We get the feeling we could all use a little more help getting organized so we’re dedicating the month of May to sharing organizing ideas in different areas of our lives!

What’s your system for organizing kid’s homework/important papers?

Photo courtesy of eren | thisvintagechica

Don’t forget, we want to hear your ideas! Whether you have a great idea or you need a great idea–leave a comment below and we’ll all help each other!

We get the feeling we could all use a little more help getting organized so we’re dedicating the month of May to sharing organizing ideas in different areas of our lives!

What is your system for organizing mail?

Photo courtesy of TheeErin creations

Don’t forget, we want to hear your ideas! Whether you have a great idea or you need a great idea–leave a comment below and we’ll all help each other!

How did you do?

Hard to believe it’s the last week of April! So…toot your own horn! Share your success (or your frustration). Tell us how your spring cleaning, project week or pile conquering went!

Photo courtesy of Merelymel13

We are excited to welcome Michelle to Find Your Sock Yarn today. Michelle is a self proclaimed Project-aholic! She has lots of great ideas but sometimes has a hard time finishing up all those ideas! She’s come up with a great idea though to help her get those projects finished-she started a blog where she shares all her projects as she finishes them! Be sure and visit Michelle at her very appropriately named blog – Confessions of a Project-aholic!

Hi. My name is Michelle and I am a project-aholic.

That’s right.

I am addicted to projects.

Actually, I guess I should clarify: I am addicted to starting projects. I have struggled with finishing them!

I’m not sure when this addiction started. Probably pretty young. My parents were not artistic themselves (my mom considered craft projects a form of torture), so when they saw this ability in me, they encouraged it. But, they only made me finish my homework and whatever was on my plate!

My art projects?… Well, it never bothered them if those never got done, they understood that creativity was always a work in progress.

I must have finished enough art projects because I earned a talent award scholarship to college from the Design Department at BYU. After one miserable year of deadline after deadline I decided that it wasn’t for me! (The deadlines that is, which are what designers are always up against!) So, I changed my major, and at least finished college!

Now fast forward a few years.

They say opposites attract, and I happened to marry- get this- a project finisher! (And since he builds roads, all us drivers out there are very happy about that!) He’s a get-er-done type of guy. So naturally, my piles of unfinished projects can really get under his skin.

But, I was still in denial.

Then, a few months ago, something woke me up.

I belong to our local quilters guild (because fabric is just another fun medium), and at the beginning of the year, we were all asked to count up our UFO’s (un-finished projects). We then numbered these, and every month they draw a number, and the idea is to finish the project with that number that month. But, just for fun, they also decided to see who had the most.

Guess. Who. Had. The. Most??

Ouch. We have around 85-100 members. When I fessed up, they presented this award to me:

I had to face my denial, and what’s more, I needed a plan to get my projects done!

Looking around at all my projects (including my non-quilting projects) I decided that first of all I needed some accountability. Secondly, I needed to be able to see my progress and pat myself of the back occasionally.

I remember that a few years back, I had decided on New Years Eve, that along with making my New Years Resolutions, I would also make a list of everything I had accomplished that year. This was far more motivating than I realized. Being able to look back at what we have done helps us take on what we still need to do with much more energy. I think we are invigorated by that sense of I’ve done it before, I can do it again!

Hence, my blog was born.

Here, I am accountable to my readers to be finishing things on a regular basis. But, the sense of accomplishment whenever I can post something really does keep me going.

This has probably been my most successful system to checking things off my to-do list. I would love for you to look around at my blog, and leave me your feedback and suggestions. I would also love to hear how you accomplish your to-do lists and finish up all those projects that you start!

What is your best tip for conquering a project or pile?

Photo courtesy of marajane creations

Here are some links to some ideas that might help you to conquer a project…

• Simple Mom’s great post on Organizing Your Way
• Organizing Junkie’s Laundry System
• Leigh Anne’s tips on the 15 Minute Focus

Don’t forget, we want to hear your ideas! Whether you have a great idea or you need a great idea–leave a comment and we’ll all help each other!

What’s Your Pile?

It’s time to confess what pile bugs you most. Mail? Paperwork? Photos? Crafts? If you don’t any piles hidden (or out in the open), tell us how you keep the pile monster out of your house!!

Photo courtesy of cogdogblog

We want your ideas.

We know that women in general have lots of amazing ideas and we want yours!  We also want to know what areas of your life you need help with and could use a good idea for–just leave a comment below or use our contact form to send us an email and we can all help each other!

In April, we will be focusing on ideas to help with getting organized and spring cleaning. 

We’ll share our best ideas and tips for dealing with all those unfinished projects and piles we know we have and you just might have too!

Leigh Anne got a head start when she declared Spring Break as Project Week. You can read more about it here.

What are you going to declare as your project(s) to complete this month?

Photo courtesy of urbanwoodswalker

This month’s questions are designed to get you thinking about what great ideas you’ve tucked away.

a. More time
b. More flexibility
c. More fun
d. More money
e. All of the above
f. ______________fill in the blank

There are no wrong answers, pick as many as you want in whatever combination you want!

Photo courtesy of malias

This month’s questions are designed to get you thinking about what great ideas you’ve tucked away.

Photo courtesy of cutestmidget

Q: Tell us a little about your idea.
A: I have been thinking about writing a fashion blog for well over a year. I wanted women to get to know me as a real person through my writing which would create awareness for what I do as a stylist. I envisioned this blog to be for busy women who have no time to pick up a magazine, surf the web or go to stores on a regular basis. My idea was to reach a variety of women from different age ranges that may need affirmation or a few tweaks in their style choices. I hoped to be relational and use my writing “voice” to speak to them on a level that showed I could relate. I wanted women to understand that it’s not about being a “fashionista.” It is about feeling comfortable and confident with your style every time you walk out of the house.

Q: Why did you contact FYSY to help you with your idea?
I have known Leigh Anne for years through our home based businesses. I have heard Sherra speak on several occasions and always loved her practical, thoughtful yet humorous presentations. I read both of their blogs, and really admired what they have accomplished in such a short time. I refer to them as my “idol bloggers.” I asked Leigh Anne if she would give me some tips to start (having no idea what truly is involved!) She told me about FYSY and the services she and Sherra were offering and of course I was all over it. I know I could never have accomplished this on my own.

Q: How did working with FYSY help you focus on your idea?
A: We talked a great deal about branding and finding the right name for me which is one of the most important aspects. We then focused on a tagline, designs and all the details. Sherra and Leigh Anne listened to all the aspects of my idea and tried to implement what I said. They were very quick to understand what I was trying to accomplish. Their great advice and suggestions all through the process were invaluable. In addition, they really helped me understand the powerful marketing tool I had in the works with a blog.

Q: How long did the process take?
A: It really went quickly. The ideas came together very fast. I learned the ins/outs of Word Press with Sherra helping me over the phone. I was set to go and start writing in less than a month. I have also appreciated their desire for my site to evolve even further in the last couple of months. We’re tweaking, making a few additions and they are always there to help me make it better. While I’m not overwhelmed with writing, some of the technical aspects still can make my head spin. Sherra is great at helping, teaching and always is concerned about making it “just right”. Their ongoing support both in the way of ideas and technical aspects has been phenomenal!

Q: How does it feel to have your idea become a reality?
A: Sometimes I still can’t believe I have my own blog connected to my name! While I cannot take credit for so much of the background work and design (and I’m quick to tell people that) it is exciting to receive the feedback over and over. “I love what you write, I love your blog—keep it coming” It makes all the hard work worthwhile when it becomes reality. I now understand that this tool can have such a positive effect on helping other women and that is a great feeling! Being this far in just a few months is truly a credit to Sherra and Leigh Anne. I am very grateful and highly recommend their work to anyone who is just “dreaming” about an idea.

I have been a Washingtonian all but 10 years of my life. I was raised in Lynden, WA, a small farming community in the NW corner, just a few miles from the Canadian border. After attending college in Michigan, I landed my first job in Denver, Co where I lived for 6 years and met my husband, Mike. His job in the lumber industry brought us back to the NW and in 1989 we settled in Vancouver WA, which is in the very SW corner of the state. Nestled in between Seattle and Portland OR, we love the small city feel which has been perfect for raising our two boys Ethan and Collin who are now 17 and 14. My previous career as a school teacher and home business owner has paved the way for beginning a new business in 2008. As a personal stylist I enjoy using my creativity in a whole new way. I love teaching women how to look, feel and dress their best.