2019 Maker Finish-Along ~ February Challenge

It’s time for the next challenge in the 2019 Maker Finish-Along! January was all about organizing our maker spaces, so we could focus on those UFOs floating around us. For the February challenge we will be picking a UFO to finish & focusing on crafty stretches. That would be stretches for crafters not stretches that are crafty! Haha! : D

By the way, a UFO is an “UnFinished Object”, in case y’all didn’t know. It’s usually used by quilters or crocheters or knitters, but it applies to projects of all kinds. Since this is a Maker Finish-Along, it’s open to makers of all kinds. No matter what fuels your maker mojo, you can join in the fun!

Please check out January’s post for all the details! You’ll also find a printable schedule & UFO list in the Facebook group.

A Maker Review

Before we get into this month’s challenge, let’s review January’s challenge. In January we were cleaning up & clearing out clutter in our maker spaces. This was all to help our spaces be more productive for our creativity. Our goal was to make our space work for us not for others.

I’ve seen some amazing maker spaces in the Facebook group & lots of progress, which is awesome! I’m personally still working on this & that’s okay! My space is still cleaner than when I began, I just need to work out some storage issues. I consider my space a constant WIP {work-in-progress} because my needs change as I learn new things.

I’m hoping that everyone was able to at least make things more workable, even if there are a few kinks to work out still! If you haven’t made a list of UFOs you hope to tackle this year, now is a good time to do that. I didn’t number the worksheet because I want you to decide how many you think you can finish this year. There may be some things that take more than a month to finish & that’s okay! : )

Crafty Stretches

Makers have a tendency to focus intently on what they’re making. Especially if they have limited time to make, which is a topic for another month! We get so into whatever we’re making that we forget to sit &/or stand correctly. This can wreak havoc on our backs & hands causing us all sorts of trouble. And we need those things to function for making!

I used be a drafter which required me to be at a computer 8 to 10 hours a day. One day I woke up with a “kink” in the left side of my neck & I couldn’t even turn my head all the way to the left. After a week of it not going away, I visited the chiropractor. He told me this was due to not having my computer monitor at the correct level. You should have your monitor at eye level to reduce strain on your shoulders.

As I’m writing this I’m realizing I really need to put my laptop on a higher surface! : )

Now, that’s just an example of what can happen when you hold your body in weird positions while working away. Depending on what you make, this could be different for everyone. Although I have a feeling most of us use a computer or phone on a daily basis! ; )

To help combat some maker aches & pains, I compiled a list of resources that includes everything from hand exercises to sitting ergonomically.

• Hand Exercises for Knitters from We Are Knitters {Works for crocheters too!}
• Keeping Your Hands Happy from Mamas2Hands
• Eye Yoga Exercises for Healthy Eyes from Blue Buddha Boutique {Very interesting & something I never thought about!}
• Are There Any Yoga Poses I Can Do At My Desk? from Yoga Journal {There are links in the article for many other office yoga poses.}
• How to Sit Correctly in an Office Chair from Gadget Review
• Crochet Body Positions, Holding Yarn, & Chaining from The Crochet Crowd
• Six Tips for Comfortable Knitting from Love Knitting
• Healthy Sewing from Cluck Cluck Sew

Although most of these are craft specific, the tips in the articles & videos are helpful to makers of all kinds. Good posture is key when doing most anything. It really helps prevent many aches & pains before they start!

February’s Maker Challenge

What’s all this got to do with this month’s challenge? In case you haven’t already guessed, this month’s challenge is to stretch it out! I want everyone to focus on correcting bad posture & bad sitting habits. Take regular breaks & stretch out your body. I know I sound like your mother, but it’s really important!

Look at it this way ~> better posture + more stretching = less aches & pains AND less aches & pains + less down time = more making time!

Now that’s a math formula I can get behind! Here’s a breakdown on our goals for the month:

• Pay attention to how you’re sitting/standing while making. Make adjustments as needed.
• Take needed stretch breaks. You can set a timer if it helps!
• Get up and take a walk, especially when you get frustrated while making. Clearing your mind for a minute & focusing on something else can help you figure out your maker dilemma.
• Better yet get up & do a little maker dance when you finish something amazing! : D

While we’re focusing on improving our maker stances, we’ll also focus on a UFO that needs completing. This is a Finish-Along after all! Grab that UFO list and decide which one to tackle first. If your project will take longer than a month to complete, try breaking it down into monthly tasks. This may make it less daunting & easier to complete.

To enter to win this month’s prize, just share a pic of the UFO you are working on first. Progress pictures are great too! If you want to share pics or videos of you stretching & dancing that’s okay too! : D

Remember, the most important goal is to enjoy making! No one is taking score & no one is expecting “Pinterest perfection”. We are all here to encourage each other to make awesome things to share with the world!

Happy making y’all! : )