Just as a reminder, here are my overarching themes this year:

1. Use what I have
2. Get rid of the things that I don’t love anymore
3. Only buy things I will use now

And the previous posts in this series: quilting, knitting, cross stitching

I really believe that to get things done, I need a routine and in doing a routine regularly, it becomes somewhat of a habit and a possibly a ritual.  It clears my mind from getting frantic about all the projects I want to work on when I know that I will work on each of my crafts at some point during the week or month.  And as long as I keep to my routine, the project will one day cross the finish line.  Here’s the routine I’ve planned out and want to establish.  I’ll continue to do my Monday POAs where I detail the specific tasks I want to accomplish each week.  This helps me narrow down my focus and celebrate the completion of mini-goals along the way.  It keeps me motivated and focused.

And because I have to acknowledge this in my brain – Obviously things come up.  I have dinner with friends and we get together on weekends and when those things come up, I obviously can’t get through whatever is on my “routine” to do.  I know this and I hope that by knowing this, I’m not too hard on myself.  I know!  I know!  I sound crazy.  I’m one of those people who expect so much of herself that it’s nearly impossible to do anything right.  So I try to consciously give myself grace and take things in stride.  Some people can do this easily.  And over the years, it’s becoming easier for me to do.  But to prevent myself from hyperventilating with all the things I want to do, I have to give myself the OK if I don’t get all the things done right from the start. 🙂  And usually, I don’t get all the things done.  But I get a hell of a lot of it done. So, here is the routine I’ve worked out for now and may be modified if I need it to be to work out better:

My routine –

Daily knitting – 5 rounds of Knitting Expat’s sock of the month and project #2 (currently Christmas socks but may change as I focus on other projects)

Monday – I usually have guild meetings on Monday nights.  I think there is one Monday during the month that I do not have a guild meeting on.

FIRST MONDAY – MINI GROUP – RAINBOW GARDEN WOOL APPLIQUE PROJECT

SECOND MONDAY – SFVQA MEETING – I KNIT ON MY COZY MEMORY BLANKET AND SOMETIMES SOCKS IF I GET TIRED OF THE BLANKET.

THIRD MONDAY – THIS IS MY FREE MONDAY NIGHT SO I WANT THIS TO BE A QUILTY THING. MAYBE MY RAINING CATS AND DOGS HAND QUILTING PROJECT.

FOURTH MONDAY – VALLEY MODERN QUILT GUILD MEETING – COZY MEMORY BLANKET KNITTING AND SOCKS IF I CHOOSE

Tuesday evenings – Cross Stitch on Mama’s Bukid

Wednesday  evenings – Hat knitting

Thursday evenings – Knit night / Sweater night.

Friday evenings – Clean my craft room and get ready for weekend crafting.  And knit on my cowl, or poncho or shawl.

Saturdays – Weave in ends, Quilting, bag making, sewing, cross stitch on Mama’s Bukid and Gamer

Sundays – Quilting, Rainbow Garden, bag making, sewing, cross stitch on Mama’s Bukid and Gamer

And that’s the rotation I hope to implement this month.  I started yesterday as it was Monday and I like to start new things on a Monday.  I had my traditional guild meeting with the San Fernando Valley Quilt Association (SFVQA)  and during the meeting I worked on finishing knitting up a square on my cozy memories blanket.  That was square #8.  I didn’t feel like working on my socks as I was motivated to finish the square.  I should probably time myself and see how long it takes me to knit up a square.  On my current socks, Resfeder socks by Knitting Expat, it takes me about 7 minutes per round (and I do two at a time socks on a magic loop).  I’m a slow knitter but that’s actually a minute faster than I was when I last checked last week.  I’m trying to knit faster as I want to get more done this year and speed will help me do that.

So that’s it!  I’ll keep you updated on how I’m doing and where I’m at.

~here’s to a great new year!

~happy crafting!

~Melanie