How many is too many?

[evilkins.livejournal.com]

Just looking for a general opinion here ... how many projects in progress can/should you have before it's time to start finishing them? This pertains mostly to my massive collection of knitting and crochet, but can apply to really any craft.

For example -- you have one (or more) projects that fall into the folowing categories ...

* instant gratification -- little bits and pieces that you make because they only take a night or two to finish and they're just fun. you have a million of them floating about. most of them are finished, but mostly useless/people are tired of getting them as presents.

*the "I'll finish it when I get more (insert missing supply here)" -- Problem is, every time you are in the store, you forget. Meanwhile, the project languisghes in near-completion.

* the "big" project -- this would be that bed-sized afghan, your first sweater, the painting that will never be quite done. basically any project that you started knowing it would take freakin' forever. It's been six months, and it's nearly half-done. There's hope.

*the inherited craft -- Someone did half of a needlepoint, and, in a moment of complete absence of rational thought, you say "I'd like that. I'll finish it." Assume they don't want it back.

* the "dear god, why?" -- you just had to try that new pattern with this fabric or yarn. approximately ten seconds after beginning, you realize it's driving you batty, but some greater force (mostly unspeakable rage) drives you to finish it. It's still slogging along. You try not to look at it too much, but you can feel it watching you.

* the "getting paid for this" -- this is what you're actually working on most of the time. because, well, you're getting paid.

I think I have one of each going right now. maybe two "dear god, why"'s. The question is -- what do you do when you feel like you need to finish them? How do you rationalize starting a new project in the midst of all this "not done yet"? What motivates you to finish something that's been lying about for awhile (assuming there's no deadline)?

Is there/should there be a community/"support chain" for people trying to finish projects? (i.e. -- i email you/you email me once a week/month/at random, send pictures of progress, whatever works.) I could use the kick in the ass on some of my projects.