Last Week of August

I am way behind on my schedule, but I'm going to try to get as caught up as I can this week.  The new fabrics I ordered came, and I've made a good start on cutting out the pieces I need.The biggest hold up I have now is my sewing machine.  I need to wind a bunch more bobbins; but I'm having trouble with that.  I can't see well enough to get the thread started through the little hole in the bobbin.  Last week I finally got one done - and then couldn't get it to wind properly.  I finally discovered it was because in my anxiety to get that part right, I had completely forgotten to place the thread through the proper hooks and things.  
Since then I've gotten a new, much larger, spool of thread.  If I can manage to get all the bobbins I have filled, and then get the machine threaded, I *should* be good for a long time!

My "Plan" starts next week.  The first room on my plan is the bedroom.  I will try very hard to give it a good dusting, and eliminate as much extra clutter as I can.  I've done a great deal of that over the last few weeks.  Since that's DH's room, there's a lot I can't do anything about but get as neat as I can.  I'd love to get rid of some of the junk; but truthfully, it just wouldn't look right under the circumstances.  And his son would be extremely unhappy with me - he won't even take stuff with him that DH tries to give him.

Anyway, I'll do what I can; but hopefully I'll be on track with my sewing project as well.

Sewing projects

These are 3 of the tablecloths and 2 runners I've completed (except pressing).  They're not meant to be gifts (though I *could* change my mind).

Middle of August

It's not quite the end of the 3rd week, but approximately the middle of August (actually a little past that).
I've actually gotten all the fabric I had cut out for my pillow covers; but I decided I didn't have as much variation as I wanated.  I went online and found some fabric on sale, and found the other pieces I wanted.  So I won't the though cutting out until they get here.
I also cut. or designated, several pieces of fabric for tablecloths and runner.  I have gotten hems pinned in most of them, and got started pinning  together the covers. I plan to stitch up the cloths and runners, and get them washed and ironed and put in place (some will get packed with holiday stuff, others in the regular linen drawer).  Then I will continue pinning covers.  I think the new fabrics will get here before I finish all of that, so I will have to stop and get those cut out.
Once it's all cut and pinned, the actual sewing really won't take long.  I just hope I can get to it before my vision get too much worse.

The cleaning part of my Plan doesn't start until the first of September.  But, I ahve been doing well at keeping things uncluttered, and getting basic cleaning done.  So when it's time to do room by room detail cleaning, it won't be all that hard to do.

My tree looks funny now.  It was so beautiful - lovely large flowers that I can see well.  But all the white lights on the top half stopped working; and all the red lights on the bottom stopped working.  So I'm going to have to get up in the attic and dig out more lights, completely strip the tree to fix the lights, then put it back together.  Since it won't get changed more than to add fall touches, it's worth it to go ahead and do that.  That will probably be my project for next week, as I don't think I have time today.

Third week in August

It's already nearly the middle of August, and I'm way behind.  There has been so much "company" ... people coming to see DH, plus my neighbor who keeps coming over (uninvited and unannounced).  I just can't bring myself to shut the door in her face, though I have (rarely) told her it's not a good time.  

One positive thing I've done is start a new group.  I posted on FB about looking for a "Clutter Buddy" to help each other stay on track by being accountable.  Two ladies responded, so the 3 of us are a group.   That way the email won't be overwhelming for me.  

I have cut all the fall fabric, the Valentine fabric, and some special flamingo fabric I got for my DGD.  By the end of August I still have to cut out Easter, St. Pats, patriotic, and Halloween fabrics.  I don't know when I will carve out the time, but I need to do it so I can sew on schedule.

Because the neighbor irritated me by saying she would come help me clean my kitchen, I've been doing some "extra" things in there.  That sort of puts me ahead, but "kitchen" isn't on my list for quite a few weeks!  I need to remember that anything I clean now is not a waste of time just because I'll have to do it again later! LOL!

Late summer into Fall tree

First Week in August 2013

I always start out well, but fizzle.  There really are too many distractions.  And, with other things going on (life does go on you know!), I don't always have time - or energy - to complete my own check list.

But, I will start out trying to keep track of my progress.

CEncouragement helps.  I can't find anyone to "buddy up" with.  Plus, I sort of have to make my own schedule based on what works here - working around a lot of fall birthdays for example.  But comments at least would be very welcome.  Suggestions or even criticism (as long as it's constructive), are welcome.

So, today is August 1st.  My plan begins.  Well, technically it began last Sunday.  Before next Sunday I should have all the fabric cut for 2 seasons of pillow covers.  So far I've got part of one done, and nearly completed a second - for the first season.  I still need to do at least one more set of fabrics to stay on target.  It's already Thursday .. and we'll have company today.   Plus, we'll have company all day Saturday.  So, this afternoon and tomorrow - and evenings - are it.  As soon as I get the house clean, and after company comes and goes, I'll at the very least finish the one fabric today.