Thursday, January 5, 2012

Not ambitious at all

I have a bad habit of setting unrealistic goals for myself. I honestly can't remember the last time I actually managed to do everything on my weekend to-do list but I'm pretty sure I was still in school. When Tadpole came along I found that two items over two days was pretty much the limit of what I could accomplish during the first few months. That was an adjustment, to say the least!

But I like lists and dreaming up things that I want to do, so here are my (crafting) goals for 2012:

1. Be more centered.

Actually, this is my big goal on all fronts this year. Between having a baby and starting a huge new job (in addition to "parent"), I've often felt like I could never quite get my feet under me. So you can see why I'm going back to making lists.

2. Organize the stash.

I have a lot of really nice yarn in my stash that I'm looking forward to using. I also have some that I probably will never use. I doubt I have time to work with everything I want to so that means the other stuff really needs to go. And I can't easily work through the stash if I don't know what's there in the first place.

3. Knit with stash/don't buy new yarn.

I know I said this last year but I really mean it this time (here's hoping you don't read this sentence again in 2013). This is how bad my guilt over the stash has gotten - I was happy when I went to buy a Sundara holiday bag and the last green one was sold out by the time I got to the checkout.

I don't think I could make it a whole year without buying yarn so I'd better set out some (limited!) exceptions to the stash diet.

(a) purchases at sheep & wool festivals or similar events are ok.

(b) gifts of yarn may be excepted. Whether Mr. Thinks and Frogs can give the gift is TBD.

(c) special souvenir purchases while on vacation may be allowed.

4. Spin more.

I loved the Tour de Fleece but haven't spun much since then. Right now I'm working on spinning for a swap with Jacey do I'm at least off to a good start.

5. Quilt more: finish the quilt and make at least one other quilted item.

What quilt? I know, I've been working on it for so long I sometimes forger about it. But I'd really like to finish it. And try some other patterns!

The set-up for quilting (or sewing) always seems to take a really long time. Knitting is much better suited to fill a ten minute chunk of time - I can knit for all ten! With working on the quilt, I feel like I spend right minutes setting up and then only have two left to make any actual progress. And that doesn't count when I have to iron the fabric first!

But I also like how (relatively) little time it takes to make a big quilting FO. Plus, I'd like to be more proficient at using my sewing machine.

Would you believe I worked on the quilt last weekend? I'm two strips away from finishing the third block of four. Progress!

I think that's it. No links or pics this time since I'm on my phone (just handed off the baby to see if my better half can have more success with a crib transfer) and I've really got to go get some sleep.

Replies to comments on the previous post are coming, I promise.

Happy New Year! I'm looking forward to what 2012 has in store.

7 comments:

gorgeousknitting said...

I think it could have been me who has written that post.

I really do feel the same about organise my stash, knitting and spinning projekts.

My top list goal is to limit my WIP on an number of three at one time...

Gale Bulkley said...

What gorgeous said. I also want to whittle down the clutter on my WIP list by either getting the WIP done, or ripping it out. As for the stash, well, I am going to limit my purchases like last year. That was mostly a successful effort.

Jacey said...

I'm so proud that you pulled out the quilt. Yippee! Picture soon, I hope! I think your exceptions on stash are good ones. And balance is a very hard thing. I think that will always be true, but I hope you can find some this year, Rue. You've got a lot going on, for sure!

Rachel said...

I NEVER make unrealistic goals for myself so I have no idea what that may feel like. cough cough.

I like your goals but particularly like the first one about being centered. From our eyes, you are handling the baby, job, life juggle quite well but I'm sure there are days that are a struggle.

I've found in the past that strict rules don't work for me...yarn diets are the same as any other diets. If I am restricted I want it more. Very child-like in that way. If I don't put the restriction on myself, I won't think about yarn hardly at all...odd that way! Anyway...good luck with your crafting goals...looking forward to watching your progress in 2012!

Brendaknits said...

My goals for 2012 have not yet been set. I cant seem to get a clear picutre of where I want to go and be with my knitting in 2012. I'm hoping that the fog clears soon.

Kathy said...

I think it's very wise to take care of yourself. I've seen too many moms lose track of themselves and let themselves go and find themselves a little uncentered when baby is older. I can't wait to see your quilting. I'll be your stash diet buddy - i understand diets are better with a buddy. I'm going on a strict diet this year, because I kept buying more in each 'budgeted' exception that the stash has grown the last two years instead of shrinking. It's like a starvation/binge diet! But this year, my diet is centered around a desire to minimize/simplify my entire life, so I"m more hopeful. And I have a reward in November, if I'm good. :)

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year! It's important not to set too ambitious of a goal, because those are the ones easiest to give up on. If it's a slight adjustment, you'll do no problem, and then feel like a champ at year's end.
Note on the stash: I've found that rather than organize by color or fiber content, I put the yarns I'm most excited to work with in front. If I always see the yarn I can't wait to cast on next, I'll be more motivated to keep knitting.