Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Put Your Scraps to Work 2014: Are you in?

FairyFace Designs


I floated this idea in my 2014 goals post last week, and got loads of people interested. So I'm officially kicking off a scrap-busting challenge for 2014. Yay!

This is a really simple challenge. Here's what you need to do: Make at least 1 project from your scraps each month. Post it on your blog, and add your post to the linky I will post here on the last day of each month. You need to link back to me some way, either using the button above or some other type of link. I know not everyone has a blog - there's also a Flickr group (you'll find it here) where you can post pictures of what you have made, and if you're on Instagram, the hashtag is #putyourscrapstowork2014, so be sure to use that. I will have some spot prizes over the year for people participating (not just on the blog - IG and Flickr peeps too).

I've started a Pinterest board where I have Pinned loads of ideas for what you could make with scraps. I'll keep adding to this as the year goes on. It's here. I didn't worry too much about the Pins being linked to tutorials - some of them are just eye candy/inspiration type Pins. I would really like to make this a communal board because I think it would be great to have one big board that loads of people Pin ideas to - everyone sees different things. But apparently I have quite a lot of Pinterest followers (who knew? I certainly didn't!!) which makes inviting people a bit more difficult so if you'd like to be part of the communal board, please email me (fairyfacedesigns at gmail dot com) with your Pinterest ID and I will (figure out how to) add you.



Ok....so that's kind of it on the detail front. My plan for my scraps is to, as much as possible, make practical stuff that I will use from them. I might make one or 2 decorative mini quilts, but mostly I want to make things that actually work in my house, have a practical value. Obviously, practical does not rule out pretty :-) My plan for this month is to make a cushion for the living room, and some fabric storage baskets (to organise the horrendously large bin of scraps). Actually, the very first task is to finish sorting the scraps. Next month...well, I'll think about that then. I'd love if we could get a good big group working on this together, so please, don't be shy, spread the word!!

So, you in? And whatcha making first?

34 comments:

Melissa said...

Do they have to be 100% finished projects or is a quilt top ok to link up?

java diva said...

I need to make those scrap baskets too! I have a mountain of scraps on my table :(

Sarah @ sarahquilts.com said...

Fun!! You have to check out my post this Friday - I just made 8 scrap baskets!

Leigh Anne said...

Oh yeah, I'm definitely aiming for scrapbusting this year! I use scraps in almost every project that I do, it's my first stop when choosing fabric :) And I have some full size quilts made just from scraps on my list for 2014 so I'll definitely be linking up :)

Leigh Anne said...

Oh yeah, I'm definitely aiming for scrapbusting this year! I use scraps in almost every project that I do, it's my first stop when choosing fabric :) And I have some full size quilts made just from scraps on my list for 2014 so I'll definitely be linking up :)

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

This will work great with the scrap series I have going on. I hope to have a finished scrap quilt each month so you know i will be linking up!

Jayne said...

I am so in! Seems this is a goal for many of us this year! I'm actually working on some scrap buster placemats right now and pieced a quilt back with scraps!
Going to 'grab' the button and get it on my blog!

Leanne said...

I am going to try to join in, I have a plan to use more scraps this year.

Canadian Abroad said...

This is perfect for me because 75% if what I make is scrappy.

Pennie said...

I'm in! No idea what to make first, but I have a ton of scraps!,

cheeky monkey said...

Sounds great! first thing i will do is have a big dive in the scraps. As one bee is asking for a scrappy block I am doing that soon and have a look what I can find in the box.

AikaMaku said...

I'm definetely in! So first I have to order all my scrap fabric and then I would think about the projects. The pinterest board that you create is quite inspiring! So if you can share the access I would pin some other ideas too. My user is AikaMaku. See you around! :D

Cindy said...

Cool! Have two little mini scrappy projects this week already :)

Isisjem said...

I'm in!

Helen Lay said...

I'm in. I'm on a WIP finish & not just keep starting new things mission, but also a fabric purchase ban, this year.

I was thinking 1 new small project that I start and complete a month would be a good plan so this sounds perfect.

My January project is going to be a boxy pouch bag by Bonnie at Pink Stitches. (not that I have a slight obsession with making make up style bags or anything...)

I'm also going to try blogging this year so this is a perfect thing to motivate thanks so thanks for starting this.

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Oh brilliant - Interested in what people consider to be 'a scrap' though, because to me it used to just mean pretty unusable off-cuts, but it seems others consider it's anything less that a FQ.

Mack and Mabel said...

I'm in. Seeing what others make with their scraps will be motivating (and I need a lot of that!)

Tomomi McElwee said...

Almost everything small I make for the shop is already from scraps. Still I might find interesting tings. Let me join.

sew.darn.quilt said...

I'm ready to do some scrap bustin'!

Cheri the Quilting Nanny said...

I'm in. I really want to do this.. I don't like scrappy quilts..they look to cluttered and messy for me, but I am learning there are other ways to put the scraps together to make wonderful looking quilts and other things too! I followed you on Pinterest...looking forward to some inspiration! THanks!

Lucy | Charm About You said...

Sounds great! Im in but like Hadley i consider scraps to be anything left over! Is that ok?

Amy's Crafty Shenanigans said...

Oh I am totally 'in'! I love scraps and making things with them!!!

Katy Cameron said...

I look forward to seeing what you come up with! I have a carefully put aside pile of scraps for a particular project, but I fear it may be a month or two before I get to it :o(

Rosa said...

Let`s the party begin!

Judy said...

Count me in!! I have finished two grocery totes so far this month.

Vintage Blankets Museum said...

Hi,
if you like vintage patterned blankets and need ideas for diy blankets:
Have a look at our website : http://blanketcoll.blogspot.de/

Best wishes, Peter

Just Sew Sue said...

I'm definitely in. Off to look for a scrap busting project for a swap I'm in.

Karen @dixielandcrafts said...

As soon as we are finished moving and I can get my studio back up and running. I'm so in!!! This sounds fun and I love the accountability.

Nancy-Rose said...

OH! I am so in!

Anonymous said...

Me, too!! I have 40 years of scraps and fabric on hand. A project that comes to mind is a "kitchen quilt." This is a scrappy mat that you lay on the counter for those hand-washed dishes to drain on, so size yours to fit your space - and it can be kind of ugly! You can practice your FMQ on it, piece both sides (think - using all the ugly/weird/awkward bits!) and use a worn towel or flannel sheet or what-have-you for the batting! Now - I just need to learn how to post photos... thank god for daughters!

Happy sewing everybody!
Liz

Sarah said...

Ooh I'm just reading blogs now, and I've made scrappy cushions this month. Finished today! I'll link them up on Instagram, coz I don't have a blog. I'm at sarahkrothe. You're welcome to follow me and see what I'm working on 😊

Nicky said...

Love my scraps and so want to join in - so need to join in as they seem to be taking over. But really want to make a quilt - won't manage that in one month though! Would blocks count or should I do something small each month too!?

Nicky said...

Love my scraps and so want to join in - so need to join in as they seem to be taking over. But really want to make a quilt - won't manage that in one month though! Would blocks count or should I do something small each month too!?

Erin @ Billy Button Design said...

That was my first job this year was to clean and sort out my scraps... I 'll be joining.