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Showing posts with label Flamingos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Flamingos. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Mandala Wall Hanging

Christmas, yes it is still up here at IHAN headquarters.  Last Sunday we finally wrapped up celebrating with family and hopefully by the weekend we'll have our decorations taken down.  Notice I say hopefully.  Something always comes up and last Friday was no different.   A group of gals were meeting to make a Mandala Wall Hanging and my girlfriend, Diane, was demonstrating and teaching.  How could I pass that up? 

Diane has made 5 of the Mandala Wall Hangings and here are photos of two of hers:
I figured if she could make 5, I could at least make one and as it turns out, I'll be making two...LOL.

Here is the pattern we used by Nanette's Quilts.

Mandala Wall Hanging by Nanette's Quilts

Choosing fabric became quite the adventure for me.  I wanted to use Aboriginal Fabrics by M & S Textiles but I couldn't find more to go with what I had.  Then I thought about using Patternista by  Paula Nadelstern and I could not find enough coordinating fabrics locally. 
Then I found Love Lives Here"by P. Carter Carpin for P & B Textiles and that's what I went with.  You need a 10 degree wedge ruler to make a Mandala.
The neat thing about Cheryl's ruler is that it comes with a free pattern on the back...can you say BONUS :)
This is how far I got in a 4 hour class.  I thought I did pretty well considering that included cutting out my fabrics.  Once I put the Mandala in the frame I realized the stripe section that I used emphasized the orange.  Sort of clashing with my border.  When I got home I took my stripe fabric and color copied a variety of sections so I could preview the combinations before making another Mandala.
Believe it or not, each of those sections are different and bring out different colors.  I decided to go with a smaller bird for the center as well.
I believe I have settled on the dark red spiral in the center.  Now I just need to re-cut my fabric and make another Mandala.  No worries, I will find another fun fabric to use the Mandala with the orange emphasis.  Unless of course someone says that it is just perfect for something they already have and I'm likely to pass it along :)

It has been awhile since I posted a Flamingo Family update....so here you go :)

Hope you are having a wonderful week!

Smiles,
Kelly

Monday, December 17, 2012

Hand Made Gifts Are The Best

As I was driving home the other night I passed this house.  What a gift it is to everyone who drives past.  A labor of love that has been shared with those of us who drive past....I'm very grateful!

In those few extra moments I get to stitch, I've been working on making these kitchen towels with Holiday Recipe Towels (they come on USB).

These designs are by Lunch Box Quilts and from the moment I saw them, I just knew I had to make some for gifts.  I'm learning quite a bit using my "new to me" embroidery machine.  I know many gals who have asked Santa for an embroidery machine and I just hope those reindeer have been fortified because those machines are heavy! 
 
My girlfriend, Diane, made these beautiful gifts for me.  The towel is absolutely beautiful isn't it?  I can only hope to be as proficient one day as my friends are at machine embroidery.

Speaking of proficient, look what Karin sent to me recently:
Do you remember the Fall Machine Embroidery Hop?  If not, you can see the post HERE.   The design is from Marjorie's online store, Shop.B-Quilts.com.  I choose the Turtle Design to make mug rugs for my co-workers for the holidays and then promptly broke my hand and couldn't make them.  I'm all better now so I'm planning on making them each a mug rug for next to their bed.  Every night they take a glass of water to bed so a mug rug will come in very handy.


Karin always does such a lovely job.  If you have not seen her Etsy Shop, Sew-Write Creations, you really do need to go see the beautiful things that she makes.  Karin also does custom orders and I've had the pleasure of seeing the appliance covers she has custom made for some of  her customers.  They were absolutely top quality.

A Flamingo Update:

I know these photos would be much more fun if taken in the dark so you could see the lights, but then the flamingos don't show up as well.  You'll just have to use your imagination.
The Flamingos are being kept busy as you can see.  For those who would like to send the Flamingo Family a holiday card, you can Click Here for their address :)

Recently I saw this quote and thought it was wonderful....so I thought I'd share it with all of you.

Smiles,
Kelly

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

The Next Generation of Stitchers - And Help Needed

Rewind to Thanksgiving....our youngest daughter is here...and I was jumping for joy when I heard what she wanted for Christmas....a Sewing Machine!!!!!


Over Thanksgiving weekend Maddy asked could I help her make a Christmas Stocking for Abby, her significant others daughter.  My reply, "Well of course...when do you want to start?"

I did the big time Happy Dance :)


I've never made a stocking so we just decided to build it from the ground up.  We traced the shape of a stocking onto paper and started interviewing fabrics.  Maddy's initial idea was to make a crazy patch stocking, sort of traditional, with Abby's name across the top.  Much to her surprise, I introduced my new embroidery machine to her and the ideas didn't stop...LOL.

The stocking quickly went from traditional to wild and fun.  Here are a few photos of the process (not necessarily in order) :
After completing the ME design of her choice and embellishing it....we bagan interviewing fabric and trim combinations.....
 So very far from traditional.
When I told Maddy she could use anything she wanted and it could look like anything she could think of....well...traditional quickly went out the door.  She was absolutely thrilled when I told her that it was only a Christmas Stocking and if she doesn't like it when it's done...ya just make another one next year...no big deal!  Maddy was beaming....oh the freedom that gave her....Let the Fun Begin!!
 I think we went through every bin and drawer looking for fun combinations.  My advise to Maddy was...you'll know it when you see it and don't stop until you see it.  I also suggested we take photos of the different arrangements as the photos provide a different perspective somehow.

After going through all my fabrics I got frustrated and called Waldo and asked could we come over and search her stash.
Success!  Waldo had this plaid that Maddy loved and some cute hot pink trim too.  She was so excited to show off her first creation.
Maddy quilted the fabric and did all the sewing.  I operated the Embroidery Machine and she choose all the colors. 
 
And then she added some bling. 

I was tired and called it a night when Maddy ran back to the sewing machine and made her two children a little holiday bling:
Annie, Maddy's youngest "child" is now sporting a holiday collar sleeve.
Naturally, she couldn't leave out her son...LOL

Maddy was so excited and proud of herself.  What a joy it is to see the next generation embrace stitching :)

Oh yes...I almost forgot....the Flamingo's also celebrated Thanksgiving:

One more thing before I close- HELP NEEDED!  Our oldest daughter, Krista,  has sent me an e-mail requesting help with her Disertation.  She is working on her PHD and needs some folks to fill out a survey.  Here is her e-mail:

Could you forward this survey to some of your friends (and ask them to pass it on as well)?
I need married couples living with their spouse who have NOT had a head injury.....it would be even better if they were married to someone who has had a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury...including concussion) at some point in their lifetime....but not necessary as I need control subjects too. Realistically it takes about 15-20 minutes.

I need at least 20 more participants or I risk not being able to move on to internship!! eek!!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MarriageResearch


If you would take the time to fill out her survey....we would all greatly appreciate it!  Thanks to all of you who have already filled it out :)
 
Smiles,
Kelly

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Adoption Complete and More Updates


Do you remember this Quilting Arts Magazine cover?

 I fell in love with the cover the moment I saw it.  I learned the peacock feather on the front was made by Susan Brubaker Knapp of Blue Moon River.

 

This is not the best photo...I snapped it on my IPhone last night....yes...last night.  I am the new adoptive parent of this amazing work of art and I am just over the moon with joy.

And this beauty will be hanging in my living room, properly, as of now it is just put over a piece of wood and propped into place.  I've got to get the right hardware to hang it.  I have always loved Susan's work and now I'm the proud adoptive parent of three of her pieces.

Do you have a favorite quilt or textile artist?  Have you checked to see if they sell their work?  You may be surprised to learn that many of the artists  work that you love sell (are will to allow adoptions) their work.  

A Hand Update


WARNING:  If you are squimish and don't like skeletons except at Halloween....don't look below.

Instead of answering each of the kindest e-mails inquiring about the healing process of my hand, I thought I'd just do a little show and tell.

This happened on October 25, 2012
Surgery was on November 2, 2012

The Doctor put 5 screws and a metal plate into my right pinky finger and now I'm bionic!!!  I just think it is the coolest science....being put back together.  I'm still having physical therapy and it is not completely healed....but I'm certainly on the come back trail :)

The Flamingo Family is gathering food for their Thanksgiving Feast.

And all this time I thought they liked shrimp....silly me.  Pumpkin just so happens to be my favorite too.  I wonder if the Flamingos have a good pumpkin pie recipe?

Smiles,
Kelly

 

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Coin Purse Blog Hop Winner Announced and more

Congratulations to GPC...you are the lucky winner!  Please e-mail me with your full name and address and I'll get your prize in the mail to you :)

For those of you who are wondering how those Flamingos are doing....here is today's update..."not quite live" from Perrysburg, OH...LOL
The Flamingo Flock are having a birthday for Josie.

If you have not stopped by to leave a comment to win the Beam N Read 6 Led Hands Free Light.. click HERE and leave a comment before Sunday.
I didn't mention in my post  that the Beam N Read Light has been changed a bit.  It is still the wonderful hands free light with adjustable neck strap but now you can choose to use 6 LEDs or just 3 LEDs...you decide depending on how much light you want and need. Here are some more details taken directly from the Beam N Read website so I didn't mess up describing the benefits of the light filters :)
  • The only hands free light that comes with clip on filters (2) and a clip on magnifier
    • Orange filter to soften and warm the light and reduce blue light
    • Red filter to reduce ambient light for an ultra sensitive bed companion
      and to help avoid night blindness when switching between lighted and dark conditions
    • Large 4 x 5 inch, lightweight, acrylic, Fresnel magnifier for detail work
      Hinged clip allows magnifier to be adjusted in vertical or horizontal position
      The magnifier is designed for short periods of work for those with normal vision
      The magnifier is not intended as a low vision aid
  • Includes adjustable reflector and elastic neck strap for optimum positioning
I think the Orange Filter is an excellent addition to the Beam N Read Hands Free Lights because there are times when the bright light is too much and the filter softens the light. 

Make sure you leave your comment on the correct post in order to be counted for the giveaway :)

Smiles,
Kelly

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Nov. 7th- A Wonderful Day


November 7th  will always be a wonderful day, because 18 years ago today Nicholas Anthony was born.  He's my sisters youngest son.  I helped deliver him and cut the cord.  I will never forget the joy on his brother's face when he came into the hospital room to see his new little brother.  Aaron was the same way when Zachary was born.  I would like to know why now all they do is fight! 


I wish I could have posted yesterday but I was in so much pain and found it difficult to type.  The cast on my right hand was digging into my wrist.  By 8:00 last night, I could take no more, so I cut into the cast around my wrist to relieve the pressure.  I wrapped my wrist in pink fleece just  at the wrist.  Now my dilemma is, what to embroider on the fleece before a visit the Dr. again.  I was thinking it should say something like, "I don't know anything about this- talk to the monkey."  After all, I don't want to get in trouble and I felt like a little kid being naughty when I did it.  Would you think it should say? 

If I had posted yesterday, you would have  seen these pictures.
I absolutely love the little top hats on the flamingos. 
Yesterday the  Toledo Blade had an article about  "our" flamingos.  Click HERE to see the article. It is nice to see that other people appreciate the flamingo family too.



I hope all of you have been following the"Fall Theme Machine Embroidery Blog Hop" hosted by SewCalGal. . This particular blog hop features both machine embroidery  and applique made from fabric die cutting machines.  Tomorrow is my day to post, you know I'll be up late tonight writing!

I've been doing my best to use as voice activated typing devise and I'm telling you, it is so much easier to type with my hands. For a really humorous post, I should just let the voice dictation interpret what I'm saying and leave the typing, as  is,  for all of you to see what this computer thinks  I'm saying.

Smiles,
Kelly

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Off to Quilt Market in Houston Tomorrow

While I'm packing feverishly ....not only orders but my suitcase....what do you think those Flamingos are doing?

Some were playing in the leaves while others.....
appeared to be having fun and games....for Halloween perhaps?
Must be...preparing for Halloween.
Dressed in costumes?  Yes...apparently....they are ready to go :)
A witch and a pumpkin....what next?
Oh...yes...then there was a Skeleton Flamingo!  While I'm out of town who is going to be keeping their eyes on those Flamingos for me?  Guess I'll have to ask around.

I'm so excited...and not because I'm leaving for Houston tomorrow....look what I made yesterday:
and I did it all by myself :)  Very little instruction and no thread chart....my first ME applique.  The design is an Anita Goodesign bonus for those who sign up for their Clubs before the end of November.    I was so tickled I could hardly believe how nice it turned out....even without any help with fabric or thread colors. 

I know all the Anita Goodesigns are not loaded to the website yet...what's a woman to do?  Stay home from Market?  Nope...not this one anyway.  I'll keep working on it....but sometimes ya just have to go with the flow.

I still check my e-mail and I'm available by phone....so I'm not really going all that far :)

Smiles,
Kelly

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