Wooo Hoooo I won

The Business Women's Expo was great for another reason: I won and this package arrived at my door today!!!
So of course I grabbed it off the porch...after the mail man left....no need to scare him....honestly it is bad today.....so I ran into the kitchen and opened the envelope....

I won this book from Hershberger & Huff Studios....an autographed copy of their book.

How nice was that? They even autographed it for me. This is a really awesome book. I spent some time looking at the drawings and thinking about translating them for applique. Can you imagine me making an original applique? That would be truly amazing....I don't think I would believe it myself!!!

Thanks a million Kelli & Carlynne!!! If you did not stop by their blog during the Women's Expo....it's not too late....click on the link and there you will be.

Grateful Smiles,

Kelly

Are You Prepared?

Please, please, please GET YOUR NICKERS IN A BUNCH if you see this happening....don't stand and watch as these folks did....what were they thinking? I guess some folks are begging to be taken out of the gene pool....not me....how about you?

After the Tsunami recently and not hearing from Barb of "BEJEWELED QUILTS BY BARB" blog I started thinking how prepared we are for an emergency.

I have batteries, gas, bottled water, canned food, blankets, flash lights etc....but what about those very important papers if our house flooded? What about our kids medical records? What about copies of all our credit cards and house papers etc? What about all our photos? If a tornado hit and we lost everything how would we tell the insurance company what we owned? Who would know what they have exactly?

I did what I always do....I Googled Emergency Preparedness and found this site with great checklists and I thought I would share them with you.

You will be able to find lots of great information and start putting together some tangible plans for you and your family should you have an emergency. I thought it would be an excellent idea to scan birth records, prescriptions, all phone contact numbers, home and auto paperwork, immunization records and all your most important documents and put them on a thumb drive. They are pretty cheap. If you keep one at home and then mail them out to your family and/or friends. Should something happen....they would be able to help you retrieve those documents and even have a list of all your contacts to check with them as to your well being.

We put all our pictures backed up on a drive in our safety deposit box. Of course I started thinking....what if the flood goes into the bank and ruins our drive....what then. So I think I"m going to have another back up made and sent out of state for safe keeping.

Ready America has a great list of items for kits as well. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention also has some great info. The American Academy of Pediatrics has some excellent information for families with children. The American Red Cross has information as well. FEMA has a list of information about different types of emergencies and disasters. For those of you with pets, Pet Finders has information about helping your pets during an emergency. Livestrong.com has a list of first aid disaster preparedness products that may be helpful.

Ok....I've done my job...well....Google and I went to work to help you have a plan for those things in life that are unplanned. ( I'm sorry if you get pregnant and it is unplanned....I have no advise for you.....other than....get your sleep now....cuz good sleep it is over for the rest of your life!!!)

If you have information or great ideas that are not listed here....please, please, please leave a comment or an e-mail and share those tips with the rest of us.

AND because I put this list together...you are now obligated to take my family in if there is an emergency....and we want all your quilts to keep us warm and your needle work to give us interesting things to look at!!! Oh yea....we'll need some PB & J sandwiches on whole wheat bread, diet pepsi, apple juice and milk with lots of chocolate chip cookies too!!!

Safe Smiles,
Kelly

Dear Jane...I mean Dear Mary Jane

This is a photo from the Dear Jane quilt my girlfriend, Mary Jane is making. She sends me pix of her projects and I do the same....it helps us feel like I can just drop by....even though I'm 8 hours away....booo hoooo.

I think choosing just one fabric for the designs really makes the designs pop. Besides...Red is one of my favorite colors....Green is up there too.

This is what MJ has to say, "Our guild has a Dear Jane group that I joined but making a whole quilt is overwhelming to me when I have so many other ideas in my head or UFOS that I want to finish. This is as many as I am going to make and finish it into a wall hanging. I enjoyed the experience of being with other women having the same interest and hand piecing but sewed the blocks together by machine. On to the hand quilting which I love the most."

Notice she loves the hand quilting the best? Now you know why she took the first place ribbon at the recent Needle Arts Guild of Toledo Exhibit.....she is EXCELLENT at hand quilting....every stitch is so tiny and perfectly spaced....I love her work. She taught me needle turn applique and my first project got a 3rd place ribbon at the same show....not bad ay?

Smiles,
Kelly

Giveaway Alert: Wanna win a Jelly Roll?

Here is a beautiful Jelly Roll....you wanna win it? Click on the picture and follow the instructions.

You gotta love this new world....the world of the Bots. I truly enjoy being connected to "sew" many wonderful people....this has opened my heart and mind in ways I never expected or could have even imagined.

Smiles,
Kelly

Barb in American Samoa

UPDATE 11:09 9/30/09 CMT: Lots of folks have heard from Barb and she is fine.....I'm sooooo glad to hear....thanks to all who wrote....funny how our families grow through this here bot.

Smiles,
Kelly

I'm sure many of you know Barb "BEJEWELED QUILTS BY BARB" she has four sons and lives in American Samoa. She comments regularly on my blog and I'm very worried about her and her family. If anyone hears from her....please, please, please e-mail me so I know she is ok.

I'm off to a medical appointment with my husband so I'll be away from the bot....please let me know by e-mail at IHaveANotion@yahoo.com or by leaving a comment on my blog.

Kelly

I know I'm bad....but I can't help it

I hope this does not offend anyone....but if it does....well....that is about you...get some help fast. For the rest of us....sit back....enjoy....I would not be sipping any beverages while reading....you'll see why:

Three Ladies in a Sauna

THREE WOMEN, TWO YOUNGER, AND ONE SENIOR CITIZEN, WERE SITTING NAKED IN A SAUNA.

SUDDENLY THERE WAS A BEEPING SOUND. THE YOUNG WOMAN PRESSED HER FOREARM AND THE BEEP STOPPED.

THE OTHERS LOOKED AT HER QUESTIONINGLY. 'THAT WAS MY PAGER,' SHE SAID. I HAVE A MICROCHIP UNDER THE SKIN OF MY ARM.

A FEW MINUTES LATER, A PHONE RANG. THE SECOND YOUNG WOMAN LIFTED HER PALM TO HER EAR.

WHEN SHE FINISHED, SHE EXPLAINED, 'THAT WAS MY MOBILE PHONE. I HAVE A MICROCHIP IN MY HAND.'

THE OLDER WOMAN FELT VERY LOW-TECH. NOT TO BE OUT DONE, SHE DECIDED SHE HAD TO DO SOMETHING JUST AS IMPRESSIVE. SHE STEPPED OUT OF THE SAUNA AND WENT TO THE BATHROOM...

SHE RETURNED WITH A PIECE OF TOILET PAPER HANGING FROM HER REAR END. THE OTHERS RAISED THEIR EYEBROWS AND STARED AT HER..

THE OLDER WOMAN FINALLY SAID..........WELL, WILL YOU LOOK AT THAT.....I'M GETTING A FAX!!

My Mother sent this to me.....it had me laughing out loud and wanting to share it with other fun gals....I hope you laughed. My problem is my mind won't stop here....I keep thinking of other things to say and do in addition....but you know...for tonight....I'm going to bed.

Sleepy Smiles,
Kelly

New Gifts Added to I Have A- Notion . com

Anything that is bright and different usually catches my eye. I love fun new things. I found these greeting cards and prints by Paper Squid and I've added them to my store today.

8 1/2 x 11 inch print

8 1/2 x 11 inch print

I LOVE YOU....Though you piss me off sometimes
You know I love this one....it is just too good.


Blank Inside

Flat Note Cards

For a great friend note card

This is a set of 5: just because, good luck, thank you, hello and miss you

There are lots more cards HERE. I think these will make wonderful gifts and add to a great stash of all occasion cards. Please come on over and start your Holiday Shopping with I Have A Notion. I can't think of a better place to shop....and if you can....keep it to yourself...LOL

Swirly Smiles,

Kelly

Halloween Punchneedle Fun

When I was at the Needle Arts Guild of Toledo show on Friday I started a new project. I was inspired by seeing someone else working on a Halloween pattern. So I pulled my Lizzie Kate pattern out and started working on it.

This is my first little square. Isn't it so darn cute? I just love it. Punchneedle is so much fun....it goes quickly and the sky is the limit as far as designs go. I wanted something fun that the boys could enjoy. They love watching me punch. Zach and Aaron have both practiced punching with my punchneedle. They punch for a few minutes....then they are off to do something that makes noise!!!

This is the pattern I'm working from. It comes with the design on the weavers cloth....yippee....no tracing :)
I used the colors I had and mixed some threads together. I think I'm going to put them onto a box and put candy in the box on the counter. Unless of course I find another good idea before I get to that stage....

Smiles,
Kelly

Winner of the Bag Tags from Expo Posts

The Business Expo was fun. I got to see several peoples work and shops. What fun. I even found a new supplier for gift cards. I'll be adding those to the Gifts section of I Have A Notion tomorrow. I'll post about them so everyone can see these really fun cards.

If you stopped by and left a comment about at least 2 items you liked in my shop your name was entered into a drawing for a sew of Bag Tags. Congratulations Linda Atkins....you are the lucky winner!! Please e-mail me and let me know your favorite colors. I'll make you a set of bag tags and put them in the mail to you.

My thanks to everyone who stopped by....I enjoyed your company and comments.

Smiles,

Kelly

No-reply bloggers

Do you know if you are leaving messages as a no-reply? So many of you are and that means I can't send you a message back. I would love to be able to chat with you so if you could change that....that would be great :)

Here is how to do it if you don't know how:

•first, go to your blogger dashboard
•near your picture or logo on the left, click "Edit Profile"
•go to the first section labeled "Privacy"
•in this section, the third line down should say "Show Email Address"
•make sure the IS a Check Mark in the "Show Email Address"
•if you don't have an email address listed, you can fill it in in the "Identity" section
•The MOST IMPORTANT part when you finish, is to go to the bottom of the page and click "Save Profile" on the bottom left side. If you do not click save it won't work.

(copied from Sew Many Ways blog)

Smiles,
Kelly

Busy Weekend

I hope everyone has had a wonderful weekend. I was participating in a Women's Business Expo and I have not been able to figure out how to leave that post on top and then have my daily posts below....so I just did not publish a blog entry. Guess I better learn some new tricks here soon.

Today was my day with Zach. We try to have one on one time with each of the boys weekly. Today Zach wanted to go to Chuckey Cheese. Here he is in all of his glory....happy as a lark. We had a great time.

This is a project I've been working on. It is going to be a business card holder that I'm going to be giving as a gift. I'm not very confident about my color choices and beading. I've played with the lay out over and over and over. So I thought I would post a photo and see what everyone else thinks. Do you like it? What changes would you make if any? Some of them are not sewn on yet....as you can see. I just want to get some feedback so I can feel confident about sewing on the rest of the beads.

Please leave me a comment with your advise....I certainly appreciate all the tips I can get :)

Smiles,

Kelly

Fall Business Women Online Expo - Booth # 20

Welcome to the Fall Business Women Online Expo

Booth #20.

Welcome to I Have A Notion blog. I sell sewing, quilting and needle art supplies to the thrifty shopper. Weather you are a seasoned stitcher or new to the needle arts and quilting, I can help you with the notions you will need.

My name is Kelly Jackson and I work from home. The best part of my job is this blog. My goal here is to inspire others to continue with their arts and crafts and educate people about the necessary supplies. Ever waste money on something you thought looked great.....but then it did not work so great? That's my job, to troubleshoot and test the new products and notions on the market and share my opinion and experience.

Meeting the fabric designers, pattern designers, company representatives and authors of the books I sell is another fun part of my job. I get to meet with people like Nancy Zieman, Alex Anderson, Eleanor Burns, Edyta Sitar and Amy Butler just to name a few.

Feel free to look around my blog and store, I Have A Notion . If you leave a comment on at least one blog post you have read on this blog and two products in my store that you would like to own, I will put your name in a drawing for a set of Bag Tags. If you don't win and would like to make some great gifts....click here....for the MJE Bag Tag Tutorial :)


Only those comments with e-mail addresses attached will be qualified for the drawing. The winner will be announced on Monday.

Thank you for visiting....you are welcome to come back anytime for a visit. I love meeting new people and being inspired by new ideas and projects.

Click on this button to get back to the Expo!!! Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy!!!

Smiles, Kelly.....After going back to the Business Expo....come on back and click on the button below....you can enter to win those prizes too!!! There are some very talented women out here :)

Needle Arts Guild of Toledo 34th Annual Show

Today was the first of a two day show at the Toledo Lucas County Public Library Sanger Branch for the Needle Arts Guild of Toledo. If you are local and can make it tomorrow.....it is an excellent show and well worth the drive.

"Bird In Flight" by Peverley Hormann

Peverley received several First Place Ribbons for "Bird in Flight." She was given First Place in the Silk and/or Metal Category, Best in Show and the Judge awarded this piece a Special First Place Ribbon for exceptional work. Peverley used different types of metal threads including check purl, Jaceron, plate, Japanese gold, Torsade and braid. The ground fabric is silk and the eye is a small crystal bead. Peverley used hand made silk paper as well. The lettering was done using press on letters.

Congratulations Peverley!!!! I'm so excited for you :) Your work is absolutely beautiful.

I entered a few of my pieces into the show. Typically when I go to a show I think to myself....I would never enter my work....it is not show quality. This time I entered some work hoping others might see you don't have to be an "expert" to enter your work. Not in one million years would I have ever expected a ribbon....and guess what....I received a 3rd place ribbon in the Quilting category for my Hawaiian Applique Wall Hanging.

I also entered the very first quilt I made, "Many Hands." My girlfriend, Mary Jane Ehlich, did the hand quilting and that was the category it was entered in under her name. I think Mary Jane does beautiful hand quilting and she gave me permission to enter the piece. Guess what? She took a First Place Ribbon for her hand quilting!!!! Congratulations Mary Jane!!!

There was one other piece I received permission to photograph. This is "Elvis" by Pamela Lungulow. She was given a Third Place Ribbon in the Counted Cross Stitch Category.

Congratulations Pamela!!! This is a very cool picture of Elvis. You just never know where the King of Rock and Roll will turn up next.

Smiles,

Kelly

Harrison Rally Day in Perrysburg OH

The Harrison Rally Day was held last Saturday here in Perrysburg, OH. The Perrysburg Area Arts Council hosts a Rally for the Arts. There is a parade in the morning and the kids just love it. Candy is thrown and the children scramble to put candy into their little bags. Local politicians and social groups come together and parade down the street. Bands and dance troops come as well. Local artists, businesses and social groups have booths as well.

I met Lois Morgan, Cut Loose Designs, that Saturday. Lois has knitted fabric to make some fun bags. She is a jewelry designer and sells her work to galleries. The bags were something fun Lois did for the Harrison Rally Day. She sells patterns and kits as well. If you are interested please e-mail me at IHaveANotion@yahoo.com and I can put you in touch with Lois. I think this is an excellent use for salvages and thin strips of left over fabric.

As usual, this photo does no justice to how nice this bag really is.

The best part of the parade for me were the Way Public Library Ladies. I've never seen this done before and I absolutely loved it. The ladies were pushing their carts in the street....then to the music...the did a formation and pushed their carts like the Shriners do their little cars. I really laughed and smiled. That is my kind of entertainment and humor.


Then of course the boys had their faces painted by two very talented ladies. Here they are with their friends.

I had to post this one of Aaron. Down the street comes the Fire Dog and Aaron walks into the street with his arms wide open wanting to hug the Fire Dog.

Rick and I had a great time and enjoyed the day with the boys and friends.

Smiles,

Kelly

Who Knew?

Interesting life isn't it? Beautiful music!!!

Smiles,
Kelly

Fruit Flies? Yuck

I hate fruit flies....they are a real annoyance and getting rid of them has been difficult. I've tried spraying them....no go....putting out apple cider vinegar and that did not work. I'm able to catch only a few and they are still in my kitchen. So what does Kelly do to solve her problems? You got it....I Google it.

I found a solution and I'm so excited I thought I would share it with everyone else. I cut a piece of banana and put it in a bowl. I covered it with plastic wrap and poked holes in the top. The fruit flies go in....and don't come out too easily. I can approach the bowl with a magazine and cover the top. Then I take it outside and let them go. I think I've caught 50 today. Nasty little buggers....back outdoors where they belong.

Fruity Smiles,

Kelly

Thrifty Gift Ideas

I find it difficult to get gifts for some of my family members and friends for birthdays and holidays. I've moved away from the traditional gift giving .... get a list....buy from the list etc. Since most people I know have their "needs" met I decided to make gift giving more of a creative adventure. For example:

Calendars such as these from I Have A Notion:

I guess I mention these first because I love Calendars. Some of these even have patterns included....really makes the price extremely reasonable given you get two gifts in one.

Last year, my girlfriend and I decided to restrict gifts to things that have been previously used, purchased from a garage sale or rummage sale, re-purposed items, handmade/homemade things and things we got free. We had the best time thinking of wonderful gifts like these. I know it is not the best thing for the economy right now....but why not try it for yourself?

I gave Rachel a beautiful nightgown....it was really pretty. She opened the gift and was just thrilled....then I said....how much do you think I paid for that....(she is like me....gets a huge charge out of paying almost nothing for something wonderful)? I paid 1.00 at a church rummage sale and the tags were still on it. I could have and would have easily paid 40.00 for the nightgown....but I loved giving it to her and I paid 1.00. This makes the gift giving adventure more thoughtful....because you have to search high and low to make sure your gift fits into the category.

I'd love to hear your experiences like these....or if you decide to do this as well....please leave a comment and if there are enough....I'll publish a chapter on fun gift giving ideas.

Thrifty Smiles,

Kelly

PS....did you know I Have A Notion has a gift registery and gift certificates? We do!!!

Disappearing 9 Patch

I need help/assistance....calling everyone who has ever made a disappearing

Nine Patch.

I realize this photo is on it's side....but you get the picture. This is a trial block for a twin size charity quilt I am making. I was very careful to cut all the blocks that I will be using (not these in the photo....this was a sample) 4 1/2" square. Now....I'm guessing the fastest way to put this together is in rows, right? When pressing....is there a direction that works best overall? Do you have a "system" for putting your blocks together in the 9 patches? I made sure each block has 9 different fabrics and then pined those into sets of 9. I have 24 piles now. I'd like to do this the most efficient way possible....and I don't have time to do the research.....so if you've done one and want to give me some pointers....I'll be ever so grateful :)

Smiles, Kelly

Resuscitating Sue S.

Resuscitating Sue S.

Today my post is not about sewing, stitching, giveaways.....I want to share the experience I had yesterday with you.

I pride myself on using all recycled boxes and bubble wrap for my business (unless priority post is needed). I get some of my boxes at the recycle center where I take my things. Yesterday I happened to look into the paper bin and what I saw shocked me. Someone had dumped Sue S.' paper life into the dumpster. There were check books, life insurance policies, car titles, rental agreements, previous years tax filings....you name it and it was in there. I imagine this person has passed away and whom ever is taking care of her "business" felt it necessary to put it into the recycle bin.

These were some of the things I felt necessary to "save":

I pushed all of her personal data to the back of the bin and attempted to cover it up with other newspapers. I could not help but take these items and some letters that were hand written. I feel sort of dirty taking them on one hand....on the other I feel like I've resuscitated a part of Sue that did not die (as I am assuming).

The journal is a cookbook. There are lots of hand written recipes dating back to 1916. The pages have flour and sugar inside stuck to some of the pages. I could not just let that go....I'm not sure why....but somehow I felt it had to be saved. I sort of felt panicked in a way....like this ladies life was about to be made into more paper without any of her history being preserved. Isn't there someone to whom cares about this woman today? I don't know....perhaps I'll find out....perhaps I won't.

Interesting isn't it?

Kelly

I Love Faces - Completely Candid Photo Challenge

This is my entry for the "Completely Candid" photo challenge at I Heart Faces blog. It is a picture of my youngest son 3 1/2 years ago. I was on the grass trying to get him to walk towards me. It was hot and he kept falling...and then he would cry. I kept coaxing him to get up and walk over to get my camera.....he walked up just close enough and I snapped this pix. I love it because I caught his tear, his sweat and his drool. Love that baby face :)

Smiles,

Kelly

Giveaway Alert

A woman can't get a minute to herself before someone wants to give her something....my oh my. If you too want to have a chance to have a wonderful surprise....click on the photo.....only if you really want a gift package in the mail though. If you don't....you could always just leave a comment saying Kelly sent you!!!! Over and over and over if you're feeling compulsive today!!! LOL

Smiles,
Kelly