Sarah Vedeler at Spring Quilt Market 2010 in Minneapolis, MN

Prior to going to Spring Quilt Market,  I had never met Sarah Vedeler.   IHAN sells her designs, coordinating silks and threads but I had never met Sarah.  The most I knew about Sarah was from what I read on Facebook. 

Imagine my surprise when I learn Sarah will be giving a presentation at Schoolhouse.  I ran, yes ran (feel free to ask around....people definitely saw me running and walking extremely fast) to get to the room where she was presenting so I could get some photos and see her new designs.

Sarah Vedeler, I'm pleased to introduce you to the IHAN Blogifers.  Blogifers, meet Dr. Sarah Vedeler, designer, software engineer and mother :)

GO! Be Dazzled is Sarah's latest machine embroidery design and pattern.  Isn't it beautiful?

GO! Be Dazzled is a  block of the month quilt featuring AccuQuilt GO! dies. The multi format CD contains 49 individual designs as well as designs formatted for a 12 month block of the month program with illustrated instructions.

The GO! Fabric Cutter Dies Sarah used include:

GO! Circle-2”, 3”, 5”
GO! Feathers
GO! Funky Flowers
GO! Heart-2”, 3”, 4”
GO! Round Flower
GO! Star 2”, 3”, 4”

I am just amazed at how beautiful the combination of machine embroidery and quilting can be. I'm an old time hand embroidery gal, I had no idea such things could be so lovely until the last year or so. I guess I have been living under a mushroom.

Later I walked into the Northcott Schoolhouse where there were no seats left and I was waiting to see what yummy fabrics they were introducing when I noticed I was standing next to Sarah Vedeler.  I could not help but smile and ask Sarah if I could take a picture of her purse.  I honestly felt like I was in Hollywood , casually asking Anthony Hopkins for a photo....Quilt Market is the Red Carpet for us quilters and I LOVE getting to meet and see all these talented folks.

This was the pretty bag Sarah was carrying.  OM Goodness....can you imagine walking around town in a GREEN quilted SILK handbag?  I wanted to grab it but Sarah looked too much like a lady and I did not want to make her chase me down the hallway. (I bet I could run faster....only because I would be fueled with envy....the dark emotion with lots of power!!!...LOL)

By now you must be thinking I had followed Sarah around the entire Quilt Market just waiting for her to appear.  Truthfully, I just happened to be walking by the Bernina and Brewer booths and Sarah was there next to a Bernina 830 (ok....if you have one of these....keep it to yourself....honestly....I don't even want to know....because I don't know what I would do) that was embroidering one of her Heart designs.

This photo is just too cool for words....so I'll be quiet.  Hear that?  Yes....the silence!!!

Here is part of the Brewer Booth at Quilt Market.  There will be more photos in other posts but this one grabbed me.  Here is Sarah's Silk Hearts Collection:  The Silk Hearts CD, the Dupioni Silk, the Aurifil Thread and the GO! Fabric Cutter dies that coordinate.  Yes my heart was pounding being so close to all those delicious things.  I really should take Valium before I go because my central nervous system goes haywire and I feel like I have a hangover when I get home.  It takes me at least a week or two to recover....no kidding.

Sarah was standing right there, so of course I asked her if I could photograph her in front of her latest design, GO! Be Dazzled Quilt .  I know I take a lot of photos but I want everyone to feel like there are with me on these adventures.  If a photo is worth a 1,000 words.....then my posts are at least 100,000 plus words :)

I wonder where Sarah stores this quilt when it is not on display.  Do you think her co-workers use it?  (Sarah has two girls)  My co-workers think I make every quilt that I  photograph and I love that they actually think I could make something like this.  One of them will walk up when I'm writing my blog and ask, "Momma, did you make that?"  My favorite co-worker questions are when they ask if the photo is a picture of me when clearly I don't look anything like the photo.  They both though the Bionce you tube video post was me dancing....you gotta love kids!!!

 

This is the Isacord GO! Be Dazzled Thread Collection that will be released soon.  It coordinates with the GO! Be Dazzled CD and pattern.

All I have to say is Sarah Vedeler is one talented lady and I can't wait to see what she does next!!

Smiles,
Kell

Sample Spree at Spring Quilt Market 2010 in Minneapolis

Edited 6/3/10

Who ever named this event at Quilt Market "Sample Spree" ....well lets just say....I would have called it

 "Pan-da-balogni-um!!!" 

First you have to pay 10.00 to go to Sample Spree and then people begin lining up at 5:00 for an event that does not start until 8pm and ends at 10pm. 

 So you must be wondering what on earth could be so wonderful and cheap/free that a person would be willing to wait 3 hours to go inside, right?

Do you really want to know?  Are you sure?  Really sure?  OK....but only if you are extra sure.

Nothing that you can't order and have shipped to your shop or business.  NOTHING!!!  I'm no expert and I'm sure there are others with much more experience than me.....but several of the vendors I spoke to at Sample Spree said they don't understand it either.  One told me he witnessed a woman push and shove her way swinging elbows to get to the MODA table at one Sample Spree.  (NO I did not wait in line.....I went in at 9:30 to show Rosemary....otherwise I would have been in bed!!)

If an attendee were so inclined they could purchase the EQ Upgrade for more than you could order it for your shop.  I guess then you could brag that you had it first....but really they would not be the first because most of the first to have the software were the testers and they were sworn to secrecy.

Oh, maybe you could purchase some GO! Fabric Cutter Dies?  NOPE....you could watch a demo and get a free (very pretty) tote bag.

You can see the pretty green bags at the top of this photo.

The best part for me is to see some very wonderful people working their fannies off.....such as Lady Eleanor and Orion Burns!!!  ( I secretly think I was one of Eleanor's children and she put me up for adoption.....cuz you know I'd be having a ball wearing those outfits....oh yeah baby!!)

You can see all the books and patterns....the same ones that can be ordered and delivered to your store.

Aurifil Thread was available for purchase too.  The individual spools were a little less than they typically are wholesale.....but to wait in line for 3 hours?  I would have if they were $1.00 per spool....otherwise....I'm good, do you know what I mean? 

I had heard that Cozy Quilt Designs were going to be at Sample Spree (they also had a booth at Market).  I had never met anyone from Cozy Quilt Designs before in my life.  However, I knew one of them knew a dear blogger friend, Darlene Simmons, who visits their shop frequently.  Well, I was not going to miss the opportunity to give this gal a great big hug and have her pass it along to Darlene.  So now you know Darlene  why your ears were a burning :)

Many shoppers from Sample Spree will gather outside the hall and show one another what they have purchased.  Many of the Gals have several tote bags and they are overflowing.  What do I see people purchase mainly?  Fabric....yes fabric......Quilt Shop Owners and Employees with bags stuffed full of fabric.  You and I both know these same Gals have tons of fabric at home as well as in their shop so why do they wait in line for hours to purchase more?  When you find out, please let me know too....LOL.

I may be over-simplifying here....but not too much.  If I were going to wait in line at Sample Spree for 3 hours you know what I would want to find inside when I got there?

• 
  
  Free Wine or Margaritas
• 
  
  Free Finger Foods 
• 
  
  Small samples of threads, fabrics, notions etc. (like the old Avon Lipsticks....remember those cute little white tubes?  My grandmother brought them to me when I was a kid and I LOVED them)

Well, maybe some chocolate too!!!  Ok, LOTS of chocolate :)

That is my take on Sample Spree.  I'm sure other folks have other versions or descriptions....but this is what these eyes see and what this brain cal-cu-ma-lates.

Smiles,

Kelly
Edit:  This post was not intended to be negative....Sample Spree is a tradition and I think it was intended for Shop Owners to be able to get single kits to make up Samples for their shops.  I just think it funny and because I was so tired last night....it did not sound as playful as I had intended....forgive my exhaustion.....I picked up a van filled with EQ 7 and EQ 7 Upgrades yesterday and I've been packing my fingers off so they could get into the mail.

Aardvark Quilts at Spring Quilt Market 2010 in Minneapolis

I was walking down an isle at Quilt Market and my eyes landed on these Quilts.  The energy of these Quilts just drew me in.  I loved the colors, patterns and overall movement.  Have you ever just had something "grab" you and you just wanted to move towards it?  (I'm not talking about ice cream or chocolate here...I'm one level up in the arts...lol)

Meet Pam Goecke Dinndorf, Aardvark Quilts Designer.  Pam I'm pleased to introduce you to the IHAN blogifers :) 

Pam's husband is a "real" photographer so he helped me take some photos while I had the opportunity to get to know Pam a little better.  I only wish he could have made my black and white strip shirt look better.  I'm certain it is his photography and not my shirt!!!  LOL

If I had sat down I'm certain I would not have gotten up until the end of the day.  I just loved the way the Quilts were displayed and the booth was laid out.  

Can you feel the energy?  I re-experience it by just looking at the photos.

I don't think I could sleep in if I slept with this quilt.  I know I would smile every time I saw it, even in the night when I'm headed back to bed.....I'd just feel that, "oh yeah baby" feeling.

Isn't this table runner just beautiful?  It could be made in your colors and it would be great on a formal table as well as a casual table depending on the fabric.  (I'm thinking some Dupioni Silk would be WONDERFUL)

I really enjoyed getting to meet Pam and seeing all of the Aardvark Quilt Patterns. As I went to purchase some patterns Pam offered to give me two patterns to give away on my blog. Woooo Hoooo!!! IHAN blogifers love Giveaways, don't you?

THANK YOU AARDVARK QUILTS !!!

Paperweight

Antique Rug

Both patterns have been autographed too!!!

If you would like to have the opportunity to own one of these two patterns, I'd like you to leave a comment on this post telling us why you want to win one of the Aardvark Quilt Patterns.  I will do a random drawing on 6/6/10 and announce the winners. 

Colorful and Energetic Smiles,

Kelly

This Says It All

Other Opportunities to Win a GO! Fabric Cutter

You could have a chance to win a GO! Fabric Cutter by becoming a friend of AccuQuilt on Facebook (they give a GO! away every time they reach a certain number of fans on Facebook). If sign up for the AccuQuilt newsletter they sometimes give away  a GO! Fabric Cutter every month. 

If you really just want the GO! Fabric Cutter, you can always order it through IHAN....we really have great prices!!  (truth :)

Check out the great new Licensed Dies also available at IHAN:

I can't wait to get a free minute to use my new dies.  The neat thing is that you don't have to use the entire die.  You can just use part of it for leaves or what ever interesting shape you want to make....just don't cover the entire die with fabric :)

Smiles,
Kelly

Pre-Order Electric Quilt 7 Software $130.00 and EQ 7 Upgrade 49.99

Get your Electric Quilt 7 Software for $130.00 (a $59.00 savings) or the Electric Quilt 7 Upgrade 49.99 (a $40.00 savings) by Monday May 31 because starting June 1,2010 the price will go up to Suggested Retail Price  $189.95 and $89.95 for the Upgrade.  The Electric Quilt Company has a Minimum Advertised Price Policy and they have temporarily dropped this Policy through May 31, 2010.  So now is the time to order and save :)

Click Here NOW

 Order your Electric Quilt Software

IHAN will ship the EQ 7 and EQ 7 Upgrade on June 3rd and 4th so place your order now before the price goes up.

Smiles,
Kelly

Is Embellishing the Truth Genetic?

Zachary was riding his bicycle yesterday and then he came running into the kitchen.  "Look Mommy!!!" he said.  Just as I turned my head I saw this precious little face staring at me with a cardboard tube on his nose.  I cracked up. 

Then I was thinking it looks a little like Pinocchio....doesn't it?  Maybe this little problem with Embellishing the Truth might just be genetic.  Ya just never know.

 

This is what's blooming at IHAN Headquarters....some of my little babies popped while I was gone to Market.  Coming home to all these beautiful blooms was great.

OK Alright Already....I'll get back to Market posts....a girl needs a little breather you know?  Slave Drivers...sheesh.

Smiles,

Kelly

GO! Fabric Cutter Giveaway Winner at IHAN

GO! Fabric Cutter by AccuQuilt Giveaway Announcement

Here is my big THANK YOU to all of you who entered.  I have loved reading all the comments and seeing all the photos....if you have not checked out people's entries....they are well worth checking out :)  I read some great poems, songs and limericks and I saw tons of UFO's and Sewing Studios/ Areas!!

Before I say who the winner in the random number chose I want to say THANK YOU to AccuQuilt for giving me the opportunity to give away another GO! Fabric Cutter :) 

So, who is lucky number 276?  Kyra at The Adventures of Me Blog.  Hot diggidy dog diggidy Kyra!!!  Congratulations!!!  It only gets better.....you want to know how?  You get to choose any three GO! Fabric Cutter Dies of your choice to go with your new GO! Fabric Cutter.....oh yeah baby :)  All compliments of AccuQuilt!!!  Kyra you need to e-mail me with your full name, address and phone number.

Smiles,

Kelly

PS...to those who did not win....please don't shoot the messenger!!!

Bloggers Spring Quilt Festival - IHAN Entry :)

This is my entry for Amy's Creative Side

Blogger's Spring Quilt Festival

I like the zip the little piping gives the edge of my quilt.  I used the Piping Hot Binding Tool and found it to be handy to get my piping all the same size to sew it onto the edge before I did the binding. (see I've been using great tools before I started IHAN :)

My quilt was machine quilted by Janet Bellinger of Wellsboro, PA.

My quilt label reads:

“Around and Around”

In the year 2005, I took a circle quilt class from Janet Bellinger of Wellsboro , PA at Needles Quilt Shop. Katie Mader & Mary Guinn, the shop owners, inspired me to make a quilt for myself and assisted with the selection of fabrics.

Janet did the long arm quilting and my friend Mary Jane Ehlich helped me put the piping and binding on.

Completed July 2007 by:

Kelly March Jackson

This quilt is in our living room and it is used often.  I love looking at it and enjoy the warmth it provides our family.  I never thought I could sew curves but Janet showed me how to do it and honestly it was not hard at all.  Janet helped me build confidence and I was lucky enough to be surrounded by excellent quilters.

 

I made this quilt during a very challenging time for my family.  We had lived in South Carolina and the company Mr. McSteamy worked for had closed after 9/11.  It was late fall and Zachary was just 5 months old.  Our house sold much faster than we had expected so we went to live with my in-laws in PA.  We thought we would be there for 6 weeks.  It was 11 months later when Rick found another comparable position.  By then Rick had been off of work for 14 months and we had two toddlers. 

 

I learned many lessons during those 14 months.  I was grateful that the boys had Rick so available to them in their early months and first year or so.  I made many dear friends and was grateful for family that helped us through those tough times. 

 

So that is my quilt story....now I'm official....a real Blogging Quilt Festival Person....oh yeah!!

 

Smiles,

Kelly