Sometime last year, I came across a post on a stitching website that helped me rethink the way I was working with my hand sewing projects. Unfortunately, I can't now find the reference on the interwebs to link to, so you'll just have to trust me that this is an idea I picked up from CameoRoze's Stitcher's Studio. She said we should banish the idea of UFOs and instead set up a rotation system. She keeps ten projects in her rotation system and after she spends 10 hours on a project she moves on. This really appeals. I think it helps me because I don't feel bogged down with any one particular project, and I also have the pleasure of putting something away while I'm enjoying it and then rediscovering some new joy. Over the 2010 year, I worked out what I wanted in my 10 project rotation system: 3 tapestries, 3 embroidery projects, 3 knitting projects and my tapestry class. So I keep a record of how many hours I've spent on something and when I get to 10 I try and move on to something new. I'm not super dooper fixated on this (both the recording of hours and the moving on bit) but I am cycling through my projects and feeling comfortable with my progress. It has also had the benefit of stopping me from buying lots of new projects because I have this sense that I've got a lot on the go at the moment.
Top Ten projects
- Monthly Creative Tapestry Class - 200 stitch guide (half way through)
- Cat tapestry
- Ferry tapestry
- Tim's Christmas stocking
- Brown Owls embroidery - Cross stitch scissors keeper
- Felt ornaments - Christmas santas
- Thread painting - Giraffes (was Bingo Blue Blotch Pansy)
- Knitting for children - toys
- Knitting for me - Alice Starmore's Oregon vest
- Knitting for others - Great American Aran Afghan