Maz - The sewing challenges sound like a great idea - I know I am taking part in April Stash Bust which is just where you don't buy anything craft/sewing etc related in April and use up all the bits and pieces you have stashed. There is a contest for that too, not sure if I will enter but the idea of being 'in' a competition or challenge does keep me motivated.
The stash bust sounds like a great idea, I think I need to do that to use up heaps of my left overs I have floating around