A lot got done (and a link party)

After a week of not sharing, I am back with several projects!

The Ongoing Project List:

1. Play with Me QAL - July block will be released on Monday!
2. WGACA projects (changed projects)
1. Charity Quilts for DC General Homeless Shelter project - no progress
2. SECRET quilt for exhibit - (FDJ) - kind of dropped, maybe, not sure :)
3. Minion QAL - several blocks done, final layout pieced, started quilting! (see below)
3. Mirror Mirror Afghan - no progress
4. Hello Block Swap - two blocks received (planning what to do for July's partner) (see below)
5. American Quilt (previous known as Americana QAL) - finished, washed and in use! (see below)
6. Splendid Sampler - one more block done (see below)
7. Road Home Row-A-Long - no progress on finishing my piece
8. Pumpkin's bed - done, interesting project (see below)

The EverythingElse List:

1. 70273 Project - no progress
2. Jane T - no progress
3. The SK project - no progress
4. the 31000 Xs project - no progress
5. Spirit cross stitch project - no progress
6. Alice in Wonderland quilt - no progress
7. As You Wish -  no progress
8. Crazy optical illusion - no progress
9. Memory quilt 2 - no progress
10. Gyleen's BCP Mystery QAL - no progress

--
--

One more block for Selvage Splendid Sampler:

Due to the tinytinytiny size of these hexies (about 3/8 of an inch) I couldn't really use selvages. So I used batiks, as they really pop against the black background!

It was fun to learn a new technique to make hexies: Hexies from a circle!, no template and this is the only way to make it work with this so tiny size for me!

--

I received my blocks from my other June's partner for the  Hello Block Swap.

Blocks that I received from Jane

I love how wonky and scrappy the entire quilt will look!!! I cannot wait to have more block to arrange in a nice design!!

--

I got my American quilt (renamed "Tu vuo' fa' l'americano") from the Professional Long Arm Quilter (Marcia from Marcia's Crafty Sewing & Quilting). She did an AMAZING JOB with the quilting. I asked her an all over meander with stars, but she added some custom quilting which makes it suuuper special!!

Size: 55'' x 72''

"Tu vuo' fa' l'americano"

Center blocks from the Americana QAL, Snail trail border from the Block Swap Adventure!

Amazing quilting, from the back!

This was my first experience with a long armer... I won a coupon for a discount so I thought it was a great opportunity to try it, especially on this quilt that is a Xmas present for my dad. I am extremely happy with the experience and final result. Xmas is far away, so I started using the quilt (perfect for the 4th of July, right?) ;)

--

Two projects that are kind of the "spur of the moment"

Cat bed from "See Kate Sew" 

My cat name is Pumpkin... I thought that the fabric was just too perfect not to use it for her little cat bed. I used the wrong material for the "foam filling" so the structure doesn't hold up that well... so I tried to hang it and see if Pumpkin likes it... if not I can put it on the floor. It's summer here, so I am not sure if she wants to sneak in there any time soon... but in the meantime it's nice to look at it I guess :)

A zipper pouch, GPS holder... because we got a new GPS and I wanted a cover that matches a previous credit card wallet I made for my boyfriend :)

--

And last, but not least... the Minion QAL is over!

These are the last two blocks I made

And then... I assembled all the blocks in the final layout!

I am quilting the three sections separately and then joining them with a QAYG method. I will also add a special border... stay tuned to see that!

I actually already quilted 5 of the blocks (backgrounds) so I may be able to finish the quilt in a month or so (I have a trip for work, so I won't be able to quilt much in the next weeks)! I am very excited!!!

--

How about you? What are YOU up to?

Link it here and share it with me!!

An InLinkz Link-up

Little to show (and a link party)

This week, I was so busy and tired because of work, that I had little progress... but something is better than nothing!

The Ongoing Project List:

1. Play with Me QAL - April block has been released... it's technically free, so if you want to check it out and get back in the free QAL group, that's your chance!
2. WGACA projects
1. Jane T - no progress
2. The SK project - no progress
3. Charity Quilts for DC General Homeless Shelter project - no progress
3. Mirror Mirror Afghan - no progress
4. Hello Block Swap -  designed my block, I need to make my samples!
5. American Quilt (previous known as Americana QAL) - quilt top 100% done (see below)
6. Splendid Sampler - no progress
7. SECRET quilt 1 for exhibit - (FDJ) started pulling fabric for first block
8. SECRET quilt 2 for exhibit - (Breaking free) no progress
9. Road Home Row-A-Long - no progress
10. Art with Fabric Blog Hop - finished my top! (cannot share)
11. Minion QAL - 1 block done... because I had to join another QAL! :) (see below)

The EverythingElse List:

1. the 31000 Xs project - no progress
2. Spirit cross stitch project - no progress
3. Alice in Wonderland quilt - no progress
4. As You Wish -  no progress
5. Crazy optical illusion - no progress
6. Memory quilt 2 - no progress
7. Gyleen's BCP Mystery QAL - no progress
8. 70273 Project - no progress

---
This is this month pattern for my Play with Me QAL: Go board (done with embroidery).

If you want details on how to get the pattern

visit this link!

We have about 50 people playing along, it is so fun!!

If you didn't join, it's not too late!

Visit the QAL page for more details.

--

This is my American Quilt top done! I am waiting to hear back from the quilter to see how to proceed, but my part is done!

Center: Americana QAL block made by me

Border: Snail Trails block received in my Block Swap Adventure

Left/right border: scrappy red piano border

--

Since I am hosting and participating in a dozen QAL, swaps and hops, why not joining another one, right?? :) :)

Well, I couldn't pass on this... it's a Minion QAL!! :)

Block 1, Bee Do (pattern by Jennifer Rowles, available at Fandom in Stitches)

--

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 on this. But I have 2 or 3 quilt tops done... I just need to take them out of the box and get them quilted!

--

How about you? What are YOU up to?

Link it here and share it with me!!

An InLinkz Link-up

Every Jane-ourney starts with one block (and a link party)

Or five! :) This was the most productive week of the year!

The Ongoing Project List:

1. Block Swap Adventure - paused until 2016
2. Charity quilts - no progress 
3. Americana QAL - big star done (see below)
4. Play with Me 2016 QAL (secret) - all January posts are ready!!
5. Allietare QAL - fifth clue done (see below)
6. Jane T - not one but FIVE blocks done! (see below)
7. Pantone Color of the Year 2016 - no progress
8. My knitted hand warmer - done and in use! (see below)
9. Final Xmas present (credit card holder) - 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 finally made the big start of the Americana QAL.

I think it turned out ok, but it's not my favorite block. The construction is pretty weird and it doesn't look like the one Deana had in her original design. Of course she said that she would change some patterns to make them simpler or cuter, but I really liked her original block and that star block was one of the main reasons I joined the QAL. Oh, well, I have a nice group of block for a quilt that I will gift to my dad in 2016, so that's all cool!

--
Last two Xmas presents for this year!
One for my boyfriend and one for myself (because I deserve an handmade gift too :) )

Following the tutorial by StyleNovice

I changed it to add a second row of pockets.

Pattern by weezalana (knittywhipped.blogspot.com) 

I really like how they look so different because of the self-striping yarn!!

--
The fifth 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 decided to go with brighter colors: cyan/aqua/teal (instead of red) and bright yellow (instead of gold). I will probably donate this quilt to charity as a baby quilt, so I want it to be fun and colorful!

I think the all-scrappy approach will work... I like what I see, so that's what matter to me.

Fifth clue of Bonnie's mystery QAL... 

Linking up at the Monday Link-up party!

--

I said that once my Xmas presents were done, I could start working on my Jane T, and so I did!

I decided to draft all the pattern myself for two reasons: 1. I am sewing everything by machine, but I want to honor the "slowness" of the original Dear Jane... so by drafting myself all the patterns from pictures, I can add the slow attention to the blocks, while sewing them up fast on the machine. 2. while I found patterns online for the blocks, they use up a lot of paper as each pattern is separate. Drafting several block at once, I can optimize their placement in Inkscape and save paper!

So this is my progress 

The color palette of the quilt, and 5 of the blocks done!

Progress on the entire quilt. Five blocks!

--

I have been working ahead for the 2016 Play with Me QAL!

check out this post for more information

All the posts for January are done, board 2 and 3 are ready, I just need to write up the posts!

--

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 for this week, but I sorted a box of fabric, so I am ready to piece some backs and complete some quilts in the next few months!!

--

How about you? What are YOU up to?

Link it here and share it with me!!

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

Bad week for sewing, but good for crochet (and a link party)

Being sick and weak for 3 days means not much sewing, but a lot of unplanned crochet!

The Ongoing Project List:

1. SYS2015 future projects - Nov project almost done
2. Block Swap Adventure - waiting for November swap
3. Charity quilts - no progress
4. Happy Halloween wall hanging - no progress
   This is my project for "A Lovely Year of Finishes" (Oct)
5. Zipper pouches - paused for a while
6. Americana QAL - done (see below)
7. Applique pictures - no progress
8. Adam's wall hanging - first part of the top done
9. 2016 QAL (secret) - 3 blocks designed, 1 quilted
10. Xmas decorations for cards - 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

--
Unplanned days in bed meant not sewing... but I was so bored that I needed something to do...

So I went back to my Q4 list and found the tapestry crochet ornaments to do!

non-English pattern, but the schema is available treadyarknot

I had sooooo much fun making the first one (even if a little too big) that I decided that will be the detachable tree decoration I will include in many of my Xmas cards!
So I stitched up a bunch of them with thinner cotton, and I really love them!

Second project of my long Q4 list, done (project 6. on the list)!
--
Before getting sick, I was able to complete October block for the Americana QAL. A fun schoolhouse!

--
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 have to say that sadly I didn't work on this project much in the last couple of weeks as I was trying to get ahead in the QAL idea. But I think that by the end of the month I may complete another quilt and finish another top!

--

How about you? What are YOU up to?

Link it here and share it with me!!

An InLinkz Link-up

Ups and Downs (and a link party)

Sunday I had wonderful progress... then I got hit by a cold :( oh, well, some progress was made anyway!

The Ongoing Project List:

1. SYS2015 future projects - working on SYS tutorials, waiting for Oct project
2. Block Swap Adventure - waiting for Oct project
3. Charity quilts - another quilt top done! (see below)
4. Happy Halloween wall hanging - one block done! (see below)
   This is my project for "A Lovely Year of Finishes" (Sept)
5. Zipper pouches - paused for a while
6. Americana QAL - Sept block done (see below)
7. Applique pictures - new project, started designing

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

--
September block for my Americana QAL is a Sunbonnet Sue, my first applique try at this very traditional block!

Pattern by Deana

Americana QAL

--
Happy Halloween wall hanging. This is my project for "A Lovely Year of Finishes" (Sept).

One more block done... just one last cat block is missing!!

Pattern by Sonja (with slight changes to include tuxedo look)

Halloween Kitty

--
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 am happy to report that I received a great donation from Gigi! 

Orphan blocks that are going to find their ways into future charity quilts!

And I already used some of last week donation: I cut some of the fabric in 10 inches square and tried another of Jean's block from a video tutorial!

Disappearing Hourglass (Missouri Star Quilt Co)

After making those blocks I couldn't stop and I pieced together another top (the first toddler size)!

 about 40''x60''

(I know, the piece needs ironing ;) )

I really like using these big prints as they make a full quilt top come together super fast!!

--

How about you? What are YOU up to?

Link it here and share it with me!!

An InLinkz Link-up

Three finishes and a new secret project!

Great progress this week... projects getting off the list and new coming in! :)

The Ongoing Project List:

1. SYS2015 future projects - paused until September
2. Mirror Mirror Afghan - no progress
3. Block Swap Adventure - paused until September
4. the SK project - no progress
5. Tiny Quilt Challenge (American Made Brand) - no progress - closing on Sept 15, need to spend some time on this!!!
6. Zipper pouches - paused for a while
7. the Ender project - no progress
8. Geese project - doooooone (see below)!!
   This is my project for August, A Lovely Year of Finishes
9. Americana QAL - August block done (see below)
10. the 31000 Xs project - good progress (see below)
11. Ravenclaw Mug Rug - dooone and delivered (see below)
12. Halloween Haunts 2015 - new project, blog hop - piece designed (cannot share yet)

The EverythingElse List:

1. Embroidery calendar - no progress
2. Charity quilts - next bargello designed
3. Project of Doom 2015 @ Fandom in Stitches - paused for a while
4. College Days Blog Hop blocks for tote/grocery bag -  dooooone (see below)
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

--
This summer, I mentored a student and help her prepare and present her first poster! It was a fun and rewarding experience, and the last day I learned that she is a big fan of Harry Potter (and that she belongs to the Ravenclaw house). So, of course, I made her a little mug rug as a memory of this experience!

Patterns available on Fandom In Stitches, Harry Potter

--
Deana (over at dodmystery.blogspot.com) is hosting 2 QALs and I joined the Americana QAL! I am not making Deana's row quilt, but this is August installment of the Americana QAL for me!

--

I finally found a way to use the 10'' block I designed for the College Days Blog Hop!

Since I started cross stitching and since I bought my floss organizer, I wanted a project bag big enough to hold it, padded enough to avoid it's "spiky" things to poke me (or my sewing assistant) in case we sit on it. Other requirements were that it must have a zipper (I don't like when things fall out of my bags) and it must be simple to make. All requirements were met when I saw this video tutorial by A Fate So Twisted and I realized that I had some left over heavy interfacing from my beach bag.

I slightly change the width of the body piece (from 15'' to 13'') and this perfectly accommodates my 10'' block! For the other side of the bag (since it's going to be mainly a cross stitching project bag) I used the cross stitching project I planned to frame: this bag is a much better use of that!!

Plus I used leftover fabric from Pumpkin's play mat, which decorates the floor of our living room... in this way my project bag will match the home decor ;)

Height: 12'', width (top): 11'', boxed bottom: 3''x 9''

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

--

The Geese project is complete! Well the label is missing, but that's the only thing missing ;)

Size: 23'' x 23 ''

I bought the geese panel on Etsy and I designed the panel on the right myself on Spoonflower. The top is applique (patterns I created from a picture). I really love how it turned out, and I think the recipient will really like it, with all the inspirational and positive quotes!!

--

This is the Cross Stitch month for my Stretch Your Skills series, so am working on a biiiiiiig project. I decided to approach this pattern one "page" at the time, completing the same three colors everywhere, and then moving on to other colors. I don't know if that' how people approach cross stitching pattern, but it makes sense in my mind, so that's how I do it :)

Week 1 (left), Week 2 (right)... one more page done and the third already marked!!

--

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!! 

--

How about you? What are YOU up to?

Link it here and share it with me!!

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 ;)

--

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.

--

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!!

--

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

--

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!! :) :)

--

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