Unfinished Projects

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Comment by Linda Lynch on October 2, 2009 at 11:19pm

Welcome to Corinne, Jacquie, and Wendy. It was great reading what you all had to say and I sooooo relate! :-) I did like what Jacquie said her instructor told her about accepting where you are in life and doing just a little bit and not feeling bad about that. I think we can be so hard on ourselves. I have decided not to sign up for any new classes until I get some of my UFO's completed. I am ADD and flit from one thing to another so let those sit for a bit and play with something else for a while. I think we all relate to one another well. Welcome again, Linda

Comment by Corinne Loomer on May 10, 2009 at 11:33am

I can totally relate to all of your comments that you've posted! I to suffer from overexposure to all the possibilites that your art can become. A lot of my ufo's are what I call my "Oh! that won't take but a few hours to do" and there it sits. So now I make deals with myself! Before I can do anything new I have to finish at least one project. I'll be honest it works for awhile and then I'm off on a new path.

Comment by Jacquie Stone on May 3, 2009 at 2:43am

Boy oh Boy, do I need this group! If I would finish some of the projects that I've left for another day, I think it would give me a sense of accomplishment and more discipline with the time I spend making art. Not that I don't already try to be in my studio as much as I possibly can. But, I do have 4 kids, a husband and 2 dogs. Two of my children are still young. So, something I learned from Anita Luvera Mayer, a fabulous fiber artist that taught a couple of classes that I participated in, said to do something everyday even if it is very simple or even a kit to stay creatively charged. When your family or whatever situation changes, you can do more and more. She said to except where you are in your life and do the best you can without adding guilt. Your life will change. I think my biggest hurdle is deciding what art I should focus on. Maybe not taking anymore classes for a while is a good idea. That way I can explore one element of art at a time till I find exactly the right fit. I am not too far out there. I do know that I love fiber and collage and embroidery, yet there are so many techniques to try and invent that sometimes I have trouble getting started. When I get overwhelmed, I become somewhat blocked. Most of my UFO's are projects that I have high hopes for so it's not that I feel it's going in the wrong direction. I just have so many ideas in my head going around and around and around and I think that's what frustrates me. Maybe I have ADD!

Comment by Wendy Rounds on April 1, 2009 at 7:36pm

Usually when I can't complete a project, it is because it just isn't turning out how I envisioned it, and that discourages me. I've discovered that I don't have to let it bother me to have some projects lie unfinished for months or even years. I will put them out of sight and out of mind for a while. After I've gone and worked on other projects, especially ones of different media (since I am ADD and like to skip around!) I usually have learned either a new technique to add, or built on my skills (ie: drawing or painting) or just plain have a new perspective. When I dig up that almost forgotten UFO, Sometimes an amazing "Aha" will tell me how I want to change the finishing of it. (And it turns out really cool!) If not, I bury it again until the right idea hits!
Sometimes, a project is just not ready to be finished! And that's ok... go ahead and start something fresh...you and your project will both feel better.

Comment by Linda Lynch on January 24, 2009 at 3:22pm

Welcome Aleta Anne, I like your felted piece. I am jealous, I want a felting machine so badly. I have done some needle felting, but think the felting machine would be great. Your leaf is beautiful and would make a lovely wall hanging. We have a lot of great artists on this list. Enjoy. Linda

Comment by Aleta Anne on January 24, 2009 at 2:09pm

Hi, I just joined this group and this website. I'm new to felting. I have a terrible time finishing projects be it felting, sewing, knitting, or crocheting! I got a felting machine - a Baby Lock - for Christmas, so right now I'm into felting. Everything else gets put aside! I just made a flat piece of felt and a leaf and plan to do something with it; probably a small wall hanging.

Comment by Linda Lynch on January 10, 2009 at 10:00pm

I like that WIP! I am going to refer to mine as that as I do eventually get them done, just usually not by when I planned. I have been doing better and am almost done with a second project I started last year. I have also committed to not signing up for new classes until the previous projects are completed.

Comment by Darlene on January 10, 2009 at 6:27pm

Hi Linda,

I have the same problem with getting my UFO's done...Or if I get it sort of complete I never can get all the embellishments done...What I end up doing is making a list of projects, put them in two catagories, putting a completion date on my list and work backwards on my calendar with a to do on each day...so I get them done in the alloted time...it usually works for me...not always...some times life gets in the way but I try...but I also know that some projects are to remain forever a UFO...so I have WIPs Works In Progress...Those are the ones I finish...the others I quit worring about... :) Darlene

Comment by Linda Lynch on December 1, 2008 at 4:42am

I decided to start this group as I seem to have an aversion to completing projects I start. Even my photo I use is incomplete! I really want to conquer this and feel better! I know it affects me mentally when I see all of these UFO's I have hanging on the walls! Any ideas??? I don't want to put them away as they will never get done!