Updated on January 28, 2020
Today I am making a promise, of sorts, to myself. Documenting it here will keep me accountable. I love blogland. I love pinterest. I love facebook. Unfortunately, all of these loves keep making my project to do list longer and longer and longer . . . there are just too many great projects I want to do out there. The inspiration I get from other bloggers inspires me to create! However, as my list keeps growing and growing, I tend to lose focus. My list gets longer, but I end up not actually finishing anything. Does this ever happen to you?
I will be working on one project and then I see something on another blog, and I think, “That would look great in my _________ room,” or “That would be perfect to organize/decorate this space in my home.” So I add another project to my list of “To Dos”. Then I am out shopping and I pick up some or all of the items to work on this new project, all the while having 10+ other unfinished projects at home. This has to stop. It makes my head spin.
Lately, I have been feeling the strain of being a stay at home mom and trying to “do it all”. I have experienced this before. Crafting is a way for me to do something I love and recharge my spirits, but when it starts to stress me out, it is defeating it’s purpose.
So, today, I vow to COMPLETE (yes, complete) at least three quarters of my projects before I buy anything new for any other projects or start any other projects that I can create from supplies on hand.
Here is my list (in no particular order):
This will also act as a sneak peak for those of you who read my blog regularly of what you will be seeing on here.
- Refinish ceiling fan in living room
- Dog food storage container
- Gallery wall for front entryway
- Drinking glass corral
- Pajamas that I started for Thomas a year ago (you heard me right, I said a year ago) – probably will have to be a gift for a friend with a smaller little boy now!
- Pillowcase apron(s)
- Apron from vintage fabric
- Apothecary jars
- Upcycled garden tote
- Adding strap to coupon binder
- Thomas’ first year scrapbook album (he is only going to be 5 in October, so I have got time – ha!)
- Make some new layouts for Etsy
- New canopy for swing set
- Refinish train table
- Finish railroad tie border on front of house
- Cushion for toy bench in Olivia’s room
- Lay brick border and mulch under swing set
- Tile kitchen counter tops
- Beadboard back splash for kitchen
- Fix everything in my ‘mending’ pile
- Cross-stitch birth stats wall hanging for my son’s room (he’s only 4!)
Wow. More projects on there than even I was thinking I had. And this is the list I just typed up from memory. There could be more. Can you see now I need to buckle down and just focus on this long list rather than adding anything new? I will add anything else I remember once I think of it. But as of right now with 21 27 projects on the list, I need to complete 16 21 before I can take on anything new. Whew! Let’s see how I do . . .
* UPDATE *
Added to the list that I forgot (I have found these other projects around my house that I didn’t remember when I made the original list!):
22. Covert dress to skirt
23. Beaded wreath
24. Refinish small toy chest
25. Corduroy purse
26. Cross-stitch pillowcase
27. Washer necklace
Amy C says
Thanks for linking this post on to The Happy Scraps FB page. I think it’s how we all feel, and reading this makes me want to finish more of the projects that are already “in the process”. Thanks so much!
Amy @ The Happy Scraps
HI THERE! says
Such a great post and I can SO relate to this. Sometimes I think we definitely make it WAY too hard on ourselves! I’ve been working {sometimes quite unsucessfully!} on the same thing. Thanks for posting!
Jenn :)
Courtney says
Hi Laura, I saw your comment over at The Girl Creative and it intrigued me to come take a look see at your blog.
I love your list of projects to complete before you can add anymore to your list. Pinterest is the worst for finding new projects/organizing ideas/DIY’s to add to the ever growing list. But, do you think that would stop me from looking…NEVER!!!
I am a new follower and am excited to look around some more.
Courtney
flipflops-and-pearls.blogspot.com