11th Annual Final Countdown Winners

Posted on January 4, 2020 by prairiemoonquilts in The Final Countdown

Wow! You guys worked hard this time! I can’t even imagine how much paper got recycled among us in the last few days!

I cleaned out one file drawer, started on the second one (I only have 3 altogether), and then went to work on the piles that are already out. Because one of my file drawers was clean, I was able to file a bunch of stuff that belonged in there, so that helped. Let me just say I still have a long way to go, but due to some customer deadlines, I have not yet had as much time to devote to it as I’d like. But I’m not giving up, and will continue working on it when I get some stolen moments.

I also started on project organization, and cleaned out one of my rolling carts. I still have two more of those to go through, then a chest of drawers, and the shelves in my UFO closet! Long way to go there, as well. In just cleaning out one rolling cart, my UFO list grew by 13 — so now I’m afraid to clean any more until I’ve finished a couple things — haha!

I got my 2020 Project List up on the wall, made my first of three “100 Days” lists for this year, got my planner all set up for this year, and decided to join in on the American Patchwork & Quilting UFO Challenge, too.

Here’s my list for that:

You can join in on this, too, if you want. Click HERE to find the info and the form to fill out.

I love all the comments you left about what you’re doing, how you were dealing with the challenges, what you got done, your lists and plans, and how you’ve sorted your projects. Such good ideas and inspiring information. Makes me inspired that I can possibly get a lot done this year. A lot of us are all in the same situation! (Makes me not feel so alone in my mess, too!)

So, did you get done? Or, like me, will you have to continue chipping away at it? Does it feel good to have some things a bit more organized starting out the year? It always does to me, even tho I haven’t done a lot just yet. Thank you to everyone who played along, did the challenges, and commented. That’s what makes it fun!

So now for the prizes. There are three . . . one for each task. I try to give things that are helpful in your organizing efforts and not add to your clutter for this challenge. So without further ado, the three prize winners are:

Task One: Shasta
Task Two: Judy Smith
Task Three: Paula Hedges

Congratulations to the winners, and even if you didn’t win, I hope you found it worth it to try. A clean sewing room is part of the reward! We’ll certainly do it again at the end of this year, and meanwhile, I’ll still be offering up periodic Studio Organizing Challenges throughout the year.

And I’ll be back in a couple days to wrap up the 350 Blocks Project for 2019 and get the 2020 version started off, so check back!

20 responses to “11th Annual Final Countdown Winners”

  1. Shasta says:

    Oh thank you so much. I did sort through / recycle / file a stack of paper, but there is a lot more to do! I will keep at it!

  2. Helen says:

    Yeah , did me some tidying and culled some fabric I no longer loved, sorted out paperwork, a good day

  3. Judy W. says:

    Thank you, Sheila for your 3 challenges. I’m now working on paper in the kitchen (recipes torn out & magazines save) and have already discarded 6 lbs of paper! My UFO list is prioritized and I’m feeling like I’m in better shape to start this new year. Thanks for spurring us on!

  4. Karen says:

    Congrats to the winners!
    These challenges help not only me, but also my hubby. He knew I’d be working on them, so he went and tidied the garage and even took pics of it, lol! And then when he learned of the paper challenge, he went out and bought us a better paper shredder! We now have two garbage bags full of shredded paper! So thanks for doing this each year.

  5. Congratulations to the winners! I think we are all winners if we accomplished anything. I have continued on my paper challenge. I would say I’m about half done, maybe a bit more. I found some more hiding in a bag elsewhere, so I have more to do.
    I’m anxiously awaiting your January challenge.

    • Stephanie says:

      I totally agree with Meloney, we are all winners if we accomplished any of the tasks.
      I too am still working on the paper.

  6. Rose Marie Smith says:

    This challenge got me so worked up that I started clearing out stuff that has nothing to do with quilting. The big problem here is that modern life gives us so much stuff(junk) that cleaning out is a big challenge. So 2020 here I come.
    And I printed out the quilting UFO challenge list. It is nice.

  7. Angie in SoCal says:

    Congrats to the winner!

  8. Christopher Thomas says:

    I had fun with these, for the most part I was up to date on all three, but it never hurts to have some reminders.

    worked on quilt blocks this morning and working on dog toys this afternoon.

    here is to a great 2020 and may we all get our sewing rooms up and going strong

  9. Marcia in TX says:

    You got a lot done. Maybe not all you wanted but progress is great! I got some done and am happy with what I did. Yes, there is plenty more with UFOs, but I am making progress with them. I am not doing any new mystery or quilt alongs until I have more of my favorite UFOs done. My brain gets too chaotic if I pile on too much. So UFOs and counting blocks and cleaning out stuff as you list it and even stuff not listed is this year’s target. Hugs

  10. Paula M says:

    I am happy to be active in my clearing of my closet. 2 huge bags of clothes, 1 bag of table cloths many purses and shoes. Vases, chargers, candles… also put Christmas away, posted what I will downsize next year. Now I am ready to tackle my sewing/craft room!

  11. Suelynn Williams says:

    I feel better after spending the last five days sorting and organizing. My quilting space is rearranged and feels more open – a welcome outcome for sure! Thank you Shelly and all your readers for a peek into your quilting challenges and successes.

  12. Debbi says:

    Congratulations to the winners! I too feel I have won by participating…got a better handle on where I am in the process and plans moving forward. Thanks Shelly!

  13. Pam C says:

    Congratulations to the winners! And I agree with whoever said we are all winners by getting in on the challenges. As I said before, I went to work on challenge one and ended up clear on the other side of the room doing something totally different. I did get one sewing surface cleaned off and it looks so much better. With day two challenge I got sidetracked trying to finish number one. After several hours, I felt somewhat tired and defeated so I consoles myself with butter pecan ice cream! Yep, I sat right there and ate it right out of the carton!!! Shameful, huh? Not really, it is my own personal small carton because no one else here eats that kind!!yay for me!
    The list of projects I have bought up to do and the UFO’s here is ridiculous. I didn’t stress myself with counting to avoid another attack in the ice cream carton!!!! Lol!
    I am glad to report though that today I did put the final border on my First Ladies BOM That has been here for about 5 years. It is finally ready for my longarm machine!!! Woohoo!
    Thanks again for the inspiration and I have a list of goals now for 2020! I feel like it’s gonna be a great year of progress!

  14. Cindy Wienstroer says:

    I still need to keep sorting & working. Thanks for the nudge to keep it up.

  15. Tonia says:

    I look forward to this part of the year and the on-line connection with so many other pilots ( a dear old friend once said–“soon I should qualify for my pilot’s license–for I pick up stuff and pilot here, and then I pick up more stuff and pilot somewhere else!) I reveled in the clean top of my cutting table and the organized fabric bins–and then Thursday came with the layout instructions for the Mosaic Mystery……And then Saturday came and the 2019 Countdown called my name. What can I say? All is well and things are back to normal! But I know for a bit what is in the piles, and these two things are on THE 2020 LIST. Hooray.

  16. Paula says:

    Wow! I can’t believe I won! Maybe 2020 is going to be a great year of surprises! Like how surprised I’ve been finding fabric and UFOs I don’t remember.

  17. Ginabeth says:

    Thanks for keeping a count of blocks. Since I just joined the newsletter, missed the “join” place before, I did not see the organization piece. But i did some of those things anyway.
    Shredded old receipts, added new appliances info to reference books, and culled some quilt books to take to Guild library and “free” table.
    Also started on my 2020 block count, have a quilt ready for longarmer. One more back to make then will start on my 2020 WIP list.
    Happy New Year to all🎆

  18. Danice says:

    Congrats to the winners. I need to do some reorganizing around here myself.

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