Giveaway continued and a new SK block

Last week my giveaway was announced so let me remind you the rules!

These are the rules:
- to participate in the giveaway you have to link a post of your blog on my MOP Monday linky party (at the end of this post)
- each link added will give you one entry
- links must belong to a specific range of dates
- the standard MOP Monday opening/closing time applies (the collection usually opens on Sat or Sun and is open until next Tue 12:05 pm EST)
- you can link more than one blog post (as long as it is in the range of the current week)
- the giveaway will be running for 4 MOP Mondays and the winner will be announced in the post on Aug 16 or 17
- I reserve the right to delete non-relevant links and/or exclude them from the count in the giveaway
- following my blog and commenting on other links is not required, but is greatly appreciated!!
- the prize are the 100 charm squares pictured above. Not all prints are shown and they belong to different charm packs and/or random fabric from my stash
- **forgot to say this last time**: the giveaway is open to everyone, international entries are welcome (as well as US ones)!!

And now, for My Own Progress:
First of all, I decided to change my list...
I have new projects and new priorities, so I decided to move things around...

-- MOP: The list --

1. the SK project - one more block done (and two more designed)
2. Rainbow Starburst - no progress
3. Topolino quilt - one block done!! (see below)
4. Reversible sewing machine cover - one block done (see below)
5. Tea Towel challenge and PPV BOM - no progress (progress last week)
6. College Days Blog Hop blocks for tote/grocery bag - no progress
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7. Alice in Wonderland quilt - no progress
8. As You Wish - no progress
9. Happy Halloween wall hanging - no progress
10. Crazy optical illusion - no progress

-- MOP: This week new blocks --

(Pattern by Amy @ Badskirt)

I am not super-happy about the embroidery part... I used a different stitch and I didn't spend too much time tracing the letters before, so they didn't turn out very homogeneous... however I don't hate it enough to rip the stitching and redo it ;) so it is what it is and I will move to the next block

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Finally I went back to my Topolino quilt and I made a block that represent what I usually like to do during the weekends:

(pattern available on the Quilt&Stitch-TestAlong page)

relaxing, sleeping and dreaming about flying animals (isn't that fabric just perfect for the block??) ;)
The pattern had few little mistakes, so I will fix it and share it soon!! :)

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And now the block that I am most proud of... I think this is the best block I've ever designed and the best block I've ever embroidered (the picture didn't come out too good... but that's ok). I will share it again through Summer of Stitches (on Fandom in Stitches) for the theme "I <3 books" because this is actually the book I love the most by Stephen King... well technically I love the entire series (together a couple of other books "connected" to the series), but let's cut it here and let me introduce you to the opening line (one of the best opening line ever, IMHO) of...
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The Gunslinger!
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Pattern available on "The SK project" page

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And now, link YOUR own progresses below!!
Links for the giveaway: dated between July 23 and July 29 (included)
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

100, 100, 100 (with giveaway)

I am 100% back and this is my 100th post!!
So we should celebrate with a 100 squares giveaway!

These are the rules:
- to participate in the giveaway you have to link a post of your blog on my MOP Monday linky party (at the end of this post)
- each link added will give you one entry
- links must belong to a specific range of dates (I will post exactly the date range in each post, for example in this post I will count entries with dates from July 15 to July 22, included)
- the standard MOP Monday opening/closing time applies (the collection usually opens on Sat or Sun and is open until next Tue 12:05 pm EST)
- you can link more than one blog post (as long as it is in the range of the current week)
- the giveaway will be running for 4 MOP Mondays and the winner will be announced in the post on Aug 16 or 17
- I reserve the right to delete non-relevant links and/or exclude them from the count in the giveaway
- following my blog and commenting on other links is not required, but is greatly appreciated!!
- the prize are the 100 charm squares pictured above. Not all prints are shown and they belong to different charm packs and/or random fabric from my stash

And now, for My Own Progress:

-- MOP: The list --

1. As You Wish - no progress
2. Rainbow Starburst - no progress
3. Tea Towel challenge and PPV BOM - second July block done! (see below)
4. Alice in Wonderland quilt - no progress
5. Happy Halloween wall hanging - no progress
6. Topolino quilt - no progress (progress last week)
--
7. Blocks for Summer of Stitches (FiS) - one block done!! (see below)
8. College Days Blog Hop blocks - no progress
9. Crazy optical illusion - no progress
10. Reversible sewing machine cover - one block done but embroidery missing, printed next block
11. Iron board cover - DOOOONE (see below)

-- MOP: This week new blocks --
This is the second version of my July block from the PPV BOM.

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As usual, I couldn't follow exactly the instruction for the iron board cover because the original design called for 8 fabric, but I couldn't narrow down my choice to 8 :) It was already hard to pick the 10 I used... so I reduced the size of the rows to include more variety and this is what I have now in my sewing room...

Two of my great helpers are also in the picture (Hokie-Dokie and Pumpkin... Hokie-Dokie holds my sewing essentials, that otherwise will get lost every 5 minutes, Pumpkin was just walking by to do a quality check on my new cover: it has been approved :) )
I just looooove the "bold fabric-colorful rainbow" style of my new ironing board!! And it was pretty easy to do (the hardest part was to put it on actually ;) )
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And now, last, but not least, Jennifer is running a Summer of Stitches (on Fandom in Stitches) that encourages people to keep stitching and submitting new designs all summer long!

Few weeks ago, the theme was "I <3 books" and as soon as this theme was out, a giant project just appear in my mind! :) It is a long-term project that probably is going to take years to finish... but one block at the time, I will get there!! And I will share it here with you.

Books for me means Stephen King... I have an insane passion for all of his book and I read my first SK book when I was 9 (yes, I don't think that was exactly age appropriate, but I grew up pretty well anyway I believe). Between 9 and 12 I think I read about 50 of his books. I was going to the library with my mom and since SK books obviously were in the "Grown up" section where I couldn't go by myself, I "used" my mom to get there and to check out his books (but I was generous with my mom... I was used to tell her: you are allowed to take ONE book for yourself on your library card... the other 3 of your card are mine ;) and they were all SK).
So as soon as the theme "I <3 books" was out, I pictured a giant quilt with all (or many) of SK book covers and quotes!! :) So the first one in this long journey is not technically my favorite book, but it was one of the easiest covers, so I decided to start with this! So here IT is! :)

Pattern available on "The SK project" page

--
And now, link YOUR own progresses below!!
Links for the giveaway: dated between July 15 and July 22 (included)
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 - I AM back! :)

Hello everyone!
I am officially back! Did you miss me? ;)
I missed my sewing/blogging/designing time for sure!

I don't have much progress to report on my list of projects, but few are better than none!!
And I have few projects that I wanted to add to my list, because if you all know that they are in progress that put some "pressure" on me to actually go on with them and finish them (eventually).

-- MOP: The list --

1. As You Wish - no progress
2. Rainbow Starburst - no progress
3. Tea Towel challenge and PPV BOM - one July block done! (see below)
4. Alice in Wonderland quilt - no progress
5. Happy Halloween wall hanging - no progress
6. Topolino quilt - no progress (progress last week)
--
7. Blocks for Summer of Stitches (FiS) - designed 2... I need to go to the quilt shop to get some fabric... but I hope to have them done in the next couple of weeks :)
8. College Days Blog Hop blocks - there are few blocks that I ABSOLUTELY NEED to make :) still haven't decided which fabric to use :)
9. Crazy optical illusion - if the few initial blocks will work out, I will share more details, for now it's a secret
10. Reversible sewing machine cover - 8 blocks to make, 2 done (see below)
11. Iron board cover - because mine is ugly and old and if my sewing machine get a new cover, my ironing board may get jealous and we don't want that!!! :)

-- MOP: This week new blocks --
PPV block for June was not in my original design, so I am not running that much behind!
This is one of my July block (I need to make a second one... but this is a very quick block, so I will be able to make it by the end of July for sure!)

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I decided to make a cover for my sewing machine because I found some sewing-related blocks (most of them PP) that are just wonderful!
These are the one that I did until now

Designed by Joanna @ Shape Moth

Designed by HTaBQuilts  

I had a lot of fun making the Dresden Plate block... I still prefer PP, but the effect is very nice with this traditional technique as well!!

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And FINALLY I was able to sit down and finalize the Malecifent pattern (that was tested more than a month ago by not one but TWO amazing testers) see their amazing blocks!

tested by KellyLea

tested by Diane K

So you can find the final pattern of this Maleficent block on my Free Pattern 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

New Quilt Blogger Blog Hop - Am I back?

This is my post for the wonderful blog hop organized by Beth @ plumandjune.blogspot.com!

Make sure to visit the other participants for today (at the end of the post) and read through the post because I have a question for you as you may be able to help me ;)

Hello everyone!!
If you are new to my blog, WELCOME, in this post you will know a little bit more about me!! ;)
If you are returning visitor, THANKS for your support!!

You may have noticed that I haven't being posting a lot for a couple of months: I just recently changed my job, my house (moved to another state) so my craft time went down to 0 :( :( :(
and the same for my blogging time :( :( :(
But I think I am back :) My sewing room is almost usable and I will get back with my MANY projects that I will share with you soon!

But enough rambling, let me summarize my take on quilting/blogging:

• I am a computer science researcher that a little more than an year ago discovered the great world of sewing... never touched a sewing machine before December 2012... and since then I never spent more than 1 day without sewing :) (except the last month of moving! :) )
• I am not a "traditional" quilter (nor a traditional person, I believe), but I am probably not a "modern quilter" in the "traditional" way either (is there such thing as traditional modern?? I don't know)
• I consider myself "modern" just because I cannot fit in the "traditional" definition... but to make it simple, I am a Paper Piecing obsessed. But again, not "traditional stars/compass" PP blocks... but fun FANDOM blocks (see below if you don't know what I am talking about)
• I cannot work on one project alone, I must have multiple projects going on at the same time... possibly at different stages and with different techniques (embroidery, chain piecing, PP, BOM, ...) because if I don't have variety I get bored and then nothing get finished
• In my time as blogger, I have participated to several BOM, challenges, Blog Hops, ...
  You can find all of them in the page Fun events (past)
• I always answer to comments with an email (if the person is a no-reply blogger or I can find her/his email address), but I moderate comments to avoid spam, so PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE comment on my post, I love to hear from you but don't worry if it does not get published immediately
• I host a linky party every week (on Monday) called MOP Monday, where everyone can link any progress in your crafts projects that you are proud of!! More details can be found in the MOP Monday page
• I like lists and bullet points ;)

And now, the two main parts of my quilting addiction:

1. fun quilts that I made
2. tons of FREE paper piecing patterns that I designed
   

Some of my completed quilts

I am fan of many things (from books to tv series) my passion for quilting was born when I found the amazing "FandomInStitches" website! After a couple of blocks made from there I started designing my own quilt (note: I had never touched a sewing machine before, and I managed to make pretty "complex" paper piecing blocks... so PP is NOT hard, you just have to find blocks that you are passionate about!)
This is my first quilt (ever... and it is stitched and designed by me), inspired by my all time favorite Disney movie "The Sword in the Stone"

More pictures and all the blocks patterns are available on this page.

My other passion when it comes to quilting is using scraps!! :) I cannot use a single solid or color for anything because I cannot choose between all those fun fabrics I have... this is why most of my work is very scrappy!

This is a more "traditionally modern" quilt that I made recently

This is called "Celtic Sunrise" and if you want to know more background stories about it, you can read them in this post for the Blogger Quilt Festival!.

Tons of Free Paper Piecing Patterns!
My other addiction (beside sewing) is designing paper piecing patterns and share them for free here on my blog. I recently joined the FandomInStitches community and became one of the staff members (because I was designing so many patterns that it was kind of hard for the wonderful Jennifer to keep up with that, so she gave me the power to publish them myself ;) ).

As you can see from my header picture I designed patterns for Disney characters, Peanuts and Snoopy, Downton Abbey, Alice in Wonderland but I have many many more (Maleficent, The Simpsons, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Betty Boop, Minions and more)!!

Some of them have to be tested, some of there are tested. 

You can find them just navigating the different tabs or just typing the character name in the search box at the top of the page.

And if you have a specific block that you would like me to design for you, please don't hesitate to write me an email or just simply post a comment on any of my posts and I will get back to you as soon as I can!! 

The list of other participants of today's hop
And now, that's it for me...
Don't forget to visit the other inspiring people that today will share their passion for blogging & quilting!!

Shauna @ Shauna's World

Pam @ Sewing Wilde
Wendy @ Wendy's Quilts and More

Jan @ The Colorful Fabriholic

Carole @ From My Carolina Home

Lin @ Lin's Quilts

Helga @ Green Mill Vintage

Kate @ Thread Everywhere

Cheryl @ Texas Quilting Gal 

Jenn @ Sew Crafty Jenn

Heather @ Bobbins and Bullets 

Cornelia @ Pieced With Love XOXO

My question for you
If I ask you to tell me which book I absolutely have to "read/listen", which book would you pick?
I recently discovered audiobooks on Audible but there are so many books out there, that I need an advice! :)

College Days Blog Hop - College Math

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If you are new here WELCOME to my blog!

If you are returning visitor SORRY I keep changing the look and pages of my blog :)
I am in the process of "beautifying" my blog, loosely following the "Beautify your blog" @ Sew at Home Mummy so things will keep changing until I am happy with it (or tired of making changes... whichever comes first ;) )
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When Soma @ Whims And Fancies contacted me to join the blog hop I was really happy to do that... but as soon as she mentioned the theme of the blog hop I was just over the moon! :) I really like my college days and immediately the image of the block I wanted to design came into my mind!! Don't you love when it happens?

My block is called "College Math" and it summarize how I was able to get through college (but don't tell my mom ;) )

(College Math - College Days Blog Hop)

I also found just the perfect fabric for everything... great background fabric (from Spoonflower) with all kind of formulas and geometry drawings, the perfect bubbles for the beer, amazing greys for the coffee machine, and the perfect scrappy look for the pile of books!! I just looove it!

I must admit that the pile of books is pretty challenging... due to a imprecise stitching when putting the books together, my pile turned out too tall to fit with the rest of the block... so I actually had to get rid of a book to make it work!
This is why I decided to share with you two versions of the pattern: one with more books and one with less.

Original version

Simplified version

If you make this block, please send me an email! 

I love to see picture of blocks made with my patterns!! (My email is in the patterns)
Or you can share your picture in the Flickr group for the blog hop!

And don't forget to check out the other wonderful designers that contribute to the hop!

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If you are new to my blog, look around and feel free to leave me comments ;)
I am a paper piecing addicted and I share all my patterns (mostly Disney or cartoon related) here on my blog! I have patterns to be tested (Simpsons, Alice in Wonderland, Mickey Mouse & Friends, Donald Duck & friends) and many pattern already tested and ready to be enjoyed by other great quilters!!

For any question about my patterns (or if you would like to have a block of a specific character) don't hesitate to contact me (all my contact information are available in my About page)

WARNING: if your comment doesn't show up immediately is because I need to approve them... and I am in the middle of a move between states so I may not have the chance to approve it right away:) but be sure that I will write you back as soon as I can, so please add any comment you want, I love hearing from you!!