Finish What You Have

After my last few posts about re-claiming and working on unfinished projects, I've heard from many of you out there in the craft community (online and otherwise) about how many unfinished projects are collecting dust underneath beds and behind closed doors.  This seems to be a problem for most crafters in general.  We often start something with lots of enthusiasm only to abandon it somewhere down the line because we run out of time, materials, or patience. Or there's an illness in the family or a crisis.   Maybe a new baby.  Sometimes we just loose motivation. Well, here it is.  The motivation part.  Many participated in the Use What You Have month in April which required a commitment not to buy anything new to make stuff.  (Thank you again Toni for thinking up that brilliant idea. ) As I was sipping my tea and staring off into space this morning I was thinking about that, and what it accomplished for me personally, and it inspired this challenge which is a spin-off on that idea.  I'd like to suggest June as Finish What You Have month.  Find something that needs buttons, or stitches or stuffing or seam-ripping or whatever, and finish it.  This can be *anything* you started over a month ago or twenty years ago that was abandoned and forgotten for some reason.   Share what inspired you to start the project and what stopped you from finishing it if you desire.   Finish one project or a dozen.   Personally, I could take the challenge for the rest of the year and never run out of things to show and tell about!  And I know I'm not the only one.  Anyone else up for it? 

Comments

[Amy]

Oh my goodness, yes!!! I am so there. This is just the sort of motivation I need. Doesn't it just feel wonderful to finally complete somthing that's been sitting around forever? I think unfinished projects mess with my mojo. We should get a button and make this a real thing. I say thumbs up on finish what you have!

[Alicia A.]

I'm in! I definitely have some projects around here that need to get wrapped up.

[PJ]

...yes...thank you for the reminder..i'm off the finish something...

[Helen Gillis]

Yes, count me in!!! I have many beautiful half done things that have been languishing - I won't say how long :) Trouble is I also have so many ideas and plans....Good luck all!

[A.J.]

I'm in. I found Use What You Have Month to be transformative. It extended way beyond my fabric purchasing.

I am finishing a quilt I pieced last year.

[Isabelle]

Oh-oh, I so know what I have to finish. Finally turn my Round Robin fabric into a wallhanging! :) Thank you for the push :)

[Harriett]

I am so in! First up, a Tshirt quilt started last summer with the intention of being a Christmas present for my daughter.

[lk]

Oh yeah! My middle name is "unfinished projects" right now! Yep, LK Unfinished Projects Ludwig.

[Dana]

I am totally with you on this one! Actually, I finished very little in the Use What You Have, but what I did do, were unfinished projects. So, today, I have been going through my sewing area reclaiming projects. Now to decide which one(s) will be the priority.

[michelle]

I'm in. :)

[Mama Urchin]

What an incredibly wonderful idea! Hmmm, now, where to begin...

[crystal]

Excellent idea! Time to finish that scarf I started knitting a few months ago...

[Wendy]

Several friends and I who participated in Use What You Have April decided to continue in that vein and declared May "Get It Done Already May!" It worked so well (I finished a quilt for my daughter's bed that's been 2 years in the making, made a roof for the kids' playfort, finished some gifts and more) that I think we're just going to continue into June. Looking forward to pictures of your finished projects!

[Aurora]

OK, now the challenge is to pick: which one? Out of about 100.

Love this idea. Sign me up.

[Meg]

Yup, I'll do it. Great idea!

[sherry]

Brilliant idea. A whole month dedicated to those poor little unloved orphan projects. I not only have my own, I've been buying other people's at antique stores and on eBay. I'm in. But the thought of the restaint and discipline this will take makes me blanch.

[Kathie]

Ok, I'm in with the rest of you. I can't wait to tell DH. He isn't going to believe it until he sees it though! :)

Why do men focus on what we haven't finished instead of the great new ideas that are roaming through our minds and see the necesity of bringing them to fruitation before you forget them?

[Toni]

Oh yes V., great idea! Of course I'll have to join in. Now you just need a flickr group to showcase all the finished projects(and a button)! But maybe someone will take that on like they did for me. There is one project I have in mind that has been really bugging me. It's so close to being done. I'm pushing hard to get the wedding quilt done, but if I can squeeze in time for this one thing, I'll be super happy. Thanks for the push!

[celeste]

i'm in too! we are moving next week. at that stage of packing where i'm throwing *everything* in the boxes -- "i'll sort it all out later". so, that's my first project, streamlining the new garden view studio. second project, get that *(&# blog going, to which i can post all the finished projects :)

[carol]

I am definitely going to join you this one. Great idea Vickie!

[Green Darner]

I'll be coming along for this journey also as I have lots of unfinished things (via lack of time and a crockety old machine)and a whole summer and new machine to devote to getting them done.

[karin]

Wonderful idea. I have enough unfinished projects to last a year, but a month would give me a good start! :)

[ellia hill]

how neat! i did this in may but i called it the unfinished project... its great to see how i am not the only one with many projects started but not enough finished!

best wishes!

[MissMeshell]

Oh yes, wonderful idea! :)
I need a kick up the butt to get myself finishing all the goodies lying around in my sewing room!
I think this calls for a 'To Do List' blog post! Any excuse will do :P

MissMeshell xx

[stephanie s]

count me in too, although, i think i will have to extend it through labor day.... great idea.