Playing catch up (and a link party)

I am baaaaaaaaaack!

Visitors in the house are fun... but they leave no time for sewing :) so I am a little behind with several projects, but I am catching up!

The Ongoing Project List:

1. SYS2015 future projects - done the next object (cannot share)!
2. SYS2015, current project - bag done (see below) this is my project for A Lovely Year of Finishes - May
3. Block Swap Adventure - April and May blocks done (see below)
4. Mirror Mirror Afghan - 2 blocks done, started the 'main panel' but will share that next week
5. Water Lilies (Spangled Stars Quilt-along) - done with this week task (see below)
6. D wall hanging -  no progress
7. B quilt - no progress
8. the SK project - no progress

The EverythingElse List:

1. Embroidery calendar - no progress
2. Animal blocks for charity quilts - paused for a while
3. Project of Doom 2015 @ Fandom in Stitches - paused for a while
4. College Days Blog Hop blocks for tote/grocery bag -  no progress
5. Alice in Wonderland quilt - no progress
6. As You Wish -  no progress
7. Happy Halloween wall hanging -  no progress
8. Crazy optical illusion -  no progress
9. Memory quilt 2 - no progress.

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Susan (quiltfabrication.blogspot.com) is hosting a fun Quilt Along (Spangled Stars)!! I wanted to join but the QAL started exactly during my time off-sewing so I need to catch up with them! But I completed this week task!

As I don't have a design wall here in my living room, I tried to use my sewing helper as a design wall ;). It worked out fine, except that a couple of times I had to chase my blocks around the house :D :D

After that incident I decided that maybe a virtual design wall is a better choice ;)
So below you can see the overall design and my progress!

So this is my current plan

Original design by Susan,

my current draft: modified layout for colors/size

I named this quilt "Water Lilies" because it reminds me of Monet's paintings of Water Lilies (the one below in particular). I hope the final effect of gradient and scrappyiness will work... we'll see!!

Water Lilies Red, Claude Monet, 1914

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And I just received the two prizes I won in Sew Mama Sew giveaway days!

From Leo

From Stacey

The green fabric has already put to good use in the Water Lilies quilt ;) the clothing book is something I will read and see if I am brave enough to try some of those pieces (they look all very cool)

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Progress on my Mirror Mirror Afghan (using the tapestry crochet technique)

I really like this project, it is the perfect activity to do at night watching tv! And since it's going to be a sampler afghan, I can really play around with colors and designs!!

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Blocks for the Block Swap Adventure are flying in and out :)
Top: the ones I received from Debra (left) and Kerry (right)

Bottom: the ones I sent to Debra (left) and Kerry (right)

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And last, but not least... I finished my Pixel Bag!! YEEEEEAH!!! My goal was to finish it by the end of May and I made it!! I am soooooooooo in love with my new beach bag!!
Of course, I couldn't simply follow the instructions that Susan gave us for the SYS2015 May project. I made a single strap (instead of two) and I made it adjustable because when we are carrying thing to the beach sometimes two hands are not enough, so cross body may be easy to have!
And the thing I hate in bags is when you cannot close them! so I added a recessed zipper: first time ever, I am pretty happy with the result... I followed a tutorial, made few mistakes but I think it turned out just fine!!

The bag is really big!! (20''x20''x6'')

Top: the two sides of the bag

Bottom (left): inside you can fit two bottles, a little lunch insulated box, towels and there is a lot more space to get a quilt inside too!! 

Bottom (right): the recessed zipper and the adjustable strap. The lining is home decor fabric.

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How about you? What are YOU up to?
Link it here and share it with me!!

An InLinkz Link-up