Thursday, May 14, 2015

Do I Need A Handwork Intervention?

At a time of year when I should be concentrating my efforts on nothing but outside work, I looked around my quilt room this morning and counted no less than seven projects in progress.

These aren't the dreaded UFOs (unfinished objects) we all have stashed away to be forgotten completed "someday," but rather things I am actively working on whenever I can sneak into my padlocked sanctuary quilt room without anyone noticing I've temporarily disappeared.

You say I couldn't actually have seven projects in process at once?  Ha!  Let me show you.  Spread out in various places in my quilt room are:


1)  Summer Potholders.  I just gave away my last set of potholders that were summer themed.  Gotta get a few more made up.


2)  Miniature Sweater Ornaments.  A friend gave me one of these for our Christmas tree years ago, and I finally found a pattern I liked so am making some for small gifts for this coming holiday season.


3)  Hangers for Miniature Sweater Ornaments.  The friend who gave me the ornament loaned me her jig for making the teeny-tiny wire hangers.  Unfortunately, her hanger pattern was a smidge too small for my sweaters so I had Papa Pea make me a jig that is slightly larger.


4)  A "Welcome" Hanging for Entry Porch.  I have to figure out how to make a panel that will go on the bottom of this Attic Windows piece that will say "Welcome."


5)  Summer Tablecloth.  This tablecloth has been up on my design wall for some time waiting for inspiration to strike me as how to quilt it . . . without spending 40 hours doing so.


6)  New Full-Sized Quilt.  I have nearly all the blocks made for another quilt . . . king-sized so it will fit on our bed if I decide to keep it.


7)  Knitted Socks.  And lastly, the first sock of a pair just about done.  I think I'm dragging my heels on finishing this one because the second sock will be BOR-ing.  I know, I'm the one who chose this blue-gray yarn because it will go with everything, so I need to hush up and get on with it.

That's all.  Those are the only projects currently cluttering gracing the surfaces of my quilt room.

How about you?  Do you have several projects in the works waiting to be completed?  Or are you one of those irritating people who always finish one project before starting another?

23 comments:

Sparkless said...

I hide all my project in plastic tubs in the basement or at the storage locker, never to be seen again. I have two projects on the go right now. A knitted hat and some decoupaged plates. I do have several books on the go right now though so does that qualify for not being one of those irritating people who finish one project before starting another.

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

Hahaha! People actually finish their projects before starting another...unheard of. ;)
I DO have some projects in the wings. I've got one more roller shade to complete--
I've got some baby burp clothes to trim out for my daughter...erhg! the baby is 3 mos old now!
I've got a chair that needs upholstering...!
Oh! and I haven't touched the Dollhouse in a while!
I love your choice of yarn for your socks...
I bet they'll be warm. I haven't knitted anything but dish cloths.
The little sweater ornaments...are adorable though, those would make cute little hang tags on gifts...or a little garland of sweaters!
You're handy!

Sandy Livesay said...

Mama Pea,

I start several projects, and I've complete several projects......so I guess I'm one of those annoying people, lol

I love those little sweaters, they're so adorable!!!

Sometimes we women just need a break from all that every day stuff. So when we can sneak away for just 5 or 10 minutes every now and then, the rest of the family won't miss us :-P

Sandy Livesay said...

Unless of course it's around dinner time......then it's where's Mom, and what's for dinner!!!

Sue said...

I call you "Multi Tasker Queen". I'm sure any corporation would LOVE to have you! Believe it or not, that's a sign of someone that can juggle many things--an admirable quality in the "real world".
Love all the projects--those ornaments are hilarious, right down to the teeny tiny hangars. What a hoot-love the idea!

Erin said...

I haven't quilted or crafted at all except for one unfinished shawl thing since moving here! I want to…. but life has been getting in the way. Love your projects in process!

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Uh, I think you are normal as normal gets, ha ha! I love that mini sweater. I've seen them before, but haven't learned to make them.

Susan said...

Teeny hangers??? OMG. I am going to definitely stay on your good side - hint, hint. I think I am in love with your summer table cloth - what a beautiful design and the colors are wonderful! I am also gobsmacked that you are able to keep that many balls in the air.

Mama Pea said...

Sparkless - Gosh, yes! Never count saved patterns or ideas gotten from books as STARTED projects. If that were so, I'd have started projects in the hundreds!

Mama Pea said...

Patricia - A garland of the miniature sweaters! What a great idea! (Ummmm, just how many would I have to make??)

Mama Pea said...

Sandy - You're so right! If it weren't for those pesky three meals a day. And the need for several hours of sleep each night. Think of ALL we could accomplish!

Mama Pea said...

Sue - Please stop encouraging me to have so much going at once by calling it an admirable quality. It will go to my head and I'll start thinking I'm okay. ;o}

Mama Pea said...

Erin - Face it, girl. You are at a time in your life (read: putting a LOT of time and effort into raising two active, intelligent boys) when Mom's needs and desires have a hard time fitting in. Just make sure you find time to do what you NEED to do to keep yourself happy and healthy.

Mama Pea said...

Kristina - You should have seen me tearing my hair (and saying a few bad words) over the first pattern I found. I don't think it had misprints in it, but was just the dumbest pattern. Complicated to do and looked ugly when finished. :o(

Mama Pea said...

Susan - Who says all the balls stay in the air. You might trip over a few on a walk through my house!

DFW said...

I've got three sewing related projects going. Although 1 is a quilt along so I have to wait for the next set of instructions. Once finished this September, I won't be doing another one of those anytime soon. Plus all the organization (non sewing) projects that just keep staring at me.

Carolyn said...

I may have some UFO's down in the basement fabric scraps box...but it's been so long since I've been through it that they've probably composted by now.
I thought for a second you were knitting little kitty sweaters!!

Lisa said...

Oooooo, I love all your UFO's!!! Those little tiny sweater hangers are so cool! My goodness, how clever!!! Your quilting is always so beautiful, in both craftsmanship, design and color choices. That summer tablecloth is gorgeous. Could you just back it with a simple lining (sew right sides together, leave an opening for turning then slip-stitch closed) and no quilting? That'd be quick and be on your table in no time. I don't have too many UFO's hanging around because I'm such a procrastinator, that I (usually!) make myself finish a project.... because I know if it's put away, it will not be picked up again, for a long time. Now.... let's not talk about all the projects swimming around in my head! I'll never live long enough to get all those done! :)

Mama Pea said...

DFW - If you have only three sewing projects going, I think you're being very restrained! :o}

Mama Pea said...

Carolyn - So many people are making little "sweaters" for their early spring goat kids . . . so I guess mine could be for little kitties! But forget about asking me for some for newborn kittens. I'm spending enough time making them for tree ornaments!

Mama Pea said...

Thanks, Lisa! I've got the tablecloth already basted to the (very light) batting and backing. It's made up of so many pieces that I don't think all the seams on the back would ever allow it lay nice and flat if I don't quilt it.

You may not have much in the way of UFOs hanging around, but you sure do complete a lot!

Lisa B said...

Ahem # 2 & 3 PLEASE, Pretty, Pretty Please!!!!
Just saying in case you have too many or there is a less than perfect one (which I doubt).

Mama Pea said...

Lisa - Be patient, little girl. Christmas is coming! :o}