Get It Done: October Recap, November Goals

Once again it seemed like the month went fast and my resolve to get things done went even faster!  I'm a bit bummed that I didn't get much done this month.  This was particularly true of my priority projects - even having deadlines did not keep me on track!  Actually, I'm starting to believe that it's too many deadlines that's tripping me up.  I've always believed that it was best to "put it all out there" when it came to tallying what I wanted to get done.  However, I think that also serves to overwhelm me when things get off track and then I'm more likely to shut down than to show up! 

To that end, I have thought about making some big changes for how I will approach my planning for doing these reports next year.   I do see value in doing them and will continue but I need to refine how I will choose what is on them going forward.  More on that in a later post.   

For now though, the October report was pretty bleak as you will see.  There were many deadlines but few completed:

1. WIP:  My "Confetti" scrap quilt.  There's a scrap quilt contest being held by Fabrics 'N Quilts with an October 15 posting deadline.  The scrappy parts for this had been made as "leaders/enders" for the past few years and during September I found background and border fabrics for it (which I've already started cutting out) so now it's time to put the "pedal to the metal" and "'git 'er done"!  If I have time, the extra in this category would be to also finish the update of a display piece by adding the Lincoln/Obama embroidery piece to my old Spontaneity quilt.

I did some work on the scrap quilt but a finish was NOT DONE which I blogged about here.  I didn't even look at the embroidery project.

 

2. HSY:  Now is the time to get my Halloween Quilt project done.  I really want to get this finished this year and on the bed for the holiday.  The good news is that I can start the blocks for this as leader/enders while I'm putting the top together for the scrap quilt in #1.

Again, some work done but a finish was NOT DONE.  More on that in a later post.

3. Wool BOMs:  Xmas ornaments.  Now that these are up to date, I want stay on track so these are ready for the tree in December.

 

What's pictured here is from last month, this month's was NOT DONE which means I'm behind again.

4. Hand Work:  Now that I finally got back to the QAYG project, this is another project I want to keep on track and try for a year-end finish.  It will be good for Fall hand work so as before, the goal is to try to get eight blocks done this month (two per week) and until the end of the year.

These are also from last month, for this month NONE DONE

5. UFOs:  As before, the big priority Fall project that I want to bring to at least the flimsie stage is my Autumn Double Wedding Ring.  The extra in this would be to also get it layered  and maybe even quilted but given past performance I'm not holding myself to that!

 

NOT DONE

6 To Be Quilted:  I have a few options here.  I know I won't get to them all but if I can get one done or even started it will be a plus:
   A:  my "Paisley Park" crumb quilt because it could also be entered into the Fabrics 'N Quilts contest. 
   B:  I still have my Chronicles BOM, the last of the initial Civil War projects left to complete and something I already have ideas in mind for custom quilting.
  C:  My Heart & Home Wool BOM wallhanging (last seen here) which I want to finish and put up for Fall decorating.

Even with three choices of project, these were NOT DONE 

 

7.  Gift Quilts:  The Baby Quilt.  At most I'd like to (just) make a final decision on what I will make for this.

I've been cataloging ideas on the theme,, but making a final choice was NOT DONE

Last month I also noted that I had taken the QOV category off the list until I could see what I could get done and it looks like it will stay that way, probably until the start of next year.  Just like last month, November and December have some definite deadlines so this will give me a chance to test my new planning system.  Hopefully it works for clearing out the year-end projects or I will have time to tweak it before the start of next year.

November Goals:

1. UFOs:  As before, the big priority Fall (and now year-end project) that I want to bring to at least the flimsie stage is my Autumn Double Wedding Ring.  I joined the "Pre-Mystery Finish Challenge" at Jos Country Junction with this project so now have a Friday after Thanksgiving deadline (well actually until December 2) to get the top done.  Layering and quilting can wait for next month.

2. Wool BOMs:  Xmas ornaments.  Now I have to get up to date again and must stay on track so these are ready for the tree in December.

3. To Be Quilted:  Last month I had three options, this month only two:  the priority is my Chronicles BOM, the last of the initial Civil War projects left to complete and something I already have ideas in mind for custom quilting.  I'd also love to get to High Strung +2, my Christmas quilt.  However, it could also be worked on at the beginning of next month if I don't get to it here.

4. Hand Work:  Once again want to try to keep my QAYG project on track.  Now I'll settle for working on it steadily but am no longer concerned about accomplishing a year-end finish of it.  The goal is still to try to get eight blocks done this month (two per week) until (whenever) the quilt gets finished.

5. WIP:  Now that I've started it, my Halloween Quilt project is no longer an HSY.  I did start the blocks for this as leader/enders while putting the top together for the scrap quilt last month.  Since it's still up on the design wall and won't be in the way of the other things on this list, I will keep working on it through the end of the year and into the next.

6.  Gift Quilts:  The Baby Quilt.  This month I must make a final decision on what I will make for this so I can start choosing fabric. Maybe this can be a Christmas gift?

7. HSY:  On the list of things I really want to get done before the end of the year is a little wool wall hanging for my kitchen called "All In A Days Work".  I may not get to it this month but I'm putting it out there because with my new system, it is something I think I could get squeezed in if I plan it right.

Last month I had planned to set weekly "To Do" lists to better try to meet my goals so I'm not as easily distracted or diverted by the day to day things that pop up.  I've actually realized that I really need to do that at the start of each project so that I have a clearer idea of how many balls I'm trying to juggle at once.  If I can minimize what I'm taking on in any given week, I think I will be more successful at meeting my monthly goals. 

Once again, regrouping and pushing on......