14th Annual Final Countdown
Posted on December 28, 2022 by prairiemoonquilts in The Final CountdownFourteen years we’ve been doing this! And here we are again, at the end of another year already. And the final few days where I make one last effort to finish up and clean up as many things off my to-do list as I can, so as to not have to carry them over into the new year — The Final Countdown to 2023.
I love that fresh start. How about you?
Every year I make more and better progress, and learn more about myself and the way I work in the process, which helps me move forward without slipping too far backward. Here’s a few tidbits I’ve gleaned over the years:
- • I still have way too much stuff
- • I’m still hanging on to some stuff I will never use
- • The stuff I want to use needs to be brought out into the light of day and actually used
- • I have too many unfinished projects
- • I need to stop starting more projects until most of the others are finished
- • I need to take stock of the remaining unfinished ones and make some decisions
- • I DO like working on more than one thing at a time
- • My cutting table will never be 100% empty — or even 90%
- • I need to take more time for myself to work on my own projects
- • Maybe I don’t need to keep so many empty cardboard boxes!
- • Finding a worthy cause to donate finished quilts to gets them out of storage and helps use up the stash in the best possible way
Here are a few things I’ve done that have helped me get and stay more organized:
- • I used up all my odds and ends of random thread, and organized the rest according to the way I use it
- • I sorted through my fabric stash and donated the pieces I don’t want to friends or organizations that can use it up better than I can
- • I sorted through my finished quilts and sold or donated lots of them
- • I made several quilts specifically for the purpose of donating them (and will continue to do this)
- • I used up most of my scrap batting pieces, clearing off a shelf in the closet
- • I set up a new paperwork system, which allows it all to fit into a smaller area and keep from piling up
- • I bought very little new fabric over the past year, usually only purchasing fabric needed to finish things I have started
- • I cleaned off my cutting table at least once a month to minimize the perpetual mess I work in!
But, as someone has said in previous comments, “There’s always room for improvement!” There is still always something that can be more organized, or streamlined, or re-configured to be more convenient. Isn’t there?
So that’s why we’re back to this for the 14th year in a row!
If you’ve joined me for The Final Countdown before, I’ll be thrilled to have you join in again!
If you’re new here, welcome! I hope you’ll join in this time, as we try to get a fresh start on 2023 in our sewing spaces.
Here’s how it works . . .
- • Beginning tomorrow, I’ll post a task for us to do each day for three days in a row; a different task each day.
- • Your job is to do the task, if you so desire (totally optional). If it’s not a task you need to do, then you can pick any task you feel fits your situation better, and do that one instead. You can look back at previous year’s tasks HERE.
- • After you’ve done the task, leave a comment on the post that you did it, and how it went for you. If you want to write a blog post of your own and link back to it, that’s great — we all love stories, and I love those random peeks into other people’s sewing spaces! If you’re already so organized that you don’t even need to do the task, you can still leave a comment to be eligible for the prizes.
- • I’m offering up a prize for each task, so be sure and leave a comment for each task that you complete. You’re only eligible for the prize for that task if you did the task and left your comment (or left a comment that you already had it done or didn’t need to do it). I try to make the prizes something that will help you with organizing, or things that you can use up, so as to not cause you more clutter or disorganization. If you do all three tasks, you’ll have three chances to win. How many you choose to do is completely up to you. Easy!
I’m giving us till January 9th to complete all the tasks and leave comments. I’ll draw for the three winners late in the day on the 9th. That should give us time to take a good crack at all three tasks.
So there you have it — simple rules, and prizes!
I’ll post our first task tomorrow, so be sure to check back in. Or if you’re not subscribed already, you can subscribe to the “News From the Ranch” using the form at top right, so you’ll automatically be notified when the tasks are posted.
Are you ready for The Final Countdown?
YAY! I love Final Countdown. Looking forward to it.
Sounds like a great way to start the new year! I am off this week and the first thing on my list is to finish my Mad Dash quilt. Borders are going on today. Hubby decided he wanted the quilt to hang on the wall instead of on the bed so I don’t have to make it humongous. 😁 looking forward to the tasks.
I always try to stay organized, but it is definitely an ongoing process!
I am going to give this a try this year. My sewing room is a disaster, so I really need some tasks!
I believe this is my first try. Usually am gone at this time of year. Looking forward to the challenge
Looking forward to the Final countdown. I have started a few cleanups already!
Will keep watch to see if there’s something I can do. My sewing machine, supplies, and projects are still not moved to where I am…………sigh. Good luck to everyone.
OK…LET’S GET STARTED!!!! I need the extra push!!
This will be my first Final Countdown. I found the Studio Organizing Challenge 2015 on a website and have been looking forward to SOC 2023.
Hi all, I think we all need a little HELP keeping our sewing room organized. I know I do. Can’t wait for the three days task! Happy organizing to all!!!!
I’m in at least knee deep. Lots of reorganization going on all over the house. Seriously, shouldn’t I have gotten this all done already? Every little bit helps, and I feel so good when I finally get a task completed.
Oh, and I never met an empty box I didn’t like. Some of these must go.
I’m planning to do Karen Brown’s decluttering challenge again this year. It begins January 1 and I’m hoping some of those tasks are the same as yours. However it works out, though, I should be better organized by the third week of January.
I’m looking forward to participating again this year.
I can really relate to all your tidbits that you’ve learned and mentioned here. Thanks so much for doing this Countdown again. I’m looking forward to it.
This is my first year and I am ready to be organized (sort of?) Anything will be an improvement. Thanks for the inspiration.
I always do a year end wrap up on my UFO’s. Unfortunately I have several that I haven’t touched this year. I’m trying to get finished up quilting my charity quilts; some are what I’ve made while others are tops a friend sent. I’m like you in keeping cardboard boxes. A good box was hard to find at times! I can’t wait to see what the first challenge is!
Your post rings so true. I’ve made progress but there is a long ways to go! I’m in!
I looked over your two lists and created two similar lists that relate to me. Donating & gifting quilts has always been important to me. It was fun to see all of the ones you had made for donation on one of your earlier posts. And less stuff around makes the quilting life easier!
Lots of organization is needed on the stash shelves. People have given me fabric multiple times this year and those shelves are a disaster. I’ll be happy to join the challenge this year.
Looking forward to “surprise” organizing! If a task is already done or for some reason I don’t need/can’t do, my backup is organizing my commercial patterns of which I have a “few.”
We’ll see what tasks you come up with. My sewing room is a complete disaster yet I somehow feel quite comfortable there. What does that say about me?
My old age set in last December and I have been doing this for a year. I will post on the daily posts what got done.
I gathered small pieces from 4 places to be cut into 2inch squares and strips for the log cabin blocks. That was Friday; Saturday I began cutting; Sunday, today I’ll finish and have lots of strips to continue my log cabin sewing. And, plenty of squares for leaders and enders.
Shelly, thanks for always doing The Final Countdown. I make progress each year.
Thanks for the Christmas package! It was the perfect gift!!
Would you describe your new paper system and how it has been simplified? Sounds intriguing.