1/30/12

January NewFO Link-up and Giveaway



This being the last day of January, it's time to show off your NewFO projects.  Remember, you don't have to finish your NewFO's this month, this year, or EVER, if you're feeling so bold.  The idea with the NewFO Challenge is to have fun and to start something new.  And honestly, who wrote the rule that every project has to be completed, no matter how ugly, boring, challenging, frightening, tedious, or distasteful?  So shake off those old sewing projects that bind and be audacious!

As for me, I had the audacity to start several new projects this month.  Maybe I'll finish them this year, and maybe I won't.  The point of quilting is to have fun, and I definitely had a lot of fun in January.  By the way, don't feel you have to start as many projects as I did.  My attention span is approximately three nanoseconds long.  For quilters with better judgment than I, one new project per month is a perfectly stunning accomplishment.

The one project I had planned to start this month was the Amish Sampler quilt.



Think of this project as my own personal block of the month.  The January blocks are finished.  These are called Amish Bars:


But I couldn't stop there.  No, no, no. The Just Takes 2 quilt that many of you are working on grabbed me by the throat and wouldn't let go.  What choice did I have?  I'm up-to-date with the first two sets of blocks, and the next set should be out today or tomorrow.


But I could never let two measly new projects hold me back from starting more.  No way.  So I took on the Promises & Borders BOM too, and I'm happy to say that I completed the first block for that one.

Finally, I started two doll quilts for my friend Lisa's granddaughters.  The Pretty Little Ponies doll quilt still needs to be quilted, and then it will be finished.  I just started on Castles in the Air, and so it has a ways to go.



Did you notice?  All starts.  No finishes.  This challenge is about celebrating starts and having fun.  You can always finish them later . . . much later.  In my book instant gratification wins out over tedium and perseverance every time.

Now . . . about that giveaway.  Each month of 2012, I'll be hosting a link-up party for you to show us your NewFO project of the month.  When you link-up, you'll automatically be entered for a chance to win one of these sweet quilt pins.  These little cuties are about two inches square, and they are actual tiny cloth quilt blocks, handmade by someone with a lot of patience (someone who isn't me).



If you have a blog, please write up a blog post and link to your post (not to your blog).  If you don't have a blog, feel free to link to an image in your FlickR album, or some other photosharing site.  Please link only to the one image you want us to see (not to your whole album).

I'll leave the linky party open for one week.  Then, I'll draw a winner at random and notify you on this blog and via email.  Make sure you leave a valid email address somewhere.  If you are linking to your blog, make sure I can get your email that way.  If you're linking from your FlickR or other photosharing account, make sure I'm able to contact you that way.  And if neither of those are available, you can leave a comment with your name and email.  If I cannot contact you, you cannot win.

Ready?  Here we go:

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34 comments:

Catskill Quilter said...

Love your first embroidered block for the BOM. I have not started it yet, but can hardly wait! Your linky challenge sounds like fun!

RandR Serenity said...

Hi ya,
Not sure how this linky thing works.
I will try to link to this blog in my post.
I really am not good at blog world yet.

Lynette said...

Fun times. This is cheering me up. Just what the doctor ordered! :D

Sue Daurio said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this idea. I don't usual have a high number of UFOs so can't participate in all the fun of knocking them out. But starting new projects,that's my favorite thing. Looks like you've had a very productive Jan with all your beauties!!

Marj said...

Whoops! I almost forgot to leave a message. It is really fun to see what everyone is working on without any pressure to finish. Love finishes but it doesn't always happen.
Happy Quilting!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Well I tried to do the linky and got a lot of pop ups to do this and that, so don't know if it worked, but I did a blog post on my NewFO.

RandR Serenity said...

Hi Again, I think I managed to link up.
Go me :-)

Sand and Sunshine said...

Oh I love your Castles in the Sky start, my daughter would adore a quilt with something like that.

Denise :) said...

Barbara, such fun projects you worked on this month! And I want you to know how much I appreciate this *freedom* to play with new things and give new techniques a try without the obligation to take it further! Totally COOL! :)

Unknown said...

Fun Times Barbara...love your blocks!

Diane Wild said...

Did I do this right? Hope all can see that I've been busy,busy,busy. Wayyy too much fun.

Mrs.Pickles said...

Yay the end of month one and i didn't finish things...LOL Thanks for creating this challenge it has been fun to take part. You have been up to some really beautiful work this month!

Brita said...

Yes! While I do have UFOs, and many of them -- (anyone want to do mine?) -- I love the idea of having permission to create NewFOs! Thank you :-D PS, while I would normally do a separate blog for my NewFOs, the end of the month was the same as Design Wall Monday. I hope it's OK that I did a two-fer!

Rosetta said...

Barbara ! sei super !!!

Ciao

Jen said...

Great starts! Thanks for the great idea too. I'm totally looking forward to my other starts for the rest of the year. I am also totally using this as a crutch for not finishing. :) Love it!

Mina said...

It is nice to just work on a project and not worry about finishing. I am good at starting things, but the finishing part takes me awhile.

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

I've gone over the Edge!! I posted my new start, and now I have another UFO!...giggle.

Rosa said...

Awesome stars!I have Ufos and love your great idea."No worried about new Ufos!Yippee

Vivian said...

So many great projects started! I look forward to seeing your work on the Amish Sampler quilt. I have the pattern and fabrics put aside for that one too (and seeing yours was a reminder of that). But that's a NewFO for another day (or maybe year)!

Rhonda said...

Your FO's are great. I started a lot of new projects this month too, but just sent the link to the main one which was my "mystery quilt" project to start of the new year. I always try to do at least one quick mystery quilt at the beginning of the year. Kind of get's my quilting juices flowing. Now I'm going to go see what everyone else started this month. : )

The Quilting Elf said...

I'm lovin' the NEWFO idea! Don't know why my thumbnail didn't work in Mr Linky - worked last time ... but the link works - I'll keep trying for the photo.

Teresa in Music City said...

I finally got time to post my progress on the NewFO Challenge! Thanks Barbara - January was a blast!!!

Kate said...

Wow, you got off to a good start on the new projects in 2012. Looking forward to seeing how each project comes together.

Quilter In Paradise said...

I'm ready to start February's project -- ! Funny how this is so much more fun, than the challenge of finishing something that I didn't want to finish in the first place!
Beth in Dallas

Paulette said...

You've got a lot of cute stuff happening! I love those Amish bars blocks!

KatieQ said...

This is a really fun idea. I love the idea of starting anything I please without thinking about a deadline to finish it.

Janine @ Rainbow Hare said...

Love your NewFO's, especially all the red and white! This has been a great motivation to start new things :)

Celtic Thistle said...

Great idea, I am much better at the starting things than at the finishing!

Linda in Calif. said...

What fun! Thanks for hosting this.

Pamela said...

I just found your 'NewFO' Challenge and am excited! I get so inspired by projects that I see, that I am always starting something new!

I have added your challenge button to my blog and perhaps I can inspire more quilting friends to start something new!

Pattilou said...

Off already on another new project.

Sandi P said...

Okay, got the post in for my NewFO. As I hinted in my blog post I hope tomorrow will be a "Super" sewing day for me and I'll get some more done on it.

Anonymous said...

Glad I found your site, it's so fun. I love the idea of this NewFO and entered my little January wall hanging. Made, finished and hung in my kitchen in January.

PJ said...

I love having permission to start a new project. No pressure to get it finished. It lets the creative juices flow.