Tuesday, September 7, 2010

cre8.

the past few weeks, our house has been filled with activity, as mark and I checked "to do" items off our lists. we've done time consuming projects like (finally) painting and decorating the downstairs' family room area for the boys to easier projects like (finally) ordering 5x7 photos to fill picture frames. we kept each other moving toward the finish line with words of encouragement and by finishing one project at a time.

{because it's our first day of school...} remember newton's first law of motion? an object at rest will remain at rest and an object in motion will remain in motion unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. I can say I've been at rest.

I've always considered myself a finisher. that is until I was hit with the feelings that came after kris' death back in may. then something happened. I got stuck. do you ever get stuck? ever feel like you just don't have enough time or a project is too large or you don't have the skills to finish? if so, don't loose heart! you can finish those projects!!

here are a few of my finishing tips:
* make a written list of projects taking up space in your mind and consuming mental energy
* pick the most important task for you to finish to feel like you've made progress
* begin working on that one item for 15 minutes
{don't discount 15 minutes! you'd be amazed at what you can complete in that amount of time!!}
* as time permits, add time to the project in 15 minute increments
* don't focus on perfection, focus on completion
* celebrate each and every finished "to do" with a large check
* once you're moving...pick the next task and repeat

while many of our items were house related, I had plenty of things I wanted to cre8 as well. these are 8 of my favorites:
1. back-to-school card cre8tions

2. an idea that turned into a new fall decoration

3. a dropped stitch scarf

4. a set of laundry room curtains

5. a craft room curtain

6. an original lego cre8tion

7. pillowcases for connor.

8. and (the most important) part of the downstairs' family room
happy finishing my friends!

19 comments:

The WoodLand School said...

Thank you for the list-making motivation! I'm feeling overwhelmed on a lot of fronts ... your post was just the inspiration I needed!

stitching under oaks said...

you and mark make the best team....you knocked off some great projects, both big and small. love the inspiration. wonderful job girl!

stitching under oaks said...

oh and those tips....i'm printing them off and putting them in my calendar! love.

josiekitten said...

Wow! You've been busy! I just love the fabric you chose for your curtains!

Meg said...

I love what you've been creating, and your tips are so great!

mark said...

because i exist typically in the "being" realm more than the "doing", these past couple of weeks have stretched me. but in the best possible way. seeing your spirit loft that little bit higher with each completed project, i was inspired to support and join you wherever i could. you are a beautiful and talented woman. and i am so blessed to be a first-person passenger on the cre8 train. i can't wait to see the next stop. all aboooarrd!

From All Stitched Up said...

It is funny that this is your post. Yesterday I tried to make a list and it was way too sad. So today I got up and painted the closet doors - 1 hour of painting a day. It will eventually make a dent in some of these projects. I love your cards and leaf art.

~ The Jolly Bee ~ said...

Always wise and good advice coming from you! I like that 15-min. idea. And you must have the cheeriest curtains in your whole neighborhood. I love that fabric.

Stephanie said...

I totally agree with you about how much can be done in just 15 mins, so true! Great tips, some of those I live by and love! Great job getting so many things completed!!

Gloria said...

Great tips & wonderful completed projects!!! I do get stuck sometimes. I do need to remember even 15 minutes counts on so many things in life.
Your laundry room curtains look similar to some towels I just bought from Costco...so cute!
I love your new banner! That is so sweet!!!
blessings to you,
Gloria

rosemary said...

wow, great post...i love that 15 min tip, i will definitely try that when i'm feeling overwhelmed.
your finished cre8tions are fantastic, and i can't wait to see your scarf.
love your new header!

Chasity said...

CONGRATS. I just recently made a to-do list and have started making my way through it - basically taking one room per day. Thanks for the inspiration.

Heather said...

Oh I love list making, and you look like you are going to be a very busy lady. I hope this time going into Autumn in a great one.

At Home Mommy Knits said...

Love all the lists! This summer we finally hung pictures in some rooms in our house after 6 years of living here :)....

Gigi said...

My goodness, you've been getting on like a house on fire! Love the curtains and all the cute fall things you've made. And your new header is so charming!
Great tips on getting things finished -- especially the 15 minute one. It really works, doesn't it!?
Blessings,
G

a friend to knit with said...

LOVE how productive you have been.
i will SO instill this in the next week... i have a quilt to finish.. that has been sitting on the bedroom chair for most of the summer!!! surely by working on it for 15 min a day, i can finish it.
thanks so much for the inspiration, kristyn.
please open an etsy shop and sell those CARDS!

a friend to knit with said...

LOVE how productive you have been.
i will SO instill this in the next week... i have a quilt to finish.. that has been sitting on the bedroom chair for most of the summer!!! surely by working on it for 15 min a day, i can finish it.
thanks so much for the inspiration, kristyn.
please open an etsy shop and sell those CARDS!

Larissa said...

Your cards are Amazing - as always! Thank you for being such a great friend. Great tips and by the looks of things around here making for 15 minutes at a time is the perfect way to begin. Love the lego cake - way to go!

Jessica Lynn said...

Oh you are amazing Kristyn! I don't know how you do it all!Well, I kind of know, because you just let me in on some of your secrets, but seriously--YOU INSPIRE ME! I love the part in this post about how you and Mark encouraged each other to keep it up--I admire that!So often, our weekly To-do list turns to bickering ;)I think I need to try encouraging more and nagging less. Lol!

xo