So much to share (and a link party)!

Few secret pieces revealed and several finishes!!!

The Ongoing Project List:

1. Block Swap Adventure - paused until Dec
   (but making scrappy blocks for block lotto, see below)
2. Charity quilts - one quilt done (see below)
3. Americana QAL - no progress
4. Adam's wall hanging - finally I can show this off!! (see below)
5. 2016 QAL (secret) - no progress
6. Allietare QAL - first clue done (see below)
7. Knitted hand warmers - another pair done (see below)
8. Jane T - no progress
9. Xmas present 1 - knitted scarf (done about 15 inches)
10. Xmas present 2 - crochet caterpillar (found pattern)

The EverythingElse List:

1. the SK project - no progress
2. the 31000 Xs project - no progress
3. Spirit cross stitch project - no progress
4. Mirror Mirror Afghan - no progress
5. the Ender project - no progress
6. Embroidery calendar - no progress
7. Project of Doom 2015 @ Fandom in Stitches - paused for a while
8. Alice in Wonderland quilt - no progress
9. As You Wish -  no progress
10. Crazy optical illusion - no progress
11. Memory quilt 2 - no progress
12. B quilt - no progress

--
Finally I can reveal a big project I am super proud of!!

Happy Pigeon - 20 x 20 inches

A while ago I decided to participate in the AMB challenge and I made a mini inspired by the wonderful work of Adam Lister (adamlistergallery.com) and his interpretation of Van Gogh's "The Starry Night". If you want to read more about that project, you can read the whole story in this post.

After I sent Adam the picture of the quilt, he said that he really liked it and that he wanted a quilt for himself :) so he proposed a trade: I make a mini for him, and he makes a painting for me. Of course I thought this idea was wonderful! He sent me a picture of a old painting he made ("Pigeon") and he said that my mini would be used as a decoration for his daughter room (she is one year old).

So I decided to mix up his style with my own... so I made a very square horizontal/vertical style background, and I quilted it. Then I designed the pigeon to have fun angles and I paper pieced that block. I then appliqued the big pigeon on the background.

Once I completed the mini, I decided to make a little something for Adam as well... because everyone needs a little custom handmade object! So I made him this little mug rug.

Nintendo Mug Rug (9 x 4 inches)

--

Another couple of Xmas presents are done!

Hand warmers for a friend (I really love the cable pattern... and they are extra comfy too)

Pattern by weezalana (knittywhipped.blogspot.com) 

And a little crochet bag for one of her kids: because every little lady needs a cute bag, right?

Pattern by Sara (tangledhappy.com)

--
In our Block Swap Adventure group we decided to add extra things to swap, just to make it more fun. Next year we are going to run a block lotto, where each month one person will win a bunch of scrappy 16 patches (1 inch finished little squares, each block measures 4.5 unfinished). Each month we will enter 4 blocks in the drawing... I used this project as a "break" between other more "brain demanding" projects as here there is no thinking needed: just grab squares and sew!

Two months of squares are ready to be entered in the block lotto drawing!!

--

The first clue of Bonnie Hunter's Mystery QAL is out. I decided to follow along, but I will make 1/4 of the units because I don't need a big quilt and I am not sure if I will like the design :) I loved the Celtic Solstice, but I didn't like the one done last year (which I didn't follow along anyway).

This time, I am still not sure if I am going to use her colors or replace the red with blue.
I have many more blues than red... we'll see...
In the meantime I already made a change from her instructions, as I decided to use a scrappy grey instead of a constant fabric... we'll see if this will work or not :)

Some of my trimmed HST... and a pile of many more to trim!

Linked up at the Monday Link-up party!

--

And last, but not least, I want to remind you that I am working on charity quilts,
and I would love your help!! 

Quilts are for a quilt drive to help the kids in the DC General Homeless Shelter. 

And you can help me by donating orphan blocks, partial blocks, or fabric (scraps, strips, leftover, uglies, whatever). 

If you are willing to mail them to me, I could use them to make more quilts for these kids!!! 

If you are up for a loving donation, please send me an email at tweloq[_at_]gmail[dot_com] or leave a comment here with your email address so I could give you my mailing address. I promise that your donation will be used to make some kids happy and feel more loved!! 

One more quilt done!

Baby quilt - 40 x 40 inches

This is a project from my long Q4 list of projects! (Project 2. in the list)...
and I completed TEN projects since the beginning of October! WooooH me :)

--

How about you? What are YOU up to?

Link it here and share it with me!!

An InLinkz Link-up

SYS2015 - Being thankful - series wrap up!

A very special time for the last post of the series.

Since tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I want to express my warmest thanks to all the wonderful artists that contributed to this series.

Tutorials by Janeen, Alida, Pren, Susan, Karen, Kristel, Lisa, Alida, Jordan, Bea

All tutorials and links are available on the tutorial series page

As you can see many projects were shared, tutorials full of tips and tricks for beginners and expert.


I had an extremely fun time during the year putting together all these projects

I consolidated some of my old skills, and learned some new ones.

I learned that trying out a technique that I thought was going to be "boring" is the only chance I have to actually discover that I can have fun making things other than Paper Piecing!

I learned that small projects are a great way to test things that I am not sure about: having a finished project to use or gift is a wonderful way of not feeling "defeated" if I don't like the technique.

I had hundreds of downloads for each tutorial, so I guess that other people out there found them useful as well. Even if very few shared their projects here in the linky, I think the event was a moderate success, given the fact that I don't have a big readership nor I promote much on conventional social media.
If you have 5 minutes and you want to give me feedback about the event, please click through this short survey, so that I could use your feedback for future events!

I wish you all a wonderful Holiday Season, and stay tuned for future announcements of giveaways and QAL!

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.

You can link up blocks and projects from the Foundation Paper Piecing, Quilting, Crochet, Pixel Quilt, Fabric Postcard, Cross stitch, Embroidery and English Paper Piecing tutorials!!

--

An InLinkz Link-up

Can you help me name a quilt? (and a link party)

Finishes and new ideas!

The Ongoing Project List:

1. Block Swap Adventure - paused until Dec
2. Charity quilts - no progress
3. Zipper pouches - last three done (see below)
4. Americana QAL - one star done (see below)
5. Adam's wall hanging - done and sent (cannot share)
6. 2016 QAL (secret) - no progress
7. Allietare QAL - no progress
8. Knitted hand warmers - 1 and 1/2 done (will share when done)
9. NEW PROJECT: help me name this (see below)

The EverythingElse List:

1. the SK project - no progress
2. the 31000 Xs project - no progress
3. Spirit cross stitch project - no progress
4. Mirror Mirror Afghan - no progress
5. the Ender project - no progress
6. Embroidery calendar - no progress
7. Project of Doom 2015 @ Fandom in Stitches - paused for a while
8. Alice in Wonderland quilt - no progress
9. As You Wish -  no progress
10. Crazy optical illusion - no progress
11. Memory quilt 2 - no progress
12. B quilt - no progress

--

I made three more zipper pouches (variation of the Sew Together Bag (by Michelle)). The smaller version of the bag is by Elizabeth (Mini Sew Together Bag).

This is a project from my long Q4 list of projects! (Project 9. in the list)... and I completed 9 projects since the beginning of October! WooooH me :)

--

One of the blocks for November/December patterns of the Americana QAL. I will make the big star as well, but for now, I choose to make this one as it was quick and easy!

--
And now... for the big reveal of a new project...

I am organizing a QAL for 2016 but that project will be already half completed by January as I need to test the patterns, make the pdfs, etc. So what am I going to do for 2016? I have several UFOs but ehi, I want something new too ;)

For years I have been watching people making few super traditional quilts (Dear Jane, Farmer's Wife and Nearly Insane). I really like their "sampler" look, and while I like that they are easily recognizable, they are "too traditional" for my tastes... I want to have a quilt that people can recognize but I don't want to have the SAME quilt that other people have!

So what is the solution?

Come up with a design that includes blocks from all those traditional quilts, and put them together in my unique design!

So after several hours of cut/paste of blocks I came up with this design

"Jane T"

Let me introduce you "Jane T", my take on few traditional quilts!

My question is: how should I name this quilt? The nickname is going to be Jane T, but for her full name I have two options:

1. Jane Tiger: the nearly insane wife of a farmer
2. Jane Tiger: the wife of a nearly insane farmer

:)

So my question is: who is nearly insane? the wife or the farmer? ;)

My quilt will be scrappy, using approximately those colors. Fabric requirements, measures, patterns links are not collected yet... however if someone wants to sew along with me, just let me know! I won't have an official QAL on this because I want the project to be a side project, free form and whenever I am inspired... but I would love to have others stitching this along! It would be a great incentive to have a support group!! :)

--

And last, but not least, I want to remind you that I am working on charity quilts,
and I would love your help!! 

Quilts are for a quilt drive to help the kids in the DC General Homeless Shelter. 

And you can help me by donating orphan blocks, partial blocks, or fabric (scraps, strips, leftover, uglies, whatever). 

If you are willing to mail them to me, I could use them to make more quilts for these kids!!! 

If you are up for a loving donation, please send me an email at tweloq[_at_]gmail[dot_com] or leave a comment here with your email address so I could give you my mailing address. I promise that your donation will be used to make some kids happy and feel more loved!! 

No progress to report here this week... I was focusing on a couple of projects that had a early deadline, but I think now I can go back to those tops and get them quilted.

--

How about you? What are YOU up to?

Link it here and share it with me!!

An InLinkz Link-up

SYS2015 - Hexies, hexies, hexies!

Earlier this month Bea shared variety of project featuring hexies and EPP.
You can find the tutorial on the SYS2015 page!

Are YOU enjoying stitching up those fun shapes? I haven't seen any project from you... come on people, share your new EPP creations 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.

Considering the lack of participation for the entire series, I won't offer a giveaway for this last installment. I will save up the goodies and offer them in few weeks for the Sew Mama Sew giveaway day. I don't have sponsors and I offer all the giveaways out of my pocket: I am happy to do it if I see that people participate, but if none is sharing, what's the point of offering the giveaway?

You can still link up blocks and projects from the Foundation Paper Piecing, Quilting, Crochet, Pixel Quilt, Fabric Postcard, Cross stitch and Embroidery pieces 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), this other post (Tutorial 4), this other post (Tutorial 5), this other post (Tutorial 6), this other post (Tutorial 7), this other post (Tutorial 9).

Remember that ANY new project (even from previous tutorials) can be entered in the linky.

--

An InLinkz Link-up

Progress is progress (and a link party)

Not as much as I planned, but few things got done, so I am happy about that!

The Ongoing Project List:

1. Block Swap Adventure - blocks done (see below)
2. Charity quilts - no progress
3. Zipper pouches - one done (see below)
4. Americana QAL - no progress
5. Adam's wall hanging - 90% done (cannot share)
6. 2016 QAL (secret) - no progress
7. Allietare QAL - no progress
8. Knitted hand warmers - done (see below)

The EverythingElse List:

1. the SK project - no progress
2. the 31000 Xs project - no progress
3. Spirit cross stitch project - no progress
4. Mirror Mirror Afghan - no progress
5. the Ender project - no progress
6. Embroidery calendar - no progress
7. Project of Doom 2015 @ Fandom in Stitches - paused for a while
8. Alice in Wonderland quilt - no progress
9. As You Wish -  no progress
10. Crazy optical illusion - no progress
11. Memory quilt 2 - no progress
12. B quilt - no progress

--

I made another of the variation of the Sew Together Bag (by Michelle). The smaller version of the bag is by Elizabeth (Mini Sew Together Bag). I am going to make few more as Xmas presents, and they are listed in my Q4 list, but I will count the project as done once I made a couple more! :)
In the meantime, I really like this one!!

--

These are the blocks I made for my November partner for the Block Swap Adventure. She wanted pastel colors and I couldn't decide if I liked the pink or the teal better... so I made both :)

--

Pattern by weezalana (knittywhipped.blogspot.com) 

Last week I made the left mitt, and while I liked the pattern, I used a needle that was too big and the pattern for the thumb was way too big for my tastes. So I changed the needle (3.75 mm this time) and didn't do all the increases for the thumb... and the right mitt fits much much better!

I will redo the left one in the near future... but in the meantime I can use them as they are and they are considered completed for my Q4 list!

This is a project from my long Q4 list of projects! (Project 14. in the list)
--

And last, but not least, I want to remind you that I am working on charity quilts,
and I would love your help!! 

Quilts are for a quilt drive to help the kids in the DC General Homeless Shelter. 

And you can help me by donating orphan blocks, partial blocks, or fabric (scraps, strips, leftover, uglies, whatever). 

If you are willing to mail them to me, I could use them to make more quilts for these kids!!! 

If you are up for a loving donation, please send me an email at tweloq[_at_]gmail[dot_com] or leave a comment here with your email address so I could give you my mailing address. I promise that your donation will be used to make some kids happy and feel more loved!! 

No progress to report here this week... I will probably work on this today... maybe one will be ready next week.

--

How about you? What are YOU up to?

Link it here and share it with me!!

An InLinkz Link-up

SYS2015 - Are you caught up with your hexies?

Earlier this month Bea shared variety of project featuring hexies and EPP.
You can find the tutorial on the SYS2015 page!

Are YOU enjoying stitching up those fun shapes? Share your creations below!!

I am making more hexies... because I have a secret project for them :)

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.

Considering the lack of participation for the entire series, I won't offer a giveaway for this last installment. I will save up the goodies and offer them in few weeks for the Sew Mama Sew giveaway day. I don't have sponsors and I offer all the giveaways out of my pocket: I am happy to do it if I see that people participate, but if none is sharing, what's the point of offering the giveaway?

You can still link up blocks and projects from the Foundation Paper Piecing, Quilting, Crochet, Pixel Quilt, Fabric Postcard, Cross stitch and Embroidery pieces 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), this other post (Tutorial 4), this other post (Tutorial 5), this other post (Tutorial 6), this other post (Tutorial 7), this other post (Tutorial 9).

Remember that ANY new project (even from previous tutorials) can be entered in the linky.

--

An InLinkz Link-up

Learning new skills (and a link party)

Good project this week and a new skill learned!

The Ongoing Project List:

1. SYS2015 future projects - Nov project shared early this week and missing tutorial skill learned! (see below)
2. Block Swap Adventure - partner assigned, Oct blocks received (see below)
3. Charity quilts - next top done (see below)
4. Zipper pouches - paused for a while
5. Americana QAL - received Nov pattern
6. Applique pictures - done! (see below)
7. Adam's wall hanging - no progress
8. 2016 QAL (secret) - no progress
9. Allietare QAL - no progress

The EverythingElse List:

1. the SK project - no progress
2. the 31000 Xs project - no progress
3. Spirit cross stitch project - no progress
4. Mirror Mirror Afghan - no progress
5. the Ender project - no progress
6. Embroidery calendar - no progress
7. Project of Doom 2015 @ Fandom in Stitches - paused for a while
8. Alice in Wonderland quilt - no progress
9. As You Wish -  no progress
10. Crazy optical illusion - no progress
11. Memory quilt 2 - no progress
12. B quilt - no progress

--
These are the blocks I received from Cathy from Australia!
Two great blocks and the most wonderful aboriginal fabric ever!!!

--
This is a project that will be included in a Xmas present. I will fill a photo collage with pictures, but I wanted to add something different, so I made these two blocks as we identify with these two characters  :)

This is a project from my long Q4 list of projects! (Project 10. in the list)
--
I have to be honest with you: I organized the Stretch Your Skills series basically to "force" myself to learn or practice some crafts that I usually ignore (like crochet) or to learn some that I never tried before (like EPP or knitting).

Here is more of my EPP (this is for a secret project).

And when the knitting tutorial was cancelled, I was super sad :(

I tried knitting about 20 years ago and I didn't really like it because of the "boring" look of knit/purl flat scarfs (that was the only thing I could learn from my mom as she was not a knitter herself). Plus I had to use those long and heavy metal needles and my kids hands really didn't like them.

In preparation of the SYS knitting tutorial, I started looking around for knitting needles and I discovered that heavy metal needles were not the only option. So I bought myself a set of bamboo double pointed needles and a set of bamboo/plastic circular needles... not even knowing what they are used for! :) :)

Having the yarn and needles and no SYS project to use them for, I started looking around for a simple project that used circular needles and not just "boring" knit/purl. Then one day I found a perfect project: small, with a fun design and useful... knitted mitts!

After watching several youtube videos (as I had no idea how the circular needles work) I decided to jump right in and make the mitts! I knew that I was using the wrong size needle but the right size was too thin and my stitches too tight. So I decided to use the first mitt as a "test" project, to practice the stitches, getting comfortable with the process, design and gauge. I will count it as "left done" for the purpose of finishes projects linkys as it is technically done (and not even too big), but it has holes here and there (I don't know how it happened but I got confused several times on which thread to use for stitches increases, so it must be that). I will redo it after I finish the right one.

Pattern by weezalana (knittywhipped.blogspot.com) 

My impression on knitting: I absolutely love it! even if I am slow at it...
The circular bamboo/plastic needles are just wonderful! They are light and easy to work with, perfect for projects-on-the-go, they fold easily and they keep the project safe without the need of needle tops.
I still struggle because I don't "see" the stitches (meaning that if everything is done properly, it's cool... but if I make a mistake, I don't know where I messed up and I don't know how to undo it properly), but I guess this will come with practice (I had the same experience with crochet).

--
And last, but not least, I want to remind you that I am working on charity quilts,
and I would love your help!! 

Quilts are for a quilt drive to help the kids in the DC General Homeless Shelter. 

And you can help me by donating orphan blocks, partial blocks, or fabric (scraps, strips, leftover, uglies, whatever). 

If you are willing to mail them to me, I could use them to make more quilts for these kids!!! 

If you are up for a loving donation, please send me an email at tweloq[_at_]gmail[dot_com] or leave a comment here with your email address so I could give you my mailing address. I promise that your donation will be used to make some kids happy and feel more loved!! 

I finally finished another top! In this I included orphan blocks from one donation, with fabric from a second donation, charms from a third donation and fabric from my stash! I really love to include a little bit of love from different people!

Now I have 2 quilts done and 3 tops to quilt... yes, I don't like the quilting part, but I will work on that next week so maybe I will report a finish next week!!

--

How about you? What are YOU up to?

Link it here and share it with me!!

An InLinkz Link-up

SYS2015 - Tutorial 10, English Paper Piecing

The tenth and last tutorial of the series is brought you by the amazing Bea (beaquilter.com).

Zipper pouches and pincushions with hexagons!

I made a long and skinny zipper pouch (this is Project 12. from the long Q4 list).

The pdf (link 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, pixel quilts, fabric postcards and embroidery piece!

This month, in order to add your project to the linky, you are required to make a project featuring hexies!

I encourage you to make a pouch or a pincushion, but if that is "not your thing", any other object featuring hexies will qualify as an entry!! As long as it's a finished object!

Let's see what you can come up with!

--

And the winner of last months is... Melissa, the only person entering projects in the linky last month!

I will get in touch with you for your prize!!

--
All the information about the series (as well as all the previously published tutorials) are 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!!