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15 Gratitude Journals For Lockdown and Isolation

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It is really hard to find gratitude right now and that is why I decided to create this list of gratitude journals and printables. What is gratitude? Gratitude is a feeling of appreciation for what one has. Which is hard to see right now, especially if you are in lockdown between 4 walls that are caving in more and more each day.

I have tried to find a book for every person as well as a gratitude journal aimed at men.

This one has my favorite title of “F*ck This Shit Show: A Gratitude Journal for tired-ass women”. Because really that is pretty much what I have been cursing under my breath every day when I wake up and remember we are in lockdown.

Of course I can just tell you to harden up and stop being a negative Nancy, BUT when we are stressed it is hard to think straight, rationally or in my case most days I struggle to think at all. Guided gratitude journals are there to help you to focus, like meditation for the negative mind. We all know how good meditation for the monks is right? I mean they go years in isolation not speaking and they survive so why are we common people finding it so hard?

It could be because none of us signed up for this shit show! If you need some positive vibes in your isolation bunker then check out the list I created.

I included a Christian journal too in case you were still wondering what the good lord was thinking when he started all this so you can give thanks to the Lord with weekly scriptures and spaces to journal your thoughts.

Kids get cranky when they a 1. Hangry and 2. When they are frustrated, so even little changes in their mindset can change the way kids think and feel. A happy kid is a happy isolation day right?

Here are some links to free printable gratitude journals we have written about in the past.

Check out our free writing prompt article on the Covid Log for kids.

or our Free Art Therapy meditation book. 

 

Christian Gratitude Coloring Journal – 72 Pages including 62 Journal Pages, 3 Journal Pages with Borders to Color, 3 Lined Pages for Taking Notes, 4 Gratitude Coloring Pages. Download and Print

You can download our Christian journal here. in our online store.

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Chain Piecing Stack-N-Whack Blocks: The Ultimate Time-Saving Guide

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The first time I made a Stack-N-Whack quilt, I spent more time threading my needle than actually sewing. By block four, I was ready to turn my kaleidoscope dreams into a pile of kindling.

Then I discovered chain piecing—the quilter’s equivalent of finding a $20 bill in last winter’s coat pocket. Suddenly, what took hours now took minutes, and my blocks went from “hot mess” to “hot dang!”

In this guide, you’ll learn:
 Exactly how to chain piece Stack-N-Whack blocks (with photos)
 3 genius tweaks to prevent mismatched points
 The tool that cuts pressing time in half
 How to fix mistakes without unraveling your sanity

Why Chain Piecing is a Stack-N-Whack Game-Changer

The Problem With Traditional Piecing

  • Wastes time: Threading/rethreading for each unit
  • Creates bulk: Thread nests at every start/stop
  • Invites errors: More handling = more mismatched seams

The Chain Piecing Advantage

  • 75% faster (I timed it: 48 HSTs in 18 minutes vs. 1+ hour)
  • Consistent seams (no adjusting tension between units)
  • Less thread waste (good for your wallet and the planet)

Step-by-Step: How to Chain Piece Stack-N-Whack Blocks

What You’ll Need:

  • Stacked & cut fabric units (the more identical, the better)
  • 50wt cotton thread (thinner = less bulk)
  • Seam guide (magnetic or adhesive)
  • Leader/ender scraps (paper or fabric)

The Process:

  1. Arrange Units in Assembly-Line Order
  • Lay out pairs in sewing order (Photo A)
  • Clip together with Wonder Clips (pins distort stacked layers)
  1. Start With a “Leader”
  • Sew onto a scrap first (prevents thread nests)
  1. Chain Like a Pro
  • Sew unit #1 ? don’t lift foot ? feed unit #2 immediately
  • Let threads connect units like a train (Photo B)
  1. Press Smart
  • Use a tailor’s clapper to set seams fast
  • Press all units in one go (no back-and-forth)
  1. Clip Apart Later
  • Snip chains while watching TV (my “quilty meditation”)

3 Pro Tricks for Flawless Chain Piecing

1. The “No-Twist” Feed Trick

  • Stack units right sides together in a shoebox lid
  • Grab from the top ? sew ? drop finished unit in another box

Why it works: Eliminates accidental fabric flips.

2. Tension Tweaks for Thick Stacks

  • Increase presser foot pressure slightly
  • Use a microtex needle (size 70/10)

Test first: Sew two stacked units ? check seam for puckering.

3. The “Oops” Recovery Move

Mismatched points? Don’t unpick!

  • Add a contrasting stitch line to create intentional “wonk”
  • Embrace it as modern improv

Common Questions (From One Impatient Quilter to Another)

Q: Won’t chain piecing stretch my bias edges?
A: Not if you:

  • Starch fabric before cutting
  • Use a walking foot (even for piecing)

Q: How do I keep track of unit order?
A: Try my “Deli Ticket” system:

  • Number units with sticky notes
  • Pin corresponding numbers to design wall

Q: Can I chain piece curved Stack-N-Whack blocks?
A: Yes! But:

  • Use more pins than usual
  • Sew with the concave side up

My Favorite Chain-Piecing Tools

ToolWhy It’s Magic
Magnetic seam guidePerfect 1/4″ seams without tape
Thread standPrevents thread twisting
ClapperSets seams in half the time
Thread nippersFaster than scissors for clipping

Your Turn!

What’s your chain-piecing nemesis? (I still sometimes forget the leader scrap and get those cursed thread nests…)

10 Free Stack-N-Whack Quilt Patterns

Speed Piecing Stack-N-Whack Blocks: 3 Time-Saving Hacks for Impatient Quilters