Pictures Can Help You Remember

When did I take that workshop? It couldn't have been five years ago? I know I made that bookmark, but where is it? What color cup did I make for Joanie, I want this ruler to match it? Did I give that ornament to my cousin last year, or can I give her this extra one that I have in my stash? Or worst of all '" How did I do that particular stitch in Tonder '"(see photo) my notes aren't good enough? In the past, I used to just have to scratch my head and guess, but about five years ago when I got a new desk top, I began to keep track of my projects in pictures in files and sub-files.

When I began making lace I remember someone telling me to write down the size thread I used plus any notes that might help if I wanted to repeat the project. This was excellent advice which I failed to follow for years. I have regretted this severely a couple of times as I struggled to remember how I did something or where it went. This advice is good, not only for lace making, but for other hobbies too. Since I got the new desk top I have been very good about photographing completed knitting projects as well as bobbin lace projects. I keep these pictures in files on my computer. They serve as a quick reference for when and what I have done. I may not have written notes about how I did things, but at least I have a way to find visual clues.

I keep all my pictures organized on my computer, so that I can find things quickly. It is like putting your keys in the same place every time so you can find them. I know have to be compulsive about uploading, naming and putting the pictures in the right file. To prove that I am human, there are still pictures from Christmas a few years ago in a folder that have not been edited, named or deleted if they are duplicates or out of focus. I know that I will get to that some day, but not today and until I do, they are safe in their folder.

To keep my project pictures organized I have two files on my computer in my "Pictures." One is titled "Knitting" and the other is titled "Lace-Amy's" (that way I don't get confused by pictures of lace made by other people which are also in the folder titled "Bobbin Lace"). Within both files I have sub-folders with years. I also have a few folders by type. I have a folder in "Knitting" labeled "Shawls" and one in Lace-Amy's file labeled "Nativities." In it are pictures of the lace nativities that I have made. Those pictures also appear under the year that the particular piece was completed.

When I upload the picture I check to see that it is in focus, or if I need to re take it. I move it to the appropriate folder and name it with the date I completed the item, and who will receive it, if it is a gift. It is easy to rename the picture later if things change. This helps me to see when I made something or where it went. Did I give that to someone last year, or the year before, or perhaps I can give it to them this year. Do I need a picture of something for the Lace Group's newsletter, or for an article? By keeping them sorted it is quicker to find things.

By doing this it has allowed me to sort out who has which Nativity. I have completed the Holy Family, The Magi, and two sheep, but a shepherd and another sheep is always a possibility. I made a total of nine bobbin lace Nativities, and none of them were alike(see photo). Some were white and some were colored, some were gold and some were silver, and some were colored metallic threads. I can use the pictures to sort out which combination of color and metallic threads should go to whom so that new ones will match their set.

It is handy to have a picture of a completed project filed by year, since many of my lace projects were done as a result of a workshop. By checking my files, I can figure out when a particular teacher came and what they taught. I can also get a feeling from the picture about whether I enjoyed the workshop or not. You would be surprised at the memories a visual clue can produce. Sometimes I photograph works in progress, just to show how the piece was made. Bobbin lace can be deceiving and hard for people to understand.

This whole idea of photographing completed projects can work for any hobby that you might have. It gives you an idea of where you have been and if you are improving in your abilities. Even if you no longer have the actual project, the picture will allow you to check on what supplies you used for a project as well as what techniques. The pictures enlarge quite well on the computer so that you can look closely at any particular area.

If I were going to start to do this, I would not try to go back into the past, but simply begin now with the digital camera. Keep up to date with your pictures. Photograph it as soon as the item is finished, even if you are planning to frame or mount an item. You may not remember to do it later or the light may reflect off the glass. This way you will have the correct date it was completed. You can always replace the picture later with one of it framed. You can't photograph something if you no longer have access to it.

Try to take your pictures in the same place with the same background. I have at last found a large piece of white felt which is an excellent background for almost everything that isn't white. Upload the picture as soon as you can and at the same time check that everything is in focus. If not, re-take the picture. Label it and save it in the right file. Waiting to label a file can result in you having two files with the same picture number, which makes it hard to use either of them and some times you lose access to both pictures.

Someday you may want to go back and scan the pictures from the past and put them in your files, but for now just start from today and go forward. I have yet to tackle this assignment. It is one of those jobs that I will get when I have that infamous "round to it". But if you wait to start your file until you can do that, you may never start it. It is much easier to take one picture and upload it, than it is to catch up on all of the projects you have finished.

When a visitor wants to know what you have been making lately, it is easy to go to the current years file and the pictures are there. Something really awesome may have slipped your mind. It may be a technique that they will want to learn. Photographing your completed projects is good, but keeping those photographs organized is even better. I even use those files to figure out what year we did particular home improvement projects, because I keep most of my pictures sorted by year. You might want to start this kind of record for yourself. It can be quite helpful.