Crossing things of my lists (and a link party)

Help!! I have a new obsession and I need someone to stop me ;)

The Ongoing Project List:

1. SYS2015 future projects - finished August project (cannot share yet)
2. Mirror Mirror Afghan - no progress
3. D wall hanging - no progress
4. Block Swap Adventure - my partner replied, I will make the block this week
5. the SK project - no progress
6. Tiny Quilt Challenge (American Made Brand) - cut and fused few shapes
7. Zipper pouches - no progress
8. the Ender project - cut next color
9. Geese project - ordered fabric
10. Dresden project - dooooone (see below)
11. Americana QAL - 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 -  3 blocks done (see below)
8. Crazy optical illusion -  no progress
9. Memory quilt 2 - no progress
10. B quilt - no progress

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Three more blocks are done for my Halloween Wall hanging it has been in the UFO list for probably two years... that's why I put it on my Q3 list for the Finish-Along!

Patterns by Jennifer, Harry Potter's Alphabet

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The SYS Skill for next month is Cross Stitching: this is not a secret, but the actual project for the tutorial is very cute and I cannot share it.

Since I never tried cross stitch before, I decided to start with a small project from one of those kits to "teach a craft to your kid" :)

I really like this technique!! It's just so simple, so quite and so portable! Sure it takes a while to cover a "big" space, but for small projects or add "accents" to quilts (see below) it's just too cute!!

(right) my first ever cross stitch project (from a kit)!

(left) I reproduced the cross stitch pattern on a smaller aida (14 counts instead of 11) and added as the perfect accent for my dresden wall hanging!!

And the Dresden Plate wall hanging is also full of "first try":

1. first time I add a cross stitch pattern to a quilted project
2. first time I use a Dresden ruler (bought with a coupon I won in a past giveaway)
3. first time I use jelly rolls (again bought with a coupon I won)... I really like how two very different styles of fabric (batiks and prints) add interest and blend together. And the jelly rolls were very easy to use with the ruler: I assembled the dresden in a snap!!
4. first time I use the "wave" stitch on my machine to quilt... much better effect than FMQ!!!
5. first time I use a blanket stitch (to secure the center): really love the effect, I didn't have a blanket stitch on my previous machine, but now I see more applique with this technique in my future

And as a final note: I didn't measure the center of the dresden nor the kitten pattern: they came out with the perfect size for each other by chance! The Universe sometimes makes everything fit to place perfectly, don't you think??

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How about you? What are YOU up to?

Link it here and share it with me!!

An InLinkz Link-up

SYS 2015 - Another month is almost over!!

At the beginning of June Kristel shared a cool tutorial for a fun Firefly-themed fabric postcard :).
You can find the tutorial on the SYS2015 page!

Where are YOUR postcards? Share them below!!

Remember that in this link party only projects belonging to the SYS2015 series should be added 

(I reserve the right to delete any non compliant link). 

This link party will be open all year long and you can add as many finished projects as you want! 

The same link party will be shown on the SYS2015 page.

Each link will give you a chance to win one of the monthly prizes.

This month, in order to be eligible for prizes, you are asked to make a fabric postcard!

You are encourage to use Kristel quote from Serenity, but if that is "not your thing", any other quote or any other design from anywhere else will qualify as an entry!! As long as it's a finished fabric postcard!

You can still link up blocks and projects from the Foundation Paper Piecing, Quilting, Crochet and Pixel Quilt tutorials!!

For rules about what will be accepted in those cases, please refer to this previous post (Tutorial 1), this other post (Tutorial 2), this other post (Tutorial 3) and this other post (Tutorial 4).

This month prize is:

A bundle of little scraps! They are all kind of colors, shapes and cuts! They come from my stash and I have been using them for paper piecing so they have all weird shapes, but they are just perfect for small applique projects like the fabric postcard!

As an added incentive, I will add a new piece of scraps for each project added in the link party from July 1st to August 5th! So the more people link, the bigger the prize could get... no upper limit to the number of scraps in the prize... so get your projects together and link them below!!

I will draw a winner (using random.org) on August 5th between all the new entries in the link party. 

International participants are welcome!!

--

An InLinkz Link-up

HELP! I need someone to stop me! (and a link party)

Help!! I have a new obsession and I need someone to stop me ;)

The Ongoing Project List:

1. SYS2015 future projects - no progress
2. Mirror Mirror Afghan - added few rows on the current block
3. D wall hanging - assembled the top! (see below)
4. Block Swap Adventure - no progress, my partner is not responsive :(
5. the SK project - done one block (see below)
6. Tiny Quilt Challenge (American Made Brand) - no progress
7. Zipper pouches - dooooone (more than expected, see below)
8. the Ender project - three more blocks done (see below)
9. Geese project - no progress
10. Dresden project - no progress
11. Americana QAL - new project! (see below)

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 -  3 blocks done (see below)
8. Crazy optical illusion -  no progress
9. Memory quilt 2 - no progress
10. B quilt - no progress

--
My plan to "End" the madness in my overflowing bags of scraps with Bonnie Hunter's Leader and Ender project (with tumblers) is in full swing!

If three weeks ago you told me I would cut and assemble 350 2 inches tumblers I would have told you are insane! But apparently that's what I did! And I had fun doing it!
I think the trick is that I don't cut them all at once, nor assemble them all at once... I cut few, assemble few, and before I know it I have 7 colors done!

I also already planned the setting and bought the sashing... so stay tuned for more tumblers ;)

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And I am back with my Stephen King project!

My lunch breaks are put to good use ;)

Opening line of "11/22/63"

You can find the pattern on my The SK Project page.

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I finally was able to assemble the D wall hanging! Now only the embroidery in some block is missing and then it's ready to be quilted!!

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Three more blocks are done for my Halloween Wall hanging it has been in the UFO list for probably two years... that's why I put it on my Q3 list for the Finish-Along!

Patterns by Jennifer, Harry Potter's Alphabet

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And speaking about new...

If someone has already 20 projects on her list, what would a natural thing to do? Add one more of course!! :)

Deana (over at dodmystery.blogspot.com) is hosting 2 QAL and one really caught my eyes because I could see using those blocks together with some orphan blocks that have been in my drawers for too long!! I am not making Deana's row quilt, but this is the first installment of the Americana QAL for me! 

After careful inspection, my sewing helper said that it's ok if I chopped of few points of the stars... the blocks still makes a nice blanket for summer naps!! :) :)

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And finally... this is where I need your help!

PLEASE STOP ME!!! :)

I have been planning to try the Sew Together Bag (by Michelle), and using up my big stash of selvage seemed to be the perfect occasion. However I was scared that the bag was going to be too complicated so I postponed the project until I came across this variation by Elizabeth (Mini Sew Together Bag): this seemed to be perfect, as it's smaller, less waste in case it came out horrible or I hated the bag! :)

I already purchased Michelle pattern so I was ready to go...

From my cry for help, you may have already guessed that I don't just love this pattern (and its smaller variation) but I am completely obsessed with it!!! :)

I didn't just make 2 small one as initially planned... I actually made THREE small ones, already prepared the pieces for the fourth (big) one and planned FIVE more small and ONE more big :)

Yes, this is my go-to Xmas present for this year :)

Project for Q3 finish-along (full list of Q3 projects here)!

I experimented different things for the outside piece with my selvages! Using just the text part, using just the colorful dot parts, using text and the fabric attached to the selvage, arranging it with an angle, etc. I have several more variations planned! It's so fun to play with these ideas and have a little complete projects ready to gift!

Plus the bag is really great! Even the small version, is pretty big and it can be used to hold a pin cushion, thread, pins, markers, scissors, machine feet right next to your work station!! And then you take the pin cushion out, zip it up and it's ready for your trip to quilting retreat!

Or you can use it to hold any on-the-go project (embroidery, english paper piecing, cross stitching) or to have all your cables and charges neatly stored and ready for travel!

You will see more of these in the near future!

--

How about you? What are YOU up to?

Link it here and share it with me!!

An InLinkz Link-up

SYS 2015 - A new prize announced

Earlier this month Kristel shared a cool tutorial for a fun Firefly-themed fabric postcard :).
You can find the tutorial on the SYS2015 page!

Are YOU enjoying this postcard making? What kind of postcards are going to be flying around the country and across the world? Share them below!!

Remember that in this link party only projects belonging to the SYS2015 series should be added 

(I reserve the right to delete any non compliant link). 

This link party will be open all year long and you can add as many finished projects as you want! 

The same link party will be shown on the SYS2015 page.

Each link will give you a chance to win one of the monthly prizes.

This month, in order to be eligible for prizes, you are asked to make a fabric postcard!

You are encourage to use Kristel quote from Serenity, but if that is "not your thing", any other quote or any other design from anywhere else will qualify as an entry!! As long as it's a finished fabric postcard!

You can still link up blocks and projects from the Foundation Paper Piecing, Quilting, Crochet and Pixel Quilt tutorials!!

For rules about what will be accepted in those cases, please refer to this previous post (Tutorial 1), this other post (Tutorial 2), this other post (Tutorial 3) and this other post (Tutorial 4).

This month prize is:

A bundle of little scraps! They are all kind of colors, shapes and cuts! They come from my stash and I have been using them for paper piecing so they have all weird shapes, but they are just perfect for small applique projects like the fabric postcard!

As an added incentive, I will add a new piece of scraps for each project added in the link party from July 1st to August 5th! So the more people link, the bigger the prize could get... no upper limit to the number of scraps in the prize... so get your projects together and link them below!!

I will draw a winner (using random.org) on August 5th between all the new entries in the link party. 

International participants are welcome!!

--

An InLinkz Link-up

Great progress this week (and a link party)

I had great progress on several projects of my list! even a finish!

The Ongoing Project List:

1. SYS2015 future projects - no progress
2. Mirror Mirror Afghan - added few rows on the current block
3. Water Lilies (Spangled Stars Quilt-along) - doooooone (see below)
4. D wall hanging -  last block done (see below)
5. Block Swap Adventure - no progress, my partner is not responsive :(
6. the SK project - done one block (see below)
7. Tiny Quilt Challenge (American Made Brand) - printed all the pieces
8. Zipper pouches - cut pieces for one pouch
9. the Ender project - two blocks done and few ready to assemble (see below)
10. Geese project - new project, need to design
11. Dresden project - new project, need to design

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 -  3 blocks done (see below)
8. Crazy optical illusion -  no progress
9. Memory quilt 2 - printed grid for next block
10. B quilt - no progress

--
My plan to "End" the madness in my overflowing bags of scraps with Bonnie Hunter's Leader and Ender project (with tumblers) is in full swing!

And since RSC15 color for this month is red I choose to attack the Red and Pink bags first. And Purple and Light Green are ready to be assembled (I don't have enough Dark Green for now, but I will probably in few months).

--

And I am back with my Stephen King project!

My lunch breaks are put to good use ;)

Opening line of "The Wind Through the Keyhole"

You can find the pattern on my The SK Project page.

--

The final block for my D wall hanging is done!

It's the house in the mountain that my family has, and it's the place where this wall hanging is going to be displayed :)

--

I cannot believe that I am back to this project... it has been in the UFO list for probably two years... that's why I put it on my Q3 list for the Finish-Along!

Patterns by Jennifer, Harry Potter's Alphabet

I started with the easiest blocks just to get my momentum going... lol :)

--

And last, but not least, I finished my Water Lilies

Water Lilies (68''x74'', with 2 colors scrappy binding)

Original design by Susan,

Color inspiration: Water Lilies Red, Claude Monet, 1914

You can click on the image to zoom in. And of course you can see my little helper enjoying some well deserved treats after the long hours of piecing, quilting and binding ;)

Project for Q3 finish-along (full list of Q3 projects here)!

--

How about you? What are YOU up to?

Link it here and share it with me!!

An InLinkz Link-up

SYS 2015 - My finished project and other annoucements

Last week Kristel shared a cool tutorial for a fun Firefly-themed fabric postcard :).
You can find the tutorial on the SYS2015 page!

Announcement 1: My project is done! 

I won't use this as a postcard but as a bookmark instead! This is why I picked a more "Firefly" themed fabric for the back (and added a quote from the tv series... click the image to zoom in).

This is my first time EVER trying applique! and wow, it was easier than I thought! It was challenging to handle pieces of fabric that are that skinny... but with a lot of acceptance for imperfections and a little bit of practice, I think I can say that I like this technique.

I also added some micro stippling in the background to make the card more rigid: again, not perfect but it serves its purpose!

Announcement 2:  I received few comments and feedback in the survey and I want to address some of them here for everyone to see!

Issue 1: not linking projects because don't have blogs/facebook/flickr or have issues with the link software 

Answer: PLEASE, just get in touch with me directly via email!!! I can add your links for you, I just need a picture and I can upload it myself or walk you through the problems you are having!! But if you don't get in touch with me, I cannot know! And then everyone will miss the opportunity to see your wonderful piece and be inspired! 

Issue 2: not linking because don't have a camera

Answer: well, I cannot come to your home and take the picture myself ;) however remember that the picture doesn't need to be super-professional... so maybe you have a phone with a camera, that would work too! And again, see the answer before if you don't have access to different online platforms!

Issue 3: not being able to meet the monthly deadline

Answer: you don't have to meet the monthly deadline!!! The link party is open to ALL previous projects ALL YEAR LONG... so as soon as you have a finished project, link it!! The deadline is necessary because I need to draw winners every month so I need to do it on a specific date. But again, as I write in every single post, you can link anything from any previous tutorial.

Issue 4: not being fan of the specific fandom/pattern presented

Answer: while I totally understand this, and completely relate, I designed this series to have a relatively small "time/material commitment" for each project... so even if you are not a great fan of the fandom presented, trying it out could just be useful to practice the technique so it shouldn't be so much of a barrier. Plus almost all tutorials encourage variations and changes, so I find it very hard to believe that you cannot find a way to twist the pattern/technique to suit your personal likes!! Using your imagination and talent is also part of the Stretch Your Skill goals ;)

Issue 5: don't have time

Answer: as soon as I build a time machine, I would be happy to lend it to you ;) well, after I finish all my projects and use it for few other errands ;) I understand this issue, but this is why I try to keep the objects small and fast to make. I think that none of the projects took me more than a couple of nights to complete, and I was not familiar with 90% of the techniques presented... so if I was able to make them, you would be able to make them too!!

Announcement 3: 

How about you? what are YOU making? Let's get the party started!!

Remember that in this link party only projects belonging to the SYS2015 series should be added 

(I reserve the right to delete any non compliant link). 

This link party will be open all year long and you can add as many finished projects as you want! 

The same link party will be shown on the SYS2015 page.

Each link will give you a chance to win one of the monthly prizes.

This month, in order to be eligible for prizes, you are asked to make a fabric postcard!

You are encouraged to use Kristel quote from Serenity, but if that is "not your thing", any other quote or any other design from anywhere else will qualify as an entry!! As long as it's a finished fabric postcard!

You can still link up blocks and projects from the Foundation Paper Piecing, Quilting, Crochet and Pixel Quilt tutorials!!

For rules about what will be accepted in those cases, please refer to this previous post (Tutorial 1), this other post (Tutorial 2), this other post (Tutorial 3) and this other post (Tutorial 4).

This month prize will be announced next week!!

I will draw a winner (using random.org) on August 5th between all the new entries in the link party. 

International participants are welcome!!

--

An InLinkz Link-up

2015 Finish-Along: Q3 plans

Big plans for this quarter!

As usual the list contains projects that I am 99% sure I will complete... and others that I am 80% sure I won't be able to complete, but it's a good incentive to have them there ;)

This is my list:

1. Water Lilies - need finish quilting & binding
2. Secret Cross Stitching project - have the pattern, the thread but cannot share, it's secret ;)
3. Happy Halloween wall hanging -  12 blocks done, design planned
4. Mirror mirror afghan - several blocks done, seeeeeveral more missing, probably will carry over Q4
5. AMB Tiny Quilt Challenge piece - have the fabric and the pattern, just need to start stitching!
6. College Days Blog Hop blocks for tote/grocery bag - one block done, no pattern
7. Cute Kitten (cross stitching) - started
8. Lighthouse (cross stitching) - started... this is pretty big for me, probably will carry over Q4
9. Selvage zipper pouches - made the outside pieces, have pattern and other material too
10. D wall hanging - just last block missing (+ finishing)

Ok... that's a huuuuuuge list...

How much am I going to accomplish? Not much if I spend my time here writing ;)
So let's get sewing!!

Lost my mojo, but I stitch on (and a link party)

I am in one of those weeks... when none of your current project inspires you to sew so you have to find new projects to try ;)

The Ongoing Project List:

1. SYS2015 future projects - gathered material for August project
2. Mirror Mirror Afghan - no progress
3. Water Lilies (Spangled Stars Quilt-along) - partially quilted
4. D wall hanging -  no progress
5. Block Swap Adventure - received partner, need to pull fabric
6. the SK project - started a block
7. Tiny Quilt Challenge (American Made Brand) - finished the pattern
8. Zipper pouches - fun selvage project (see below)
9. the Ender project - Leader and Ender project, with a twist

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
10. B quilt - no progress

--
A long time ago I was obsessed with selvages and I collected a big pile of them... and then I never had the chance to use them :)
So since I was looking to get my mojo back, I thought that the simple project of sewing selvages to a muslin piece for a couple of zipper pouches was the prefect activity!

Main pieces for mini sew together zipper pouches!

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And another activity that does not require thinking, is to try to use up my overflowing bags of scraps!
Bonnie Hunter started a new  Leader and Ender project (with tumblers) and even if I don't do classic leader/enders (because with paper piecing it's just very impractical) I wanted to use this project as an excuse to "End" the madness in my overflowing bags of scraps ;)

Since they are divided by colors, I will make monochromatic scrappy blocks and put them together with some kind of sashing (still to decide). These are my first two blocks

10'' x 14'', scrappy tumbler blocks!

I see another scrappy rainbow project by the end of the year!! ;)

--

Last but not least... the winners for the flash SYS2015 giveaway are:

Barbara and Nicole! I already sent you an email! 

I hope to get your contact info soon so Kristel will be able to send the prize to you asap!

--
How about you? What are YOU up to?

Link it here and share it with me!!

An InLinkz Link-up

SYS 2015 - Tutorial 6, Applique (and flash giveaway)!

Get your sewing machine, ironing board, scissors and thread ready, because here is our next tutorial!

The sixth tutorial of the series is brought you by the amazing Kristel (wipgirl).

This is a super cool fabric postcard, with a quote from the sci-fi movie "Serenity", continuation of the TV series "Firefly"!!

The pdf (links below) contains detailed instructions on how to create that beautiful piece!!

Click here to download Tutorial!

The link up for SYS2015 is still open for your Syndrome blocks, FPP projects, free motion quilting/tangle stitches pieces, crochet projects and pixel quilts!

Next week there will be more details on what to link to win our monthly prizes...

And speaking of prizes...

Three things:

1. There were no new entries since last month, so no winner for Karen's prize :(
2. For the last couple of weeks I asked your opinion on this series (filling out the survey at this link) and I received few comments that I will address next week!
   If you didn't enter your comments, the survey is still open...
3. ** FLASH GIVEAWAY **
   
   To encourage people to make this fun project, Kristel is offering not one, but TWO kits with everything you need to make your own cool postcard!!
   In order to be eligible to win, post a comment below telling me if you are a fan of sci-fi and, if so, which is your favorite series/movie! If you are not a sci-fi fan, you can tell me that too, we won't hold it against you :)
   
   ETA: comments are moderated and they need my approval. So if you don't see your comment immediately don't worry! It may take me few hours to get back to you but I will, promise!!!
   
   I will draw TWO winners on July 4th, 10 a.m. EST.If you are a no-reply blogger and I cannot get in touch with you I will simply draw another winner... so if you are not sure, just leave your email address in the comment!

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All the information about the series (as well as all the previously published tutorials) will be available at the SYS 2015 page.

If you have any question about the series, don't hesitate to contact me via email or add a comment here on my blog (and if you want an answer, make sure you are not a no-reply blogger!).

So now let's go and Stretch Our Skills!!! :)

Until next time
Happy stitching!!