Wonderful Wednesday - The Happy Mail Journal

Welcome to another edition of Wonderful Wednesday!!  I'm here to share my latest journal. It came about as a result of The 100 Day Project.  Another post with scheduling difficulties.  (It was THAT kind of week this week.)

Did YOU predict this might happen???

I've been wanting to make a Happy Mail Journal for quite some time and the mailers in yesterday's #100Days100ThingsDecluttered felt like just the right thing to use:

I put it together on Thursday afternoon and decorated the cover during my Weekly Evening Art Hangout on Friday night.  The thought dropping them in the recycling bin seemed like a cruel thing to do with the mailers shown below - the very same ones I shared with you in yesterday's 100 Day Challenge post:

Whether out with the recycling or upcycled into a new journal, this was a HUGE win for me!

Why is that, Joyful???

The reason is quite simple.  You see, I tend to be a bit sentimental about certain items.  I felt overly attached to these mailers because I had been saving them since the very beginning of the (Ravelry) UFO Club in 2010.  My fat quarter rewards for completed project arrived in them.  For a while, they held the FQs and accompanying notes of congratulations and thanks for organizing The Club.  Once I added the FQs into my stash, I saved the envelopes for reuse.  Obviously, I never did that (until now!)  It was definitely time to do something with them because they have been taking up valuable drawer space for far too long.

And that...

Is the rest of the story.  Of course, if you read to the bottom of Saturday's post, this wasn't much of a surprise.  I blame it on the pollen haze that we are currently living under.  I completely forgot that I shared it already.  End of story.  Really.

Until next time...

I'm practicing CREATIVE decluttering!!

The 100 Day Project - #100Days100ThingsDecluttered - Week 7

Welcome to Week 7 of the #100Days100ThingsDecluttered new mini-series here on The Joyful Quilter!!  I started The 100 Day Project on February 18th.  I'm still shocked that I finally committed to it.  It's particularly popular on Instagram.  I have been hesitant to participate before now.  I'm releasing weekly updates for those of you who might be interested in seeing what goes out the door.  (This one just didn't get scheduled properly so you are seeing it a little later than normal.)

What's your project, 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.

While I have met my goal...

I'm NOT stopping there!!  I am continuing to declutter my home and studio for the entirety of the 100 Day Project.  I still need to free up MORE space for more creativity.

Here's my progress for Week Seven from all around the house, studio and garage:

20 mailer envelopes

Week 7 Total: 20/100

Updated Project Total:  140/100

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!  Carole @ From My Carolina Home blog reported the following:

I made progress on my goal to get rid of 100 things - 10 clothing items, a set of 8 bowls, 6 knickknack and 2 platters to the thrift store. 26 more items gets me almost halfway to the goal. Whooppee! Still need to work more in the kitchen and basement.

This was my response:

1. Excellent, Carole!! I keep saying that I'm going to have a go at my closet, but haven't done a thorough job of it yet. You've already passed me there! Best of luck in the kitchen and the basement. Thankfully, we don't have one of those to purge... The garage is enough!

In case you have notice a theme...

You're right.  I still haven't managed to focus on my closet clean-out, but come back next week to see what goes in the box during the next 7 days.  I'll be in the closet to pack for a trip so I won't have any excuse!

@dothe100dayproject

#The100DayProject

#DoThe100DayProject

#100Days100Things_TheDeclutterEdition

#100Days100ThingsDecluttered

#filltheboxjoy

You can follow me on Instagram @thejoyfulquilter.

Until next time...

Do the 100 Day Project!!!

 

ScrapHappy Saturday - RSC24 - Week 14

Welcome to Week 14 of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge!!  It's THAT week.  The first week of each quarter is a heavier posting time for me.  I hope you don't mind.  As usual, I've provided links, in case you missed something and are curious about what that might be.

Let's take a look at what's going on in JoyfulQuilterLand...

SUNDAY - Sew Some Love Sunday

Happy Easter to all who celebrate!!  My holiday included attending the Weekly Morning Art Zoom, where I worked on this journal spread:

After lunch, I enjoyed chatting with Knittingsuek during our Weekly Zoom session:

MONDAY - Winter 2024 (Ravelry) UFO Club - The Results

Worked and came home to find that the "space invaders" are approaching:

I'm just thankful that they started with the third lot to give me time to get used to the reality.

New week.  New month.  New Color of the month.  I'll be playing with my YELLOW scraps:

April Fools Day provided some tricks where my gaming was concerned.  All the words were backwards in one...

While all the words were presented as pictures with some blank spaces thrown in for good measure in another:

TUESDAY - #100Days100ThingsDecluttered

Work was followed by a quick tidy-up, as I needed to post this week's progress for The 100 Day Project.

WEDNESDAY - Spring 2024 (Ravelry) UFO Club - The List

I'm back to my "regular" mid-week weekend.  I'm still not sure why last week was different!  I worked on random projects (like laundry and cleaning the bathroom) until it was time to Zoom with LeeAnna @ Not Afraid of Color:

THURSDAY - Weekly Quilt Bee???  Nope!  I missed it because today was the only day that my friend Hilary was available to meet for breakfast, where she kindly gifted me with a prototype of the knitting bag that will soon be available for purchase:

I came home to find framing being done on the house next door:

FRIDAY - Weekly Knit Group didn't happen for me today, but we're going to have some BIG fun when I next attend.  Just LOOK at the two ENORMOUS bags of yarn my friend Carol passed along from a friend of hers who was clearing out:

I came home to this view out my studio window.  Progress - and a really odd design:

After dinner, I headed upstairs for my Weekly Evening Art Zoom where I worked on a new journal made from REALLY OLD mailing envelopes.  If you can believe it, these were received way back in 2010 and 2011.  I kept them thinking I would reuse them... And now I have:

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!!

Spring 2024 (Ravelry) UFO Club - The List

Welcome back to The Joyful Quilter!! The Spring 2024 (Ravelry) UFO Club is now OPEN for sign-ups!! Participants MUST list (at least) FIVE quilt projects. Photos should accompany the list. Sign-ups end at midnight EDT on April 7, 2024.

NOTE: All qualifying finishes must be posted BEFORE midnight (EST) on June 30, 2024!!!

What's the plan this time, Joyful???

Same plan, different term.  My strategy is usually to list WAY more projects than I could EVER possibly finish in a single session and hope for the best! The "at least FIVE" project requirement for participation is the bare minimum, but I tend to err on the side MORE is better. I haven't changed. I'm still a bit of a moody quilter. That means I have to "be in the mood" to work on any given project! By varying the size and style of the items included on my list, I have options. These choices increase the chances of finding projects that I want to work on during the quarter.

Here is my project list for the SPRING 2024 (Ravelry) UFO Club:

1. Work Man T-Quilt (2024)

2. SAHRR Holiday Edition (2023)

3. QFK JRR on Steriods (2023)

4. Grape Candy Coated (2023)

5. Yellow JRR on Steroids - A2 Baby! (2023)

6. Noah's Grad Quilt (2020)

7. Bright Eyes (Faces Workshop 2021)

8. QFK Crayon Challenge (2023)

9. DOQ Neighborhood Challenge (2023)

10. Aboriginal Runner (2022)

11. Blue and Green for Parrish (2016)

12. Kaffe Runner/Topper (2022)

13. QFK Challenge (2022)

14. Stitch Studio Remix (2012)

Quilting by Diane @ Stitch Studio

15. Stay at Home ROW Robin (2021)

16. Bargello Wall Hanging (2017)

17. Color Wheel Runner (2023)

18. Blue & Yellow Donation Leftovers (2021)

19. Bottom of the Bin Topper (2024)

20. Disappearing Hourglass (2023)

SEW...

Since I'm obviously out of touch with what I can realistically complete in a 3-month period of time, I have chosen to compile an even heavier list than last term. The reasoning behind the choice is that with 20 projects for the Spring 2024 UFO Club, I'm hoping that I will be lured by the "low hanging fruit" and build momentum for some additional quilting time. My goal is actually only ONE finish for the quarter. More than that is a bonus!

Remember...

There's still time for YOU to join in the finishing fun! Sign-ups are open through Sunday, April 7th @ midnight (EDT), so head over to the Quilters Knitting group on Ravelry today. Email if you need help with the process. (You will need to sign-up for Ravelry, the Quilters Knitting group, then state your intentions and projects in the discussion thread linked above.)

Until next time...

Wish me luck!!

The 100 Day Project - #100Days100ThingsDecluttered - Week 6

Welcome to Week 6 of the #100Days100ThingsDecluttered new mini-series here on The Joyful Quilter!!  I started The 100 Day Project on February 18th.  I'm still shocked that I finally committed to it.  It's particularly popular on Instagram.  I have been hesitant to participate before now.  I'll be releasing weekly updates for those of you who might be interested in seeing what goes out the door.

What's your project, 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 BIG project update last week was...

#100Days100ThingsDecluttered Project Total: 100/100!!!

Never fear...

I'm NOT stopping here!!  I will continue to declutter my home and studio for the entirety of the 100 Day Project.  I still need to free up MORE space for more creativity.

Here's my progress for Week Six from all around the house, studio and garage:

1 stoneware pan (that I never use)

8 airplane wheels (removed from my longarm quilting machine a number of years ago and saved for WHY?!)

1 pair of rain boots/gardening boots (that hurt my feet)

6 iron-on patches from a game at a long ago Quilt Retreat

1 vintage knitting row counter

2 misc. plastic pieces (recycled)

1 tissue box (saved for making an art journal, but haven't - there will be another when it's time)

Week 6 Total: 20/100

Updated Project Total:  120/100

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!  Gail @ JustGail's Blog left the following report:

I've had going through my clothes since I retired. That was fall of 2019. I finally got a start last week. I didn't bag up as much as I'd hoped, but it's a start. There's a bit more room on the closet shelves and at least what's there is now in nice folded stacks. I'll get there, not in 100 days 100 items fashion, but it will get done. Then on to...some other category (makeup? hair accessories?) or location (bathroom? kitchen?)
You are doing fantastic on your progress!

Here was my response:

Congratulations on your successful start on your decluttering journey, Gail, and thank you for cheering me along! I need to get in my closet to remove a layer of unworn items. Maybe next week and then I want to really focus on the studio. Wish me luck!

You might have noticed that my closet clean-out hasn't happened, but come back next week to see what goes in the box during the next 7 days.  I haven't given up hope.

@dothe100dayproject

#The100DayProject

#DoThe100DayProject

#100Days100Things_TheDeclutterEdition

#100Days100ThingsDecluttered

#filltheboxjoy

You can follow me on Instagram @thejoyfulquilter.

Until next time...

Do the 100 Day Project!!!

Winter 2024 (Ravelry) UFO Club - The Results

Welcome to The Joyful Quilter!!  I'm here to report on the results of the Winter 2024 (Ravelry) UFO Club.  I think you will agree that we enjoyed another successful session (even though I was not among the list of finishers.)

This is as close as I got to a finish:

The WINTER 2024 UFO Club is now CLOSED!!  Participants MUST have listed (at least) FIVE projects. Photos should have accompanied the list. Sign-ups ended at midnight EST on January 7, 2024.

NOTE: All qualifying finishes must have been posted BEFORE midnight EST on March 31, 2024!!!

Membership (31):

CCK
doris7264: 2 completed projects
dzirin: 1 completed project
monicarose51
meepsy
siberspinner: 1 completed project
fairfaxknitter: 2 completed projects
sheepless
basketcase9702
laceyspinner
aerieiris
Trek15: 4 completed projects
amalberti: 2 completed projects
djaquilter: 3 completed projects
BethCtoo
statsgeek: 5 completed projects
MorganLaFey
sk2p
BillieX3
peregrineknit
robobeagle: 4 completed projects
bookwormdjibouti
baaquilter: 1 completed project
needleb
gathersnomoss: 2 completed projects
mehitabel: 11 completed projects
montricot: 2 completed projects
tjsayers: 1 completed project
Lallison79: 5 completed projects
spyndragon
amquilt: 3 completed projects

Session Totals: 16 quilters completed 49 projects

Thank you to the 31 quilters who signed up to participate in the Winter 2024 UFO Club. I hope you all made at least a small amount of progress on a project or two. Congratulations to those of you who finished at least ONE project!

Congratulation to Mehitabel who was our Rock Star for this quarter by completing ELEVEN (11) projects! Congrats also to Statsgeek who posted her 5th finish of the session with just one day to spare! She was our Queen of the Last Minute this time.

REMINDER...

The Spring 2024 (Ravelry) UFO Club is OPEN for sign-ups at THIS LINK.  YOU are invited join in the finishing fun.  Members must list 5 (or more) projects for participation. Sign-ups will close at Midnight (EDT) on Sunday, April, 7th!  Please drop me an email, if you find that you need help with the process.

Until next time...

Mark another UFO off the list!!!

Sew Some Love Sunday - Covered in Love - Potato Chip Block Drive

Welcome to another edition of Sew Some Love Sunday!!  It's been quite some time since the last post in this series.  I'm writing to let you know about an opportunity shared by one of the blogs I follow.

Read on to find out more...

Kat @ Kat and Cat Quilts Covered in Love often offers a quarterly Block Drive.  She announced the Spring Block Drive in this week's blog post HERE.  In that post, Kat showed a couple of quilts recently dropped off for donation.

Here is the block that I made yesterday based on the farmhouse vibe requested:

Thank you, Kat!  I have been waiting for a for a reason to try this block.  I dove into my 2 - 2 7/8" scrap drawer and chose the appropriate colors and sized scraps.  The instructions are thorough.  The block layout is very easy and the block goes together quickly:

I am thrilled to have used some scrap fabrics for a good cause.  If YOU have some scraps that fit the theme, I'm sure that Kat would LOVE for you to make a block or two ( or ten!)

Update...

If you want to use bigger pieces and make a quilt instead of a block, check out super cool video by Sew, Yeah on YouTube using 6.5" x 12.5" pieces or check out Stephanie's video @ Quilting with Stephanie's Stitches HERE for a 60" x 72" quilt.  You might want to check with Kat before you send it off to her, as I can't recall the finished size she likes for the hospitals served by her charity.

Until next time...

SEW some love!!