The 350 Blocks Project, 2013

Posted on January 12, 2013 by prairiemoonquilts in 350 Blocks Project

Last year, I did a “350 Blocks Project“, thinking it would help me finish up some UFOs. I made 350 blocks, but it did not have the effect on my UFOs that I wanted it to have . . . so I’m offering the challenge again this year —  both to myself and to any of you who’d like to join me.

My goal for the 350 Blocks Project: 2013 is . . .

To make 350 quilt blocks in 2013

350button13

Last year, I reached my goal quite quickly, because I counted blocks from commission jobs and other new projects. While that is encouraging, it still left most of my UFOs sitting in the same state they had always been.

So . . . this year, I’m not counting those blocks — I’m ONLY counting blocks for my own personal projects. I NEED to whittle down my own list of UFOs. These are projects I still love and want to finish, but I never seem to make the time for them. That’s what I hope to do with this year’s 350 Blocks Project: make some time to work on projects that are for me.

If you’d like to join me . . .

This year, I’m offering prizes!

Just a little incentive for you to make some progress right along with me . . .

If you’d like to participate and be eligible for the prizes, here’s how you can do that:

* Let me know you’re playing along

Simply comment on this post, or contact me to let me know you’re in.

I’ve created a page for the 350 Blocks Project HERE, where I’ll be listing information regarding the project and how it’s progressing. If you are participating, I’ll put your name (and a link to your blog if you have one) on the project page. You can jump in any time.

If you only want to do some of the months, that’s fine. You will be eligible for the prizes that month. Can’t start till May? No problem, you can still do the months you’re able to, and if you can catch up along the way, you could still be eligible for the grand prizes in the end. Totally up to you.

* Report in every month

I’ll be doing monthly blog posts about the project, where I’ll show you the blocks I get done, and announce the prizes for that month. When you see one of those posts, you need to leave a comment on it, telling us all about your own progress, and either link back to your own blog post, or at least let me know how many blocks you’ve done. You can also email me directly with your current number of blocks, or use the contact page to let me know. I’ll give you a few days to report in each month, so that you have time to leave your comment and be eligible for the prizes, because . . . if you don’t let me know you’re playing along, I won’t know to include you in the drawing!

I’ll post your number of completed blocks next to your name on the project page, so you can see how you’re doing compared to everyone else, and I’ll update it every time you let me know your new number. This is NOT a race, however, and everyone is eligible for the prizes. I repeat, it’s not a contest, it’s just for fun! Well . . . and prizes!

* Monthly prizes

At the end of each month, I’ll have a prize drawing for those who have made progress that month. I’ll draw one random winner from everyone who made that month’s goal, and one random winner from everyone who participated, even if you’re running behind (as I most likely will be). So to be eligible for the prizes, you have to let me know you’re playing along!

* Grand Prizes

At the end of the year, there will be some Grand Prizes. If you actually meet the goal of 350 blocks, you’re eligible for some really grand prizes, and if you don’t quite make it, you’re still eligible to win some prizes just for participating.

So are you ready to jump in?

Really, it sounds like a lot, but trust me, it’s easier than you think. Last year, I met my goal by July. Surely I can meet the goal again this year, since I have a whole fresh year in front of me. I think you can, too. Besides, if you get behind, you can just whip up a bunch of 9-patches to catch up, right?

If you’re up for the challenge, let me know you’d like to participate, and you can steal the button above for your blog if you like (which isn’t mandatory, either). Just link back to: <https://prairiemoonquilts.com/?page_id=1037>

Oh, and there is one rule: You can’t go back and dig through blocks you’ve already made and count those. These have to be blocks you’ve made in 2013, so that you actually get further toward a completed project. You’re on the honor system here. I’m counting on you to be fair!

Good luck to us all!

Ready . . . Set . . . GO!!!!

0 responses to “The 350 Blocks Project, 2013”

  1. Cindy says:

    So far this year I have managed to sew every day and I have been working on UFOs, but that has for the most part been quilting and binding. However, I guess I can try adding this to the agenda also……..I’m in.

  2. Okay. I’ll give it a try. I’m not sure how good I will be at keeping track. But I made a bunch today. Can I count those? 🙂

  3. Oh, does it have to be on UFOs, or can it be on any project we’re working on? 🙂

    And you’ll prompt us each month to check in, right? 🙂

  4. I’m kinda lame when it comes to buttons. Can you send me the html for the button? That’s the only way I know how to do it. LOL

  5. Cathy says:

    I’m in on this. I needed something to keep me making some more blocks this year. 350 does sound like a lot, but I’m up for it.
    I have already made 6 blocks this year does those count 🙂

    Thanks

  6. Jane B says:

    I’m in. I’ve been working on Bonnie Hunter’s mystery and I’m going to count those blocks. I think she announced the “finish” on New Year’s Eve, so they were all made since then. This ought-a be fun!

  7. Shar F. says:

    I have several quilts that I want to finish, So I’m going to play along.

  8. Rose Marie says:

    Then I don’t have to do anything until about March 31st. I made 200 half square triangles (simple enough) for the QQB exchange in preparation for Edyta Sitar’s Mosaic quilt. I think I only have to make about 1000 more!!! Mwa-ha-ha

  9. Deanna says:

    Hmmm…I was thinking about this. With little sewing time, a complex block a day might not work, but bits and pieces might be possible. I say “count me in!” I will also need HTML code (or an education from you on buttons and WordPress).

  10. Diane Jarvis says:

    I’m in.

  11. Rose Marie says:

    Well, apparently the referee of this challenge (Shelly) doesn’t think that I can claim 200 HST’s as 200 blocks. So my correct count so far is
    30 Ocean Wave blocks (which really have a lot of pieces)
    38 chain gang blocks (which are actually a triple 4-patch)
    2 embroidery blocks from Shelly’s Hazel-Ilene Mystery

  12. Susan says:

    I’m in! I probably won’t hit 350, but maybe this will further making those incomplete block sets into finished tops.

  13. Charlotte says:

    I try to sew every day, I have many UFO’s and have been trying to get some of them done! So count me in!!

  14. Charlotte says:

    So far I have made about 30 blocks this year, and all I like on this quilt is the adding of borders.

  15. I’m in! I was a little scared of the number at first and then I realized that last year I made 360 blocks for one quilt! lol

  16. Sandy Weber says:

    Shelly,
    I will give it a try. Rose Marie, what half square triangle exchange is that? I really want to do an Edyta Sitar quilt.

  17. Donna McGraw says:

    I would like to do the 350 blocks for 2013. CanI still join in?

  18. Cassandra says:

    I want to join! I don’t think there is any way possible that I will hit 350 blocks since I’m a one-quilt-a-year slow quilter. 😉 But I’m actually working on two quilts at once right now so I hope to make more progress than normal this year! Plus my hubby gave me an incentive to finish projects… “finish one and I’ll take you shopping for fabric for the next!” Woohoo!!

  19. Bobbi says:

    I’m so glad I found this just in time to participate in the first month! I’m definitely in. I can’t wait to see what I’m able to accomplish this year.

  20. Katie Z. says:

    So I failed last year, what with moving and horrible morning sickness, and I’m already late to the game, but please count me in. I will have to go back and count blocks since January 1, and I’ll let you know where I’m at!

  21. Barb says:

    Ok, I’m ready to jump in!

    Not sure if you want to count January and February, but I’ll list them anyway……….
    January = 15
    February = 84

  22. Donna McGraw says:

    I,m in on your 350 blocks. I have a lot to do up.
    Can I count the different ones that I have done since Janurary –or do I count the ones I do up from now on?

  23. Only 16 for me for March, thank goodness I made all those blocks for the Nancy Drew last month! lol Well, off to work on my Easy Street…that should count for lots of blocks!

  24. I want to play along! It sounds like a lot, but it’s a good motivator to start a leaders and enders project I’ve been thinking about.

  25. Charlotte says:

    Sorry, I’ve been so long posting, but I have been sewing and sewing and quilting! We have a new foster care home in our area, and have sent out request for many twin size quilts. I am trying to get 10 of them done. Each quilt will have 12, 23, inch blocks,so you do the math. So have to run back to sewing, still have 5 quilts to do.By for now.

  26. Whew! I didn’t think I did much this month but when I added everything up I’m at 72 blocks! 57 of them where block units for Easy Street plus four mug rugs and 11 Sawtooth Stars for a wedding quilt. Hmmm…this is really helping me see that I do more than I think. lol I’ll post on my blog tomorrow, tonight, the cat is ready for me to go to bed!

  27. Barb says:

    Hey, Shelly, please put me down for 76 blocks for May.

  28. Melissa P says:

    So I know the year is half over but I’m going to join. I have too many UFO’s as well as new projects I would like to tackle. Hoping this will inspire me!

  29. Heather says:

    I’ve resisted so far, but this challenge keeps coming back to me, so I am going to have to join. I have been sewing steadily all year with no idea how much I have accomplished. My starting total for before August are the 42 9 patch blocks from a kit and the 9 blocks from the BOM that I did with my local guild, total 51. I am now keeping an accurate list for this month so I can really see how much I piece.

  30. Kathy says:

    If you are going to do this again next year I would like to try. It is too late for me this year but to just let you know I have done over 400 so far. Most of mine are for king and queen size quilts. 4 queen and 1 king and 2 twins. I also have done 7 crib size. Just finished a queen military quilt for the USO. My donation to our troops. It had 76 squares. Hope to hear from you on this. Great work everyone.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *