I have such mixed feelings over Pinterest. On one hand I love all the ideas that can be found there, and it is such an easy way to keep track of ideas. I no longer have to create word files to keep track of all my internet inspired ideas and projects. Another plus...I've learned some new techniques and have been able to do/make some new things. On the other hand, it's kinda become the Wal-Mart of creativity. And, just like WalMart, sometimes you find great deals and other times it's just a waste of time and moolah. Another frustration (and this one is 100% my fault), I have so many things pinned that I start projects all the time to get through my pins, but many many of those projects go unfinished (or even unstarted...as if pinning the idea was starting the project).
That right there is my Pinstrosity for today. I know it's not technically what we've been doing with it, but it's my major Pinterest frustration today, so I figure it counts.
Let me show you a little bit of what I mean.
I found this awesome site through someone else's pin that would help me plan my garden. It would tell me when and how to plant each seed/seedling. I knew my garden was going to be a success. I picked all the plants I wanted, submitted my garden plan and got my first email telling me that I needed to start cabbage indoors right away. I knew my garden was going to be a success.
The Pinstrosity
I haven't even walked in the garden gate yet this year.
Here's another.
The Original Pin
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| http://www.landscape-design-expert.com/woodlandgardens.html |
We decided to start working on a patio so we'd have somewhere nice to sit outside in the summer evenings. This pin was a bit like what we wanted to do (only we're gathering the rocks off the hill behind our house). We worked hard...for a few days.
The Pinstrosity
See the nice pile of rocks we've gathered. And we trimmed branches. What a nice patio we have. And now summer is fast approaching and it's nowhere near done. Maybe we'll have it done just in time to move.
More?
The Original Pin
We have this great stack of magazines that we've collected from our old subscriptions, from friends, and from what we've found lying around. This cool bowl is only one of the ideas I've had for those magazines.
The Pinstrosity
Just one of our magazine stacks...not in the shape of a bowl. Not in the shape of anything except for a stack of magazines. And now it looks like there's car manuals and other books in there as well.
Wait, there's more.
The Original Pin
I have an awesome bag full of fabric scraps, plus a little cabinet full of fat quarters and larger fabric scraps. I've been saving them for fun scrap projects, like the awesome scrappy mug rug above. I've just known that I'll create some awesome scrappy decor.
The Pinstrosity
Beautiful, isn't it? And that's not even the large bag full...that's my little cabinet. Maybe I should finally do this other pin I've had pinned for a while to help me get things organized with the scraps.
Speaking of organization...
The Original Pin
What about this awesome idea that most of us have pinned?
The Pinstrosity
I somehow can't seem to get even the simplest of pins done.
Trust me this list could go on. Unfinished paintings. Piles of fabric for sewing projects. Recipes to be made. Toilets to de-ring. Flower gardens to clean up. Naps to take (if only Pinterest could accomplish that for me).
And then there are the projects that were inspired by pins that I've given my own personal little spin on...only they sit there half finished (or barely even started). I'm not ready to reveal their final purpose yet (because someday I might actually finish them...maybe), but here's all the progress I've made.
Woo hoo. I bought a wood person. Much accomplished with this project. : |
So I apologize that today's post isn't funny or all that exciting. But it's reality. How to fix today's Pinstrosity? Getting off the computer and getting to work. Here I go. Wish me luck.
The Original Pin
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| http://www.veetje.be/ |
The Pinstrosity
Just one of our magazine stacks...not in the shape of a bowl. Not in the shape of anything except for a stack of magazines. And now it looks like there's car manuals and other books in there as well.
Wait, there's more.
The Original Pin
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| http://www.stitchesandscissors.com/2011/03/wonky-starburst-mug-rug-tutorial.html |
I have an awesome bag full of fabric scraps, plus a little cabinet full of fat quarters and larger fabric scraps. I've been saving them for fun scrap projects, like the awesome scrappy mug rug above. I've just known that I'll create some awesome scrappy decor.
The Pinstrosity
Beautiful, isn't it? And that's not even the large bag full...that's my little cabinet. Maybe I should finally do this other pin I've had pinned for a while to help me get things organized with the scraps.
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| http://recycledcrafts.craftgossip.com/how-to-make-recycled-jar-fabric-scrap-organizers/2011/06/24/ |
The Original Pin
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| http://www.marthastewart.com/308036/how-to-keep-matching-sheets-together-in?xsc=eml_org_2011_02_03 |
What about this awesome idea that most of us have pinned?
The Pinstrosity
I somehow can't seem to get even the simplest of pins done.
Trust me this list could go on. Unfinished paintings. Piles of fabric for sewing projects. Recipes to be made. Toilets to de-ring. Flower gardens to clean up. Naps to take (if only Pinterest could accomplish that for me).
And then there are the projects that were inspired by pins that I've given my own personal little spin on...only they sit there half finished (or barely even started). I'm not ready to reveal their final purpose yet (because someday I might actually finish them...maybe), but here's all the progress I've made.
And my lovely thrift store painted vase (from that pin we all pinned of course) and the start of some diy ribbon and fabric flowers. The idea was great...the work ethic on the other hand, not so great.
So...today, rather than testing a pin I am going to get working on pins I've already got started, starting with catching up on this pin:
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| http://madebymarquette.blogspot.com/2012/01/cleaning-schedule.html |
I found today's post very funny:) Maybe because I can relate *lol* I did make a good start though: painted ánd organized my quiltroom.....yeey! Good luck with your projects (but since you're at work and nót at the pc you'll probably won't read this, now will you???)
ReplyDeleteI think more of us can relate to this than we'd like to admit, lol. And congrats on your work in your quiltroom! We should have a soundtrack in life and whenever we accomplish something the applause goes off. I wonder if I'd get more done that way. :) Thank you for your comment, it was a nice pick me up during my lunch break. I'm ready to get back to work!
DeleteI think I can relate! Of course you've seen all my piles too. Kind of like being stuck in the sand, huh? Love you! BTW, that patio pin was obviously produced by someone paid a lot of money - like Max, who had a lot of helpers - like Cameron.
ReplyDeleteI didn't bother reading, I just looked and pictures and laughed, it is so funny.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly how you feel...Keep up the great work...
I will still maintain that Pinterest is the pathway to Hell... paved with good intentions :) doesn't stop me from enjoying that pathway, though.
ReplyDeleteOh man, ain't that the truth. :)
DeleteLong before Pinterest came along, I was buying craft magazines (for the ONE project that I really wanted out of it), and then never doing the project. I concluded that I have to watch out for the "ooh" effect: something is cheery and bright and attracts me, but it's really not that different than tons and tons of other cheery, bright things. I have to watch out for fantasizing that the rest of my life is going to look like a Martha Stewart picture if I have that one thing. It's not. And most, most, most important: Will I actually take pleasure from the actions involved in producing that item, or do I really just want the final product? I'd like one of those magazine bowls, but I wouldn't enjoy rolling up a bunch of magazine pages and coiling them and gluing them together. What time I have available should go to things I actually enjoy doing. After all these years, I have a pretty good idea what I'm going to quit halfway through because it's just boring to do.
ReplyDelete"Will I actually take pleasure from the actions involved in producing that item, or do I really just want the final product?"
DeleteYou have hit the nail on the head with that one statement. Thank you for such a clear test question.
I have started putting my sheets into the one pillowcase. It's honestly worked very nicely. Last weekend we almost forgot to grab sheets to take camping and it was a cinch to run to the closet and grab a "bag" that already had all the matching components in it. I didn't have to worry about ending up at our destination with no fitted sheet.
ReplyDelete*grins* I should share some of my failed beginnings. There are many of them.
ReplyDeleteMany.
I also have a list of 101 things to do in 1001 days. It is equally full of beginnings. You would be impressed particularly impressed by my 'coffee table' - I have a lamp base, and a picture frame to put on top of it, but the part where I araldyte it together? yeah....
I made a 101 list as well, but I knew I'd never do it if I tried to remember it through 1001 days. Instead I make a 101 Things to Do in Year list each year. (I have mine at http://madebymarquette.blogspot.com/p/101-things-in-2012.html).
DeleteSo true! In my case,the 'good thing' about Pinterest is that now I can satisfy my urge to have all the great ideas but without having the clutter of the magazines, books, printouts + scraps of paper with tips/ideas written on them etc. etc.
ReplyDeleteI've discovered that that is the true beauty of Pinterest. Even if I don't get around to many projects, at least I don't have all the recipes on scraps of paper and craft ideas in many folders that are who-knows-where - no filing/piling decisons to be made - no money wasted on magazines and pattern books that take up space... I can browse and dream to my heart's content, and think about the things I could make for the people I love!
DeleteI have the ribbon jars. And I would post a picture. But, they're on my craft desk, which I haven't seen in awhile. My husband calls it my hoarder desk. But I figure if the rest of the house is in order, I'm allowed to have a hoarder desk.
ReplyDeleteI realized a while back that I mostly enjoy the planning, the list-making, and supplies gathering. The follow-through? not so much. And since I realized that, it has been rather freeing, because I can enjoy the rush of "Ohh! This project would be great!" and hopefully stop myself before I get to the "supplies gathering" step. But if not, I am not so disappointed in myself when the stuff just sits there. Plus then when I decide I actually want to work on something, I feel like I've won a trophy.
ReplyDeleteI do the sheets in the pillow case thing but it never looks as pretty. The pillow cases are always too big for the sheets and I have to fold the pillow cases over.
ReplyDelete