The 350 Blocks Project, 2020

Posted on January 14, 2020 by prairiemoonquilts in 350 Blocks Project

Are you ready for the 9th annual 350 Blocks Project? My, how time flies!

I’m not changing the rules at all for this year. It’s been working well, and I need to keep it simple.

So if you’ve done this before, you know what to expect, but I’m hoping we get lots of new folks joining in this year. Anyone is welcome to join (at any time), and here is how it works:

  • • The blocks you count are your blocks, from projects of your own choosing, and they belong to you. You don’t have to send anything in. All you have to do is report to me how many blocks you made each month.
  • • As for counting, you’re on the honor system — A quilt block counts as one block.
  • • If you’re not quite sure how to count something, such as a complicated border, just divide it into sections that seem like blocks, and count them that way. For instance — four complicated borders? I’d count those as either 4 or 8 blocks, depending on how large and how complicated.
  • • What if your quilt is a modern quilt that seems like one large block? If it’s really simple, just count it as one large block, but if it’s a bit more involved, break it up into sections and count each section as a block.
  • • Your count can only include completed blocks made in 2020 (not block units), so you can go back to January 1st, and count any blocks you’ve made so far, but not back any further than that, and not the individual units that make up a completed block (units don’t count until they’re in a completed block, in other words).

Here are the general rules:

* Let me know you’re playing along

Simply comment on this post, or contact me to let me know you’re in. I delete all of the previous year’s info to start fresh, so if you are playing along again this year, please let me know again, and I’ll add you to the list. (It keeps me from getting confused — there’s a lot to keep track of.)

The web page for the 350 Blocks Project is HERE, where I list all the information regarding the project and how it’s progressing. If you’re 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 told me you’re in, but you don’t see your name on the list, please tell me again. It’s entirely possible that I click the wrong things and miss it!

If you only want to do some of the months, that’s fine. You’ll be eligible for the prize that month. Can’t start till later? No problem, you can still do the months you’re able to. Just do what you can.

Our block goal for the month is posted on the Project page. This year, I’m making it like a block-a-day challenge, so 29 blocks in February, 30 in September, etc.

* Report in every month

I’ll put up a monthly blog post about the project, either on the last day of the month, or the first day of the next month, where I’ll show you the blocks I get done (if any). 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 prize, because . . . if you don’t let me know you’re playing along, I won’t know to include you in the drawings!

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. (I usually update the page about a week after the monthly report, and then again at the end of the month.) This is NOT a race, however, and everyone who reports in is eligible for the prizes. I repeat, it’s not a contest, it’s just for fun! 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 reports in that month. What this means is: You MUST report in each month in order to be eligible for that month’s prize drawing.

If you’d like to be reminded when the report goes up, you can subscribe to all the latest News From the Ranch by filling out the form in the sidebar, and you’ll automatically get an email when there’s anything new!

* 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 the big Grand Prize, and if you don’t quite make it, you’re still eligible to win some prizes just for participating. Everyone who has reported in at least six times during the Project is eligible for the final prize drawings. I’ve changed this rule just a bit from years past, simply to be more fair to those who report in regularly. I don’t feel it’s fair to award a prize to someone who reports in once in January, then never reports in again, over someone who reports in regularly.

So are you ready?

If you’re up for the challenge, let me know you’d like to participate, and you can steal this button for your blog if you like (NOT mandatory). Just link back to: <https://prairiemoonquilts.com/other-stuff/the-350-blocks-project/> if you want to.

The main Project page can be found HERE, where you can see current information, a list of participants and their numbers, and links to past statistics and winners posts.

And new this year, I’ve created a free printable for you. I’ve heard a few of you say that you don’t have a good method for keeping track of the blocks you make, and I know I have trouble with this as well. So . . . I created a printable for us all to use to keep track of the blocks we make. It’s monthly pages, and once you’ve printed them out, there’s a big enough margin for you to punch it for fitting into a binder, or you can put it up on the wall in your sewing room. You can also cut the pages in half and keep them as half-sheets in your binder or on your wall, one month at a time.

Don’t fret that there are so few slots on each page — I’m listing mine in groups by quilt — you don’t have to list each individual block to keep track. Here’s my example (strictly an example — I have NOT made all these blocks this year!):

So if you’d like to use this tracker, too, simply click here to download it: 350BlockTracker

106 responses to “The 350 Blocks Project, 2020”

  1. Pam Martin says:

    I’m participating again this year. It’s a fun way to keep track of my blocks.

  2. Elle says:

    I am in! I retired last year and quilting is my full time game now 🙂

  3. Count me in! I’ve been playing along for a few years, and it’s been fun to see how everyone is doing. It’s also been a great motivator…sometimes I pop into the sewing room just to add a few blocks to my total. Thanks for taking your time to do this 🙂

  4. Kate says:

    I looked at this last year and thought what a great idea but never did join. This year yes I’m in, hopefully it will keep me more organized and help me finish up those projects in the works! Thanks for the motivation!

  5. sharonG says:

    I would like to participate this year– I really enjoyed last year and it kept me setting goals (that I never quite made) each month

    sharong

  6. Sally says:

    I’ll play along. It will be fun to have a record of the units made (already tracking finished projects.)

  7. Shirley says:

    I’m in this year.

  8. Rose Marie Smith says:

    I’m in as usual. I am making “globe” blocks and snowball blocks and I made some kite blocks already this month. And it is only the 14th!! Who knows what else may get onto my quilting table.

  9. Marianne says:

    I am trying this challenge for the first time. Focusing on 350 is hard so I will try to focus on tge month. I like the one a day idea!

  10. Phillis Harding says:

    Count me in! I took off flying the 1st 6 months last year then spent the rest of the year quilting my tops. I have thirty quilt tops ready to quilt now so hopefully I will be able to piece blocks every other day and stay on track. I think the block tracker is a good ideal.

  11. Kathi B says:

    Count me in! (please) I’m hoping this will motivate me to sew more.

  12. I’m in. I love keep track of my blocks.

  13. Marlene says:

    I’ll play along . . . again!

  14. 2019 was my first year to participate, and it was fun…please include me again for this year. Thanks

  15. I’m excited about this. No blocks to report so far, but that will change. Love this inspiration!

  16. Count me in please. I’ve already started my list and am home sewing (and reading blogs) as we speak! Winter weather has me happily tucked in at home! 🥶❄️ Carol

  17. Mary D. says:

    I’m joining in again. This is a fun but simple motivator.

  18. PamDesilets says:

    Count me in! I had so much fun this pass year. Thanks for doing this.

  19. Wendy says:

    Count me in again! Thanks!

  20. Ginabeth says:

    Please count me in. I have started my count.
    Big thank you for the Download❣️

  21. Karen E. says:

    I’m in again this year, but this is the “year of small quilts” for me, so I won’t be producing nearly as many blocks as in previous years.

    Karen E.

  22. Suelynn Williams says:

    Please count me in this year, too!

  23. Diana S says:

    I’m in! It’s a fun way of keeping track!

  24. dianne a. says:

    It will be fun to see what we actually do!
    Sure feels like I did 350 last year!
    I’m in!

  25. Judy S. says:

    Count me in again. I enjoy keeping track and it keeps me motivated.

  26. Wendy O. says:

    Yes!
    This does help me to stay motivated! I tend to forget what I DID once I’m done
    Thank you!

  27. Anita K says:

    I am in – but concentrating on Bonnie’s mystery this month not getting much else done until that is finished

  28. Marsha Y. says:

    Count me in please! you inspire me to stay focused on my many projects!!!

  29. denniele says:

    I’m in!!! 🙂

  30. Joy Dabney says:

    I’m in! I enjoyed it last year.

  31. Cheryl says:

    I’m in, it’s fun😀

  32. Crystal F says:

    I wouldn’t miss it! It is a tradition.

  33. I’d like to participate again this year

  34. Maxine E says:

    I am so in! I hope my tally count will be much improved this year!

  35. KT says:

    Count me in again! I love playing along–thank you for doing this again!

  36. Laura says:

    Count me in!
    Laura D

  37. Angie in SoCal says:

    For 2020, I’m in. I like how this motivates me to keep on piecing.

  38. Christopher Thomas says:

    Count me in as well. I am ready to make more and more blocks

    thanks

  39. Deanna says:

    YAY! I love the 350 Block project. Thank you for keeping it going.

  40. I am so happy to sign up. Thank you.

  41. Danice says:

    I’d love to participate again this year. Sign me up.

  42. Marcia in TX says:

    Thank you for the tracker. Last year was my first and encouraged me to sew more. I’m in for this year for sure.

  43. Debbi says:

    Me too! I’m in! It’s motivating and I know I can do better than last year. Thanks for the tracking sheets!

  44. Sharon Gratz says:

    I plan to participate again this year. Would it be helpful to change my name display to SharonG/FL?

    • Sharon Gratz says:

      Shelly, I thought you’d want to know my Geezerman is using your tracker print-out for something with his modeling forums. lol Whatever works, eh?

  45. Aileen Kline says:

    Hi Shelley. Count me in!

  46. Donita M says:

    Count me in this year. I need to do more sewing and getting some quilts made. This will be a great incentive to do so!

  47. Angela Neese says:

    Sure! I’d love to play too. (But sooo sorry that my 1st quilt of the year is snail trail, thanks to granddaughter’s wishes!)

  48. Beverly V says:

    Count me in. It is a great motivator when I am home to make quilts. I love it.

  49. Tonia says:

    Hello Prairie Moon Friends! Count me in..Tracking my progress always helps when it just seems to go slowly. Thank you for tracking sheets! That will certainly help (and I hope that I remember a clip board with pen attached next to the machine so I put each day’s accomplishment down!)

  50. Susan S. says:

    Yes, please count me in! It’s fun to look back and see what I have done.

  51. Peggy Long says:

    Count me in again! I have so many projects on my list to do this year. We’ll see how well I do.

  52. Angela says:

    Happy New Year!
    Please add my name to the list for 2020.
    I didn’t complete any blocks for November or December 2019 … I was busy hand quilting a vintage applique’ quilt top (made from a vintage quilt kit).
    I have no idea if I completed 350 blocks last year. Lol

  53. Paula Mu says:

    I had so much fun last year, I can’t wait to start this year. I keep track of my blocks on the spaces in a monthly calendar. I use initials for each block name and put hash marks to indicate how many of each type. I like your printable to keep track of the blocks, so I will try that, too.

  54. Stephanie says:

    I am totally IN again.
    Ahem, I already started making blocks …

  55. Joan says:

    Yes, I’m on board with this again this year and have already started making blocks. Thanks for keeping us motivated. Was interesting to read totals for last year.

  56. Sherry says:

    Enjoyed it last year so will join the fun again. Thanks!

  57. Raewyn says:

    Oh yes please, I’m keen to join in again this year – with better success, I hope 🙂 Thank you!

  58. Betty Keene says:

    I would love to continue, so please add me to this year’s list.
    Betty K

  59. I would love to be added to your list! There are blocks to be made anyway, so might as well keep track. Thank you for doing this. Sounds like it will be fun.

  60. Amanda M. says:

    I’m in! In fact I have my notebook page already going keeping track of production. Every day goes onto a separate line and I sub count the different projects onto the line that I created that day. I keep a scrap of paper handy to write down notes to transfer to the notebook. It’s so interesting to look back at all the projects I worked on in the past year in my notebook. I enjoy reading everyone’s progress and it’s very inspiring to me.

  61. Barbara B says:

    I’m looking forward to another great year! Thank you for doing this.

  62. Emma says:

    I need the motivation to stop procrastinating…so…count me in!

  63. GinaP says:

    I would like to participate this year. I just saw this for the first time.

  64. Judy Sovereign says:

    Will join in . Hope to have a good year.

  65. Leslie says:

    I’ll try again this year. I need to balance crocheting and quilting. Maybe this will help me focus more on piecing. Thanks

  66. Debra Freese says:

    I’m in!

  67. Janet D says:

    I’m in for another year!!

  68. Christi Bentley says:

    I would like to participate again. Not sure if I already signed up or not.

  69. I’ll play along again this year.
    I’m happy to say that I did actually keep track all year, even if my reporting in fell off dramatically 🙂

  70. Sherry V says:

    Count me in again. I hope that this will be the year I actually get a lot of blocks done….but we may be moving so there may be gaps in reporting.

  71. Scarlett says:

    Jason and I will participate again – maybe we will get more blocks done this year!

  72. Darlene says:

    Hi Shelly, Thank you for challenging us & hosting again this year. Count me in again this year hoping to complete more blocks than last year.

  73. Cathy says:

    Please count me in.

  74. Cindi H says:

    I’m in! I made a resolution to finish more UFO’s this year. Trying to finish more than I start.

  75. Julie M. says:

    Hi Shelly,
    Count me in. I love how keeping track keeps me motivated.

  76. Dortha says:

    I would like to be included. It will tell me that at least I am doing something.

  77. Dortha says:

    Shelley, I did not see my name on the list. Could you please add it at your convenience. Thank you. Dortha

  78. Patty says:

    I am gonna try and do better this year than I have done the last few years. almost the end of this month so I’m gonna go sew like crazy to be able to have some blocks completed this month. Thanks for the challenge.

    Patty Hotz

  79. Wanda Marvel says:

    Count me in for 350 blocks. I know I will do better this year. January 6 blocks.

  80. Sue Norfleet says:

    Count me in for 2020.

  81. Barb Roberts says:

    Okay, Shelly, I’m in, we’ll see if I can count. Barb

  82. Elle says:

    I’m in! I’ve not done this before so it should be fun to see what everyone accomplishes!

  83. Andrea Rea says:

    Sounds like fun and a good way to track progress. I’m in.

  84. Delana Becker says:

    Shelly,
    Count me in for this year.
    Delana

  85. Cathy G says:

    Please count me in as well.

  86. Cathy G. says:

    Please count me in as well.

  87. Rita E. says:

    Just stumbled upon this A Quilting Reader’s Garden. It sounds like fun and this will be a first for me. Keeping it simple sounds good so please count me in.

  88. Ginny says:

    I am in. Now how many I will ge made is another story.
    For Jan I sewed but apron, and bendy bags and travel. NO blocks that count. Still working on a quilt that I didn’t count any for Dec and now no count for Jan. I still don’t know how to count when it is done. Totally done in squares and HST and then in rows and rows sewn together. Count how???

  89. Drue Turpin says:

    Hi! This sounds like fun! I would like to join. I looked on my calendar for January and made 30 different blocks.
    1. Bonnie and Camille log cabin-10
    2. Evie’s-bunny, owl, thistle, firefly, 2 foxes
    3. French general-4 blocks
    4. FQS 2018 mystery- 3 stars
    5. Block heads 2020-(week 1, 2 and 3)- 5 total
    6. Seaglass- month one complete 2 blocks

  90. I am in I had surgery and am limited what I can do and sewing is allowed as long as I don’t try to carry the machine.

  91. Marie Millershaski says:

    If I don’t see my name does that mean I did not enter correctly to join the 350 blocks It sound like fun and will help me count just what I get done this year. I love quilting and sewing. Also not sure what you mean by website as I will use email to get reports not much on facebook.

  92. Marie Millershaski says:

    Sorry I am slow getting this in but had surgery and got behind on everything. For January I made a total of 240 blocks finishing two youth lap blankets and made the usual Merry Mayheim New years day quilt getting it competed the third of January with a total of 42 blocks on it. Then in February I was able to make a new wall hanging and a lap quilt of same pattern only larger blocks for a total of 120 blocks on these two . My biggest project was doing the New American Heritage quilt using 30 blocks for a total for February of 150 blocks. Thanks for the encouragement of finishing and making the quilt tops. March is scheduled to do the quilting on these blankets to sent some off for charity blankets.

  93. Judy B Bowers says:

    I’d like to join, if I’m not too late.

  94. Deana J says:

    I would love to be a late joiner. I just found you!

    I will count up my blocks thus far this year and make a blog post about it at http://dreamworthyquilts.blogspot.com

    Thanks!

  95. Naomi Gies says:

    I’m new and I’m in! Haven’t made any blocks yet but I will be soon.

  96. Paula Mu says:

    Please sign me up again for this fun activity! I love keeping track of my blocks. Thanks for all your hard work for this project.

  97. Starr N says:

    Count me in for the 350 Quilt Block for 2021.

  98. Dee says:

    Count me in for this challenge.

  99. I am late to the party but I’d like to join in again this year please!
    I made 29 blocks in February and 22 in January so I am at 51 so far

  100. Jessisca Lenderman says:

    I would love to be part of this challenge.
    I have made 135 crumb blocks (8 1/2 inches) and 125 (4 1/2 inches), for special projects I am working on since January and February 2021.
    Thank you 😊

  101. Lyndsey says:

    I’ve just discovered the party and would like to join.
    I made 36 blocks in January and 74 in February with a total of 110 to date.

  102. Cindy Barrett says:

    this seems like fun. I will have to go back and count how many I’ve made so far,I’ve been trying to finish quilting all my tops so haven’t made too many blocks. Should I try and list them by month?

  103. Coralie Wallace says:

    I have finished 9 blocks in March.

  104. Tonia Johnson says:

    July report: 47 blocks

  105. Wanda says:

    56 blocks for October.

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