Historically, I don’t tackle any projects unless I have time to get a large chunk done at once. For example, I wouldn’t just take a few spare minutes to sew two quilt squares together because I felt like I needed to piece large sections at once. I always worried about getting distracted by the project and being late to work or ignoring something else I had going on.
I’ve been trying something new lately. I’ve been trying to steal moments here and there to tackle bits and pieces of projects instead of worrying how much I can get done in one sitting. I’m happy to report that I’m liking this new method. I’m glad to be letting go of some of my OCD tendencies and in the process enjoying my creative projects even more.
How I’m taking advantage of my stolen moments:
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I’m wrapping jars for gift giving with fabric and ribbon in odd moments before leaving the house or while waiting on hold.
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I sew a few squares together for a baby quilt in the minutes before leaving for work and stack them to be ironed for further piecing later.
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I wrap Christmas gifts as I take them off the knitting needles and store them in the gift cabinet.
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I knit in the moments before classes begin – my knitting bag goes with me everywhere now.
How do you work in moments for a little creative joy in between all the daily chores?
November 19, 2009 at 6:40 am
I knit:)
I usually have one project on the needles that doesn’t require a lot of thought; usually something with vast swathes of stockinette or a favorite sock pattern I know by heart. These are the projects that come with me everywhere.
Then I have another project going that might require a little more thought; something with a stitch, color pattern, or different shaping. I save these sorts of projects for those times when I have a quiet time to the day, or designated Mom time with my knitting group.
November 19, 2009 at 10:15 am
I usually have a few projects on the go at the same time too. One larger project which requires more attention/ concentration for evenings and weekends, and smaller ones which can be worked at any time. Often just doing the prepping for the larger projects makes me feel like I’m doing something creative.
November 19, 2009 at 11:31 am
I’ve started taking pictures with my husband’s macro lens. Something about taking big pictures of little things calms me, and I love that I can do it a few minutes here or there without it being a big to do.
November 19, 2009 at 12:06 pm
i usually have a dishcloth on the needles and can throw it in the car when I’m waiting-no thinking involved. Lately I don’t seem to have enough time for any knitting that takes thinking…after reading some FLYLADY stuff, I found that setting my timer helps me to stay put or to get moving. 10-15 minutes in the laundry room can make a world of difference in my house…and 15 minutes of sewing quilt blocks (or reading blogs) and then the timer dings, and it’s time to move on, but I got SOMETHING done…and I’m not late, but at least making progress…