It's Tuesday, and I haven't published a blog post since Pink Saturday. I'm going through a sparse period here, storywise. The dogs haven't done anything interesting, I haven't done much project work. No interesting family or friend news. Nothing.
It has been raining. All day yesterday, last night, and this morning, the wet stuff came down. The sun is fighting the clouds now. Maybe we'll have sunshine by afternoon.
I'm so frustrated with my UFOs. I just want to chunk them and start over. I feel so disorganized. You know how I set a goal for 2010 or getting my house in order, decluttered, and prettied up? Well 2011 is going to be The Year of UFO Busting. I'm giving fair warning to all my quilting, sewing, knitting, and crochet projects that are now hiding in bags, drawers, and closets. By the end of next year, you will all either be finished, or a new home will be found for you. And I am NOT going to start another project until that goal is realized.
The small quilt/table runner at right is one of my many many many many UFOs. I started machine quilting it and made a mess. So I tossed it aside rather than pulling out the stitches and fixing my mess.
The knitted scarf at left is finished; and I even started a matching hat, which is finished all but binding off.
The single-crochet cat afghan below has been in the works for ten years or more.
And that's only a tiny smidgen of all the unfinished projects I have haunting my thoughts and dreams. It's time to take action, don't you think?
What about a 2011 UFO Challenge? Anybody up for joining me? We had one a few years ago at my guild, just for quilting projects. I think I won for the longest list of UFOs, of which I finished not a single one, as I recall.
If you have a long list of UFOs like I do, maybe you'd like to join me in a UFO Busting Challenge in 2011. It'll be fun. We'll have prizes: e.g., most UFOs, most percentage finished, first to complete her list, etc. Think about it, and I'll start sign ups after the holidays. Nobody wants to think about this now, I'm sure.
So, well, as it turned out, I did have a little to talk about. But now Sophie and Skipper are pitching a fit for a walk. They missed their walk yesterday because of the rain. So see you later.
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On 11/16/2010, Barbara Anne said ...
I love your tablerunner! It reminds me of rainbow ice cream sherbet and that was always what I chose for my birthday parties when I was growing up.
As you get cozy to watch TV you could snip, pick some stitches out for 15 minutes each night and shrea, shrea, you'd be finished in no time! Perhaps you have a quilting buddy there who will pick the stitches out in exchange for a cake, cookies, or a little something else??
Sign me up for that 2011 challenge to finish UFOs. I need to at least make a dent in my list. It's almost Christmas time again and the borders still aren't on my QuiltSmart Lone Star. It is glorious (if I do say so myself), so why isn't it finished? There are probably 20 other UFOs keeping it company as well as 3 counted cross stitch projects I abandoned in 1992.
Scoot over, girlfriend, you've got company on this bench!
Hugs!
On 11/16/2010, Helen in Switzerland said ...
hello Susan!
I'm in for UFO busting - although I have to confess that I've been working on mine for a few weeks - and slowly but surely I am making progress - or at least I was until my sewing machine started playing up and had to go in for a service. I feel kind of virtuous, but oh I do miss the thrill of starting something new....
On 11/16/2010, Sandy said ...
Count me in!! I was thinking the other day about how I really should finish my nephew's baby quilt. I started it in 1993 when he was born and since he graduates next May, I thought it might make a good high school graduation gift!!! LOL
On 11/16/2010, Joanne Cage said ...
Wow! That cat afghan (after you finish it!) would make a great giveaway prize. But I'd never win it--I almost never win in drawings. I only hope this blamed novel is finished before 2011 ends. - JR
On 11/16/2010, Kai said ...
Hello. My name is Kai & I am a weirdo. I came to this meeting of UFOs Anonymous to admit something even MORE shameful (by far) than having lots of unfinished projects. You see, I am a charter member of AV Anonymous. That would be Anal Virgos Anon. We not only finish EVERYTHING, and finish them QUICKLY, but we make things - gasp - in multiples, assembly line style. OH, THE SHAME OF IT! But the truth (so I hear) will set you (or me or anyone) free. And I am TIRED of making three or four million this or that crafts at a time, giving away a scanty 5 or 6 of them, THEN (neatly, mind you) storing them in the closet of my craft room where they remain for - well - forever. So, while I CAN'T join you, lil' Susan, in YOUR UFO-finishing endeavor, I do sympathize AND support you because we ALL have our little secret stashes. Yours are unfinished - mine are - sigh - just plain ridiculous! (By the way, do you know of anyone who may want about 100 clay eggyolk faces made - oh - about 8 YEARS ago? BWAHAHAHAHA ... you think I'm KIDDING, don't you? I really DO have those.)
On 11/16/2010, rose said ...
I'd like to say that I could do this, but, as my children say,"it ain't gonna happen". Did you know that there is actually a place that takes unfinished projects and finishes them for charity? I wonder where that is???? Perhaps someone reading will know. I kind of like that idea.
On 11/16/2010, Mama Pea said ...
I am up for it. I have been trying to UFO bust this year, too. I have done okay, but I have also started more projects! So, I need to focus on this again next year. Pat Sloan has been posting UFO busting tips for the last few weeks. You can check those out on her blog! They are pretty good steps to take, I think!
On 11/16/2010, Jen said ...
I'm a beginning quilter, so not only am I increasing my stash but I'm increasing my UFOs! I seem to get bored right around adding borders time. If I make it through borders, then I definitely abandon it before I make the sandwich! You did such a great job on your house this last year that I want to join in. I'll look around for some UFOs. I'm sure I have a few I've forgotten about. Or blocked from my memory. ;)
On 11/16/2010, Sharon said ...
Susan - A few years ago,I actually made a list of all the quilting UFOs I had - something like 25 tops were hanging in the closet, with backings all ready prepared for them, hanging with them. I had them listed by year, and I have one more from 2006 to finish, then I'll move to 2007. I mainly hand-quilt, so a few years ago I realized this wasn't going to work, so began machine-quilting some of the lap-sized ones, and sent the bigger ones out to a longarmer. I WILL succeed in this!.
But - - no more new projects? That wouldn't be fun! I decided that in order to conquer this problem, as I made a new top I would get it finished up in a more timely manner, and that way the pile diminishes. Finish an older one, finish the new one.
One way to have the fun of making more tops is to do QOVs, that are then handed over to someone else to longarm quilt - working on two of those at the present.
We won't talk about my cross-stitch Santa (on 22-ct. linen) that is a 10-year project about 2/3 done)!
On 11/16/2010, Sandra Neel Hutchins said ...
I love that cat afghan! Enjoy getting those UFO's done. Sorry that I can't join you because I make a quilt start to finish before I ever go on to the next one. I have finished some UFO's that belonged to long ago dead women. I enjoyed bringing their projects that they left behind to a finish. I suppose that made me want to always get my quilts done before I start on the next one.
On 11/16/2010, Marge Davies said ...
I will join in even though I don't have a blog. I only have about 6 UFO but I also have 2 quilt kits that I haven't even started. I'm pretty good about finishing projects until I make a mistake then I wad them up and put them in a box and forget about them.
Maybe if I really look I will find more.
Marge
On 11/16/2010, Donna said ...
I bet I have more UFO's than anyone! :) PLEASE sign me up! I really need to do this to complete so many projects.
Hugs,
Donna
On 11/17/2010, Deb Price said ...
Susan, your table runner is so pretty! I also love the color for the scarf/hat. I know what you mean about UFO's. I sort of feel sorry for all of mine! I do think I have topped you, though. I have a baby quilt that was for my daughter, Ashleigh, that I have never finished. She's married and will turn 22 in March! Maybe for a grandbaby! Sign me up PLEASE!!
On 11/17/2010, Deb Price said ...
I love the table runner! Maybe you can finish it for spring :) I also love the color of the scarf/hat duo. Don't feel too bad about the UFO's. I have a baby quilt that I started for my daughter Ashleigh; she's married and will turn 22 in March! Maybe I'll get it done for a grandbaby! Sign me up, please!
On 11/17/2010, Elizabeth said ...
I don't quilt. But I tried to resolve to finish the books I've started before starting a new one. Utter failure so far. I think I've discovered that some of the books aren't worth finishing. I should just donate them and move on!
On 11/18/2010, Deb said ...
Hi Susan ~ I was just thinking last week that I needed to make a list of what needs doing and make 2011 the year that it all gets done! I have a lot of UFO's! One is an Irish Hiking Scarf that I actually gave to my daughter two Christmases ago...wrapped it up with the needles in the gift and told her I'd finish it soon. She recently asked if I'd have it ready for her to wear this winter. How embarrassing! I promised I would! I'd love to join your UFO group.
On 11/18/2010, Deb said ...
Hi Susan ~ I was just thinking last week that I needed to make a list of what needs doing and make 2011 the year that it all gets done! I have a lot of UFO's! One is an Irish Hiking Scarf that I actually gave to my daughter two Christmases ago...wrapped it up with the needles in the gift and told her I'd finish it soon. She recently asked if I'd have it ready for her to wear this winter. How embarrassing! I promised I would! I'd love to join your UFO group.
On 11/18/2010, Deb said ...
Hi Susan ~ I was just thinking last week that I needed to make a list of what needs doing and make 2011 the year that it all gets done! I have a lot of UFO's! One is an Irish Hiking Scarf that I actually gave to my daughter two Christmases ago...wrapped it up with the needles in the gift and told her I'd finish it soon. She recently asked if I'd have it ready for her to wear this winter. How embarrassing! I promised I would! I'd love to join your UFO group.
On 11/24/2010, Dandelion Quilts said ...
Susan, I hear you on the UFO's...so many times I start something new without finishing the old. And that runner of yours, will look pretty on your table.
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