Stash busting and other random thoughts

I’ve read Judy’s blog and seen many others making hard efforts to busting their stash. As I ponder what more could I possibly do, I’m amazed to realized I have cut not only my stash down in size, but my UFO’s over the past few months!!!

I completely emptied my scrap basked a couple nights ago (that is an IKEA laundry hanging bag) into 7 US Postal Tyvek bags….4 have moved on to new homes and 1 is already claimed…and but wait, I have two more up for grabs (let’s see who read my blog and isn’t a stash buster who wants scraps – first 2 folks who mention it in a comment, I’ll pop these in the mail later this week).

I do have the ultimate goal of a new sewing studio though and the more I move out of my area the easier it will be for me to redesign and complete an area of “zen” for my sewing.

I have one bin that will continue for Manic Monday Offerings for a few months into 2008, but otherwise I’m way ahead of the game. Next I need to completely redo my UFO listing to show what I have on the “hopper”.

I do feel a sense of control with busting my stash and ufos, but I guess I do need to understand why I gather so much clutter in the first place. I’ve been working on this “situation” for a couple years now. I seem to be closer at a point to just focusing on a simple number of projects, then all a sudden I see something new and bright and shiny and have to have it. So, I have tried to answer more questions before purchasing fabric. Why do I need it? Do I have a pattern? Who would the finish project go to? Can I afford it at this time of the month? Maybe I need to make an index card with these questions, that way I can have a visual tool and help myself keep more on track.

Sorry for the ramblings, but need to document some thoughts to come back to.

What am I working on now?

1. Baby quilt – almost finished blocks
2. Round Robin Blogger Swap – due 12/15
3. Secret Santa Christmas Swap – due 12/1
4. Four Season Swap – sometime in the new year
5. Various quickie gift ideas….
6. Finish mini table runner for Civil War Lover Letter Club starting in January

EDIT: Ok, I understand folks interest in getting freebie stuff, but if I can’t email you from your comment or even through your blog profile (aka meaning you don’t have a blogger or blog listed for me to comment to you) how can I get your snail address? Please folks if you wish to receive freebies from me, I need some way to contact you. If you really want the freebies and don’t have contact info, my email is visible in my profile. Email me, please. Thank you.

The Doll Swap

I joined the Doll Swap II with the intention of using up some stash….I need to bust my stash!!

So, I received my assignment this week and went straight to work! I’m very excited! Even more so now, because I finished the top part this morning. Making this miniature quilt was fun to design and sew. All I need to do now is be creative in the quilting part and add the binding! Granted I should have signed up for more than one swapper – I still have tons of stash left to bust!! LOL

Mmmm…read in someone else’s blog that we weren’t suppose to share these quilts, but I was under the impression it was up to the creator to share or not to share…so I “adjusted” the image….

New UFO completion system . . .

I have decided to make my UFO’s more accessible than a excel worksheet. The worksheet is excellent for a quick glance and for see an over all picture, but I realize I still forget about projects and I kinda feel overwhelm when I look at the spreadsheet and realize I have TOOO much to do.

So, I’ll keep updating the spreadsheet, but also going to start using index cards for each project. Color code my UFO’s by the 2 lists I have. Write down things on the cards as I do a project or if I need supplies. Pick up some monthly tabs so I can have more a visual idea of goals for each month.

Once I have everything done up, I’ll take pictures. I’m actually more excited now that I have a new tool to aid in clearing up my UFO’s and stash….still a lot of work to do!