All Done Fishin'

I have had a good laugh reading the comments on where folks thought I had gone fishin'.

My youngest co-worker and I headed to Victoria, Texas.  We went fishing for new experiences :)  Did you know there are Angels living in Victoria?  It's true.

We had not been at Mrs. Karin and Mr. Dick's house for more than 30 minutes, as I recall, when Zach wanted to sew something on her beautiful embroidery machine.  Can you believe it was Zach who asked to sew and not me?  After Karin got the luggage tag handle wrap hooped....she let Zach do the rest.

This fishing trip was an experience in being reminded about what is important in life and enjoying the angels along the way.  Several peak experiences for me....so restorative to my soul.

WARNING: Photo heavy post below with a quilt related segment in the middle....you've been warned :)

Mrs. Karin and Mr. Dick are volunteers at the Texas Zoo so we were the first guests at the Zoo.

The next day the Angels transported us on their wings to the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi.

The Victoria Angels and the IHAN Rat Fink :)

What?  I don't look like Mr. Miyagi has trained me?

That's OK....because I was meditating on this thought:

 

Remember the amazing sand artist Andre Amador?  

 My feeble attempt at a sand quilt :)

This photo below represents my experience of Texas.....very BIG!  Between towns....when I say there is almost nothing...I'm not kidding.  Hope you don't need gas or food!

 

 

On of my favorite movies.Lonesome Dove..you know I could not miss this Ranch!  I have no idea weather this ranch has anything to do with the movie or not...by the way.

This was a small town I drove through on my way to San Antonio.  It looks like a movie set doesn't it?  Smiley Texas....hmmmm.

Found this nasty character along the route.  A real rootin tootin shootin sort of fella.

1/2 of the IHAN clan at the Alamo.

River Walk in San Antonio...if you ever have the opportunity to go....don't miss it!!!

Texas Ranger Museum, I didn't find even one photo of Augustus McCrae or Woodrow Call  : (

(please don't e-mail saying they were just characters in a movie....my brain knows that but my heart doesn't)

Was surprised to find Bonnie and Clyde's car at the Museum, wasn't surprised to find this little out law standing next to their car.

I took this photo at the San Antonio Museum of Art where I found the Dale Chihuly Persian Ceiling.   It is actually a reflection in a window you are looking at.....amazing isn't it?

These are the margaritas in Texas!!!  And for the record....this was not mine...lol.

After San Antonio, we headed to Bandara, Texas....the Cowboy Capital of the World.  Where was our first stop?

The Gone Quiltin' owner Debra Pavelka.  What a wonderful store....and the saying "when you are traveling and need help...don't dial 911....call a quilter" was completely accurate in my experience.  I needed to find a pharmacy....Debra knew just where to direct me.

 

You know I couldn't leave without some souvenirs :)

Bandara's diner is where I was directed to possibly find a real cowboy mid week.    No luck....but we did find three Texas Rangers having lunch.

Having a 7 year old on Spring Break and driving all the way to Bandara Texas....you know this Momma was not leaving until we found a real cowboy!!!  Midweek or not!  While in the diner, I explained my dilemma to the Rangerse and they suggested I might find a real cowboy at the 2E Twin Elm Ranch.     All I knew was that if I had to drive that rental car far into the fields...I was going to find a real cowboy for Zach!

I think I'm going to put a noose in my back yard too.  Zach was on his best behavior the entire time...LOL.

(another way you know you are in Texas?  Almost every residence/ranch/RV has two posts and a gate....only slightly kidding!!)

Meet Justin....the FIRST "Real Cowboy" we found at the Twin Elm Ranch.

Justin was real all the way down to his spurs!  We had not planned on staying at the Ranch but Justin was so welcoming and kind to Zach that this Momma had no problem saying yes to whatever price they were planning on charging us.

Oh yeah....and it didn't hurt one bit that another family with three little boys were there on Spring Break as well.  Zach made fast friends with Luke and Jack from Wisconsin. 

Justin's confidence was key to my agreeing to let Zachary go on a trail ride the next morning.  Typically Zach would be afraid of the horse....but Justin knew just what to do and so did "Spot" the horse Zach rode.

The rootin tootin shootin cowboy riding a horse across a stream....all by himself :)

It was tough tearing ourselves away from the Twin Elm Ranch, but Shamu was waiting. 

Back to Victoria to spend another day with the Victoria Angels....which includes Miss Bailey, Zach's dear friend.

You may be asking yourself, where is the other 1/2 of the IHAN clan?  This Momma had no interest in spending a week listening to a 7 and 9 year old boys bicker.  We decided to divide and conquer :)  The other 1/2 went to see Grandma and Grandpa in PA, then to Philly and on to Washington DC.  They had a wonderful time too!

If you are still with me....I'm shocked! 

Texas Size Smiles,
Kelly

Where in the World?

Where in the World are We?  And....who is We?

Here is the Quilt related part of the post...LOL. 

Could not resist laying on the floor....in public....to take these pix.  

More soon :)

Giggles and Smiles,

Kelly

Gone Fishin' ???

Seems like forever and it has only been a few days since I left for my "Fishin' Trip."  Thought I'd give you a few hints....and those who already know where I am....you can't say...that'd be cheatin!!!

A view from the boat?

 

A big ole fish we caught here!  ROFL

Hugs & Smiles,

Kelly & Co-Worker Zachary

What's New at IHAN and Lots More

There was a reader who requested photos of the orange halo....and you know I take photos of almost everything...LOL.

This photo doesn't really do the "Orange Halo" justice....honestly....it was glowing orange!  ROFL still.

A bit of a co-worker up-date:

We have a proud artist on our hands here.  Check out the castle he made at school....

And the frog he made with clay.

You have to look closely....see what is in the Frogs mouth?  Other than his tongue?  I laughed out loud and asked Aaron why the Frog ate his baby and Aaron said with exasperation, "Mom, that is a fly!"

 PEEK!  Look closely....here I am...under the cushions.

Before the co-workers came along, we lived in South Carolina.  We had the pleasure of buying new furniture for our home and we choose a sofa that is almost 8 feet long.  I had a fit if the girls ate on the sofa and every day I flipped the cushions so they would last.  9 years later....the co-workers use them as their personal crash pad and I've given up trying to keep them clean all the time.  If only I could have let the girls take their turn with jumping all over them....Live and Learn!

On to IHAN News:

Did you see that IHAN has a new Category?  WHATS NEW AT IHAN

 

It is right at the bottom of the Catalog on the right hand side of the page...I've got it marked HERE in the photo above.  Just in case you are wondering what is NEW at IHAN...you can always just click on that link and see.   

Also New at IHAN:

There is also a new sub-heading in the Sizzix Fabric Cutters Category.  There is a new link for all dies that are compatible with the Vagabond and Big Shot  Fabric Cutting Machines.  Click HERE if you own one of those wonderful Fabric Cutting Machines :)

 

Now on to packing for the big Fishing Trip...which I hope you all know I'm not really going Fishing...that's my way of saying I'm out of the office :)

 

Smiles,

Kelly

Machine Embroidery Improvements

Oh but wait...first a Flamingo Update:

I'm not sure if this is Mommy or Daddy taking the new offspring out for a stroll....can you believe it? 

Ok, now on the the stitching :)  A few weeks ago I had made some kitchen towels for a wedding shower.  Much to my dismay I used a stabilizer that was not so easy to get out of this particular design.  Before I go on, I want to say that folks will tell you that learning what stabilizer to use is not an easy thing....and that is only a little bit true.   As a newbie to Machine Embroidery I can tell you that if there has been a mistake to be made, I've made it....and I wish I were kidding (not to say there are not more to make :).  Floriani offers a Stabilizer Workbook that you can download for free and print if you like.  You can find it HERE.  Between a little bit of experience and the Floriani Workbook you will find choosing the right stabilizer to be a whole lot easier :)

On this one I used Floriani Perfect Stick and I was very happy with the hooping process....all I had to do was line up my design and press the towel down.  Easy right?  Right!  The thing I didn't take into consideration was the density of the stitching  and how to get out those small bits of stabilizer. 

Honestly...no biggie in the whole scheme of things because it will come out in the wash.  However, most folks don't want to have to do that...and naturally the experts at Floriani know what they are doing!

This time I used Floriani Wet N Gone Tacky. 

The cool thing about Floriani Wet N Gone Tacky is it is also a sticky back stabilizer but it dissolves in water and there is not tiny pieces of paper to tear away.  Inside the package there are instructions for anyone who has not used this stabilizer before.  I hooped the stabilizer and scored the top with a pin and tore off the paper, revealing the sticky back stabilizer.  The shiny stuff you are seeing above is there because of the adhesive on the stabilizer.

As you can see, I hooped it with the paper on and then scored the paper exposing the adhesive.  I wanted the paper part to stay where the hoop was so it would not stick to the hoop.  Keep in mind, I am a newbie so if you know more than I do....feel free to share :)

The machine is just a stitchin' away....and I could not be happier that it isn't asking me what to do next :)

By the way, I'm using the towels by Dunroven House.  I've added a ton of them to the IHAN website and you can find them HERE.  I have been very happy with the quality and consistency of the Dunroven House Linens so I have purchased several different colors and have a nice little stash for making those fun kitchen towels.

Back to the stabilizer....

After the machine finished with the Salt towel I cut around the design and left the rest of the stabilizer in the hoop.  As you can see, I patched the stabilizer (which conserves stabilizer) for the next towel.

This photo may be a bit difficult to make out.  The blue is a kitchen bowl I used.  I filled it with water and just put the part of the towel with the stabilizer on it into the warm water and soaked it.  The white hazy looking stuff is the stabilizer melting away.  When it is dissolving it has the consistency of light egg white...a little goopy.  After a few more minutes I took the towel out of the water and took paper towel and wiped off the back of the design.  I could have soaked the entire towel but I was on a time line....as usual.....and I wanted the design to dry so my sister could take the the gift to deliver.

Here is the towel drying....look...no little pieces of stabilizer to be annoyed with....yeah!!!!


Speaking of annoyed....I find myself annoyed with the bobbins running out when I'm doing Machine Embroidery.  Truth be told, I don't want to stop having fun to do these "necessary" things ( I also don't like to stop and go potty....I just want to have fun...I'm a real child aren't I?). 

YEP....I did it....I got a Portable Side Winder.   If you think like I used to think....you are probably wondering why do you need a Side Winder when the Machine's have bobbin winders on them... right?

Because I spend my time winding bobbins while the Embroidery Machine is doing it's thing and I don't want to take the risk of messing up the machine by using it's winder.  I have pre-wound tons of bobbins so they are at the ready when I need them.  Is is a bit extravagant?  Probably....but I have to say the Portable Side Winder works well...works with batteries or electric and it winds a spanky bobbin :)

Above you might be able to see I was winding from a large cone.  The Portable Side Winder has a pin for regular size spools and not the larger cones.  There is a Deluxe Sidewinder as well....but I wanted the compact Portable Side Winder so I put the cone on my thread rack and fed it into the Side Winder.  It worked wonderfully :) 

The black thread in this photo probably shows up better.  I was pretty happy to have a bobbin at the ready so I could keep on keepin' on.

That's what I've been up too....other than a really bad hair accident...:)  Yep....my sister and I were coloring our hair over the weekend and mine turned out bright orange ...but only around my face and at the roots.

Yep....it was more like the dark orange around the outer part of this photo.  To get such "rare beauty" only cost me 8 bucks.  Correcting  it cost me 105 bucks.....ouch!  That is the first time that has ever happened to me and I have to say it brought a lot of laughter....and laughter never hurt anyone...it was good for the soul.

I"m goin' fishing again....Tomorrow, Thursday, is the last day I'll be shipping IHAN orders until Monday April 9th.  Since I'm not supplying organs for transplant....what is waiting 10 days for your notions right?  I have not decided weather or not I'll take my laptop to do some blogging or not....we'll see.  The boss told me to do what ever my heart desired....I just love my boss :)

Smiles,
Kelly

Winner of Bed Runners and More

Happy Tuesday Everyone!  I've been doing paperwork for IHAN so I didn't get to posting yesterday.  I know you all understand because  one gal can only do what one gal can do, right?  Right! :)

Bed Runners and More

The winner was drawn on Sunday night and the winner WAS:

SewCalGal's number came up in the first drawing.  To make along story a short one....SewCalGal  has opted to share the book with another IHAN Blog reader..  I wasn't surprised because she has such a generous and kind spirit.

 Back to the Random Number Generator and the Newest Winner IS:

Congratulations Caryl!!  Please e-mail me with your full name and address so I can get Bed Runners and More into the mail.

A reminder:

All  IHAN blog readers save $5.00 on   Another Bite of Schnibbles  until March 31, 2012.

Smiles,

Kelly

Another Bite Of Schnibbles & Bed Runners and More - Book Reviews

I have so many book reviews backed up that I thought I'd do two today...so it's a two'fer Friday :)  Keep in mind,  I get to choose the books I want to review so I'm going to be bias in my reviews.

Martingale and Company have provided me with the opportunity to review Another Bite of Schnibbles.  The author, Carrie Nelson, has a huge following and I know many quilters who love her Schnibbles patterns.

 Another Bite Of Schnibbles by Carrie Nelson  (LaVie En Rosie , Carries wonderful blog)

 Twenty four quilts from 5" and 10" squares...all in one book!!!

Carrie begins with some great information about handling pre-cut fabrics and some excellent directions for piecing.   I know from experience, if you don't handle and sew pre-cuts properly, you will end up with blocks that are not square at all.  Carrie shares all her tips and tricks in the beginning of the book so everyone will end up with consistent block.  Well...most of us...LOL.  Ya all know I can look away and end up with a wobbly 1/4-3/8" seam....that's why I have a excellent seam ripper :)

"Lincoln" uses 10" squares and I have a few layer cakes looking for an excellent pattern.  I love how fresh and fun this pattern is....don't you?

It was so hard to choose which photos I wanted to share because I really like all the quilts in Another Bite of Schnibbles.  The quilt above, "Reveille, looks like it might be difficult to make...but when you see Carrie's instructions you will be surprised by how" un-diffiuclt" it is to make.  

Twenty-Four patterns for just  $26.99 (only $21.99 for IHAN Blog readers through March, 30, 2012)  that is a steal!  Twenty-Four patterns at, lets say $8 each, would be $192.  Each pattern is only $1.10 for IHAN Blog readers...now we're talking a super deal! :)
  

Clotilde provided me the opportunity to review the next book, Bed Runners & More. 

 Bed Runners & More

Bed Runners & More includes patterns and instructions for nine bed runners( four include instructions for pillow shams) each by a different designer.  The bed runner on the cover, Geometric Jazz" by Carol Zentgraf,  got my attention because I thought it would be perfect for my co-workers.

There are times I'm in the mood to make something small and bed runners add some splash to a bedroom without the investment of so much time.  Oh, and did I mention that I don't feel so bad when the kids spill or get pen marks on a bed runner....I flip when the do that on a full size bed quilt.

"Warm Splendor" by Phyllis Dobbs is another bed runner that left me drooling.  I love the fall colors Phyllis used in this design.  By the time I could make myself a full bed quilt, I could almost have a bed runner for every season! 

"Summer Blossoms" is another of Phyllis' designs.  What girl would not love to walk into her room and see this fun bed runner?  The possibilities are endless. 

Each bed runner in Bed Runners & More are labeled by skill level, Beginner, Confident Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced.  

The instructions for each design includes diagrams like the one pictured above. 

A bed runner is an excellent way to dress up a room without the time investment of a full bed quilt.  Honestly, think they would look great across the back of a sofa as well....just a thought :)

There is a nice variety of designs in  Bed Runners & More , something for everyone!  I think I"ll give a copy of this great book away to an IHAN blog reader.    To win, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post and I'll choose a winner this Sunday evening.  How does that sound?  Fun I hope :)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Smiles,

Kelly