Update: Busy Bee Quilt and Yarn Binder

In January I shared a new organizational tool I am using: the Busy Bee Quilt Binder system by Lori Holt and Riley Blake Designs. I’m back to share an update on how it’s been working for me, and the short answer is . . . it’s been great!

My binder has been so positive in three key areas:

1. Focus. My binder has helped me stay focused on my WIPs and upcoming projects. I keep my binder in my living room, not in my sewing room. It’s often at night when I’m tired and do a bit of social media scrolling that I can get sucked into considering another new project. When that happens, I grab my binder and see where I’ve been and where I’m going! It sort of speaks to me: “Focus, Taunja!”
2. Joy. Looking back at what I’ve created brings me joy. It reminds me of the happiness I had while I was making the quilt. Sometimes that is because of the fabric or the pattern, but sometimes it is because of the associated memories, like a shopping trip to purchase the fabric or time spent with friends while I worked on the quilt. Much of my life is inundated with screen time, so I enjoy perusing paper pages with my own handwriting. It causes me to slow down and think.
3. Creative Expression. Lori’s binder pages are visually pretty and interesting, but they don’t overpower any content I want to add, like photos and a few stickers. She’s provided us with a lovely foundation to add our own personal content.

If you’d like, please refer back to my original blog post for more information on how I set up my binder, as well as helpful tips and tools I used to lay out the pages. Today’s post is a photo update. Maybe these photos will provide inspiration or help if you are considering starting your own binder. Here are a few snapshots:

Most of these pages are still in progress, as I do not have finished quilts back from the quilter yet. When they have returned and binding is complete, I will take fresh photographs, add the final completion date and make a note of the quilting panto used. If the quilt is gifted or used in a specific area of our home, I will make note of that too.

As you may have suspected . . . I’ve expanded this tool to organize my crochet projects as well, by using Lori’s Busy Bee Yarn Binder pages.  In this photo you can see the batch of yarn that got me started on this wonderful crochet journey, Lori’s Chunky Thread, along with my first ever granny square!

Since I am so new to crochet, I went back and documented all of my work since picking up a crochet hook last May.  This was really fun!

If you are looking for a system that will help you get organized and spark your creativity, I would highly recommend the Busy Bee Quilt Binder products and the Busy Bee Yarn Binder products from Lori Holt & Riley Blake Designs. You’ll have so much fun!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Taunja