, etc.
Soooo... good luck... I think that photo of the barn quilt - literally - that PatPitter posted above, might be it.