January Studio Organizing Challenge

Posted on January 21, 2021 by prairiemoonquilts in Studio Organizing Challenge

January is about to get away from me. I decided to finish my kitchen remodel in December, and naturally, it ran over into January, so I’m still struggling to finish that up, along with all the regular things going on around here, and a more-than-full schedule of customer quilts to longarm.

So here it is, January 21st, and I still haven’t finished a single project this year (not even my kitchen)!

I feel like I’m working super hard, and not accomplishing anything, so it’s about to put me into a funk. I’m fighting that pretty hard, tho, cos there ain’t no time to be in a funk around here — there’s too much needs doin’! The sun is shining today, so that really helps.

I’ve looked around my sewing room, and I’m not 100% sure, but I think I may have actually gotten all my stray fabric put away after the Final Countdown! I’m not calling it finished just yet, because I’m still wondering if it can really be true, or if I’ll still find some strays lurking somewhere. And even tho it’s all put away, I still want to do some rearranging of certain parts of it, so . . . still a work in progress. And this does not include scraps, altho I’ve made good progress on those as well.

I did find one more UFO at the bottom of a box of fabric, so that added one more to my list of projects. And I’ve discovered that it’s nearly a full-time job to keep my cutting table cleared off! I’ve been cleaning it off every weekend so that there are no more than 10 projects on the table. It’s sooo hard to not add stuff to that table! And also so far this year, I have not started any new projects. Yet.

I feel like I’m in limbo. Haha!

In the spirit of all the progress I made during the Final Countdown, however, I have still been going through boxes and bins and piles, and that leads me to this month’s Studio Organizing Challenge. If, like me, you are still working on one of the three challenges from the Final Countdown, then that is our challenge for this month:

Keep working on that.

Here’s the state of my cutting table as of this morning. Keep in mind that it’s mid-week, so there are a few extras hanging around on there that I’ll clear off this weekend.

I’m not offering up anything any more complicated than that for this month, since this month is about over. But I have something new and fun coming up for the rest of this year’s Studio Organizing Challenges (hint: it’s like a game). I’m hoping it helps me do even better — maybe it will be fun for you, too. So stay tuned! We’ll kick it off in February.

13 responses to “January Studio Organizing Challenge”

  1. Wendy says:

    I’m sure you’re getting things done – that cutting table looks pretty productive! I’m dragging a bit this week, but slowly making progress. Thanks for keeping us on task, Shelly!

  2. Diane says:

    If I was to take on the fabric organization challenge it might do me in for several months. Maybe a bin a week. Baby steps.

  3. Marcia in TX says:

    You have done so much. I salute you for clearing your table off every week. That will help so much. I have been working on cleaning not only the table but also the closet and the fabric closet that had become a mess so I couldn’t find fabrics I wanted. It all takes time but so worth it. I feel so much better about my areas and myself. Thank you so much for these challenges that improve our life. Hugs,

  4. Please don’t be so hard on yourself. As modern day women we think we can accomplish all that we used to two decades ago even though we’ve added more onto our plates with the commitments to family and friends, etc…. and the appropriate timing those take that we’re not being realistic with ourselves, esp. as we age. Go softly and enjoy where you are.
    Thanks for inspiring us and challenging us to continue to be and do the best each of us can. It’s appreciated.

  5. Randy Menninghaus says:

    I keep un earthing new treasures

  6. Karen E. says:

    Do you have room for TWO cutting tables?! One for cutting and one for stacking things. My sister said recently that if she ever built a house, there wouldn’t be a flat surface in it. Maybe you could pretend all surfaces are steep enough that things placed there will slide to the floor. Just kidding; it seems to me you’ve accomplished quite a lot in 21 days.

    • Joan says:

      The idea of two cutting tables is so funny, because I have actually resported to this! And yes, one is used for stacking things!

  7. Cindy Wienstroer says:

    You are doing great! I am trying to bribe myself – get something done (UFO) then can work on something fun. Only 3 tops to quilt, and working on 2 projects. The list helps me stay focus!

  8. Paula Mu says:

    More time to add the UFOs in a living room cupboard (couldn’t get to it with the tree up) to my UFO list. Thanks for the motivation.

  9. Jackie Gross says:

    I can’t wait to see your Organization Game. I will have to take notes and follow along.

  10. christopher thomas says:

    i feel you on not getting anything done or not thinking you are getting anything done…..i know i get things done but at times it seems that i am just stuck in the mud and not going any place……but like they say tomorrow is another day…

    i am always up for another challange….

  11. Shelly your cutting table looks great if you stop and think that each pile is an organized project 😉 Looking forward to seeing what you have planned for us.

  12. Kerry says:

    Wow! Going great guns – even if you do come across some bits to sort out, if you can’t see them now, they won’t take long to do.

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