Headed Home

Another retreat that flew by like it was 3 hours instead of days.  My annual pilgrimage to be with my PA girlfriends and I had an amazing trip.  It started with the concern I could not drive the 7 hours with my ankle, but surprisingly enough, I made it just fine and didn't have to drive with my leg on the dashboard the entire trip :)

I set my sewing goals very low and raised my connecting time quite high and that was the perfect combination for me this year.

Here is a little peak at what my eyes beheld:

The Historic Wheatly Barn is adorned with a beautiful quilt block.

Downtown Wellsboro

The Fanaslau Barn Quilt in all its glory.

Kim always works on something beautiful and fun.  I love her basket quilt and if you look very closely....

there is a chicken too :)

The beds are all adorned with amazing quilts as well...talk about heaven...yes...I'm in heaven here and have to leave today....booo hoooo.

If I don't get on the road I'm going to have Mr. McSteamy blowing smoke and the co-workers looking like orphans....gotta run.  

Joyfilled Smiles of Wonderful Gratitude,

Kelly

Where in the World is....

Patsy Thompson.....is she in Ohio, North Carolina, Texas, California???

I guess it depends on which day of the week it is!  Yep, Patsy does travel quite a bit so when I met up with a group of gals for a machine embroidery lesson yesterday, I was tickled to see Patsy in the flesh. 

Patsy came to demonstrate her way of hooping projects or should I say....not hooping projects when she is creating her quilts.  There is a free download on her website, HERE, that is a guide for aligning your project no matter the orientation in the hoop. 

Patsy is a non-traditional machine embroiderer and has made many of her own patterns.  She also encourages people to mix and match various designs and think about using them in different orientations to get different effects.

These are just some of the fantastic tips Patsy shared:

• Stitch out an outline on a piece of stabilizer or muslin to test out the size you desire for your project

• Keep that inventory of stitched out shapes so you can refer to them for a variety of projects.

• Test stitch and move that piece under a piece of muslin to visually check how close or distant you like the design on your borders or blocks.

• Take notes on your stitch outs to save time when stitching in future projects.

I know there was so much more but honestly I was not taking notes.  I can say one thing for sure and that is that Patsy loves...or should I say, LOVES her Babylock Embroidery Machines!  LOL  I should tease because I too love mine and they are the most intuitive and user friendly machines I've ever had the pleasure of using.  Brother machines are also very user friendly and made by the same people so I'm told.

Here is one of Patsy's you tube videos where she shares more about machine embroidery:

If you blink, you might miss Patsy....she is on the move.  Next week she'll be at the Road to California Quilters Conference  along with several other wonderful teachers I know including: Sarah Vedeler, Julie Herman,  Lady Eleanor Burns, Edyta Sitar, and Cheryl Phillips.  There are a ton more teachers I just don't know all of them....yet :)  Plenty of friends are going as well so I hope everyone in Southern California actually knows how blessed they are to have so many womderful and inspiring people gathering for some quilting fun.

I'm on my way to PA today for my annual winter retreat with my girlfriends there.  I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and stay tuned for a tutorial from none other than my dear friend and machine embroidery expert (in my mind)  Karin :)

Smiles,
Kelly

Whooaaahhhh!

I am smack dab in the center of all the good stuff for sure :)

In the past month I have received some amazing prizes from just hopping around blog land.  I'm sort of embarrassed to show everyone because you'll think I rigged the drawings!  Hope you all know I'm not that tech savy so I'd never be able to do that....but I could learn!!!  (Perhaps in time for the next giant Aurifil thread giveaway...LOL)

During the Quilters Giving Thanks Blog Hop sponsored by Michelle at The Quilting Gallery I was lucky enough to win this amazing bundle of hand dyed fabrics.  The funny part was I received an e-mail telling me I won and the gal had gone out of town so she was just getting back to me.  WELL...what a fun surprise fro me.  I was able to go over to DyeCandy on Etsy and choose which bundle I wanted.  How can a girl turn that down???  She can't :)

I remember leaving a comment on Chris Daly's blog because she was opening this amazing Retreat Center and looking at her pictures made me dream and drool about going there with some girlfriends to sew.  The name of it is Woodland Ridge Retreat and it is in Downsville, WI.  If you have not visited their website, go look at this beautiful place...there isn't anything they don't have...including barrier free showers...oh yeah baby!

Chris was so kind that she even offered me a gift certificate toward a visit to their Retreat Center, can you believe that one?  Talk about generous!!!

Recently I won on SewCalGal's blog as well.  The Quilters Bee Charity Fundraiser event was a great event and I won this amazing bundle of Batiks from Island Batik!  My sincere appreciation to SewCalGal and to Island Batik for participating in the Charity Fundraiser and for sending me these amazingly beautiful batik fabrics :)

 This bundle was amazing and I have not had the time yet to play with all the yummy goodness that was included in the package.  I will post a review when I have the time to use them. 

I'm in shock that I won so many amazing things recently.  I guess it was in part due to my inability to move around much during the holidays and I was on my computer more than usual.

I'm headed to PA this weekend for my annual PA Retreat with my girlfriends there.  I so badly need to get away and I look forward to this event every year.  Last year I ran into Brenda's car necessitating a repair....lets hope this year comes off without a hitch!

Smiles,
Kelly

Arctic FREEZE

 

 The Flamingo Family is now up to their ears in snow!

This is not the first floor, nope....it is a pix from the second floor of our home.

 The drifting snow on our roof...amazing isn't it?

 I had an appointment yesterday and this was the inside of the building....yes...frost on the inside of the building...impressive :)

The snow and freeze has slowed everything down, which I absolutely love :)  The slower life goes the happier I am!!!  I was able to make these several days ago.  Not been able to make anything else because this is the 4th day of no-school for my co-workers.  YIKES....I'm up to my ears in pokemon cards, games, pine wood derby cars and oh yeah....that's right...laundry...double YIKES.

I've heard some say they think this is all due to global warming.....I'm thinking Wal Mart drove down the price of Arctic Freeze and some hoarder let it all go at once.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it :)

I hope everyone who is affected by this Arctic Blast is slowing down and taking time to enjoy the beauty of the white snow and life at a manageable pace.

Smiles,
Kelly

Snowed In

The sky is dark but the snow is white, beautiful and falling rapidly. I took these photos earlier today in hopes you would enjoy them as much as I do.

I was trying to capture the snow flakes falling but you can really only see that if you look are the dark tree stump in the back ground or near the fence rails.

Naturally my co-workers are fast at work building a snowman.  I wish I could be out them with them but my mobility is still limited with my ankle.

Sometimes I sit with my foot up and drink a cup of joe...in my new coffee mug.  Do you recognize the pattern?  I adore these coffee mugs and you can get your very own HERE.

I find it very difficult to get much done because I can't be on my feet too long because of my healing ankle.  I want a team of worker bees to show up here and get things done for me....know any giant swarms of worker bees that are bored?

photo credit

Problem is, I may need more like 25 - 30 who are all excellent at cleaning and organizing.  Since breaking my ankle back on Oct. 12, 2013 it has been very difficult to get things to their final destinations.  Playing catch-up is still a slow process and I'm doing my best to have patience. 

ORGANIZATION

Organization....now that sure is a word that means many things to many people.  I think of organization as having things in their place and knowing where that place is....consistently.   My problem has been and continues to be the time I spend organizing is typically wasted because how I decided to organize things didn't work out so well. 

About 3 or 4 years ago I went and bought large clear bins thinking my fabrics would not get dust on them and I'd be able to see through the bins and know what is inside.  That didn't work so well because they bins are heavy and I'm always sorting through them and that makes a huge mess.  My energy is drained not by creating but by sorting.

Next came these rolling bins from IKEA.  They work pretty well but they don't protect from dust and I can't always see the color ranges I'm looking for.

I've used Google um-teen times to find a solution for organizing my fabrics that works for me.  I have to say it all depends on the space you have, your preferred style (by color/yardage/project etc), and your budget.  I've spent so much money on organizing already and I'm concerned that if I try something else that I'll be out more money and more energy.  

I may have found a method that works well and is within my budget....I'm not saying its the end all and be all just yet...time will tell.

I purchased the acid free comic book cardboard and I've begun making mini bolts.

This is as far as I've gotten and there certainly is plenty more to go....however....I really do like being able to see the fabrics once they are shelved.  Next comes the shelving....that comes later :)  My girlfriend Jean has all of her fabrics stored similarly in a shelved closet and I fell in love when she opened the closet.  It is a huge task to re-organize....however I can do it an hour or two at a time while sitting with my foot up.

I also have an issue with thread (I have so many issues I could start a blog entitled: I Have Issues).  I have several of the Mega Rack Wooden Thread Racks and they work well for most all of my thread.  Now I'm doing more machine embroidery I find I'm wanting a better system for storing my Floriani Threads. 

When doing machine embroidery the patterns give numbers and then I have to see if I have the color in my "private stash" (we know I have every color they make and several of each well within reach :) will call for certain colors.  At the present time I have to use my Floriani Thread Guide .  I circle each of the threads I have in my "private stash" and they are numbered (wildly I might add) My issue is how to sort them.  Do you sort by color?  Number? 

I've decided to sort by number regardless of the color so I will save time looking up which number is what color.  I like my energy used in creating not in searching for small numbers written on spools.  This does not mean I always use the colors suggested....but I do want to know the hue and range before I head off into my own creations given I'm not an artist. 

I've only gotten as far as taking all the thread off the table and putting them into a drawer....soon I'll organize them by number.

The decision to use my Presencia Cotton Thread drawers for personal use may be a win-fall for some of you.  Why?  Because I'm going over to IHAN® now and begin adding each color, solids and variegated, and I'm marking them 1/2 off.  I'll need some time to get them all loaded, but if you love Presencia 10 gram 16 weight thread....act fast because I'm certain it will sell out fast.  If you already know you want to stock up, you can e-mail me and I'll put those aside for you (IHaveANotion dot com).

So that's what I do when there is a Level 3 Snow Storm Warning issued....what do you do?

Smiles,
Kelly

Winner of the Beam N Read Hands Free Light Announced

One very lucky person will have a much brighter 2014 because they are the lucky winner of the Beam N Read Hands Free Light :)

The winner is:

Congratulations Gail!  Please e-mail me your snail mail address so I can forward it along to Bob at Beam N Read so he can mail your light to you.

I hope this new year has started off very well for all of you.  I'm still knee deep in putting things away myself.

Smiles,

Kelly

Wishing YOU

ONLY the BEST of LOVE and JOY this new Year has to offer to you and your family and friends!

May you find peace if you are in pain, may you find love if you are hurt and may all your pure dreams come true in this New Year....why not us...ALL of us?

I bet you are wondering why I wrote "pure" dreams?  Why should we waste a dream on having our sewing spaces organized?  Worst of all, dreaming of all that amazing beautiful fabric???  Nope...that is the frosting on our lives cake :)

Giggles and Smiles,

Kelly

Beam N Read New Years Giveaway

Beam N Read Hands Free Light Giveaway

 

The Beam N Read Hands Free Light has been on of my list of  most favorite must-have items of all time.  Why,  you ask?  Because it makes me brighter!!!  Need proof?  The photo above is proof.  I did not know what a "selfie" was prior to a few days ago.  Since learning, I was able to take a "selfie" while wearing my Beam N Read Light.  Not the type of bright you were thinking about?  Look, I gotta take all the "bright" I can get any way I can get it.   I realize the look on my face is a bit "interesting/scary" however, I'm just learning my new skill and it may take time to figure this out :)

Is this pix better for you?  I hope so and I also hope you notice I made the strap myself....I'm calling that a "my-selfie."   The Beam N Read Lights come with an adjustable neck strap and I removed mine to add a more personalized strap.  You like frilly straps...you can make a "your-selfie" that is frilly.  Honestly,  my co-workers take mine and then claim it is theirs.  Now when I find it in their room under their beds,  I know for certain which one is mine.  Yes, the love to get under their bed with their Beam N Read Lights and look at Pokemon cards.  To each their own...giggles.

  

Did you know the Beam N Read 6 LED Light comes with a fresnel magnifying lens?  100% TRUTH...it does and I like using mine for hand stitching, applique and punch needle embroidery.  It would be nice for reading small print too.  

  

 Since I had just finished this gift I used it as a prop in my "selfie" session :)

 (Orange Filter Attached)

More very cool features include an orange and a red filter that snaps on the front of the Beam N Read Light.  The orange filter is great to use when I want to be on the computer in the evening.  I find the blue white light from computer and tech screens annoying and that light actually make it more difficult to fall asleep as well.  My solution?  I put the orange filter on my Beam N Read Light at night while using my laptop, it helps a great deal.  The red filter is good for night vision.  Below you can see the red lens attached.

 This a white towel I made for a college age neighbor friend illuminated by my Beam N Read with the red filter attached.

 

The Beam N Read Hands Free Light uses 4 AA Batteries.  I know your next question is going to be....how often do you need to change the batteries, am I right?  The answer, I don't know.  I have yet to need to change mine and I've had my Beam N Read Light for approximately 3 years.  Suffice to say they last a good long time :)

You can also use a AC adapter or a vehicle adapter if you choose not to use batteries.

With the recent winter ice storm  I know there are plenty of people who could definitely use a Beam N Read Hands Free Light and probably wished they had received one for a gift this holiday season!!!

(pix credit)

According to the weather channel there are still millions of people without power.  Having a Beam N Read Light during storms is really helpful because you don't have to hold a flash light while you are carrying wood in for the fireplace or other things in your hands.

Weather you loose power due to a ice storm or a tornado like they had in Oklahoma this past year, 

I think you can definitely see the advantages to being prepared....not to mention having an excellent needle work light.  

ASF Reading Light is going to send one very lucky IHAN® blog reader their very own Beam N Read Hands Free Light to use and enjoy (Open to US and Canadian residents ONLY).  You can read all the different ways you can enter to win below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bright Smiles,
Kelly

Wishing You

...And Yours An  Endless Bounty of Blessings Today and Everyday!

Big Warm Hugs,

Kelly

 

Mary and Bright

Not what you were expecting?  I take pride in going above and beyond!!!  LOL

Smiles,

Kelly