Sunday, January 12, 2025

ProjectQUILTING - Season 16.1 - Mythical Creatures

Mythical Creatures


Welcome to The Joyful Quilter!!  And... Welcome to the wonderful world of Project QUILTING hosted by Kim Lapacek @ Persimon Dreams!!  This is my 5th year of participation in the Challenge.  Trish Frankland @ QuiltChicken is the creator of the crazy challenges that participants will face during the next 12 weeks.


Sassy @ Farm Quilter got me started at the beginning of Season 11 by inviting her readers to join in the fun.  I accepted her invitation and the rest is history.  I'm not sure if I will be dragging along my friend LeeAnna @ Not Afraid of Color for this season, as she has had some trouble with her machine recently.  Would YOU like to join me in this creative journey?  It seems that LeeAnna is up for the challenge, after all.  Yay!


BEWARE:  It's a wild ride, but oh SEW rewarding!


Challenges are given and start to finish you have ONE WEEK to complete your project.  PQ 16.1 can be found at THIS LINK:




Step One...

Read the instructions to see what is required of the first challenge.  Here's what Trish had to say:

PQ 16.1 Mythical Creatures

Around the globe – wherever people meet to share stories – you’ll find legends of mythical creatures. Tales of bloodsucking fiends, warnings of a boy who flew too close to the sun, and unconfirmed sightings of a thirty-point buck entertain us, bond us, and even teach a lesson.

And, while these stretch-of-the-imagination beings may not be real, they’re a huge part of our cultural landscape. You’ll find gargoyles in cathedral eves, gods and goddesses in public fountains, and an animated hero for kids of all ages.

This week, let’s find quilt inspiration in mythology. I am – once again – giving you creative permission to take that prompt in any direction you wish. Maybe a bag with mermaid-scale texture, a fire-breathing dragon quilt, or how about a horror-themed wall hanging for Halloween? Just follow the basic rules, found below!

Step Two...

Put on my thinking cap to come up with an idea that meets the challenge.


Do you have an appropriate fabric, Joyful???

Surely, I have something that will work.  Would it be breaking the rules to start with that and add a few orphan blocks?  I don't think so, since still have to design a quilt top using the pieces and parts.

Step Three...

Gather supplies:


I reached for my PINK Quilted Scrap Basket, as Angela from the Rainbow Scrap Challenge called that for January's Color of the Month.

Tutorial for these baskets can be found HERE.


Step Four...

Review the rules:

RULE ONE:  Find inspiration in a mythical creature.

You have one week to meet the challenge. Every challenge piece must be a FINISHED project seen through from INCEPTION to COMPLETION during the challenge timeline – that is, started on or after January 5, 2025, and linked up by noon Central Time January 12, 2025.

Each piece must stand alone as DONE to count.
Your project does not need to be a traditional quilt, but must meet at least one of these requirements: include patchwork, include appliqué, have 3 layers stitched together by hand or machine.

Incomplete or unfinished does not qualify. Every challenge piece must be a FINISHED project seen through from INCEPTION to COMPLETION during the challenge timeline.

Step Five... Any ideas, Joyful???

1. A small quilt using the Rainbow Scrap Challenge Color of the Month and this "dragon scale" fabric I found in my stash:


2. A small quilted item made using the same.

Step Six...PLAY!!!

Every quilt begins with a background, doesn't it?  I dug into my light neutral scrap baskets to find some white-on-white squares for background or sashing:


Here is a bit of my construction process...

(Scroll down to the bottom of the post NOW, if you don't care to see a blow by blow of the making of my quilt.)

Within an hour of the challenge's posting, this is the general layout, IF a quilt is the goal:



Where to next, Joyful???
 
That's a good question.

Keep reading...

I tested out a few layouts, first this way:


Then switched the variables around:


I think I've hit on the winning layout:


One final iteration with a larger center square proved to be the true winner:


After work on Thursday...

With just less than 3 days until the deadline, I stitched the quilt top together:


With more time remaining before dinner, I selected a backing fabric and a scrap of batting...


On Saturday morning...

I really didn't want to re-pin the center square, but since the top was placed sideways on the backing it was necessary:


Here's a closer look at that center square:


Things happened quickly from there and before I knew it, the time had arrived to apply the binding.  That's exactly what I'm doing in the photo shown below:


Wonder of wonders...

With nearly 22 hours to spare, I present my completed entry for PQ 16.1 out on our snow covered deck:


This is the backing that I selected from a bundle I received in my friend Dee Dee's recent destash:

Thank you, Dee Dee!  These flamingos felt just right for this little quilt.

There is usually a reason that I participate in these challenges...

... And this time, it was because I wanted to prove to myself that I could quilt with a broken finger still in a splint.  (I broke it 5 weeks ago and there are few splinted weeks remaining.)  Alas, I could only do straight line quilting, as my hand refused to provide enough pressure to move the quilt for free motion.

There you have it...

Process, product, and the REAL reason for accepting this Challenge.

Follow THIS LINK to the Season 16 overview.  Check back on the Challenge release days (or sign-up to be notified automatically) and there may be one that YOU just can't resist. I'm pleased to have joined the Link Party with 5 hours remaining until the deadline.  Yay, me!  :o))

Here is my Mythical Creatures entry hanging on the galley wire in my studio:


It's a SHORT turnaround time!

Depending on the size and complexity of your project, that doesn't HAVE to be insurmountable.  With a little creativity and a few evenings, you really CAN do this!  My project was planned out shortly after the prompt was announce but was finished with fewer than 24 hours until the deadline.  I managed to link up with more than a few hours to spare.  Quite a departure from many of my PQ entries. 

Until next time...
Challenge accepted!!!




Remember:  If I can do this, YOU can do it, too!

(Plus, there's a spot to post your completed Project QUILTING inspired projects AFTER the deadline for any of the challenges.)

Saturday, January 11, 2025

ScrapHappy Saturday - RSC25 - Week 2

Welcome to Week 2 of the 2025 Rainbow Scrap Challenge!!  This week includes the 1st challenge for Season 16 of ProjectQUILTING.  Here's hoping that I can figure out how to sew with a broken finger, as this will be my 5th year of participation and I really don't want to miss out on the fun!

Let's start where we left off last Saturday...

After releasing my post and joining the RSC Link Party, I enjoyed my Weekly Zoom call with Knittingsuek...


And later attended the Opening of the Season of the Messy Middle where I made the following art journal page filled with quite a few layers:


Here's how this week progressed...

SUNDAY - During my Weekly Morning Art Zoom I finally made a start on Junk Journal January by painting this spread and adding the month's prompts:


This afternoon we had snow flurries which is the white stuff you can see on the door mat hanging over the porch rail:


MONDAY - Work

I had to stop at the store on the way home, so my Weekly Zoom with LeeAnna @ Not Afraid of Color was a bit delayed:


TUESDAY - Work...

With a side of cooking.  On today's menu?  French Dip Sandwiches.  Yum!

WEDNESDAY - Wonderful Wednesday a post you won't want to miss!!!

Day Off / Doctor Day with several other appointments to be scheduled.

A bit of art this afternoon to finish up on one of my last two prompts (WORLDLY WISE) for the 5 Minute BINGO challenge from The Ugly Art Club:


It was a cooking night tonight, as well.  I made this tasty Lentil Potato Soup from Plant Based on a Budget:

NOT my photo!!

THURSDAY - Work

All 3 procedures were scheduled for... NEXT week.  YIKES!!!

FRIDAY - Day Off

That meant that I should be able to attend Knit Group.  Right? Well... Yes, but I had to leave early because I have a full day planned:

Rats!  I didn't get a picture with Linda and Stacy.  :o((

Happy (belated) birthday, Hilary!  Lunch at Saratoga Grill:

Dang! I forgot to take a picture!  :o((

I had planned a quick stop at the grocery store and pharmacy before heading home for an interview.  More on that when I hear back.

I seriously thought that the weather would eat my trip to the store.  Well, even though they were calling for snow and ice, there were a few things that couldn't wait and we decided that I would pick up the pizza early.  Neither stop was as bad as I thought it might be.  Phew!

The snow started right after I got home and not long later this was the view out the studio window:


After dinner, I went upstairs for my Weekly Evening Art Zoom I worked on:


SATURDAY - It's LINK PARTY day for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge!  I hope you will join me in visiting Angela @ So Scrappy to see what the RSC Quilters have been up to this week.  I did a bit of PINK scrap sewing with this scrap left from a quilt binding:


While I was working on that project, Britt texted to see if I'd like to do an Art Zoom with her.  Once the quilt was done, I was more than happy to do some art for a little while:


I worked on the HIDDEN prompt for Junk Journal January:


Come back tomorrow to find out more about that PINK project I was working on today.

Until next time...
Get SCRAPPY!!

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Wonderful Wednesday - The New England Quilt Museum Edition

Welcome to another edition of Wonderful Wednesday!!  I'm here to share some exciting news.  If you read THIS POST, you might have been waiting for this news.  Suffice it to say, I may be planning a trip to The New England Quilt Museum in Lowell, Mass.

Why, Joyful???

This quilt, my PQ 15.4 Hourglass from last year's ProjectQUILTING challenge...



Was requested to hang in the Just Wanna Copyright for Makers exhibition opening on January 14 through March 28, 2025 at the museum.  Only a small number of the 190 entrants in the Hourglass challenge were invited to participate in a special exhibit of ProjectQUILTING entries.

I'll share more news as it becomes available.  If YOU live near the New England Quilt Museum, I hope you will visit the display.  Please email a photo with my quilt, if you do, just in case I'm not able to attend.  At the end of March, I will host a giveaway for those who have shared.

That's right...

I'll be hosting a special giveaway.  More on the prize in an upcoming post.

Special thanks...

Thank you, Dr. Elizabeth Townsend Gard and Pamela Weeks, Co-Curators of the exhibit!!!  I can't articulate just how excited I was to receive your invitation and what an amazing opportunity this is.  It felt unreal to have my quilt included in a display at such a prestigious venue as the New England Quilt Museum.  I won't soon forget the excitement I felt upon reading your initial email request.

Until next time...
I feel SEW honored!!!

Saturday, January 4, 2025

ScrapHappy Saturday - RSC25 - Week 1

Welcome to Week 1 of the 2025 Rainbow Scrap Challenge!!  This week was filled with art, celebration, and work.  Did that leave time for sewing?

Read on to find out...

SUNDAY - Weekly Morning Art Zoom found me doing some catch-up work on the Ugly Art Club's 5 Minute BINGO Challenge:


After lunch I went upstairs to Zoom with Knittingsuek:


MONDAY - Day Off

Zoom with LeeAnna @ Not Afraid of Color


TUESDAY - Day Off

As you might have seen a couple weeks ago, I signed up for the Declutter Challenge 2025 with Karen @ Just Get It Done Quilts and did a bit of prep work today:

#declutterchallenge2025

#jgidqdeclutterchallenge2025

#reclaimingmyspace2025


WEDNESDAY - Happy New Year!!!

We went to an Open House at my BIL and SIL's house before they start traveling again.  I'm going to miss our coffee dates, but we may Zoom instead:


THURSDAY - Work

No (Weekly) Quilt Group for me today.  :o((

Scouring my magazine supply, I found the makings of this spread for my 5 Minute BINGO art journal:


FRIDAY - Work

Knit Group without me, as I had to go in early.

After dinner, I went upstairs for my Weekly Evening Art Zoom.  I glued down the pieces for the journal spread shown above and decided to glue (torn) fabric to another Altered Book Journal.  This one will be for Junk Journal January (I'm running a few days behind schedule) and Junk Journal July:


SATURDAY - It's LINK PARTY day for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge!  I hope you will join me in visiting Angela @ So Scrappy to see what the RSC Quilters have been up to this week.  As you can see, there was no sewing for me, but I did work with a bit of fabric.  Since I still can't cut with a rotary cutter due to my broken finger, I'm calling that a win.

Until next time...
Get SCRAPPY!!

Friday, January 3, 2025

Winter 2025 - (Ravelry) UFO Club - The List

Welcome back to The Joyful Quilter!! The WINTER 2025 (Ravelry) UFO Club is now OPEN for sign-ups!! Participants MUST list (at least) FIVE quilt projects. Photos should accompany the list. Sign-ups end at midnight EDT on January 7, 2025.

NOTE: All qualifying finishes must be posted BEFORE midnight (EST) on January 31, 2025!!!

Do you have a plan this time, Joyful???

As is typical for me, my strategy is usually to list WAY more projects than I could EVER possibly finish in a single session and hope for the best! The "at least FIVE" project requirement for participation is the bare minimum, but I tend to err on the side MORE is better. I haven't changed. I've explained that I'm a moody quilter. That means I have to "be in the mood" to work on any given project! By varying the size and style of the items included on my list, I have options. Theoretically, these choices increase the chances of finding projects that I want to work on during the quarter.

Here is my project list for the WINTER 2025 (Ravelry) UFO Club:

1. PINK Donation Quilt (2024)


2. Noah's Grad Quilt (2020)


3. Bright Eyes (Faces Workshop 2021)


4. Grape Candy Coated (2023)


5. Stitch Studio Remix (2012)

Quilting by Diane @ Stitch Studio


6. Bottom of the Bin Topper (2024)


7. SAHRR Holiday Edition (2023)


8. Aboriginal Runner (2022)


9. Blue and Green for Parrish (2016)



10. Color Wheel Runner (2023)


11. DOQ Neighborhood Challenge (2023)


12. Yellow JRR on Steroids - A2 Baby! (2023)


13. Bargello Wall Hanging (2017)


14. Bottom of the Barrel PURPLE Race Quilt (2024)


15. Blue & Yellow Donation Leftovers (2021)


16. Stay at Home ROW Robin (2021)


17. Disappearing Hourglass (2023)


18. QFK Challenge (2022)


19. Scrappy Light NEUTRAL Runner/Topper (2023)


20. Sweet Kisses (2021)


21. The Big RED Race (2024)

45" x 48"

22. Short Track RED Race (2024)
 
45" x 45"

23. TSC Rainbow Plus Quilt (2024)


24. QFK JRR on Steroids (2023)


25Like Deborah (Boschart) Only Not (2016)


SEW...

The list is quite a bit longer than it has been in a while.  I realize there are WAY more projects than I could possibly complete in a 3-month period of time.  That's the way I like it, though.  I'll have plenty to choose from with 25 listed projects for the WINTER 2025 UFO Club.  The list includes some "have to do", some "want to do", and a few "low hanging fruit" to get me going.  My goal is actually only ONE finish for the quarter. More than that is a bonus!

Remember...

There's still time for YOU to join in the finishing fun!  Sign-ups are open through, January 7th @ midnight (EST), so head over to the Quilters Knitting group on Ravelry today. Email if you need help with the process. (You will need to sign-up for Ravelry, the Quilters Knitting group, then state your intentions and projects in the discussion thread linked above.)

Until next time...
Wish me luck!!