Bowling Anyone?

 It's a Bowling Party....well....sort of.....it's really more of a Hop than a Party :)

No balls necessary...although I did use pins.

(yes I mean bowling balls...you have a terrible mind I tell ya!)  

Bowls with Borders Blog Hop starts today and I'm telling you I've already seen so much variety and fun...what a joy to see what others have been making.

On August 17th you'll be able to see the Bowls I've been working on.  Here is just a little sneak peak for ya......

I'm not very good at surprises anyway....I'm the one who always wants to know.  If you have not already been Bowling today...just Click Here to begin your Bowling Trip.

For those of you who are hooked on the Flamingos...here is the latest update:

A Flamingo Olympic Soccer Game on Saturday.

Silly me...the last time I saw this I thought it was a parade....

It was not a parade....it was the opening ceremony for the Olympics and this was the closing ceremony.  Some of us are not quite a sharp as they'd like to be :)

Flamingos wearing hats....are these folks wonderful or what?

Hope this leaves you with a smile....if not....

Smiles,

Kelly

Thats Why They Call It Patchwork :)

Before I get to the Patchwork part....I think many of you will want get some Olympic Updates.

I'm not sure if these are "Official Olympic Results" ...I'm just reporting what I saw!

Yesterday morning brought an awards ceremony. I stopped to congratulate the winners.  I'm guessing these are the Olympians from the weight lifting and gymnastics team ...from last report.

Fierce Flamingo Fencing

A mini-Dream Team

Flamingo Beach Volleyball....isn't this incredible?

I'm so grateful to the couple who put so much time, effort and money into giving us a smile each day.

QUILT RELATED :)

I just figured out why quilting is referred to as patchwork.  Some of us are not as sharp as others sometimes....LOL  I finished the UK quilt top yesterday and this is what it looks like:

It needs to be pressed etc....but it is finished and it doesn't look all that complicated does it?  A quilter would just draw out a scale and write down the dimensions, cut the fabric, sew the pieces together...right?   This quilter just so happened to draw up no less than 8 pattern options....then draw out the dimensions....I measured and measured and measured....cut.  Wrong....the blocks were not the same size.  After a few more attmepts...I call in the National Guard....Mr. McSteamy.  Yep....he had to do it twice too!  ROFL

Then I changed where I put the one border and it was therefore not long enough....so I did some PATCHWORK :)

How this happened is beyond me.  This was supposed to be a quick little project for my son-in-law as a sofa throw.  Now the border looks nothing like my plan....but hey....the top is finished and I'm guessing no one on earth will really give a hoot.  Now to baste it ....wish me luck.

By the way....I've decided I do have an expertise.  I'm going to give graduate level courses at the Quilt University.  The title of the class?  Un-Sewing....only for experts....are you going to take the class?  I'll need to know because there is a limited number of seats available.  ROFL

Smiles,

Kelly

Local Olympic Heros....Sort Of....

Yes.....we saw an extraordinary performance from Phillipe Flamingo Dude-Guy on the balance beam....what a performance it was too! 

The next event was weight lifting....

Synchronized weight lifting ....a recently added Olympic Event!  LOL

Hope your Sunday is going well.

Smiles,
Kelly

The Reliable V-50 Iron Wow's Again! Anyone Surprised?

If it surprises you....it really shouldn't.....I've been saying this is the most incredible iron for quite some time....then Oprah caught on (I think she really needs to read my blog don't you?...Oh wait, maybe that is how she learned about the iron in the first place.  Quit laughing....ya just never know.)...and now we have another V-50 lover.....who will be next?  

 Nick, my nephew, has joined the IHAN clan.  He needed to iron a shirt and asked if he could use our iron.  (I know it is shocking that a 17 year old would care to iron a shirt and actually know how....it is true :)  I told him there is one set up in our bedroom and he could feel free to use it.  A few minutes later he came down wearing a nicely pressed shirt and said, "JoJo, that is the best iron I've ever used in my life, where did you get it?"  ....his exact words.

After Nick's response to the Reliable V-50 Iron I asked him if he'd be willing to let me use his words and pix for a blog post....and he agreed....good kid ay?

I have to say, I still get a kick out of people telling me how much they like their V-50 and all I can says is....I told ya so....and then I giggle.  I do like being right....I know that's arrogant...but sometimes...I just can't help but indulge in a little bit of my dark side.  Does that ever happen to you?

Not much is going on around here that is new....I'm waiting to see the Dr. about this "change of life" situation.  I'm telling you it has taken the Kelly right out of me.  You may have noticed I don't blog as much and there are fewer reviews....but until someone can help me resurrect the Kelly in me....then this will just have to do.

The Flamingos do keep me going....such a fun and entertaining part of my day.  Check out their latest activities:

The Flamingo Family has a new ring-leader :)  Guess what she had them all doing?

I just know she wasn't making them march in this heat....it must have been a Flamingo Parade :)


Last night Waldo and I went to our Applique Group and on the way I spotted this car....and for a moment I was transported back to Mayberry RFD.

I didn't slip into time travel at all....it was really sitting there....another reason to smile and be grateful for those simple joys in my every day.  While I'm waiting for the "Kelly resurrection" I might as well find some fun stuff to keep myself going.

Smiles,
Kelly

Beating the Heat and a Notions Wallet by Nobel Notions

It is hot here in Ohio and the Flamingos are beating the heat the best way they can.  These two are sitting on a bench near a tree trying to stay cool.

I caught these two lazy birds sipping Flamingo beverages....and when I saw that I giggled and then I wondered.  Would you see people drinking out of people embellished glasses?  Hmmmm.....

Apparently they finished those two quickly because on my way home this afternoon...this is what I saw:

I guess they needed something a little stronger this morning....LOL!

Here's what I've been working on:

A Notions Wallet by Nobel Notions:

 I received this pattern to review and I thought I'd give it a whirl.  This project calls for some fun stitching fabrics don't you think?

Loralie Fabric was just the ticket!

My Notions Wallet now hangs on my temporary sewing area in my livingroom.  I say temporary, because was only supposed to be there until I finished my UK quilt....and I've still not gotten back to it....oops!  An extended temporary :)

Smiles,
Kelly

Surfing USA

Imagine the Beach Boy's song....Surfin USA and then check out these Flamingos today:

They are styling' with that there surf board!  Then later this morning, while driving my nephews to Cedar Point (an amusement park here in OH) I saw this:

Are these people having fun or what?  They turned an old tree stump into a work of art.  I am always thrilled to see what people are creating (well....most all of the time anyway...lol).

Then a little while later I saw this:

I did a double take....this looks like a palm tree....but it certainly can't be because it would not survive here in Ohio.  So, either it was a mirage OR it is a different type of plant!!!

It took me 3 hours, round trip, drop those boys off so they could scare the tar out of themselves by riding those nasty roller coasters....the one's where you are certain you are going to die....yep those!!!  I arrived home at lunch time and saw this:

Mr. McSteamy resting after eating his lunch.  Look closely.....towards the feet....

It must run in the family and come from his gene pool....yep...two different shoes.  He had not realized this morning when he got dressed.  At least all they guys in the house are consistent right?

Typically I don't have such an entertaining day....but today was one of those...followed by making everyone's yearly medical appointments...yawn...yawn.  I have been working on a review of a purse pattern and I have messed it at almost the very last step.  As soon as I get my boo boo repaired...I'll share my review and photos.

Hope you are all staying cool....or warm....depending on what side of this earth you are on...and are smiling too!

Smiles,
Kelly

Pounce on the Excess...Go Ahead

Most of us have it....weather it is sewing notions, fabric, books, magazines....what ever is your "thing" you probably have too much.  I know I do and I work very hard and either giving things away or using what it is that I do have.  Can you believe I actually have some notions I've never used?  It's true....so I decided to use them.

Before I get into my post....I know many of you are in love with the Flamingos....so here is your update:

Enjoying a bit of shade....and....

sunglasses for those who prefer to enjoy the sun shine.

A wading pool for those who need to cool off.

And a new addition to the Flamingo Family.  She/He looks innocent enough....however, once hooked up to a hose it's arms flap up and down spraying water on everything that comes near.

Ok....back to the "Excess"....LOL

I bought this Quilt Pounce in Lancaster, PA at a show years ago.  At the time, I had never quilted a bed quilt and had no idea really what I should do with it....but the sales person sure made it sound like I really should have one if I was going to be a quilter.  

Then I saw a stencil with a screen on it and I thought to myself...."self.....perhaps this is what that Pounce thing is for."  Naturally I bought the stencil and I decided to give it a try. (The Pounce works with all stencils...not just the screen stencils....I just had to give it a try...curiosity and all.)

 The pad on the Pounce has a terry cloth texture and I think there is powdered chalk on the inside.  Since it said "Pounce" I have it a pounce on top of the stencil screen. 

Not a good idea....at least not in my case.  I had powdered chalk billowing out of the thing.  I'd say it was "overkill" for sure. I'm guessing wiping it across the screen would work much better.....but you know me....if it says "Pounce" then that's what I'll do.

Very nice and defined chalk outline for quilting for sure.  I wondered if the chalk would just brush off and finding my quilting line would become difficult.  

So, I brushed the outline very hard with my hand and then a light cloth...and guess what?  I could still make out where the quilt lines were.  Not bad ay?  Then of course I read the directions....always read those last....if you are like most of us :)  The directions say to "wipe the pad over the stencil."  See...I could have saved my lungs and all my chalk if I had just read the directions.  I also read that a heated iron removes the marks after quilting.  Now I can say I'm ed-u-ma-cated! :)

Another item that I've had hanging on my wall for quite some time is this Clamp and Bird Set by Clover. They only have the bird part of this now....I'm guessing mine is old/old.   I bought it at a Guild Garage Sale for a dollar.  I know there are absolutely beautiful antique sewing birds but this is probably as close to owning a sewing bird as I'll ever get.  They are highly collectable....not this one....the antique ones...LOL.

 

I decided to do some research and found this Brass Sewing Bird and now it is available at IHAN.   I may not have an antique one but I'll be sure to get one of these Brass Birds and it will be antique some day.

Brass Sewing Bird now available at I Have A Notion :)

The sewing birds act as a third hand.  You can clamp your fabric into the bird and that leaves both hands available for sewing....and un-sewing too. 

I have those days where I feel like I do more un-sewing than I do sewing....does that happen to you too?  I just put the fabric into the bird and perhaps you can see I used my Famore Seam Rip....just moving along the seam and all the threads were cut....some might say they melted like buttah!  Those who have a Famore Seam Rip typically love it....I know I do.

Sew....if by chance you are still reading....I'm impressed!  With my energy ebbing and flowing with this "change of life"....I have to write everything at one time when I have the energy...otherwise I may not write again for a few days.  Ya just never know.  I think the  "Change of Life" process has been mislabeled and I'm going to petition to have the name changed to "BS" instead.  Oops...did I just say that?  Yep...I guess I did.

What this photo has to do with anything is beyond me.  I found this powder at the drugstore today and I could not believe my eyes.  Naturally I had to take a photo of it....Anti Monkey Butt Powder.....what next?  I hope this leaves you smiling or giggeling.

Smiles,

Kelly

THANK YOU!

I love it when I ask for help and people take the time to stop and send me a note.  I appreciate all the feedback I got from this post yesterday.  This morning when I got up, I had a thought.  Yes...a thought if you can believe it :)  If there existed such a database then how would all the designers make the money from their patterns?  Hmmmmm....ya'all know I would not take a dime from any of them as I know just how difficult it is to write a pattern and many also write wonderful books as well.  So, I doubt anyone will be coming up with any databases anytime soon....and you can be sure it wouldn't be me to develop a database anyway!

To show my appreciation....I'm giving a few fun things away to those that left a comment yesterday.  This is what I'll be giving away:

This is my favorite fusible...Mistyfuse and I'm going to give away my sample package from Quilt Market of both Mistyfuse and Transdoodle. 

A charm pack from RJR fabrics, the fabric is Giselle by Marianne Elizabeth.  When the winner receives it it won't be all pretty in that neat pile since I made a fan out of it first.

And a beautiful pattern from Golden Thyme Designs, Sunset in the Sierras.  I adore Lacy Hill....she is a lovely woman and a great designer too.

Today is the last day of school for my co-workers so I've got to run back up to the school now.  When I get back I'll do some random number generating and give these fun things away.

I'll leave you some updated Flamingo pix.  Apparently with all the work they did yesterday....they are have a day off:

Smiles,
Kelly