The 100 Day Project - #100Days100ThingsDecluttered - Week 11

Welcome to Week 11 of the 2025 edition of #100Days100ThingsDecluttered, a special edition mini-series here at The Joyful Quilter!!  I started The 100 Day Project last week.  I'm excited that I've committed to it, again.  It's particularly popular on Instagram.  I was hesitant to participate before last year.  I'll be releasing weekly updates on Tidy Up Tuesday for those of you who might be interested in seeing what goes out the door.

What did you say your project was, again, Joyful???

I signed up with a different idea in mind than most.  You can read about it HERE.  That link will tell you all about my project.

The gist of my focus...

Decluttering my home and studio in an effort to free up space for MORE creativity.

Here are my decluttering efforts for  Week 11:

1 worn out fingernail implement

2 tissue holders

4 gift bags

2 studio boxes

4 keychains

2 upcycled mailers

Total: 15/100

Again, my goal was to hit 400 this week... Again, I failed to hit it.  On the plus side, I emptied TWO studio boxes this week.  I'll call that a win!  (Please remind me not to buy any more books for my studio library, as the shelves are bursting at the seams.)

Updated 100 Day Project Total: 352/100

Sorry!  No photo of the small items decluttered this week.

Thank you to those of you who encouraged me in my decluttering efforts this past week!  Your kind comments continue to make this decluttering journey of mine a somewhat less arduous task.

Some of you had a few things to say about Week 10's results...

Kathleen @ Kathleen McMusing blog commented with the following:

Congrats on your progress. I did a little myself yesterday cleaning out above the shelf in my closet and in the chest of drawers. 2 more closets and one more bureau to go for me....slowly it happens.

Here's how I replied:

Thank you, Kathleen! Glad to hear that you were inspired to do a little decluttering, too. Keep peeling back the layers!

Sara, who blogs @ My Sewing Room, said this:

Good job! I've hit a wall myself this week with the decluttering, but will get back on track next week.

This is how I responded:

Thanks, Sara! I hope your decluttering mojo returns. You CAN do this!!!

@dothe100dayproject

#The100DayProject

#DoThe100DayProject

#100Days100Things_TheDeclutterEdition

#100Days100ThingsDecluttered

#filltheboxjoy

Come back next week to see what goes in the box during the next 7 days.  You can also follow me on Instagram @thejoyfulquilter, if you are there more often than in BlogLand.

Until next time...

Do the 100 Day Project!!!

ScrapHappy Saturday - RSC25 - Week 19

Welcome to Week 19 of the 2025 Rainbow Scrap Challenge!!  I've got a lot going on this week.  I'm scheduled to work, I've got errands to run, and there's an online Mastering Mixed Media Expo going on.  Don't forget it's Messy May over at Get Messy Art Journal Community!

Will there be any time left for GREEN scrap sewing, Joyful???

SUNDAY - During my Weekly Morning Art Zoom, I worked on the DERIVE prompt for Messy May based on a piece of art that I did back at the end of January of this year:

This afternoon, I watched the All-Star Sampler Platter from The Global Quilt Connection.  In the photo below you see Lyric Kinard introducing Jen Simonek from Loose Ends, an organization of volunteer finishers for those special projects left behind:

Her presentation "How not to leave a mess" was aimed at all kinds of fiber crafters and gave the following tips for managing your work prior to death or disability:

1. Take a hard look at your stash

2. Take a heard look at your WIPs

3. Leave a note in your WIPs

4. Find a Craft Executor

5. Use the resources on our website

6. Let people know about Loose Ends

MONDAY - Day Off 

This morning I attended a virtual watercolor class with @tammykayeart and here is my painting based on her example:

While visiting her website, I saw the supply list for an upcoming class and decided to paint it to include in my MIL's Mother's Day card using some of the techniques learned in the landscape class:

This afternoon was Swap Club at Get Messy.  I signed up for my first ATC Swap.  Color me excited!  The theme was LINE and I got my set of cards made during the hangout:

Once Swap Club was over, I watched one of the three lesson I missed for Alex Kincaid's Spring Florals Watercolor Workshop.  My sample strokes were nothing to look at, though.  Then I did some of catching up on things around and for the house before catching up on the NEW Mastering Mixed Media Expo videos from Tam LaPorte @ Willowing Arts.  Day One either didn't appear in my inbox or I accidentally deleted it.  Either way, I'm only 3 lessons behind now.

TUESDAY - #100Days100Things Decluttered

Day Off

This morning I watch the first of three lessons for today at the Mastering Mixed Media Expo and then did a bit of decluttering.  Bonus Points!!  I emptied another studio box:

I noticed construction efforts on two houses in the new neighborhood next door:

I checked in with Barb at Get Messy's Open Studio after lunch.  My task was to gesso a spread in my DIY Lay Flat Journal.  Sorry!  Nothing photo worthy.

WEDNESDAY - Work

I did a post office run this morning and a quick stop at the grocery store this afternoon, before I went home for my Weekly Zoom Call with LeeAnna @ Not Afraid of Color...

Once we finished chatting, I went to get ready for a Celebration Day dinner:

After dinner, I watched the last two videos from Alex Kincaid's Watercolor Workshop.

THURSDAY - Work

First thing this morning was some concrete work in the new neighborhood next door.  Two driveways and two foundations (not pictured) were poured:

Before I left, I did a quick watercolor painting (loosely based on the view out our back door) for today's NATURE prompt for Messy May...

And took a picture of my APERTURE prompt response from the other day:

After work I watched the Mastering Mixed Media Expo lesson from Jackie Schomburg and created the following page using her methods...

And followed that up with a lesson from Jennifer Bonneteau @ rainbowslinger.com

using various techniques, including pen and watercolor:

This afternoon's big news!!  Another family moved in down the street:

FRIDAY - Day Off

I went to Knit Group and then had lunch at the Clubhouse with Beth and her husband.  We missed our other knitting friends:

Thanks so much, Beth!

After lunch I missed my friends at Get Messy's Open Studio with Deandra in favor of doing a favor for Knittingsuek who needed a ride to her post-surgical appointment.  However, my alarm didn't go off and I was late picking her up.  Fortunately, we arrived right on time and hopefully she will eventually forgive me for causing her such distress!!!

Once home, and with dinner out of the way, I attended my Weekly Evening Art Zoom where I worked on the Mastering Mixed Media Expo class from Cindy Gilstrap that I watched this afternoon.  There are still a few more details to add:

  

RSC Quilter friends, do I get bonus points for using

fabric scraps that I painted GREEN???

SATURDAY - Work

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.

The answer to the question at the top of the post...

NO.  There was not a single minute for GREEN scrap sewing.  I haven't even set my sewing machine up since I got back from the mountains, but here's what I have available to work with for the month:

Perhaps, next week will be a sewing week.  Only time will tell.

Until next time...

Get SCRAPPY!!

The 100 Day Project - #100Days100ThingsDecluttered - Week 10

Welcome to Week 10 of the 2025 edition of #100Days100ThingsDecluttered, a special edition mini-series here at The Joyful Quilter!!  I started The 100 Day Project last week.  I'm excited that I've committed to it, again.  It's particularly popular on Instagram.  I was hesitant to participate before last year.  I'll be releasing weekly updates on Tidy Up Tuesday for those of you who might be interested in seeing what goes out the door.

What did you say your project was, again, Joyful???

I signed up with a different idea in mind than most.  You can read about it HERE.  That link will tell you all about my project.

The gist of my focus...

Decluttering my home and studio in an effort to free up space for MORE creativity.

We went away for a week and DS2 forgot some of the order of eating...

5 spoiled food products

Added to that my Week 10 decluttering efforts:

15 pc fabric

1 empty studio box

3 pr. shoes

5 shoe boxes

1 decorative ornament

Total: 30/100

I had really hoped to hit 400 this week, but just didn't have the energy for decluttering.  I did empty a studio box, though, so I'm pretty happy about that.  I "found" three of my "missing" mini quilts!

Updated 100 Day Project Total: 337/100

Thank you to those of you who encouraged me in my decluttering efforts last week!  Your kind comments make this decluttering journey somewhat less arduous.

Here's what some of you had to say about Week 9's results...

Sara@ My Sewing Room had the following to say:

Every little bit makes a difference. Hope you are enjoying some time away.

I'm not sure that I responded before now:

Thanks, Sara! Every little bit feels like a small win. Our time away was quite pleasant, as it's always nice to have someone else do the cooking!  :o))

Soma @ InkTorrents.comMay 2, 2025 at 3:23 PM

It is such a good feeling. Well done!!

-Soma

Again, I'm not sure if I responded before now:

Thank you, Soma! I just keep taking another layer off each week. Some weeks it's a thinner layer than others. I appreciate your thoughtful response.

@dothe100dayproject

#The100DayProject

#DoThe100DayProject

#100Days100Things_TheDeclutterEdition

#100Days100ThingsDecluttered

#filltheboxjoy

Come back next week to see what goes in the box during the next 7 days.  You can also follow me on Instagram @thejoyfulquilter, if you are there more often than in BlogLand.

Until next time...

Do the 100 Day Project!!!

ScrapHappy Saturday - RSC25 - Week 18

WARNING!!!  Photo-Heavy Post!!!

Welcome to Week 18 of the 2025 Rainbow Scrap Challenge!!  This week is my vacation week.  DH had a work conference in the mountains of North Carolina and invited me along.  Some people love the beach, but the mountains are my happy place.  Was there and GREEN scrap sewing involved???  (That's the Color of the Month for the RSC.)

The short answer is... Maybe!!!  Read on to find out, but first...

Another Iris bloomed yesterday.  I didn't see it until just before we left town.  The white one with purple falls didn't bloom last year so I was surprised to see it in the front garden:

There are mountains in the distance.  We'll be arriving soon...

Happy tummies and we each have a $50 gift card to play the slot machines:

SUNDAY - Vacation

Timing didn't quite work out for me to attend my Weekly Morning Art Zoom and I wasn't able to access Zoom on my phone..

Then we were leaving the property of Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort...

To check out the golf tournament being hosted at Sequoyah National Golf Club:

After taking in the beautiful views, we took a trip down memory lane with a stop at Oconaluftee Islands Park...

Followed by a delicious grilled trout dinner at Paul's Family Restaurant.  We ate there 18 years ago and it hasn't changed a bit!  It might not look very pretty and they seem to have mixed reviews, but our food was just as delicious as we remembered.

MONDAY -  Vacation

Good morning NCPTA Conference!  Thank you to the dining staff for making plain scrambled eggs for me so that I didn't have to risk anaphylactic shock by wading through the ones with mushrooms sauteed in them.  Yes.  I'm allergic and not happy about it:

Between conference meals and other activities, I managed to squeeze in my Weekly Zoom Call with LeeAnna @ Not Afraid of Color:

Later this afternoon, I decided to tackle the task of turning the heel of my latest sock.  It's the Lucky 13 Sock by Tracy @ On Woolen Pond:

TUESDAY - #100Days100ThingsDecluttered

Vacation

After lunch, I went out for a walk along the creek that runs through the property...

Then went back to the room to do some GREEN scrap sewing:

When I finished my block components, I started a painting based on a photo I took earlier while on my walk...

As I waited for paint to dry, I thought I'd take a photo of my makeshift sewing set-up to show you and see what I could finish up before dinner:

WEDNESDAY -  Vacation/Return Home

The vouchers in the photo below were transformed into cash on my way out.  I had a great time playing with the casino's money!  We lucked out with the timing of this conference:

Fortunately, we managed to arrive home safely.  This book kept me company during the crazy rain storm that dogged us on our path.  It is destined to become an altered book journal soon, as it's one of my favorite sizes to work in:

THURSDAY - The Guest Blogger(s)

Day Off

Look what bloomed yesterday!  It's a Japanese Iris from my friend Dee Dee:

Thanks for sharing, Dee Dee!

I missed my (Weekly) Quilt Bee today in favor of a trip to the Sewing Expo in Raleigh with Knittingsuek.  Wonder of wonders, I stuck with my promise to buy nothing for myself.

We saw a couple of our Monthly Evening Quilt Bee members.  Thanks for sharing your table with us Mary Ann and Marianne.  Hopefully, we'll see you two again in a couple weeks at our upcoming Sew Day:

Our uneventful excursion took a detour when we were almost back to Sue's house.  This happened!  :o((

My car broke down on the side of the road (in nearly 90 F heat) and needed to be towed.  The guy from Lloyd's Towing thinks it's the fuel pump.  DH will do some research:

FRIDAY - Day Off 

Knit Group with Stacy and Beth this morning:

Get Messy's Open Studio with Deandra was this afternoon.  I worked on  starting my pages for Messy May...

... I left early for a skin check appointment at Trillium Dermatology and looked a little different when I returned home.  I should hear back about the biopsy in a week or so:

During my Weekly Evening Art Zoom I worked on the SWATCH prompt for Messy May.  Of course, my swatches include GREEN paint, paper, AND fabric:

SATURDAY - Day Off 

It's LINK PARTY day for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge!  I hope you were able to visit Angela @ So Scrappy to see what the RSC Quilters have been up to this week.

No Zoom with Knittingsuek today since I just saw her on the day before yesterday, but I did go art with Britt for the first time in quite some time.  We both worked on today's Messy May DRAW prompt:

Until next time...

Get SCRAPPY!!

The Guest Blogger(s) - Vol. 58 - Debbie Gets Caught in the Rain

Welcome to another edition of The Guest Blogger(s)!!  This month we have a new participant.  I "met" Debbie M. through my Get Messy Art membership.  When she found out that I run the TABLE SCRAPS Challenge here on the blog, she was all in! Yesterday, I got an email from her. 

Here is what she had to say about it...

I finished. I just wanted you to know I finished my piece for April. I did get inspiration from Pinterest.  I’m so excited I finished. I have an idea for May.

Thank you

I replied:

Send a photo so I can share it on the blog, Debbie!

Here's the photo that Debbie sent:

Give Debbie some quilty love in the comments below.  I'm thrilled to share her darling entry with all of you.  I know that you enjoy seeing her work as much as I do!  Thank you for sending the photo for the blog, Debbie.  It's lovely to be able to post your project (and anyone else's without a blog.)  Quilters are always looking for ways to USE the scraps from our cutting tables!

Link Party REMINDER...

The April 2025 TABLE SCRAPS Link Party opened on  Friday, April 25th @ 12:01 AM.  There's still time for YOU to join the scrappy fun, even if you haven't started sewing yet!  Small projects are quick and entries can be added until Wednesday, May 7th @ 11:59 PM (EDT).

Until next time...

USE those (table) SCRAPS!!!

The 100 Day Project - #100Days100ThingsDecluttered - Week 9

Welcome to Week 9 of the 2025 edition of #100Days100ThingsDecluttered, a special edition mini-series here at The Joyful Quilter!!  I started The 100 Day Project last week.  I'm excited that I've committed to it, again.  It's particularly popular on Instagram.  I was hesitant to participate before last year.  I'll be releasing weekly updates on Tidy Up Tuesday for those of you who might be interested in seeing what goes out the door.

What did you say your project was, again, Joyful???

I signed up with a different idea in mind than most.  You can read about it HERE.  That link will tell you all about my project.

The gist of my focus...

Decluttering my home and studio in an effort to free up space for MORE creativity.

Here is the list of items from Week 9:

1 pc of special fabric to a friend

3 partially eaten tins of nuts WAY past the expiration date  :o((

Total: 4/100

Not much, I realize, but it was a busy week that was followed by some time away.  Three out of the last seven days, to be exact!  Two additional days were spent prepping for this time away.  We head home tomorrow.

Updated 100 Day Project Total: 307/100

I so appreciate your willingness to cheer me along.  Thank you to those of you who encouraged me in my decluttering efforts last week!  I find this decluttering journey easier for your kindness.

Deb A @ Happy to be Scrappy blog had this to say:

Great job... we can include dead plants? Oh boy, I have a few of those!

I responded with the following:

LOL! I believe that when it's your project, you can include whatever you'd like. I am less likely to include things like that for the 100 Day Project than I am in the Declutter Discussion on Ravelry, but desperate times call for desperate measures. I had a goal to meet!!  :o))

Lyndsey @ Sew Many Yarns blog said this:

Great work with your decluttering this week. I don't do a declutter challenge but in addition to the usual cleaning I have a list of areas e.g. sewing cupboard, wardrobe, chest of drawers, and I work down the list ( one area a week) getting rid of items not needed or no longer fit for purpose as I go.

To which I answered:

Thanks, Lyndsey! Your list sounds like a really good idea.

Diann @ Little Penguin Quilts:

You're moving right along in your declutter project! It's probably time for me to join in - plenty of clutter around here, that for sure!

My response was this:

I'd love to have you join in on the decluttering fun, Diann! What area of your home needs it most?

@dothe100dayproject

#The100DayProject

#DoThe100DayProject

#100Days100Things_TheDeclutterEdition

#100Days100ThingsDecluttered

#filltheboxjoy

Come back next week to see what goes in the box during the next 7 days.  You can also follow me on Instagram @thejoyfulquilter, if you are there more often than in BlogLand.

Until next time...

Do the 100 Day Project!!!

ScrapHappy Saturday - RSC25 - Week 17

Welcome to Week 17 of the 2025 Rainbow Scrap Challenge!!  This week is a unicorn week.  I've got the week off, yet my calendar is full.  Will there be RED scrap sewing???

There better be!!  Stay tuned to find out...

SUNDAY - Happy Easter to all who celebrate!!  My surprise was the first iris blooms of the season opened this morning:

Since "the kids" are arriving this afternoon, I had time for my Weekly Morning Art Zoom.  Today was Dare to Roll.  Prompt Set 1 included stencil, orange, paint drips, magazine image & junk mail.  My response is at the top of the page.

Prompt Set 2 found us working with stars, photo, book page, pink & circles and my response is shown at the bottom of the page.  Today's extra challenge was to create two cohesive entries by connecting them somehow.  I used my paint drips for that purpose:

There was an afternoon of prep work and cooking.  Easter with the fam followed, but I was so busy cooking and enjoying our visit that I completely forgot to bug everyone for a picture.  :o((

MONDAY - Day Off

Watercolor Workshop with Tammy Kaye.  Click the link for her YouTube tutorials:

That was followed by an Art/Life Zoom chat with my sister-in-law:

TUESDAY - #100Days100ThingsDecluttered

Day Off 

Open Studio with Barb for Second Time Around with @shannanoel's lesson from last week, I opted to play with watercolor and gel sticks...

Then worked on an envelope for a card to send to a friend of Jo's @ Jo's Country Junction.  She's posted about a Card Shower earlier this month and I wanted to contribute.  Along with the card, I sent a couple of tea bags from a new tea that I purchased recently as well as a collaged bookmark made using paper scraps from my table:

I did a tiny bit of RED scrap sewing while waiting for...

This week's Zoom Call with LeeAnna @ Not Afraid of Color, early this week because of a scheduling conflict - expect the same next week:

WEDNESDAY - Day Off

I enjoyed additional Iris openings today.  Both white with purple falls...

And the yellow ones - which I captured in portrait mode and what a difference:

THURSDAY - Day Off

(Weekly) Quilt Bee WITH a group photo this time at Ruth S's house.  Special thanks to Anna for taking the picture for us!  Now, it's time for you to play a game of "Where's Joy?":

I went home to do some RED scrap sewing and headed out again once my project was done.  It was time for my Monthly Evening Quilt Bee meeting with the following quilters:

FRIDAY - TABLE SCRAPS Challenge

Day Off 

Knit Group was at Beth's house this morning.  Just three of us today, which will be the norm until Tracy's school gets out for the summer:

In this afternoon's Get Messy Open Studio with Deandra, the focus was on gel printed images.  Mine was unsuccessful, but I added what I got to the page on the right in my DIY Lay Flat Journal along with a couple new paint colors that I recently purchased.  There may be more to add later:

Time to pack for a little getaway.  Can I just say that packing is NOT my favorite part of any trip?  The one saving grace is that we are driving to our destination.  I may take a good bit of the studio with me.  Stay tuned!

In the meantime, look what bloomed today in the middle of the Iris bed out front:

My Weekly Evening Art Zoom found me adding a scrappy collage to the opposing page from Tuesday's entry.  I used up a good handful on my page and I'll wait to see what else it wants:

SATURDAY - Day Off 

It's LINK PARTY day for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge!  I hope you will head off to visit Angela @ So Scrappy to see what the RSC Quilters have been up to this week.  I'll be along sometime later.  It's a travel day for us.

There will be no Zoom call with Knittingsuek today.  I just saw her on Thursday and will see her next Thursday, as well.

For now...

The mountains are calling.  I must go...

Until next time...

Get SCRAPPY!!