A New 12 Month Challenge

For 2012, the 52 week challenge has morphed into a 12 month challenge.  

I was finding the weekly deadline too constricting.  Some of the bigger projects I want to do just don't get done in a week.  So, the plan is to have a linky party once each month, on the last Wednesday of the month, when you will be able to post a project (or projects) that you have completed. Another change I would like to make is to do a follow-up post featuring some of the creations you link each month.  I hope that you can join in the challenge, each month, or even occasionally.

The first 2012 linky party will be posted January 25th.

 Here is a new button for those who would like one.  

<a href="http://www.fabricfascination.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Fabric Fascination" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYBTwuYzEiMQ33LS4qXA-m6ZI9vD5iVTVK_b5k0t9sihL3nH9pvFQl1nC3bmjZYztpUiE5wnU1IgRr9Y-GA5U6pLIbOtzIvW5MnaZhZFimj2kNO_6CDSB6TnAfhtz9w7EWV6Axx-d3NA/s125/125.png" /></a>

Let's get busy,

52 Week Challenge - Week 52

Yes, it is the last week of the 52 week challenge of 2011.

 I will show a collage of some of the projects that we have finished this year a little further down in the post.  But first, a few words about my 52nd project.

This artwork was done by my daughter when she was in the 3rd grade (in 1984).  I kept it rolled up until this last week, intending someday to frame it.  Well, someday finally came. The delight of surprising my daughter with it this Christmas was worth the wait.  She didn't remember making this piece, and thoroughly enjoyed discovering all the details.  It looks perfect hanging in her daughter's (my granddaughter) bedroom.

Now on to the challenge. 

When I issued a challenge a year ago to finish at least one project per week in 2011 and post it to my blog, I didn't realize how difficult it would be.  But somehow I did it!  I am so thankful to have completed all 52 weeks.  

I am even MORE thankful for those of you who have joined the challenge during the last 12 months, and shared your creations here.  I hope that you have enjoyed it too.

Here is a small sampling of projects that we've completed this year.

Congratulations to all of us!

You can see all of the projects week by week here.  In the meantime, be sure and leave a link for your final project for 2011 below, and...

Let's get busy,

52 Week Challenge - Week 51

One week to go!

I made another baby quilt for a new child my daughter's family is fostering. This little one is only six weeks old, very tiny, and very cute. I appliqued her name on the front of the quilt. She got to sleep under it for the first time this past weekend.

I used a rose kona cotton solid, and batik charms from Timeless Treasures

What have you been working on this week?
Leave a link below, I would love to see it.

52 Week Challenge - Week 50

This week I made a couple of wool and emery Pincushions.

I felted a snowflake design on top and blanket stitched in wool around the edge.


Only two weeks to go in the 52 week challenge.  It has been a fun and interesting year.  I have a new project in mind for 2012.  (More on that later).

What have you been working on this week?  Leave a link below.

Let's get busy,

52 Week Challenge - Week 49

I was inspired by the lovely doll quilts Karen Griska has in her Etsy shop to make one for my youngest granddaughter this week.

I used the mini tumbler die to cut out the shapes with my accuquilt, and the puppy die for the applique.  Both my older granddaughters had doll quilts made when they were younger.  The eldest got a batik in blues and greens, and the middle got a tinkerbell star quilt.

What have you been working on this week?

You can learn more about the 52 week project here.

52 Week Challenge - Week 48

Another set of stockings this week:

They have already been listed in my shop, and one of them has been sold.  I am undecided as to whether to make another pair; I might make a set in blue.

What have you been working on this week?  I would love to see.  Leave a link below to a recent project you have finished.  For those of you who have been posting to this challenge for awhile, can you believe we are on our 48th week!

52 Week Challenge - Week 47

This week was about Christmas stockings.  I finished a pair of snowflake stockings for a newlywed couple.

I think they turned out really cute.  I hope the couple thinks so too.

What have you been working on this week.  I would love to see.  Leave a link below of a recent project below.  You can learn more about the 52 week project here.

52 Week Challenge - Week 46

Quilt Finished!

This one is called Charm and Jelly Lattice Pie (or something like that).  I designed the pattern, and plan to carry kits in my fabric shop in several colorways so that people can make their own version.

The finished quilt will be available for sale in my kimbuktu shop

What have you been up to this week?  I would love to see.

 Add your link below.  Learn more about the 52 week challenge here.

52 Week Challenge - Week 45

This week, I finished a pattern for the charms and jellies quilt that I've been working on. The quilt is nearly finished too. Right now, it is in the quilting stage, then binding, and done!

Pattern making has been challenging for me. Figuring out how to do diagrams of the work in progress is a feat. Writing up clear logical directions is a daunting task also. Have any of you made patterns for your work? I would love to hear any tips you can give me. 

I am also looking forward to seeing projects that you have finished this week. Please link them below. To read more about the 52 week challenge, click here. 

52 Week Challenge - Week 44

This has been another week without my sewing machine (although it is safely back home now). In the meantime, I have been occupying myself with handwork like these coaster sets.

~ Batik Crocheted Coasters ~

Have you finished a project this week?  Link it up using the tool below.   To learn more about the 52 week challenge, click here.

52 Week Challenge - Week 43

I save the cardboard bolts that fabric comes wrapped around. They come in handy for lots of art projects because of their large, rigid and lightweight work surface. 

This week I used three of them to make a quick bulletin board for my sewing room. 

These cardboard bolts are held together with a few strips of packing tape on the back, and hung by twill tape. Right now the board is hanging on my sewing room door, but eventually it will be mounted on a wall in my craft room. 

I like that it represents my fascination with fabric, and that I can easily tack items to the surface with a pin. If it gets bent or used up, it is simple and quick to replace. 

Use your imagination to visualize this project with ribbon joining the three bolts together, or maybe covering the surface with a fabric sleeve, or with decorative paper or paint. Lots of possibilities here.

If you would like to read about the 52 week project click here.  If you have a project that you would like to link, click on the linky tool below.

Let's get busy, 

52 Week Challenge - Week 42

This week, I finished a custom order of place mats.  Here they are being packed up and ready to ship out.  Hooray!

What have you been working on this week?  Leave a link below.  I love to see your projects, crafty and otherwise.

P.S.  To learn more about the 52 week challenge, read here.

September Round Up

Autumn has begun, and the 52 week challenge continues. These are the projects that were linked in September.  You can click on the names below the pictures to go to the blogs and websites of each participant.
 

Fabric Fascination

One Perfect Day

Judy Nolan - This Creative Journey

Maureen Cracknell, Lost Lemonade, Memories for Life, Jan Beane - Life Lessons

I enjoyed seeing every one of these creative works.   Thank you all for sharing your links. 

October is well under way, so....

Let's get busy,

52 Week Challenge - Week 41

I'm hooked on making these woven mug rugs. They are perfect handiwork for those times I am taking a break from my sewing machine.

These are now available in my kimbuktu shop.

What have you been working on this week? 

Feel free to leave a link to a project you've finished recently.  To learn more about the 52 week challenge, click here.

52 Week Challenge - Week 40

As I referenced in my Monday W.I.P. post, this week's project has been to make up a pattern and kit for a placemat set.  The kit includes everything (except thread) to make a set of four.

Kits and patterns have been a long standing idea in my head, but it has been a bit of a struggle to get this first one implemented.  I have lots more designs in mind, so hopefully the next one will be easier.

What have you been up to this week?  I would love to see what you've been working on.  You can leave a link by clicking on the tool below.  To read more about the 52 week project, click here.

Let's get busy,

52 Week Challenge - Week 39

My daughter and her husband are foster parents, as well as parents to three girls of their own. When one of the children stay longer than a few weeks, I try to make a quilt for them. This one is for Ella, a sweet little girl who is almost always smiley, and as cuddly as can be.

I used some fabrics that I purchased awhile ago, and edged the quilt with some binding I bought from SlightlyBiased on Etsy. I think it goes perfectly with the quilt, despite the fact that it is not made from any of the fabrics in the quilt.  The backing is a soft kona crush.  I think the baby will like the the texture of it.

What have you been up to this week? I would love to see any projects you've finished. You can add a link by clicking on the linky tool below.

Let's get busy, 

52 Week Challenge - Week 36

This week I finished a custom place mat order for a customer.  Love this Camelot fabric.

If you would like to add a finished project of your own, click on the Linky tool below.

To read more about the 52 week challenge, click here.

August Round Up

Summertime, and the living is easy. What a great summer it has been too. Here are the projects posted to the 52 week challenge this month:

FabricFascination

One Perfect Day

Memories for Life Scrapbooks

ChristineMarieFord, Jan Beane, SweetWaterStyle, Mommy Tyme Gifts, MegansBeadedDesigns

Today is Labor Day, how fitting to show the fruits of our labor.  Thanks to all who participated this month.  I love seeing your creations.  

If you would like to learn more about the 52 week challenge, click here.

Let's Get Busy,

52 Week Challenge - Week 35

This week's project is a bit lame I'm afraid.  I made this sand and shell magnet as a sample for a childrens fellowship craft for church. We also made tambourines out of  paper plates and jingle bells (the children loved making those), but mine got lost somehow.

I have several projects in process, so hopefully next week's post will be a little more substantial.

If you would like to add a finished project of your own, click on the Linky tool below.

To read more about the 52 week challenge, click here.

52 Week Challenge - Week 33

Scrapbooking is one of my favorite crafts, but since starting my Etsy shops there hasn't been time to do much of it.  Instead, I document our family birthdays and vacations by putting together scrapbook albums online.  Here's one I finished about our family vacation last summer in the OBX.

If you are not familiar with these albums yet, check it out.  You choose the album size and style, upload your pictures and place them where you would like, and add text.  There are a number of companies that provide this service.  The one I have used for years is called Snapfish. I have been happy with their customer service, plus you can sign up to receive notification of special sales by email.

My family enjoys looking through these albums over and over.

What project have you finished this week?  I would love to see it.  You can add a link by clicking on the Linky Tool below.

If you would like to learn more about the 52 Week Challenge, click here.

Let's get busy,