Toni Whitney & Big Fork Cotton Bay Company at the International Quilt Festival Houston 2009

Prior to leaving for Houston,  I received a cold call from Tracy at the Bigfork Cotton Bay Company.  While on the phone with Tracy I pulled up their website. I said, "Ohhhhh."   I loved all the fun colors and interesting patterns and kits they have.  But what really hit me were the animal wall hangings done by Toni Whitney. Talk about hitting me right in my center....I lost my words.

While in Houston I had the privilege of meeting Tracy and Toni at the Bigfork Cotton Bay Company's Schoolhouse.

                                                                      
Meet Toni Whitney, painter, graphic artist and quilt artist from Montana.

Toni's lecture at Schoolhouse was interesting and fun.  I was glued to my seat with the biggest grin...it blows me away that someone can take fabric and thread and make an animal come to life. 

I took the following photos of the PowerPoint presentation given during Toni's lecture.

This is Toni's first painting.  Her father-in-law gave her four tubes of paint; red, yellow, blue and white and asked her to paint a picture of old car.   Toni turned those four tubes of paint into this incredible picture.  He like the picture so much he asked Toni to paint another picture. 

This is Toni's second painting.  Her mother-in-law liked it so much she snuck it out of the house to show in a gallery in Bigfork.  The gallery called Toni and asked her to do two more so they could sell them as a grouping.

I can only imagine how proud they must be of Toni and her artwork.  She has given herself permission to take amazing risks and I'm so glad she has.  There must be something amazing in Toni's spirit and something wonderful in her soul that allows her to create such beauty.

This is a photo of Toni's first art quilt.  She has been friends with Tracy (she works at The Bigfork Bay Cotton Company) for some time and one day she dropped by and saw Tracy making a fusible snowman wall hanging.  So she asked Tracy what she was doing and Tracy gave her a few pointers and some fabric.  Toni came back with the wall hanging pictured above.

A close-up of the wall hanging here....look into those eyes.

These photos were taken of the PowerPoint presentation during the Schoolhouse.

 

"Serengeti" is the name of this pattern.  Toni started with a pallet of various batiks and auditioned them.

Pieces of fabric are selected and cut out for each part of Toni's drawing. 

When a fabric doesn't work....she auditions other fabrics until she gets what she is looking for.

                                     

This is a photo of Toni working in her studio in Montana.  She said animals walk right past her window and she can stop to enjoy them.

Look at the end product after all the auditioning and piecing. This lion looks so majestic.

Toni spent her days at Market working in the Bigfork Cotton Bay Company booth.  I stopped by to visit and see some of her wall hangings "in person."

This is Toni's "Savanna" pattern.  Elephants are my favorite animal.  My dream is to go on Safari in Africa one day and see where these amazing and beautiful creatures walk free. 

You know the best part of these patterns?  They come in kits with all the fabrics (Batik Textiles) Toni used to make her wall hangings.    It might take someone like me years to find fabrics and get the courage to put it all together.  Not now....it's all in there baby and IHAN is your connection :)  The kits are available for the other patterns from Bigfork Bay Cotton Company as well!!! 

 

I felt truly blessed to meet Toni and experience some of the gifts she has been given.

It has taken me two days to put this post together.  I have really struggled with my words and what photos to use.  I think that happens when I am moved in a place where words don't exist. 

Many people are talented and can draw and paint....and they paint beautiful things.  How is it that others are able to create a picture that has a life and spirit of its own?  These are not just pictures of animals....when I look at that elephant I can feel it.....its spirit....I feel reverence for its existence and beauty.  How does someone do that with paint, fabric and thread?  

Silent Smiles,

Kelly

Miracles at IHAN

  

Last night before bed the we put together this Responsibility Chart.  The boys helped choose their responsibilities.  All I was looking for was having them get dressed, eat breakfast and get on the bus on time in the morning.  For the evening I was only expecting them to know when dinner time was and when homework and bath time would be.  I wanted them to be kind to one another and share. 

I was awakened at 6:55 by Rick.  He said Aaron had gotten up at 6am and the two of them were playing a board game this morning so I could sleep a little longer.  Then the two boys ran upstairs and were proudly telling me how they had taken our the trash and emptied the recycle bin.  They were giddy with joy at what they had accomplished.  Then Zach asked Aaron for one of his toys....Aaron said no....Zach tells him he needs to share because "the Chart" says to share.  Aaron shares his toy.

Aaron goes into our bedroom closet and manages to grab our laundry basket.  I really thought I died in my sleep and this was heaven.

I came downstairs to find the boys huddled around the washer and dryer.  Rick helped them with the detergent but they did the rest.

They were dressed, had eaten and were ready for the bus on time.  Can anyone confirm that I'm not dead....cause this sure does feel like heaven.....but then again....I'm not really expecting to get there (all my naughty posts) so I guess I'm alive :)

Smiles,
Kelly

Kim Rhoney's Sunflowers....oh How I Love Them

Do you remember the sunflower picture I got at the Levis Commons Fine Arts Fair?  Kim Rhoney  is the artist and you just have to see what she has done.  Stop over and see how beautiful this picture looks in the room.  Kim Rhoney is really starting to ruin the decorations in my house.  I'm ready to empty a room and start over with just one very large Sunflower grouping .... mine would have 7 Sunflowers....one for each of us.  Can you imagine doing something like that?  I'm working on imagining that dream myself :)

Smiles,
Kelly

Olfa Impresses Me Again at the International Quilt Market in Houston 2009

Olfa did not disappoint this year at Quilt Market. Once again I had an experience I did not expect. I had purposely gone through my rulers before I left for market. I have one ruler I really like but it is cracked (don't know who dropped it) and I wanted to find another one and learn more about the importance of choosing quality rulers.

I'm walking along and I see the Olfa Booth and I ask about the ruler I'm looking for. The gentleman, John Johnson, politely explains that the ruler I'm asking for is not made by Olfa. I know I checked specifically before I left the house and I could have sworn it was Olfa. Nope.....but was John rude or did he look at me like I was stupid, No. He was everything a gentleman could have been.

John asked me why I wanted that other ruler. I don't like rulers that slip and shift. He handed me an Olfa ruler and explained that the Olfa Frosted Rulers have a Non-Slip manufactured right into the acrylic so it does not peal or wear off. Once you put pressure on it it does not slip. I tried it and he was 100% correct (I hate to admit when a man is right....but he was!).

When the Olfa ruler is placed on busy fabric you can still see the measurement markings.

The lines on the marker are black....but.....
When they are placed against a dark background (my pants, lol) the lines still show up.

The circle on this ruler is a helpful guide when placing pieces...how cool is that.

Heidi Severson was also at the Olfa booth. She was friendly and kind (gave me a little cool note pad to take my notes on....came in very handy since my notebook was huge...THANKS Heidi :).

I left the Olfa booth feeling smarter than I was before I walked up. I wasn't embarrassed because I had made a mistake and I learned some very interesting things.

Later in the show I came across a stranger looking for the Olfa booth. I told her right where it was and she said she was too tired to walk back to give them her order. Knowing the main purpose of Market is to educate and take orders, it was important to Olfa that the order got to them. I offered to walk her order to the Olfa booth for her and she was thrilled. Heidi and John were pleased I took the time to run the order to them. That was just my little way of saying Thanks to Olfa for helping me and educating me....so I can pass this great information along to you.

I am in the process of adding more Olfa rulers to my website. In the meantime, I'd like to offer a great deal to my blog readers.

Blog Reader Special:

Olfa Rotary Cutter Retail 19.99....Your Price 9.00

5 Rotary Replacement Blades 45 mm Retail 31.99 Your price 14.00.

Just in time for some holiday stocking stuffers for those quilting and stitching girlfriends and man friends too!!

You must e-mail your order to IHaveANotion@yahoo.com in order to get this special pricing. Orders through the website will not be given this price special because it is for Blog Readers Only.

Please do not share this post with others or link to it. This is intended for regular readers of this blog only. Quantities are limited and when I'm sold out I will come back and post that the blades and Rotary Cutters are gone. I know it is tempting to share a great deal with all of your friends, but for this offer....lets keep this a secret among the IHAN readers only :) Please just purchase for yourself or for gifts. Maximum order on Rotary Cutters is 2 and Replacement Rotary Blades is 5.
Happy Olfa Smiles,
Kelly

Thread Work Unraveled by Sarah Ann Smith Has A New Home

This wonderful book, Thread Work Unraveled, goes to Carin!!!

Carin said...
I love those hands they are amazing!

Congratulations and please send me your address so I can get this book in the mail.

Smiles,

Kelly

Reliable Corporation at the International Quilt Market in Houston 2009

CAUTION:

This post is for mature female audiences ONLY.

You may want to save this post to read when the husband and children are away or asleep. If you don't have a husband and/or children....jump right in!!!

You may want to pour a glass of wine and slip into a nice hot bath. Take a few cleansing breaths and ENJOY this post :)

You may remember my idea of Porn... The Scissor Man's Apron

Meet PURE LUST:

Vacuum & Up Air Ironing Board by Reliable.

Let me tell you about my love affair with this ironing board. It all started at the Checker 61st Anniversary Open House. Art Garabedian was standing innocently in his booth demonstrating irons on a very nice ironing board. I think Art was wondering what it would take to make me happy because I liked the irons and the ironing board but I didn't seem quite satisfied. I want no wrinkles and everything to look like it came from the dry cleaners. Art explained the engineering behind getting those smooth crisp wrinkle free cloth which included a vacuum to remove the moisture from the fabric.

The secret of professional ironing revealed.
The “secret” to getting a clean-crisp finish to your garments? Your ironing table needs to have vacuum to remove the steam (it’s built right into the table). Plus, the ironing table needs to stay dry. The pros know this. For the C81 we add the “up-air” feature - we literally reverse the vacuum to create blowing so you can press on a cushion of air. Perfect for those delicate areas that are prone to show marks on the fabric (pocket area on pants, fly front, jacket lining, corduroy, velvet and so on... any area that if you pressed on a hard surface, it would leave an impression or crush the nap of the fabric).

I asked Art why he did not bring one of those boards to the show and he said Quilters don't seem to be interested. H,F & D (hell fire and damnation) I am a quilter and I'm interested!!! I told Art I would be in Houston and asked if he would bring The Board.

God Love Art....he brought The Board.

Oh yea baby....here I am surfing The Board. My heart was pounding out of my chest.....my knees were weak and I felt butterflies in my stomach.

Look at this air flow!!! The board is getting bigger (I didn't just say that).

Can you see how the air fills up the top of the board?

A innocent piece of paper floats on top of The Board. I was having this board and nothing was going to stand in my way....not even Art Garabedian. As I gripped this baby and was attempting to satisfy my lust....that evil man grabbed the other end of the board and would not let go. I would have given him a karate chop and gotten the object of my desire but his wife was standing right there. Next time....I'm having NO mercy!!


We ended the fight with a nice photo. My hair looks like I was really having an experience with this ironing board but trust me it was only the humidity in Houston. Even though I talk a good story....I don't actually act out my lusty feelings in public!!! I'm sure you are glad to know that...ROFL.

This was a customer leaving at the end of the show Packing some serious Heat....perhaps that serious heat would work better than my karate!!!


If you too want to own one of these objects of desire (The Board)....e-mail me at IHaveANotion@yahoo.com and I can make an introduction.


Lusty Smiles and Grins,
Kelly

Someone recommended I may need this

Some suggested I may need this to go along with The Table. If you want one or need one for a gift...click on the link.

Smiles,
Kelly

Thread Work Unraveled by Sarah Ann Smith....and Sharon Bishop BSQG

After returning home from Houston I went to my guild's (Black Swamp Quilt Guild) retreat at Widewater Retreat Center. This was my first retreat with the guild and boy did I have a ball. I always see things that blow me away. This is one example:

"Catch A Falling Star" by Sharon Bishop.

Sharon looked at her hands and thread painted this piece....it was her FIRST piece....talk about amazing.

(photos taken and published with permission of Sharon Bishop)

I was blown away. No one other than perhaps my Mother would want to see my first thread painted piece. What depth and beauty to capture her own hands.

To honor Sharon's courage in doing something new and hopefully encourage others to try some thread painting I am giving away this book by Sarah Ann Smith.

Yes it is an AUTOGRAPHED Copy!!!

This is just one page selected at random from Thread Work Unraveled. I have to give my little two cents about his book. I think Sarah did an excellent job of putting this book together. It is organized well with lots of information like:

• Thread
• Needles
• Your Sewing Machine
• Your Workspace & Ergonomics
• Understanding Good Foundations
• Marking Tools
• Applique
• Machine Quilting
  

I am a visual learner so the photos really compliment the written instructions. Sarah was kind enough to autograph this book while in Houston at the International Quilt Market 2009. I enjoyed meeting her and loved her generosity. The first copy she automatically wrote my name and then signed it....I told her it was to give away on my blog....she said I needed a copy and signed another one to give away. How kind is that? VERY :)

How to win this wonderful book?

One entry: Leave a comment. If you don't have a blog...leave your e-mail address.

One entry: Blog or Facebook about this giveaway

One entry: Become a Follower of this blog (leave one comment if you are already a follower indicating such.

Ten Entries: Make a purchase at I Have A Notion by Sunday Nov. 8th.

You must leave a separate comment for each entry.

The drawing will be held on Sunday, November 8th at 9:00 PM.

Smiles,

Kelly

Make Heirloom Needle Boxes and Cases for the Holidays

More great things I got at Market in Houston. I bought these Needleboxes, Etc. kits to make Needle Boxes for gifts. I love these boxes.....they are just so cool. Can you imagine the impression made when giving one of these in someones favorite fabrics? I know I would do back flips (by the way...I like green:)

Victorian Six Sided Needle Box

I love the way this one folds out and there are more places for needles inside. You can even label them so you know where each type of needle is stored.

Needle Book

This is a fun little carry all needle book for classes or carrying with your projects.

Four Sided Victorian Needle Box

Here is another cool box. I really like how the extra sides fold down and there are even more sides revealed.

Prism Needle Box

This Prism makes a very neat decoration and it also holds your sewing supplies. Very cool indeed. When the boys get a little older, I'm going to have stuff like this all over my house. I love these beautiful conversation starters. I know my Mother-in-Law loves these things too. Her computer is down so I can talk about this and she'll never know. She loves hand made Christmas gifts.

Pop-up Heart Sewing Case

This heart one is interesting. I'm not a heart person but I still liked how this one opened to expose all the different sides.

What is your favorite? Would you love getting one of these as a gift? I'd be interested to hear.

Smiles,
Kelly
By the way, they are all available at I Have A Notion.

Quick Points Ruler purchased in Houston at International Quilt Market

Meet Janet Platt, designer of the Quick Points Ruler. I had the chance to meet Janet and her husband Brian at the MODA Customer Appreciation Dinner. We had some good laughs and enjoyed ourselves. Janet invited me to stop by her booth and see her ruler. I thought...Ok...cool....I'll stop by. I had no idea how very cool her "ruler" really is. I'm not much for prairie points myself but when I saw the Ric Rac....I went gah gah. Out came the visa....no questions asked. I am so impressed with how she has designed her ruler and the great uses it has.

Below are the You Tube videos Janet has taped demonstrating her Quick Points Ruler.

These are some photos I took of the Ric-Rac examples that I liked so much. I thought about it and there is no other tool I know of that I can do the same thing with....so I bought it. You can purchase Quick Points Rulers at I Have A Notion.

Smiles,

Kelly

Rotary Cutting Machine and Bias Tape Maker Machine by Simplicity Update are HOT

I am thrilled with the response to Simplicity's Bias Tape Maker Machine and their latest release of Tips. The new tips are 1 1/4" single fold and Quilt Binding Tips are 2 1/4" and 2 1/2" double fold. I have sold out of the tips in two days and I have several that should arrive today or tomorrow.

Then the Rotary Cutting Machine sales have boomed too. I think because people are trying to make some great gifts for the holidays. The Rotary Cutting Machine makes cutting strips of fabric (paper too for that matter)3/8in to 2 3/4in a breeze. I tell everyone to remember the Rotary Cutting Machine is a pressure cutting tool. The pressure is what cuts the fabric or paper. This is excellent for making rugs, locker hooking, making strips for quilting and so many other fun projects.
Don't forget there is a White Table (see the acrylic table here....Simplicity has one that will be white) coming out for the Rotary Cutting Machine. It will measure 12 x 16. Stay tuned.....if you want your name on the waiting list please e-mail me at IHaveANotion@yahoo.com.

Both items are IN STOCK NOW at I Have A Notion. Don't wait until December to start ordering for the Holidays because things go on back order and I won't be able to guarantee a delivery in time for the holidays.

Smiles,

Kelly

Laura Murray Designs "Star Builder" - More photos

Just a quick post here. Here is my copy of "Star Builder Inspirations" that I bought in Houston. Difficult to get pix yesterday as both house bots were on the blink (computer language - they blinked because I kept swinging a baseball bat in their immediate vicinity and abusing them verbally).

See the white highlights in the upper right hand side of this photo? This is one of the photos in Laura's book indicating placement for making this design. Visual cues are best for me.

These are the rubber stamps. I will cut them apart when I get started. You don't use these as traditional rubber stamps. The fabric goes on top and it is used as a rubbing plate. I think it is best to get a Grip-n-Grip mat so everything stays in place on the table.

Here is the other set I bought. Don't these look like two tons of fun? I can't wait to get the boys around a table and have them make some fun things for teacher gifts. I think they will have a ball.

Fun Smiles,

Kelly

I'm trying to catch up on posts so stay tuned for lots of posts today and hopefully in the next few days :)