Hi Suzie. With all due respect, you have picked out two great challenges but my mind always goes blank.. I just might have to do my own thing here. But, time will tell. I will wait to see if something pops into my mind. :D:D

Thank you. I must have missed that! It's good to know.

Your own thing is perfectly divine. Challenge criteria should hopefully be helpful...but sometimes my mind just runs in another direction entirely from the 'suggestion' of a challenge. And I do some very good work that way. :)

With luck a challenge can spur you to think in a new direction about an area you wouldn't approach with the idea of a quilt. I almost never get an instant idea on a challenge. For me it always has to be turned over while I stand in line at the grocery store or under the shower. Now that I think of it I realize that the banishing of 'what I need to do next' in real life is a big component for me. My escapism at work.

All art quilt projects are happily gobbled up by all of us I think. They are so interesting in so many ways. I know I will be looking forward to whatever creation has popped into your mind and been executed.

My brain was tossing these topics around when Sandy struck. My daughter has urged me to use my quilting skills to help those who have lost everything. So, I will probably skip this challenge for a while. Our QB friend Krystyna has lost her home & sewing business in Long Beach (NY). I would like to collect quilts for K. to deliver to her traumatized
neighbors. If you have a quilt you can part with, please consider sending it to comfort someone else. My family in NYC is safe in NYC, with inconvenience but shelter. PM me if you want to help. Thanks, Dotty

That sounds like a great plan to me. I would love to be 'quiltily helpful' from South America but postage would kill the good they would do. We have hallmarked some funds to send up instead. Your project of wrapping up Sandy victims in quilts is such a great thing to do. Keep us posted.

I just got to thinking about all the things most quilters do these days and helping others out with our favorite fabric obsession is often in evidence isn't it?

After making umpteen gifts, organizing drives and distributions to the homeless, to orphanages and to victims of the huge Chilean earthquake I understand that need to give and help where you know there is a need. I encourage you all to do as much as you are happy doing. Go for it!

But if your are like many of us there will be one small corner or yourself crying out for something else. For me that is relieved and satisfied by my having some kind of art project kicking around in my mind or on the wall. So don't neglect that part of you. Turning over ideas and doing an occasional small art project doesn't take away from your other focus. It will possibly help you to stay motivated and moving on other long projects that don't satisfy the artistic need directly. (Not to mention which that you might arrange to sell or auction off the art piece to bring in some $$ for your favorite cause.)

So keep your objectives in mind and after you have spent massive time on your major focus area spend a little in the 'art' corner of your brain and see if it doesn't actually help you get everything done in record time and satisfaction.

Regards to All

I just stumbled across this challenge site. Is it still going on? How do you access it on purpose, if it is still ongoing that is? I would very much like to take part.

Making charity quilts has prompted me to take a second look at UFOs. All those experimental blocks make great pot holders for homeowners who lost all.

Welcome! We'd love to have you join our intrepid little band of seekers and creators.

The challenges are ongoing monthly and we are accessed through the board at;
QuiltingBoard Challenges & Contests

The November and December challenges are posted back on page 48 of this thread.

I post a new challenge to work through around the first of the month and then we share our ideas, discoveries and completions throughout the month.

They will be treasured and you will get to finish up some goodies. Do take photos and share with us, please.