When I set my goals for 2021, I included the goal of finishing some WIPS. I even named the ones I wanted to finish. I chose my 2020 temperature quilt, my Indecisive quilt, my Let It Snow wall hanging and my dragon cross stitch. We are in the 9th month of the year and I have worked on precisely one of those projects (the temperature quilt, in case you were wondering). Yikes!
On the way home from getting Aiden settled in for another (hopefully normal!) year at university, I was thinking specifically about the dragon cross stitch, which I would really, really like to finish, and trying to come up with a way to motivate myself to work on it. My thought process went like this:
- I don't actually have that much left to go on it, a little time each day would get it done before long.
- Something like a 100 day challenge would work.
- I wonder how many days are left in the year.
- Grab my phone to look that up...118.
- So what day would be 100 from the end of the year?
- September 23...Hmmm, I could work with that.
- It would be more fun if I had other people working on their WIPS with me.
- Okay, let's plan a big 100 day WIP finishing challenge to end the year, with tips and prizes and everything!
And that's how we come to today's announcement of the WIPS-B-GONE 100 day finishing challenge! Cue the confetti (well, not really, because that stuff is awful for the environment, but imaginary confetti is perfect 😉)!
I hope you'll join me and end off 2021 with an abundance of finished projects. Here's all you need to know about the challenge:
When and where is the challenge happening?
The official start date is Thursday, September 23rd, since that is 100 days from the end of 2021, and the challenge is happening on Instagram, using the hashtag #wipsbegone2021. The hashtag will allow us to cheer each other on as we work on our WIPs and turn them into finishes. There will be other hashtags for check-ins after each quarter and I'll use those to randomly choose winners for the prizes our amazing sponsors are providing.
I know not everyone is on IG. If you're not, you can certainly join in and bust your WIPS, too, but you won't be eligible for the prizes.
100 days is a long time. I'm gonna need some reminders and encouragement.
Oh, me, too! I'm concerned about running out of steam before the 100 days are up. That's why I'm lining up weekly emails with tips and tricks to help keep us on track. Trust me, these tips are so good you don't want to miss them! There will be fun printables, too, for setting goals for the challenge, for celebrating our finishes and at least one just for fun. You don't have to sign up for the weekly emails to take part, but they'll be a great motivator and cheerleader popping into your inbox each Monday of the challenge if you do.
Here's a sneak peek at one of the printables I've been working on for the challenge. My temperature quilt blocks make pretty props, don't they? I bet they'll make an even better finished quilt, lol.
Which of my WIPS are eligible? Do they have to be quilts?
Any stitched project counts! It doesn't matter if it's a zip pouch you started and then set aside, a dress you cut out, but haven't sewn together, a scarf you have half-knit or a king size quilt top you haven't gotten around to quilting yet. If it's a WIP and you finish it during the 100 days between September 23rd and December 31st, then you're eligible for a prize 😊 Remember, the project that got me started planning this whole challenge is a cross stitch, so this is definitely open to projects other than quilts. I will say, though, that the prizes are pretty much all quilting related.
I'm also not going to be strict on what qualifies as a WIP. Use the challenge to tackle projects that have been hanging around for years, projects you started last week, projects that are just a fabric pull so far or (shhh!) even projects that are nothing more than a plan in your head. I won't be going back in time to see when you started your projects!
Did you say prizes?
Yes, yes I did 😊 Prizes are a wonderful, motivating force, aren't they? There will be prizes after each quarter of the challenge - so after days 25, 50, 75 and, of course, 100. Anyone who has finished even one WIP in that quarter will be eligible for the prizes, which will be awarded randomly.
I'll get into the specifics of the prizes when it's time to award them, since prizes are still coming in. I will say there are fabric bundles, magazines, planners and patterns to be won, so you'll be all set to start something new as a reward for all the WIPS you finished during the challenge!
These are the lovely sponsors who are contributing prizes. I've linked here to their IG profiles, since this is an IG challenge and I'll be adding more in the coming days. Please follow the sponsors as a thank you for their generosity!
I'm in! What do I do now?
- Sign up for the weekly emails to get your Monday dose of inspiration and the challenge printables.
- Share the Let's Do This graphic on Instagram to let everyone know you're participating in the challenge (accountability can help keep us on track, so we need to let everyone know what we're doing!) and to invite them to join in, too. The bigger the cheering squad, the bigger the celebration every time we finish a project! When you sign up for the emails, you'll get a link to be able to download the graphic or you can find it in my IG story highlights and take a screenshot to share.
- Dig out those WIPS and decide which one(s) you're going to tackle first.
Let's do this! 😊
I really need this encouragement. So Happy to have found you.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to seeing everyone's progress; great idea, Leanne!
ReplyDeleteI'm not as bad as I used to be but there is that tiny pile over in the corner that winks at me from time to time! Thanks for being the cheerleader!
ReplyDeleteThose WiPs stare me in the face every time I walk into the sewing room - and I've become very good at turning a blind eye - but I think I'm going to pull together a to-do list now!
ReplyDeleteI'll probably never be able to keep up what with end-of-season garden tasks and a need to declutter the house, I'm going to give this a try. After all, some progress is better than none, right?
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea Leanne. My birthday is September 23 and starting your challenge is a good way to celebrate. I can’t wait to see what everyone is working on.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I've been working on WIPs for the last month or two at night - have 3 tops now finished into 'flimsies' and a couple more to go! (They were added to my stack of to be quilted tops)
ReplyDeleteI work a 45 hr week paying job, LAQ for clients on the weekends, so once I get caught up on paying quilts, will be able to quilt some of mine!
Deadlines help me get things done! Thanks for putting this together.
ReplyDeleteGood for you to offer this challenge to quilters (and cross-stitchers!) who are unmotivated to finish! It's just the ticket for making people DO. My best wishes for accomplishing your goals.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to get in on this! I have dozens of WIPS:)
ReplyDelete@LilyElleCanada on IG
Just hashtagged my current WIP/UFO progress. :-) I’m already part of Gail’s PHD Quilter but this is another great incentive WITH PRIZES! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI'm all in. Sharing on Instagram and also scheduling an announcement on my blog for tomorrow all to encourage others to join too! Great idea and sounds like loads of fun.
ReplyDeleteI'm in and love this idea, thanks Leanne.
ReplyDeleteThanks for mentioning knitting, Leanne! I just dug out a UFO that has been waiting to be finished for 5+ years. The wayward piece has been frogged and now I can try again to get the pattern right on the last panel of my sweater vest.
ReplyDeleteI am in! Posted my first finish this week, Hope to have more to show and tell. Thank you for the challenge. I have many, many WIPs ... :) Pat
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