PHD- Not the Degree

I am currently working on a PhD. Not the graduate degree like the one my brother put so many years into earning. But a Project Half Done. I don't mean to insult all those who have a doctoral degree. They are extremely difficult to earn and you all are commended for that accomplishment. I just think for many quilters some of these Projects Half Done take as much time as a doctoral degree.  I have put some thought into why.

Interruptions - circumstances cause us to put a project on hold. In the case of my current PHD I stopped to work on a quilt for a cancer patient. My current PHD is a lovely Irish Chain that I am just getting back to. But I am struggling to get back to work on it. I have lost momentum where that project is concerned. I still love it and am still eager to have it done. But I must admit I am eager to move on to something else.

Another reason may be Lack of Inspiration. I started a braid quilt about 4 years ago. I had several small scraps that were 2" x 4" that were given to me. I didn't know what to do with them but they were taking up valuable space in my much too limited storage  Plus I was in a mood to use up something. I remembered a technique taught at a 4-H leader meet and decided I would see what I can up with. I proceeded to stitch those scraps into a braid. It is rather pretty if I do say so myself. But is just a top without borders. I need to get around to finishing it someday. But I am not sure what to do with it.

Energy - I think that energy is a big part of PHDs. So many of us have full time jobs and families who take a lot of time and energy. It is hard to feel inspired or creative when you are dead on your feet or the house needs cleaning.  (Okay I have to admit I can quilt in a messy house. I really don't have any problem with leaving dishes dirty or vacuuming and dusting undone. Plus my children are basically grown and I make them do the cooking and cleaning.) Being tired makes for mistakes and frustration as well. I can quilt when stressed but not when I have put in a 14 hour day at work.

My space

 Space is another problem. Very few of us have a place that we can dedicate to our craft. I currently share my "studio" with my husband who does lapidary work. One problem is I need more space than "the studio" has and the other is my husband's work often requires it to be quiet. Meaning I can't run my sewing machine. My studio is the room that most people use as a formal living room or parlor. When we moved into this house 8 years ago, we had gotten rid of most of our worn out furniture. We didn't have anything for the living room. So I started using it for my crafting. Then my husband picked up his hobby and moved in. It was never suppose to be a permanent studio but it has become one.  

His space

Lack of space can also lead to Lack of Organization. Which is my next reason for PHDs. I have a huge stash but I really don't know what all I have. My stash is in bins and closets and drawers and well all over the house. So I get frustrated and stop working on projects to get things somewhat organized and never quite make it. I have rulers that I can't find. Rotary cutters have come up missing. Cutting mats have been misplaced. So I gather things up and straighten things out and then I start over again. It doesn't help that I buy supplies without projects in mind. Worse I bring home supplies and don't put them away. So organization I believe is key to starting and finishing project. Now if I can hubby to move out of the studio and come up with some way to get my supplies organized.

Deadlines is another reason. We either don't have them or they have past. I have a really colorful quilt that I cut out for my daughter's graduation (8 years ago) but haven't started sewing it. I still have to quilt the same daughter's wedding quilt and she just celebrated her third anniversary. There are two quilts that the Young Women's group at church brought home to finish 5 years ago for the needy and they have found refuge in my stack of projects. (Partly because I was the mother of the only active young women at the time and partly because I am the resident quilter in our congregation). If we don't have a deadline then things can be put off when we are tired or busy. If the deadline is past we may put it away indefinitely.

Lastly, Boredom. It is hard to keep working on a project when you have found delicious new fabric or an interesting new pattern. It is easy to get bored with projects that take a lot of time. It takes discipline to keep working on a project you are bored with. Sometimes I just don't have it. Especially when the really vibrant Batik is calling my name, taunting me with all sorts of joyful colors.

So what is the answer? I am not sure. I am trying to sew/quilt everyday but I am not quite making it. even if it is only 10 minutes it is better than none. I am tried to not start another project until I have finished a project. So I can't start another project until I have finished one that I am working on, But I know that hasn't really worked. What I am trying to do now is get projects to logical stopping points, tops finished, Quilts layered and ready to be quilted, projects cut out and ready to sew. That way what I feel like doing (piecing, quilting, binding) I can do. I am hoping that having logical stopping points will keep me excited and therefore progressing.

What are your ideas for reducing your PHDs?