15th Annual Final Countdown Wrap-up
Posted on January 9, 2024 by prairiemoonquilts in The Final CountdownI’m late posting the winners. We’re in the middle of a winter storm, and we had to spend yesterday getting our animals all settled in and ready for it. And this morning, the power was off and on and off and on, so I was afraid to plug anything in. Currently, there are supposedly 5000 folks in our area without power, but thankfully, we are not among that 5000. Miraculously, it came back on here and has stayed on, and I’m crossing my fingers it doesn’t go out again.
So . . . about those tasks . . .
I have spent several hours working on my scraps. I emptied a bag I found that was full of them, and got them all pressed and put away. Then I started on the box I said I was going to work on. Hours in, and I’m about 1/3 of the way through it. I knew it would take more time than I imagined. But the good part is, as I’m going through them, I’m sorting some out to give away, throwing some away, processing some into pre-cuts, but . . . also cutting pieces for several scrap quilts as I go to move them further along. So it’s all good!
As for my cutting table . . . not much visible progress there. I put away all the random items. I got rid of a few piles. And I even added some more different things back on! It doesn’t look much better, and I think for now, it’s gonna have to stay like it is, unfortunately. I didn’t even take an after photo, because it still looks almost exactly like this:
I did, of course, get my lists all updated, because that was way more fun than cleaning up my cutting table! Every year, I post a Project List for download, so you can use it to list out the Top 12 things you’d like to accomplish this year. So here it is again for you this year, a free download: 2024ProjectList
I haven’t gotten mine completely filled out yet. I know my year is going to be a bit crazy, what with moving and even more downsizing, so I’m afraid to commit to a bunch of certain projects and then have to change it all. So I think I’m going to list 3 at a time, and add 3 more next quarter, and so on. I’ll have a better idea as the year goes on which things I’ll be able to finish. But that’s the beauty of it — you can make it work for you however you want to!
I always love all the comments about how each of you tackled the tasks and what you got done. It makes me feel good for you when you accomplish something, and inspires me to keep at it in my own space, so I’m offering up many thanks to all of you for playing along in the Final Countdown this time!
Now, for the winners:
The prize for Task One goes to: Barb Bevell
The prize for Task Two goes to: Rose P.
The prize for Task Three goes to: Bev C.
I hope we’re all off to a fresh and lovely start to this new year — even with the extra day coming up, you know it’s gonna fly right by! Stay tuned for our regularly scheduled Studio Organizing Challenges every month, and keep on quilting!
Thank you sew much. I check your blog every day. I love what you do. My scraps made a little progress but I volunteered to sash our guild’s QOV which I finished today. And I have another guild QOV on the quilt frame to quilt. Then I will continue with my scraps. Thanks for the incentive. I’m looking forward to the Studio Organizing Challenge.
Randy
We had a bad storm monday night that took out about 33,000 people’s power, including ours. Thankfully we make sure we have firewood every winter. The timing was bad but I do love a good winter storm! (I grew up on a farm so I know the problems but these days I just have chickens and they’re usually just fine)
I am putting away Christmas now and reorganizing it, trying t get it downstairs instead of the attic. Unfortunately the closet is in my cutting/pressing room, so not much progress on scraps. Cutting table cleaned, but now has some Christmas on it. The list went well and I even listed the steps to be taken, so I can look at one step at a time instead of the project as a whole.
Well done the winners. It was fun and while my table was clear for a while, it lasted until yesterday when I started sorting scrap squares and oiling up an old hand crank ready for use. Two machines taken in for servicing today and bits added to the table. Never mind, it will be sorted tomorrow!
I enjoyed this little exercise and I have space in my empty cubbies! Thanks Shelly.
Congrats to the winners! Still a days behind, while clearing one counter top to cut fabric, I turned around and saw it wasn’t two areas, it was 3 areas to clear! I like your idea of 3 a quarter and repeat for the next. I will try that. Ultimate goal is less screen time ( phone, computer, tv) and more creative time with a little house work on the side! Will have to go back to the blog to see what task I am missing! Maybe when I clear #3!
I love your idea of 3 at a time. When I look at the full list I go into panic mode. 3 sounds so much better than 12. I’m deciding on retreat projects starting Sunday. It is a short retreat so 3 projects sounds great.
My 365 embroidery still working on from last year,
A UFO from Corey Yoder’s book/Sew along, Oh Happy Day and a leftover mini charm project from the last retreat.
At home I’m working on the last quarter of a hand piecing quilt. 2 blocks left to piece and then put together. Excited to see finish line for quilt.
Stay warm🧵
I really enjoy the push your tasks give me. Help in the form of nudges! Hope you can finish your box. Thanks & congrats to winners!
I’ve finally gotten all my projects listed. Whew! Didn’t count them as I’ve got them all divided up. I’ve been mulling over what my plan will be for the year. I really like your idea about just starting with 3. That sounds really doable. I have so many projects that just need little more to get finished and they will be my first focus, however I can’t help but get more ideas for new projects as I work thru my fabric stash (damm squirels!). I have several big projects I had planned on starting in the new year but I’m feeling conflicted about starting them with so many other projects unfinished or “kitted”. The never ending dilemma. 😊. The one thing I’m trying to remember is to sew what I love and stop saving it. Trying to find the balance between that and finishing projects that have lost their excitement factor. I did pull apart a number of projects that I’ve fallen out if love with and designated others to donation or a “time will tell” category. I’m attempting to do the same with my fabric😱.
Congratulations to the winners! Thank you for challenging us again this year. I haven’t been able to participate to much I have company staying from the Holidays . I will go back through and reread challenge to tidy up sewing room – it really needs it!
Thanks for the 2024 list. I printed it on both sides, as it’s 24 so I hope to tackle at least 24 projects starting with a Christmas and Valentine’s UFO.
I continue to find ways to use the 2 inch squares cut from scraps. My latest discovery is that they make nice half-square triangles for various six inch blocks–and it uses a whole lot of them in each block!
I’m still not using my main cutting area, but it is pretty much cleaned off now–need to find a location for project boxes, instead of stacking them where I stand to use that main workspace!!!
Frightening weather you are experiencing–stay safe.
I like your idea of picking 3 for each quarter. I’m going to use that idea for myself.