Wonderful Wednesday - YELLOW JRR On Steroids - A(nother) Winter 2025 (Ravelry) UFO Club Finish

Or was it???

Welcome to another edition of Wonderful Wednesday!!  I'm here to share my third UFO finish of 2025.  I completed the following quilt top last year, but didn't quilt it until the day before the March 2025 Rainbow Scrap Challenge was over.  This is the story of its finishing.

I had finished all of my challenge projects, so what's a quilter to do???

Work on a UFO, of course!

Was there a quick one on your list, Joyful???

My QFK Jumbo JRR quilt fit the bill!  The photo below shows me dropping in a few pins to the adapted version of Jasmine's instructions @ Quilt Kisses:

There were other things to do, so once that task was done...

The quilt sat overnight and when morning arrived, I some took time before my lunch date to begin the quilting:

When I returned, I finished up the quilting.  After dinner I prepared and stitched on the binding, with only a small amount headed for the binding scrap bin:

I'm SEW glad that I was able to get this done during YELLOW month and that it won't be going back on the UFO List for the Spring 2025 UFO Club session!

Here is the completed quilt...

The only problem is that by the time the quilt was completed, I forgot that I needed to link up to the Winter 2025 (Ravelry) UFO Club.  The deadline for qualifying entries was 11:59 PM (EDT.)  I guess I forgot what day it was and that I would post my quilt the next day.

I missed the deadline.  :o((

Oh, well... It's still another project done.

Until next time...

Mark another UFO off the list!!

The 100 Day Project - #100Days100ThingsDecluttered - Week 5

Welcome to Week 5 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 5:

1 small tote bag

2 cardboard boxes

3 glue sticks that I've been saving to scoop out the dregs

4 lamps

5 coffee mugs (that we never choose to use)

Total: 15/100

Updated 100 Day Project Total: 147/100

Items added to the box shown above and the lamps being donated are in the photo below:

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.

Sara @ My Sewing Room had the following to say:

Good job! Every little bit makes a difference!

I replied:

Thank you, Sara! While I might not be able to notice the difference, you are correct. Every little bit helps!

@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!!!

Mail Call Monday - Watercolor Edition

Welcome to another edition of Mail Call Monday!!  The following package arrived in my mailbox the week before last.  This post shares the answer to a question I asked myself when it arrived...

WHAT on Earth did you order NOW, Joyful???

The answer was quite simply...

NOTHING!!!

The package was a Get Well gift from my friend B in Maine:

It arrived from Canada:

Inside was this small packet...

Containing these two cards:

What on earth???

The "cards" were two sample packs of handmade watercolor paint:

Tonight, I was finally able to swatch out the colors...

At the top of the page in the photo below is the Northern Lights Travel Card palette, swatched out:

Wintery Night

Dreamers Gold

Wet Grizzly

Beach Sand

Shell

Glacial Rivers

At the bottom of the page in the photo above I swatched out the Mixing Palette Travel Card:

Strawberry

Cherry

Fall Poplar Yellow

Great Ocean

Almost Night

White

Thank you, B, for a wonderful surprise!!  I'm really going to enjoy these.  I appreciate your thoughtfulness.  Now I'm looking forward to discovering the ins and outs of color mixing with watercolors.

Until next time...

Let's go PAINT!!!

ScrapHappy Saturday - RSC25 - Week 13

Welcome to Week 13 of the 2025 Rainbow Scrap Challenge!!  This week's schedule is a mish mash of activities and appointments.  Will I get any YELLOW scrap sewing in?  That remains to be seen.

Keep reading to see how the week pans out...

SUNDAY - So...  The day started off with my Weekly Morning Art Zoom found me adding gesso to pages in my Altered Book Journal.  Britt and I stayed after to chat and finish what we were working on.  For me, that was sorting the papers you see on my keyboard below:

MONDAY - Day Off

I alternated between sewing and arting all day long.  After lunch, I signed on to Brooke Henry's event called the BB Bash Live that was scheduled for today:

Later, I quilted on some scraps, but they weren't YELLOW.  Don't worry!  Those will be added later:

TUESDAY - #100Days100ThingsDecluttered

Day Off

I worked on a deadline project this morning.  Check Friday's entry for a link.  I thought I might go shopping, but decided that I needed to hang out at home.  I took the opportunity to do some more decluttering.

In neighborhood news, the following two houses sold over the weekend...

This one is 6 doors down...

And this one is in the cul-de-sac.  It didn't have a SOLD sign out front, but I spotted one in the window:

WEDNESDAY - Day Off

Post-surgical appointment was followed by a quick stop at the grocery store.

Once the cold stuff was put away, I went upstairs for my Weekly Zoom Call with LeeAnna @ Not Afraid of Color:

THURSDAY - Work

After work, I headed off to my Monthly Evening Quilt Bee meeting.  The following quilters were in attendance:

FRIDAY - TABLE SCRAPS Challenge

Day Off

That should have meant that I was able to attend Knit Group.  Right?  Well... Knit Group was canceled today, as Linda moved out of state on Monday, Stacy went to Florida on Wednesday. and Beth made plans to go furniture shopping because she thought that I said I would be working.  :o((

Instead of knitting at home, I took in a webinar with Kellie @kelliedayart about mindset shifts concerning making art.  While her focus was actually about becoming a professional artist, the event was filled with useful information for any creative:

After lunch, I headed up for Get Messy's Open Studio.  I missed yesterday's Curiosity Collective, but watched the video and decided to give Grid Journaling a(nother) try:

Once dinner and most of the laundry was done, I went back upstairs for my Weekly Evening Art Zoom.  I did a bunch of random tasks, but nothing was photo-worthy.  At ending time, only Britt and I remained.  Guess who stayed to chat for a while?  Yep!  That would be us:

SATURDAY - It's LINK PARTY day for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge!  I hope you get a chance to visit Angela @ So Scrappy to see what the RSC Quilters have been up to this week.  I'll be along later.

Finally met with my old co-worker this morning (after 3 years!) and gave her this mug rug...

And showed off my Warm Beverage mug rug at the coffee shop.  Katie LOVED it!  Now, I'll be making a few more floral ones for Spring at the Mercantile:

Only a little bit of YELLOW scrap sewing happened in my studio.  Check out Friday's entry for the complete story:

Until next time...

Get SCRAPPY!!

March 2025 - TABLE SCRAPS Challenge - Link Party

Welcome to the MARCH 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 March was:

SONG LYRICS/SONG TITLE/POETRY

ProjectQUILTING season ended on Sunday...

That means that I didn't have a moment to think about my project until the final challenge was complete.  No worries, though!  Inspiration struck a week and a half ago during an art session, if you can believe it.  I was inspired by this journal entry:

I was so excited that I got right to work...

On a background using the same paints on fabric when Curiosity Collective was done:

Yes, those are art supplies.  Why do you ask???

I used my smallest gel plate and a brayer to create the following background for my entry:

I worked on the scene during Friday's Get Messy Open Studio time:

A swing set?!  What's THAT about???

I wasn't sure where I was going with this, but then I recalled a recent journal spread that began with a similar landscape.  I added a seesaw to that one so that it met the BALANCE prompt for Day 14 of Junk Journal January.

What song have you chosen, Joyful???

Somehow, I found myself reaching back to grade school days.  The lyrics to the song, Sing, by The Carpenters brought memories flooding back to me of the song being sung at the top of our lungs during recess in 3rd grade.  The year was 1973.

How did we even know the song???

It was just released that year.  Susannah's big sister must have heard it on the radio and bought the record at our local Kmart.  That was the only place to buy music in our small town.

Enough of a walk down memory lane, let's get on with the construction.  I didn't mean to make another addition to my Words and Phrases Series...

But the theme insisted on it so I added some "chalkboard lines" to insure somewhat straight lines of song lyrics, but would I pen and ink write the words to the song?  What do YOU think?!

The next step in my process was stitching out a sample of my phrase...

Which was quickly followed by the real deal:

Once the threads were trimmed and the binding was selected, I found a way to add a few YELLOW scraps for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge and set to finishing the quilt....

Here is my completed March 2025 TABLE SCRAPS Challenge quilt...

On my cutting mat, immediately after it was finished:

Then there was the traditional front porch swing photo:

These are a few closeups for you...

The quilted words:

And the artists - The Carpenters, 1973:

What's next, Joyful???

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

TEAL

April's theme is:

RAIN

NOTE:  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.  I have to say, I don't have a clue what I'm going to do yet!

And now...

It's time for YOU to link up your SONG LYRICS/SONG TITLE/POETRY and/or YELLOW project in the LINK PARTY below.  All entries MUST be submitted by Wednesday, April 2nd @ 11:59PM (EST).

Until next time...

USE those table scraps!!!

#tablescrapschallenge2025

The 100 Day Project - #100Days100ThingsDecluttered - Week 4

Welcome to Week 4 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 4:

1 disintegrating jar opener

2 dried up paint markers

3 more balls of yarn

4 food jars saved for MONTHS to reuse (now recycled!)

5 outdated personal items

Total: 15/100

Updated 100 Day Project Total: 132/100

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.

Chantal @ At the Corner of Scraps and Quilts had the following to say:

Congratulations on this accomplishment. You put us all to shame or encouraging us to make more of an effort to get rid of stuff. Either way, kudos to you. ;^)

To which I replied:

Thanks, Chantal! I decided to get a little more realistic about what I might or might not use. The yarn I got rid of was NEVER going to get used for anything. At least NOT by me!

Sara @ My Sewing Room blog responded with the following - and a decluttering post, too:

No fair!! 65 balls of leftover yarn - Wow!!! But really, great job! I've focused on decluttering the bookcase in my office this week.

I chimed in with this reply:

LOL! All's fair in love and decluttering, Sara.  :P

Decluttering the bookcase in your office sounds like a MUCH more challenging task. I have a really hard time getting rid of books!

In case you didn't see last week's post...

In Week 3, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!  I'm thrilled to have met my goal of 100 items decluttered in 100 days.  That's right, friends!  I got rid of 117 things in just 21 days, but I'm not done yet!  I'm going to keep at it.  Next, I will see if I can double my progress.

@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!!!

ProjectQUILTING - PQ 16.6 - Button It Up

BUTTON IT UP

Welcome to The Joyful Quilter!!  And... Welcome to the wonderful world of Project QUILTING hosted by Kim Lapacek @ Persimon Dreams!!  This is my 6th year of participation in the Challenge.  Trish Frankland @ QuiltChicken is the creator of the crazy challenges that participants will face during the next week.

Sassy @ Farm Quilter got me started at the beginning of Season 11 by inviting her readers to join in the fun.  I accepted her invitation and the rest is history.  As I have for the past two years, I will be dragging along my friend LeeAnna @ Not Afraid of Color again this season, as she enjoys having a reason to stretch her creative wings.  Would YOU like to join me in this creative journey, too?  

FAIR WARNING:  It's a wild ride, but oh SEW rewarding!

Challenges are given and start to finish you have ONE WEEK to complete your project.  PQ 16.6 can be found at THIS LINK:

Step One...

Respond with a flash of excitement, as the Button It Up theme reminded me of a project that I have been wanting to revisit.  The gift, given a number of years ago, was damaged in a fire and this might be the perfect time to recreate it.

Step Two...

Shake my head in disbelief that it took me until 4 PM on Sunday to check the prompt for this week and then it took another hour before reading the instructions to see what is required of the sixth and final challenge of the season.  Here's what Trish had to say:

PQ 16.6 BUTTON IT UP

This week, we’re talking about closure. Get it done. Finish Things. I want you to “button it up” – both the season, and your one-week deadline!

What does the phrase “button it up” mean to you? Fastening clothing, or keeping your mouth shut? Mashing the elevator buttons or signing the final contract?

Political pins and band badges – those have always been my jam, and my ’80s jean jacket and ’90s backpack pledged endorsement to brands, bands and beliefs held strongly.

This week, your buttons can be literal or inspirational. You may use actual buttons in your project, or skip the notions and use the word/phrase as inspiration.

And don’t forget to have fun!

Step Three...

Head to the closet to see if I can find the fabric that I need for what I have in mind.

Why, Joyful???

Well, it's PERFECT for this project!  If I can locate it, it's just what I need to complete this challenge.

Step Four...

Check out the Scrap Station for additional supplies:

photo!!

Tutorial for these baskets can be found HERE.

But...

The "fabric" I was looking for wasn't a good fit for the project

Step Five...

Review the rules:

Rule One: Your project must be inspired by “button it up.”

You have one week to meet the challenge. Every challenge piece must be a FINISHED project seen through from INCEPTION to COMPLETION during the challenge timeline – that is, started on or after March 16th, 2025, and linked up by noon Central Time March 23rd, 2025.

Each piece must stand alone as DONE to count.

Your project does not need to be a traditional quilt, but must meet at least one of these requirements: include patchwork, include appliqué, have 3 layers stitched together by hand or machine.

Incomplete or unfinished does not qualify. Every challenge piece must be a FINISHED project seen through from INCEPTION to COMPLETION during the challenge timeline.

Step Six... Get to work!!!

I began by heading to my local thrift shop to see if there was something more appropriate.  I found two good option from which to choose:

After laundering, this one was the clear choice:

Here is a bit of my construction process...

(Scroll down to the bottom of the post NOW, if you don't care to see a blow by blow of the making of my quilt.)

Step Seven... Play!!!

I was on such a roll with the planning portion of the project that I completely neglected to take any process pictures.  The photo below shows the quilted panel that was incorporated into my project:

This one shows the button closure:

With only ONE day until the deadline...

I'm SEW pleased to present my completed entry for PQ 15.6 shown on our porch swing...

As well as a photo from a different angle and at the shady end of the porch:

There is usually a reason that I participate in these challenges...

... As I mentioned earlier, this time it was because I've been waiting for a reason to remake that special gift that perished in a house fire.  This prompt was the spur that I needed.  Thank you, ProjectQUILTING!!  The replacement pillow is ready for gifting:

There you have it...

Process, product, and the REAL reason for accepting this Challenge.

Follow THIS LINK to the Season 16 overview.  Check back on the Challenge release days (or sign-up to be notified automatically) and there may be one that YOU just can't resist.

It's a SHORT turnaround time!

Depending on the size and complexity of your project, that doesn't HAVE to be insurmountable.  With a little creativity and a few evenings, you really CAN do this!  My project was begun 6 days after the prompt was released and was finished with approximately 24 hours to spare!  My post, however, wasn't ready for release until 3 hours before the Link Party was set to close.  I'm just glad that I managed to complete my entry and accompanying post in time to join Kim's final challenge of Season 16.

Until next time...

Challenge accepted!!!

Remember:  If I can do this, YOU can do it, too!

(Plus, there's a spot to post your completed Project QUILTING inspired projects AFTER the deadline for any of the challenges.)