15 Minute Challenge - January Wrap Up

January 2013 is just about over.  As part of the 15 Minute Challenge this year, I'm looking for ways to not only find the time to sew, but  make that 15 minutes more creative.  The topic this month has been "Scheduling".  Here's a summary of what's been covered in the previous posts:

• Set a scheduled time to sew each day.
• If that doesn't work try mapping out your time each week or month and deliberately schedule in your creative time.  
• Be prepared.  Look ahead and prep projects for those times when creative time is going to be at a premium.
• Use "found" time, or that time you thought was going to be devoted to something else - being prepared helps here.
• Focus on making progress, not meeting goals when you are pressed for time.  However if you do the "be prepared" part right you can make progress on your goals.  

A few other stray thoughts on scheduling creative time:

• Ask for sewing/creative time as a gift - This should be a great one if your guy never knows what to get you.  Or if the kids want do something special for you but don't yet have the means.
• Use "down time" such as doctor office waits and the mom's ever present "wait for whatever practice" to end.  I think most of us have our "mobile" projects for just such times.
• Balance the "have to stuff" in your schedule with the "want to stuff". Spend 15 minutes on the mess that is the kid's toys and 15 minutes in your sewing room.  Or when you've got the laundry folded, take a 15 minute break in your sewing room before heading on to the next chore. 

I promised a give away for those who linked up in the month of January with a post that included a "diary" of your weekly sewing time for the previous 7 days and mentions the 15 Minute Challenge.  

Adis Erla's book "My Runners Keep Going" and
a layer cake of Connecting Threads Batiks

This is your last chance to link up for the give away.  I'll announce a winner next Tuesday along with the fostering creativity topic for February.   

So how have I been doing on scheduling my 15 minutes of sewing time?  It's been a very busy month at our house with multiple volleyball tournaments, business trips and unfortunately one sick teenager.  Looking back at the month, I've managed to find at least 15 minutes to sew 23 out of the last 29 days, that is a 79% success rate. Not bad at all (unless you are getting a grade, then it just a high C).  Here's how the last week went.  

To manage 5 out of 7 days with a 3 day business trip and a sick teenager falling in this week alone is not a bad week.  February looks to be as busy as well, so I'll get lots of practice scheduling my creative time.  

How did you do this week in finding 15 minutes to sew/knit/create?  

1. Amanda, Seabreeze Quilts 2. Julie in GA

3. Thea 4. Kate

5. Lesley A 6. Gloria

Powered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.