Tuesday, January 30, 2007

I too am declaring war!

Judy has declared war on her stash. She's also declared a monthly stashbusting challenge. I love the general idea, but just as Nancy did, I am modifying it for myself. My struggles are different from theirs, so I need a different plan of attack

I declare this war to be of six months duration, at which time I will reassess the situation and create new battle plans.

(1) I will NOT pull fabric from my shelves for a new project (Joseph Logan's baby quilt being the exception). Any new quilt I start in the next 6 months will be from either my scrap boxes, bins, drawers, etc. or my HSY's list. No more pulling 60 to 80 or more fabrics off my shelf, carefully cutting two or three squares or triangles or strips from them, then refolding them and putting them back on the shelf.

(2) For every new scrap or HSY quilt that I start I must either quilt, bind and label two flimsies or take two UFO's from their current status to completion.

(3) I have unsubscribed to all quilt shop email lists. I have tossed my Keepsake Quilting and Connecting Threads catalog in the recycle bin without opening them.

(4) I will NOT go to the Superbowl Sale at my favorite quilt shops!

As you can see my focus is still on my UFT's, flimsies, and HSY's, with the addition of using up scraps. I love to use the fabric from my stash, and never have trouble cutting into a piece so I'm not worrying about that. I'm not prepared to forbid myself to start new projects, so I'm counting on this compromise working. I can start new projects - they just must be HSY's or something from my scrap bins.

19 comments:

Helen said...

Good luck with your challenge! And well done for navigating the Fabric Depot without too much damage. I hope the new iron does well.

Linda C said...

We will cheer you on, Patti. What treasures you have lurking in your UFT's, HSY's and flimsies after all!

Your Broken Dishes and Postage stamp quilts are every bit as lovely as Sophie's quilt in my opinion.

I may do that challenge but can thonly think of one, possibly two pieces of quilting fabric that have ever been declared off limits. Unfortunately I am not sure that I have the go-with's and don't want to purchase them either. HMMMM.

Darlene said...

Outstanding plan! I've been wondering if my recent quilting slump had anything to do with being paralyzed by my stash. Walking into my sewing room has been a bit overwhelming. HMMM - something to ponder!

Libby said...

Sounds like you have a good and realistic plan -- I'll be right here cheering for you.

Judy said...

Sounds like a good plan to be... I know just the fabric I have in mind for the first quilt too!

Juliann in WA said...

wow - this is war! I am rooting for all of you

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great plan of action to me. Good luck with your goals!

Fiona said...

Wow, you are very strong to throw the catalogs in the bin and unsubscribe from the websites.

Nancy said...

Good luck following your battle plan this next 6 months. I'll be rooting for you!

sewprimitive karen said...

Really good goals, Patti. I especially need to do the one about finishing two before starting another one.

Carol said...

Great plan Patti...I'm cheering for you. Hopefully we'll all get some UFO's done with this challenge. This is so great for all of us to be able to support one another...

Leslie said...

A question from the peanut gallery:
Please tell me again what a HSY is??
And I'm guessing UFT is a various of UFO, only it's Unfinished TREASURE? =)
You go girl!

Laura said...

Good for you Patti, I am attempting part of this myself.

Unknown said...

WOW! Good luck- my biggest downfall is email lists from my favorite stores. Such willpower to cut them off!!!

Carolyn said...

Great plan...I wish you total success! I think with so many of us doing this, we can keep each other going!

Passionate Quilter said...

I agree, great plan! I've been very good, but need to even do more at reducing my UFO's. I just read your story (sorry, I'm behind on my reading!) about the postage stamps. I love what you are doing! And yes, Bonnie has been a huge source of great inspiration! And now you are inspiring me to go bust some 2" squares. :)

Cynthia said...

good luck with your plans Patti.

Shelina said...

Patti, sounds like you are serious! Good luck to you on your war!

Cher said...

have to say your plan makes great sense for what you need to do for yourself-I will of course be cheering you on...!