Thursday, September 27, 2012

FQBH: More Inspiration

Quilting for a Cause


I'm sorry for the lack of posts this week regarding the blog hop! I had some fun stuff planned, but I've been so sick and spent the last week+ on the couch or in bed... and well, it didn't happen. So is life. (the apology is that I hope I didn't let anyone down with kind of a bummer last week... otherwise, blogging is awesome, but life comes first.) Otherwise I've still had so much fun this month!! I hope you have too!


This month has gone by at lightning speed it seems and I can't believe that tomorrow is already the last day to link up your projects!!

As I was planning this blog hop, and since then, I've seen so many other projects and patterns, that although they might not have been inspired by friendship bracelets, I think they definitely have some good similarities to them! I wanted to share some of these with you in case you might need a little more inspiration to get you started! :)

Source: craftsy.com via Diane on Pinterest

How about this?! Actual friendship bracelets in a quilt. :) Kristy found this one and shared it with me.
You can find this pattern on Craftsy here, by Not Your Run of The Mill


I really love this bracelet design. It would make a fun Valentine's table runner. 
Source: craftsy.com via Diane on Pinterest
This project is one I found on Craftsy here, by Cadmancreations
This could be a fun one to paper piece.


I saw Katie of Swim, Bike, Quilt working on this one a while ago and LOVE it!
Helix Quilt--in progress
HST's are So versatile! How great!!
This pattern is called Helix by The Tulip Patch and you can find it on Craftsy here.
Doesn't this look so much like a Friendship Bracelet design?!


How about these Cashmere Cuffs from The Purl Bee? They look so soft!
Source: purlbee.com via Diane on Pinterest

I love the simple colors and simple design. A great idea for a low-value quilt.
You can find the blog post here.



Ok, with one more day left, maybe this will help give you the extra push you need to finish up your projects, or start one! ;) (p.s. the odds are looking PRETTY good for winnings something right now...  so get to work!! lol.) ;)


if you're new to the blog hop, you can find all the details here. Link up your projects here. Link up your 80's photos here (this linky closes on Sunday night.)
All prizes will be announced on Monday!
 
Diane

from blank pages... #10

Despite being down and out this week (which has unfortunately meant that some of my fun blog posts for the Friendship Quilts Blog Hop didn't happen this week...) I did actually start on something new last night! Hooray for progress, right?! I am really getting tired of being tired and sick of being sick. heehee. I hate when it draaaaaaaaaags. Hopefully that I'm feeling a little better last night and this morning means I'm on the mend! crossing my fingers!


from blank pages... linky party


Onto my new beginning:
 Did you hear about the "Something Wicked This Way Comes" Halloween paper piecing blog hop at Whims and Fancies? Well, it's almost October already and that means it's about to start!! That also means I need to get crackin on my block! I am so excited to participate in this hop and have an excuse to finally use the cute Halloween fabrics I've had in my stash for a while now. :)


Originally I was thinking a castle, or bats, a witches broom, a black cat, a witches hat... and I'm sure I found a few other images on google that I thought would be fun. Last night I drew up a few images in Illustrator,

Working on ideas for the Halloween paper piecing blog hop. A witches hat? Or...
a hat

A cat? - for the Halloween paper piecing blog hop.
and a cat.


More people liked the cat on Instagram, so I'm going with that... (my user name is fromblankpages if you're on there, come follow me!) 


Black Cat Paper Piecing pattern
I was on a roll until I got to the ears. I'm a little stuck about how I want to break them up. I would love to keep the head one piece, so we'll see what I can come up with. :)


I don't know if I'm supposed to do this much reveal before the show, but hopefully this gets you excited!! I can't wait to see what everyone else is making!


p.s. Don't forget that tomorrow is the last day to link up your Friendship Quilts Projects!!! I am LOVING what projects have been shared and hope to see more!! :)


So what have you been dreaming up or working on??? I am really loving seeing your projects that you've been sharing!! :)


Just a few things with the link up:


  1. PLEASE make sure to link back to this post in your blog post! Let others know where you're sharing your projects so they can come share theirs as well! :) You can also grab a button from my sidebar.
  2. Make sure you are talking about some kind of beginnings in your post. If I can't figure out how it ties into this theme, I'll have to delete your link. no offense.
  3. stop by others posts and leave some comment love! :) 

Linky will be open until Saturday night! :)



Diane




Tuesday, September 25, 2012

100 Day Hustle!

Kelsey Sews


Kelsey has put together such a fun event for finishing up projects for the holidays, and for the end of the year. It's the 100 Day Hustle.  I have had a few things that have been on my list for sometime now that I really should get working on. Today is the last day to link up for the beginning linky, so if you haven't already put your post together, hurry and do so! You can find out more info here.
 
With my lack of sewing motivation that I've had recently I really hope this will help give me the push I need to finish up a few things. Because I like lists, I think I'll put down everything I would love to finish, but realistically I'll probably just hope to accomplish a few of them.

DSC_0393
1. Candy land quilt for do.good stitches. It's communing along and hopefully I'll get it completed before sewing summit. So much for sewing anything for the SS, but oh well, I'm just excited to go.


2. A Christmas present quilt. I started this one in my Moody blues bee, so actually all the blocks I have for it were made by someone else. I still have a bit more to make to get it up to size, but I am excited for how it should turn out! So far it's beautiful! But I can't show pictures. ;)


DSC_1056
3. Mabel's quilt. I already have all the layers together, it's just waiting to be quilted, and has been waiting for a long time! I'm thinking it should definitely be a Christmas present, or earlier surprise with how long it's taken me. I'm just nervous to quilt it because I want it to be perfect!


 DSC_0397
4. Kaleidoscope quilt. this one is waiting on a cute back to be pieced. Yep, another one that is so close but not quite. I really need to get these finished!


DSC_0543

5. I have another quilt that I had started making a pattern for. It's made using Tula Pinks Nest collection. I would love to finish the top and enter it into the Tula Pink contest/linky, but I don't know if I have the ambition for that right now... I would still love to finish it by the end of the year!


There's something I really like about this, but it's way too busy... What to do.
6. I started a quilt with my Lou Lou Thi fabrics, but I wasn't loving it and have been a bit stumped with it. I think I'll just keep going with it and I'm sure if I don't love it, maybe someone else will...


7. I have some more patterns in the works that I would love to get them all finished! But even just one would make me happy!


DSC_0653
8. Speaking of patterns that reminds me of my giant granny quilt. I've made good progress on that. A few good sessions of that quilt should be all it needs.



Ok, I think that's all for now. I hate that I have so many that are so close, and yet I can't seem to make any progress. Lol. One of these days I'll gain some super sewing powers and be done with all my wips for good! Haha. :)

Thanks Kelsy for the excellent motivation event! ;) if you join, be sure to share photos in the Flickr group as well!



Diane

Pin It to Win It!

Alright, I think I am going to have a blogging overload today. Sorry about the number of posts I'll have today... need to meet some deadlines. heehee. I think I'll save the Friendship Quilts Blog Hop post for tomorrow... but I hate to do that too. We'll see how it goes. ;)


Banner (5)


Have you seen the contest over at I have to say... , aka Fresh Squeezed Fabrics? It's the Pin It to Win It contest! You pick a bundle from the shop, pin it and if it gets the number of repins that the bundle is worth (50 repins for a $50 bundle) then she'll send it to you for free! Awesome!

BELLA fat quarter bundle, full collection--19 pieces---4-3/4 yards total--Lotta Jansdotter for Windham Fabrics


I picked the FQ bundle of Bella! Hunter REALLY likes this fabric and I would LOVE to make him his twin sized bed quilt with it!! It's just not in the budget... SO will you help me out??? Just follow this link:


And repin the bundle! If you are playing too, let me know and I'll come repin yours!! It closes on Thursday, so there isn't too much time left!


Thanks for your help!


Diane

Monday, September 24, 2012

Share Your 80's Photos Party!


Quilting for a Cause


Whitney had the great idea while planning this blog hop to have each of the blog hoppers share an 80's photo of ourselves! I could not resist!! But I also couldn't help but think that our photos were NOT enough!! It's only a party if everyone gets to join in on the fun! So here's your chance to share your 80's photos!! I've seen a couple that have been added with the Friendship Quilts that have been linked up so far, and let me tell you, they are great!! (As are the projects!! Keep em' coming!! The link up for projects closes this Friday!)

With recently moving, trying to find all my old photos has been a definite hunt, but I finally found some more of them! :) I just wish I had a copy of my 1st grade picture. I did my own hair, and boy were my bangs poofy. lol. Anyway, here's some of the best that I found:

80's Photos baby
baby photo


80's Photos fam
LOVE this family photo. I'm the little on on the bottom right. Like my bangs?! I cut them myself... kind of gave myself a bit of a mullet... yuck!
My two oldest brothers are missing in this shot. I think they must have been on their missions at this time.


80's Photos dress up
My brother dressing me up... the shirt was a LONG pajama shirt, hence the bulge. lol.
I loved those boots!


80's Photos dance
My sister and I took dance for a while. I totally remember performing this dance in the Kent Concert Hall at USU.


80's Photos park
I got caught doing a little jig at the drinking fountain. I have a few more of this scene, but this is the cutest, least embarrassing one (I am making some silly faces in the other shots). ;)



Ok, so hopefully that is enough photos to go inspire you to find some of yours to share with us!! I LOVE looking back at old photos. Memories are so sweet...



Here are the details:
  • You have until Sunday September 30th to link up your 80's photo(s). 
  • You can link them from a blog or Flickr, or whatever photo source you use that will work. 
  • On Monday October 1st I will announce 2 winners picked by Random.org who will each win a $20 Gift Certificate to Pink Chalk Fabrics!!
  • You can share an 80's photo, even if you aren't entering a project. :)

Pink Chalk Fabrics


I hope you'll play along!


Diane





Friday, September 21, 2012

Friendship Quilts Blog Hop Recap and Link Up!

Quilting for a Cause


I want to give a huge shout out to everyone that joined me in this fun blog hop! I hope you all enjoyed the projects they shared!  I know I did!! :)

If you missed any of the projects I hope you'll go back and see all the great details for each of the projects. And just because it's fun to see them all together, here they are...


Friendship Quilts Blog Hop Roundup!
I think there is a definite theme of friends, quilting and POUCHES. lol. I love them ALL!

2 - blog hop button
3 & 4 - Diane @ from blank pages...
5 - Whitney @ the peacock tree
6 - January T @ Sew Sew Go
7 - Melinda @ Quirky Granola Girl
8 - Courtney @ Mon Petit Lyons
9 - Jill @ Made with Moxie
10 - Danielle @ Fresh Off the Spool
11 - Kelsey @ Kelsey Sews
12 - Kristy @ Quiet Play
13 - Marika @ Live, Laugh, Love... Sew
14 - Karen @ Sew Well Maide
15 - Rachael @ imagine gnats
16 - Katey @ There & Back



Now it's YOUR turn to link up for some FANTASTIC prizes!! Want to know what you can win???

In no particular order...



Westwood Acres

Westwood Acres.
Amanda is offering one Amy Butler Lark
layer cake or jelly roll. (winner picks their preference)


https://ny-image2.etsy.com/008/0/6112016/icm_fullxfull.20994782_78vayou0uvwgk4484ggw.jpg

Fresh Squeezed Fabrics
Randi has offered one $25 Gift Card to her shop.


Free Shipping on orders $35+
Fabric.com is also offering one Gift Card, of unknown value. 
I have a feeling someone is going to be very lucky!

The Fat Quarter Shop is giving away 
1 layer cake of Simply Color by V and Co.
and 2 charm packs:
Metropolitan Fair by Barbara Brackman
and Tapestry by Fig Tree Quilts
to three lucky winners.


Generous Contributors!
Sew Fresh Fabrics is giving away one $40 Gift Card! 
Wahoo!! ;)


Pink Chalk Fabrics
Pink Chalk Fabrics is giving away five $20 Gift Cards
to five lucky winners!


Here's how it will work:
 You have until Friday September 28th at midnight to finish and link up your Friendship Quilt projects! Be sure to share who the special recipient is!
 - don't have a blog? link up a Flickr photo, you can easily add some info in the description.
 - making an actual quilt? A finished quilt top will be sufficient. All other items smaller than a quilt - wall hanging, mug rugs, coasters, bags, etc, do need to be completely finished.
 - you can link up as many projects as you have made, but they need to have different blog posts.


Once the linky is closed, voting begins! Megan of Canoe Ridge Creations, Lee of Freshly Pieced, and Faith of Fresh Lemons Quilts will pick their top favorite projects!

I will announce the judges picks on Monday October 1st, as well as give out the rest of the prizes by random.org!


BUT I will be saving 2 - $20 Gift Cards from Pink Chalk Fabrics for the OTHER linky that will be opening up on Monday September 24th! Dig out your best 80's photos and link them up! I will pick two winners on Monday October 1st as well! I say it's not fair if we're the only ones sharing our photos! I want to see yours as well! (you can share your photo in the same post as your project if you want)


Friendship Quilts Blog Hop

Am I forgetting anything? I don't think so... and that means Let the Party begin!!! :)


Diane






***Be sure to grab a button and link back to this page so others can come join the fun as well!! Visit the rest of the projects as well! I can't wait to see what you've made!! :)




Thursday, September 20, 2012

from blank pages... #9

from blank pages... linky party


Another week gone by already, isn't that how it always goes?! everything just races by too fast! Well, I do have something new to share this week... a new old project. I used to be part of the Harmony Circle of the do.Good Stitches group. I had to drop out due to time constraints, and boy do I miss those wonderful ladies!! SO much fun! My last month in charge was February when I created the Candy Land Quilt (click for tutorials).

do.Good Stitches, Feb quilt layout

LOVE this, but I never did get my blocks made. Until now. yikes. sorry ladies! Rachael finally emailed me and gave me that kick in the butt that I guess I needed. (It always has been on the top of my list, but I guess I just kept skipping over it...) So, I haven't taken any new photos, except of finding scraps... fun. I LOVE using my scraps! Makes me feel like it's worth keeping them around. lol. ;)

Searching my scraps to finish up my candy land quilt. I'm so so late on this... 4 more blocks. 4 more blocks.


I noticed with the blocks that I received that there are so many that are lighter/more pastel colors, and so many that are a big darker in value. I decided to keep the lighter ones in the center and the darker around the outside. I think it will look fantastic when it's finished and hope I can blend my blocks in well enough! :)

I have my strips sewn already, just need to finish with the white. They really are so easy to make... I've just been so lazy and have had no desire to sew lately (what is wrong with me?! lol.) But it's been good to get me back on track... I hope I can be ready for sewing summit!!! :D


Anyway, I am so excited to quilt this! I've known what I wanted to do before I even started on this quilt! Some straight line echo quilting and some pebble quilting... I think this will be a fun one. :)


So now it's your turn...

what projects are you starting on? or beginning again?


Just a few things with the link up:


  1. PLEASE make sure to link back to this post in your blog post! Let others know where you're sharing your projects so they can come share theirs as well! :) You can also grab a button from my sidebar.
  2. Make sure you are talking about some kind of beginnings in your post. If I can't figure out how it ties into this theme, I'll have to delete your link. no offense.
  3. stop by others posts and leave some comment love! :) 

Linky will be open until Saturday night! :)




Diane





FQBH @ There & Back

Friendship Quilts Blog Hop @ from blank pages...


Hop on over today to There & Back and see what Katey has whipped up for us! LOVE her colors!

PLPS 5 

She's also in a great video that you won't want to miss!!! ;)


Unfortunately Lori won't be joining us tomorrow. She has some other things going on (not sure how much she want's me to disclose) but send some prayers her way!! We sure will miss her!


The LINKY will be opening tomorrow!!! So make sure you've got your projects, blog posts, or Flickr pictures ready!!! I am SO excited to see what everyone has made!!! :) And be sure to dig out your 80's photos as well! We'll have a separate linky for those that opens up on Monday! I will be setting aside a prize or two for those awesome flashback photos! You won't want to miss it!


Happy Thursday everyone!!

Diane

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

FQBH @ imagine gnats

Quilting for a Cause


Today we're hoping over to imagine gnats to see the beautiful coasters Rachael put together for us! These are a great and simple project to make, that I know I would love! :)

friendship coasters
I love these fabrics and the hand stitching!

There are just a few more days until the linky party opens!! Wahoo!! Are you ready?!


Diane