Process and progress

I've said many times that my inspiration often comes from the quilting blogs I follow, and from other social media.  Other great sources of inspiration are the quilt guild I belong to, the monthly Sew Vintage group I enjoy, and from the wonderful people in the quilt shops I frequent.  Creative inspiration is all around me on a daily basis.  

This last week or so I've been feeling "reflective" about my creative process, and then - like my mind was being read - bloggers have been talking about process online as well.  My own creative process involves making lists, checking things off and then wandering away from that list every time a new "squirrel" crosses my path.  Since I'm a computer nerd my lists are on a spreadsheet that is open on my laptop all the time.  I have a different tab for various lists - and yes, the worksheets are color coded and are set up to count things automatically.  Paper copies of some of the ongoing worksheets allow me to write myself notes.  Nerd alert!!!!  

Pat Sloan's newsletter on Sunday touched on list making.  She said "lists soothe my soul", and that it provided "structure".  YES - I'm right there with her.  I have multiple lists going at any one time - for quilting, for upcoming events, for grocery shopping.  I've always been a list maker for work, and for home. And I set Reminders on my phone to remind me about items on those lists.  LOL  Providing structure, and then the satisfaction of checking off the things that are finished, all soothe my soul too.  Above picture -  is a paper copy of this year's UFO Challenge sheet on the clipboard on my desk.  This began years ago with the APQ UFO Challenge, but has continued even after they quit drawing a number each month.  I have 3 items listed for each month, including a "Pick a PIG" which is my way of rewarding myself with a new project (squirrel) each month.  And under that top sheet on the clipboard - the PHD (Projects Half Done) list for the local quilt shop.  And BTW I've finished all 12 items on that PHD list this year again.  That's 3 years in a row!!

Leanne at Devoted Quilter has a weekly WIPS-B-Gone email newsletter, and yesterday it was about SOS/FOMO.  SOS - Shiny Object Syndrome.   SOS, squirrels - it all applies to my process as well.  My desk currently has a little pile of sticky notes and printed pages for projects that I want to make.  The basket next to my chair in the family room has a couple of new pattern books I've recently purchased.  The bulletin board in my sewing room has more sticky notes and printed pages.  Every single day I feel like I see another SHINY OBJECT that I want to follow.  

So, my process is a mix of focus and organization - and going off on a bird walk at any moment.  And I'm really OK with that.  My adult daughters however are terrified that I'll die and leave a mountain of unfinished projects laying around.  Most likely they have good reason to be afraid of that scenario.  LOL