Wednesday, December 13, 2017

I May Have A Scrap Problem... Are You Up For a Challenge?

Hi, all!

Well, in the midst of the rush of preparations for the holidays, it's easy to forget that we're also coming up on the end of 2017!  This has been a great year - I've discovered that I really like working with scraps, and I've made some fun projects using those scraps...







...but I'll have to admit that all of that sewing hasn't made a dent in my stash of scraps!  So here's a few photos just to keep it real....


The baskets on the top of my fabric storage shelves...


...the tubs under my long arm machine that I still haven't touched...


...the piles of leftover scraps from earlier scrap projects... still not sorted into tubs....


...my well-stuffed strings hamper...


...and the overflowing catch basket on my cutting table!

Oh the shame of it....

But there just aren't enough hours in the day...

And there are so many projects to do!

Where to start???

And that's where I want to begin with this challenge.  Will you join me?  Here's my plan...

I'm going to take a good hard look at my scrap situation over the next two weeks, and make a list of least twelve specific things I want to accomplish in 2018.  Some might be as simple as sorting out a tub of scraps, others as fun as making a new quilt or a rope bowl, or as generous as sharing a box of scraps with someone less scrap-blessed, but all will work towards the goal of controlling my scraps during the year.  

I'll write out each goal on a card, maybe even with pics - that inspiration quilt shot, for example - fold them up small and put them in a pretty jar or box. Then the first Wednesday of January, I'll pull one out to work on, and share it with you.  There will be a linky party so you can join in and share your goal for the month too!  Come the first Wednesday of February, and each month after, we can share progress on the previous month's goal, and reveal the new goal for the new month!

And remember I said at least twelve things?  If I come up with more, I'll write them up too - and if I have a month where I finish early, I'll draw a second task.  

And this is really low pressure - if life happens and I can't meet my monthly goal, it's not the end of the world!  Believe me, those scraps aren't going anywhere!  

So - - - are you interested in joining me?  I've even come up with a cute little badge to put on your blog...


I'm looking forward to this!  Just what I need, a little challenge to put the spark back into my quest for super-neat and usable scraps!!

I hope you'll come along for the ride!

Hugs!

Sarah

43 comments:

  1. Yes, I will join you, and use the badge on my blog. I also may not always get it all done, but will strive to do my best in 2018 :)

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  2. I just love this idea and the cute button, too. I am so in on this one.

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  3. I need to cut down my scraps and organize out something. I've been gathering strings for a quilt that I'm ready to start on…oh my! Is this a one or two or three or…year project?

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  4. I have some,well quite a few flimsies that need to be quilted, and the mid/short arm machine just needs an electrician's tender care with some wiring, the table frame is on its side waiting for the new self levelling feet I bought this week, then I can start in earnest to get some actually quilted. That will be my first goal, to have the Gammill running properly. Apart from that, a trip south for younger daughter's wedding, that will take some major travelling, a ferry crossing, and lots of driving.

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  5. Yes, I will join you and put the badge on my blog :)

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  6. So pretty, and that dark red color is gorgeous :)

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  7. Hi Sarah!!! Hmmmm you have me thinking....

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  8. Love this idea. I have scraps coming out of my ears...really! I should post a picture on my own blog! Anyway...traveling for a bit at the first of the year, but it will give me time to think about what to work on when I get home.

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  9. What a wonderful idea! Who doesn't need some organization in their quilting space? Especially me this year because we are selling our housein the spring and my quilting stuff is everywhere/

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  10. I will join in and hope to make some progress. I still have so much to get done before Christmas that it's not even funny. Happy Stitching! Anna

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  11. I have a customer who makes quilts for her church missions program. She uses only scraps people give her. I gave her a garbage bag of primo, sizable scraps and she nearly fainted! I STILL have mountains of scraps and strips, so no big deal to me. Thanks for justifying my obsession. Let's get sewing!

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  12. I like your idea for tackling the scrap monster! I need to do something about my scrap disaster so I'll join the party!

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  13. I have another scrappy design in the works for a mystery quilt along that would use up some!

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  14. Oh my gosh! You are the answer to my prayers! I am so in. I don't have as much scraps as you do but I believe my sewing room is smaller so it looks just as full. Love the laundry basket as a container of scraps. Need to get one. Thanks for the inspiration and the new challenge. ;^)

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  15. Count me in, Sarah! My scrap baskets are longing for projects! They deserve to be sewn together into pretty projects!

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  16. I will join you. I have the badge on my blog.

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  17. I've been trying to reduce scraps but they tend to multiply-- I will join in.

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  18. This sounds like a fun adventure. Might force me to get my scraps under control.

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  19. I don't do many scrap quilts so my scrap stash is growing, this sounds like a lot of fun. I'm back to blogging after four years, this sounds like a fun way to dive back in.

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  20. I love that idea! It's a great way to keep the goals from being overwhelming.

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  21. I'm in. I have quite a few scrap UFOs that need to be finished. Not to mention my overload of scraps!

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  22. What a fun idea! I hope other people who join in write about their organization methods. I'm a total geek when it comes to stuff like that, and love to peek into people's craft rooms! :)

    I can't afford to let things get so out of control that it takes a year to clean up, but I'll join in off and on throughout 2018. Mostly 'cuz I really want to use that cute button, ha!

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  23. My cupboards are heaving and I have so many boxes on shelves in my sewing room, so I cannot say NO! I'm in for 2018.
    Blitz those Bits
    Cut out those Cuttings
    Salvage those Strips
    Liberate those Leftovers
    etc., etc., etc.
    Jo in Liverpool ,England

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  24. I'm in. My main goal is to go through those bins and make something out a certain color each month.
    https://melsquiltingblog.blogspot.com/2017/12/scrap-attack.html

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  25. I love it! And I love the fact that you showed the truth!! ha ha - mine are overflowing... and Ihave even been giving them away!!

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  26. I so needed this challenge! My bins are over flowing with scraps!

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  27. I am going to join you, and have the badge on my blog. Trying again to comment, hoping this time it works :)

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  28. Joining you in the challenge. Hoping this comment gets published :)

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  29. I'm definitely with you both up for the challenge AND my scraps look like yours (or worse) if I am truthful. I will try to get your cute pic on my sidebar. Not real good at some computer things. lol

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  30. Sounds like fun! I have some string bins that need to be tamed, but my nemesis is left over triangles!

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  31. This sounds like such a good idea! I bought a quilt planner this year, so I’ll be putting my “goals” for my scraps into the planner, but drawing something out each month sounds like fun.

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  32. I love this idea. Sorting out my scraps is already on my radar for 2018, so I might as well jump in where I know I'll have friends. LOL

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  33. I had already decided that I needed to use up scraps in 2018, so hopefully this will help get me going. I started 2 scrap quilts in November and have a Bonnie Hunter scrap pattern that I need to get busy with.

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  34. I found your post from Chantal and you can count me in. Just what I needed. I can't make my button grabbing work, but I'm with you, one a month is just my speed. Thanks, Sarah.

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  35. Great idea for next year, I'm joining in. I follow along this year and like you barely made a dent. I think they are all multiplying when the lights go out.
    I need to start think too. Thanks a lot Sarah

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  36. I'm in!! I was just looking at my scraps this past weekend -telling myself I've got to get them under control and make something useful! Thanks, I'll post the badge to my blog too :-)

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  37. Yes please looking forward to future scrappy adventures. I need the SPACE!!!

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  38. I'm in. Last year my guild had a challenge for 5 quilts during the year--I listed 20 and finished them all, but still lots more where they came from!

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  39. I don't know why I didn't see this post earlier but I was just happy to see that I wasn't the only one who has a Scrap-tastrophe in her studio. Yes, I will join you and will add your very cute button to my blog. I wonder besides picking a project, I should also pick which scrap pile I should use.

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  40. I just saw this as well. I will join. I don't have a blog but I will be checking things out here ... Great idea and it can only help! Thanks.

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  41. I'm in! I think.....I'll try......I think......

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