The Stitch Up

Project Organization

In my quest to make organization my middle name, I've found a few tools to keep me on track this year.  

The Project Girl, who is becoming my go-to for organization ideas has a host of print-ables that I've been using.  This one is a Project Master List, which I'm using to jot down project/craft ideas as soon as I come up with them.  I'm then trying to think rationally about how long I'll need to complete each project and giving myself a deadline goal.

For my next step I am using an AWESOME app called Weave.

It lets you break each project down into individual tasks, set a date to complete each task and it then gives you reminders of when your completion date is coming up.  It also keeps track of how much you've spent on a project, which I think makes this a great app for people who are selling things on Etsy or other sites as it keeps you within budget.  It would also probably be a good idea for me to keep track of my budget, but at this point I'm pretty much working out of my fabric and embroidery thread stash, so I think I can postpone concerns about budget for a bit.

My plan is to list the projects I plan to complete each month here on the blog as an added incentive to get those things done.  I'm trying to be realistic about the time it will take to finish everything as I've learned that the reminder every day from the Weave app that I'm up against my own deadline is really guilt-inducing!

So an update here soon on my projects for February and their progress.  Hope everyone is keeping warm and enjoying 2012.

Organize

I expected to move into January and start 2012 with tons of energy and start kicking things off my "to do" list left and right.  It's not quite working out that way.  I did finish my 2012 calendar tea towel.

I was determined to get this done by the end of January and I had to avoid some distractions in order to wrap it up.

Honestly.  

I have a couple of projects in mind, but I wanted something to stitch tonight while watching tv so I started on a tea towel I'd prepared a couple of months ago.  I had enlarged a J.F. Ingalls pattern and transferred it - I'm hoping it will be a cheery kitchen addition.  

I've been thinking about what I want my word for the year to be.  Last year it was Focus.  This year I've picked the word Organize.  I'm thinking in terms of more than clearing out files and drawers, although I have started some of that.  But also, organizing my thoughts, organizing my priorities, organizing my time.  

Part of organization for me is using diaries, calendars and some cool printables I've found on The Project Girl.  The menu planner is already helping me organize some healthier meals for the Hubby and myself.

The other part is sitting down, making some lists, and figuring out how to organize my life to achieve some long term goals.  I'm hoping that devoting this time to planning and plotting out my course for the year will result in some positive changes across a lot of areas of my life.   I also hope that those changes will be reflected in this blog with some fun posts for 2012.  I'm excited about this year and hope everyone else out there is too!

Goodbye 2011

After our quiet Christmas we went out to visit my parents for some fun and some more relaxation.  Mom and Dad live out in the desert.  It's beautiful and serene, and we always have a nice time when we visit.

We played games, walked in the hills and just enjoyed family for a few days.  I brought along a travel project - a cute 2012 tea towel by Curious Doodles and got quite a bit done between the plane rides and time spent around the kitchen table chatting with Mom.

We got home just in time for New Year's Eve which we spent quietly.  We took advantage of the weirdly warm weather by grilling outside.  

After dinner we snuggled on the couch to talk about the past year and what we hope for the new year.

I will of course have resolutions or plans for 2012, but I've enjoyed just feeling the excitement of the start of a new year and all the hope and possibility that it promises.  Happy New Year to everyone!