I think I got it.

I always think projects are going to be WAY faster than they ALWAYS end up being. Like this quilt. But that's ok. Do you want to see my progress shots of how I got to where I was yesterday to where I am today? (ok, I did this all yesterday too, but we've been mega unpacking again today so that's why I didn't share these sooner like I thought I was going to. Sorry for anyone waiting around for this since I told you I'd share it.) :)


Sorting the colors again

I took out a bunch of prints and chose to keep just 9 of each shade, trying to match the hues as best I could with what I had.

Arranging

I tried to arrange the piles on the ground first so I wouldn't have to move all 108 squares around too many times. I didn't even try this arrangement on the wall. I don't know why I took this picture. lol. ;) And I didn't take a picture of what I did end up doing, but here's another shot of the fabric anyway. because I love ya! haha.


On the wall

layout 1

layout 2

layout 3

layout 4
sorry this one didn't make it in instagram, hence the no cropping. ;)

layout 5

If you can tell me all the differences between each photo I'll send you something. lol. Please don't. If you are that bored you can come help me unpack instead. ;)

I think I am sticking with layout 5! before I start analyzing it too much. heehee. I tried to arrange the values so that it kind of created a darker square rectangle going through all the colors (I guess it does make squares too. can you see it? It's not perfect, but I think it's kind of cool. :)

what do you think? Boyish enough? It'll be smaller, but I think something portable might be nice too. Now to get sewing. :) I also need to blog a bunch more stories before I forget them. Hopefully tomorrow if I don't get to it today. boy does this place wear me out. ;)

Happy Saturday everyone! :)

Rainbows, Charms and a Quilt

I sorted this awesome stack of charms last night!

This was from the Spectrum Charm Swap, a 5 yard swap. I signed up twice. Anyway, isn't this fabric yummy?!

I put it together with all my other charms from charm swaps (the 4x5 Charm Swap, a 5 yard swap that Katie put together and I think one more swap).

Well, this is a LOT of fabric. Should I be embarrassed? lol. Hopefully this isn't incentive for someone to come and rob me. lol.

Anyway, I went through and pulled about 180 of the best and brightest, or at least the ones that really stuck out to me and this is what I came up with.

I found out on Sunday that a boy in my old neighborhood is sick. A couple people told me about it on facebook and really I have no idea what to say. I haven't even responded to them. Just thinking about it hurts my heart and makes me want to cry for him and his family. Now that we are so far away, and really I don't know what I could do if I were there either, I feel even more at a loss of what to do. I keep thinking that I should make him a quilt!  :) But then I look at my house and think that I should probably finish moving in and getting our lives in order. But after sorting the above pile of charms I couldn't stop myself for picking some out for him.

Now I am a total loss for the layout. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

I pulled 180 charms and decided to just go big. Originally I was going to do something for him, but I think the bigger the better. That way the whole family can cuddle with him under it. (Ok, I'm not making it that big, but he's only 2, so really I'm sure anything will work. And I know people love odd sized quilts. lol.)

Layout #1:
I must be OCD when it comes to patterns. I like random when other people do them, but I can't. I think even if everyone voted for this one I couldn't make it. lol. ;)

Layout #2:
I decided to try some zigzags.? Yeah, not so much. I ran out of the right colors and started to really dislike it. It's not so hot in the picture either. I think if I had just the right colors and values it would be cool, but not with this.

Layout #3:
Then I took them all down, sorted by color and placed them back up.
It's a little mixed, but still has some order. I think I like this one, but I still don't love it.

Perhaps I should scratch this idea and do something totally different. Maybe add some sashing between it all and turn the squares on the diagonal. I don't know. What else can you do with charms? I have enough of them you'd think I'd know. lol. ;)

So here's to you Ty. Hopefully I can get this done sooner rather than later!

p.s. If you read our Iowa stories from yesterday, I have to tell you! Neil went down in the basement and tried to unplug the old telephone. He can't!! It's so old that it won't come off the wall and he couldn't even unplug the cord from the receiver! lol. Is that creepy or what?! He said when he picked it up it was just static. It did ring once while he was home but he didn't want to answer it. He told me, "what if someone is there and says, 'I want to kill you...'". Thanks babe! You totally freaked me out now!!! lol. But after he checked it out he would love to answer it. He's pretty certain it's just the internet setting it off. I sure hope that's all it is! ;) Stay tuned for more stories! :) (oh, and we did finally talk to the landlord yesterday and batman should be coming back to take care of the bats soon. Yay!

Our Story: Iowa: The Land of Adventure

One long post with stories, adventures, and ramblings. Sorry no pictures in this one!

read more here...

doing good for do.Good

Basically that means I finally finished the quilt for the do.Good Stitches Harmony Circle from last September! Oops! Anyway, I'm so happy with it! All the wonderful girls in the group did such a good job and finishing this makes me realize that I miss them a lot. It was a fun group! But the break has definitely been a needed one.

I made up a quick tutorial for it here. And asked that everyone make blocks using 4 off center squares-in-square. And that they each include at least one orange square and one white square. Square-in-square is basically a log cabin, except that each round uses the same fabric rather than giving it the scrappy feel of the log cabin design.

It's always interesting to see the variety of blocks that you get back from a bee group, never what I expect, but it's still so much fun!! I had a great time putting these together.

I did some basic wavy lines across the quilt for the quilting. I still need to wash it, but I wanted it to keep a soft fluffy feel, so hopefully it works. :)

I still have mixed emotions about the back, but somehow I really like it. :)

p.s. Check out my new huge backyard!! I love that it has a clothes line!! I'm not so sure about hanging our clothes out there for the world to see, but hanging quilts for pictures! Yes please! :)

I used the binding method that Red Pepper Quilts uses, of sewing it on the front and then pinning it on the back and sewing in the ditch on the front so it catches the back. I only missed one small section on the back, and for the most part I stayed right in the ditch! I'm so proud of myself! lol. :) As my husband said last night, a humble brag. ;) hey, everyone deserves to give themselves a pat on the back for a job well done!

For some reason I went against the norm and put the label in the top corner. It just looks better on that fabric I think. Anyway, I still need to write in "Harmony Circle - Sept. 2011" on it. THEN it will be complete. :) I'm not sure where the nearest Project Linus is in these parts, so I might see if there is a family/someone in the area who could give this beauty some good love! :) I hope the Harmony girls don't mind!


So, basically, I should be unpacking, cleaning, filling out claims forms, teaching my children about the weather system and oceanic sea life (ok, not really), and everything else that is on my to-do list, but with so much drama going on (more about that later) I drastically needed a break! Yesterday I put together my make shift sewing area, finding supplies as I went, and I am SO glad I did! :) I think that was the most rewarding sewing I've done in a long time!

I'm just a little embarrassed to show a messy picture online. lol. ;)

Amazing Contributors to this quilt:

Melissa of A Child of the Wild Blue Yonder

Jessica of A Little Gray

Leigh of Leedle Deedle Quilts

Angelina79

Denise of My Family Thinks I am Working

Sandi, aka Missplanner

3 Beans Studio of 3 Beans Studio

Jeri of Durable Goods

Erica (aka  three_little_pumpkins') of fabric glue and thread 

Now onto finishing the candy land quilt.... though I think that will have to wait for another day.

How are all your sewing projects coming along???

I'm so glad I read Lori's blog the other day 

and for her reminder about how it's almost time to link up any finishes for the the Finish-a-Long!

I am so happy I'll be able to link up this quilt!! :)
(you can see this in my original post here.) 

Charming Travelers Giveaway!

These Charming Travelers are on a roll!! There is another giveaway open over at Knotted-Thread! It is the US Only pack, open until June 27th at 8pm. Make sure to go enter so you can have your chance at mixing up your charm pack selection! :)

I haven't had a chance to update my map yet, but the other pack is on it's way to jmday.com, just in case you want to stalk her. ;)

Shorts on the Line

I'm so excited to tell you about this event!! Before we started moving Rachael invited me to play along in this awesome sewalong! this july, imagine gnats, Designs by Sessa, and small + friendly will be hosting "shorts on the line", a summer sewalong. 

For the first three weeks in july, we'll be sharing guest posts with shorts inspiration, tutorials, and pattern reviews. those sewing along at home will have a chance to be featured in our sewalong round-up posts the last week of july.... and some *great* prizes, including fabric, patterns, and gift certificates!

7.1 shorts on the line kick-off!


week one: imagine gnats

7.2 Rachael (imagine gnats) and Melanie (A Sewing Journal)
7.3 Courtney (mon petit lyons), Inder (Inder Loves Folk Art), and Nicke (Kiss Kiss... Quilt)
7.4 Rashida (i heart linen) and April (Sewing Novice)
7.5 Andrea (the train to crazy) and Kristy (Hopeful Threads)
7.6 Shannon (luvinthemommyhood) and Erin & Carla (Clever Charlotte)
7.7 Emma (Hello Beautiful) and Cassandra (Cass Can Sew)
7.8 Gail (probably actually) and Becky (Owly Baby)



week two: small + friendly

7.9 Carla (small + friendly) and Sophie (cirque du bebe)
7.10 Ros (Sew Delicious) and Veronica (sewVery)
7.11 Shelly (Figgy's) and Alyssa (Pile O'Fabric)
7.12 Jessica (a little gray) and Diane (from blank pages)
7.13 Kristin (skirt as top) and Kelley (Casa Crafty)
7.14 Katie (There and Back) and Tara (girl like the sea)
7.15 Alli (B. Yazoo) and Jennet (Feathered Nest Studios)



week three: Designs by Sessa

7.16 Vanessa (Designs by Sessa) and Jessica (Me Sew Crazy)
7.17 Cherie (You and Mie) and Jane (Buzzmills)
7.18 Karen (Sew Well Maide) and Stephanie (The Crafty Kitty)
7.19 Bianca (Sweet Diesel Designs) and Tara (true, pure, lovely)
7.20 Jenny (Stumbles & Stitches) and Susan & Adrianna (crafterhours)
7.21 Danny (Mommy for Reals) and Marian (Lady Face)
7.22 Jill (Made With Moxie) and Christina (2 Little Hooligans)



features and deadline

7.23 sewalong features, Rachael's favorites
7.24 sewalong features, Carla's favorites
7.25 sewalong features, Vanessa's favorites
7.26 final deadline for shorts sewalong entries
7.27 viewers choice voting begins



winners annoucements

7.28 judges' choice third place announced
7.29 judges' choice second place announced
7.30 viewers choice winner announced
7.31 judges' choice first place announced



the full sponsor list and guest judge line-up will be coming soon. until then, get ready by joining the shorts on a line flickr group and check out our shorts on the line pinterest board for some short-y inspiration.

grab the code and share the button!

<center><a href="http://imaginegnats.blogspot.com/p/shorts-on-line.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8022/7154391075_f2430ffafa.jpg" width="150" alt="shorts on the line button" /></a></center>

Our Story Going Private

No this is not my story of going private, it's about me making my Our Story section of my blog private. I love sharing with the world, but now that we're further from home, and I have a goal to blog more about the daily happenings of our personal story, I want to be a little more open about what I share and there is just something about putting myself out there and letting every I-don't-know-who-you-are read the intimate details of our life, that kind of isn't so much what I want to think about. Anyway, it'll be going private... so if you want in, then shoot me your email either in the comments or email me at fromblankpages {at} gmail dot com.


I will keep updating new posts here on this blog with fun little snippets, so make sure to stop by to stay up to date on our new happenings! :)


***To clarify, this MAIN PAGE of my blog will remain open to everyone! :) I have way too much fun blogging to cut this off from others! It is the family section of my blog (found under the Our Story tab) that will be private. :)


lol. After some more thought and starting to enter in emails to make my blog private, I decided I'm going to keep it open. I just have a feeling that maybe someone out there somewhere might need to read what I have to say one day and they might not even know they need to read it. I'd hate to close the opportunity to help someone else by restricting readers to my blog. :)

Our Story: I'm Back! and faster than ever!

A bit of babbling and pictures to give me a break from the stress of moving in! ;)

read more here...

Hello Iowa.

Well, we are in Iowa! Happy day. :) This last week was full of driving, hotels, swimming, sleeping, and more driving. We went and saw our new place today. It's cute and has character. The kitchen is awesome and I think the rest of the house will be too, except it's not finished. They are doing some amazing remodeling and renovations and I'm really excited for them. They say they'll be finished on Monday. Yay! The movers should also be delivering our stuff on Monday. Hopefully it doesn't turn into a crazy mess. The yard will need a little work/cleaning up, but I'm hoping they'll let us do what we want with it. :)

For now we are staying in a hotel in the next town. We've stayed in some nice hotels this week, which is always exciting to me. The Fairfield Inn was by far the nicest! I could seriously decorate my house the way they decorated the rooms. I'm writing this on my phone so I can't format anything, but I'll add some pics at the end. :) The Hampton Inn was a close second. We made sure to swim at each hotel, a definite highlight for the boys!

They all did an amazing job in the car each day! We actually drove both of our cars. It would have been nice to get a break from driving and be able to trade off, but it was also nice to have H in a separate car. He can get kind of intense sometimes sitting between M and J. Poor Mabel has been dealing with ear infections and a sinus infection all week. Luckily we caught it before we left, I think she's feeling better. Maybe that helped her sleep more though? Idk.

Anyway, we're going to go to Target tomorrow (30 miles away) and get some clothes for church on Sunday. We already got invited to a baptism and a BBQ after church. That should be fun! Neils new boss is also LDS and we actually met him and his family two weeks ago while they were in Utah. It's nice to already have some ”friends” in our new town. Otherwise it's really weird to be here with none of our stuff and nowhere to stay. We arrived and were hit with this feeling of ”now what?”. Especially since Neil starts work on Monday! What a crazy adventure! I half feel like we should jump in the car and start driving.

Oh, and I can't forget the best part... I get a sewing room! Wahoo! :) lol. I'm going to set up the learning center in there too. I can't wait to set it up and share pictures! :) (ok, maybe that's not the best part, but I am excited for it!) ;)

Maybe I'll be able to share my last sewing project tomorrow. I want to link it up with Ellison Lane Quilts Summer Sewing event, but we'll see what happens. ;) if not tomorrow, then soon. (I didn't get my sewing machine back in time to get it on the truck, so it's actually in the car... I'm so tempted to sew. lol. Neil would kill me!)

The Charming Travelers visit Canada!

I'm writing this on my phone, so I apologize in advance for the lack of formatting and pictures.

There is a Charming Travelers giveaway going on over at Live, Laugh, Love... Sew! It is open for US and Canadian residents who are willing to send to either place as well. Giveaway  ends on May the 11th, so don't miss it! :)

Modern She Made Swap! Lots of goodies to go around!

This was a fun swap! Through a move into the mix and it totally threw off my sewing groove. For some reason finding a place to live took a little more precedence over sewing. ;) But alas, I finished my item for my partner and I really hope she likes it! :)


I made an 18" pillow form. I was going to go bigger, but I'm glad I didn't. :)

I used the same pattern that I tried out for my MIL and her pillow. I did get a last minute "I think I want to do something else", but I'm glad I stuck with this! I smoothed out a few kinks in the pattern and I really do love how this pillow came together in the end!

the back. super simple.
I put my label just under the flap on the right. I can't show you because then my partner would know it was theirs!

I love looking at patterns with the light shining from behind!

before I put the back on.

I did a wavy line cross hatching for the quilting again. I have such a hard time doing the exact same thing twice, but I was just so happy with the first pillow that I couldn't help myself. 

I really like the pattern for this. I've gotten a lot of compliments on flickr which I TOTALLY did not expect! Wow! Thanks everyone! You make me want to cry. ;) I am planning on making a pattern for this (after we finish moving). This pillow was made completely with a template, my purple pillow was made mostly with a paper piecing pattern I think, or at least a good mix. I don't know which I like better... But I will tell you, it kind of kicked my butt! lol. I think I finally got the sizing of the templates right so in the end it was a lot easier. But there is a lot of cutting, and where the points meet up it is thick. After a little ironing it's not too bad. It definitely requires some precision to get everything to line up right (which I didn't do perfectly, but people don't seem to mind). Anyway, there's the truth about it. :) 

My goodies arrived at my sisters house yesterday! Wahoo! My sis texted me a bunch of photos this morning! I couldn't believe all the goodness inside!! :) Kelsey did an amazing job!! Her pictures of the stuff she made are here, here, here and here. Here are the pictures my sister sent me:

There are 6 placemats! Look how awesome they are! My sister said they're big, maybe 12". It'll be like a house warming gift when I get them at our new house! ;)

Then she added some cute fabric

and this awesome magazine! I can't wait to get my hands on this stuff. 

Thank you Kelsey!! :)

I really did enjoy this swap! There were so many talented people in it! :) But I also have to admit that for right now, it is SO nice to not have anymore sewing commitments (as in I'm done with all my swaps and bees)!! Wahoo! :)

Happy sewing to everyone! 

I will probably be checking out soon for a bit. 

In less than a week we will start our drive to our new home! :D

The Charming Travelers are at it again!

Hey! If you have been following the Charming Travelers around, another giveaway for them has opened up today!! :) If you don't know what the Charming Travelers are, then click here to find out! And then go enter! :)

Stop by Happy Momma Quilts to enter!

the giveaway ends June 12th
for US residents only. Sorry.

(there is another charm pack that should be arriving soon that will also be available for all you Canadian folk! Wahoo! Thank to Karen!) :)