Australian Spirit Pattern; Marketplace India Quilt and Pinmoor

You may recall my post on January 24th about this book, Australian Spirit.  Well.....I'll continue where I left off there....

 

As I mentioned in the earlier post, this book belongs to Waldo.  She and I were both excited when we saw this pattern by Terrie Kralik, Moose Country Quilts.  The "Sacred Orb" pattern is exactly what I needed to solve my latest puzzle.  What puzzle is that you ask?  I thought you would!

 

A gal from Marketplace India had contacted the Black Swamp Quilt Guild's President and inquired if there were any people interested in making some quilts for them as a charity project.  Naturally I raised my hand and agreed to make one.  We were given clothing and fabrics and had to cut them to make a 48 x 48 quilt.  I took one look at all the fabrics and went blank.....what am I going to do with these I thought.  Then Rosemary remembered her book,  Australian Spirit, and we were off and running.

Here is my version of Terrie's Quilt Pattern, "Sacred Orb."

 

 

All of the embroidery was already on the cloth.  I tried to get the most interesting patterns with embroidery to work in this pattern.  I really like how it came out.  What do you think?  I loved Terrie's pattern and the other patterns in the Australian Spirit book as well.  Thank you Terrie!!!

After I finished the top I had to sandwich the quilt for quilting.  I had read about Pinmoor but had not yet tried them.....so what a great opportunity right?

 

Pinmoors are little silicone stoppers that go on the end of your straight pins when basting a quilt.  I'm a skeptic so the first time I saw them I thought....oh....little pencil erasers.  I was quite surprised when I used them that they are not like erasers at all.  They are soft enough to push your pin into without being so tough it will dull your pins (which I'm not going to have that happen to MY pins....I love my pins). 

This is how they work and below is how they look when you baste the top of your quilt.

 

I like the Pinmoors and think they definitely provide a easier way to baste if you like using pins to baste.  There are a few important cautions I think you need to consider.  First, they are brightly colored and could be attractive to young children....a choking hazard.  Same goes for small pets but they are great choking hazards for Pests. 

The other thing I noticed was that if I was not paying attention (which happens to me all the time) you might push the pin through the Pinmoor and into your finger (yes it happened to me....but then I wised up). Pinmoors are non-toxic which is a great thing and even better, they are made in the USA. There are 50 to a package and that was enough to baste this 48 x 48 quilt top.

Now, on to the free motion quilting....I need all the positive energy and support I can get....send the vibes this way...please :)

If your guild or group is interested in more information about the Marketplace India Charity Quilting you can contact Shanti Freitas at  sfreitas@marketplaceindia.com.

Smiles,

Kelly

Giveaways In Blogland.....But Nothing I NEED

With all the giveaways going on in blogland you'd think someone would be giving away a snow plow or perhaps 200 hours of house cleaning.  I can't even find anyone who is willing to organize my life and tasks.  What is going on here people....where are the truly generous people when you need them?
Smiles,
Kelly

Quilting Treasures Laila by Laura Ashley and Scrabble by Hasbro Winners Announced

Quilting Treasures Laila by Laura Ashley and Scrabble by Hasbro Winners Announced

The first number generated was 11 which is Loris.  Congratulations Loris!   You have won the Laila fabrics.

Loris' comment: I love Laura Ashley! Still have my wedding dress...made by her :-) and a comforter upstairs on the guest bed. I even have quilt charm squares ready to be put into a quilt. With fabric from Laila, I would definitely make a throw quilt and wrap myself up in it :-)

Thanks for asking!
January 26, 2011 2:40 PM

The second number generated was 44 which is Jessica.  Congratulations Jessica!  You have won the Scrabble fabrics.

Jessica's comment: I am a HUGE purple fan, and I'm currently making a scrappy purple quilt for myself (!) so that's what I would use those FQs for. The Scrabble ones would be perfect for my teacher quilts in progress!

January 26, 2011 5:34 PM

 

You each have three days in which to e-mail me to claim your fabrics.  My e-mail is IHaveANotion@yahoo.com.
 
This was fun....thank you to everyone who took the time to leave a comment. 
 
Smiles,
Kelly

One World One Heart

2/2/2011: Edit:  I've had several comments that indicate people think I have made the bag posted.  I did not make this bag....it is from C & T Publishing. 

Welcome to my blog, I Have A Notion, my name is Kelly and I'm so happy you came by to say Hi.  I am participating in the One World One Heart Blog Hop.

I live in the US, Ohio to be exact.  It is cold and snowy here and we are expecting 12 inches of snow in the next few days....it will be a winter wonderland complete with sledding and snow ball fights (if the snow will pack...we'll see).

One World One Heart

A little about me: I love to work with my hands and I've done all types of embroidery, crochet, quilting, sewing, pottery, scrapbooking, and photography.  I love the outdoors and nature.....and being surrounded by loving creative people who support one another in their quest to explore their authenticity.

The door prize is this new beautiful  Rhapsody Tote Bag (Ricky Tims Design). The zippered tote is made from durable, 100% recycled polypropylene, creating a beautiful new use for tires and plastic bottles that would otherwise end up in the landfill and it measures 15-1/2in x 15in x 8in.

Please leave a comment on this post letting me know a little about you and what city, state, province, country you are from.

Thank you for visiting and I truly believe we are all connected by this one world/ planet and what we do affects one another no matter how far away we are physically.  May you all smile and make our world a more loving and accepting place for all who live here.

Smiles & Peace
Kelly


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Giveaway Alert - SewCalGal Blog Giveaway

Hop over to SewCalGal's blog and enter her giveaway.....this is what she is giving away:

This giveaway is open to anyone. Four winners will randomly be selected. One winner will win the AccuQuilt GO! which comes with a value pack die. And three winners will each receive a die of their choice for the AccuQuilt GO! Those that win a die should have an AccuQuilt GO! or be seriously interested in getting a GO! as it wouldn't be very exciting to win a die and not have a GO!


Smiles,
Kelly

Sew Many Ways Swap Meet Extended

Oh please....I know many of you have more stash and stuff than any 10 people need or could use in a life time.....get it out....take a pix and swap it with someone.  Karen, Sew Many Ways Blog, has extended the swap until Friday.  I pulled out some kits and stuff and someone somewhere can use it I'm sure.

I can certainly get more stuff out and add it to the pix if that is what it will take to get all of you swapping....so..."Get Your Groove On" and "Get Up Off That Thang" and "Get On Over".....(don't you just love those songs?) and join in the Swap :)

I'll see you over there, right?
Smiles,
Kelly

Sew Many Ways Swap

Have you heard of Karen's Sew Many Ways Swap yet?  I'm participating and if you would like to click here and you'll be able to join in too!

I'd like to swap these 4 kits (complete to my knowledge as I have never opened them, except to take this photo) and a significant amount of fabrics and squares left over from another quilting project. There is enough in the quilting project to make a nice size baby quilt for sure.

Close ups of everything in the photo above:

What do I want to swap for?  Good question. I like bright Kaffe Fassett type fabrics, batiks, and interesting sewing notions and scrapbooking supplies.  I also like hand made jewelery, things made from paper, hand made in general other than pottery type things...I have lots of that already :)  If you think I might be interested, just e-mail me at IHaveANotion@yahoo.com and ask.  I'm definitely not interested in pottery, tea cups, etc.

Smiles,

Kelly

Crazy Quilting

It has been 10 years since I have done any Crazy Quilting.  I took a class with a wonderful teacher who owns a small shop in MI.  She provided the fabrics and we were to learn how to put together crazy quilting designs and choose stitching for them. 

When it was finished, I gave this to my girlfriend, Pam.  She has always been thrilled with any and all of my hand made gifts.  I think the pillow still looks pretty darn good for being 10 years old and having lived through several dogs and cats.

Just thought I'd share some stitching inspiration with ya!

 

Smiles,

Kelly

Invention Convention 2011

Today everyone in the 2nd grade had an opportunity to display their inventions for the "Invention Convention."  Parents and grandparents were invited to come and see the children's inventions. I must admit when I first read the assignment I thought to myself, "are they kidding me?"  Yes, I do have negative thoughts from time to time. I certainly was pleasantly surprised when I saw the value of the assignment and the incredible inventions the children have made.

"The Recycle Crusher" invented by an IHAN co-worker.

Aaron's "Recycle  Crusher" is intended for home use.  You put your cans, bottles, paper, cardboard and batteries into the small box.  The machine smashes your recyclables into neat cubes to be put into your recycle container in the garage  (like a trash compactor).  

Below are photos from the Invention Convention.  Only those children who's parents gave me permission to photograph are shown with faces.  The other children's faces have been blurred or cropped for their privacy.

I did not get the name of this invention but I thought it was excellent. 

The back of the robe has a pocket for and an insert to warm and vibrate your back when it hurts.  Isn't that cool?  I hope she actually got to sew that little robe and pocket.

This is the "Pooch Patrol."

 

A robot person that comes complete with everything necessary to play with and clean up after the dog.

The orange object on the right side is a squirt gun.  A brush, a ball and of course....the poo poo scooper and bucket!

Then....the feet were too good to pass up....thread spools :)

I think this next invention is clever too.  If we had one of these hooked up to your sewing machines many of us would have smaller behinds....including me. 

 

You have to either walk on a treadmill or ride the exercise bike to power your television set.  Not only is the idea great but I love seeing it made out of Lego's.

I could wear this next one while stitching....but of course mine would provide chocolate cookies....negating the use of the previously mentioned invention.

 

 

"The Automatic Teeth Cleaner" made me giggle....you just put your teeth up to the box.  Hmmmmm....

 

The "Automatic Clothes Folder" is a definite must in my household and I'm glad I know who invented it because I'm going over to their house to buy the first one that comes out of the factory.

You put the towel onto one of the spools and twist....and best yet....it works :)

 

Just remove the towel and it is ready for the kitchen drawer.  I'm thinking I need a robot to do all of that for me too.

The "Dial-a-Doo" made me laugh out loud.  Unfortunately I did not get the best photo of this one.  It is a red had and you set the dial for how you want your hair done and it does your hair for you.

It will give you french braids, a pig tail, a head band or something that I can't remember.  Read the description below:

 

The inventor of "The Kiss-A-Matic" apparently does not like giving kisses.  If a kiss is required the person spins the dial and it stops at a number....then the recipient gets......

 

What else but a chocolate kiss.  There was a line of children to spin his wheel for the chocolate.

I saved the absolute best for last.  I walked up to this young man and asked what his invention was and he went right into the description without a seconds hesitation.

This is "The Mail Indicator 3000" and it lets you know when your mail has arrived.  "The Mail Indicator 3000 helps you to avoid superfluous and unnecessary trips to the mail box."   That is an exact and direct quote.  I ran for a piece of paper and a pen to write it down....talk about a Readers Digest moment.  I was obviously tickled and was soooo glad I had the opportunity to go today.  Superfluous....and unnecessary trips....well...there you have it.....a second grader with a vocabulary to be proud of!

 

There were so many more that are not included here....all of them were wonderful and imaginative.  I hope you have smiled and perhaps giggled....it is moments like these that keep me filled up.  Seeing all the little handwriting and drawings.....the smiling faces and the missing teeth......my heart is still singing.

 

Smiles,

Kelly

 

Quilting Threasures Laila by Laura Ashley and Scrabble by Hasbro Giveaway

 

I feel like a giveaway....what about you?  Sometimes ya just HAVE to give something away.  I went through my Quilt Market stash and came upon these two fat quarter stacks that I received from a lovely lady at Quilting Treasures.  The first bundle is "Scrabble" by Hasbro and the second is "Laila" by Laura Ashley.  Each stack has 4 fat quarters :) 

If you would like to win one of these stacks please leave a comment on this post and tell me what you think you'll make with them.  Remember, we are all entitled to change our minds...lol.  This is going to be open to Blog Followers only.  It pays to follow the IHAN blog!!

The drawing will take place on Monday, January 31st.  Good luck!  Only one entry per follower please.

Smiles,

Kelly