Friday, July 22, 2011

Favorite Things Friday

My favorite thing this week is challenges.  I am really good a procrastinating and challenges really motivate me.

The first challenge I joined was not really a challenge but a quilt along.  Last January, I joined the p.s. i quilt pinwheel sampler quilt along.  I thoroughly enjoyed each block and looked forward to making them.  I usually made them the first day they came out and was anxiously awaiting the next block.  I even posted that somewhere -- it wasn't meant as a complaint but as a compliment, however, i'm not sure it was taken that way and I formally apologize to Rachel if she was offended.  I just love the quilt.  It was a great project all around and I even made a second pinwheel sampler (cleverly named "the other pinwheel sampler").  It is on my bed and I love, love, love it.

The second challenge, was Myra's PhD Challenge.  I joined this challenge in December 2010, and the goal was to take my PhDs (Projects Half Done) and finish them.  I only had 3 projects started (one of which was "the other pinwheel sampler) so I committed to finishing them, and I did.  I'm not sure I would have without the challenge.

The third challenge is an on-going one, the 15-minute challenge from Life in Pieces.  Without the challenge, I would be putting my quilting (and other sewing) off until whenever.  Now I try and commit to 15 minutes a day.  Usually 15 minutes turns into a lot more.

If I spent 15-minutes a day on all the other things I put off, I would get so much done.  But instead I lollygag and dilly-dally and things don't get done.  I need someone to do a 15-minute challenge on house cleaning or meal planning or reading or ...

I was going to post pictures, but y'all have seen them already ...

To see what other people favorites are this week, check out Quilting in My Pyjamas.

12 comments:

Grandpa said...

lists are fine but I only get one thing a day done.

Sara said...

I bet you're nowhere near as good at procrastinating as I am. If there was a master's degree in procrastination, I'd go and do something else instead, and maybe, when (if) I feet like it, go get it later.

Canadian Abroad said...

I admire you challenges being your favourite thing. I am in the middle of a binge trying to finish off projects that I started. Mostly because I want to move on to new stuff and even I couldn't justify starting anything until I cleared up the back log.

thea said...

@Grandpa -- at least you get the one thing done each day. Better than nothing.

Katie said...

well I love a good challenge too

Shay said...

I like challenges too but often feel like I failed them! But there is something about other people cheering you along that makes it easier to stay motivated.

I think you've done so well on all sorts of things this year. You work fulltime, run a house and still manage to get time in to create wonderful quilts. You're wonder woman!

Im going through a procrastinating stage too ...and have been for at least 6 weeks. Hoping to rectify that this weekend. It's time to kick some quilting arse!

Kate said...

I like the challenges and quilt alongs. For some reason it helps me actually do something if I know I have to tell everyone if I didn't do it.

Marg said...

I am the queen of procrastination. I like the QAL's because it does give me a bit of a push to keep going. I have been known to drop out of QAL's too, if it all gets too hard.
I think challenges are great when other people have joined in and are cheering you along. Unless they are being super fabulous and rushing ahead, then that's just annoying lol.

Michelle Ridgway said...

It's good to do something that stretches you creatively...good for you!

Mistea said...

Challenges are perfect for Favourites - I quite like them for getting things off the 'In Progress list and onto the finished list.
Lots of lovely things you have finished in the challenges so far.

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

Love the concept of PhD - very clever. Enjoy your challenges!

Baa-Me Kniits said...

LOL I think I need a challenge for the housework and the business bookwork, I can totally relate! :-)

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