On this publish visitor contributor Lisa Donnelly is sharing some tremendous sensible ideas for serving to us all break down unfinished initiatives into easy, do-able and achievable duties. She additionally has a free printable Weekly Planner that will help you get all of them organized and checked off your record! Lisa shares her quilting adventures and concepts, in addition to her lovely quilts (together with the one under) on her web site Wild Plum Lane. I’m so excited to have her right here and for this actually useful publish!
Hi there! I’m Lisa from Wild Plum Lane, and I’m so excited to affix you right here on Amy’s weblog to speak about your Works In Progress (WIPs) and provide some tips about getting centered that will help you end them. Learn on for some contemporary concepts, in addition to a free Quilter’s Weekly Planner that will help you arrange your each day to-dos and get your quilts prepared for some severe snuggle-time!
THE QUILTER’S WEEKLY PLANNER
The center of the 12 months all the time looks as if a superb time to revisit the objectives and plans for quilt initiatives that you just made again in January. It’s time to test in, re-assess how issues are going, and alter methods primarily based on all of the issues life has thrown at you up to now six months…which is often in no way what you anticipated again on the flip of the brand new 12 months! Should you’re something like me, you’re now wanting on the calendar, interested by all of the quilts you continue to wish to make, and questioning the way it’s all going to get executed.
A lot quilting to do, so little time!
All of us have a lot occurring. We’re caregivers, have jobs, have households to run (with all of the inherent cleansing, cooking, laundry and errands), and wish to slot in some self-care like train, meditation, or portray our nails, too. And…by some means in between the whole lot else we’ve to sleep!
That will help you navigate via all of it, right this moment I wish to share with you a free printable that can assist you to arrange your weeks to get extra quilting executed.
GET THE QUILTER’S WEEKLY PLANNER HERE
How one can Use the Quilter’s Weekly planner
Let’s discuss somewhat bit about easy methods to use this useful resource!
1 Initially of the week, decide your high 3 quilting objectives for the week. (I like to do that on Monday morning, others like beginning this course of on the previous weekend. You do you!). Ask your self: What three duties, if accomplished, would assist you to really feel such as you’ve actually achieved one thing this week? Write them down within the “Prime 3 Objectives” part of the planning sheet.
2. Subsequent, within the each day containers, remember to embrace any household actions, holidays, private priorities, or appointments. This step will assist you to visualize how a lot time you’ll have obtainable to dedicate to your quilting.
3. Then, break your high 3 objectives down into smaller duties to create a manageable set of to-dos that can assist you to get your quilt initiatives executed. Make sure you keep in mind these objects from #2 that can want your time and a spotlight, too.
4. As you write out your weekly objectives and each day duties, discover if there may be something it’s essential analysis or buy to allow you to finish them.
Want a longarm quilter or a particular pantograph? Write that down within the “To Analysis” part.
Working out of your favourite thread? Put that on the “To Buy” record.
Whereas these could appear to be small issues, they simply may be what’s holding you up on one in every of your initiatives! Take away these boundaries to entry so you possibly can focus and begin proper in when you might have time.
Facet observe: I communicate from expertise on this! I as soon as had a block on a sampler quilt that required applique. I’d by no means executed it earlier than and was severely intimidated. The block sat languishing for not less than 6 months whereas I waited for inspiration to magically strike…however (shock, shock!) it by no means did.
What I actually wanted was to sort “easy methods to applique” into my search engine. I do know what you’re pondering right here: So. Easy. After watching a number of on-line movies and studying a pair tutorials, I knocked that block out in a matter of days and was on to the subsequent one. Somewhat little bit of analysis can work wonders to get you began!
5. As you employ the planner via the week, your progress will most likely spark some ideas on what you wish to work on the next week. Make observe of these objects within the “Subsequent Week Look Forward” part to revisit if you start planning for that week. This helps you head into the brand new week with a transparent plan of motion.
CREATING DAILY TASKS WITH THE QUILTER’S WEEKLY PLANNER
And now for essentially the most useful tip (drumroll, please!): Make the each day duties as straightforward as attainable to finish. Severely. For instance, as an alternative of writing “end quilt binding” as one in every of your each day duties, make {that a} weekly aim and break it down into even smaller each day duties reminiscent of:
- Lower binding strips
- Piece binding strips
- Press binding strips in half lengthwise
- Connect binding to quilt
- End binding by hand or machine
“End quilt binding” will be too obscure to provide you a tangible place to begin. Nonetheless, “minimize binding strips” supplies very clear route. Then, since every job is a straightforward step to finish, momentum begins to construct and shortly you’re crossing objects off left and proper. Earlier than lengthy you might have a completed quilt in your arms!
GET THE QUILTER’S WEEKLY PLANNER
HOW THE QUILTER’S WEEKLY PLANNER WORKS WITH OTHER PLANNERS
Should you already use a planner, that’s superior. Me too! This sheet acts as a complement to your common system that will help you focus particularly in your quilting and stitching objectives.
That is additionally a terrific useful resource to pair with the 2022 Quilting Organizer PDF Pack from Maker Valley that Amy shared in her e-newsletter a number of weeks in the past. Fill out the “WIPs to complete in 2022” sheet with all of your initiatives, after which use the Quilter’s Weekly Planner to divide these initiatives into tangible each day duties and keep stability whereas making constant progress.
I’ve heard a number of individuals say this (or one thing comparable), however it bears repeating: Doing only one small factor every day makes an enormous distinction in transferring you towards your objectives!
WHY USE THE QUILTER’S WEEKLY PLANNER?
Why is that this so vital to me? Nicely, I’ve not less than 20 WIPs in my quilt studio (the precise quantity will stay a thriller as a result of I get scared and cease counting at twenty!). I’m a mother of three fantastic youngsters (ages 8, 7, and three), and I work full time as a panorama architect designing parks and playgrounds.
Having my Quilter’s Weekly Planner stuffed out for the week provides me clear route on what to do first so I don’t surprise the place to begin throughout these treasured jiffy I get to spend at my stitching machine! Crossing off my to-dos when they’re full additionally helps me know that I’m making progress, even on days when that progress feels frustratingly sluggish. I hope this method will give you the results you want, too!
LET’S FINISH THOSE QUILT WIPS!
Lastly, when you’re questioning easy methods to keep accountable and maintain working towards your objectives, haven’t any concern!
I’ll quickly be launching the beta model of The WIP Lounge, a neighborhood of artistic quilters coming collectively to cheer one another on as we end our quilt initiatives.
Not solely that, however there will even be enjoyable prizes and incentives for ending up your WIPs so you possibly can transfer on to your subsequent enjoyable quilty challenge fully carefree! Study extra at The WIP Lounge on Wild Plum Lane.
Thanks a lot to Amy for having me, and I hope the Quilter’s Weekly Planner will assist you to begin ending up your WIPs! I’d like to see your completed quilts and photos of your planner in motion. Share them with me over on Instagram @wildplumlane.quilts and know that I’ll be cheering you alongside each step of the best way!
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