Search this blog

Are you looking for a pattern? Just type the name of the character and let Google find it for you ;)

Showing posts with label allietare. Show all posts
Showing posts with label allietare. Show all posts

Saturday, January 2, 2016

Allietare with Serenity (and a link party)

Finishes and good progress, great kick off of the year!!


The Ongoing Project List:
  1. Play with Me QAL - worked on finishing Feb board
  2. Jane T - 4 more blocks done (see below)
  3. Block Swap Adventure -  no progress
  4. Charity Quilts for DC General Homeless Shelter project - finished a new top (Allietare)
  5. Americana QAL - no progress
  6. Allietare QAL - finished the top!! (see below)
  7. Pantone Color of the Year 2016 - finished and pattern ready for others to enjoy (see below)
  8. The SK project - no progress
The EverythingElse List:
  1. the 31000 Xs project - no progress
  2. Spirit cross stitch project - no progress
  3. Mirror Mirror Afghan - no progress
  4. Alice in Wonderland quilt - no progress
  5. As You Wish -  no progress
  6. Crazy optical illusion - no progress
  7. Memory quilt 2 - no progress
--
Pantone's Color of the Year for 2016 are actually two colors.
Serenity (light blue) and Rose Quartz.
They wanted to make a statement about gender blur, balance, tranquil tones.
I heard/read all kind of "negative" comments about those colors (like they are too "baby", dated, etc...) and even if I don't particularly like them either, they spoke to me in some way and I was able to finish my traditional wall hanging before the year even started!

Let me introduce you "Serenity"

Serenity - 17'' x 17''

This is inspired by the Firefly ship (Serenity) and a quote in the movie "I am a leaf on the wind - watch how I soar." I appliqued the word Serenity as in the movie posters (I hope it's right, if it's not, please don't tell me ;) ) and I appliqued a leaf, surrounded by a echo of its shape done by quilting. It reminds me of ripples in the water, which is a good match with the color and the theme, I think!

I bound it with the same color as the background, with some pink accents. I never used the same color for the binding and while I think it worked here, I don't particularly like it. I think my eyes prefer to see a definite border around a quilt!

And, just for fun, here is the line up of all my past Color of the Year wall hangings!!


--
The sixth and final clue of Bonnie Hunter's Mystery QAL is out. I decided to follow along, but I made 1/4 of the units because I don't need a big quilt and I was not sure if I liked the design :)

Now that I see the overall quilt, my thought is: I am happy I followed along! I like the design!!!

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

I was so worried about not following the instructions in term of scrappyness: I didn't have a constant grey, I didn't have sets, I went scrappy all the way. And I am super happy I did!!

If you check the layout, you may see "sets" because I had about 5/6 fabrics for all the units so repeats happened and I used them to make few blocks less scrappy. I really like how it turned out, bright and cheerful as hoped. The scrappyness of the greys and black adds interest when you look at the quilt close by, without distracting too much from the overall design from far away!
This is my first design on point, and it was quite confusing, but I pulled it off.
The most difficult thing was to try to convince my sewing helper not to run on the units as I was trying to figure out where each piece should go :)

Sixth clue of Bonnie's mystery QAL... 

ETA: I added a piano border!
Size: 46'' x 60''

--
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 purple one is a Farmer's Wife block. I don't know the name of the block and I won't call it with its name, because I read super-weird stories about copyright battles from the author of that book with people sharing information for QALs and such. IMHO this is very discouraging since they are all pretty simple designs and I think if people sharing QALs where linking to her book, she could have been happy for the endorsement and free advertisement. Apparently that's not the case... 
I am drafting my own patterns I don't want to get in troubles :)
I am not sharing neither the patterns nor cutting directions, 
but from now on I will call them the WoaF blocks :)

Progress on the entire quilt. 9 blocks!

--
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!! 

This week, I will count the Allietare quilt as progress. I will probably add a top/bottom border to make it a toddler size,  but for now I count it as a great progress for the week!!! :)

--
How about you? What are YOU up to?
Link it here and share it with me!!

Saturday, December 26, 2015

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 :) )

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... 

--
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!

Alida (TweLoQ) Designs

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!!

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Cute little guys (and a link party)

Not as much progress as I hoped this week, but I spent several nights entering giveaways and answering to people entering mine :).


The Ongoing Project List:
  1. Block Swap Adventure - paused until Jan
  2. Charity quilts - no progress
  3. Americana QAL - no progress
  4. 2016 QAL - it's not a secret any more! (see below)
  5. Allietare QAL - third clue half done (see below)
  6. Knitted hand warmers - decided to leave this for next year :)
  7. Jane T - no progress
  8. Xmas present 2 - done (see below)
  9. Pantone Color of the Year 2016 - designed the mini, bought the fabric!
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 think this is the last Xmas present for this year!
Pattern by E. Andersson 
Pumpkin is a little alarmed about the presence of a funny looking guy on our kitchen floor :)


Super simple pattern. I shorten the body (4 sections instead of 5) and I fill them with fabric scraps and crumbles: they are the perfect filling to give some weight to the piece!

--
The third 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!

For this clue, I didn't do strip piecing, but I cut every single square individually. That's why I actually have only half of my pieces done, but they are super easy and I will get the rest done soon.


I like the level of scrappiness I have. Let's see if it is going to work in the overall design!
--
Finally I finished up these two little guys:




Holiday Gingy (my pattern). It will be available soon on Fandom In Stitches.

I quilted it with falling snowflakes because I was inspired by the wonderful work of Susan @ quiltfabrication. I decided to use a metallic thread. I turned out pretty cool, the sparkle is just perfect. It was quite a nightmare to quilt with it though. It broke several times, but going slow seemed to be the good solution to this problem.

--
Finally, let me re-announce the QAL I am going to host next year!
Actually there are two big ANNOUNCEMENTS:
  1. I am moving all my patterns to a new website alidatweloqdesigns.blogspot.com!
    If you want to read more about the move, check out the link above.
    During the month of December, please be patient with me as the move may get messy and patterns maybe get lost in boxes :) if you have any issue, don't hesitate to get in touch with me!
  2. I will be running a FUN QAL for 2016... a very non-traditional QAL that incorporates several techniques to create a quilt like you have never seen before!
    Not interested in the entire quilt? No problem!! Each block can be incorporated in a finished project perfect to gift to yourself, your kids, your nephews or your grandkids!!
    What is the theme? Board Games!!

To find more information about the QAL and subscribe to the newsletter to get more information during the month of December, please visit the official page for the QAL.

--
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 me this week, but I bought some batting, I have 3 quilt tops done so it's just a matter of assembling some backing and then get down to the quilting!!
--
How about you? What are YOU up to?
Link it here and share it with me!!

Saturday, November 28, 2015

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)


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


--
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!

--

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!!

UA-37918212-1