Hello all! I’m back from a little hiatus, largely due to three weeks of illness but I continued to progress quietly in the background.
The WIP basement organization project has been a pretty big undertaking! The main rec space was officially turned into a home gym, which meant a lot of decluttering and moving furniture around. I’m mostly satisfied for now but would like to bring the computer desk and iMac down, to be used as a TV when I do Bodi workouts.
My daughter’s old bedroom was emptied out, which allowed some some craft supplies to be moved in. There’s still a whole lot more to be done, but it’s a start! The photo below shows some of the transformation, with a few handmade items also featured…
Our junk room (basically a bedroom but it doesn’t have a window to be considered official) is kind of organized but kind of a mess. I’ve gone through all the crafts bins, which is great, and my daughter’s bed was moved in there, but there is so much clothing that was donated to me for a fundraiser that I still have to sort through.
There were some stained and/or worn (holes in the bum) jeans that I noticed in the pile, and I thought what better way to upcycle than turn them into a simple quilt! I’ve been laundering and cutting squares during the evening these past couple of weeks, but am still short on the 252 squares needed. I’m not sure I want to wait the project out so I’ll likely go through the stash to look for some flannels. Pictures to come soon!
It’s a good project to work on as we bundle up for another snow storm (50-100cm)!
Otherwise, a quick and easy upcycled craft consisted of turning some Christmas cards I received into gift tags.
AIMR
(Linda -2026 time to regroup and renew :us:)
362
You are smart to do those tags while they are out instead of waiting for December (and probably never getting done!). I just now took mine off the door…I save the handmade ones from the Christmas Card swaps so I can put them up each year, but the others usually go into my re-use box…which is overflowing!
I might also make a few baskets out of old cards if I can find some suitable red yarn.
Glad you are feeling better! This whacky weather has caused a lot of people to become ill with bad colds or other respiratory gunk!
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AIMR
(Linda -2026 time to regroup and renew :us:)
363
OK–we are nearing the end of the First Quarter of 2026. I don’t know about any of you, but I am ready for a fresh start. We have been focusing so much on WIPS and, frankly, I have come to my own conclusion that they might not get done if I keep harping on about them.
So, the challenge question Week 11 is:
Do you have an exciting NEW project that you are eager to start?
I do! I cut out a an apron dress that will have mixed fabrics as well as embroidery. I shoved all my WIPS into a box and put them in a closet for another time. This has made me very happy!
I have a few sewing projects coming up that I’m excited to work on! Some stash-busting-ish and at least one that I have been assembling the parts for over a year or two.
Week 11:
(How has it been 11 weeks already!?)
I have completely stalled out with everything crafty since the husband went from first shift to third. Everything is topsy turvy and I’m still acclimating. We’re a homeschool house and now he’s asleep most of the day. Kidlet suggested we get tshirts that say “shhhh, dad’s sleeping!” (Mine) and hers,”Oh right, sorry!” and we can just point at them throughout the day haha.
But I am aiming to at least finish her sweater. The body is done, has been for a while. I just have to add embellishments and seam it up.
I just got started on a book that’s been on my grail-projects list for a few years. The text is all formatted but I had to buy more toner before I could start printing and it hasn’t arrived yet.
I have 2 projects I’m excited to start, though my current obsession of working through as much of my scrappy stash as possible is delaying that temporarily. That being said, yarn and patterns have already been procured for said 2 projects One being the Rumble Raglan and the other, the Sorrel sweater.
Speaking of busting scrappy stash, I present le scrappy cowl (should have made it a bit bigger in circumference but it is very snuggly and warm).
Week 11: Do you have an exciting NEW project that you are eager to start?
Sashbag had a sale so I ordered a replacement, I’ve worn the one I have for 2 years straight. I’m going to disassemble it and make my own version with the improvements I have been wishing for.
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AIMR
(Linda -2026 time to regroup and renew :us:)
372
All the projects sound good! I woke up this morning to water leaking from my ceiling! I knew it was from the heating system so I called them. They sent someone immediately. It wasn’t serious, but it did make a mess. The person they sent cleaned up and repaired everything.
Not a great way to start my day, so I am doing mindless garter stitch knitting as I just couldn’t focus on my new project.
I have some fabric in fun prints to make a few new market bags for myself and others. We’ll see how many actually get cut and sewn! (But until then, I’m still perfectly content to look at the pretty fabric.)
Basically, it breaks down the journaling into five timed steps to help you avoid decision paralysis.
Here’s a post for some postcards I did in this style a few years ago with more on the process and links to a couple of videos from Shannon Green, who came up with the idea.
AIMR
(Linda -2026 time to regroup and renew :us:)
376
I love the spontaneous nature of the stuff you make using those prompts. The postcards were fun and put together nicely. I am sure the journal pages will be interesting and fun as well!
I had a long day at work today, and got home to a wonderful surprise from @AIMR!
She made me this beautiful project bag that is HUGE! I filled it with 2 full skeins of yarn, plus a huge skein of fisherman’s wool (if you’ve seen those, you know they’re like 3 regular skeins put together in size) and the bag still isn’t full.
Seriously a never-ending bag of holding, constructed so well. It stands up easily on its own. Thank you Linda so so much! Brought a touch of joy on this long slog of a Thursday.
Gosh, that is so pretty! & useful, but pretty, oooohhh!
2 Likes
AIMR
(Linda -2026 time to regroup and renew :us:)
379
Wow..that was a fast delivery! I’m glad you like it. I have had that sheep fabric in my stash, just waiting for the right project! When your name got drawn, and with all of your recent yarn projects, everything just line up perfectly!
I’ll be doing another random drawing soon because this was so much fun for me, though I will confess that I am horrid at keeping secrets so I did tell someone here on LC or else I would have busted! ha ha ha
One being the 
