Checker 61st Anniversary Open House - Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Lots and lots more photos to share. These designers were not present but their work spoke a thousand words. The displays were very enjoyable to look at and I though many of you would enjoy looking too.

Amy Butler Designs

I love these patterns really liked the way this pillow had some added dimension.

Oliver + S

Some great patterns by Oliver + S. I love the little dresses and especially the PJ's. So darn cute.

Martingale # B974T
Quilts from Paradise-Island Treasures

C & T

Publishing # 10694

Intuitive Color & Design - Landscape

I really like the variety of patterns in this book.

Anka's Treasures - #ANK 291

Stop Drop Roll - Center of Attention

Cheerful colors and great design....just my opinion of course :)

Anka's Treasures # 292

Opposites Attract

I really like the design of this quilt. It is bright and fun.

Electric Quilt Company

Can you believe all EQ has to offer? I think this is amazing and the amount of time it takes to write all that software....I'm soooo glad it was not me :)

Gardner's Angle of Autum - ThankfullnessGardner's Angel of Spring - Hope

Gardner's Angel of Summer - Charity

All by Crab Apple Hill Studio

I hope you enjoyed the tour as much as I did. If you are interested in any of the patterns or books that you saw here and they are not on my website, feel free to e-mail me at IHaveANotion@yahoo.com and I will get them ordered for you. A girl has only so much time you know. I need co-workers in their teens who can type and work a website :)

Smiles,

Kelly

Don't know why this won't align left....but it won't and I'm going to publish it anyway!!!

Sharing Some Magic With You Today

Website Changes

Random Photo...Just for Fun....Zachary John

For all US readers...I hope you are having a wonderful Larbor Day and Weekend. I sure have had a good weekend. I'll share more photos later today or tomorrow.

I made some changes to www.IHaveA-Notion.com There is now a link for Challenge, Contest and Giveaways at the bottom of the page.

Most importantly I added a place for customers to leave their feedback and comments on the Guest Book page...it is not Guest Book and Customer Feedback. I receive several e-mails from customers with their comments. If you read my blog and have been a customer that you please, please, please go and leave a comment about your experience shopping with IHAN.


Thanks a million :)


Smiles,
Kelly

I Love This Hat

I just love this hat. Yes it is made of paper. I went to the Toledo Museum of Art for a 30's style picnic. They were making paper hats for the ladies (really for the little girls but a few of us bigger girls jumped in to the seats).

Isn't this just a great idea? The lady said you could use newspaper and gift wrap too. What fun and a great idea for kids. You could make pirate hats for little boys (or pirate girls).

I got lots of compliments on my hat as I walked around. Oddly enough, I felt so pretty in that beautiful hat....I smiled all day. That hat is on top of my computer desk now. On the days I don't feel so pretty, inside, I'm going to wear that hat around the house. If nothing else, I'll be smiling.

Smiles,
Kelly

More Splash Than Cash Decorating

Checker 61st Anniversary Open House

Chapter 7

Donna Babylon author of "More Splash Than Cash Decorating" was at the Checker Open House. I enjoyed meeting Donna and of course I love the name of her business, "More Splash Than Cash." I know I can learn from someone who thinks like I do....conserve the dough!!!

This book is designed for those who are novices as well as experienced stitchers. Donna is your "private teacher" so to speak. She focuses on three sewing techniques, stitching a seam, turning a corner and sewing a blind hem. Donna has included some other techniques that are unique to home dec. sewing (like how to match fabric repeats), but the actual sewing is only done with simple seams.

Most everyone who reads my blog regularly, knows I pretend to be ignorant about sewing when it comes to home dec. My Mom and Sister take over and do all the home dec. sewing for me. It has worked for 25 years. Now I own a sewing business......my cover has been blown.

Donna is right....many of us fear doing the home decorating sewing because, speaking for myself, I don't want to waste the money and time and have it come out looking like a 5 year old made it. Time for Donna's book!!!

Donna's Bio

I have been sewing since I was seven years old.
This passion lead me to major in home economics in college. After graduating from college, I was a middle and high school teacher for several years. Just imagine teaching 25 to 30 kids (in a classroom) how to sew. Whatever could go wrong did go wrong! For my sanity, I quickly learned how to adapt my instructions to bypass any potential problems. When I did that, the classroom was much calmer and my students had immediate success. I had no idea when I was in the classroom that I would one day be writing how-to books. But when that opportunity presented itself, I decided to write my books the same way I taught—by offering simple and stylish projects with well-thought-out instructions. I see so many creative opportunities with sewing— especially for the home. And, I love to teach.

So, the story continues with this book (my fifteenth). I enjoy sharing my sewing and decorating advice by conducting seminars and workshops around the country. I have also appeared on over 250 television shows including HGTV, Lifetime, and Discovery. I design patterns for Simplicity Pattern Company, I’m a certified window treatment consultant through the Window Coverings Association and also a master sewing instructor (one of only nine such recipients) through the Sewing Educators Alliance.

Throughout the process of sculpting my career, I created my own indie publishing company and
developed my More Splash Than Cash® brand. I publish my books and design a line of sewing patterns called Room Mates™. This aspect of my career has been the most fun. I do everything when I create a book or design a pattern.

I write, sew, photograph, illustrate, and draft the patterns. I love that my books help someone create beautiful things.

Wow, she is one accomplished gal....impressive!!

Smiles, Kelly

Showing My Booty for Roc-Lon Multi-Purpose Cloth

Here I go again, showing my booty.

This is my booty. I wanted to make something with the Roc-Lon Multi-Purpose Cloth challenge because I was asking others to come up with something. When I picked up my cloth the first thing that popped into my head was a pair of booties. I think because the Multi-Purpose Cloth is soft, pliable and does not frey. This is what I used to make my booty.

I took a piece of art paper I had purchased at Hollander's in Ann Arbor, MI quite some time ago (I used to make boxes and journals). I cut out the Multi-Purpose Cloth and the art paper in the shape of my pattern and fused them together with Mistyfuse. Then I did a tight zig zag stitch around all the pieces of my booty. I really needed the Gingher Seam Rip
because all my other seam rips would not cut through the tightly woven threads of my zig zag stitch. I had to tear it out a few times in places because of "operator error." This is an excellent seam rip if you are considering getting one.

The other great tool was my GrabARoos. I used them to hold the pieces as I was stitching on the edge. I really struggled with holding onto those small pieces while trying to guide the piece under my needle. I put on my GrabARoo gloves and they allowed me to grip the piece without pulling it under the needle too quickly.

Photos of the other entries will be posted as soon as I have them all. There are a few folks who finished their challenge piece but have been having technical difficulty getting their photos to upload. We are in the process of getting those prepared and I'll upload them all at one time. There will be a viewers choice prize....so stay tuned so you can vote.

Smiles,

Kelly

Inklingo by Linda Franz

Checker 61st Anniversary Open House

Chapter 6

Linda Franz, creator of Inklingo, was at the Checker Open House. I got to meet Linda and Monkey. I had been introduced to Inklingo previously so I was excited to meet Linda and hear more about her invention.

What is Inklingo? "It is software that allows you to print cutting and stitching lines on fabric. It eliminates measuring (and mistakes), tricky templates, funny markers, weird rulers and light boxes, plus it allows you to cut with a rotary cutter OR scissors. These templates can be printed on fabric using the Inkjet printer you already have. It is precise, simple and fast."

Linda Franz

I took these photos to help demonstrate the process. The lines were printed on this piece of fabric. The solid lines are the cut line and the dashed lines are the sew lines. You will get a perfect seam allowance every time!!

With these shapes you can get the block below.

Can you see the squares and diamonds?

You can also get this arrangement from that pattern. Check out some of the other fun patterns that can be made:

So when you go shopping and you want to see if a pattern on the fabric will look good in one of the shapes. First you print out the pattern on paper and cut out the shapes. You slide it into a plastic sleeve and now you have a easy way to audition fabrics while you are shopping.

These clearly are not the only shapes. You can click on the Quick Start Guide that takes you to Linda's Inklingo site. You will be able to read all about the process. Linda also offers a video demonstration. Believe it or not she also has a blog but a Yahoo group too. I don't know how she keeps all this up and running. Oh wait a minute....yes I do....she has a monkey. I need a monkey too!!!

Linda's newest projects are Jane Austen and Quilted Diamonds. You'll have to hop on over to Inklingo to see all these fun new things. If you want to buy the Inklingo Handbook or the Inklingo Shape Collection or you know where to get it....oh yea baby....I Have A Notion :)

I still have a notion to Smile,

Kelly

Bias Tape Maker Machine and Rotary Cutting Machine By Simplicity Update

Somebody some day will change blogger so it is easier to move photos around. Until then, here they are.

The additional Tips for the Bias Tape Maker and Replacement Blades for the Rotary Cutting Machine that were promised out by Aug. 14 are not "available" to be shipped from the distributors. They are "in" but not "available."

What does this mean for those of you who are e-mailing me and questioning why they say they have them but we don't have them. That's just it....they have them....we don't. However, just as soon as I have them....you will :)

I'll keep everyone updated. By the way, I know what the "official" word is on the websites and blogs....but I'm still saying....me no got...when me get...you get :) I'll check with the MOB and see if they have any influence over supply and demand. I've seen movies where the MOB gets things done.

Smiles,

Kelly

Just Needed a Break :)

Seriously now, see what happens to me when I get a break? Danger Will Robinson, Danger!!

Life imitates art this morning. My boys got up extra early and were playing with their marble game. I'm in the kitchen posting to my blog. The boys come in and I showed them the Bionce' video and told them that is what I did when they went to school yesterday. I had two little fellas, 5 and 6, standing next to me with the biggest smiles. Each of them believed me. I'm not kidding. Then I said, "Come on now, does Momma look like that?" Aaron said, "yes." They honestly both believed that was me. You just gotta love little people ay?

I promise to get back to stitching talk...and news. But this little break has been a ball.

Smiles,
Kelly

Back to Life, Back to Reality....Beatbox Style

Day three!!! Here I am again....this time Rick (sorry for his bead head....his hair sort of sticks up in the morning) is my back up singer.

Don't you wish your morning was full of such SOUL? Next I'm going to learn to beatbox.....

My imagination won't stop. Guess I better get these boys off to school before the men in white jackets come for me :)

Smiles Over the Cookoo's Nest,

Kelly

"I'm Coming Out"

This is a video of my "first real day off" (had plans Monday). Both boys were at school and I'm free to express my "real" self. I was on stage singing "I'm Coming Out" by Diana Ross. So even though this YouTube video looks just like Bionce' it is "really" me (stretching the truth again...just a little!).

So here I am strutting around my living room and these are the photos of the proof that I'm coming out. First, I avoided clearing off the kitchen table after breakfast.

Lego's I've avoided picking up.

Next I plopped my sexy Bionce' butt down on the sofa and I turned on the TV. What was Dr. Phil's topic today? Stressed Out To The Max

Dr. Phil and his guests give tips for dealing with stress, anxiety and depression. Go over (click on the link) and read what they had to say. I really enjoyed listening to the show and seeing the folks share their story. Did I learn anything new? NOPE....not one thing. Did I need to hear it? YES! Life really is very simple....much more simple than I make it. However, it is not easy. NOPE....not easy!!!

Everyone tells me to "take a break, rest and do nothing." Usually I run from sun up until sun down and drop in the bed and wake up running again. I'm stressed out. So, I'm going to slooooowwwww down.....relax, breath and reflect more frequently on the joy in my life. (You know if I really looked like Bionce' I would be walking very slow by the mirror and breathing (my husband might breath really deep....then fall over) while I checked out my reflection right?)

So I'm going to be taking better care of myself....I'm actually going to take a shower tonight before bed!! I'm going back to the gym on a regular basis (I lost 35 lbs a year and a half ago...I've gained a few back...yikes). I'm going back to eating 5 servings of veggies every day. I'm going to spend more time "being" with my children instead of "doing" with my children.

What are you going to do to reduce your stress and focus on the joy in your life today?

Bionce' Hot Hot Hot Smiles,

Kelly

Serious Give Away Alert

This is a "Serious Give Away Alert." I'm only posting this to get a second chance to win it. Secretly I'm hoping no one goes over there so my chances are better!!! At least I'm open and honest :)

Who is giving away this pretty little baby? I don't want to tell you but I will....

http://domestic-chicky.com/ Ok...now you all know....darn....that decreases my chances of getting this printer. I'll pretend to be happy for the person who wins it if it is not me :)

Naughty Smiles,
Kelly

Roc-Lon Challenge ...Count Down

Roc-Lon Multi-Purpose Cloth Challenge

Just a friendly reminder: Friday September 4th at 9:00 AM EST is the deadline to e-mail photos of your creation to IHaveANotion@yahoo.com

I'm very excited to see everyone's creations!!!

Smiles,
Kelly

Another Wonderful Quilter

I was blog surfing awhile back and I came across a Lynne Demeter's Blog . She had made a Door Topper that I really liked. So I left a comment saying how much I liked it. Lynne e-mailed me and offered to send me a pattern. The pattern was in Quilter's Newsletter Magazine in 2003. The designer is Patrick Lose from "At Home" with Patrick Lose.

I received the pattern last week. Thank you so very much Lynne!! I tell you quilters are the kindest most generous folks I've ever met. (I wish Real Estate Agents and Sports Car dealers were as kind to me.) I really like how it adds some fun over a door. The picture is of Lynne's door....not mine!!! I'm not that fast.

Grateful Smiles,

Kelly

Amy Butler Spanky Name Badge Challenge WINNER

Congratulations to Janice Pope!!!

You are now the "Spanky Name Badge Designer here at I Have A Notion." Janice you have bragging rights and can clear out some space in your sewing area for all your Amy Butler gifts!!!

Thank you to everyone who entered the contest. I certainly appreciated all the creativity and energy that went into your efforts!!!

I'll be sure to take pix at Quilt Market in Houston and post them on my blog for everyone to see :)

Smiles,
Kelly

Accuquilt

Checker 61st Anniversary Open House Chapter 5

This is Jen Barlett from Accuquilt was at Checker's Open House. She demonstrated how to use the Accuquilt Go and answered questions.
You can put up to 6 layers of 100% cotton fabric onto the die to cut your shapes all at one time. To see the video of how it works click here.

Here are 6 circles Jen made. When Jen was demonstrating I noticed the handle looked tight to turn. I asked if I could try turning the handle to see for myself how difficult it was to turn. It was tight and I had to put forth some effort. I was cutting through 6 layers of fabric so it would be tighter to turn than just one layer.

I asked Jen if she has wrist problems and she said no. I don't have wrist problems either. I wanted to see someone with wrist problems turn the handle and tell me what their experience was. I asked several people if they had wrist problems and Mick Miller, Patches of Sunshine, happened to be standing near. He said he has had carpel tunnel syndrome and he has not had one problem with his Accuquilt machine. He explained it is the way the wrist works that his motion is easier than using a rotary cutter. I know many people have difficulty using a rotary cutter due to disabilities and injuries and I can see how helpful this may be for them as well.

I think this is a great tool if you want to make lots of cuts at one time. There are several dies to choose from. The most popular is the 2 inch strip. You can click on their link to see all the dies available. Just by chance, IHAN also carries the Accuquilt Go....hop right over HERE and get yourself a dozen...they would make great gifts...after all I offer Free Shipping!!!

I have heard some folks complain about the Accuquilt Go and it's accuracy when cutting. I asked Jen what she had to say about those comments. She said it does depend on the warp and weft of the fabric. They offer a TIPS sheet and to view the TIPS click this here little ole word....TIPS.

We stacked up 6 layers of fabric and we cut some fabric. In the picture above you can see the little bit that the fabric fabric is off at the top. I asked her if it was how I was lining up the fabric or was it the die cutting inaccurately. It happened on three of the pieces we cut. You can see the tiny bit it was off.

They were off a tiny bit. As I stood there I was thinking to myself....hmmmm...I know I have cut several blocks the exact same size with the exact same rotary cutter and ruler and all my blocks were not exact. People have been cutting quilts for years using scissors alone and theirs were no perfect. The quilts still come out looking beautiful. I personally think it is the accuracy of the layering. If you cut them one at a time...they would probably be perfect each time. But when you are cutting 6 layers you might study the Tips so you can get the grain of the fabric correct if you want every one to be exact. Either way, you're still going to have to square up your quilt when you are done....exact perfect cuts or not, right?

These circles were all exactly the same.

Here I re-cut the triangle making sure I had the fabric over the die and it did come out perfect. So again, I think it does exactly what it advertises that it does. However, you need to learn how to use the machine and learn how to line up your fabric. After all, you don't buy a sewing machine and plug it in and start sewing. You have to learn about inserting the needle, threading the machine, adjust tension....etc.

I'm truly not trying to "sell" you one of these machines. I just want you to know what my experience was and what I learned. It's like I'm taking you around in my pocket and you are hearing my thoughts. Now that is really a frightening thought ay?

Scary Go Go Gadget Girl Smiles,

Kelly

Zach's Kindergarten Nap Blankie

Zachary starts school tomorrow morning. Mrs. Gillmore, Kindergarten Teacher, has no clue as to what she is in for. I told her last week when we went to see his classroom that if she called me crying I would not come and get him. She laughed. She won't be laughing by Friday!!! Yes I am stretching reality a bit.....but he is the most determined child I've ever met in my life. I honestly am looking forward both of them getting on the bus tomorrow. Can anyone relate? I think I just heard a loud Amen from the back row....guess others have had the same experience ay? I'll be thrilled at 3:50 to see those little faces getting off the bus too.

The school says to bring in a beach towel. Well you know as well as I do that a quilter can not send their baby to school with a towel. So this is what I made for him:

The fish fabric is what I won in a gave away earlier this week. I used it as the back of the blanket and folded it up so you could see the back too. I love fish and these bright colors were just perfect.
You know there is a story here....there is ALWAYS a story. I found the little frog at a garage sale for 50cents. It was a little purse but I just loved the frog. So when I was looking through my fabrics to see what I was going to make I came across this frog. Bingo! / Loteria! So I cut off the little black cord (no I did not throw the strap away....I knew you would ask me that) and gave him some eyes.

Zach's is attached to his "illow casey." I took the top of one intact "illow casey" and sewed it into the frogs mouth. When you unzip the frog's mouth....it's tongue is "illow casey." During quiet time he can have a little security if he wants it.

The Process and Lesson I Learned:

To make the letters I typed them out on my computer and held a blank piece of paper up to the screen. I then copied them onto freezer paper. If I were smarter I would have held up freezer paper to the computer screen. Hindsight is 20/20. I pressed the freezer paper onto fabric and Rick was kind enough to cut them out for me.

I pressed the letters onto the blue fabric and began to zig zag around the letters. I could not believe how nice the zig zag was coming out. I've never had it come out this good, ever!! I was wondering why this time are the stitches so nice. I know it was not the setting because I've used the same setting before.

Then I looked down and saw I was wearing my Grab-A-Roos. I guess it was an accident that I learned what I was doing differently. The fabric was thick and difficult to move while I was stitching.

I put on my Grab-A-Roos because they have rubber nubs on them and that made it easier to hold my fabric. I did not realize this before but I must have been pulling my fabric through the machine and not letting the machine move the fabric. With the Grab-A-Roos I did not have to hold the fabric so tightly. I did not pull it through....I just guided it. How cool is that? Nice even stitches. Well don't I just feel like a smartie pants tonight? Your darn toot'n I do!!! I figured out something all by myself...wait until I tell MJ and Lois. I can see them rolling their eyes now.

Smarty Pant Smiles,
Kelly