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!!

APRIL 2025 - TABLE SCRAPS Challenge - Link Party

Welcome to the APRIL 2025 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 2025, 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 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 2025 TABLE SCRAPS Challenge page at the top of the blog.

The theme for APRIL was:

RAIN

Why, Joyful???

We all know that April showers bring May flowers, right?  I thought that might be a fun prompts, so I went with it!

But...

When I saw this fabric scrap at my friend Tiffany's house after she finished the new curtains for her camper, inspiration struck:

Thanks for sharing, Tif!!!

Just LOOK at this sweet RED dog:

Now, I just needed to search my RED Quilted Scrap Basket to find a few friends for those puppies, along with something for a background:

Oh!  Thank you to the lovely quilter who shared this off-cut with me:

These kitty paws should work nicely, as well:

WAIT!!!  Where are the RED scraps???

No worries!  I didn't forget them...

Here I am sewing it all together:

I decided that a good way to add a few more RED scraps for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge would be to add some scrappy borders:

Once the top was done, I found a scrap of batting and backing that worked then layered it up:

What does all this have to do with the RAIN theme, Joyful???

Stick with me, if you haven't figured it out yet!  The photo below shows the final quilting.  If you zoom in on the photo, you'll see how it relates:

Once the threads were trimmed and the binding was selected,  I set to finishing the quilt....

I'm pleased to present my completed APRIL 2025 TABLE SCRAPS Challenge quilt which I'm calling "It's Raining Cats and Dogs".  I did some stealth quilting and you might be able to make out the words along the top and bottom borders:

In retrospect, it might have been better to quilt the words in black, but it was too late by the time I figured that out.  Let's just call it a little surprise for in-person viewers.  :o))

What's next, Joyful???

I'm guessing that Angela will announce the Color of the Month for May on her Rainbow Scrap Challenge in the next few days or so.  I'll post an update as soon as she has made her selection:

GREEN

MAY's theme is:

FRESH CUT GRASS

NOTE:  Like the last one, I realize it might be an odd prompt for a quilt, but there are so many directions it can be taken.  I'm looking forward to seeing what you are inspired to create!  While I look forward to seeing what you might make using the prompt, you are NOT required to use the suggested theme!!  The main goal is using up some of your scraps.  Like last month, I'm not really sure what I'm going to do yet. Only time will tell!

And now...

It's time for YOU to link up your RAIN and/or RED project in the LINK PARTY below.  All entries MUST be submitted by Wednesday, May 7th @ 11:59PM (EDT).  That means there's some extra days built in since the last Friday of the month was so early.  Have fun with it!

Until next time...

USE those table scraps!!!

#tablescrapschallenge2025

The 100 Day Project - #100Days100ThingsDecluttered - Week 8

Welcome to Week 8 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 8:

1 pr. shoe inserts

2 pr. shoes

3 pr. shorts

4 sweaters

6 expired pantry items

1 shirt

1 another pr. jeans

1 blouse

1 pr. pants

1 wallet (new in pkg.)

1 beach cover-up

2 purses

3 pr. socks (new in pkg.)

1 reusable shopping bag

1 clothes hanger

1 eye glass holder

18 unnecessary personal products

12 kitchen gadgets

5 pc. art

5 pr. glasses

2 Anne of Green Gables dolls

8 sewing patterns

6 pillows

2 dead garden plants 

Total: 88/100

Updated 100 Day Project Total: 303/100

What's in the box, Joyful???

Well, first, I filled the suitcase shown above before moving to the art closet:

A box in the bathroom called to me when I went to take my medicine.  I've been meaning to donate a few more pairs of glasses, but kept forgetting to take them to the Vision Center:

And finally, the box, where you can see items from the kitchen and the studio:

Then, since I was so close to the next my next target, I dug into the linen closet: 

Thank you to those of you who encouraged me in my decluttering efforts last week!  I appreciate your kind comments and your willingness to cheer me along.  It really helps keep me going on this decluttering journey.

Carole @ From My Carolina Home blog reported on her own decluttering:

I have been doing a declutter challenge as well, the 21-day one that takes categories of things in the sewing room for attention, like magazines, rulers, cutting implements, fabric, etc. I decided to tackle my card making supplies as well, and pulled well over 100 items to put up for a stamping supply sale. I hope to have the sale next week. In the meantime, fabric and notions are going to the exchange table at guild.

Chantal confessed the following in a recent blog POST:

Decluttering is still an on-going adventure. Sara did such a great job that it spurred me on. I'll keep it for another post though as this post might end up including the kitchen sink.

And here's what Sara had to say:

I spent zero time sewing today but did clean out part of our master closet. Lots more stuff leaving the house tomorrow.

Cherie chimed in with this comment:

Yay! You go, Joy. I have been more mindful of decluttering as I go about my day but haven’t yet given it my full on effort.

To which I replied:

Decluttering as you go about your day makes quite a difference, Cherie! I find it to be better (and less overwhelming) than trying to do a BIG purge all at once. That's exactly why I've made it my 100 Day Project two years in a row!

@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 16

Welcome to Week 16 of the 2025 Rainbow Scrap Challenge!!  This week may be all about errands for the upcoming holiday.  There SHOULD be time for some RED scrap sewing, but we'll have to see if that actually happens.

Please keep reading to discover truth about my week...

SUNDAY - Weekly Morning Art Zoom found me doing random artsy tasks.  One of those tasks was rolling matte medium on my gel plate and adding it to the portrait I drew last week.  It had been done using one of my Stabilo All water soluble pencils and this should prevent accidental water damage:

I stayed after for a quick chat with Britt...

And late in the afternoon, I met with Knittingsuek for our Weekly Zoom Call:

MONDAY - Day Off

It's errand day.  I went furniture shopping and stopped at the art supply store.  I also did a pharmacy run and picked up the groceries that were unavailable yesterday.

TUESDAY - #100Days100ThingsDecluttered

Day Off

I debated waiting another day or two, but with the upcoming holiday weekend, I went to grocery shopping for the items that somehow missed our previous list.

After lunch, I attended the new Second Time Around Hangout on Get Messy.  Barb can't make it to Curiosity Collective and decided to start another Open Studio event for others who aren't able to attend or those who might like to try the weekly lessons again.  I did last week's watercolor River Flow lesson in acrylics on the gel plate...

And transferred the print to my DIY Lay Flat journal, adding some marks with a few Posca pens for extra interest:

WEDNESDAY - Wonderful Wednesday

Day Off

I had the morning free, so I went on a hunt for items to add to next week's #100Days100ThingsDecluttered list.  More on that next Tuesday!  I hope you will come back then to see what went in the box.

When I tired of that - after THREE HOURS - I did a bit of scrap sewing.  No RED scraps, but my RED pin cushion kept me company as I stitched components for an upcoming challenge quilt:

After lunch, I enjoyed my Weekly Zoom Call with LeeAnna @ Not Afraid of Color:

THURSDAY - Day Off

(Weekly) Quilt Group at Ruth B's house.  I forgot to take a group photo, but captured this sweet moment between our hostess and her caregiver, who had received a quilt from our group today as a thank you for taking such good care of our friend.  The photo below shows the final hug once the rest of us received our own hugs and heartfelt thanks:

I made a quick stop at the Scrap Exchange once the meeting was over...

But still made it home in time for Curiosity Collective with @shannanoel for Ready Set 10.  She encouraged us to gather supplies, set a timer, and work with our paper scraps.  I worked as I watched her video, so may or may not have spent more than the allotted 10 minutes on making my journal page:

FRIDAY - Work

I should be at Knit Group, but work got in the way today.  :o((

While I thought I would miss Get Messy's Open Studio with Deandra, I got off work early and work on this journal spread swatching my new Opera Pink paints - inspired by the Creative Color Workshop with Michelle Gibbs that I watched late yesterday afternoon:

Before dinner, I went out back to track down DH.  I found that the rhody was blooming:

After dinner, nothing could keep me away from my Weekly Evening Art Zoom!  The leftover paint from the afternoon's swatch session was just right for this page in my DIY Lay Flat journal.  I had used my smallest gel plate as a palette and the print needed some embellishment.  Collage and marks from a favorite stencil finished off the journal spread:

SATURDAY - Work

It's LINK PARTY day for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge!  I wasn't able to release my post before heading out.  I hope you just went on ahead and visited Angela @ So Scrappy to see what the RSC Quilters have been up to this week.

What RED scrap sewing did you do this week, Joyful???

Zero.  Nil.  Nada.  Even though DS1 fixed my trusty original 25 year old Pfaff, I just didn't have it in me to do any RED scrap sewing this week.  Here's hoping that I can knock out my TABLE SCRAPS Challenge entry in the few days that I have off next week!

After work there was my Zoom call with Knittingsuek.  We enjoyed a chat along with plotting and planning our next quilting event:

Until next time...

Get SCRAPPY!!

Wonderful Wednesday - The Sew Day Edition

Welcome to another edition of Wonderful Wednesday!!  I'm here to share photos from my Quilt Bee Sew Day that happened on Saturday.  I didn't take a lot of photos, but had to capture these lovely iris on the way into the building...

And I shared the group photo in my RSC post over the weekend, but will share it again here so you can see our group of 12 quilters in attendance, in case you missed it:

We arrived in dribs and drabs, but soon enough, there was cutting and sewing underway.  That's when I spotted the new gadget that Maggie got in the mail this week - a LIGHTED ruler:

I meant to take photos of what everyone was working on.  I started with Deborah who was helping Ruth B. with her project, but I got distracted and that was the end of capturing everyone's projects:

After our tasty Potluck Lunch...

 Maggie started off Show and Tell:

I shared the 2 donation quilts that I finished last week.  Everyone was surprised since I normally go small.  The comments included "That's more like it!" when I showed this sample block created by shrinking Bonnie Hunter's 2024 County Clare Leader/Ender Challenge:

Cheryl K. showed of her latest quilt top...

As well as her latest completed quilt which was quilted by Britt:

Deborah's quilt shirt was not to be missed:

Almost everyone bugged out at 3:30...

Everyone EXCEPT for Britt...

And me!!!

We finished up what we were working on before packing up and going to get our cars for loading:

What a wonderful day and SEW productive!  Thank you again to SECU Family House, Chapel Hill, for hosting us and thank you to Candy for arranging the event.

Until next time...

Let's go SEW!!!