We roll on regardless! What's your project going to be?
This January we are trying something totally new. We're teaming up with Sara Humphreys and the editors of Blueprint, who will still be manning their website and blog, Bluelines, and holding our first small makeover contest. We're not aiming to cover whole homes; we're inviting you to tackle one small project: "painting a bureau, reupholstering a chair, whatevering a whatever." We're going to do it together and share tips, resources and inspiration during one month. Interested? Read on below....
The conceit?
Everyone has at least one decor project in their home that they've been dying to do. Together we can all help get them done.
The editors of Blueprint and AT are going to be tackling their own projects and sharing their progress as you tackle yours. We'll go first and you only need to send in your finished project submission by January 21st.
In addition, we're going to award prizes for those that really shine.
Here are all the details so far:
Who May Enter?
* All readers of Blueprint and AT anywhere in the world can enter, but...
* US entries only are eligible for sponsored US prizes, International winners will receive a special AT prize only (we have to avoid legal complications with gifts being given overseas)
Which Projects?
* Project must have been done by you
* Project must be started and completed before deadline of January 21 (starting early is fine)
* Project must be a small project that can be completed in one to two weekends (though gathering materials may take time beforehand)
* Project may deal with the revamping of a piece of furniture, or a window, wall or floor treatment
* We are looking for makeovers, hacks and restoration projects
* We are looking to share skills, tools and resources that have broad appeal with all of our readers
How to Submit?
* Submissions must consist of
o 5 pictures (before, 2 after, tools and in process shot)
o name of project, your name (online name and/or real name), location
o list of tools and resources
o step by step how to instructions
o expense and time spent
When?
* Contest Runs for four weeks, from January 7th through February 1st
* AT will post a maximum of 5 daily entries for a total of 100 maximum entries
* Winner are announced on Thursday, February 7th
Prizes?
* To start with we have $1500 in gift cards from that DIY mecca, eBay!
* Prizes will be awarded in 6 categories (which are TBD) with a first place and runner up in each
OTHER POSTS
>> The January Jumpstart Contest: 6 Categories & Schedule
>> January Jumpstart Contest: Submission Form and Prizes!
Ooh, another contest--great idea!
view Pixie's profile
oh man, im all over this.
can we submit more than one project?
view my little apartment's profile
January...hmmm. Can we start earlier? I started ripping out my kitchen floor this weekend...and wait till you see my countertop-from-hell.
http://iloveupstate.blogspot.com/2007/10/too-many-expensive-decisions-all-at.html
view I Love Upstate's profile
I think I should have at least 10 projects left to choose from at that time.
view art's profile
Oh dear, I'm confused already.
#1--Does this HAVE to be a project we start when everyone else does (ie, January?) The blurb does mention "finishing" a project, so I assume not.
#2. You are going to encourage us?--but how? If I read the above aright, you work on yours, we work on ours and then submit photos and so on for "judging." Real encouragement would be this:
--announce makeover project has begun.
--people "enroll" by participating in a thread announcing their intentions and the project.
--have a thread posted each week so folks can talk about their project, get feedback, and report progress.
THEN, when the month is over, whomever is done gets to "enter." Then reader votes (ouch, but kind of exciting to think about--like White water rafting or rappelling off alpine crags) and so on....
I'm glad you mentioned the entries have to be submitted by January 21st though. That only gives one three weeks in January--and I don't know what it is about Christmas Turkey, but it tends to make me sophorific until at least January 12th.
PS: I have a love seat I need to recover. And a headboard to construct. However, I don't think the headboard is realistic. This is exciting.
view Alana in Canada's profile
I kind of wish I had waited to do my ceiling, but 'tis done now, and I'm glad it's done anyway. Not sure what I'll come up for this.
view Curtis's profile
I just finished re-upholstering a chair this weekend - but I didn't take any before pictures. I assume you'll need some? (Oh well, I'll have to think of something else...)
view nwu's profile
I am always working on something around my shelter;I'm up for this contest. How about transforming a coffee table?
view chickentop's profile
Might have to work out some of the details, but I'd love to be a part of this. Great motivation!
view jmcquary's profile
Right on time...I know this is supposed to be small projects, but I'm moving in to a new place on Jan 1 so I'll have lots of projects, big and small to start and finish once I get there. From making a sewing/letterwriting/crafting table organization to painting, floor coverings, pillow covers, making the kitchen workable, etc. And all of this will have to be in ways that I can take them with me and not leave any structural changes in the place.
I'll have to decide which I want my contest project to be.
view nadnuk's profile
Sweet! I'm totally excited about this. Great idea!
view KathinCO's profile
OOh - yes, i have a must do project - our bedroom closet was 3 doors wide, with the middle on screwed in and unable to open, so it was near impossible to access the stuff in the middle part of closet behind door -
husband removed this middle door, so our closet is MUCH better, but the middle is totally open and an eyesore. Based on the structure and all, it seems that it will be a bit of a project to cover yet keep accessible. Am hoping for help.
Maxwell's heavy felt keeps popping to mind as a possibility. CAn we post pics for feedback? Pleeease?
view oteach1's profile
how does Blueprint folding affect this ??? i was so excited for this project too :(
view Meg's profile
The party's going to be like a funeral now.
view the aesthetic onion's profile
Let's just call it a wake and party anyway. I think MGR should come over to my place and fix it for me, I will go to his and babysit Ursula and make tea. I have been looking at my blank headboardless bedroom wall for way to long, time to get out the tools. I see lots of booboo's in my future.
view bobbin's profile
gee, I wish I had a project that fit the rules....
good luck to all the contestants.
view JonathanB's profile
This is perfect! I have a list of 20 odd projects to do...okay, maybe not 20, though i could come up with that many!
view Christine (the one in DC)'s profile
I have 20 on my list. :-(
view Cassis's profile
Yay!
view andreaaaa's profile
I wish there was a report button - March3rd is a sneaky spammer. He/she will add a short comment of absolutely no substance whatsoever and then a link to what I presume is his or her store. That's sneaky and lowers the quality of AT for everyone.
In other news, my garage-sale mid-c dresser is *very* happy to hear about this!
view melanie's profile
This contest is a great motivator, I'll probably never win but I need to re-paint my kitchen table. And while it seems like it would be so easy the last time I did it the finish is not hard enough or washable! I have no idea what kind of paint to use either!
Alana in Canada's idea for making a headboard is a great idea I would love to do that too!
view labchick's profile
questions oh questions????
I've been working on my Livingroom/studio-office project for a couple of months & I'm not done yet (it's a lot of stuff to do, paint walls, refinish wood, new stuff, etc.,). When is the cut off for when it was cool to start the project? I'm midway thru this one. Also, where are we to email this stuff to? Last, can we write a little essay to explain what we were trying to achieve, what we had to work with (regarding obstacles, how we got round them, etc., so things make sense as every picture is always up for interpretation).
Thanks and Happy New Year to all! cheers
view DRCny's profile
I've got a sick hack for this contest.
I have it all planned out, now to the hardware store I go for some lumber!
Good luck everybody!
(You'll all need it! Mwahahaha)
J/K :D
view marc from vancouver's profile