Wishing you the Merriest of Christmases....if you celebrate Christmas

Wishing you the Merriest of Christmases....if you celebrate Christmas...if you don't....I wish you the Merriest of December 25th's that you've ever had :)

The Flamingo Santa is on his sleigh and ready to deliver gifts to all those who have behaved (which specifically means he is not coming to my house)...so I hope you have been nice and not naughty....giggles.

I wish for all of you the same I wish for myself and that is abundant gratitude, health, peace....and a good friend or friends with whom you can share your story!

Smiles,
Kelly

Flamingo Update

It has been a while since I've given everyone an update about those happy Flamingos that live down the road.

Here is what they are doing today:

A few days ago the Flamingos were gathered around a large green bin that looked like they were preparing to put up Christmas decorations....then the scene changed and the tree and decorations are up and out for everyone to see.

I realize I didn't post Thanksgiving....there was actually a feast at the Flamingo Home....but all I caught on camera was the football game prior...sorry I didn't get the entire Thanksgiving meal too!

I know those folks are having a ball arranging those Flamingos and I've learned recently there is a woman who discovered my blog because of those Flamingos.  True story!  She e-mailed me to thank me for posting about the Flamingos because she drives past and enjoys seeing them too. 

I don't dress up Flamingos...but I am guilty of dressing up two little boys!

Smiles,
Kelly

What do Drones have to do with Sewing, Quilting and Machine Embroidery?

After reading that drones are used to drop off drugs, porn and phones to prisons (currently against the law for the guards to shoot down the drones)...

(photo credit)

 

I thought to myself.....what is wrong with this???

Then I realized I was just jealous!

So if ya can't beat em....lets join em!  How about each time we need just the right color of thread, need more fabric, or  just the right notion.......we dial 1800-Need-Our-Fix NOW or 1 800 Lets-Get-Our-Fix ON....(LMBO)  and a drown flies to our front doors and delivers just the right color of thread, needle or fabric.  How amazingly cool would that be?  Perhaps the packages could be tied with a lovely ribbon and a sweet treat too.

Hope this makes you laugh cuz laughter is what keeps me going!

BTW....IHAN doesn't currently own a drone....but if you need to "Get Your Fix ON" feel free to e-mail me or shop IHAN....if you live close....I'm willing to toss your order over your fence and into your yard...if you can't laugh....just smile...it is good for what ever is ailing ya.

Smiles,
Kelly

Simple - That's how I roll

My eyeballs are raw from all the on-line shopping advertisements that lure me in only to find out the 70% off was on a pair of pants intended for a 1 legged frog!

Simple

That’s how I roll

Simple Sale at I Have A Notion is for those of us who crave the good old days of what you see is what you get!

40% off all IN STOCK Aurifil Threads and you can find them by clicking HERE.

40% off all IN STOCK Wonderfil Threads and you can find them by clicking HERE.

Tons of $4.00 books are still available, click HERE.  Postage will be calculated separately at Book Rate for books.


To make things even easier for you, if there is something you see on my website and you would like to inquire about a great sale price...just e-mail me at IHaveANotion@yahoo.com and we can negotiate :)  Doesn't get easier than that!


Smiles,
Kelly

Snow Very Thankful

To see snow before Thanksgiving.....

is a great treat for me.   

Gratitude for feeling joy when I witness beauty...I'm so very Thankful.

 Happiest and Healthiest of Thanksgivings to all of us who live in the US and celebrate Thanksgiving.  To everyone else, I wish for you to experience gratitude this day and savor the joy in the small things that make this life  precious.

Gobble Gobble Smiles,
Kelly

Just Doin' My Best

Momma always said, "just do the best you can"...so that is what I've been doing.  Not writing a lot....but for now...that's my best! Saddest part is I miss chatting with the friends I've met through blogging. 

Ok, I have to give up before I even begin.  Why?  Because my laptop that I typically use is with the Geek Squad being repaired (for the second time and it was purchased in March 2015)...so I decide to use my Mac and download photos from the new IPhone I got.  What happened?  It updated my phone (loosing all but two of the voice mails I have saved of my mother's voice) and put the photos into iphoto.  I can't seem to get them into Picasa, which I what I typically use.

Clearly....I'm having issues and each day I get to find out what the new mechanical issue of the day is!

Sorry...and Hello....and I give up trying to post today.

Upside down smiles to Mechanical Devices and Right Side Up Smiles to all my friends!

Kelly

Lady Eleanor Needs Our Healing Thoughts and Prayers

I'm sending a prayer that Lady Eleanor and all of her loved ones are experiencing the greatest joy, gratitude, love and healing.

Godspeed to your healing and health Lady Eleanor. 

Big Warm Hugs,

Kelly

WHAT?

It has been three...yes 3...months since my last post. I know that sounds like an admission in a 12 step group meeting....btw...is there a 12 step group for bloggers?  I'm not and was not trying to stop blogging....I so desperately needed a break and time to attend to my business. 

 IHAN isn't my only business....really....my Biggest and Best  Business is raising 2 sons to become great men, friends, employees and spouses.  Oh yes, one more thing..... taking care of myself so as not to spend any more time with medical professionals that are not related to me or friends.


You want to see all the sewing I've done in the past three months?  I'll show you if you promise not to laugh....you have to promise FIRST.   I didn't hear you....louder please.... (now your family in the other room thinks your nuts for yelling at a computer screen and I'm laughing my bum off :)

Embroidered key chains to hold the boys thumb drives for school....yep....it was so time consuming and difficult...NOT.  Twenty minute quickie and I'm hoping this helps them to locate and not loose their thumb drives. 

First Day of School 2015 

 

The boys and I also have done some needle felting this summer....

Zachary made a snake....

and gave it a leash...wasn't sure if he planned on walking the snake or dragging it... but he had fun making it.

Aaron made a little character with fun eyes....our first attempts at needle felting.

The base of mine was started at the 577 Fiber Arts Show in June and I brought it home and finished it with the boys.

Can you tell what it is?  Use your imagination....and squint a little if necessary... .I wanted it to look like a fairy looking up in the night sky at a glowing moon.  I gave her a red pony tail and a multi-colored wing.  Are you asking yourself...what is the white and blue?  In my imagination....those are her legs stretched out and she is wearing leggings.  If you can't see it well....squint more...a whole lot more....until you can't see it at all and can only remember what I "said" it was....giggles.

Play Time is at the Toledo Museum of Art and we certainly played! 

There is quite an amazing piece of art that has been crocheted and isn't actually considered art until humans interact with it.  It was SOOOOO much fun!

 Swinging in the clouds.

They played so hard they needed a drink of water.  Clearly Zach played the hardest....after all he split out the seat of his pants!

No fancy quilting to show off....just some of what I've been up to in the last three months.  Now the boys are back in school, I've got my fingers crossed and I'm hoping to get back to the joys of stitching.

Smiles,
Kelly

Did I Mention.....

A new family member?  It's true....we have another son-in-law as of this past Saturday.

Madeline and Cody were married on a beautiful sunny day and the wedding was everything we had hoped it would be.  May I just say....Catherine and William have nothing on Madeline and Cody!!!  Giggles

Our daughters center to left: Madeline, Megan, Krista....followed by friends.

Bride and Groom with one of three sets of parents.

I was so very grateful to feel well enough to attend the wedding and felt such immense  gratitude to be in the presence of so many family members and friends.

There was only one moment in the day when I thought I just might fall over.  It was time for the toasts and Aaron and Zach were missing.  I looked outside and found them.....they had sweet talked someone out of their phone so as to play a game.  Once interrupted....Aaron jumped up and headed for the door.

 I asked him if he was ready to head in for the toast....his reply...a resounding yes!  I asked if he was sure...he said yes again.  Then I said...."REALLY?"

This is what happens to children who play games on phones!!!  They don't realize they are not properly dressed.  I laughed so hard I almost fell over.  All I can say is at least the girls were fully dressed!

Proud Smiles,

Kelly

So Sorry....

I dropped out of sight.  Contrary to the word  on the streets, I have not entered any witness protection programs!

I could have been found....here and there......

In Ghirandelli Square with my nephew

 

At the California Academy of Sciences perhaps.....

 Or maybe in Monterey, CA with my daughter and son-in-law.......

 

Under a Redwood Tree ????

 

Could have been between a rock and a hard spot in Yosimite National Park?

Or just hanging with my chronies.....

Oh....there is the top of my head....proof of life!  ROFL

Truthfully....I've been both physically and mentally

 .......................................under re-construction!

Alive and well....I promise!  Something about an infection entering one's blood stream makes one very sick and then very tired.... things are looking up now!!!

Smiles,
Kelly

Winner of Point, Click, Quilt by Susan Brubaker Knapp

The winner of Point, Click, Quilt is Linda D.  Congratulations Linda!

Smiles,

Kelly

Classes with Susan Brubaker Knapp

Probably by now y'all think I really didn't go to take classes with Susan....giggles.  The really good stuff is worth waiting for, in my opinion!  I figured most of you were out surfing the Internet for the World Wide Quilting Day stuff over the weekend and too busy to read my post anyway. 

 Susan's classes were held at the Peggy R. McConnell Arts Center of Worthington, OH.  The art center was beautiful and such a lovely place to hold classes. 

The first day we worked on Susan's "Thread Sketching Snowflakes".  (As I am typing this....it is actually snowing outside my kitchen window...I love snow!)

 

Susan's work....not mine.

This is a wall hanging and we started by using either the window or a light box to trace our snowflakes. 

 Rosemary aka Waldo was just humming along on her snowflakes.

This is as far as I got on my snowflakes because I was having trouble with the tension on my machine.  Ever notice your machine runs perfectly at home and then you pay for a workshop....ya arrive and your machine doesn't seem to work as well?  A bit frustrating but overall I really enjoyed myself.

Susan is an excellent teacher.  She provides clear explanations and has such a wonderful way of speaking....my attention never wandered!

The second day we worked on "November Leaves".  Susan taught us about using fabric paint and Tyvek to create these beautiful leaves.

Again, Susan's "November Leaves"....not mine. 

Please keep in mind I pulled this right out of my sewing bag after having it all folded up and didn't take the time to press it.  I finished all the leaves and now I need to do the FMQing to finish it.  I'm feeling quite good about how my leaves came out.  

Below are more of Susan's art quilts that I photographed during our visit.  If you would like to see more of Susan's breath taking quilts, you can visit her Gallery on her website, Blue Moon River.com or just click HERE. 

Nature and bright colors are my thing so it is not so surprising that I love Susan's work.  

 "Gourds" by Susan Brubaker Knapp (it is for sale :)

Here is a close up of "Gourds."  Check out how amazing this quilt is:

Doesn't it look just like a real gourd?  The color is amazing and texture is outstanding.  I sound like a stalker now don't I?  

I've been fortunate enough to be able to purchase a few of her pieces.

 "Vanity" by Susan Brubaker Knapp

You will probably recognize this peacock feather, it was featured on the cover of Quilting Arts Magazine as are several of Susan's other quilts.  I had it framed and it hangs in my bedroom.   

I'll tell you a little story about how I came to purchase Susan's quilts.  One year at quilt market, I was talking with another woman who had several successful quilting books published.  She told me how little money the authors typically earn from their books.  When I learned this I was surprised (ignorant of many things and still am).  Seeing Susan's work lifts my spirits and I wanted to make sure she profited the most from her work....so I started purchasing her quilts.  Mr. McSteamy asked me what I wanted for our anniversary on our 10th wedding anniversary (if my memory serves me correctly....it may not).  He was thinking diamonds and I was thinking Susan Brubaker Knapp wall hanging....so I instead of diamonds I got a piece of her work.  Definitely a huge WIN/WIN!

 

Yes.....I really enjoyed myself and am so glad I was able to go and take some classes with Susan!

GIVEAWAY

Oh, yes.....I'm giving away a copy of Susan's book, Point, Click, Quilt and you can click HERE to enter.  Comments for the giveaway will NOT be counted on this post (although you can certainly leave all the comments you want to here) just on THIS POST HERE.

It stopped snowing....darn!  Oh well....I guess there is always green grass and beautiful blooming flowers ahead.

Smiles,

Kelly