SANDS OF TIME
I've always liked to do and try new things! I have many hobbies & interests. Like most people I've tried a new hobby/activity and it was fun, but not something that I was interested in pursuring further. On the other hand, some other things I've tried have been long lasting interests. I've always said that I may get old and I may be boring, but I will never be a old bored person! There are too many things I love doing, and want to do that I've not had time to try yet while raising a family.
My 2014 Project list
At the beginning of this year I decided to make a list of things (projects) I wanted to do. I figured if I wrote them down it might keep me more focused and also I wouldn't forget them. (a real possibility with my memory and all the things that keep coming into my head!)
My "Project list" is not a chore to-do list. It is for my fun, things that don't HAVE to be done, only that I want done. It is not inclusive, I've already added to and removed things from my list. I didn't want to put a deadline on them, do them in any particular order or even feel pressured to get them done. My list is simply for a reminder, inspiration, and a (hopefully) fun record to look back on my accomplishments at the end of the year.
I found this quote recently and thought it fit very nicely into my idea.
"People with clear, written goals, accomplish far more in a shorter period of time than people without them could ever imagine."
Project 1.
This seems like quite a minor thing to be considered a project for sure!
For me it's really not!
When I unpacked from our last move, my cord to my copier/printer was missing. I kept hoping I would come accross it but never did. Several projects I wanted to do had to be put on hold because of this. The number one on my list was get on line & order a new one. I'm a procrastinator & rather dislike this type of thing, so this was a huge step for me!
I'm thrilled that I have it & now can finish some of my other things on my list!
Project 2.
After our youngest grandson was born, (June 2013) I had a grand idea to make him (his mother) a "small" scrapbook of his first several weeks. Quite a lovely idea (ahem) except that my small project turned into a much grander project than I had intended, and of course didn't get finished in time for the baby shower like I wanted. It's never good for me to get too far away from working on a project that I've started, as I let too much time go by without getting back to it. A few threats from baby's auntie that her sister was planning to make a scrapbook for him, kicked me into gear, putting it at the top of my project 2014 list and I dug in and finished it! I'm pretty sure that no one needs that many pictures scrapbooked to document their first 6 months, but you sure can't accuse his mama of not taking enough photos either! ;)
Project 3.
This project is my "biggest accomplishment" on my list so far. A quilt, started by my grandmother over 50 years ago as a gift when my mother got married. This Signature quilt was all put together and my grandmother had barely started the quilting on it, but it had never been finished. Over 20 years ago she gave it to me when I discovered it in her basement and expressed an interest in quilting it. I got very little done on it over the years and coming up on a new year
with the thought of my mother's birthday soon aproaching, I wanted to finish it and gift it to her for a surprise. It took me about 4 weeks to hand quilt it. I left the small amount of my grand-
mother's quilting in it and re-did some of what I had originally started, not being happy with the design I had then chosen. I soaked the quilt in a cleaning solution designed for vintage items, removing 55 years of stains, yellowing, grime and some rust from pins! (wonderful stuff!) and then I sewed the binding on. I do want to make a lable to sew on the back of the quilt yet.
My mother was very delighted with the quilt, and it now has a place of honor on one of her guest room beds. A big regret...my grandmother didn't put her name on the quilt and wouldn't it have been grand to have a photo of her, my mom & I with the quilt!
*Photos showing the finished quilt, my mom & I and my mom finally seeing the quilt for the first time