inside case number one...

This is starting to feel a little bit like "Deal or No Deal"

Fortunately there are not 26 cases to be opened!

Having opened the red case, I have decided to completely finish EVERYTHING inside before I even contemplate opening the second case. Most of these projects are fairly recent, and many you have seen already. I just need to push myself to complete them.



So what do we have here?

Most of these projects are so incredibly close to being finished.

• 4 bags only require lining
• 2 bags require trim, handles, lining and embellishing
  
• 2 bags need handles, lining and embellishing
  
• 1 bag just needs embellishing
• 1 knitted jumper needs seaming
• 3 partially started rag bags need frogging

Ooooohhh.... and I need to

• line my video tape bag
• finish my salad bar doll
• write pattern for 'apple bag'

I wonder if I can resist the temptation to begin any new projects in the meantime?

Probably not!

true confessions

I'm always a little bit cagey when anyone asks me how many unfinished objects (UFOs) I have lying around. The truth of the matter is... I don't know. Which is a bit silly really... to have projects just waiting to be finished off. So much time has already been invested in them, that it seems crazy not to complete them.

And I honestly believe that it takes a huge psychological toll on a person. Knowing that you have such a huge backlog can be daunting. It's too easy to push the projects aside, trying to pretend they don't exist. But then they just eat at you from the inside, and you end up feeling disheartened.

So it's time for me to 'fess up'... not just to you... but also to myself! Because I have been in denial about this for a while now, and I honestly don't know how extensive the UFO problem is.

Here is my everything!



Okay, so I know there's not much to see here. I have very cleverly hidden them away inside these suitcases... out of sight, out of mind... not good.

I need to prepare myself for this. Tomorrow I will open the first case.

It's time to seriously sort and assess. I need to be ruthless. I just need to look closely at each project and ask myself one key question... frog (rip it, rip it) or finish???

curious...

Anyone curious about how I went with my personal challenge for July?

Details here if you want to refresh your memory about my plans.

I'm embarrassed to admit that I didn't do terribly well with it. Not making excuses... but I think that it was a bit of a silly challenge to set myself in winter. Frogging jumpers is a task which I would much rather work on outdoors. It is quite messy and also very dusty work. Last summer I frogged lots of jumpers at the local park, while watching the kids play. So I'm thinking that I will not worry about minimising the frog pond until the spring weather rolls around.

So... I did manage to frog three jumpers, but my 'frog pond' is still overflowing.



As for my August personal challenge... I'm aiming to repair and complete this blanket.

Fingers crossed.

july challenge

I've been inspired by the fact that I managed to finish so many outstanding projects last month. I challenged myself to complete ten items, and I did! So I've decided that each month I need to issue myself with a personal challenge. It won't always be about 'finishing' things. In fact, this month I need to deal with something I fondly refer to as the 'frog pond'.



This basket (laundry hamper, actually) lives in my family room. As you can see... it is piled high with jumpers and other knitted garments. They are all waiting to be recycled. Which is why I call it the 'frog pond'. Frogging is a term used by knitters to describe the unravelling process. Because you RIP IT... sounds like RIBBIT... a little bit like the sound you would expect to hear from a frog. I know, it's a stretch... but I didn't make up the term... okay!

Obviously there is oodles of work to be done. I won't get them all reclaimed this month. But I can make a dent in the pile. In fact... my goal is that the basket no longer overflows. In fact, I'd like to be able to put the lid on it! That's not too much to ask, is it???



So here is the overview... and I hate to admit it, but I found another three jumpers and a giant poncho AFTER I took the photo, which also need to be included in the task. Look at all that yarn... just waiting to be reclaimed, and start a new life. It's exciting! There are probably a few garments in there which I will felt, but most will be frogged.

Time to cheer me on guys!

out of control

I'm embarrassed to admit that the number of projects I start working on far exceeds the number of items I finish. My home is very fertile ground for WIPs, and they seem to be breeding like rabbits. After a while the sadness of not finishing actually outweighs the joy of starting anything new.

So with the end of financial year looming, I have conducted a stocktake of my unfinished craft. I won't share with you the final numbers, but let's just say that I even manged to shock myself. Although Mr Goldfish wasn't at all surprised!

I have chosen ten, that's right TEN unfinished objects. My goal is to complete them all by the end of this month. And start nothing new in the meantime.

As always... there is an exception to the rule. Little Miss Three has a birthday coming up in a few weeks, and I know I will want to make a gift for her. So I may start on that... but nothing else!

Okay... want to see what I have in store



from the far left and moving clockwise
1. baby afghan 90% done
2. girly rag bag 60% done
3. herringbone bag 90% done
4. autumn basket 50% done
5. baby kimono 35% done
6. gardening bag 5% done
7. plarn basket 40% done
8. 'eye of horus' challenge item... really stuck... will probably re-start this one
9. scarf 60% done

and underneath everything
10. kd40 afghan 75% done

It's going to take some self-discipline...