Thursday, October 27, 2011

Days of Beauty: Finish Something!

It has been weighing on me that our couches have been unfinished. I started the first one in August and up until about two weeks ago - one couch has been done for a while, but the other has sat absolutely untouched.

Projects are like this - they often take longer than we think or we lose steam on something. But, what kind of beauty is it adding to my life to let it sit there unfinished?

Um, none. An idea can be beautiful. But, an idea carried out and completed is even more beautiful.

For curious minds - here is a before picture:

I had sort of set a goal for myself of getting the smaller couch finished before Emily's birthday which is November 2nd. A friend and I traded sewing for child care - so I sewed that day and cancelled school one day just to get it nearer to completion.

And, I don't know about you - but often the enormity of the feeling of the project is worse than actually doing it. Have you ever had something you needed to do for a long time but when you finally did it - it took less time than you thought it would and wondered why you put it off for so long? Yeah, me too.

I am excited to share that I finished several projects last week including the couches!!!! Yippee! That job is ALL done! I made a Christmas garland and two scarves as well. More details on the couch project in a future post!

Honestly, though - I must admit that I have at least two other unfinished projects that have been shelved for the time being. I'm working on a third blog book and have an unfinished afghan that really isn't that far from being done. I'd like to get both of those things done before Spring. I was going to say the end of the year - but right now I'll be in birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas mode so I know that is not realistic.

What unfinished project is not bringing beauty to your home? Can you nibble away at getting it done and enjoying the beauty of knowing you completed something?

16 comments:

Shelby said...

Love it, love it, love it. Absolutely beautiful!!!! Ummmm well organizing my office at home:( it is just one of those things that fall by the wayside.

Can't wait to see what is in store for Emily's birthday:)

Shelby~

Anonymous said...

It is a great feeling to finish a project, congratulations!
We have been away from home quite a bit and will be again, so just getting a deep clean done before Thanksgiving is my challenge. Left over time? I'd really like to strip some old wallpaper from the kitchen nook where we take our meals and paint. I haven't done that in ages so the intimidation takes on a life of it's own!
Blessings, Elaine

LynnMarie said...

Beautiful job. Well done.

Wendi said...

They turned out fantastic! I have several unfinished projects. The one that is driving my crazy is a storage hutch for my sewing table. It just needs to be sanded and painted. I walk by it and the bins of stuff to be stored on it everytime I go to the laundry. It feels like an overwhelming project, but I know once I start I will get it done in less then two days.

Enjoy your day!

Flyonthewall said...

Ouch, ouch, ouch.... boy, did you hit on a sensitive area - unfinished projects and that overwhelming feeling they give! Thank you for the encouragement toward finishing in beauty! Your sofas turned out beautifully and give your room such a fresh, new look - you and your family must be so pleased!

Davonne said...

I'm convicted. There's a huge pile of clutter, clothes, and shoes in the corner of my bedroom (and in the floor of the bedroom closet) that I keep putting off organizing. It definitely takes away from the beauty of an uncluttered room. I know where I'm headed this morning!

And your furniture looks beautiful - congratulations on finishing :)

Jessica said...

wow! your couch looks great! congrats

angie said...

The couches turned out so well. Such a classic update. I doubt you will ever tire of this fabric.

I haven't finished anything that was halfway done. My dilemma is always getting started on something. I don't like to have projects in mid-stream, so I don't start for fear of not having time to finish.

Today, however, I did do some "dreaded" jobs--cleaning my shower and dusting the wooden blinds-- which took far less time than anticipated.

Ah..a new Christmas garland..can't wait to see.

Mary Ann said...

Organizing paper is an ongoing problem for me and pictures that need to put into albums... I also have this unfinished quilt that Andy's grandmother had evidently started and was discovered after her death a few years ago. it was offered to me to finish and of course, I said "Sure!" before thinking about it. So here it sits...and sits...waiting to be finished. I need to do a little fixing to it and it is rather overwhelming but I'm pretty sure that if I just got in and worked on it, it would only be a few weeks and it would be done. And we could use an extra blanket, especially for guests.

Davonne said...

I've been working on the pile in the corner of my room - it will not be finished today, but it looks much much better, and has shrank significantly. Just making progress feels good. Thank you for the inspiration!

Debbie Fisher (debbiedee) said...

I love them! I have a bathroom that I need to get the rest of the wall paper off (10 ft ceiling! WHY did people wall paper ceilings!!) and then painted. My goal is before Thanksgiving.

*carrie* said...

Monica,

Love that pic of your living room. I want to come visit. =) =(

And check out this post: http://smallnotebook.org/2011/10/25/do-you-have-inspiration-overload/

asnipofgoodness said...

Your couches look A-MAZZZZZ-ING Monica! I really really love them, they inspire me :)Good for you for finishing. I know exactly what you mean about dreading a project and then it isn't all that bad. I often let a project go to long because I get overwhelmed!

Kathryn D. Duke said...

what a great job you did on the sofas...I can do a lot of things and I would not even think about upholstering one of them!! good job...

Jen said...

I have the same couch!!!! I've been wanting to recover it. You've just given me the motivation to tackle it.

Fear prevents me from finishing something (or sometimes starting something). Will what I finish stand up to my perfectionist ways? I need to let go and trust!

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness,...you did a wonderful job. The are perfect. Great work.