Mail Call Monday - A Squirrely Party Favor

Welcome to another edition of Mail Call Monday!!  I recently heard from Sally.  She's Darlene @ Creative Latitude's inner squirrel.  You know how our inner squirrels have a way of taking over the sewing room, don't you?

Well...

Darlene gathered some of her blogging friends, along with their own inner squirrels and the Squirrel Party was born.

Some of my own blogging friends participated:

Gertie took over for Terry @ On Going Projects

Winnie took over for Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts

Samantha took over for Carol @ Quilt Schmilt

Stormy took over for Linda @ Texas Quilt Gal

The Squirrel Party was at the end of last month.  Darlene made some fabulous mug rugs to give away.  There mug rugs with acorns to celebrate autumn and mug rugs with sewing machines to celebrate quilting.  Sally announced that there were prizes for 5 attendees.

Imagine my surprise to find that I was one of the lucky winners...

The bigger surprise was when my gift arrived in today's mail:

Look at the darling Bee Kind mug rug that was enclosed:

I've already put it to good use:

Thank you, Sally and Darlene!!  You two really know how to throw a (squirrel) party.  :o))

Until next time...

Party like a squirrel!!

ScrapHappy Saturday - RSC21 - Week 48

Welcome to Week 48 of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge!!  This week was a non-sewing week.  Too many hours at the office to allow for very much time for fun.  :o((

How about a few highlights from last weekend and what kept me busy the rest of the week???

SUNDAY - Yesterday's lunch.  If you are in the Charlottesville, VA area, the food is good and the employees are highly entertaining:

MONDAY - Mail Call Monday

Another day, another tasty restaurant in the UVA area:

TUESDAY - One last photo from the weekend.  I spotted a very quilty ottoman in the lobby at Home2Suites:

WEDNESDAY - The Guest Blogger(s)

(Ignore the dash dust, but...) It was COLD this morning on the way to work:

THURSDAY - Happy Thanksgiving!

LeeAnna @ Not Afraid of Color called 5 minutes after I put the turkey in the oven.  With nothing required of me for the next couple hours, we decided that it was the perfect time for us to Zoom:

FRIDAY - TABLE SCRAPS Challenge/Link Party

Apparently, I got sidetracked in the process of scheduling the release of that post.  My apologies!  I hope anyone who was looking for it in the middle of the night will find time to come back later to link-up.

It's Black Friday and one of the busiest shopping days of the year here in the states.  I really SHOULD have taken the day off, but I opted to work.

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.

Until next time...

Get SCRAPPY!!

November 2021 - TABLE SCRAPS Runner/Topper Challenge - LINK PARTY!!

Welcome to the November 2021 TABLE SCRAPS Runner/Topper Challenge!!  Please scroll down to the bottom of the page to enter your table runner/topper, mug rug, etc. in the Link Party by MONDAY, November 29th @ 11:59 PM. (EDT.)

Here is the color inspiration photo for November's neutrals for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge even though FINISHING was the focus from Angela this month.  A number of the RSC Quilters are working with their darker neutral scraps:

Image by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

No blog?  No problem, you will be able to have your scrappy table runners/toppers hosted here on The Joyful Quilter.  Just pop me an email with your name/state and a photo of your completed project and I will add it to a follow-up post.

Where's the table covering, Joyful???

This is my entry, as seen on our coffee table:

You can find a few additional photos in THIS POST.  I had really hoped to make another mug rug specifically for the TABLE SCRAPS Challenge, but this one will have to serve double duty.  That new J.O.B. got in the way of my quilting time.

Linking up with Alycia

for

Finished (Or NOT) Friday

and

Sharing (on Sunday) with Cynthia

for

Oh Scrap!

And, with that...

It's time to add your own projects to the Table Scraps Link Party below!!  Here's hoping you have fun with a RAINBOW of scraps next month, as I'm pretty sure we all have those remaining from this year's Rainbow Scrap Challenge!

Reminder...

Finished or not, join the link-up.  While I offer color suggestions, you are always welcome to sew with whatever scraps you choose.

Until next time...

It's a Cover Up!!!

The Guest Blogger(s) - Vol. 25 - Jane from Australia

Welcome to another edition of The Guest Blogger(s) here at The Joyful Quilter!!  We are nearing the end of another month.  Reliably, I received an email from Jane.  Right on schedule!  She is SEW good about reminding that I need to finish up my TABLE SCRAPS Challenge post.

Jane shared the following...

Here is my November Table Scraps Challenge, the blocks are extras from a top I made last year. A friend gave me a book and some border fabric and a challenge to make a quilt in the book. I made the top - it’s still waiting for quilting , but the extras are finished and quilted in my runner. The leaf shapes are all from actual leaves  from trees on our land where we lived before moving to the city. I knew those outlines would be used some day.


Although we do not celebrate Thanksgiving here in Oz, I have fond memories of some lovely gatherings in USA in years past,
Happy Thanksgiving to you and family, and your blog readers too.
Jane

Her November entry is this Orphan block beauty...

Give Jane's project some quilty love in the comments below.  I know that you enjoyed seeing her brilliant runner as much as I did!  Thank you for sending a photo for the blog, Jane.  I'm happy to post your project to inspire others to USE those orphan blocks that we quilters seem to accumulate!

Link Party REMINDER...

The November 2021 TABLE SCRAPS Link Party will be open from  Friday, November 26th @ 12:01 AM - MONDAY, November 29th @ 11:59 PM.  I hope that YOU join in the scrappy fun!

Until next time...

Run(ner) off those empty tables!!!

Mail Call Monday - Penny for your Thoughts

Welcome to another edition of Mail Call Monday!!  Last week I received an order that I had placed with Soma @ InkTorrents Graphics.  You may soon understand my post title.  Or maybe I'll just tell you where my head was. Some people like to write down their thoughts.  What better place than a journal?

Soma is one of my favorite artists and she recently offered some of her lovely handmade art journals for sale.

My comment:

The Joyful Quilter NOVEMBER 4, 2021 AT 15:05

That moss green one make me wish that I enjoyed painting. Soma! Best of luck with the sale of these beautiful books.

Afterwards, Soma changed her offerings to include something a little different for non-artists, such as myself.

The original offering was for watercolour books made with 140 lb. cold press artist grade 100% cotton watercolor paper.  Her NEW offering was created using 140 lb. high quality paper for pen and ink or gentle watercolor.

I couldn't resist...

It came tucked safely in a sturdy mailer:

Wrapped in paper and tied with a raffia bow, a thank you card tucked inside, as well:

Soma also included these beautiful hand painted bookmarks:

The following emails completed the transaction...

From me:

Arrived. Thank you, Soma! The little journal is lovely, as are the beautiful hand painted bookmarks you included. What a wonderful surprise!

Will I be brave enough to USE the sweet journal you sent? That remains to be seen.

Joy

Soma's reply:

I am so happy to hear that, Joy! 

I matched the colors for the bookmarks with the journal and from your quilts.  I had a lot of fun painting those little bookmarks to go with the book :)

Of course you are brave enough to use the journal.  Journals are meant to be used.  Start with one of your beautiful quilt patterns, draw that in, and then colour with whatever you wish- pencils, markers, watercolour pencils.  You will love it :D

-Soma

Until next time...

Support an artist!!

ScrapHappy Saturday - RSC 21 - Week 47

Welcome to Week 47 of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge!!  It's been a week.  I didn't keep up with daily entries and now I'm out of town for the weekend.

Here's all I've got for you...

Monday - Quilt Guild meeting and guess who won a door prize?!

Thursday - I sewed:

That was after zooming with LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color:

What were you sewing, Joyful???

A mask (straight out of the scrap bins) to vaguely coordinate with the dress I bought for my niece's wedding:

Choosing shoes (that my feet would tolerate) was another adventure:

The rest of the week was filled with appointments and work.  Thank goodness DS2 is doing all the grocery shopping!!

Have a great weekend! Please find the links. I didn't bring my computer and haven't been able to attach them. I'll add them when I get home.

Until next time...

Get SCRAPPY!! 

ScrapHappy Saturday - RSC21 - Week 46

Welcome to Week 46 of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge!!  This week, my schedule was not my own.  I had hopes for the evening hours.

Let's see how that went for me...

SUNDAY - See Joy sew:

MONDAY - Mail Call Monday

It was supposed to be one of my two days off for the week, but the manager needed someone to cover for a coworker who was scheduled to work today.

TUESDAY - Boy, is it ever hard to look at all these gourmet treats and not feel hungry all day long:

Southern Season

WEDNESDAY - Wonderful Wednesday

Zoom with LeeAnna @ Not Afraid of Color:

THURSDAY - Who stole the Daylight Saving Time?  I want it back.  I'm SEW tired!!  This was me at o-dark-thirty in the morning, preparing for my day and thinking about my Rainbow Scrap Challenge friends who may be working on colorful quilting projects today, as well as my  ZoomBEE friends:

The others met LIVE and in person today.  I was sad to miss out on the fabric fun.  :o((

FRIDAY - ZoomKNIT went LIVE this week, too!  I was pleased to be able to arrange my schedule so that it allowed me to attend:

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.

Colorful yarns at my friend Cindy's house yesterday:

Until next time...

Get SCRAPPY!!

Wonderful Wednesday - Baggie Mini Challenge

Welcome to another edition of Wonderful Wednesday!!  I recently mentioned that Janet @ Rogue Quilter was hosting a Mini Maker Baggie Challenge in conjunction with Wendy's Monthly Mini Challenge @ The Constant Quilter.  As soon as I saw it I knew that I wanted to participate, but with my track record for the past several months, I wasn't very hopeful that I would actually manage to complete a project.

Well...

When I received a comment from Jenny @ Romany Quilting over the weekend, I was inspired to go give it the old college try!  I'm not sure why, but her words sparked momentum in me:

JennyNovember 6, 2021 at 3:52 PM

Not a stitch of quilting, you say? Do hope you have put that right by now, or else you will get withdrawal symptoms!

I had pulled a variety of scrap bags earlier in the week and then decided on the patriotic one shown below:

What's in the bag, Joyful???

A variety of bits and pieces to tickle the designer in me:

Here's the down-and-dirty layout that I started with...

... Along with the makings of a backing panel:

Look, you guys!!  I'm sewing:

A mini quilt top was pieced from the contents of the baggie:

A backing was pieced, as well:

Here is the quilted and trimmed view of the front...

... Along with the back:

I even found the perfect strip of binding in the baggie.  This little leftover is less that 12" long:

The back was made from a lone block from the border of my (abandoned and refashioned) Sapphire Stars Mystery by Kevin @ Kevin the Quilter.  (Sadly, he's not currently blogging.)  All I had to do was add some chunks of background found within my challenge baggie:

Funny how it looks like I didn't use ANY of the scraps in the bag:

I assure you that EVERY BIT of this mini was pulled from the baggie shown in the opening photo.  Alas, it appears that I could make several more from the remains.  Thank you, Janet, for issuing this fun challenge!  Mini is my middle name.  OK, not really, but I certainly enjoy sewing small.  BIG thanks to Jenny, too!  Without your encouragement, I feel sure that the baggie of scraps would still be sitting on the cutting table untouched.

Sharing with Kelly

for

Needle and Thread Thursday

and

With Aycia

for

Finished (or Not) Friday

Later in the month I'll link up with Wendy

for

Monthly Mini Challenge

Until next time...

Many scraps. MINI challenge!!

Mail Call Monday - Surprise!

Welcome to another edition of Mail Call Monday!!  I've had a happy mailbox the past few weeks.

Wanna see???

First, this package from Kevin @ Kevin the Quilter (who is not currently blogging) arrived:

Inside was a story...

... And a copy of his Goodnight, Darlene pattern:

Oh!  Did you want to hear the story???

During the latter part of 2019, I won a prize drawing from Kevin's friend Lori @ Humble Quilts.  Potential winners left a comment about which of Kevin's patterns they would like to win.

Well...

At the time, I chose his Gracie Lu pattern.

Why wouldn't I???

I had a class scheduled with Kevin for April 2020 to learn his techniques for making Goodnight, Darlene.  I would get the pattern then.

You all KNOW what happened next!!!

The class with Kevin (and every other thing we had planned) got canceled.  That left me with no pattern to make Kevin's fabulous scrap quilt that I loved SEW much!   :o((

All's well that ends well (and patience is definitely a virtue.)  I contacted Kevin, and after a time, he managed to break away from the chickens and the airplane long enough to take a trip to the Post Office.  

THANK YOU, Kevin!!!

Then, a package arrived from Claning on Ravelry:

Inside was this darling hand pieced hexie project:

It had a story, too...

The following was found on the Quilters Knitting forum on Ravelry:

For Sale or Trade/Enable

Greetings! I have an “orphan” project that is looking for a new home.

I spent a fair amount of time this year finishing a piece of hexagon paper-piecing, just to be able to say I’d done it (and to learn a few of the subtleties). The hexes are about 1/2 inch on a side and the fabrics are mostly from an old fabric-sample book of curtain fabrics. (No idea what the fibers are; I did try to choose the less sleazy ones).

It’s now mounted on ivory cotton velveteen and all the basting and papers have been removed. The trouble is, the colors don’t suit me, or anything in my house.

I will happily ship it and add more of the velveteen. It would make a nice “show pillow” or tote bag. Free for the cost of postage.

Here's a closer look:

THANK YOU, Chris!!

I haven't decided what I will make from it.  The original intent was to finish it as a pillow for our new sofa.  Although, this may actually  end up being stretched on canvas or framed as an art piece.

Shortly after that package arrived, I learned that I had won another prize from Ann @ Fiber Designs by Ann.  She is an incredibly talented artist who enjoys sharing her work with her readers.  I feel fortunate to have received this little bundle in the mail:

These little beauties were nestled inside:

You can read a little about her process in THIS POST.

THANK YOU, Ann!!  I'm thrilled to have one gift taken care of for the upcoming holidays.  Looking at my photo above, these cards would make a lovely art piece, too.  I'll have to see what would work best for my intended recipient.

Until next time...

Hooray for happy mail!!

ScrapHappy Saturday - RSC21 - Week 45

Welcome to Week 45 of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge!!  This has been a whirlwind of activity and not a stitch of quilting.  Read on to find out what all went on in Joyful Quilterland.

SUNDAY - Sew Some Love Sunday

I found that Kat @ Kat and Cat Quilts posted the Nov/Dec Block Drive for Covered in Love.  Go have a look at the link she posted for an interesting array of textured blocks!  There's one in particular that I would like to try.  If you are curious, scroll down to Block 13: Lattice Smocking.  Kat is calling for blocks in blue and neutral.  Goodness knows there's no shortage of either of those in my scrap bins!

MONDAY - The Guest Blogger(s)

With my guest on the way out the door this morning, I decided to do something a little bit different! Where is The Joyful Quilter spending her time these days???

TUESDAY - I'm here with a public service announcement for my friends who enjoyed shopping at Southern Season in Chapel Hill.  Good news!!  Did you know that you can order many of your favorite gifts online?  Local customers can choose to pick-up at the Production Center in Graham, NC.  That's right, Southern Season fans!  Curbside pick-up is available.  If YOU happen to need help with your order, the Call Center is open from 9 AM - 5 PM on weekdays. (We're closed on weekends.)

WEDNESDAY - I thought that work would interfere with all of the crafty things.  However, it turned out that I got home in time for "business as usual."

It was a nice surprise to find that I would be able to Zoom with LeeAnna @ Not Afraid of Color:

In other news...

We got not one, but TWO offers on our old house today.  Thank you to everyone who has been thinking, hoping, and praying that the right buyer would come along!!!

THURSDAY - I ended up being able to join in this week's ZoomBEE, as well, thanks to Britt's reminder:

When we asked for best and final offers yesterday, one of them sweetened the pot, but not by enough to get the house.  DH (and I) prepared a counteroffer to present to the high bidder.

FRIDAY - Look who was able to go to ZoomKNIT, too:

Better than that...

By nightfall, we were pleased to announce to family and friends that we have a signed contract on our old house.  Please join me in a happy dance!!!

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. She released the final Full Stop tutorial today.  Find it HERE.

My cutting table is a bit of a mess.  This is only one of several scrap bags that have taken up residence:

The contents is set to become my entry for the Monthly Mini Maker Baggie Challenge being run by Janet @ Rogue Quilter:

It's due by the end of the of the year, but if this baggie doesn't work out, there are PLENTY more where it came from!  Surely, I can find time to make a small quilt, right?

Until next time...

Get SCRAPPY!!