Fun, Prizes and Gift w/ Purchase of Aurifil

It is time to head to Quilt Market in Houston again.   But, before I go I thought I'd have a wonderful book giveaway compliments of Martingale/That Patchwork Place :)

One lucky IHAN blog follower will have the opportunity to win not one...but all of these books!!!

Creative Mixed Media  by Sherrill Kahn is a fabulous book if you are interested in learning more and improving your skills with painting, printing, Stitching, Stamping and Embellishing fabrics....and really any medium...after all it is Creative Mixed Media :)

Double Take, Quilts With That Hopscotch Twist by Heather Willms and Elissa Willms is another fun book with 16 different projects. Each project is rated Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced...very helpful if you are new to quilting to start with a pattern you know you will be successful with.

AND Make Your Bed by Leslee Evans. What I love about this book is it takes the pressure off of me to re-decorate a bedroom. No need to make full size quilts for your beds....nope....you can make some beautiful quilted bed runners, pillows and pillow shams and have a whole new look in your bedroom.

(personal note: it takes a long time to make a quilt as a wedding gift...especially when some folks don't stay married for more than a few years....so how about a beautiful bed runner, pillows and shams instead...so much easier. Then on their 5th anniversary you can give them a larger bed quilt. Good idea ay?....of course I would think that since it was mine...lol.)

For your chance to win all three books, you need to leave a comment on this blog post and tell me what you would like me to research while at Quilt Market.  The winner will be drawn on Nov. 4th, 2011.

While I'm away shopping for notions in Houston, IHAN is running a special on Aurifil Threads....Yes Sir-eeee Bob! A U R I F I L....I wonder how much I can get away with this year?

With the purchase of any Aurifil Thread Collection...

(any and all collections...not just these shown)

You will receive a gift with purchase of one Posh Posies Snap Sack ...while supplies last of course.  When these are gone....I'll substitute something equally as fun and useful :)

Gift value: 15.00

Now for the IHAN fun of recent.  As Rosanna Rosanna Danna said, "It's always somethin'" and around here...it IS always something!  I arrived home from visiting Mrs. Waldo and this is what I saw:

All three boys had taken the vacuum extenders and any cardboard tube they could find and they had made themselves a "shooter."  I could not help but laugh.  Zach was blowing a ball out of his and Mr. McSteamy was the guided missile launcher and a rubber ball was blown through the tube and little "Go Go's" were smashed to smithereens.  Aaron was thrilled with the little window he had made in his "shooter."  He was able to see his little cars and skateboards being launched....way too much fun.

Yesterday the "little shooter" was home from school sick.  Hence...no blog post....he spent some time on an IPAD and this is what he created:

(click to enlarge...lets hope it works)

Apparently is an app for the IPAD that allows you to make cookies virtually and you can put a photo (taken with the IPAD) on your cookie, decorate it with sprinkles and candy...do all sorts of things.  How you do all of this?  Don't ask me...I have no clue...ya gotta ask a 7 year old!  I thought these were so cute...just another day with the IHAN clan.

I will be checking this post for comments and I'll be posting what I see...so stay tuned :)

Huston...I'm ready for blast off....zooooommmmmm

Smiles,
Kelly
PS...I will not be replying to comments while I am away.  If you need to reach me, please send an e-mail to IHaveANotion@yahoo.com

Pine Mountain Designs at the International Quilt Market in Houston 2009

Sandy Workman of Pine Mountain Designs designed these two quilts.  They touched the little person that lives inside of me.  All I could think of was continuing to put away pieces of cloth from my boys clothing and making each one of them a little boys quilt using that cloth.  Can you imagine?

I just loved everything in her booth.  The punchneedle patterns were really fun too.  I will be adding her punchneedle patterns to my website soon. You can check out more Pine Mountain Designs here.

I was asked the other day if I still had more posts for Quilt Market in Houston.  I have enough material to post every day until Spring Market.  I need a Publishing Manager to help me get everything organized and then I would be able to do just that.  I keep a box of material right next to my desk.  Honestly I still have not added items to my shop that I loved at Spring Market.  There is just so many wonderful and fun designs out there....I'll try to get more out soon.

Smiles,

Kelly

Olfa Impresses Me Again at the International Quilt Market in Houston 2009

Olfa did not disappoint this year at Quilt Market. Once again I had an experience I did not expect. I had purposely gone through my rulers before I left for market. I have one ruler I really like but it is cracked (don't know who dropped it) and I wanted to find another one and learn more about the importance of choosing quality rulers.

I'm walking along and I see the Olfa Booth and I ask about the ruler I'm looking for. The gentleman, John Johnson, politely explains that the ruler I'm asking for is not made by Olfa. I know I checked specifically before I left the house and I could have sworn it was Olfa. Nope.....but was John rude or did he look at me like I was stupid, No. He was everything a gentleman could have been.

John asked me why I wanted that other ruler. I don't like rulers that slip and shift. He handed me an Olfa ruler and explained that the Olfa Frosted Rulers have a Non-Slip manufactured right into the acrylic so it does not peal or wear off. Once you put pressure on it it does not slip. I tried it and he was 100% correct (I hate to admit when a man is right....but he was!).

When the Olfa ruler is placed on busy fabric you can still see the measurement markings.

The lines on the marker are black....but.....
When they are placed against a dark background (my pants, lol) the lines still show up.

The circle on this ruler is a helpful guide when placing pieces...how cool is that.

Heidi Severson was also at the Olfa booth. She was friendly and kind (gave me a little cool note pad to take my notes on....came in very handy since my notebook was huge...THANKS Heidi :).

I left the Olfa booth feeling smarter than I was before I walked up. I wasn't embarrassed because I had made a mistake and I learned some very interesting things.

Later in the show I came across a stranger looking for the Olfa booth. I told her right where it was and she said she was too tired to walk back to give them her order. Knowing the main purpose of Market is to educate and take orders, it was important to Olfa that the order got to them. I offered to walk her order to the Olfa booth for her and she was thrilled. Heidi and John were pleased I took the time to run the order to them. That was just my little way of saying Thanks to Olfa for helping me and educating me....so I can pass this great information along to you.

I am in the process of adding more Olfa rulers to my website. In the meantime, I'd like to offer a great deal to my blog readers.

Blog Reader Special:

Olfa Rotary Cutter Retail 19.99....Your Price 9.00

5 Rotary Replacement Blades 45 mm Retail 31.99 Your price 14.00.

Just in time for some holiday stocking stuffers for those quilting and stitching girlfriends and man friends too!!

You must e-mail your order to IHaveANotion@yahoo.com in order to get this special pricing. Orders through the website will not be given this price special because it is for Blog Readers Only.

Please do not share this post with others or link to it. This is intended for regular readers of this blog only. Quantities are limited and when I'm sold out I will come back and post that the blades and Rotary Cutters are gone. I know it is tempting to share a great deal with all of your friends, but for this offer....lets keep this a secret among the IHAN readers only :) Please just purchase for yourself or for gifts. Maximum order on Rotary Cutters is 2 and Replacement Rotary Blades is 5.
Happy Olfa Smiles,
Kelly

Reliable Corporation at the International Quilt Market in Houston 2009

CAUTION:

This post is for mature female audiences ONLY.

You may want to save this post to read when the husband and children are away or asleep. If you don't have a husband and/or children....jump right in!!!

You may want to pour a glass of wine and slip into a nice hot bath. Take a few cleansing breaths and ENJOY this post :)

You may remember my idea of Porn... The Scissor Man's Apron

Meet PURE LUST:

Vacuum & Up Air Ironing Board by Reliable.

Let me tell you about my love affair with this ironing board. It all started at the Checker 61st Anniversary Open House. Art Garabedian was standing innocently in his booth demonstrating irons on a very nice ironing board. I think Art was wondering what it would take to make me happy because I liked the irons and the ironing board but I didn't seem quite satisfied. I want no wrinkles and everything to look like it came from the dry cleaners. Art explained the engineering behind getting those smooth crisp wrinkle free cloth which included a vacuum to remove the moisture from the fabric.

The secret of professional ironing revealed.
The “secret” to getting a clean-crisp finish to your garments? Your ironing table needs to have vacuum to remove the steam (it’s built right into the table). Plus, the ironing table needs to stay dry. The pros know this. For the C81 we add the “up-air” feature - we literally reverse the vacuum to create blowing so you can press on a cushion of air. Perfect for those delicate areas that are prone to show marks on the fabric (pocket area on pants, fly front, jacket lining, corduroy, velvet and so on... any area that if you pressed on a hard surface, it would leave an impression or crush the nap of the fabric).

I asked Art why he did not bring one of those boards to the show and he said Quilters don't seem to be interested. H,F & D (hell fire and damnation) I am a quilter and I'm interested!!! I told Art I would be in Houston and asked if he would bring The Board.

God Love Art....he brought The Board.

Oh yea baby....here I am surfing The Board. My heart was pounding out of my chest.....my knees were weak and I felt butterflies in my stomach.

Look at this air flow!!! The board is getting bigger (I didn't just say that).

Can you see how the air fills up the top of the board?

A innocent piece of paper floats on top of The Board. I was having this board and nothing was going to stand in my way....not even Art Garabedian. As I gripped this baby and was attempting to satisfy my lust....that evil man grabbed the other end of the board and would not let go. I would have given him a karate chop and gotten the object of my desire but his wife was standing right there. Next time....I'm having NO mercy!!


We ended the fight with a nice photo. My hair looks like I was really having an experience with this ironing board but trust me it was only the humidity in Houston. Even though I talk a good story....I don't actually act out my lusty feelings in public!!! I'm sure you are glad to know that...ROFL.

This was a customer leaving at the end of the show Packing some serious Heat....perhaps that serious heat would work better than my karate!!!


If you too want to own one of these objects of desire (The Board)....e-mail me at IHaveANotion@yahoo.com and I can make an introduction.


Lusty Smiles and Grins,
Kelly

Most Enthusiastic Person Award for International Quilt Market Houston 2009

It was the last day of Market and most folks were showing their exhaustion. I saw many people sitting in their booths looking like they were going to fall asleep. I was thinking to myself....no matter how tired I was....if I were a vendor here....I'd stand up and paste a huge welcoming smile on my face and tough it out. That is exactly what I found when I walked past Tracy Mullett's booth, Eye Of The Needle Designs.

Tracy met me in the isle as I was walking by and greeted me with a huge smile. She said, "Here take one of my patterns." She was as cheerful and excited as I had seen anyone since opening of Market. Tracy told me this was her first Quilt Market and she was having a ball. She loved it and even though she was tired....she was not going to allow that to stop her enthusiasm and pleasure.
For your attitude and gusto Tracy.... you get the IHAN "Most Enthusiastic Person Award" from Quilt Market 2009.
I'm not sure what that will get you really.....no dinner discounts or Disney Trips....but for everyone who knows me.....and read this blog.....they know you must be one spanky girl!!!

To honor Tracy's Enthusiasm I want to offer her beautiful pattern as a giveaway . For anyone who reads this post and leaves a comment saying why you would like to win this beautiful pattern....I'll do a random drawing and someone will be the proud new owner of "Autumn Prairie." I will draw on 10/31/09 at Noon CMT.

Smiles,

Kelly

Scissor Man in Houston at the International Quilt Market 2009

Quilt Market would not be Quilt Market without "The Scissor Man" I will never forget the first time I met Brint. I told him I wanted that apron and he had better sleep with one eye open. He laughed. Poor Brint....he had no idea!!! LOL

I am a Scissor Lover so this is Scissor PORN to me. I told Brint and his wife, Michaelann, that I didn't realize Pornography was allowed at Quilt Market. Michaelann got a good laugh out of my comment.

This is me being friendly. Honestly in the back of my mind I was plotting to overtake the booth and run with all the sharp instruments. (You know when you see sex offenders arrested on TV and they go into their homes and haul off all their personal videos? We all are disgusted. Well.....that would be me but they would be hauling off scissors!!!)

I had enough of Mrs. Nice and I went for the apron. Brint leaned back and got serious....but he did not realize I weigh more than he does!!! I should have Chinese Leg Wrestled him for that apron. I've never lost a match in my life (something you never knew about me ay?).

All right already....YES that was staged. Brint and I had a hard time not laughing while the photo was taken. I have no idea how movie stars keep a straight face. I'd be thrown off the set for laughing I just know it.

I had no idea that Famore Cutlery provides scissors for Checker Distributors, Marie Osmond, Brother, and Simplicity (I don't know about any other folks they make scissors for...there may be more). So when I fell in love with the 4" Jackpot scissors from Simplicity....those are Famore stamped with Simplicity's name. They also sell under their own name, Famore.

Brint and Michaelann acquired Specialty Product Sales about 11 years ago and created Famore Cutlery. Quality, service and pricing is what makes their products great. Brint recommends cleaning your scissors with a dry soft cotton cloth (anybody have any of that stuff laying around?). Use your sewing machine oil to oil your scissors. Oil the joint and put some on the blade and then open and close them several times. Clean off the oil from both blades. Brint also suggests having your scissors professionally adjusted and honed twice a year or as needed. (Last paragraph summarized from eInsider published September/October 2009)

So there you have it....I've turned myself in on my fetish with scissors. I now have them for tweezers too. Check out the scissors and tweezers at IHAN.

Lusty Smiles,

Kelly

Hot Scott Patterns by Lucy Morey were at Fall International Quilt Market Houston

You know I was in love with these patterns....because they are for BOYS!!! Hurray....finally....you can even buy the First Choice Boxer Pattern for Kids and then make that wonderful little boy some great clothes using Hot Scott Patterns.

Meet Lucy Morey Owner/Designer of Hot Scott Patterns. That is actually a picture of her son....how cool is that? I love it when people use "regular" people instead of models for use in advertising. It adds some authenticity for me. But you know me!!!

I can see Aaron wearing this great outfit in a heartbeat.

This one is Zach's speed. Actually they both would fight to wear the "Tony Hawk" clothing. Anything with a skateboard on it is "Tony Hawk" as far as they are concerned....no matter what!!

I think this one is just so cool.....especially on gym day.

Both of my boys qualify for this one :)

I had to take a close up of these cords. I just love the little stars at the bottom. These pants are all jazzed up now....and that kid is ready to go!!!

I was able to talk with Lucy for just a short time. I could tell she works very hard at her craft and it really shows. These styles are hip without being cutesy if you know what I mean.

You will be able to find Hot Scott Patterns at I Have A Notion very shortly.

Smiles,

Kelly