I'm Taking A Break

Hi Friends,
It is with a very heavy heart that I write to say I'll be taking a break from blogging.  I will have friends post for me and if you would like to be a guest on my blog, please e-mail me at IHaveANotion@yahoo.com

My mother is very ill and I'm going to be spending time with her.  Please keep her and our family in your thoughts and prayers.

The IHAN ® and Anita Goodesign Blog Hop is still scheduled for March 18-March 22. 


All orders placed on the I Have A Notion® website will continue to ship, but the shipping will not be immediate as it typically is.  It may be delayed for up to 4 days from the order date.

Thank you for your understanding.

Kelly

Mistyfuse Saved the Day!

Hey, y'all! It's Jean(ie) from Jean Creates. Kelly asked me post today for her today. Let's talk about quilting and one of my favorite IHAN products, Mistyfuse.

 

Pattern is Evening Bloom by Blackbird Designs

From their book entitled 2010 book entitled, Country Inn

 

For those that dare to venture over in my corner of the blogosphere, they know I'm working on an applique quilt right now. I'll be honest, the project started as a class two years ago (can you believe it?). The class was to learn an applique technique using a fusible interfacing that you stitch and turn with your fabric to look like needle turn applique. I'm a beginner sewist and not really adept at sewing curves (and my pattern has a lot of curves!) and the class method was quite cumbersome with all those little pieces, hence it became a UFO. It just wasn't happening. You know the story, as I'm sure you've been there once or twice in your life.

 

Snoqualmie Pass, Washington State

 

Well, one afternoon I was riding through the Northern Cascades (here in Washington State), and had an AHA! Experience. see that misty cloud in the mountain pass? That was the spark -- Fuse it with Mistyfuse! Until then I totally forgot that I had Mistyfuse on hand, so I turned it into a raw edge project instead.

I spent two days tracing cutting and fusing itty bitty flower shapes to get all the flowers on the quilt. And I've got to say that the Mistyfuse rocked socks! I took my parchment and traced the shape from the book, fused some Mistyfuse to fabric scraps using my iron and non-stick sheet (you can use parchment as well), and then put the shape template on top and cut. And when I was done with all my shapes, I fused my pieces to the block. Easy peasy!

I've always been a huge fan of this product and it's versatility. You can make fabric using this stuff, you can even baste a quilt with it! I betcha didn't know that. Just cut the Mistyfuse up into little pieces and sprinkle it in your quilt sandwich. I read that on a tip sheet.

Why do I choose this product first when fusing? Very simply put, it's the easiest to use. With Mistyfuse you don't have to worry whether or not you have the sewable or non-sewable version. There's no waste (I save my scraps and re-use them), the adhesive won't gum up your scissors, needle or sewing machine, and most importantly, it is lightweight and holds strong.  You can barely tell it's there and the fabric maintains it's drape (unlike other fusibles). That's why Mistyfuse is the fusible of my choice.

I'm pleased to say that Mistyfuse saved the day!

Three Days Left

 Voting ends Feb. 28....just 3 days left!

 

You know I voted, but have you gone over to SewCalGal's Golden Quilter Awards and voted yet?  I can't keep reminding you like this!  Nike says it best, "Just Do It!"  LOL

Smiles,
Kelly

Beautiful Couched Threads and Free Motion Embroidery by Jean Overmeyer

Jean is going to be teaching, "Expressions of the Heart" at the Kaleidoscope of Quilts this July for the Glass City Quilt  Commission.  I'm a big fan of Jean's and was fortunate enough to have taken her class this past Sunday.

PLEASE NOTE:  The Glass City Quilt Commission will post a list of classes for the Kaleidoscope of Quilts on March 1, 2013 and registration for classes begin March 15, 2013.

There were lots of samples and ideas laid out on the front tables.  My camera started to make noises....I just knew I was going to be at  it's mercy.

One might think this was staged, but Jean actually keeps her fabric on these mini bolts.  I love this idea because I'm so tired of sorting through bins and containers.  I want mine all nice and neat like this too.  I've actually added Fabric Organizers to the IHAN® website.  I'm definitely going to start the process....but that is a side point...sorry for digressing.

Jean has embroidered the name of child on this one.  Since it takes so much time to make a baby quilt, how about a baby mini quilt for the wall instead?  I love Jean's idea....so much faster to put together for a baby shower gift.  This design would be lovely as a wedding gift as well.

 

 As you can see, the heart theme doesn't have to be for Valentines day....this design can be used for almost any occasion.  This one in Christmas fabrics is fun. 

See, I told you my camera was noisy!  It has a mind of it's own, I'm telling ya.

"Expressions of the Heart" incorporates thread couching, free motion embroidery/ thread painting, applique, and free motion quilting.  

Before the class started, Jean showed us several examples of these techniques that she has used on several pieces she has made.  

Here is a close up.  The thread work just makes this quilt outstanding in my eyes.  And check out this hidden creature:

Jean made this quilt for one of our guild challenges and won "the quilt you would most like to have hanging in your home" category.   I know I'd love to see it hanging in my home for sure!

A few more samples were shared.  I know it seems like all we did was look at Jean's work, but we only spent a few minutes drooling on her quilts.

 

I know this post is getting long, but if you are like me....ya love the photos :)

OK, now the class begins!

Well, you would have been able to see Jean stitching except for the beam of light from her Bendable Bright Light.  Don't have one?  Well, this is the proof that you get tons of light! 

This is the color way Waldo and I choose.  I'd never worked in oranges before so I thought it might be fun.  I was surprised by how many pieces of orange batiks Waldo and I have.

This is my "Expressions of the Heart" piece.  I spent so much time playing with the decorative threads that I didn't end up couching any down.  I sure did have fun playing though :)

This is my practice piece.  I found the free motion embroidery to be lots of  fun.  Couching decorative threads can be very addicting....just warning you.  I spent quite a bit of time twisting a combination of threads together to preview them on my piece.  The stitching on the far right is nothing more than a thin slice of fabric I couched down.  I can see myself now....couching down anything that doesn't move!  LOL...true!

Smiles,

Kelly

Have YOU Voted?

 

Have you Voted for your favorite Golden Quilter nominees over at SewCalGal's Blog?   Voting ends February 28, 2013 so head on over and Vote!

 All I can say is:

Smiles,

Kelly

Reliable's New V200 Iron and Web Bond Adhesive Spray by Mettler @ VDTA/SDTA

Reliable Irons are my absolute favorite Irons and if you are a regular reader here at the IHAN® blog you already know that.  I've told you all about the Reliable V50, Reliable V100 and now....YES...the Reliable V200 Iron.

Jean had a chance to use the V200 and you know I was polite in waiting my turn :)

I really liked the grip on the Reliable V200.  The handle senses your  grip and it automatically starts steaming. The steam/water in the V200 is heated internally before it reaches the heated Anodized Aluminum soleplate so no matter what temperature you have the iron set for you still get steam.  

 

The sole plate was made to glade across a variety of different fabrics and the inner core is Magnesium to increase the strength and durability. 

I already have 3 Reliable Irons, 2 of the V50 (one upstairs for clothing and one downstairs for quilting and sewing)  and one of the V100 (I keep this one in my retreat bag)....I guess it's time I make room for a V200 in my iron collection!

The other thing I love about Reliable is Art Grabedian.  It was so good to see Art again and we had a few good laughs.  He is so tolerant of me....and my "market behavior."   I want my hard earned money going to great people and great products....guess that's why I buy Reliable Irons.

You can find my Reliable Iron Reviews  HERE and you'll find my nephews review HERE.  
For those of you who love free shipping, there is now free shipping from IHAN®  for the Reliable V50 and Reliable V200 Irons :)

Web Bond is temporary adhesive spray new from Mettler.  

I've used many spray adhesives over the years when I needed a quick way to sandwich a quilt or adhere an applique.  The part I hate about using spray adhesives is the smell and the over spray that gets on any surface in the near vicinity.  When I saw the Web Bond being demonstrated I was pleasantly surprised to notice there was no strong odor. 

There was not very much over spray with the Web Bond which I thought was a good thing. 

The spray sort of fluffs up....kind of like a light webbing....after is it sprayed.  There is a You Tube Video if you'd like to see it demonstrated....just click HERE.

There is still lots more to share from the VDTA/SDTA so stay tuned.

Smiles,
Kelly

Back to the IHAN® Hits Vegas Post

The yellow monster ate the co-workers and will spit them back out here in a few hours.  I'm back to the Vegas trip...Speaking of feeling a sin coming on.....I thought Elvis was dead....but not in Vegas....apparently he is alive and well.

Since he was doing so well....I thought about proposing marriage.....I figured what the heck....who wouldn't want to be married to the King of Rock...

To prepare for the proposal I got dressed up....first I had to choose my shoes...

Hmmmm...so many to choose from......

Ultimately I settled on these!*

 Headed to the Chapel.....

And got left standing at the alter....NO ELVIS......

So I set my sights on Donny Osmond.....ROFL

Fearing being stood up again....Jean and I headed to the Bellagio.

Loved seeing the Dale Chihuly ceiling.....and the Chinese New Year Celebrations too.

 

Jean and I were having fun just walking around and watching the activities going on around us.

 

Hope you enjoyed the pictures.  Jean happened to notice this sign as we were leaving town:

I think I'll just post that to the IHAN® website....what do ya think?

Smiles,

Kelly

* There is on living soul to confirm nor deny the validity of this story....so you'll just have to decide for yourself weather or not it is true.