Do One Thing Every Day

What do you like to do?   It's entirely possible that you like to do more than one thing.  Do you do the things you like to do or do you just think about them?  Say  " Boy, I sure would like to write a blog."  Or, maybe it's, "I sure would like to finish  those projects I have started."


It's possible you may find yourself reading a variety of blogs rather than writing one.  Perhaps starting a new project is more fun than finishing that one from last year.   But as the day ends, you realized you didn't really do a blog post or work on a UFO.   Maybe you are busy with a job, young kids, teens (or both) pets, volunteering and are tired at the end of the day.

Years ago when I was a nursing student, 1990's,  I worked very hard at that and also did my housework (sort of) and mothering.  There was so much reading, learning medications, diagnoses, signs and symptoms, that I just didn't do much else.  A couple of years later when I returned to nursing school to get my RN, I decided I couldn't do without reading something other than text books. My plan was to read 5 minutes a day at bedtime something non-medical.

I did that no matter how late it was, after all it was only 5 minutes.
It made all the difference in my year.  My mind relished in the joy of poetry, a mystery or biography.

So have decided to try to do things every day for 30 days. Go outside and move about (sitting outside not included) for 10 minutes and write for 10 minutes, poetry, letters, journal and/or blog post.  I keep 3 journals, computer, handwritten and recorded.
So any of the three qualify.

I'll write a post about my efforts in 31 days.  Ya'll come back and see what happens.  

I got this idea awhile ago from an article from somewhere in which I have written "from Cyndi's blog lipstick jungle".  Today have searched for this so I can give her credit, but I couldn't find it anywhere.  In the article she mentions, Austin Kleon, whose blog I did find.   He mentions the 30 day goal so here is a link to that.       

Thirty Day Challenge     

Besides this post from November 1, 2017, he has other interesting things to day.  He is a writer who also does art.

I will leave you today with a beautiful photo of a cloud.  I hope it's one I've not already posted.

My Pink Cloud

Socks done

Just a short note today to say one of my original unfinished projects is done.

On the left, the little yellow sock start?

Part way through sock one.

First sock.

Both done, a pair.

How wonderful that today is a little cool and rainy so I can wear my socks before the summer weather arrives.  Thank you, Lord.

Where have I been?

To tell the complete truth, I've been idling.  However that seems to have passed.  I returned from Tennessee on Feb. 10 very late.  Then starting Tuesday and for a week I was idle.  This is a public confession. Frankly I thought it might be just a couple of days for idleness.  Oh, no, a full week.

The challenge?  First I finished a bag for my daughter-in-law which I finished after my infamous idling week. Here are some photos of it.

                                  These are the bits to start the bag.

The pattern called for one long pocket, but I did two using the same print in different colors.   I sewed them on correctly, but then when I went to sew the bottom of the lining in order to square the corners, I sewed the top edges together instead of the bottoms.

So then I sewed the corners and cut one of them before I realized what I had done.  Consequently I  found my error and the pockets were then upside down.  After cursing, I unsewed one of the pockets and resewed it the opposite only to find I hadn't taken care to catch the elastic at the top.  That's when after cursing and cursing I decided to stop until after I returned from TN.

The lining inside the bag, both pockets turned as in photo above.

I think it came out all right.  DDIL will get it later.  When I was visiting, I bought her gift at the local yarn shop, The Knaughty Knitter.  Meredith is the owner and a very nice person.

Next I dug out a blouse I started years ago for my daughter. Here's the photo I took when I was counting all my unfinished projects.

Well,  it had been sooooooooooo long I had to study the pattern and the pattern pieces and study them again.  I love the fabric, but this was what I discovered.  I had failed to cut out an important piece at the time and I had no more of that fabric that I could find.  What did I do?   I put the fabric into my box of batiks and chose another project.

Okay, deep breath.  I picked this one up next.  It was all cut out and all there, but I hadn't actually started sewing.  This one is a go.  Woohoo!

I'm doing this view minus the applique and lace.

Pinned bodice lining to bodice, don't we love pinning?

Bodice almost done with cute ruffles on the sleeves.   Want more?  Oops, that's all I've got for today.  I promise it won't be so long next time.  I'm hoping for Sunday.  Don't be too surprised if it's later, but not 3 weeks.


In Tennessee I visited the Stones River Civil War National Battlefield.  Here are a couple of photos I took.  It was very cold about 38 degrees.

Looking out from the museum towards the site of one of the battles. So lovely and peaceful.

This is the oldest Civil War memorial still standing. 1863.

                To end on a cheerier note, here is a photo of my cat, Zeke, who loves to get in my face.

Bye bye.

                                                                

                                                     

A Challenge for Me

Welcome to my blog.  It's a personal challenge for me to finish the many unfinished projects I have here in my home.   I spent quite a bit of time finding and photographing the 66 projects.  Although beading is also a hobby I enjoy,  I didn't include bead projects.  I may be adding them in later.  So . . . 

My  list:

•  Sewing    22  unfinished
•  Quilting   16  unfinished
•  Knitting   24  unfinished
• Weaving    2   unfinished     
• Basketry    2   unfinished   (there won't be more, not my   favorite)

 

My  plan:

• Finish these unfinished projects in 15 months
• One sewing project per week
• One knitting project per month
• Weaving and Baskets will be finished
• Buy no new fabric or yarn during this time
• Enjoy it because I know I do.
• Do it because I want to say I did it! 

Starting  with :

•  On the far right,  it's a knitted hoodie. Knitting from the neck down then adding on the hood.

•   Although I'm retired from nursing, I had one scrub top cut out.  I'll start with this one. On Valentine's Day I can wear it.  Or not. 

Do you have unfinished projects?  Come along and join me.  

Post Script: This used to be called Finishing the Unfinished. I changed the name in March 2014.  SF