Golden Thyme Blog by Lacey Hill

Three of these beautiful gold butterflies were given to bloggers by Designer Lacey Hill on her Golden Thyme Blog.

Golden Butterfly Award

An award given for generosity of time, sharing of knowledge, inspiration, encouragement and charitable contribution to Quilting & Fiber Art.

Kim's Quilting Adventure  
I Have A Notion 
SewCalGal

I must say I was completely shocked and thrilled that this award was for me.  I don't know who Kim is.....but you know I'll be reading her blog now (already subscribed to the feeds) and to be mentioned in the same sentence as Darlene from SewCalGal was really something for me.  I admire Darlene, so this is a real thrill for me.

I know....this is starting to sound like the academy awards or something....or you might be thinking....who cares, right?  But when someone takes the time to recognize what you have given your time and energy to in an authentic way....is a true gift and I'm appreciative of the gift.

On another but similar note.....if you want to feel like you are part of the "Members of the Academy" you need to head on over to Darlene's blog because she is doing The Golden Quilter Awards. 
The really cool thing about being part of "this" Awards Program.....you don't need to buy a dress that costs as much as feeding a family of 10 for a month.....no need to wear those cumbersome 10 carat diamonds on your ears.....it does not matter that your husband does not look like Brad Pitt....you won't go blind from all those flash bulbs going off in your face.....no need to wear a girdle to suck in your size four puffiness......there won't be anyone hiding in your bushes and scaring you half to death when the jump out and snap your photo.....no one will publish a photo of your worst stitching work and  act like "how could you"......you don't even need to get out of your ugliest house clothes.....you can just be who ever you are and feel pretty darn good about yourself because our blogging community values your spirit not your perky mammary glands :)

Spanky Smiles,
Kelly
They were given to:

The Carnival Was A Success!!!! HURRAY

I've been blogging about being so busy with the boy's school carnival.  Thankfully it was last night and the weather did not seem to detour people from coming. 

The boys had a ball.  They played carnival games, had caricatures of themselves drawn, made glass magnets, bopped around at the cake walk and thankfully did not play the gold fish game :)

This was a really neat project offered by the art teacher.  Parents paid $5 per child to make either a glass pendent or a glass magnet.  $3 covered the cost of materials and firing and $2 went to the Parent Boosters (who raise money for projects and educational materials for the students).  Zach loved making his glass magnet.  He got to wear cool glasses and select pieces of colored glass-score it and use the clamps to break it.....ohhhhhhh.....that was way cool for him.

Here is Aaron in the cafeteria sporting his latest prize-blue Dracula fangs!!!

The cake walk was a big hit so there was a long line most of the night.  When the night was winding down I encouraged the boys to go back and do the cake walk....oh yea....the each won a little cake to bring home.

Here are the caricatures Rick had done of the boys.....aren't they  cool?

If the records are correct we raised 5 times as much money this year in the silent auction and raffle as we did yesterday.  Now that's what I'm talking about.....and the bulk of that was done by two women.  Can you imagine what could be done by say.....6 women?  Hmmmmm.....

We had lots of snow overnight.  Rick and the boys made this very fun snowman in our front yard.  You ask...."Kelly why weren't you out there making that cool snowman too?"  My reply, "I would have been.....but the maid has been out working for the school carnival for the week and there is no food here either...yikes :)

Cotton Candy Smiles,

Kelly

GRABAROO'S NOW in BLACK...and my favorite JanetBasket

 

GrabARoo's now come in Black (xl only)!!! You may wonder whey I am excited about this. My brother stocks shelves and his hands are so rough that they could be used as sandpaper and I'm not exaggerating even a little bit. These gloves are wonderful for anyone who handles paper or cardboard. Those papers take the oil right out of your skin and leaves your hands so dry that they crack. Not any more....GrabARoo's to the rescue :) His birthday is coming and when he opens these gloves....he will be sooo thrilled. (he does not read my blog :)

I've had several e-mails from women asking me if I thought GrabARoo's would work for husbands with their jobs.  If they don't like Purple....how about Black? 

You know what else I like about GrabARoo's?  Audrey, Miriam, and Tracy.  GrabARoo's are their invention and I've had the great fortune to spend time with them at Quilt Market.  If you have any questions at all about GrabARoo's....just ask them....they are honest and very helpful.  You can visit them here.

I carry this bag with my punchneedle in it when I go to meetings or when I think I'm going to get an spare few minutes to punch.  I have been stopped a few times lately and asked where I got it.  Yes....I told them I have a store and I gave them my business card.  Can you blame me?  I was thinking about it and I remembered I never blogged about my wonderful new friend.

She is a  Red Floral Eco Bag by JanetBasket.  I have not given her a name yet....but I should. 

She is like a Marcus Welby MD's bag....but she is pretty and RED. 

I like the handle because I can cover the strap with the padded cover-it Velcro's closed.  The handle does not bite into my hand....I like that :)

Look how many pockets she has (too bad Polly Pockets is taken....that would have been a great name for this bag.  I can keep my punchneedle book and my writing tablet in one side....

and on the other....my water (one for me...one for Rosemary)

And if those were not enough pockets ....there are large pockets on each end.  I keep my punchneedle case in one end and my snacks in the other. (yes I carry food....what if I get lost/stranded/starve to death)

Oh yea.....and because I'm neurotic and don't ever want to "need a thread" there is room for my two boxes of threads.  I don't always carry my threads....but if I think I many need them....I just pop them into the bag.

So....now you know what strangers know....I love my bag :)  Tomorrow is the boys Winter Carnival at their school.  I've worked on the Silent Auction and Raffle items and I'm hoping we have a wonderful turnout.  The boys are excited because we will have a jail there....they have to pay tickets to lock Mommy and Daddy up and Mommy and Daddy will have to pay tickets to get out.  Cute idea isn't it?  The boys love it.  Oh yea....did I mention the cake walk?  That too will be a huge hit.  Time for games?  I'm not sure....my guys love the cake walk and I know I'll have to tear them away from the raffle baskets too!  I'll take some pix and post them...it should be lots of fun.

Smiles,

Kelly

Whooooooaaaa That Was FAST!!! CANCELING APB and AMBER ALERT

APB and Amber Alert Canceled :)

(Photo gently and respectfully borrowed from The Daily Blog)

No Chicago Mob with Heat (Reliable Corp. Irons is what I was referring to....not guns....I would never use a gun when a Reliable Iron would do the trick :) were needed.  Look what bloggers did!!!  I guess United Airlines computers must have been pingged to death....and it worked :)  Ricky has been reunited with his Bohemian Rhapsody. 

Whhhhooooooaaaaa!!!!!!

What is next on our agenda Quilters?   Finding Jimmy Hoffa?  ok, ok, ok....honestly I was just kidding!!!

Right side up Smiles,

Kelly

Calling ALL United Airlines Personnel and Anyone Who Knows Anyone at UA

There is an APB/Amber Alert out for Ricky Tim's Bohemian Rhapsody quilt!

(not officially.....but here in IHAN-township there is)

So very sad but true, one of his "babies" is missing and he needs everyone's help.  So if you know anyone at all who works for United Airlines who could possibly be of assistance....please phone them directly and insist they begin searching directly for this treasure.

These are the details:

I had two international flights before arriving in Chicago at the international terminal (#5). At this location we were required to collect our luggage, pass through customs, and place the bags on a United Airlines conveyor, placing them in the care of United Airlines employees where they would be directed to my final domestic flight. I had both of my bags in my possession in Chicago. My final flight was from Chicago to Colorado Springs this past Saturday evening.


 
Upon arrival in Colorado Springs, one of my two bags did not arrive so I reported it to the baggage office and was told by the official that my bag would be on the first flight the next morning. It was not. Now, 48 hours have passed. Six calls have been made to United Airlines "delayed" baggage with no results. I was told that the bag tag was not scanned once I delivered the bag to the United Airlines conveyor and therefore the bag should still be at the international terminal in Chicago.
 (copied from the Daily Blog for the purposes of assisting in finding Bohemian Rhapsody)

If you can assist in any way you can contact Ricky by clicking here (no sympathy notes please....just the business of finding his quilt).
I know this community can and will help.....thats what we do best, right? 

Upside down smiles,
Kelly

Need a Demo for a Guild Meeting? Try Linda Franz's Inklingo

Oh to be so organized.  I need a professional organizer to come and get me as up to date as Linda Franz.  That or I need to recover from the flu so I can get back into my re-organization of the organization that was re-organized prior to being organized. 

For those of you who have never heard of Linda Franz's Inklingo you might want to check it out.  You use your own home printer to print out the Inklingo shapes on your fabric.  Click here for her free shape collection.

Do you remember the Passacaglia Table Runner that I posted awhile back?  If not, here it is below:

I just love this pattern.  Please don't even ask me why I have not made it then....because you are opening the doors to the truth and some people are just happier not knowing what goes on behind the sceens...LOL. 

I signed up for Linda's RSS feeds from her blog so I get notified when she has updates.  I thought this was note worthy because I know people are always looking for interesting new things to share with their friends and guild members.  So if you need a fun demo....Linda has done all the work for you....well....most all of the work :)

Demo Notes
Demo Handouts
Flip Chart

It does not get any easier than this.  I don't think it is called cheating when someone else prepares your homework for you....not at guild meeting anyway. 

I'm on the mend so I'll be doing some homework of my own....I'm days behind and the Elementary School's Winter Carnival is Friday Night.  I've been working to get donations for the silent auction and raffle.  Good thing they did not ask me to organize the event. ROFL
That would be one very interesting event ay?

Smiles,
Kelly

Wonderful Weekend

I know life is good when I spend the weekend smiling and marveling at all the things I see and people I get to visit with. 

Dana, a friend I met at The Toledo Needle Arts Guild meeting, picked me up and drove to Diane's house for a stitch-in and potluck.  Dana lives in Colorado, so it was a pleasure being able to visit during the drive (I got to be chauffeured in a preheated car :) . 

We arrived at Diane's house and when she opened the door, all I could do was smile.  Windows, sunshine, beautiful wood everywhere AND wonderful stitching in every room (I did not check every room, lol). 

Sorry for the glare in some of the photos....but the beautiful sun was shining and I was so busy enjoying myself I just took the photos and trusted the beauty would be evident even with the glare.

Every room had several treasures to enjoy.  And those was just the guests.  Then I got to see all the stitchery.  I'm sure I've said this many times before, but the Needle Arts Guild here has some of the most lovely and interesting ladies.  I know I spent more time chatting than I did stitching. 
I asked Diane and her husband Jack, if I could take some photos of their home.  They designed and built this beautiful home.  I'm a huge fan of windows and wood.  You can clearly see why I felt like I was transported to a paradise for a few hours.

What an incredible home.  Lots of energy and creativity in their space.  Unfortunately I could not have lofts in my home.  My co-workers would launch Lego's from those heights and I would just hate to have to see what else they would manage to launch.

Jack said the house to their left is a traditional ranch.  Theirs is a pole house, where the roof is held up by poles not the walls. (They can move any wall in their house when they feel like it!!! Sooo cool.)  The next house is an underground house and the fourth house is an envelope house.  It was not planned that way....it was just what the owners decided to do with their land.  Interesting, isn't it?

Jack and Diane built their house with a southern exposure.  The roof line permits shade in the summer and allows the winter sun to come in and warm their home.  I love the design, the layout and all the wonderful treasures they have found and made to enhance their home.

This little fella was looking so playful I could not resist taking his picture.  He was made from recycled newspaper.  My kind of dog!!!  No messes :)

This little fella or gal (?) was sitting on a table in the living room area.  I could not resist.....how fun....made me smile.

Ahhhhh Smiles,

Kelly

Two Steps Forward....

One Step Back.....

By the looks of this heart, you might think I have taken up drinking or there was an earthquake in OH.  Talk about operator error...LOL.  The boys were playing nearby and I was paying more attention to them and kept looking away, so this is the result.

 

Lots of folks are afraid of these type of seam rippers.  I have a friend who winces every time she sees me us this one.  Why?  Don't ask me.  I love my seam ripper. It is made by Famore and the blade is very sharp so I don't have to really do anything other than glide it through these stitches and then....I'm free to start over!!  Did I mention the seam ripper comes with three blades?  Not one, not two....but three blades.  I don't know if I'll ever need all three blades....but just in case....I have them :)  I always share my best finds with others....it would'nt be as fun if I kept all this great info to myself, right?

That was fast and I used the tips of my GrabARoo's to rub my fingers across the remaining threads and they easily came off.  The little nubs on the gloves work great for getting threads out.  The of course I used my vacuum to clean up the mess I made on my table....but hey....these are not table saws that come with cool vacuum attachments.  Hmmmmm.....now there is a manufacturing idea!!!  I want  a sewing vacuum that can be mounted to the underside of my sewing table so I can just suck up the threads and scraps everywhere!!!  (Don't forget the copyright on my blog :)

So....lets see how far I can get now that I have 5 new spools of thread and three of my hearts removed because I want my wall hanging to be great....not just ok. 

Picky Smiles,

Kelly

Another Tutorial I Could Not, Not Share

This post was supposed to "air" on 2/5/10 and it did not post....don't know why.  So here it is:

I found this blog: Happy Together.  Not only is the title so wonderful but the photos and the designs are really wonderful too.  Have you ever clicked on a blog and said to yourself, self....this feels good....great energy....fun photos....and projects I can connect with?  This is one of those.

Jessica has written a tutorial for these pin cushions.  Who would not want one of these?  If you have a zillion pin cushions....how about a sachet?  A block to put into a project?  Just a photo to save and smile at when you see it?

Make sure you click on the first link and scroll down to see a picture of a beautiful little girl smiling and playing in her tent.  It will melt any Mommy's heart.....and if you are not a Mommy....just pretend for a moment!!  If you pretend longer than that.....you may have issues that can not be discussed in this blog post....ya better e-mail me off line. (LOL)

Smiles,
Kelly

Golden Quilter Awards 2010 for National Quilting Month

Your Vote Counts!!!

Did you know March is National Quilting Month?  I didn't until I read Darlene's blog, SewCalGal. 

Darlene is hosting the Golden Quilter Awards.  This is your chance to head on over and vote for your favorite in each of the following categories:

1) Designer:
2) Teacher/Instructor:
3) Author: Most inspirational
4) Quilt Store (physical)
5) Quilt Store (online)
6) Best Long Arm Quilter
7) Most Innovative new product (physical item)
8) Most Innovated new product (software item)
9) Most influential person in the world of quilting to-date, aka "Lifetime Achievement".

This is our opportunity to be apart of the Academy.  We may not be a part of the Motion Picture Academy....but we can claim to be from the Free Motion Quilt Academy of Life Long Learning!!!  Join in the fun and go over and register your votes.  Darlene is even offering a giveaway for those who vote. 

Smiles,
Kelly

Silk Heart Quilt by Sarah Vedeler Designs and Free Motion Quilting by Patsy Thompson Designs

I know what you are thinking....yep....I do.  You are thinking to yourself....hmmmm...did Kelly finish her Valentines wall hanging today.  The answer.....is no.  But I did get the thread I need to finish....yippee!!!  I had to buy 5 spools....because not one local sold it by the spool in the color I needed.  Guess I'll be using this thread for lots of things...lol.

Since I've been tied up with the details of life I've not shown you some of the beautiful things I have seen lately.  Check out this quilt below....SILK....so beautiful and delicious.

Machine Embroidery Designs by Sarah Vedeler Designs

Silk Hearts Collection

Silk Hearts Collection Thread by Aurifil

Now you can not tell me that you would not flip if you had a silk quilt with beautiful hearts on it.....for a special anniversary (my 10th is coming in May) or as a Wedding Gift!!!  I might even be willing to marry my husband all over again if I knew I'd get this Silk Hearts Quilt (you speak one word of this to him....and your name is mud...LOL).

Adding these DVD's to my website has been on my "to do" list for way too long.  I'm even embarrassed because Patsy Thompson is a local here and I have even had the pleasure of meeting her.  If you read this Patsy...please forgive me.  (I have lots of excuses....dogs eating lists...kids....husband....family....weather...ok...I'm done :)

Free Motion Fun with Vines and Leaves & Fast and Free are just two DVD's I've added to my website.  You can see them all by clicking here.  Patsy Thompson Designs also has some free downloads on her site.  Check them out...click here :)

My machine does not have the stitch regulator so it is a bit more difficult to practice free motion quilting on my machine.  After "playing" with the big guns (click here and scroll down until you see me with the big guns!!) going back to my machine....well it is just not the same.  But I thought I would share that I have added them to my website just in case you are wanting to learn how to do Free Motion Quilting or you already know how and want to improve your skills.  No, I'm not planning on purchasing a Long Arm Quilt Machine....just so you know.  If I win one....I'll work at learning how to use it and you all can come over and play with it too!!!  Print this out and keep it as proof of your invitation for entry into my home :)

Smiles,
Kelly

One World One Heart Giveaway Winner

And the winner is: Deborah Ann from  Heavenly Humor Blog.  Congrats!!!  Send me your address at IHaveANotion@yahoo.com to claim your prize :)

Smiles,
Kelly

Channeling Gilda Radner as Rosanna Rosanna Danna Today :)

I wish I had a audio clip of what I was thinking when I realized that I would not have enough thread to finish outlining my hearts. It went something like this, "Its' Always Something." But the voice I heard in my head was Rosanna Rosanna Dannas voice.

I loved Gilda Radner....I still do....she was wonderful. So....as my thread dwindled off the spindle...Gilda's voice calmed me and made me smile. What the heck....every thing else on the earth has gotten in the way of me finishing this project.....why not run out of thread, right?

Here is my progress.....

I'm glad I was not asked to build any Pyramids or the Sistine Chapel....or invent a television....you'd still be waiting...LOL

Rosanna Rosanna Danna Smiles,

Kelly Fi Fo Felly Kelly, Sme, Smi, Smo Smelly with Jelly Kelly....see all this is starting to affect me....wiggle....flinch....giggle

Quilted Love Gone Wrong by a Grumpy Ole Lady :)

At the risk of sounding pathetic, I want to say the past three weeks have been very trying.  I don't want to go into all the glorious details....just know...."It's always Something!!" 

I hope all of you are having a wonderful Sunday (Monday on the other side of the globe :) and if you like Valentines Day....that you are enjoying that as well.

My goal was to make a Valentines wall hanging.  I had the nerve to "want" to do something for myself.  There have been a thousand challenges along the way.  The good news is, I have some pictures of my unfinished Valentines wall hanging and I will be hanging it up and keeping it up until after May when Rick and I celebrate our 10th Wedding Anniversary!!!

I received this free pattern from AccuQuilt and I thought it looked interesting.  Last Monday when I went shop hopping with friends I bought these fabrics.

The Heart Die for the AccuQuilt Go is on one strip with three different size hearts on it.  I only wanted to fussy cut one heart at a time so I covered the rest of the hearts with a cutting mat so my fabric would not get cut except for where I wanted it to be cut.

Then I butted another mat up against the other mat and ran it through the AccuQuilt Go.  There may be other ways to accomplish this task but it was how I decided I would do it.

 

Wahhhh Lahhhhh a beautiful fussy cut heart!!

 

I drew reference lines on my background fabric so I would not have any of my hearts out of alignment.  I used the Clover Water Soluble Marker.  I love these markers.  I've never once had a problem with them and they show up great on dark fabrics.

(backing up a bit) I had ironed some fusible on the back of my fabric and then quickly remembered why I prefer Misty Fuse.  The stuff I started with did not even stay on my fabric, it kept separating.   Misty Fuse is light and holds every time without making my applique stiff.  Live and learn....then re-learn.  I know how to frustrate myself very well.  So I re-cut my hearts using Misty Fuse :)

This is my unfinished wall hanging.  I started stitching around each heart last night and was concerned I did not have enough thread.  What else could go wrong?  After all, I had already blown a fuse and blew out the electricity in the basement, used junk fusible.....running out of thread would be par for the course.  (whine, whine, whine....forgive me please!)

These are pictures of my very first Sugar Cookies!!  I needed to make some for Zachary's Valentines Party at school.  I'd never made them before much less make icing for them. 

See, they came out pretty.  I was not too thrilled with how I had iced them.....but some were prettier than others.  Still, I had fun and was proud that I did not buy them at the store....I made them myself.

The IHAN co-workers show off their Valentines Treats from Mommy & Daddy this morning:

So, that is why I have not posted in three days.....cuz I've been kicking and screaming like a little child because things keep going haywire.  I think I have a case of the crabbies....mean ole lady syndrome.  I will emerge from this soon.....or I will keep sweeping up the dirt from the plant that I've knocked over twice already :)

Grumpy Smiles,

Kelly