MOP Monday - 4 extra projects started!

I need to update the list of projects that I am dealing with right now because that's the only way I will finish them soon and go back to the sweet six :)

In a future post I will share with you the lessons I learned about how to organize my project and keep up with them so that they don't become UFO for too long or they don't get abandoned... but that's for another week :)

-- MOP: The list --

1. As You Wish - Done Vizzini Embroidery block (see below)
2. Celtic Solstice - 3/4 of the back is done! only one section left... probably will share next week
3. Tea Towel challenge and PPV BOM - waiting for next month pattern
4. Alice in Wonderland quilt - no progress (progress last week)
5. Happy Halloween wall hanging - done new block that was not planned (see below)
6. Topolino quilt - half way in a Donald Duck block... hope to share it next week
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7. B&W pillow - printed, cut, colored the pattern pieces
8. Grocery bag - cut the fabric
9. Triangle QAL - cut half of the triangles
10. Emerald wall hanging - top done, missing everything else


-- MOP: This week new blocks --

I also traced Fezzik quote already. I am behind with the PP blocks for the As You Wish quilt...
because I have already so many other "sewing" project that I need something different sometimes... so embroidery is perfect for that!! But I will make the PP blocks too soon because I am almost done with the quotes ;)
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I designed this block because of the current weather here in Virginia :)
The weather keeps changing (one day is sunny spring, one day is snowy winter), so I keep saying my favorite quote "It can't rain all the time" (which is from The Crow) and I usually add "but it can keep snowing ;)"
Anyway, this is the block!

The pattern is available in my Free patterns page.
It has the quote (in italian "Non puo' piovere per sempre") in the lower right part (close up)

I didn't want too much contrast but I think it's still readable.

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B&W pillow: it's going to be a new fandom pattern... but not ready to share what just yet ;)
The only thing that I can tell you is that is in the "Requests" list over at Fandom in Stitches...
I can also tell you that the pillow is a present for my landlord...
it's something about a tv series that she likes a lot... ok, I already revealed too much!! ;)
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I saw the Triangle QAL @ sassyquilter and initially I thought "Great! I hate triangles! finally a QAL that I can just watch without being involved since I already have many projects going on".
Well...
A week later I won a triangle ruler that is exactly the size used in the QAL, a friend told me that she is pregnant and then I went through my stash and found pieces of fabric that is perfect for a baby quilt and that I set aside because it couldn't be used for any of my current projects...
Ok, I've got the message from the Universe ;) I will participate to the Triangle QAL, then!! :)
This is my assignment for this week.

I decided to cut only about half of the triangles I need because I want to start sewing them together before committing to the full cutting!!
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And as a final note, my partner for the Block Swap adventure received her cat block, so I can share it here with you.

The pattern was part of a Halloween blog hop in 2012, it was designed by Lynn and you can find it at Thimblemouse & spouse. I changed the pattern a little bit to accommodate the request of a purple background :)

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And now, link YOUR own progresses below!!

Rules for the linky party:
1. You can link finished projects or WIP at any stage! Every step is worth sharing
   (A journey of thousand miles is made of single steps)!
2. Link to your specific post to make it easier for others to read about your progress!
3. Spread the word and post my button or a text link (code for the button on the side bar)
4. Comment on other links!! It's always good to support each other every step of the way!! :)

An InLinkz Link-up

MOP Monday - Two little tall guys

Some extra things to show also this week... scroll down and you will see :)

-- MOP: The list --

1. As You Wish - Done one embroidery block, but I cannot share it because it has not been released yet ;)
2. Celtic Solstice - 1/2 of the back is done... not ready to show that either :)
3. Tea Towel challenge and PPV BOM - second Pineapple (Ice Cream Bowl) done... (see below)
4. Alice in Wonderland quilt - One tall guy is done (see below)
5. Happy Halloween wall hanging - H for Happy done (see below)
6. Topolino quilt - printed next block...

-- MOP: This week new blocks --

The pattern has been tested and fixed and is now available in the Quilt&Stitch-TestAlong page.

And another little tall guy has been tested by Tiffany @sewlongsanity: doesn't he look super cute??

The pattern for the tall Minion has been fixed and is now available in the Free pattern page.

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Ice Cream Bowl block (or Pineapple)...

And H for the Happy Halloween wall hanging... still a long way to go, but slowly and steadily the blocks are coming together :)

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And finally I want to show again my Emerald wall hanging (top) and the Radiant Orchid one

 

Voting for the Pantone Quilt challenge is still open, click and go vote if you haven't done it yet!!

--

And now, link YOUR own progresses below!!

Rules for the linky party:
1. You can link finished projects or WIP at any stage! Every step is worth sharing
   (A journey of thousand miles is made of single steps)!
2. Link to your specific post to make it easier for others to read about your progress!
3. Spread the word and post my button or a text link (code for the button on the side bar)
4. Comment on other links!! It's always good to support each other every step of the way!! :)

An InLinkz Link-up

Vote and a winner!

First of all, let me share with you the finished top for my second "Color of the Year" wall hanging quilt, inspired by last year color (probably you can guess which color was that)

The Emerald pattern is available in my Craftsy shop.
And the pattern is not just for an emerald...
change the colors and you get a ruby, a sapphire or a black diamond!! :)
I choose to include also orange (to refer to 2012 color of the year) and purple (to refer to 2014 color of the year).

And speaking about this year Radiant Orchid...

VOTING is open for the Pantone Quilt Challenge! So CLICK HERE and vote for your favorite Quilts, Minis and Just the top! If you want to vote for me, that would be great... :) but there are so many other cool entries so go and check them out. Mine is the fourth in the Minis and it looks like this

(Just a reminder that also the Orchid pattern is available in my Crafsy shop)

And last but not least... the winner for last week giveaway (charm pack from my stash and embroidery floss) is...
Number 37 - Nicole! I will be emailing you soon to get your mailing information!

MOP Monday - Topolino and Minnie

It has been a crazy week! A lot of blocks done for "side projects" like Pi day, St. Patrick's day or the Radiant Orchid Pantone quilt challenge! If you are interested in those you can check my previous post

But I also had some progress on my usual list and here they are! 

-- MOP: The list --

1. As You Wish - A future paper pieced block done... but I cannot show it today :)
2. Celtic Solstice - 1/4 of the back is done... not ready to show that either yet :)
3. Tea Towel challenge and PPV BOM - no progress (progress last week)
4. Alice in Wonderland quilt - Printed next pattern and picked the fabric
5. Happy Halloween wall hanging - Finished the 4th block inspired by Melissa's QAL (progress already shared in a previous blog post)
6. Topolino quilt - Topolino (Mickey Mouse) done, and Minnie has been tested by Lois (see below for both patterns)

-- MOP: This week new blocks --

The pattern has been tested and fixed and is now available in the Quilt&Stitch-TestAlong page.

And Mickey Mouse sweet lady has been tested by Lois, doesn't her block look super-sweet??

The pattern for Minnie has been fixed and is now available in the Quilt&Stitch-TestAlong page.

--

And now, link YOUR own progresses below!!

Rules for the linky party:
1. You can link finished projects or WIP at any stage! Every step is worth sharing
   (A journey of thousand miles is made of single steps)!
2. Link to your specific post to make it easier for others to read about your progress!
3. Spread the word and post my button or a text link (code for the button on the side bar)
4. Comment on other links!! It's always good to support each other every step of the way!! :)

An InLinkz Link-up

Have a Radiant, Quilting and Lucky Pi day :)

This may be a pretty confusing post :)

but there are many different things to celebrate in the next few days... 

so I thought to mix them up a little ;)

Things to celebrate:

- Pi day (3/14)

- Worldwide Quilting day (3/15)

- St. Patrick's day (3/17)

- 2014 Pantone Quilt challenge, Radiant Orchid (3/14 - 3/21)

So... let's start celebrating, quilting style...

**First**:

A little Pi block

(11x11 inches)

this is a very easy block so I draw it myself... but if you are interested in the block and you don't design your own blocks, you can find a similar one in Jennifer's craftsy shop!

**Second**

A little Shamrock to celebrate St. Patrick's day

(7x7 inches)

The pattern is by Trillium Design and you can find it on Craftsy... I resized the pattern to make it smaller.

**AND FOR THE GRAND FINALE**

My entry for the 2014 Pantone Quilt challenge, Radiant Orchid:

This is a little wall hanging (size: 17x17 inches)

I love scrappy projects... and I am pretty sure that one of the fabric I used is Radiant Orchid... I have no idea which because it's hard to see the real colors on a computer screen... but I used so many different purple/pink tone that I must have picked something that is pretty close to the real Radiant Orchid ;)

And a few close-ups and the back to see better the quilting... 

It's the first time I quilt with color thread... I don't know if I like it... it's easy to see the "mistakes" but I think it's ok, considering the fact that is one of my first time I try a design different than stitch-in-the-ditch :)

Follow THIS LINK TO SEE ALL THE OTHER PROJECTS... and in 7 days the voting will open and I will ask you to vote for me ;) (or a different one... there are amazing quilts/projects over there... but if you vote mine I would be very very happy ;) )

If you want to make your own orchid block, the pattern is available in my Craftsy shop!!

And if you buy the pattern before the end of April, I will also send you the pattern for the blossoms and the instructions to add the borders so you can create your own version of the wall hanging above. If you want the extra pattern, just email me your craftsy display name and I will send you the extra pattern by email (you can find my email address in the orchid pattern).

And to conclude this long post, a sneak peek of the next "Color of the Year" wall hanging... 

I decided to make a similar wall hanging for each year that I have been sewing...

I don't have much backlog since I just started last year LOL ;)

But I think it's a nice way of tracking my sewing progress and of decorating my sewing space...

So here it is: Emerald.

The completed Emerald wall hanging will appear soon on this blog... so don't forget to follow me ;)

And now are you still reading? Yes? Wow, then you deserve a prize :)

I offer this little giveaway bundle...
45 charms (5''x5'') from various fabric of my stash and some embroidery floss.

For a chance to win, just tell me your favorite color in the comments below!
Mine is blue... or purple... I don't know, I can't decide :)

For an additional entry follow my blog and tell me how you follow (in a separate comment).
The giveaway will close on Sat, March 22nd (10 am EST)

IMPORTANT NOTES: 

* comments are moderated, so if you don't see your comment is because I need to approve it... please one comment per person
* the giveaway is open to international entries
* if you are a no-reply blogger I am not going to publish your comment, plain and simple... no email, no chance to win. If you are not sure, just write your email address in the comment.

P.S. Last night I made a Cherry Pi(e)

and a (burned) Pi(e) crust

It is burned because I was doing some calculations for a quilt back :( :(  never "quilt&bake" :)

Star Light Star Bright Quilt-A-Long - My final blocks

The great QAL by Melissa @ HappyQuilting is coming to an end and I can share with you my finished blocks! :)

(Top row: Do Bats Eat Cats blocks, Bottom row: Do Cats Eat Bats blocks)

As mentioned before, they are not exactly the blocks that Melissa designed, I did my own modified versions because I will use those blocks as corners for a Halloween wall-hanging (you can see that in one of my previous posts).
Melissa's QAL are always so fun... and even if for this one I didn't follow any of her instructions (LOL) I still use the tips that I learned in her last QAL to make perfect HST and flying geese ;)

I completed my last block this morning and I didn't have time to embroider the details for the cats... but I wanted to share this project with you today because tomorrow I have another big post already scheduled... 
It's going to be radiant and there may be a giveaway... so remember to come back and have a look ;)

MOP Monday - one top done and much more!!

DISCLAIMER: This is a post with a lot of text and a lot of pictures... but I think it's worthy: 1 quilt-top done, 1 new pattern tested and released and other 3 blocks done...

But first... let me THANK every person that reached out to me after my last "sad" post, where I was wondering if it's worth my time to share my patterns here on my blog (the summary of the post is that I did have a lot of download but very few people used my pattern and some of them didn't contact me to show me their work or they didn't give credit (at least on the picture that I saw) to me or my blog).

After that post, many of you wrote me kind emails telling me that they appreciate my work and they collect my patterns even if they didn't have the time to sew them yet (I am in the same situation, LOL :) ).

So you cheered me up and now I am back with my linky party and my patterns...

But I hope that in the future I will get some personal connections (email, facebook messages, something) if you try my patterns because I share my blocks just for this!! To find friend with the same interest!! :) 

Ok, enough bla bla bla, let's get down to the progresses of the last 2 weeks!! 

-- MOP: The list --

1. As You Wish - Count Rugen embroidery block done (see below)
2. Celtic Solstice - QUILT TOP DONE!!! (see below)
3. Tea Towel challenge and PPV BOM - PPV block (Ice Cream Bowl), 1 done (see below)
4. Alice in Wonderland quilt - Caterpillar block done (see below)
5. Happy Halloween wall hanging - "Do Bats Eat Cats?" block 2 done (see below)
6. Topolino quilt - next block printed

-- MOP: This week new blocks --

The pattern has been tested and fixed and is now available in the Quilt&Stitch-TestAlong page.

I used this amazing text fabric that I won in a giveaway some time ago... I really like text prints but I didn't know in what project I could use them... and then (since I have a resolution not to buy fabric for a while) I had to go through my stash to find a suitable background for the caterpillar... and I started reading the fabric :) there are words like "1 inch, 3 inch, 6 inch, ..." "queen" "painted" "roses" "joyful"... I mean how can a printed text be more perfect for an Alice in Wonderland block??? and for the Caterpillar in particular??? :)
Thanks Tiffany@sewinsomethin.blogspot.com!!!

--
"Do Bats Eat Cats?" is my second block for the modified version of Melissa's "Star Light, Star Bright" block

Do Bats Eat Cats? (block 2)

--
I also made one of my two blocks for the PPV BOM...
This block looked pretty complicated (and it 6'') so I was tempted to make the modified version which is simpler... but then I told myself "If I don't try, how do I know if I am able to do it?" And I am glad that I choose this version!! It's not hard at all!! just the few rounds from the center are kind of slow because aligning those small pieces is not super-easy, but once you get past those, it's super-easy and super-fast!! It's one single block, no points to match... I am really happy about the final result! Now I need to do another one with the aqua/blue switched... but that's for another week! :)

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And another reason why I didn't post on the blog last week is that on Thu I got pretty sick (bad cold) that knocked me out until late Monday :( so no energy to do any sewing on the sewing machine... but a lot of time on the couch to do some embroidery ;) so I completed the last embroidery block for The Princess Bride QAL :) I really like this block! It was my first time in doing that small cursive writing... and I think it turned out pretty readable, so I am happy about it! :)

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And finally... a FINISH (quilt top at least)
This is the wonderful Celtic Solstice by Bonnie Hunter! I did a smaller and modified version... I love how it came together... the colors are so bright (I am not able to capture that in a picture) :)

Celtic Solstice (quilt top) on my design wall

Celtic Solstice (quilt top) on my couch... 

just to prove that the previous image is not a computer generated image ;)

I now have big plans for the "back"... I put back between quotes because I don't do quilt backs... I do quilts with two fronts ;) I started designing the back but is not ready yet, it's just a draft on my computer... once the first block is "done" I will share the design and put it up in my MOP list so I can keep track of the progresses... the back will be scrappy & modern, that's the only thing I can tell you for now :)

--

And now, ling YOUR own progresses below!!

Rules for the linky party:
1. You can link finished projects or WIP at any stage! Every step is worth sharing
   (A journey of thousand miles is made of single steps)!
2. Link to your specific post to make it easier for others to read about your progress!
3. Spread the word and post my button or a text link (code for the button on the side bar)
4. Comment on other links!! It's always good to support each other every step of the way!! :)