I was talking to a friend yesterday and she was telling me she has a goal to finish “23 in 23”. She’s a quilter and she said she doubts she’ll reach that goal but it’s fun to try. I thought . . I want to do that. But, you know I want to do everything anyone else does whether it’s a recipe, a cross stitch project, a veggie to plant. That’s just how I am . . no use fighting it at this point.
So, I came up with my 23 in 23 plans/rules. You can join me if you like. Here’s what I’ve been thinking but . . do it your way.
- Finish 23 projects in 23. For me, it’s cross stitching but for you it could be a combination of knitting, cross stitching, quilting . . whatever you want to do.
- They can be projects that were started before 1/1/23. I’m not going to work on projects and save two stitches so I can say I finished it in 2023 but if I put the final stitch in on or after 1/1/23, it counts!
- It doesn’t have to be fully finished, though that would be nice. If I finish the stitching but don’t get it framed or don’t get a pillow made, that’s ok . . for me, it’s a finish.
- It can be a small, it can be huge, it can be one color, it can be 100 (or more colors). Like the little Goodness and Plenty crow I finished, I think that took me 3 days to stitch. If I did those all year, I could probably finish over 100 projects. That’s not what I want to do but I do want to stitch more smalls. I especially want to stitch some Christmas ornaments next year but maybe that’s because it’s getting close to Christmas and my tree isn’t up yet. I may have to have a serious talk with Vince today. He said “I know where it is” and believe me, that’s a huge plus around this house.
How does that sound for a plan?
Shelley says
Great idea! I’m in! I will probably do a combination of projects as I do a couple of craft fairs in the fall and sell my works. Thanks for the idea!
Marie L. says
I tried the 22 projects in 2022. I decided that with my life, I would include anything that needed to be finished, not just handwork.. So, my list included dry wall, etc that was needed to finish the flood repairs to my basement (each step counted as one), a long postponed surgery, as well as my hand work and quilt projects. I need to check my list, but I probably will be a little short. That is okay because the idea made it easier to face some hard hurdles. I will probably try 23 in 2023, but my list will probably more eccentric than most others.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
I’m betting there are things you finished that you aren’t even thinking about but whatever you got done that you wouldn’t have normally gotten done . . that’s a good thing! Yes, we aren’t comparing lists . . we’re just doing what we all need to do.
Donna W says
I love this idea! I’m in! Need to check my my cross stitch projects! Thanks Judy!
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Yay! Glad to have you!
Stephanie T. says
I don’t think I have ever finished that many projects in a year so it would be fun to try. Joining in on the WIP Along should help with the goal. I think I will aim for all cross stitch finishes and not include the full finishing of them. Trying to get things completed and lay off of the new starts so you are speaking my language! I will start new things, lol, when it comes to stitching being more selective is hard!
judy.blog@gmail.com says
That’s exactly where I am. I will be selective what I start and will try hard to finish things. Glad to have you join us.
Barbara Yarnell says
I love this idea! Between cross stitch, quilting, and knitting projects, surely I could finish 23 things. I just need to get a system to keep track of what i accomplished. Any ideas on how to do that? (Besides writing a blog, lol)
judy.blog@gmail.com says
This is kinda of tedious but I have two boxes full of index cards. One has projects listed on cards that I have started. I list the linen I’m using and any changes to the called for floss. I list the start date and if there are any notes to be taken along the way, they go on the index card. The back part of the box holds finished projects. I write the date I finished it and take a picture with a little mini camera that produces 2 x 3 photos on paper with a sticky back so I can stick them onto the back of the index card.
I keep a second index box with projects I have kitted. I list the linen and the floss if different from called for.
I also keep a list of my charts on the X-Stitch + app but I still prefer writing on paper with a pen for a lot of things. I keep the little index boxes on a rack next to my chair and it’s easy to go through and see which projects have been lingering, go find those and work on them.
It isn’t so much about how you do it but it’s hard to find a system that works for you! Good luck.
And, there are some free blogging sites so if you wanted to keep a blog, even for your own personal use only, that’s not a bad thing.
Susan says
It sounds good, but this coming year, I’ll be happy if I finish 3 in 23! LOL I look forward to seeing what you work on.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Three is better than two! 🙂
I hope you’re feeling good in 2023!
judyt says
You mean 23 in 23 years, right? I am such a slow stitcher I can’t imagine even doing 23 smalls in a year. I do like the above comment that plans on 23 of anything. I might be able to accomplish that — need to get a list together and see what happens!
judy.blog@gmail.com says
However it works for you! 🙂
Kathy says
I’m in! Just made a spread sheet. I used to keep track of all of the UFOs, but I think this is a more positive way of looking at things. I’m hoping this will keep me accountable, and I love to see/hear what others are doing. I plan to make this a combination of things as well, but mostly quilting and knitting. Thanks for the great idea!
Verna A. says
Count me in! I came across your blog years ago when you were choosing a UFO number to work on each month, and it helped me to stay motivated to finish things. Thanks for the incentive!
judy.blog@gmail.com says
You’re welcome. Those were some fun times.
Pat Anderson says
I’m going to give it a try, but it seems like a very hard goal to me…with my love of large pieces, I will need to consciously do more smalls. Always good to challenge oneself!
judy.blog@gmail.com says
I really enjoy smalls. They seem like almost instant gratification. I don’t need hundreds of them but I do need a few for decorating.
Cindy F says
I don’t know if I can get 23 projects in but I’ll start logging them to see! I’ll include other projects in with the total. I just finished 4 mug rugs and I have numerous smaller charts I want to work on next year. Thinking back on this year I may have made at least 20 things, including some pin cushions, so maybe 23 won’t be so daunting!