PS....Black Swamp Quilting Retreat Announcement

I left this very important detail off my post....so here it is:

Enjoy 3 fun filled days quilting....and you won't even have to cook!!!

(or sweep the kitchen floor, feed two little boys breakfast, lunch, dinner....three snacks....bedtime water....dressing, undressing, brushing teeth and hair, playing Lego's, do 3 or 4 loads of laundry, stop arguments, see the stacks of stuff that needs something to be done with but what?....my personal thoughts...not those of the Black Swamp Quilters)

October 16, 17, & 18

A full weekend of quilting, prizes, laughter & friendship!

Widewater Retreat Center

Grand Rapids, OH

Contact: Shari Wiseman: 419-422-9371

or Nancy Andrade: 419-575-7369

Visit the website: www.blackswampquilters.org

Smiles,

Kelly

New Addition to the Family and More Information about the Bias Tape Maker Machine by Simplicity

I'd like to introduce the newest addition to my family: Drum Roll Please.....

Here she is....I've named her "Hot Stuff Harriet." Her birth mother was named Westinghouse. She may just be too hot to handle!!! I got her from the Salvation Army for a mere 3.00 adoption fee. I plugged her in and she got hot fast....and no steam!!! I'm thinking she will be great for pressing cottons. I've always wanted one like this and I'm thrilled I found her tonight. My grandma had one that she heated on the radiator and she had the water in a shaker bottle. I treasure those memories.

You know how I ended up at Salvation Army on a Wed night? Well....in my efficiency I filled in my calender for an entire year the dates of my quilt guild meetings and my needle guild meeting. Only problem is the needle arts guild meets on the third Wed and not the second. Oops....what is a woman to do when she knows the kids are being watched? You guessed it....go shopping.

I've gotten several e-mails asking questions about the Bias Tape Maker Machine and the Rotary Cutting Machine both by Simplicity. I'm waiting to hear from Simplicity about replacement blades for the Rotary Cutting Machine. The tips for the Bias Tape Maker are reportedly being released in Aug and will come in the following sizes: Flat Fold: 1/8, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4, 1 1/4, and Quilt Binding tips will be 2 1/4 and 2 1/2. When the are in I will post that information and the prices.

Thank you for all the nice e-mails and comments. I'm so glad that people enjoy what I write. Many nights I just want to go to bed but I stay up and write my post because some gals say they read blogs with coffee in the morning. I used to spend a crazy amount of time reading blogs....now it is much reduced because I'm writing one!!!

Smiles,
Kelly

Checker After Market Open House - 2

So do you want to meet Ruth? Are you curious? No?....Well you are boring and and no fun and you need to go back to the television set. Yes?....Stay right here.....the mystery is about to be revealed.....but first....a little background:

Have you ever called a business and felt like you were just another stranger that is calling with a question. The person answers your questions but seems disinterested or just matter of fact? Then you make a call and a kind person who genuinely seems to care answers and helps you out?

I called Checker about an order I placed and spoke with Ruth Lofton. You would have thought I was buying something from Ruth personally. She could not have been more friendly, kind and cheerful. I was so delighted I asked for her name so I could ask for her the next time I called. A few days later I dropped off some cookies for her. Ruth Lofton you ROCK :)

Ruth "Rocks" Lofton

I asked if Ruth was in and a gal took me into the back offices and introduced me personally. How nice was that? It was an absolute pleasure meeting Ruth. She is just as lovely as she sounds over the phone. Her desk is cheerful and she has some great family photos too. What a great lady. It is the people who always make the difference when it comes to business transactions. Who wants to buy from a cold voice or a recorded one? NOT ME.

Later I stumbled upon a nutcase with a vacuum cleaning the carpets in Checkers display area. I asked her what in the hell she thought she was doing vacuuming during an Open House and could she put that noisy vacuum away. She told me to shut up....she was testing the vacuum to see if indeed it was worth the purchase price. That woman even took the thing apart to see how it collected the dirt....she wanted to see for herself how much of the dirt it actually picked up. Then a gal cut up some thread and threw it on the floor so this lady could test the vacuum on thread. I must say it did pick up all the threads easily. Can you believe the nerve of some people?

Well when it was all said and done the carpets were clean. The nutcase was me (I talk to myself ...quietly).....I don't know what came over me.....I just had to see if it worked. Good Grief.....what I won't do to make sure I don't buy or sell something that is less that my expectations. No one wants to be disappointed right?

There were other shop owners talking among themselves and I overheard one ask if the Bendable Bright Light really worked. The other said "I don't know". Well....I know....so being friendly I walked over and said.....I've sold over 40 of those lights....they are wonderful and if you don't have one you should treat yourself to one today....and 10 for customers that happen into your shop in the next few days. Ya think they'll tell the folks at Checker I helped them buy all those Bright Lights? Perhaps they could call me to work the floor for them.....you think they could afford to have me there? Me either. I'm not thinking Oprah has enough money to get me to leave these little guys here at home. Besides....I don't want to be locked up for talking to myself...LOL....I'm sure I'd be in good company though.

Onward-

I got to meet Jim McDonald as well. I was asking Penny Haren, the lady from yesterday's post who invented the Creative Grid Fussy Cut Rulers, about how distributors buy from vendors. She was explaining it to me when Jim walked by. She waved him over and he was more than happy to answer my questions. Jim is the Operations Manager at Checker. He said he has been with Checker for 30 years. Someone should "king him." Corney I know....but I can't help it.

Jim McDonald

Have you ever used Cutter Glide? I have not and I had not ever heard of it prior to last Friday. I asked about this product and read the packaging. Increases sharpness, reduces wear, blades last longer and cures craft punches. Hmmmmm....sounds good. But you know me, I won't buy it until someone shows me it really works or someone I know has tried it and says it is worth it. So....until I hear....I will just wait and see. It did get my attention and I'll keep my eyes and ears open!!!

Cutter Glide side view

The Open House was great. The were demonstrating the Creative Grids Rulers, Texture Magic, Acu-Quilt, the Simplicity Bias Tape Maker and Rotary Cutting Machine. There were lots of new products on display. Coffee and cookies at the door did not hurt one bit. Then inside the warehouse were coolers full of sodas and water. Nice....nice....but what about the hot waiters dressed in short shorts and no shirts and Margaritas on their trays? Hmmmmm....guess I'll put that in their suggestion box when I go over next time!!!

Well, ya just never know when you will see a nutcase red head trying out a new item in a store or warehouse. If you do....just know....she's working for you :)

Don't forget to leave you comment for the giveaway going on until this Sunday.....you don't know about it??? Go back a few posts....all the info is there....Good Luck.

Smiles,

Kelly

Creative Grids Square It Up Or Fussy Cut Rulers

Checker Distributors had their After Market Open House this past Friday. It was intended for those who were not able to make it to Quilt Market. Even though I went to Quilt Market I wanted to go to have the opportunity investigate some products carried by Checker. One product was Penny Haren's Square It Up or Fussy Cut Ruler.

As most of you already know....I'm the type of person who wants to see and use things to see if they are worth the hard earned money.

Below you will see some pictures I took on Friday of Penny using her rulers. I personally was sold....definitely worth the money. Besides the fact it can be used for fussy cutting....it is a regular ruler so you can just buy one and not two :) You have to love that!!! I do.


Penny is demonstrating how she made centered Prairie Points using this ruler. I'm sorry the picture is sideways....but you can see what she is doing here. (apparently not sorry enough to go back into my photo editor and fix it for you....who said that?....my thoughts are being channeled by that genie again)

The final result is perfectly centered Prairie Points!!!

The picture of Penny and her book that I took did not come out well. I certainly don't want anyone putting a blurry picture of me on the net....so I won't post it. I have something much better: Click here to see a video of Penny demonstrating the Square It Up or Fussy Cut Rulers.

You can Click here to see Penny Haren's Books: Pieced Applique and Pieced Applique More Blocks and Projects.

I think these rulers are great tools and I give them the Kelly stamp of approval. You won't be wasting your money on these....I promise :)

I have lots more to share about my visit to Checker.....but as usual....time has run out for writing my post....so.....you'll have to stay tuned....you won't want to miss meeting Ruth!!!

Smiles,

Kelly

PS about Giveaway

In order to win you must leave your e-mail address so I can get in touch with you. If you do not leave that I will use the random number generator to select a new winner.

Kelly

Quilt Market Giveaway

Remember when I said we would have some fun giveaways after Quilt Market....well I've been a bit bogged down with planting, yard work, two little fellas and a daughter getting married in July. My plate is full and overflowing!!!


However, I'm not one to say I'll do something and then not do it. No way, no how, nuht uh....however that sound is spelled :)

This book will be given away to one lucky winner chosen by the random number generator. The book, "Piecing with Pixels" by Sandra Hart & Gudny Campbell is signed by Sandra Hart. I received this book from Checker Distributors at the Quilt Market in Pittsburgh. Mary Hart demonstrated how she uses her own unique images to make beautiful quilts. The book will teach you how to use your unique images to make your own quilts. It is full of excellent illustrations and photos. The retail price of this book is $26.95 US. I will be shipping it to the winner via USPS media mail.

How can you win this book?

Go to www.IHaveA-Notion.com and look around. Leave a comment on this post about three things you don't have that you would like to have. That is one entry. If you post about this giveaway on your blog (e-mail the link to IHaveANotion@yahoo.com) that is 2 entries. If you purchase something from the website between 6/8/09 and 6/14/09 that is 3 entries. So that is 5 chances to win this book. The giveaway begins on 6/08/09 and will end on 6/14/09 at 12:00 midnight CMT. Every entry will be assigned a number and the winner will be chosen by the random number generator.

Good Luck!!!......Kelly

Genie's Granting Wishes Right Here and Now

This quilt looks like something I want to wrap up in with a great book and just relax. I bought the fabric at Quilt Market to make this quilt. I am finding only a few challenges now......finding the time to make the quilt and finding the time to wrap up with a good book and relax. Both of those seem far away right now.....but I'm sooo ready when the time comes :)

Here is a closeup of the quilting that was done on the quilt. Look at those yummy colors and prints. Who ever created this fabric design must have been channeling my inner floral genie.

Click here and a genie will grant you a free pattern of "Folklorika".

Red Letter Day was a fun pattern as well. If I remember correctly, the gentleman who was describing each quilt said the designer had chosen each fabric as a representation of a special day in her life.

How fun would that be as a gift from a Grandmother to a Grandchild? If the Grandmother chose the days in her life that were most memorable and then put them into a baby quilt or lap quilt for their Grandchild. Then when they are together they can talk about the meaning of each of the circles. You could even do photos appliqued onto the circles....the ideas are endless....at least in my head :)

The Red Letter Genie wants to give you this pattern too....so just click here.

Please don't jam the comment box with all the wishes you have for the Genie....please Channel them to her directly :)

Smiles,

Kelly

Slashed Squares and Bias Tape Maker by Simplicity

This is a block from Lynne's blog posted in July 2008. I saw this block way back then and saved the site in my favorites file. Can you believe I remembered it was there? Now that is good considering I don't remember what I did yesterday :)

I recieved permission from Lynne to post about her beautiful quilt. She has a great tutorial as well. A little about Lynne:

My name is Lynne and I live in New England in the USA. I've been sewing
since 5th grade and making quilts since college. I love working with
abstract shapes and color. I love strip piecing. I'm trained as an artist,
and I love the graphic quality of quilts. I'd rather take the time to make
something beautiful than buy something ugly. My companion is my tuxedo cat,
Millie, who has her own blog at darlingmillie.blogspot.com.

Left over fabrics from finished projects would be great with this pattern too. I was thinking about this in a miniature wall hanging using some fabrics I have left over from my circles quilt. I never know what to do with those left over blocks. This would be a great wall hanging and a nice reminder of the larger piece I have made.

Just an fyi, the Bias Tape Maker Machine by Simplicity is now available for 69.99 . I guess there was some question as to weather they are now in....and they are. The Rotary Cutting Machine by Simplicity is also available. It will cut strips from 3/8 inch to 2 3/4 inches.

Have a wonderful Saturday!!

Kelly

The Sound of Music

Delight is the only word that expresses my feelings when I saw this video. How nice would it be if every few days something like this happened? I would feel like I lived in Disneyland. Perhaps we should choreograph something like this to entertain our friends and strangers too.

I know...like "Stomp"....a bunch of us Quilters and Stitchers could get our notions, sergers and machines lined up and percuss them to make our own music. How fun would that be? Anyone interested? We'll set up at your house...not mine :)

Smiles, Kelly

Fun stuff I found today

I found these MagPro's today. They come in 12, 18 and 24 inches. I thought they would be excellent for my sewing area, my kitchen and my husbands workshop. The picture below does not even begin to show how neat these looked. You would apply them horizontally on the wall. I will be adding them to my store either tomorrow or Friday.

The MagPro incorporates a powerful magnet which securely grips metal items such as scissors, pins, needles, rippers, rotary cutters, blades, etc. Attach the bar to the wall most convenient for you & your tools will always be accessible. Mounting hardware is included.

Texture Magic is another cool item out by Superior Threads. Sew Texture Magic to the back of your fabric, apply steam, & the fabric will magically shrink 30% in all directions, creating a beautiful textured effect. The fabric cannot be ironed afterwards....but who would want to do that? I had a beautiful blouse made out of a silky fabric and had these bumps....I wonder if it was Texture Magic? I'm going to be adding it to my store soon. I just need a few more hours in the day. If you have made anything using Texture Magic could you please send me some pictures?

Did you know that when you take your thread out of your machine that you are supposed to cut the thread at the top and pull it out of the bottom of the needle? Apparently it is incorrect to pull your threads back through your machine because it can effect the tension. I learned this from the Bernina booth at Quilt Market. Very interesting!!!

Checker is having an After Market show on Friday for all the folks who were unable to attend Quilt Market in Pittsburgh. I went but I'm going on Friday too. They are going to have some demonstrations going on and I want to see more of those Creative Grid Rulers. I have found that every time I see a tool demonstrated that I learn so much that I did not know previously.

On another note, tomorrow is Aaron's last day of Kindergarten.....I can't believe it. I'm going to have him stand in the same places that he did on his first day of Kindergarten so I'll have the "before and after" shots in his album. Zach finished pre-school a week ago. He will be going to Kindergarten in September. Amazing to watch them grow and change.

Smiles,

Kelly

Rotary Cutting Machine by Simplicity

I've gotten a few e-mails asking about the other new machine by Simplicity. The Rotary Cutting Machine is available for 54.99. To order click here.

Sorry for the bad picture. This was being demonstrated at the Quilt Market. It is like a sewing machine in the sense that you need a surface to put your fabric on while you feed it through the machine. It worked great. So if you are considering becoming a "stripper" I say go for it :)

Smiles,

Kelly

Hot Notions: Thimbles, Jackpot Scissors and Needle-Grip-It

Well...there seems to be a run on the notions market girls. I can't keep these items in stock and people are e-mailing me asking questions so I thought I would blog about them and their fantastic attributes.

First: Protect and Grip Thimble by Clover

I've blogged about this previously. Here is a testimonial:

Hi, Mary Jane, Okay. You are going to have to have to pry that wonderful thimble from my dead body!!! That is THE best thimble I've every tried. I will get it back to you next week if that's okay. I can see where it would be an advantage to having a couple of them. I just think that Clover has the best products!! Thanks for letting me borrow it. I will treat it kindly. :) Talk to you soon. Dori (partial re-print of e-mail with permission of sender)

Kelly,.....By the way, did I tell you why I like this thimble so much? I have arthritis in my fingers and when I put on a thimble, it
hits my knuckle and my finger swells something awful. The thimble doesn't fit all the way to the tip of my finger because of it hitting the knuckle. I've tried several different kinds and they are all very uncomfortable. This is the first one that I've tried that works perfect. I bet it will be a big seller. Take care. Dori (from e-mail with permission of sender)

I have sold over 21 thimbles in the last week. That is amazing!!! Clover will be thrilled that they are getting such positive reviews about their new thimbles. I had other e-mail testimonials but I deleted them in error. If you have something you would like me to share...please leave a comment on the blog or e-mail me at IHaveANotion@yahoo.com.

Second, 4 in. Jackpot Scissors by Simplicity

The 4-in Jackpot Scissors by Simplicity are another big hit. They are perfect for getting into tight spaces and snipping threads or applique. I've sold over 12 pair in the last 10 days alone. I first tried them at Quilt Market. The Scissor Man suggested we try them. He thought we would like them for applique and he was right!!!

Third: Needle Grip-It by Colonial Needle Co.

The Colonial Needle Co. and Roxanne Needle Co. introduced us to the Needle Grip-It at Quilt Market. Well it has turned out to be a big hit for hand quilters. These are little clear sticky grips that adhere to your finger. When you pull the needle through the grip does not permit the needle to slip. They stay on until you pull them off. The ones I wore stayed on all day, including after I washed my hands. If you are a hand stitcher I recommend you give these a try.

If you have tried any of these products yourself please feel free to leave a comment and share your experience with us.

Smiles,

Kelly

Another 3 Hours ....

Ok Ladies...apparently I want something that is not possible at this time. I've spent over 12 hours now doing nothing but re-doing what I've done. I don't know how to make a slide show with music and get it to Blogger. I've used Picasa, Photobucket and HP software here on my computer. I've been able to get it done but then not saved nor transferred. So the only option left is to upload the pix and let you see them. It was a fantastic experience....going to the Fiber Arts Show certainly not spending so much time trying to do something that I know can be done in significantly less time.

I'm hoping the photos load in order....if they don't....I apologize. I realize there is glare in some of the photos. Pretend you don't see it. The whole idea was to get the feel of these beautiful works of art and to hopefully inspire other artists/quilters/lovely people to continue creating new and fun things.

It is now 1:20 am....I've been working on this since 8:30. I hope you like it.....and just leave a comment saying you do even if you don't....cuz I could have sewn two outfits by now :) By the way...descriptions of the work will follow the photos....or they should :)

"Wall to Floor"

Jill Valenzuela, Williamston, MI

A blending of tonal hues with pattern to create visual motion

"Woven Shibori Scarf"

Susan Cayton, Perrysburg OH

Indigo-dyed cotton 2 ply, 4-H loom, undulating herringbone twill

Camela Nitschke's Art Journal.

Camela owns, "The Ribbonry" in Perrysburg.

These are some of her vintage ribbons. They are luscious.

More from Camela's collection.

For some crazy reason the description is now in front of the art. So this goes with the next pix.

Adobe 1

Good Night all....it is now 2:00 am..... If I've made any errors...I'll correct them tomorrow :)

Kelly