The fun projects we’re going to be doing in 2012 have already been mentioned but I want to remind you and clear up a few questions.
First, and the one I’m so excited about is the Color Palette Challenge. Vicki Welsh at Field Trips in Fiber will be sharing her palettes from photos and participants will make a project using the colors from the palette shown each month. Vicki will be doing lessons in color and whether or not you choose to participate by making a project using the monthly palette, everyone should learn something from Vicki’s lessons. The projects can be anything from a postcard to a tote, to a wall hanging or a fill size quilt. Make a project one month or all 12 months. No one is taking names or keeping track. It’s all for our own fun.
Second, and the one that has made a tremendous difference in my fabric buying and stashbusting efforts is the Sunday Stash Report. Each Sunday a link box is posted and you may share a link to your blog report about your stashbusting (or enhancing) efforts the past week. You can join in for one week, once a month or whenever you like. No one is taking names or keeping track! Sometimes just knowing that I have to report my purchases keeps me from buying just to be buying. This is NOT a “no buy” challenge. If we need fabric or we need a perfect shade of blue, even though we have 50 other blues in the stash . . that’s ok. It would not be fun to bust the stash at the expense of our creativity. Sometimes it really makes me get in the sewing room and sew just so I can have some yardage used to report.
You do NOT have to know how much is in your stash to start with! All you have to do is report your additions and your usage. You can report your usage for what you used that week or you can report it when your project is finished. It doesn’t matter how you report it . . just so you’re reporting it only once. Again, no one is keeping watch and no one is checking up on anyone’s numbers.
The third thing we’re doing is the UFO Challenge again this year. To participate, all you have to do is make a list of 12 UFOs or 12 projects you would like to complete in 2012. Post those on your blog and in a week or so, I’ll ask for everyone to share their list. You can add photos if like or your list can be simply a list. Each month a number will be chosen and that’s the UFO or project you’re supposed to finish that month.
Don’t make an unreasonable list! If you decided yesterday to make a Dear Jane quilt, don’t make “Finishing the Dear Jane Quilt” one of your projects! This is supposed to be fun and rewarding. Add projects to your list that you realistically can complete in a month. Back to that Dear Jane Quilt . . maybe say you want to finish 4 blocks each month. It doesn’t have to be a completed project . . just have 12 monthly goals.
There will be some other projects but these are the three main ones that will happen every month. The Design Wall Monday posts will continue also.
Thank you for hosting these challenges/projects. I’ve participated in the stash report for 3 years. Although I’m only reporting fabric usage/enhancement, I’m tracking $s on everything related to my quilting. It’s been an eye opener.
The UFO challenge this year has gotten those tops and partial tops into quilts. I may not have finished the exact UFO I had listed, but there are 20 completed quilts and 2 or 3 quilt tops which might not have gotten to that stage had I not been participating.
As much fun as it was to participate this year, I’m going for something less challenging next year — finishing the rest of the blocks to my Christmas BOM quilt, getting 24 more Sylvia’s Bridal Sampler blocks made and with any luck finishing the hand quilting on my Double Wedding Ring (or at least 12 of the 15 remaining rings).
I’m really excited about the UFO challenge. It fits so nicely with my goals for 2012. I’ve got my post all written and saved, just waiting for time to publish!
Thanks again for all the fun you bring to us quilters! I have LOVED the UFO challenge and am amazed and delighted by how much it has helped me. I am excited about formulating my list for next year!
The Stash Report has been an *interesting* experience for me this year
I plan to do it again in 2012 and to try to IMPROVE my numbers next time!
I failed miserably at the UFO Challenge — only 5 out of 12 done, sigh. I’m still thinking about what project commitments I want to make for next year.
Jeanne
That’s 5 more than if you didn’t do the challenge!
Hi Judy, I am thinking of participating in the UFO challenge this year. However, I don’t have a blog or other site where I can post my list. I will be able to post my finishes each month on my Flickr photo site. Do I need to post my “list” in order to participate?
I’m so glad you are doing the UFO challenge again this year. I fell off earlier this year with moving and work challenges. Looking so forward to 2012…for a number of reasons. ~ksp
I’m looking forward to taking part in the Design Wall Monday and Stash Report Sunday events, oh, and the UFO Challenge! I NEED to be challenged to get them done. Actually, right now, I NEED to be challenged to get anything done
but that’s another story. Clearly looking forward to 2012. Thank you for your blogging and all the interesting things you post. When’s the next ‘episode’ of the shed/garage sewing room progress?
It all sounds wonderful. The UFO in our guild is one every 2 months. That so we can keep up the new ones….and finish them before they are UFO’s. I did pretty good finishing 5 out of 6
I even have one for next month ready to quilt…now should I send it out …or do it myself?? I have one to definitly go to the quilter soooo think I better do the UFO myself. OK see another fine decision done!
Hi, Judy,
Thanks for hosting the ufo challenge again. I really found it helpful in clearing the shelves last year. I have a quick question. I would like to put the new graphic/link on my website. Where can I find the code?
Can I join in late?