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. 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.
I'd like to suggest this 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?
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!
Posted by: Amy | June 01, 2006 at 08:37 AM
I'm in! I definitely have some projects around here that need to get wrapped up.
Posted by: Alicia A. | June 01, 2006 at 09:13 AM
...yes...thank you for the reminder..i'm off the finish something...
Posted by: PJ | June 01, 2006 at 09:19 AM
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!
Posted by: Helen Gillis | June 01, 2006 at 09:42 AM
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.
Posted by: A.J. | June 01, 2006 at 09:49 AM
Oh-oh, I so know what I have to finish. Finally turn my Round Robin fabric into a wallhanging! :) Thank you for the push :)
Posted by: Isabelle | June 01, 2006 at 10:07 AM
I am so in! First up, a Tshirt quilt started last summer with the intention of being a Christmas present for my daughter.
Posted by: Harriett | June 01, 2006 at 10:12 AM
Oh yeah! My middle name is "unfinished projects" right now! Yep, LK Unfinished Projects Ludwig.
Posted by: lk | June 01, 2006 at 10:17 AM
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.
Posted by: Dana | June 01, 2006 at 10:25 AM
I'm in. :)
Posted by: michelle | June 01, 2006 at 10:49 AM
What an incredibly wonderful idea! Hmmm, now, where to begin...
Posted by: Mama Urchin | June 01, 2006 at 11:15 AM
Excellent idea! Time to finish that scarf I started knitting a few months ago...
Posted by: crystal | June 01, 2006 at 11:17 AM
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!
Posted by: Wendy | June 01, 2006 at 11:33 AM
OK, now the challenge is to pick: which one? Out of about 100.
Love this idea. Sign me up.
Posted by: Aurora | June 01, 2006 at 12:19 PM
Yup, I'll do it. Great idea!
Posted by: Meg | June 01, 2006 at 12:34 PM
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.
Posted by: sherry | June 01, 2006 at 01:52 PM
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?
Posted by: Kathie | June 01, 2006 at 02:52 PM
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!
Posted by: Toni | June 01, 2006 at 03:10 PM
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 :)
Posted by: celeste | June 01, 2006 at 04:11 PM
I am definitely going to join you this one. Great idea Vickie!
Posted by: carol | June 01, 2006 at 05:18 PM
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.
Posted by: Green Darner | June 01, 2006 at 07:04 PM
Wonderful idea. I have enough unfinished projects to last a year, but a month would give me a good start! :)
Posted by: karin | June 01, 2006 at 08:32 PM
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!
Posted by: greenbeanbaby art | June 01, 2006 at 09:05 PM
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
Posted by: MissMeshell | June 01, 2006 at 09:14 PM
count me in too, although, i think i will have to extend it through labor day.... great idea.
Posted by: stephanie s | June 01, 2006 at 10:45 PM
Count me in - one quilt and another quilt top to finish!
Posted by: Kirsty | June 02, 2006 at 12:53 AM
Great idea! Certainly count me in. :)
Posted by: Marie | June 02, 2006 at 02:29 AM
I'm in and a month may not be long enough to get it all done, but it will surely help me focus! Great idea!
Posted by: Lissy | June 02, 2006 at 03:32 AM
That's exactly what I need to do, so count me in.
Posted by: Lori | June 02, 2006 at 04:19 AM
Count me in!
Posted by: lorinda | June 02, 2006 at 04:32 AM
That's a good idea!
Posted by: mereteveian | June 02, 2006 at 05:06 AM
Yes Please!!! I have a list in my sidebar (among others) of things I want/need to complete. I can't wait!!! Do we have a button yet?
Posted by: AmyDe | June 02, 2006 at 06:05 AM
That is such a wonderful idea, I'll have to seam a sweater that's been sitting around. Thanks!
Posted by: keri | June 02, 2006 at 06:06 AM
Yes, yes, yes! Just the kick in the butt I need! I'm going to focus on finishing my first quilt (it needs to be quilted) which I started, uh...four years ago? Five? I don't want to think about it. And finish the quilt I started just a few months ago. THEN I can proceed with my wedding quilt.
I think I need to lay down.
Posted by: kristin | June 02, 2006 at 08:14 AM
Definitely count me in. I have so many projects just waiting to be finished - that's what I get for starting so many things at once.
Posted by: Maritza | June 02, 2006 at 08:17 AM
Hi,
I'm in on this too! I took the 4 month Wardrobe Refashion pledge, where you agree not to buy any new clothing. You have to make clothing or recycle what you already have. So while digging through my fabrics to use in that project, I found two half finished purses that I had started a few years ago and a t-shirt applique that I had made and printed out, but never did anything with. I now have them set aside to finish, along with some other things.
Posted by: Carol | June 02, 2006 at 08:31 AM
I am SO excited about this month! I may even have to go off & make a button for it!
Yippee!
Posted by: Kari | June 02, 2006 at 09:03 AM
what a great idea! i'll have to dig through my pile of unfinished stuff. btw-took a look at your playhouse photos. now, that looked like a wonderful project! how exciting for your girls.
Posted by: kathi | June 02, 2006 at 09:36 AM
i am so doing this this month. i am also doing the wardrobe refashion, and am having a hard time justifying starting anything new with a couple shirts sans sleeves and a half knit sweater staring at me in my studio. count me in!!
Posted by: jenne | June 02, 2006 at 09:50 AM
Oh yes, definetely!! I have a wonderful old pair of pillowcases that I've been embroidering on for five years! Just one of those projects that I really didn't enjoy and would love to have behind me! Great idea!!
Posted by: Erin | June 02, 2006 at 09:53 AM
Okee dokee! I'm in. Today I am refinishing my bench - I got the stain at Home Depot a year ago...
Posted by: Saucy | June 02, 2006 at 10:11 AM
oh yeah... I have an entire shelf unit of "UFO"s and "USO"s (UFO=unfinished object, USO=unstarted object) just waiting to be attended to. I have been thinking about getting back to a memory/wall quilt, that I started at a class at a crazy quilting retreat two years ago. It's a hankie quilt (from the book, Hanky Panky, by this really funny, interesting woman-she taught the class-and now I can't remember her name). Hopefully I'll get that finished and move on to another UFO/USO.
Posted by: Edie | June 02, 2006 at 10:47 AM
I. am. soooo. in.
Granted, I've got so many projects on the needles and partially cut out that I've actually -forgotten- more of them than I could remember in a month, but it's a worthy effort, especially since I'm in to KALs that have cast-on stitches and NOTHING ELSE.
Yeah, I'm bad. Count me in.
Posted by: eliza | June 02, 2006 at 10:47 AM
Great idea. Possibly the kick in the rear I've been needing to finish a few projects...sadly abandoned when something more interesting took my fancy! ;-)
Posted by: Carina | June 02, 2006 at 11:00 AM
i am SOOOOOOO up for this! not only are almost all of my knitting needles in "use" (i.e. holding together half finished projects), but i also have a number of promised baby projects for which the recipients are going to be adults by the time i get to them!!
Posted by: myuglysweater | June 02, 2006 at 12:03 PM
green bean baby posted something similar, http://greenbeanbaby.typepad.com/main/2006/05/the_unfinished_.html
Posted by: michelle | June 02, 2006 at 12:48 PM
count me IN! this is an excellent challenge, now...where to begin? i think i'll just dive into the pile and see what i can grab with my teeth, you know, like that arcade game...
Posted by: hvm | June 02, 2006 at 01:17 PM
Great idea! I have a couple of quilts in the basement from the early '90s, LOL!
Posted by: Kristin | June 02, 2006 at 02:23 PM
Yes! That's what we all need so we can start new projects in July :)
Posted by: Carmen | June 02, 2006 at 02:54 PM
I might a few months of finish what you started! I'm definitely in for June! (though I will be doing other projects, regardless...ah, well). : )
Posted by: Emily | June 02, 2006 at 06:27 PM
I'm definitely in!!! Just the motivation I need!!
Posted by: rebecca | June 02, 2006 at 07:54 PM
Excellent - what a fabulous compliemtn to use what you have! So many projects, so few completed. I am in for this in a big way - now who's going to start the Flickr group?
The FINISH WHAT YOU HAVE flickr group pool is over here:
http://flickr.com/groups/95191180@N00/
Posted by: sooz | June 02, 2006 at 11:27 PM
Oh yes I'm in!I only have a few unfinished projects but they are from way back!So the baby clothes quilt and the cat cushion will be finished in June.See now I've said in public I will have to!
Posted by: Kristy | June 03, 2006 at 01:17 AM
I'm in! Do you need a button made up? My husband can do it if you want....
Posted by: justine | June 03, 2006 at 03:03 AM
This has been my personal challenge to myself this year- I have at least a year's worth of UFO quilts. I've been keeping a list on my sidebar and plugging my way through them- and it feels so good! A community of folks doing the same thing sounds lovely- I'd love to join in!
Posted by: Samantha | June 03, 2006 at 06:24 AM
My, this is a popular idea. Well, I just dropped by your blog and saw this, and I am in. My UFOs have all been calling out to me lately, and I have had a hard time deciding which one to take care of first. I think I'll just take one at random and get to work on it. Any attention to them will be better than no attention, right?
Posted by: Shelina | June 03, 2006 at 08:59 AM
Just now catching up to the boat... what a great idea! I am embarassed to admit (even to myself) how many unfinished projects I have stashed away. I will try to get them out from under the bed, in the back of the closet, from wherever they are and get them DONE!
Posted by: *jenny | June 03, 2006 at 06:05 PM
great idea! i was just thinking the same thing myself. all those unfinished projects lying around have been driving me insane. im definately in. x
Posted by: the knitchick | June 03, 2006 at 09:53 PM
Is it too late to join the frey?! I have a puppy quilt that needs finishing for Christmas two years ago! (thank goodness he's a dog and has no expectations)
Posted by: Marti | June 04, 2006 at 05:57 AM
oh, lordy. I have been working on my daughter's redwork quilt for 5 YEARS. This might be the month.
Posted by: dorie | June 04, 2006 at 07:12 AM
I LOVE the Dutch quilt!! Could I ask where you found such a pattern? I don't think I could tackle a full size quilt, but perhaps a wall hanging :) Thank you for sharing!!
Posted by: Michele Smit | June 04, 2006 at 12:07 PM
I have to tell you that your challenge has been one of the best things that could have happened to both my purse strings and my creativity! Thank you!
Claudia
Posted by: Claudia Rohling | June 04, 2006 at 06:34 PM
Great idea! I am so in with this challenge, as I look around at all the unfinished things in my craft room.
Posted by: Blair | June 04, 2006 at 06:57 PM
I'm in. I am working on my ATC indulgence project, need to finish a christmas stocking, a baby afghan, a relationship mixed media sampler, and swaps. For this of you who wouldlike to be included in the ATC project - please visit my blog. Project details in the may archives.
www.maggiegracecreates.blogspot.com
Posted by: teresa | June 05, 2006 at 06:12 AM
me too. great idea. let's see what of those gazillion things will make it. does it also mean not to start something new in june? *g* that could be the hard part...
Posted by: ramona | June 05, 2006 at 11:10 AM
Fantastic idea!
Posted by: Tammy | June 05, 2006 at 04:24 PM
I'm in...mind you I am pretty sure I have more unfinished projects than there are days in the month. :-)
Shari
Posted by: Shari | June 05, 2006 at 06:57 PM
This is just what I need,, for goodness sake.. it is why i started blogging in the first place.. so I would have to actually finish stuff.
Posted by: bethany | June 05, 2006 at 09:19 PM
I am so in! I have a million things to finish, so it's the summer of finish some crap up!
Posted by: Kelly | June 06, 2006 at 12:08 PM
Thanks everyone for your positive reinforcement of this idea. May we all meet at the fnish line!!
Posted by: ~Vicki | June 07, 2006 at 09:41 AM
I'm definitely in.... This is one I continue to struggle with... Must finish, must finish, must.....
Posted by: Melissa | June 07, 2006 at 04:09 PM
This is a splendid idea. Something we could all use, and hopefully it can spawn some new habits to keep us from being overwhelmed with projects. They take up a lot of brain-space, even if we aren't working on them. Good idea! Thank you dearly,
Smiles!
Heather
Posted by: Heather | June 08, 2006 at 04:31 AM
My craft closet thanks you... my children thank you...my husband thanks you... and the wonderful patterns I bought from you for the tea towels thank you ( I still have Friday, Sat, & Sun to go)oh... and the pillowcases with the His and Hers ( yet another great purchase from you)..thanks you!
Posted by: Lea | June 10, 2006 at 06:26 PM
Count me in as well!
Posted by: tanya | June 13, 2006 at 01:19 PM
Oh yeah, I can definitely do this! Such a great idea Vicki :)
Posted by: Cassi | June 13, 2006 at 09:49 PM
I've only just come across your site and this Post, hich is a wonderful idea. It was the whole impetus for our Blog over at misswoolly.blogspot.com We started a monthly craft group for our friends so we could finish all of the imcomplete projects lying around...so I guess that makes me in!
ps. I love your site!! That playhouse project is amazing. keep up your inspiring work.
Posted by: Melinda | September 13, 2006 at 05:01 PM
Hi,
It is Feb. '07 already, but I am SO in also. I have all kinds of stuff lurking around waiting to be finished.
Clara
Posted by: Clara L. Williams | February 04, 2007 at 09:10 AM
What a good idea and wonderful blog you have, I just found you all through Inspire Co...
Posted by: Izzy | February 07, 2007 at 09:11 AM