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

A Busy Weekend Indeed

I know I've been quiet lately but I've had a lot on my plate.  I"m preparing to leave for Quilt Market in Houston this Thursday and my oldest co-worker had his 9th birthday party with his friends on Saturday.  Talk about an event!!!  I wore ear plugs...11 children in my home was more than my ears could handle.

 This is the table in my entry way....do you like the bloody finger and the mouse....grown-ups and children and the variety of decorations...they make me laugh.

 The window in my kitchen....how would you like to wake up to that face in the morning? 

 Of course there have to be 2 very ugly rats on my porch too....all to greet the party guests...yikes!

All the children were asked to wear their costumes.  All I have to say is there were a lot of swords and guns....boys are something else!!

 My youngest co-worker initially refused to get his costume on for the party and just wore the mask....until the first guest arrived then he needed Daddy to help him get his costume on..

 I couldn't find a skeleton cake as Aaron requested so I used what I had here in the decorations box and it turned out pretty good if I don't say so myself :)

Mr. Polite reading every single birthday card he got then hugging his friends to say thank you.  I was very proud of him.

A Molly and Jake Update

Many people send e-mails asking me to post more photos of Molly and Jake.  The photo above is Molly (light colored) and Jake (darker in the back). 

 A few months later....they have grown and are very playful.   We had a trainer come out to the house and he pointed out that Molly was being very aggressive with Jake.  I had seen that before but I thought it would stop.  He told us it isn't good to raise litter mates together.  A few days passed and Molly bit Jake and wold not let go when I went over to her. 

I had to come up with a Win/Win plan.  When we first got Molly and Jake and we were walking in the neighborhood a woman came out of her house to pet them.  She started crying and telling us her Golden had passed away and she missed her dog so much.  A few days later I left a note on their door asking them to call me.  We arranged for Molly to live with the neighbors so the dogs could still play together and visit but would not live in the same house. 

This is Jake this past summer in PA.  He has cake frosting on his lips.  We all love Jake very much but I have to say it is very difficult juggle the boys, house, IHAN and a dog.  The boys seem to think Jake is a person and understands them....and of course he is not.  Jake thinks the boys are dogs and he bites at them and chases them around.  I often feel like I'm living in a 3 ring circus. 

So now you are up to date with my very full life.

Smiles,
Kelly

Increase Your E-Notion IQ - Velocity 50 by Reliable product review

Mr. McSteamy got the video camera to talk to the computer which in turned spoke to the software who allowed the upload to the Internet......Hurray!!!!

On to the grand finale:  This is a co-hosted post today.  A great friend and customer, Jean from Jean Creates Blog,  purchased the Reliable V50 Compact Vapor Generator after visiting at my house and using my iron.  I wasn't surprised one little bit when she said, "I gotta have one of those."  

 

I purposefully didn't include my voice because I was going to use some new technology to do a voice over...then I remembered the reason I did the video is so you would hear the steam shooting out of this baby.

 

I'll narrate here:

Here is the Reliable V50 from Reliable.  It comes with the clear water container you see on the right.  It sure makes filling the iron much easier.   The best water to use in the V50 is Distilled Water.  Here is a list of other choices after Distilled Water:   Softened Water, Filtered water with a low mineral content, Tap Water (if your water is hard it is not recommended at all).  I keep bottle of distilled water in my sewing area for quick refills.

 

There are 4 heat settings and you see me pushing the heat regulator button on the front of the iron.  Once the iron has heated to the temp you have selected (1-4 being Max) then you add the water from the jug. 

 

To turn the steam on there are white pads on either side of the iron (so it is great for right and left handed folks) and the steam will begin generating.  When I touch the pad again....it turns off the steam. 

 

The rest of the video is me ironing a baby quilt for my niece Lola.  I wanted you to see how well it gets wrinkles out.  You'll be able to hear the steam generating so you know it's really true....this baby puts out loads of wonderful steam.

 

 

Oh yeah baby....it does everything it says it will do!  I personally guarantee it.

 

All of the irons we previously owned have leaked or broken in 3 or 4 months.  Yes, even the expensive ones...I won't mention their name...I'll just tell you their name ends in an A.  You know I was fit to be tied because that company and the stores where I purchased them from would not do a thing for me. 

 

Then I went to a Checker Distributor Open House in 2009 and met Art from the Reliable Company. 

 

Art seemed to understand that I was looking for quality and I was going to go over everything he brought to Quilt Market with a fine tooth comb.  I'm  not one who wants any trouble with a product and if by chance there is an issue....I want to know the company will reply promptly and correct the issue fast.  Art didn't shy away from my direct manner....he openly showed me everything about Reliable Irons and Ironing Boards. 

 

Oh, something else before I go....a quick note about the V50 auto shut off feature.  It shuts off after 8 minutes but if you want to over-ride that feature, you keep a finger on one of the two steam activation buttons (right or left side) for 8 seconds and it won't shut off...very helpful tip ay?

 

I have also reviewed the Reliable V100 and if you have not read that post....you can see it here.

 

I've type/talked long enough...head over and read Jean's post at Jean Creates Blog about her Reliable V50....while you are there...tell her I said howdy :)

Hot Steamy Smiles...LOL,
Kelly
 
PS...did you know that it was Rick's review of this iron that got him the name, Mr. McSteamy? 

Yes, it is Wednesday and time again to increase your E-Notion IQ. The problem is Mr. McSteamy can't get the HD Video Camera to load to our computer.  This is a huge problem because I'm so excited to co-host a blog post with Jean Creates Blog about the Reliable V100 and V50. 

Mr. McSteamy promises he will be able to convince the camera to talk to the computer which in turn will speak to You Tube.  Lets focus on solutions to frustrations and look ahead to tomorrow :) (I'm telling myself that due to the frustrations of owning technology that requires an expert to use)

Ohhhh Joy....in the mean while I have something to share with you.....

DEM BONES by  Carol Eldridge

You may recall this post about the first time I saw Dem Bones and I thought Rosemary and I might trample healthy people to get our hands on Dem Bones.

You will all be relieved to know that NO PERSON was harmed in the process of our acquiring Dem Bones!!!!  No animals either...LOL

Apparently the fun folks at Andover Fabrics must be very forgiving because they never shot me with a cannon filled with Dem Bones Fat Quarter Bundles.  DARN IT ANYHOW!!!

For 10 months Rosemary and I have looked at every  local quilt shop for Dem Bones....no luck.  Do you wanna know where we found it?  The Fat Quarter Shop....oh yeah baby.  You know we were doing the Happy Dance when our package arrived :)    ....and we're still dancing..every time we look at Dem Bones. 

Is there a fabric collection that just would not leave your mind until you got your hands on it?  Which one?

Dancing Smiles,

Kelly

Creative Grids Rulers and Coordinating Patterns

I read this today in the  Checker Distributor Newsletter and I thought it was so good I asked to reproduce their post here on the IHAN blog.  I'm so glad they said yes...THANKS Checker!!!

Creative Grids Double Strip Rulers Shine

Oct 17th, 2011 by Penny Haren (the post below is an edited version of Penny's original post)

The strip rulers are simply brilliant designs – but until we got them into the hands of brilliant designers, we didn’t know how truly special they are! We knew the basic concept was a winner – but didn’t realize the versatility of the tools….Check these out!

45 degree Double Strip Kaleidoscope Ruler by Creative Grids

All of these quilts were made with this same ruler....

Kaleido-Strips 8 by Rita Fishel of Creations Sew Clever
This ‘double strip” version of a kaleidoscope makes short work of the tedious task of rotary cutting these quilts….

Joan Ford – Scrap Therapy
Joan has used this ruler in several quilts – and they all look totally different!

Around Town…
This ‘double strip” version of a kaleidoscope makes short work of the tedious task of rotary cutting these quilts….

Without a Paddle….

Trade Winds….
In this quilt, Joan combines the Creative Grids Double Strip Kaleidoscope with the Creative Grids Template Whirligig Charming 5 " Square.

1001 Peeps by Lizzy House
Lizzy combined these two rulers, the 45 Degree Double Strip Ruler and the Lazy Angle Ruler,  to produce the cover quilt in her new book….

The Double Strip 60 Degree Ruler…

Rita Fishel of Creations Sew Clever has done it again – this 60 degree version of a kaleidoscope quilt….

Kelido-Strips by Rita Fishel

The Storm at Sea Ruler….

All of the cuts for this Storm at Sea by Rita Fishel, are made with this one ruler…

The Corner to Corner Curve Strip Ruler….

What a fun way to work with positive and negatives….

Curvalicious by Rita Fishel

Some of these patterns will not be available until next month – but you may want to pre-order now so you'll be sure to have the one you want before the first shipments sell out.

See...I told you it is a cool post to the Checker Newsletter.

Smiles,
Kelly

Wonderful News about DEPLOY That Fabric Winner

I just received an e-mail from Robin...the winner.  This is what she said:

Kelly that's wonderful news but could you please draw another winner? I won a copy over at Tall Grass Prairie Studios and actually received my book this morning. I flipped through it quickly and I love it! I see several projects that I would like to make.
 
Very kind of you Robin!!!! 
 
Now, I'll go do the random number generator again and see who is the new winner...be right back.
 
Lucky number 35 is our new winner..
 

Pam from Dover PA

 

Congratulations Pam!  Please send me  your full name, address and phone number so your prize can be shipped to you.  My e-mail is IHaveANotion@yahoo.com

 

Talk about a wonderful day....while sending and reading e-mails about the winner of this book I found an e-mail from Susan at Hanging On By Needle And Thread Blog....I won a book titled From Incurable To Incredible by Tami Boeher.  I'm thrilled and can't wait to read this inspiring story.  Come to find out...Tami lives in Cincinatti OH...just three hours from me....such a small world!

 

Extra Big Smiles,

Kelly

DEPLOY That Fabric Book and Messenger Bag Winner

Oh what a wonderful way to start the week....announcing the winner of the Deploy That Fabric book and Messenger Bag!  The winner is number 4 aka

Robin (RslslandCrafts)!!!

Congratulations Robin.....please send me your full name, address and phone number so your wonderful book and bag can be shipped to you.

THANK YOU to everyone who left a comment and THANK YOU Jen Eskridge...you are a wonderful author and an even more wonderful person!

 

Smiles,
Kelly

A Little Bit of Everything

**Edited 10/16/11

Beautiful Autumn in Ohio

I walked around the corner and saw my co-workers standing on the back of the sofa...hmmmm?
As I got closer I understood why they were glued to the window...check this out:

How on earth did that grasshopper get up in that spiders web?  This is over 6 feet above the ground.  Sort of gross I know....but cool at the same time.
I dropped by Waldo's house and this is what she has on her design wall.  These blocks stopped me in my tracks.  The stripes, polka dots and solids (sm prints that read solid) just work so well together....and who would have thought?

(for all you new followers-Waldo is Mrs. Rosemary my friend and neighbor..I call her Waldo because she pops up in lots of photos so it is like a Where is Waldo books)

I had to do a close up of this block....I just love it.  It has both Kaffe Fassett fabrics and Marcia Derse fabrics in there.  The is Tuscan Windmills by Kaye England.  The funny thing is Waldo's blocks look nothing like the quilt on the cover of the pattern because she chose such different fabrics....it completely changes the look of the quilt all together. 

Back to the co-workers.....Zach was a bit lost because he didn't know what he wanted to do this morning.  I made a few suggestions and as we were passing through the kitchen he said, "Momma, I think I was born to cook."  Who knew?  So we took out some fun stuff from the cupboard.  As he was looking for the beaters he came across a little plastic bowl cover.  He asked, "Momma, is this from when I was a baby?"  LOL....ummmm   no....it is a plastic bowl cover.  Zach promptly put it on his head like it was a hat....do you wonder where he gets this stuff from?  I just had to grab my camera and take his picture.

Chef Zach....waring an apron his Momma made and his baret' aka...plastic bowl cover :)

Here you can see what we call, "cooking from scratch"....ROFL

This kid is going places....I just know it!

Back to sewing now....I have been learning Machine Embroidery and this is a kitchen towel I made using a ME Design I purchased recently...Whimsical Flowers by Mary Gartner.  The design is absolutely beautiful and I wanted it to go in my green kitchen.  Who learns to do ME and chooses a pattern that requires 21 thread changes?  I'm nuts....but I loved the pattern and dog-gone-it I was going to have it.  Unfortunately I got all the threads in the wrong order and some I substituted so I think it looks like a cloth from a Caribbean trinket gift shop...LOL.  However...it's mine and it is now hanging in my kitchen and I love it.

Now, on to Thursday night's Black Swamp Quilt Guild Meeting.  We had several guests and one of them is from Australia. 

 

This is Lyn Gladwin from Southern Australia.  She is in town for her son's wedding.  She brought this beautiful quilt to show all of us.  The bottom of the quilt represents the farm fields and the top left is the Australian Outback and the upper right represents Queensland (tropical climate). 

It was made for her soon to be daughter-in-law.  The title is, "My Australia."  I was thrilled to meet Lyn and Nancy and  hear a little about their lives.  Lovely women and definitely a highpoint of  the evening.

Another highpoint of the guild meeting was the 4 Corners Show and Share....or what ever it was called?  I didn't take enough photos so I'll just share this one with you.

This is Mary Lee and she demonstrated how she makes her free form quilts.  She is definitely an art quilter and she is in the "zone" when she is slicing, sewing and dicing.   Mary Lee gave a full demonstration of the process and then shared her quilt in progress that uses the methods she uses.  She used Marcia Derse fabrics .... another quilt I want to steal. 

Edit below
Each month we acknowledge those with birthdays that month.  One of the gals, Cindy, turns fifty this month and in honor of her 50th birthday....she has finished her 50th quilt this month.  I had my facts wrong, I had said Cindy made 50 quilts in one month.  YES that is 50 quilts in one month.  Now, she looked somewhat rested and didn't look like she was starving to death....I have no clue how she managed the feat...but she did.  You may remember Cindy and Mary Lee took first place in the Iron Quilter Challenge a few months ago.  In an hour and 15 minutes they made and finished a wall quilt.  If you missed that post...click here.  Perhaps that's how she managed 50 quilts....a few times a day she put her hat on and assumed the mindset of the Iron Quilter.  You can only wonder :)

These are the charity quilts that were donated this month.  Yes, this is one months....not 6 months...but one month of donated quilts.  Each month I'm amazed at how quickly this table fills up and the good fortune I have to be a part of a group of women who are so talented and generous.

That is pretty much a run down of my week....other than running a business, being a mother to the two IHAN co-workers and a wife.....ok...I'm going to rest now....don't expect a post tomorrow...I may just want to zone out :)

Hope you had a wonderful week!

Smiles,

Kelly