Enter if U Dare - Skeletons

Marian (http://www.seamstobesew.com/) always hosts interesting an fun Blog Hop, so I decided to join her Halloween Blog Hop also this year with TWO projects!!

Before getting into my projects, if you are new around here, WELCOME!
If you have been here before, I am glad that you came back!!! :)

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If you are new here feel free to look around and you will find tons of FREE paper piecing patterns of very famous cartoon characters! :)
I also will be hostin a Skill Builder, Block of the Month QAL starting in 2018 called "Starry Bright Sky".

QAL at http://alidatweloqdesigns.blogspot.com

It features more than 20 different star blocks, made with 11 different techniques,
from applique to piecing to fabric folding!

If you are interested in learning more about this QAL and join the fun, leave your email address in the Google Form at the bottom of the QAL page (click this link).
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AND NOW... FOR THE SCARY PROJECTS...
Well, actually they are scary easy and fun! :)

Bonus challenge

When Marian asked us to participate in the blog hop, she proposed a challenge: to use one of the patterns designed by her to make a bonus project for the hop.
I picked the Skeleton pattern (that you can find in Marian's shop) and even if I liked the original pattern, I had to change it a little bit because I wanted a smaller pillow :)

I really like how the squares are big enough to allow some fun fussy cutting!!

My own project

Skellington McArdle, 20'' x 20'' 

Inspired by Marian's pattern, I decided to make a piece for an ongoing project, started last year for the Fall edition of my Art with Fabric Blog Hop.
I don't have any formal training in art... but I studied art history in highschool... and I don't think I EVER encountered a female artist in my studies... how is that possible???? There are many women depicted in paintings, sculptures, drawing, but why only male artists made it into art history books (at least the ones used in my school)???

So for this quilt project, I decided to pick several female artists whose work spoke to me.

Today's artist is the talented: Thaneeya McArdle.

She is an internationally-collected artist working in a variety of styles, ranging from photorealism to abstraction, and a whimsical combination of the two. I'm also a prolific creator of coloring books!

Check her work on this website (https://www.thaneeya.com)
I love her Positive Phrases, her animals, her colorful and cheerful designs... and her Sugar Skulls!! :) That is what I included in my piece.

All my quilt blocks are my reinterpretation of the artists through my love of Disney, following the style of a recent Italian publication (Discover Art History with Disney Friends)... which as mentioned does not seem to include any female artist at least in the titles of the different volumes :( :(
So in today's block I included Jack Skellington, from "The Nightmare Before Christmas".

Each block is a 12''x12'' block, assembled with raw edge fusible applique, and surrounded by an interesting sashing, which will create a fun design with all the blocks together.
Each block is quilted individually and around each block I stitch a border of blanket stitch and I crochet around a row of single crochet: that's how I will join all the blocks! I created already 6 blocks and all of them will be part of a QAL in 2018 on Fandom in Stitches!!

So what do you think? Do you, like me, love mesh up point of view, ideas and create your own unique interpretations?

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Finally, in this fantastic blog hop event, there are giveaways too... thank you Marian for setting this up! She is the one managing the giveaway so below you find are her rules!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Timeless Treasures: a different bundle of fabrics each day

Today's bundle

Cost To Ship 7.19 USA/Canada/Europe rates will be given when address for winner is known.

All US Winners bundles are shipped via USPS Priority Mail. No Exceptions.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Giveaway Guidelines

Please take the time to read it.

• Giveaways offered by sponsors are assigned to the various bloggers for their featured day.
• You'll have to visit the blog or the featured blog to enter the giveaways.
• All winners will be announced on October 25, 2017.
• You must give a valid email address when you enter the giveaways, any email returned to me, loses the ability to win automatically.
• Winners are expected to pay shipping costs for the product they won.
• You are given 3 days to answer the email, if you do not answer within 3 days a new winner will be drawn. Check those spam/junk mail folders, you may miss that winning email if you don't do so because there are no exceptions to this rule.
• If you are notified that you are a winner, in most cases, you will need to provide your name, address, city, state, zip code, country, telephone number, and email address.
• In some cases, you will be asked to comment on the blog to enter the giveaway... do the right thing and thank them for the time it took to create the pattern, thank them for the pattern and...
• Thank the sponsor by buying their products for the giveaways. This helps them continue to offer great prizes for these types of events. You can also comment on their social media pages. Even if you don't win, letting them know you love their products is a huge incentive and they really do love hearing from you.
• No purchase whatsoever is necessary.
• You must be 18+ in order to win a gift.
• You are responsible for claiming and paying any tax owed on the value of any gift that you win. Prizes valued at $500.00 should be claimed.
• Odds of Winning a prize are based on a total number of rafflecopter entries during each week and in total for all giveaways.
• This giveaway is void where prohibited by law.
• Participating bloggers may enter any of the giveaways.
• The word giveaways in the rules and guidelines are also known as sweepstakes.
• Whether or not you read the above, the rules for giveaways are in place to protect everyone. I do not want to hear you didn't read them, they will be posted on my blog daily during each featured day. There is no excuse for not reading them.

Finally, don't forget to stop by all the other amazing artists that are sharing fun and scary projects in this blog hop!

Wednesday, Oct 18

Just Let Me Quilt
Quilt Doodles
Tea Time Creations 

Thursday, Oct 19
Tweety Loves Quilting --> YOU ARE HERE :)
Patchwork Breeze
Quilt In Piece
Ms P. Designs USA

Friday Oct 20
Creatin' in the Sticks
Adventurous Applique and Quilting 
Just Because Quilts

Monday Oct 23
Bumbleberry Stitches
Elizabeth Coughlin Designs
Pumpkn Patch

Tuesday Oct 24
Words & Stitches
Seams To Be Sew
Moose Stash
Quilted Delights

Art with Fabric blog hop - Helen Lundeberg

Pumpkin: "Sorry mommy, did you need to take a picture of your piece for the Art with Fabric Blog hop? But it is so comfy, can you stop by later?"

Later...

Pumpkin: "Well, mommy, I said later!! I think it needs some ironing, but we want to save power, so I will just sit here for a while, ok??"

FINALLY... Let me introduce you...

"Brigitta Lundeberg", 20'' x 20''

This is part of an ongoing project, started last year for the Fall edition of this blog hop.

I don't have any formal training in art... but I studied art history in highschool... and I don't think I EVER encountered a female artist in my studies... how is that possible???? There are many women depicted in paintings, sculptures, drawing, but why only male artists made it into art history books (at least the ones used in my school)???

So for this quilt project, I decided to pick several female artists whose work spoke to me.

Today's artist is the talented: Helen Lundeberg.

She was a Southern Californian painter. Along with her husband Lorser Feitelson, she is credited with establishing the Post-Surrealist movement. Her artistic style changed over the course of her career, and has been described variously as Post-Surrealism, Hard-edge painting, and Subjective Classicism.

Check her work on this website (helenlundeberg.com/works/)

I love the way she creates very simple but dynamic representation of natural landscapes. Many of her pieces are abstract but they still have a connection with Mother Earth (the theme of the current blog hop)! My favorite pieces are the planets: so colorful, simple but dynamic!!

My block is inspired by Helen Lundeberg, Self-Portrait, 1944, Collection Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University, Gift of The Lorser Feitelson and Helen Lundeberg Feitelson Arts Foundation.

All my quilt blocks are my reinterpretation of the artists through my love of Disney, following the style of a recent Italian publication (Discover Art History with Disney Friends)... which as mentioned does not seem to include any female artist at least in the titles of the different volumes :( :(

Each block is a 12''x12'' block, assembled with raw edge fusible applique, and surrounded by an interesting sashing, which will create a fun design with all the blocks together.
Each block is quilted individually (don't you love the texture that you can see in the picture with all the shadows below?!?!).

Around each block I stitch a border of blanket stitch and I crochet around a row of single crochet: that's how I will join all the blocks! I created already 6 blocks and all of them will be part of a QAL in 2018 on Fandom in Stitches!!

So what do you think? Do you, like me, love mesh up point of view, ideas and create your own unique interpretations?

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The following artists are also sharing their masterpiece today!
Visit their blog, interact, be inspired and enjoy this fun blog hop!!

Wendy: http://www.kwiltkrazy.com/
Yanicka: http://yanickahachez.blogspot.com/
Barb: http://www.bejeweledquilts.blogspot.com

Mostly working on secret projects (and a link party)

Finally I have been working on something I can share... a lot of secret sewing for events that are coming up, so I have been busy even if I do not share :)

The Ongoing Project List:

1. Growing Up QAL - completed all my blocks, finishing up the patterns for the year!
2. Starry Bright Sky QAL (2018) - shared layout and working on making the blocks!
3. Art with Disney QAL (2018) - one more block (see below)!
4. Splendid Sampler - no progress
5. Charity quilts - no progress
6. SK project - no progress
7. Molli Sparkle's "The Honey Pot Bee" - no progress
8. En Provence QAL - no progress
9. Journaling into my new Leuchtturm 1917 - loooove it, I will share updates next month!
10. the 70273 Project - no progress
11. Book binding - no progress
12. Twilters! Bee - no progress
13. Face scrubbies and other crochet sponges - completed a while ago, finally pictures :)
14. Pencases and zipper pouches - designing many fun ones, after the horror story of interacting with a rude designer few weeks ago

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I have been making great progress on my quit for the Art with Disney QAL 2018.
I actually completed 3 blocks... one will be shared as my piece for the Art with Fabric blog hop next month... a second one will be shared as my piece for the Enter if U Dare blog hop. The third one is not connected to any future event, so let me introduce you

Daisy Mondrian (20'' x 20'')

The quilting design is inspired by the work of Piet Mondrian :)
As usual for these blocks, I envelope turned it, quilted it, added blanket stitching and crochet all around, and I will use this to join all the blocks in a fun and different way of QAYG method! :) This is an experiment, but it is working fantastic with the quilting, since the piece is relative small but not too small (so good practice) and joining the pieces won't require struggling to fit big heavy pieces through a machine, since crochet can be done from the comfort of my couch!! :)

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I completed this set of crochet face scrubbies and sponges that I gifted for a birthday.
They are super easy and quite practical, since they have been reducing my waste of make up removing wipes: I use them, throw them in the washing machine and they come back as new! :)

I haven't tried the pouf or the soap saver myself, but they look as they work just fine :)

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And last, but not least, yesterday I announced the Art with Fabric Blog hop, which will run for a week in October. Check the line up of fantastic artists at this link!!

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How about you? What are YOU up to?

Link it here and share it with me!!

An InLinkz Link-up

Worked on many projects this week (and a link party)

Finally I worked on projects I can share!

The Ongoing Project List:

1. Growing Up QAL - no progress
2. Splendid Sampler - no progress
3. Charity quilts - no progress
4. SK project - 3 blocks done, two more designed (see below)
5. Molli Sparkle's "The Honey Pot Bee" - completed June block (see below)
6. En Provence QAL - no progress
7. Journaling into my new Journal/Planner - working on it every day!
8. 70273 Project - 4 blocks done (see below)
9. Book binding - no progress
10. Twilters! Bee - paused until July
11. Zipper pouch - completed! (see below)

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Working on my blocks for the Stephen King Quilt: in addition to book covers and quotes I will be adding objects that are connected to SK... this week I designed a block that resembles the bats/gargoyles he has on the top of his home entrance gates :)
For "Carrie" book cover I used regular Heat'n'Bond for the Carrie's silhouette, but I used Ultra Bond for the letters. The instructions say "Do not sew" on the Ultra bond, so I will try to leave it as is (and stitch around the silhouette): let's see if I will loose those after few washes or if the letters will stay on, let's hope for the best! :)

Carrie, book cover

Buick 8, opening line

SK house gate decor

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The block for the The Honey Pot Bee (June): keeping up with the Disney/Cartoon theme, this is Alice in Wonderland, of course :)

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More blocks for the 70273 Project. If you are curious to see some of the beautiful quilts made with all these blocks check out this Pinterest board!

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My partner really like this fabric and I made him a credit card wallet and a GPS pouch... he just got a new phone, and the leftover fabric was EXACTLY the size I needed to make a zipper pouch for his new phone. Now everything matches! :)

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Last but not least...

I started to design (and sew) a quilt that I will be offering as a QAL in 2018 on Fandom In Stitches! 

It is inspired by a recent publication of a newspaper in Italy. This weekly newspaper came out with a series of books about art history explained through disney characters. Of course I told my mom to buy all of them because how can I miss out on that?? :) 

Since the covers of those books are absolutely amazing, I decided to turn them into patterns and make a quilt for myself with all those inspiring artists through history!!

The blocks are fusible raw edge applique blocks, and I started with these two (Leonardo and Cezanne). If you are curious to see the original publication, check it here... the site it's in italian but you can see the books :) http://inedicola.gruppoespresso.it/prodotto/scoprire-arte-disney/

I am planning to make a quilt for myself with many of these covers, but I also wanted to include contemporary artists too! So I designed a block for Kara Walker, a block for Yayoi Kusama, and here below the latest creation, inspired by the work of Adam Lister (check his creations here). 

I have been in touch with Adam because I asked his permission to reproduce one of his paintings as a mini for the AMB Tiny Quilt challenge (my quilt: Vincent) and we also exchanged art pieces when I made this mini quilt for his daughter (in exchange he sent me one of his wonderful paintings).

Given how he inspired me and given his very unique style, I wanted to include him in my art history/disney quilt: he said his favorite character is Goofy, so let me introduce you...

Goofy Lister, , 20'' x 20''

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How about you? What are YOU up to?

Link it here and share it with me!!

An InLinkz Link-up

Back into my thousand-projects groove (and a link party)

With the more consistent use of my daily planner, I can keep up with the many projects I like to work on!

The Ongoing Project List:

1. Growing Up QAL - working on bonus blocks with a fun new tool! (cannot share)
2. Splendid Sampler - working on "filler" blocks
3. Charity quilts - no progress
4. SK project - no progress
5. Molli Sparkle's "The Honey Pot Bee" - April block done (see below)
6. En Provence QAL - no progress
7. Journaling into my Quilter's Planner - progress every day!
8. 70273 Project - more blocks done (see below)
9. Book binding - no progress
10. Twilters! Bee - completed April's blocks (see below)
11. 2017 Pantone Quilt Challenge: entries will be open from May 19 to May 29. My piece is ready since January :)
12. Mouse pad - the easiest project ever!! (see below)

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More blocks for the 70273 Project. If you are curious to see some of the beautiful quilts made with all these blocks check out this Pinterest board!

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Some blocks for the Twilter's Bee exchange (I didn't take the picture of the actual colors :) )

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I am keeping up with Molli Sparkle's "The Honey Pot Bee" blocks. I am using a Disney/Cartoon theme for this project

Stripey Stripe Block by Audrey

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The easiest project ever... a useful mousepad!
I just picked the fabric I wanted and glue it on a piece of corkboard! :)

Don't you love when something is beautiful and useful at the same time?? :)

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Updates on old projects:
-1-

I added the applique on my piece to cover the red bleeding... then I washed the piece with Synthrapol and that helped washing away probably 80% of the red bleeding! There is still some pink shade all around, but the big spots are either covered or gone, so I am happy about the final result!

-2-

A while ago I made the piece below for a Project QUILTING challenge. It was not completed because the black areas next to the rainbow were empty as I was waiting for the right inspiration...

Which came last week!

So let me introduce the first piece I will submit to the Threads of Resistance exhibit: IMAGINE...

I have to write up the artist's statement, but I am really happy with the final look of this piece!!!

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How about you? What are YOU up to?

Link it here and share it with me!!

An InLinkz Link-up

Last things from 2014 (and linky party)

And we are back with our weekly linky party (MOP Monday) for 2015!

I made a list of projects that I plan to tackle this year, but today let me share few blocks that I have been working on during these last couple of weeks. 

Two of my blocks have been tested by two talented ladies.

Josephine included my Mickey and Minnie block in a wonderful set of quilts for very lucky kids!!

This is her version of the block.

The pattern is available in my MickeyM, DonaldD, Alice page

Bea (from beaquilter.com) tested one of my Peanuts block (Franklin) and she is also hosting an entire year of fun with my Peanuts blocks! Join her every 10th of the month for some community BOM fun!!

Franklin's pattern is now available in my free patterns page.

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And finally, during the holidays, no machine sewing time meant embroidery time!

So not one, not two but three new blocks for my SK project have been added to my collection!

-- It --

-- Misery --

-- Revival --

You can find them all in my The SK Project page.

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Now what are YOU going to link?

An InLinkz Link-up

MOP Monday - many things are cooking!

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving week and a safe Black Friday :)

I had a very very productive week!!!

-- MOP: The Xmas presents list --

1. Boxes of Rainbow (UO) - label attached to the quilt! off the list!!

2. Topolino quilt (MPB) - quilting started! see below for a "cheap" technique to baste it :)

3. the Z quilt (CO) - quilted the last section! (Couldn't finish the quilt for Nov, but I will finish it for Dec :) this is my project for Lovely Year of Finishes (Dec))

4. pillow (VP) - last week wasn't started, and now is doooone! off the list!!
5. convertible bag (IG) - printed pattern, and picked fabric
6. coasters & table runner (MO) - finished last week! off the list!!
7. something (SZ) - 2 potholders and half a pouch done, missing other 2 potholders and the other half of the pouch

Extras (because if I have tons of projects to finish I need to add some extras anyway O_o):
1. the SK project - printed next pattern
2. small project for magazine - block completed, but I cannot share (secret projects are fun ;) )
3. block swap Nov & Dec - printed patterns
4. food for Thanksgiving!!

(Linking up at Let's Bee Social)

-- MOP: This week updates--

First let me start with some updates from my Thanksgiving dinner:

Picture with the Fandom In Stitches mug that I won for my "Make it Mosaic" block!! :)

I took the picture after eating our Thanksgiving dinner for which I made: special braid bread (with olives), mayonnaise, risotto ai funghi (and arancini di riso the next day), and Pumpkin Crunch! If you want my recipes I can share them with you, just drop me an email :)

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And since I had few days off from work I had the chance to spend time finishing up some Xmas presents!!

This is a fun & quick project perfect for a man who likes ties!!

I found this idea on Pinterest, but there was no link to the original pattern or designer. I made myself the pattern and it went together super fast! I used 4 actual ties and 2 are cotton fabric that looked like ties to me :)
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The Z quilt is all quilted! Now the final step is to join the sections and bind it, for sure it will be done in a week or so!! I will share pictures once it's all done :)
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I have completed 2 potholders and half a zip pouch for a special person, but since I don't know if she is reading my blog, I don't want to share too much about them until she receives them ;)
But this is the back (fun fabric that a Block Swap partner sent me... isn't it perfect for a pot holder??)

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And finally, let me share this cheap way of basting my quilt! Pin-basting with a Foam Can Holder! :)
Ok, this is the story.
I didn't like pin basting for two reasons: 1) on a big quilt, I can never make the back smooth enough and then I spend hours trying to make it good and I just get frustrated; 2) I keep getting stabbed!! I don't like safety pins (they are too hard to put on and to move while quilting).
Now I found the solution for both problems!! 1) I quilt smaller pieces and join them later, so now having a smooth back is easier to achieve!! 2) I watched some videos where Leah Day suggests using straight pins but using some silicone "caps" to hold them in place and avoid stabbing! I checked them online and while they look cool, honestly they looked too expensive for me to buy not even knowing if this method would be good for me. So I looked around my craft shop and I found those Foam Can Holders (like these ones) for about 50 cents each... they are pretty thick so I cut them into 1 inches "squares" or weird shapes, and that's it!! here I have a ton of pin caps, super cheap and they work just great!!

They are big enough for a pin to go inside and be pretty stable, but they are easy to remove and reposition while you are quilting! Probably they are not as nice and durable as the official silicone ones, but I don't think anything can beat a 50 cents piece of think foam ;)
Now I am looking forward to baste more pieces of my quilt! :)

Here a picture before I started basting... my helper was really helpful in smoothing the three layers ;)

"Hey, I didn't do that, I found it that way!" :)

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And now, what are YOU going to link?? :)

An InLinkz Link-up

MOP Monday - 2 new patterns and giveaway

Last week in my giveaway!!! Get your links in for a chance to win this fun bundle!!

These are the rules:
- to participate in the giveaway you have to link a post of your blog on my MOP Monday linky party (at the end of this post) OR send me an email with your block (see later for details)
- each link added will give you one entry
- if you share one of the blocks designed by me, you get 2 entries!! and if the block is one of the untested ones, you get 3 entries!! :)
- if you want to share one of my blocks and you don't have a blog, you can send me an email and I will add the link to the linky party for you. My email is in all my patterns!
- if you guess which city is the one depicted in the placemat on the background of the giveaway image I will add an extra bonus fat quarter ;) just write it in the comment below or send me an email (note: I will not publish the comments with the answers to avoid helping others ;) )
- links must be "new" (any date after Aug 15th is fine)
- the standard MOP Monday opening/closing time applies (the collection usually opens on Sat or Sun and is open until next Tue 12:05 pm EST)
- the giveaway will be running for 4 MOP Mondays and the winner will be announced around Sep 10
- I reserve the right to delete non-relevant links and/or exclude them from the count in the giveaway
- following my blog and commenting on other links is not required, but is greatly appreciated!!
- the giveaway is open to everyone, international entries are welcome (as well as US ones)!!

And now, for My Own Progress:

-- MOP: The list --

1. the SK project - no blocks this week (designed a couple of them but not completed)
2. Rainbow Starburst - no progress (progress last week)
3. Topolino quilt - 2 blocks doooone!!! (see below)
4. Reversible sewing machine cover - 1 block done (see below)
5. Tea Towel challenge and PPV BOM - printed blocks for Sept.
6. the Z quilt - all the fabric is finally here!! ready to start it (will share it soon)
--
7. College Days Blog Hop blocks for tote/grocery bag - no progress
8. Alice in Wonderland quilt - no progress
9. As You Wish - no progress
10. Happy Halloween wall hanging - no progress
11. Crazy optical illusion - no progress
12. (NEW project) Convertible bag - printed the pattern (more info in the next few weeks) - this is my project for Sept. Lovely Year of Finishes

(Linking up at Let's Bee Social)

-- MOP: This week new blocks --

Last week I couldn't finish the block for my Mickey&Donald's series because my little helper wanted all my attention for her :) but this week I could finish that block and also a new one because my helper preferred just to take some naps on my ironing board ;)

So here are the new blocks:

Magica de Spell, flying around and dreaming about the Number One coin

The pattern is available in my "MickeyM, DonalD, Alice" page

Goofy Gone Fishing

The pattern is available in my "MickeyM, DonalD, Alice" page

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This week finally I was able to go back to the lovely blocks for my sewing machine cover and I pieced one of my favorite ones:

Pattern by Susanne @ Quilt it out  

The original one had a "chocolate" background that I thought was perfect for the block, but I wanted to use the same light background of all my other blocks, so I kept the chocolate reference in the fabric chosen for the word and the color of the thread for the embroidery :)

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And now, link YOUR own progresses below!!
Links for the giveaway: dated after Aug 15
Rules for the linky party:
1. You can link finished projects or WIP at any stage! Every step is worth sharing
   (A journey of thousand miles is made of single steps)!
2. Link to your specific post to make it easier for others to read about your progress!
3. Spread the word and post my button or a text link (code for the button on the side bar)
4. Comment on other links!! It's always good to support each other every step of the way!! :)

An InLinkz Link-up