ScrapHappy Saturday - RSC25 - Week 22

Welcome to Week 22 of the 2025 Rainbow Scrap Challenge!!  This week should definitely have some GREEN scrap sewing involved with all the art of Messy May.

Here's how the week panned out...

SUNDAY - Weekly Morning Art Zoom started my day.  I worked on my INTRICACY prompt for Messy May:

This afternoon I worked on finishing this spread in my Happy Mail journal.  Special thanks to Cheryl from Get Messy for my first ATC Swap - with some fun extra goodies included:

MONDAY - Holiday/Day Off

I spent some time up in the studio this afternoon designing my window seat block for our Scrap Club (Patreon) group quilt with Kristen Hubert @ Scrap Fabric Love:

In neighborhood news...

House #15 and #17 were going up today:

While there, I gathered GREEN scraps and started to sew:

TUESDAY - #100Days100ThingsDecluttered

Day Off

I spent the morning sewing these GREEN fabric scraps:

Get Messy's Open Studio with Barb this afternoon, but she was absent today.  The "regulars" were in attendance, though.  I worked on today's ELEMENTAL prom[t for Messy May:

House #15 and #17 saw some good progress today:

WEDNESDAY - The Guest Blogger(s)

Day Off

Errands were supposed to be followed by my Weekly Zoom Call with LeeAnna @ Not Afraid of Color, but, she couldn't make it today.  :o((

Instead, I worked on the PIECES journal page for Messy May:

THURSDAY - Day Off

(Weekly) Quilt Group, but no group photo this time.  Afterwards, I stopped by the bowling alley to pick up dinner for the guys at The Pig Pin by Fat Man.  I've got a meeting tonight and we had a coupon for a FREE sandwich:

Even with the stop, I still made it home in time for Curiosity Collective.  I made the following page using the TEXTILES prompt for Get Messy as a memory of that quilt block I'm constructing...

And started on the final page in this section of my journal:

Later, I got a text from LeeAnna.  She was ready for a quick Zoom Call...

I finished up just in time to head out to my Monthly Evening Quilt Bee.  I didn't get a group photo, but capture Maggie and Sue's Show and Tell about their misadventures with the kits for the Mondo Bag by QuiltSmart.  Please note that the bags too MANY HOURS to make:

FRIDAY - TABLE SCRAPS Challenge

Day Off

Apparently, my Knit Group got the Color of the Month memo for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  Here we are all decked out in GREEN:

Get Messy's Open Studio with Deandra found me starting on PRESENTATION prompt for Messy May and...

At my Weekly Evening Art Zoom's I finished what I started earlier today:

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.

I thought there would be no Zoom call with Knittingsuek since I just saw her on Thursday, but we meet for a single session...

I also attended the opening of the new season at Get Messy and did a bit of art:

Speaking of art...

Here is May's GREEN display on my gallery wire.  On the left...

And on the right:

Until next time...

Get SCRAPPY!!

MAY 2025 - TABLE SCRAPS Challenge - Link Party

 Welcome to the MAY 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.

This month's color was:

GREEN

Here are the scraps I had to work with:

The theme for May was:

FRESH CUT GRASS

I have to say, I was so excited that the color and the prompt aligned SEW perfectly!!!

It's remarkable that it worked out this way.  THANK YOU, Angela!!!  It was much better than the "red rain" pairing last month!  Wouldn't you agree?

However...

I didn't make ANYTHING remotely like I had originally planned.

What project did you choose, Joyful???

I dug through the GREEN Quilted Scrap Basket shown above and pulled out the light or "grassy" colored scraps.  Then I started sewing the assorted sizes together into ~24" strips of varying heights, much wider than I normally construct:

Once the rows were sewn, I assembled them into a top and selected a scrap of batting:

This is a photo of the final row of pin basting...

And here is a better look at the scrap of backing I selected... Dandelions!  Perfect for our somewhat less than perfect lawn:

As with the basting, below you will see the very last of the quilting:

Here is my (semi)completed May 2025 TABLE SCRAPS Challenge project...

These are a few closeups for you...

Up near the top, there are the "stragglers" that grow above the rest of the lawn:

Down near the "ground" is where you'll spot the FRESH CUT GRASS:

The "dandelions" are only temporary.  They are a placeholder for the rest of the chair cover.  It will be completed with a rainbow of colors, a project that I've had in mind for quite some time.  The original cover was completely shot, as evidenced by the gaping hole you can see where the seat meets the back:

What's next, Joyful???

I'm guessing that Angela will announce the Color of the Month for June on her Rainbow Scrap Challenge post tomorrow.  I'll post an update as soon as she has made her choice:

???

June's theme is:

LIFE'S A BEACH

NOTE:  I want to thank Judy @ Busy Hands are Happy Hands blog for suggesting this month's prompt.  I love the sounds and colors of the beach.  They put me in mind of many a holiday and there are so many ways you can work this theme into a quilt project.  I'm looking forward to seeing what you are inspired to create!  Remember, while I look forward to seeing what you might make using the month's prompt, you are NOT required to use the suggested theme!!  The main goal is using up some of your scraps.  I have to say, I am SEW excited to come up with a design to fit our June challenge!

And now...

It's time for YOU to link up your FRESH CUT GRASS and/or GREEN project in the LINK PARTY below.  All entries MUST be submitted by Wednesday, June 4th @ 11:59PM (EST).

Until next time...

USE those table scraps!!!

#tablescrapschallenge2025

As found at TARGET last week...

Fresh Cut Grass 

AND...

Dandelion

The Guest Blogger(s) - Vol. ? - Debbie Mows the Grass

Well, sort of...

Welcome to Volunteer 59 of The Guest Blogger(s)!!  (I forgot to go back to check the volume number prior to publishing this post.  Whoops!  Guess what I got the other day?  I received an email from Debbie M., one of my Get Messy Art membership friends.  She's been busy with her TABLE SCRAPS Challenge for the FRESH CUT GRASS prompt this month.

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

Here is my May challenge piece. I live near a farm that raises goats. I love to watch them play. I keep telling my husband we need a goat at our house. The goat could earn its keep by keeping our grass down. Since I can’t sell him on the idea, this is my goat keeping the grass mowed down.

I replied:

Thanks, Debbie! What a sweet entry for the challenge. Love it!

Here's the accompanying photo that Debbie sent:

Give Debbie some quilty love in the comments below.  I'm SEW happy to share her adorable 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 MAY 2025 Link Party opens on  Friday, May 30th @ 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, June 4th @ 11:59 PM (EDT).

Until next time...

USE those (table) SCRAPS!!!

The 100 Day Project - #100Days100ThingsDecluttered - Week 13

 Welcome to Week 13 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.

For those of you who missed last week's post, I hit the 400/100 mark!!!

My decluttering efforts for  Week 13 included stored items left from Dad's kitchen:

4 sm. storage bins

2 hot mitts

3 pastry bags

1 cake decorating booklet

24 (poly blend) cloth napkins

14 cookie cutters (new in pkg.)

1 cookie press (nib)

1 smart scoop (nib)

10 random gadgets (nip)

2 sets tongs 

3 bottle sealers

1 bottle opener 

1 pizza cutter 

2 bx. food saver rolls

1 marble rolling pin

1 rolling pin holder

Total: 70/100

Updated 100 Day Project Total: 470/100

Again, I'm pretty close to the next milestone!  What did I do???  I went rummaging for 30 more items, that's what!

How did you do, Joyful???  Let's take a look...

I went through the two large tubs from DH's shop out back and discovered these additional items to part with: 

3 mesh strainers

4 frying pans 

4 baking pans

5 sauce pots

1 cupcake pan

1 loaf pan

1 kitchen scale 

1 plastic bowl

2 (more) oven mitts 

6 kitchen towels 

1 (more) pastry bag 

3 cooking pamphlets

3 pot glass lids

1 sm. ladle

1 grater

1 sushi mat 

2 funnels

2 metal trivets

2 cutting boards

16 chip clips

Revised Total: 130/100

Revised 100 Day Project Total: 600/100

I didn't count as I went along.  I just sorted through the bins to see what could go.  As it turned out...

A whole lot left AND the count rocketed by last year's total!!!

Thank you to those of you who encouraged me in my decluttering efforts this past week!  I appreciate your kind comments.  They continue to make my decluttering journey more worthwhile.

Here are a couple of the comments about Week 12's results...

Diann @ Little Penguin Quilts

You're doing great, keeping up with your decluttering goals, Joy! I am not as organized as you, but things do go out here and there. Every little bit counts, right?!

To which I responded:

Thanks, Diann! Every little bit definitely helps throughout the year. I really like trying extra hard to get things out

during the 100 Day Project.

Chantal @ At the Corner of Scraps and Quilts

Congrats on reaching your goal of 400! Whoop Whoop! I have to crank up my efforts as I've been slacking lately. (Too many bags of goodies coming in, lol.) You are my inspiration. Bravo! ;^)

I replied as follows:

Glad to be of service, Chantal, and thanks for celebrating 400 with me!

@dothe100dayproject

#The100DayProject

#DoThe100DayProject

#100Days100Things_TheDeclutterEdition

#100Days100ThingsDecluttered

#filltheboxjoy

Come back next week for a review of the project.  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 21

Welcome to Week 21 of the 2025 Rainbow Scrap Challenge!!  This week ???  Who knows how it will go?!  It's going to be a busy one, that's for sure.

Let's find out together...

SUNDAY - Dare to Roll started my day with working on the JUMP prompt from Messy May using the following methods - pens, pastels, stitching, favorite supply/technique/tools, and write it:

After lunch I attended Consie Sindet's @atopserenityhill May Creative Playdate.  She gave us a laundry list of prompts to work through our page.  It's nothing like I normally make, but it was a lot of fun:

MONDAY - Day Off

I started the day off with a bit of art.  The SISTERHOOD prompt was hosted by @lilysolstudio.  She suggested adding multiple female figures and nature into our pages.  I did that like this...

Lunch was followed by some decluttering before it was time for my Weekly Zoom Call with LeeAnna @ Not Afraid of Color:

By the time we were finished talking, it was time to get ready for this month's Quilt Guild meeting.  Our Silent Auction was tonight.  I did well and only spent $20 and a large portion of that was for one of those wooden ruler holders so I'm pretty pleased with myself.

TUESDAY - #100Days100ThingsDecluttered

Open Studio with Barb found me working on the FLOWY prompt using a collage background with acrylic inks on top:

Later this afternoon, I took a watercolor class with Tracy Weinzapfel @twstudios.  Watercolor is NOT my first art language:

WEDNESDAY - Day Off

Today was an errand day.  Post office, donation center and a trip to the grocery store filled my morning.  The afternoon was filled with an art class from Jesse Robertson @keepitcolourful.  This is the background for my Tulip Still Life painting and it took 2+ hours to paint:

THURSDAY - Day Off / Doctor Day

I had to get up at o-dark-thirty to take Knittingsuek to the hospital for her 2nd cataract surgery.  Here we are in the recovery room waiting to be released:

I got home in time for Curiosity Collective.  My WOBBLE page might not have been as successful as I would have liked, but in my world... DONE is better that PERFECT.  Today's prompt host, Tamara Luc, joined us for the Artist Date.  As always, she's a bundle of energy and a ton of fun.  I did have fun trying to write with a liner brush and looking for some collage images to add the page, but no photo is available.

In neighborhood news...

One "build kit" arrive on Tuesday and another arrived this morning. House #15 and 16 ready to go:

FRIDAY - Work

On the phones today... It was quiet.  I kept thinking about all the things I could be doing at home.

On my way to work, I noticed that the foundation was being poured for house number 17:

By the time I got home, framing was well underway on house #15.  After dinner, I worked on the next couple of pages for Messy May during my Weekly Evening Art Zoom.  Today's SEASON prompt on the left, followed by tomorrow's REST prompt thanks to inspiration from @susisjournaladventure (who hosted yesterday's prompt) on the right...

Britt and I stayed after to finish up:

SATURDAY - Work

On the way there, I met for coffee with my friend Tracy.  Here we are with her holding the mini mug rug I made last week.  I gave it to her as part of her birthday gift...

Before we left, I borrowed her sock blocker for a photo of my test knit of her Lucky 13 Socks:

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.  Me?  I didn't do any GREEN scrap sewing this week, but here's what I didn't share last Saturday:

Until next time...

Get SCRAPPY!!