Followers

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

This morning I read Renee's Sewn with Grace blog and her list of goals concerning her sewing room. I mentioned her list to Audrey; and she came up with a list of her own and encouraged me to make a list, too. Now I have to say that I am Audrey's biggest fan because I love all her ideas and her taste. So as long as she's doing this, I need to as well not only because I have too much stuff but also because I will regret not doing it once I see what she's accomplished.

And I can't tell how many times I've torn my sewing room apart looking for something only to see so many things I've bought and never used. So here's my plan and list for how I'm going to clean up my act and my sewing room.

1. No fabric purchasing except for borders and backs (this one really hurts). Any fabric purchased for backs will have to be white or cream so that leftovers can be used for piecing. Good idea, Renee!

2. No books, patterns, or quilt magazine purchasing. I needed to throw something easy onto this list. I have a lot of patterns and books I'd like to make projects from.

3. No purchasing cross stitch charts, linen, or floss except for Anniversaries of the Heart. I've wanted to do this project for months, so I'm allowing myself the purchase of the linen and any floss that I don't already have on hand.

4. I will make a list of all unfinished quilt projects and try to finish one every two months.

5. The only exception for buying is for destination quilt shops. Purchasing will be allowed there.

I can already tell this is going to be painful! For years Audrey and I have justified a lot of our buying by comparing our purchases to the cost of our husbands' golf addictions. And if you know the cost of a club membership or a good iron or wood, you know where I'm coming from.

12 comments:

Cottage 1945 said...

I know what you are going to go through. In exchange for something I really, really wanted, I made a deal with my hubby that I wouldn't buy any yarn in 2012. (He has no idea how much I have stashed though!) Thanks so much for the lovely comments on my blog.

Deb said...

I made so many of the same resolutions. No purchasing quilt fabric unless it is to be used to finish a current WIP quilt project (my fabric stash is probably 10 times Renee's - sad but true). No new cross stitching stash unless it's floss that I need for a project that I've run out of - no linen purchases allowed. Knitting - there is one purchase I told myself that I could make, but the more I think about it - I probably won't get it. And no new patterns of any sort - I could start a small library.

I hope I can make it through all these resolutions. It's gonna hurt!!

I used to justify my buying of quilt fabric for the same reasons. And most of it is still sitting on the shelf waiting for me to make something out of it!

Melanie said...

I love your goals....I want to make a list, but kind of scared I will be overwhelmed by it. I definitely am only purchasing for backings or borders. I understand the fabric price increases---I just can't justify paying it with fabric in the cabinet. I love the idea of WIP list. Every two month completion is a reasonable goal. Keep us posted....

Donna said...

I sooo need to abide by these rules myself! I am trying not to buy any fabric unless I really need it this year. I will never sew all I have in my sewing room ... sad but true.
Thanks for sharing!
Hugs,
Donna

Audrey said...

I am honored to have this distinction, however it is not deserved! It is so funny that we try so hard to mimic each other! Your encouragement to me is worth more than you will ever know, not only in our 'crafting' but everywhere else. I thank God that he gave me a cousin and a friend in you.

Siobhán said...

I am laughing at that last comment about comparing the cost of your addictions to golf expenses. That's my favorite trick! I was telling friends that years ago, my husband complained about some fabric that I bought. When I pointed out all of his golf trips, he had a great excuse--they were playing twilight rates, blah blah blah. He hasn't said a peep since I called the golf clubs and found out just how much the twilight green fees were at each club! LOL Now he's a member at the club here but still, the out of town trips and so on do add up! That said, I can so totally relate. Honestly, I have so much stuff that it's a sin to keep buying more. I went through a stitching slump in 2010 and wanted to be sick at the expenses I had wrapped up in stuff I had yet to stitch. That summer, I did a lot of fabric buying and almost all of it is still sitting in bags. I'm trying to use what I have... and I find no irony in saying that while a packet of charm packs from the FQS sits on my kitchen counter... ;)

Angie Berry ~ Berry Homespun Primitives said...

Boy Mary, that sure is a lot... are you ready for the challenge?!? Hehe! I know you have good intentions so I believe you CAN do it! I have noticed on the sidebar of some blogs that they keep a running list of completed projects for the year. I think that is a great idea. It's also a good way to share accountability... which is always helpful. Best wishes, you can do it!!

Sewn With Grace said...

Let's keep each other accountable. I am going to do a post once a month on how I'm doing but would love it if you'd ask me every once in awhile and I can do the same for you. We can do it!

Gumbo Lily said...

Painful goals, indeed, but smart.

Lorri said...

Mary thanks for all of your encouraging advice on the The farmers wife. I am trying to complete 2 blocks a week, with all of my committments. Im learning! Love this post. Im convinced I dont have to limit spending on fabric, because Im new...LOL

elizabeth said...

Laughing at how we can justify when we really want something! :)
Thanks so much for your kind comment on my gray shelf makeover

Darcy said...

Great post Mary! Let us know your progress at TTs each month... I think several of us have similar goals and it will be fun to motivate each other during show and tell!