2024 Rainbow Scrap Challenge - Year in Review

Welcome to the 2024 Rainbow Scrap Challenge - The Year in Review edition from The Joyful Quilter!!

It's the final day of the year and this is where I break my RSC progress down to a monthly review of scrap use.  If you saw my 2023 Year in Review post, you might know what comes next.

I would like to start off by thanking Angela for her continued offering of the RSC by hosting the 2024 Rainbow Scrap Challenge this year, even though she was super busy at work.  She even offered the RSC24 Sampler, but I wasn't able to participate.  The tutorials are available on her blog at THIS LINK, if you want to give it a try.  Her completed quilt top can be found HERE and it is SEW amazing!!

I'm sharing this post

with

Angela @ So Scrappy

Now, let's take a look at my Rainbow Scrap Challenge progress for the year...

I started off the year with a plan to create donation quilt tops in each of the RSC Colors of the Month, inspired by Jasmine @ Quilt Kisses and her TUTORIAL for the Jumbo Jelly Roll Race quilt.  I'll share those below, as well.


JANUARY - Dark and/or Bright GREEN

I started off the year with this fun little project with a handful of scraps:

 I also made this Snowflake at Midnight wall hanging:

My TABLE SCRAPS Challenge with GREEN hidden in the lower left quadrant.
~17.5" wide x 23.5" tall

FEBRUARY - RED

My February 2024 TABLE SCRAPS Challenge entry that I made from pre-sewn scraps:

As the month came to a close, I squeaked in a couple of Donation quilt tops:

45" x 48"

45" x 45"

MARCH - PURPLE

I made a Quilted Jacket for PQ15.5 that included the Color of the Month:

PURPLE might not have been the focus this runner from PQ15.6, but it was definitely included:

This wall hanging for gifting (that came in a scrap bag from my friend Deborah at a recent Quilt Bee meeting) for March's TABLE SCRAPS Challenge:

I cut pieces for a Donation Quilt top in PURPLE, but couldn't find the finishing post:

APRIL - YELLOW

For this month's TABLE SCRAPS Challenge entry, I made this Umbrella Wall Hanging:

MAY - PINK

This month, I decided on a table runner for my TABLE SCRAPS Challenge entry:

This month's Donation Quilt top:

JUNE - BLUE

My TABLE SCRAPS Challenge entry for June:

JULY - AQUA

This month's TABLE SCRAPS Challenge entry was this Improv Butterfly Pillow Cover:

AUGUST - ORANGE:

Here is August's TABLE SCRAPS Challenge eentry made of ORANGE scraps to hold more scraps.  Shown below with its Bonus Pincushion:

I also made this mug rug for Britt with scraps from Maggie, but couldn't find it posted:

SEPTEMBER - DARK or Black

For my TABLE SCRAPS Challenge entry, I made this darling Leafy Mini Runner for the gallery wire in my studio:

OCTOBER - LIGHT or Brown

Between packing for a retreat, being away for a week, and working, I only managed this mini quilt from the Kitty Kitty pattern at Jordan Fabrics.  It's my TABLE SCRAPS Challenge entry for this month, shown overlooking the magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains:

NOVEMBER - Assembly of Blocks

For the purposes of the ABC (Table) SCRAPS Challenge, I made an executive decision and called for MAKERS CHOICE.  I made this Tree wall hanging:

10" wide x 12" tall

DECEMBER - Finishing and Quilting

For my final entry for the TABLE SCRAPS Challenge, I called for RAINBOW and here is what I made...

Last year:

And another rainbow project that I wanted to remake to end this year - but couldn't because of my broken finger:

As you saw above, I sewed with the Color of the Month.  (Almost) EVERY month and in MOST of the things!  My RSC productivity was fair, thanks in part to the 2024 TABLE SCRAPS Challenge projects which were done in the RSC Color of the Month throughout the year.  I am still enjoying the pairing of my participation in the two challenges while continuing to focus on sewing through Mt. Scrapmore!!

Speaking of the TABLE SCRAPS Challenge...

I'm SEW glad that Judy @ Busy Hands are Happy Hands, Deb @  Happy to be Scrappy and LeeAnna @ Not Afraid of Color encouraged me to offer it again in conjunction with the 2024 Rainbow Scrap Challenge!  Next year, I am offering yet another updated version.  I hope YOU will play along!

Are YOU up for a TABLE SCRAPS Challenge???

Check out THIS POST to find out the particulars for 2025.  Visit last Friday's POST to discover what's in store for the January prompt.

Until next time...

Quilt SO scrappy!!! 

Sharing with Alycia

for

Finished (Or Not) Friday

ScrapHappy Saturday - RSC24 - Week 52

Welcome to Week 52 of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge!!  This week SHOULD have been about scrap sewing.  Alas, that was not the case.

Read on to discover what transpired...

SUNDAY - Weekly Morning Art Zoom found me gluing a calendar page into the journal I'm using for this session of The Ugly Art Club's 5 Minute Challenge BINGO:

While waiting for the day's next big thing, I decided that I wanted to add one more thing to my Winging It page.  The leaf I used for stamping finished off the page nicely:

Later in the afternoon, Knittingsuek and I met for our Weekly Zoom call:

​

MONDAY - Mail Call Monday

See this journal page and more in the post linked above:

Work

It was a busy day that fell somewhat flat after lunch.  I was thrilled when my manager said that I could head home early!  :o))

TUESDAY - Tidy-Up Tuesday

Work

Today was a short day.  Again, I was pleased with being able to go home early.

WEDNESDAY - Merry Christmas to all who celebrate!!!

I made the following journal page with the remnants of my family's gift tags:

THURSDAY - Best of 2024

Work

Monthly Evening Quilt Bee was attended by the following quilters:

FRIDAY - TABLE SCRAPS Challenge

Knit Group?  Yes!!  I was able to attend our holiday party at Tracy's:

Weekly Evening Art Zoom found me adding gesso to the next few pages in my 5 Minute Challenge BINGO journal for The Ugly Art Club.  I'm not part of their membership, but enjoy working along with the challenges they offer twice each year:

SATURDAY - ARTventure at Britt's found us watching Get Messy's Release and Return Retreat today as we each worked on our own projects:

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.  Catch ya later, quilty peeps!

Until next time...

Get SCRAPPY!!

December 2024 - TABLE SCRAPS Challenge - Link Party

Shiny NEW December LINK PARTY is now LIVE!!!

Welcome to the December 2024 edition of the TABLE SCRAPS Challenge here at the Joyful Quilter!!  I'll start with a little backstory, in case you are new here.  (Apologies to my regular readers since you already know all about it.) I'm a scrap quilter who had been setting up individual challenges for several years in conjunction with Angela's (RSC) Rainbow Scrap Challenge @ So Scrappy.  Participants from around the corner, across the country and around the world have been having SEW much fun and we all have MORE scraps to use, so I am pleased to offer the...

In 2024, we have a broad range of quilted items that are appropriate for linking to the Challenge.  Baskets and bins, along with pillows and pin cushions, are all qualifying projects.  Not just the toppers, runners, and mug rugs.  Basically, ANY small quilted item qualifies.  The main premise is that you USE the (new or old) SCRAPS from your cutting table (or your friend's cutting table - since that's where the majority of my scraps come from!)

There will be a prompt each month to help get your creative juices flowing.  While you are NOT required to use it in your project, the guiding word will be revealed at the end of each month's LINK PARTY post.  Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the following month's focus.  It, along with the RSC Color of the Month (as soon as Angela releases it - around the 1st of the month.) will also be added to the 2024 TABLE SCRAPS Challenge page at the top of the blog.

The theme for December was:

PLUS SIGN(S)

One the first, I assessed my rainbow of scrap baskets for this month's TABLE SCRAPS Challenge entry:

Please excuse the tumbled/overstuffed state of the shelves.

Well, wonder of wonders...

A plan came to mind!  I decided that I would recreate this mini:

Alas...

Three weeks ago, I broke a finger on my dominant hand.  :o((

This past weekend...

I sorted through my drawer of pre-cut squares and selected an array that somewhat resembles the ones in the photo above:

About my completed project...

I'm hoping that my attempt counts for something!!  The intention was there, but I wasn't able to get it sewn together into a quilt top, as the proportions were off and would have resulted in a larger quilt than I had in mind.  Oh!  And sewing with my finger in a splint was absolutely impossible!  :o((

Here is the layout I will use...

Once I'm actually able to cut and sew again: 

What's next, Joyful???

There are still a few more days before the new month begins.  I'm guessing that Angela will be assigning a Color of the Month for January on her Rainbow Scrap Challenge post that goes live tomorrow.  She chose:

PINK

January's theme is:

WARM BEVERAGE / SOMETHING COZY

NOTE:  I'm excited to see what YOU are inspired to create, but remember, you are NOT required to use the suggested theme!!  I'm not sure what I will make, but I'm sure I'll figure something out before the end of the January!

And now...

It's time for YOU to link up your RAINBOW and/or PLUS SIGN project in the LINK PARTY below.  All entries MUST be submitted by Wednesday, January 1st @ 11:59PM (EST).

Until next time...

USE those table scraps!!!

#tablescrapschallenge2024

Best of 2024

Hello, quilting friends!!  If you are new to The Joyful Quilter, welcome.  If you have visited before, welcome back!  Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs is continuing her Best of... link party tradition.  Follow THIS LINK to see all of the wonderful bloggers who have joined in the fun.  Here is her new button for the 10th anniversary edition of the Link Party:

To take part in the link party, participants were asked to write a blog post highlighting our "best" 5 posts from 2024 and join the linkup.  Cheryl suggested the following examples of posts to be included:

• Posts with the most views
• Posts with the most comments
• Posts that provoked the best discussions
• Posts showing your favorite finishes
• Posts of your best tutorials
• Posts that are simply your favorites

She said that this post is not only a great way to find new readers, it is also wonderful to be able to highlight some of your best posts for those readers who have joined your blog throughout the year."

The link party will open the day after Christmas on Thursday, December 26th and will be open for one week ending on Thursday, January 2nd.

This will be my 6th (consecutive) year of participation.  Those of you who have been following me for a while know that this year has been one of work, art, and health issues.  Not a lot of quilting as been accomplished!  I was able to enjoy two Quilt Retreat during the year.  It made some progress possible, but didn't result in many completed projects.

Here is an overview of my productivity for the year:

I completed 9 mini quilts/quilted mug rugs, 2 quilted pin cushions, 2 table mat/runners and 3 wall hanging, plus 5 other quilted items (including 1 pillow cover, 3 placemats, and 1 quilted jacket.)  I also finished 1 large commission quilt, and 1 donation quilt.

Items made per month...

January - 4

February - 3

March - 5

April - 1

May - 1

June - 1

July - 1

August - 2

September - 2

October - 2

November - 1

December - 0

I made a total of 23 quilted items in 2024.  (13 of those were made as a result of Angela's Rainbow Scrap Challenge and/or in conjunction with my TABLE SCRAPS Challenge.)  I'm shocked by the low number of finishes I was able to complete.  My productivity hasn't been this low in years!  No worries!!!  Another chance is coming in the new year.

How does one decide on her BEST posts for the year??

I took a long and hard look at the posts written in 2024, but choosing the BEST was quite a challenge...


Mine include the following...

Most modern finish - PQ 15.2 - Sky Color

Favorite TABLE SCRAPS Challenge finish - June 2024 - A Trio of Watermelons

Resulted in THREE donations for our Guild's Meals on Wheels Placemat Drive!

Quirkiest quilt finish - PQ15.1 Bird House

Favorite Rainbow Scrap Challenge finish - January 2024 - Snowflake at Midnight

Shrunken version of the Snowflake Quilt pattern.

AND...

Most amazing outcome from a finish - PQ 15.4 Hourglass

More on that in the next week or so.

Thank you for joining me in this review.  I'm happy that Cheryl organized a Link Party dedicated to reminding us to take another look at the blog posts we've written during the year.  If not for this venture, I would have left THREE projects off this year's list.  Whoops!

Also, please remember to check out my NEW 2025 TABLE SCRAPS Challenge!  You can find the full details HERE.

Until next time...
Quilt the year away!!!

Thanks to the reader who noticed that I posted the year as 2025 instead of 2024.

Apparently, I had already moved on or I got this one confused with my planning post.

Whoops!  I've fixed that now.

January 7, 2025

Tidy-Up Tuesday - A Gift for You - TABLE SCRAPS Challenge 2025

Welcome to a new edition of Tidy Up Tuesday!!  It's been a quite a while since the last post in this series and this one is a bit different from the norm.  After tying up some loose ends, I have a gift for you.

A gift, Joyful???

Yes.  The TABLE SCRAPS Challenge (TSC) is back for another round of scrap sewing fun!  I'm here to introduce the updated version for 2025.  How challenging is it if a challenge is exactly the same from year to year?  That's why I invited some friends to help with the prompt list.  I hope you are as excited to hear about it as I am to tell you about it!

Out with the OLD and in with the NEW...

For 2025, I will be offering a MONTHLY THEME to help inspire/inform your work.  What you do with the theme is up to you!  As before, we will continue WORKING WITH SCRAPS from our cutting table (hence the name of the challenge.)  

They say size matters, however...

There's no need to worry about your project being too small or TOO BIG!  Your ENTRIES MAY INCLUDE small items such as basket, bags, pillows, and pin cushions, in addition to runners, toppers, and mug rugs.  AGAIN...  For the purposes of the 2025 Challenge, I invite you to make ANY size project you would like.  If you want to make a full size quilt each month... Knock your socks off!!  :o))

While Angela offers color suggestions through her Rainbow Scrap Challenge, you are always welcome to sew with whatever scraps you choose.

Important Note for Non-bloggers...

Non-bloggers are welcome to email a photo of their entries to share here on The Joyful Quilter.  Instagram users can link to @thejoyfulquilter using the tag #tablescrapschallenge2025 and #tablescrapschallenge when posting participating projects.

What qualifies???

Any quilted item you would like to make.  Surprise us!  You are encouraged to use each month's theme in whatever form they lead. Your interpretation of what to do with it is NOT limited to using the actual prompt in your project!  Although, you are welcome to do that, you may also relate the theme to a color, quilting technique or project type.  Interpreting an item that resembles the prompt is appropriate for a challenge entry, as well.  (Example BOWs = Bow Tie blocks, fabric with bows on it, or depicting an archer, etc.)

The most important part is to have FUN while using the fabric scraps from your cutting table!!

Find the January 2025 TABLE SCRAPS Challenge here...

December 2024 TABLE SCRAPS Challenge Link Party (LIVE on/after Friday, 12/29/24.)

About the prompts for 2025...

As I mentioned a moment ago, they were a collaboration among myself and quilting friends Judy @ Busy Hands Are Happy Hands, LeeAnna @ Not Afraid of Color, along with "The 2023 Temp" at work.  They have been distributed throughout the months of the year wherever the seemed to fit.  Our monthly theme will be release as in previous years.

However...

You may find this year's prompts somewhat less concrete than in other years.  While you may disagree, I just thought that some obscure prompts might be fun to interpret.  I don't want to scare you away!  I just wanted to make sure that the challenge was actually challenging.  The good news is that you ALWAYS have the Color of the Month to fall back on, if you aren't able to think of a way to interpret the prompt!!!  Find each month's word (or phrase) prompt at the end of the previous month's Link Party post.  January 2025's prompt is listed near the bottom of December 2024's TABLE SCRAPS post HERE and I will also update the list on the 2025 TABLE SCRAPS Challenge tab at the top of the blog so that you can easily check back, if you miss a link-up.

When is my monthly project due???

The Link Party will go LIVE on the LAST Friday of every month at 12:00 AM (EST).  You will have until 11:59 PM (EST) on the following Wednesday to join the fun.

I'm SEW looking forward to seeing what YOU will make and your take on using the prompts that I will provide.

Until next time...

Go forth and USE those SCRAPS!!!

Mail Call Monday - Artsy Ephemera Swap

Welcome to another edition of Mail Call Monday!!  I'm here to share the Happy Mail that arrived today.  As somewhat of a casual collector of stamps, I was thrilled with these sweet snowflake stamps: 

What was in the envelope, Joyful???

I had signed up for the last Ephemera Swap of the year at Get Messy.  My partner was running a bit behind schedule, but I knew she would come through:

Here's a peek at what that envelope was stuffed with...

On the top of the stack of papers was a sweet note from Traci:

Paper, postcards and pockets? Napkins, stickers and tags. So many wonderful goodies. Thank you for swapping with me, Traci! Just look at all the fun stuff she sent:

I was so looking forward to creating a page in my Happy Mail journal.  You know what that means, don't you?  That's right!  I went straight up to the studio and sorted through the contents.

This is the left side of the journal spread...

And here is the right side:

I had so much fun working with the items and there's still a LOT of ephemera remaining to be used in other journals as time goes by.

Until next time...

You can find me up in the studio!