Tuesday, March 26, 2024

The 100 Day Project - #100Days100ItemsDecluttered - Week 5

Welcome to Week 5 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 gist of my focus...

Decluttering my home and studio in an effort to free up space for MORE creativity.

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

1 clock
9 quilting fat quarters
3 (ancient) lipsticks
1 pkg applique pins
9 kitchen utensils
3 plastic bottles
1 nail file
4 pkgs. buttons
1 glue stick that I finally scooped all the glue out of
4 Halloween mini party lamps

Week 5 Total: 36/100

Updated Project Total: 100/100!!!


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!  Sara @ My Sewing Room blog left the following report:

I'm getting a big kick out of your decluttering progress - and you've inspired me too. And I've been keeping a list. This morning I cleared out 2 Christmas wreaths, 4 kids puzzles, and a whole bag full of clothes I don't wear anymore. They are going to Good Will right after my haircut.

Here was my response:

That's AWESOME news, Sara!! Glad to hear that you are jumping on the declutter train!

Good luck in adding items to your list, Sara!!

Come back next week to see what goes in the box during the next 7 days.  In the interim, you can see the progress that Chantal is making HERE.  Find the story about halfway down the page in the section titled Decluttering With Joy.  :o))

@dothe100dayproject
#The100DayProject
#DoThe100DayProject
#100Days100Things_TheDeclutterEdition
#100Days100ThingsDecluttered
#filltheboxjoy

You can follow me on Instagram @thejoyfulquilter.

Until next time...
Do the 100 Day Project!!!

Sunday, March 24, 2024

ProjectQUILTING - PQ 15.6 - Irish Chain

IRISH CHAIN


Welcome to The Joyful Quilter!!  And... Welcome to the wonderful world of Project QUILTING hosted by Kim Lapacek @ Persimon Dreams!!  This is my 3rd 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 15.6 can be found at THIS LINK:



Step One...

Respond neutrally, as the Irish Chain is one of my most favorite quilts, but I'm not feeling particularly creative tonight.

Step Two...

Shake my head in disbelief that it took me until 10 PM on MONDAY to check the prompt for this week and then read the instructions to see what is required of the sixth and final challenge of the season.  Here's what Trish had to say:

PQ 15.6 IRISH CHAIN

In addition to today being our last challenge announcement, it’s also St. Patrick’s Day. I’m told we make a much bigger deal of St. Patty in the US than anywhere else in the world, and it’s true Wisconsin drinkers love an opportunity to wet their whistle, whether it be Guinness from the old country or a Spotted Cow with a green label.
 
So this week let’s celebrate this odd holiday, sketchy mythology, and the country from whence it sprung. But since we’re quilters, let’s work with variations on the simple, dynamic quilt pattern, Irish Chain.

Step Three...

Head up to the studio to check my library to see if I can find the book I won back in 2015.

Why, Joyful???

Well, it's PERFECT for this project!  It's a copy of Melissa Corry's book Irish Chain Quilts. Her contemporary take on this classic block is just what I need to complete this challenge.

Step Four...

Check out the Scrap Station for supplies:


Tutorial for these baskets can be found HERE.

But...

After a rummage through the PURPLE scrap basket and a scan of what else was on offer, my eyes zeroed in on this little set of storage drawers:



My mind went back to my Weekly Quilt Group, I have no idea how many years it's been.  The bottom drawer holds some special scraps from my friend Jean.  Leftover bits from her Nausea quilt.  Terrible name, awesome quilt!  Even though I haven't been able to find Melissa's book, these bits will be just right for this week's challenge:


Step Five...

Review the rules:

RULE ONE: Your project must be inspired by the traditional Irish Chain quilt design.

If you want some tips on the Irish Chain block the Fat Quarter Shop has some great Youtube videos:

They also offer a FREE downloadable Irish Fade Quilt pattern!

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 17, 2024, and linked up by noon Central Time March 24, 2024.

Each piece must stand alone as DONE to count toward prizes. 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.



Step Six... Get to work!!!

I began by stitching up the pieces and parts into quilt blocks:


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 with the resulting blocks!!!


This is the approximate layout that I'm aiming for:


Once the arrangement was set, the next task was to begin assembling the top:



What was leftover from these gifted leftovers, Joyful???

All that remained was five blocks... 


And...

I'm already developing a plan for them:


With the top done...


I chose backing, batting, and binding scraps:


Here's the backing that I worked out:


With only a single day until the deadline...

My entry was layered and ready for quilting:


Just less that 24 hours before the deadline, my entry is...

Quilted and ready for binding:


Finally, on Sunday morning my project was done...

I'm SEW pleased to present my completed entry for PQ 15.6:


Approx. 15" x 33"

It's fully reversible, too:


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

... And this time, it was because I've been waiting for a reason to use these special scraps and when I finished assembling my entry, these two bits were all that was left in the drawer:


Thank you, again, Jean!!  I enjoyed using these beautiful scraps.
Bonus points for including some PURPLE for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge!  :o))

There you have it...

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

Follow THIS LINK to the Season 15 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 2 days after the prompt was released and was finished with only 4 hours to spare!  My post was ready for release with the exception of a few final photos days before my table runner was done.  I'm just glad that I managed to complete my entry and accompanying post in time to join Kim's final Link Party of Season 15 (a mere 40 minutes before the deadline.)  It was SEW uncomfortable cutting it that close!

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.)

Saturday, March 23, 2024

ScrapHappy Saturday - RSC24 - Week 12

Welcome to Week 12 of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge!!
Thanks to those of you who offered well wishes last week!  The cough seems to be much improved.  Lucky thing, too!  This week is jam packed with things to do, places to go, and people to see.

Read on to discover what items were on my agenda...

SUNDAY - Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

I had fun creating this background in advance of today's holiday...


These few collaged elements completed the journal spread.  Suggestions, anyone?  Looking at it now, it seems as if it could use a few enhancements:


The following journal page was made with assistance of the Roll the Dice game during this morning's Weekly Morning Art Zoom hangout using the following prompts; transparent, floral, water soluble, something found (which I inadvertently neglected to use), and watercolor for Round 1:


Round 2 used these prompts; markers, pastels, stencil, gel plate print (Thanks, Britt!), and make collage fodder - which I apparently traded for the "something found" prompt that I missed during Round 1, as I don't tend to make collage fodder:


This afternoon, I spent some time chatting with Knittingsuek during our weekly Zoom session:


MONDAY - Work

I ran SEVEN (7) errands between work and meeting Britt for dinner!!  (Seven errands in 2 hours is pretty impressive, even by my standards.)  We enjoyed a short visit before heading off to our Monthly Quilt Guild meeting.  Afterwards, there was one more errand before making my way home.


Work

Today, I went straight home to get busy on this week's ProjectQUILTING challenge.  Well, that was the plan, but what I did instead was check the mail, make a cup of tea, and sit on the couch catching up on emails and writing an outline for this post.  Sigh... I guess I was just TOO productive yesterday and needed to make up for it this afternoon!

By the way...

Happy 1st Day of SPRING!!!  Spring brings new GROWTH!!  :o))


I've got another mid-week "weekend" this week.  Today, I finally got around to creating a journal page from Monday's lesson at Get Messy.

I also cut the rows for my PURPLE project for the RSC out of this mess of joined and pressed fabric strips:


And then...

I worked on assembling a PURPLE quilt top:


I enjoyed my weekly Zoom session with LeeAnna @ Not Afraid of Color:


THURSDAY - I ventured off for a visit with my Weekly Quilt Group friends.  What fun!  I shared this mug rug made of scraps from my Wearables challenge entry a couple weeks ago:


This afternoon I was thrilled to be able to participate in Traci's Winging It hangout on Get Messy.  We were playing with Seed Packet zines bases on what we want to grow in our art or in our lives:


FRIDAY - Knit Group?  Nope!  I was scheduled for the early shift at work AGAIN today.  That doesn't leave enough time to slot in a visit with my knitting friends.  :o((

At this evenings TGI(A)W hangout with my Get Messy friends, I worked on finishing up my response of @janethecrazy's Mindless Playfulness class:



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.

I was late posting because of an early class at Get Messy.  Jane and the Season of Growth was more of a process demo and I worked on the following "paint off" page this morning...


Afterward...

I went to Britt's house for an ARTventure Day:


A good time was had by all.  :o))
Until next time...
Get SCRAPPY!!

Sharing with Alycia
for

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

The Guest Blogger (s) - No. 51 - Jane PURPLE

Welcome to another edition of The Guest Blogger(s)!!  What a treat to find an email from Jane in Australia last week.  She has completed her entry for the March 2024 TABLE SCRAPS Challenge.

This is what she wrote...

Hi Joy, hope you are doing well.
Have been following your quick weekly projects. Well done!

Concerning her entry...

Birds in the air, Dove in the window, Turkey tracks, Goose in the pond, Flying geese...ahh maybe I still have some scraps of flying geese. Yes!
And there are some tiny purple triangles on them too. Added some purple background- ohh, pictures look pink. More pics -  still definitely on the red side of purple instead of the blue side, but it is purple.



Thanks for posting for me,
Jane in Australia.

When I inquired as to the size of her project, the following response was returned...

I guess it is a mini quilt or a mug mat - I really don’t care what you call it, but it is too small for a placemat this month. I was just pleased to find the scraps and complete the challenge.

Give Jane some quilty love in the comments below.  It is a pleasure sharing the creative way she incorporated this month's challenge into the mini quilt/mug mat for her entry.  I feel certain that you enjoy seeing her work as much as I do!  Thank you for sending a photo for the blog, Jane.  I'm thrilled to post your projects (and anyone else's without a blog.)  They serve to inspire others to USE their scraps that we quilters continue to accumulate!

Link Party REMINDER...

The March 2024 TABLE SCRAPS Link Party will be opening on  Friday, March 29th @ 12:01 AM.  I'm hope that YOU will join in the scrappy fun!

Until next time...
USE those (table) SCRAPS!!!

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

The 100 Day Project - #100 Days 100 Things Decluttered - Week 4

 Welcome to Week 4 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 gist of my focus...

Decluttering my home and studio in an effort to free up space for MORE creativity.

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

1 sock
1 promotional backpack
2 yards of fleece fabric
1 apron (that I never choose to wear)
1 holiday table runner
8 cloth napkins
5 miscellaneous kitchen utensils that never get used

Week 4 Total: 19/100

Updated Project Total: 64/100


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.  Cherie, who you may remember from her now defunct blog @ Quilted Jonquil, had the following to say:

I'm with Mari, stop it, you're inspiring me! I'm actually thinking about freeing old, ugly fabric from my sewing space.....something I just haven't been able to do before, because FABRIC!

Best of luck with turning that thinking into DOING, Cherie!!

Come back next week to see what goes in the box during the next 7 days.  In the interim, you can see the progress that Chantal is making HERE.  Find the story about halfway down the page in the section titled Decluttering With Joy.  :o))

@dothe100dayproject
#The100DayProject
#DoThe100DayProject
#100Days100Things_TheDeclutterEdition
#100Days100ThingsDecluttered
#filltheboxjoy

You can follow me on Instagram @thejoyfulquilter.

Until next time...
Do the 100 Day Project!!!

Saturday, March 16, 2024

ScrapHappy Saturday - RSC24 - Week 11

Welcome to Week 11 of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge!!  This week is going to be a crapshoot.  Pardon my language, but I've developed a cough and it's not showing signs of stopping anytime soon.  There are a variety of items on my agenda.  We'll see how it goes.

Keep reading to find out more...

SUNDAY - ProjectQUILTING

I was feeling the effects of the coming season.  Be sure to follow the link provided to see what became of the cheerful binding shown below:


The following page for the Get Messy Season of Growth was made during this morning's Weekly Morning Art Zoom hangout using a bit of magazine image, bits of paint peeled off my brayer, along with a scrap of fabric:


This afternoon, I spent some time chatting with Knittingsuek during our weekly Zoom session:


MONDAY - Work

My desk is decorated for PURPLE month:


TUESDAY - Tidy Up Tuesday

Work

For those of you who enjoy seeing what's hanging from the gallery wire each month (Hi, Dorothy!), here is half of the display:


WEDNESDAY - I've got another mid-week "weekend" this week.  Today, I put the finishing touches on this journal page from Monday's lesson at Get Messy.  There are so many layers that I almost don't recognize it as my own journal spread, but here it is in my current Altered Book Journal:


I also got a jump on my PURPLE project for the RSC:


And then...

I enjoyed my weekly Zoom session with LeeAnna @ Not Afraid of Color:


THURSDAY - I had really hoped to visit with my Weekly Quilt Group friends, but I don't want to give anyone my cough, providing it's NOT just allergies.  Sigh... I'm not coughing all the time, but when I do, it sounds terrible.  (Thank you, asthma!)

The other half of the gallery wire was shared in Tuesday's entry.  These two quilts remained:


FRIDAY - Knit Group?  Nope!  I was scheduled for the early shift at work today.  That doesn't leave enough time to slot in a visit with my knitting friends.  :o((

Judy was interested in seeing how my PURPLE page came out last week.  Here it is completed.  This journal spread was shared in Get Messy's weekly email update:


(Since we opted out of an Art Day tomorrow because of my cough)  Britt and I stayed on the call to chat for a while after our Weekly Evening Art Zoom was over:


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.

Happy International Quilting Day!!!

I'm of to cut those PURPLE fabrics that were pressed on Wednesday.  Here's hoping you have a wonderful day at your sewing machine or with your quilting friends.

Until next time...
Get SCRAPPY!!