The 100 Day Stitch Book, my second Make Nine finish

There’s a particular satisfaction that comes not from speed, but from endurance—consistently staying with something day after day—until productivity culminates at 100 days and results in a soft, textured fabric book. That’s what finishing the 100 Day Stitch Book feels like. 

100 Day Stitch Book 2026

This is the second year I’ve participated in The 100 Day Stitch Book project, hosted by Ann Wood. (It’s becoming an annual thing for me!) I used a different collection of fabric scraps this year and also incorporated the yarn thrums from my 2025 crocheted Taos Wrap that I had collected in an ORT jar. [ORT = Odd Random Threads.] 

I also remembered the lessons I learned from assembling last year’s book—like creating front and back covers as part of the 20 book pages, stitching a title, date and author on them, and making these pages slightly larger to accommodate the book’s spine. 

Back cover page with my initials.

This year’s book also holds more weight—as a tragic incident that happened in the U.S. during the making of this book was interpreted in stitch on one of the pages. 

The practice of using what’s on hand 

Per Ann’s guidelines for the Stitch Book, the page compositions are made entirely from remnants—fabric scraps too small for other projects, bits of patchwork trimmed from previous makes, and my addition of the yarn tails from my crocheted wrap. 

Appliquéd fabric scraps, embroidery stitches, couched yarns.

The materials dictate the process: improvisational, intuitive, and mindful. I used several embroidery stitches—some of my go-to favorites, and some referenced from books and previous projects. Working the yarn bits into the compositions was my challenge this year. The yarns were couched, giving more dimension to the page compositions. Every page was a different adventure. 

Couched yarn thrums with French knots.

Couched yarn scraps and crocheted medallions stitched to the page.

The back sides of the pages are interesting, too. However, they can no longer be seen once the signatures and book are assembled. 

Back side of pages.

Back side of pages.

Back side of pages.

Back side of pages.

Marking time 

One engaging aspect of a 100 day project is how it becomes a record—not just of creative exploration, but of life as it unfolds. 

There is one page in this book that I will never look at casually. 

On January 24, 2026, I stitched in response to the killing of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse at a VA hospital, who was shot by federal Border Patrol and ICE agents in Minneapolis, MN during an immigration enforcement protest. 

January 24, 2026, “Enough!”

I remember hearing the news—how shocking, unnerving, and heavy it felt. How unimaginably difficult to comprehend and process. I abandoned the current page I was working on that weekend and began stitching in response to that horrific event. Stitching that day wasn’t about technique or composition, it was about bearing witness. 

This page is not quiet. 

It stands out among all the other pages because it holds that moment: confusion, grief, anger, and a need to respond in protest through fabric and stitch. 

Left page is the back side of “Enough!”

One of the valuable things about slow stitching (and other art forms) is that it creates space to unleash feelings, to mark time, to work through confusing, frustrating, or sad times. It allows for a kind of reflection or response to the events of the day. 

Hand stitching the openings of the signatures.

The focus of the 100 Day Project: process 

As with all of my past 100 Day Projects, it’s about process and practice more than the end result. This stitch book is a continuation… an on-going promise to my art practice. 

Five signatures ready for the book assembly.

Make Nine 2026: fulfilling the Slow Stitching prompt

The 100 Day Stitch Book 2026 marks the second finish for my Make Nine 2026 list, fulfilling the Slow Stitching prompt.

Make Nine 2026 tracker, April 24, 2026.

I’m pleased with the result of this stitch book and look forward to making more fabric books soon.

“Slow Stitching” prompt from Make Nine 2026 tracker.

100 Day Stitch Book 2026

Junk journal recycling efforts for Earth Day

This Earth Day, April 22, I decided to turn the week’s recycling into something worth keeping. Making junk journals lets me do “creative recycling,” support sustainability, and practice my hand bookmaking skills—coptic binding, in particular. I’m also getting a jump on future journal projects, like Junk Journal July.

Two new junk journals made from recycled papers.

Using found materials 

The paper recycling box provides great fodder for my junk journals. What looks like a hot disheveled mess of cardboard, scrap papers, grocery bags, and old mailers, became colorful, handmade journals—full of character—by way of a little cutting, folding, waxed linen thread, and coptic binding. 

And, they didn’t cost me—or the planet—anything extra. 

A recycled paper bin that is geared toward junk journals.

Sifting through the boxes of recycled paper materials, I pull the sturdier boards for journal covers. The inside pages are a mix of papers—old catalogs, packaging, envelopes, etc. The cacophony of papers brings patterns, character, and a quirky imperfection to a journal that store-bought notebooks rarely match. Each journal is totally unique! 

Sorting various papers for book signatures.

The random marks, colors, torn edges and misprints serve as a start to a new story, or the first layer in a mixed media composition. Instead of facing a blank page, these pages have a little piece of rescued history—or a spark of inspiration—that a blank page doesn’t offer.  

Prepping a stack of folded signatures for book binding.

On the flip side, I also like to incorporate a sheet or two of conventional artist papers—drawing, mixed media, watercolor—for techniques and mediums that require a better surface to work on for a successful outcome. With this wide variety, the pages of my junk journals provide opportunity for any technique I’m inspired to try.

I incorporate a sheet or two of drawing paper, mixed media paper, or watercolor paper in my junk journals.

Making junk journals this way is a reminder that supporting sustainability doesn’t have to be complicated or require new materials. Sometimes it’s just about seeing potential in what otherwise is discarded. From sorting and choosing papers to the binding, these two journals took me about 3 days to complete. I like to attach a coordinating fabric closure to the journals. An added finishing detail.

These journals are about sustainability, individuality, embracing imperfection, and a lot about creativity. Creating something meaningful… one page at a time. 

Handmade, coptic bound journals.

Happy Earth Day!

#EarthDay #SustainableLiving #Upcycling #DIY #JunkJournal #Upcycle #CreativeReuse

 

Progress made in threes on charity projects

There’s been a lot of progress both on and under my needles lately. Under the needle—or more accurately, under the presser foot—I’ve finished the three cuddle quilts that were sandwiched at the guild workshop a few weeks ago. 

Three completed charity quilts.

The first quilt (above left) uses a fabric panel. Using fabric panels is a great shortcut when you want a quick, but polished result. The panel—a scene of colorful dinosaurs, trees, mountains and a volcano—needed no extra patchwork. The quilting design was a modified concentric circle motif and the quilt came together in no time.

Circle quilting motif on the dinosaur panel quilt.

The second [triangles] quilt is from a pre-cut quilt kit. The patchwork runs from edge to edge and there are no borders for more contemporary style. The triangles showcase the various colors and patterns of the fabrics. The large, free-motion spirals contrast with the geometric design of the patchwork.  

Swirls quilting motif on triangle quilt.

The third quilt was made from discontinued fabric samples and scraps. Being that the prints were mostly florals, the free-motion quilting has flower, leaf, and vine motifs. 

Free-motion quilting flower, leaf, and vine motifs.

Binding by machine

The bindings for these quilts were attached by machine for a clean, durable edge… and a fast finish.

Bindings attached by machine.

At the workshop, the quilt tops were measured and lengths of pre-made binding were cut. The lengths were right on the money! The remaining pieces will find their way into future scrappy bindings. 

Very little binding remained after the quilts were bound.

Quilt stats:

• Dinosaur quilt: 34.5” x 41.5” (finished size); 1.5 hrs free-motion quilting.
• Triangles quilt: 34.5” x 41” (finished size); 1.5 hrs free-motion quilting.
• Floral patchwork quilt: 41.25” x 45.5” (finished size); 2.25 hrs free-motion quilting.
• Binding for all three quilts: 3.75 hrs.

The backs of the cuddle quilts are colorful, too.

Backing fabrics for these cuddle quilts.

Mitten Knitting

On the knitting front, three more pairs of mittens came off the needles. I continue to try new patterns to use up orphan balls of yarn and fill small pockets of time. 

Three more pair of knitted mittens off the needles.

It’s good to see these charity projects move to the finish line. Each one feels like a small, cozy accomplishment.

New mittens in progress. This is the “Elf Fit Mitten” pattern.

Easy knitted mittens for kids are fast scrap yarn projects

Besides working on the last few pages of my 100 Day Stitch Book (today is Day 87), my take-along handwork project has been all about knitting mittens. 

Five pair of knitted mittens.

I’ve just finished knitting these five pairs, and one of the fun parts has been the hunt for patterns. I’ve been happily pouring through Ravelry searches for designs that are easy and quick to knit, but still have something fun and interesting. That sweet spot—simple construction with a little something extra—is exactly what I look for.

Make Nine 2026 tracker with a “Yarn” prompt.

A Mittens-per-Month goal

When I set my prompts for Make Nine 2026, “Yarn” was again one of the project prompts. My parish has a mittens charity project during the Christmas season, so I considered to pair my Make Nine “Yarn” prompt with the mittens project and set a goal to make one pair a month.

After finishing these mittens, I must admit that this “mitt’n knittin’ thing” had been quite addictive! Pulling out the orphan balls of yarn—from previous projects, stash, and swaps—and applying different color combinations and stitch patterns has been fun. I suspect the fun will continue, so I’ll likely (hopefully) have more than 12 pair by year’s end.

Orphan yarn balls and leftover scraps are perfect for knitting smaller size mittens and knitting colorwork.

Experimenting with techniques 

It’s been fun rediscovering yarn I’d forgotten about and experimenting with mitten patterns that look intriguing—in techniques, construction, color combinations, and stitch patterns. I’ve tried patterns with:

• color blocking 
• round and pointed mitten tops 
• stripes in garter stitch 
• stripes in ribbing  
• corrugated ribbing 
• knitting in the round
• two-needle flat knitting 

Using small balls of left-over yarn for color work on a knit-flat pair of mittens.

It’s been enlightening to compare the pattern designers’ mitten construction approaches, especially when it comes to working the thumb. Some of the flat-knit patterns have surprisingly clever ways of forming and joining the thumb. It’s almost like solving a little origami puzzle as you work through the pattern.

Techniques I want to try are:

• after-thought thumb 
• stranded colorwork
• a no-gap mitten pattern 
• magic loop
• two-at-a-time

Maybe I’ll pair a colorwork pattern with the after-thought thumb technique. This seems like a great combination, especially for colorwork, since it doesn’t interrupt the flow of the pattern.

Have knitting, will travel

Mittens have lately become a favorite take-along project. They’re small, portable, and just the right balance of engaging and relaxing—easy to pick up for a few rows whenever I have a spare moment. Those little bits of time add up quickly, and before long, another pair is finished—especially using DK or worsted weight yarn and the smaller child sizes. 

Two colorwork mitten sets. Flat-knitting (left) and in-the-round knitting (right).

For now, I’m happily staying in “smitten with mittens” mode. I like exploring the different mitten styles, and with so many patterns saved and plenty of yarn left-overs waiting to be used, I see mitten-making continuing through the year.