I Won Miranda Stewart's New Punchneedle Book at Quilt Market

I had goosebumps when they called my name and I won Miranda's new book, "Punchneedle The Complete Guide". Woooo Hoooooo I wanted to jump up and hug her on the spot. You'll be so pleased to hear that I did not give in to my impulse. Instead I smiled very wide and said, "Thank You Marinda."

Marinda and her new book. She is such a beautiful woman. I wish my picture would have come out better. But it didn't so you will have to just imagine her beautiful eyes and smile.

Photo Album

Dinner Napkin

Picture

Eye Glass Case

Marinda said that any type of thread that will go through your needle and stay in your cloth can be used for Punchneedle. Now that is a gal after my own heart. Different threads make different textures and leave different sheens. My girlfriend, Starr, told me the same thing. These ladies have over 60 years of experience between them so I'm guessing they really know what they are talking about.

Punchneedle is fun and not very difficult to learn. It does take a little practice but honestly you will be able to make something fun in just a few hours. I prefer the Super Luxo needles but I don't use the handle. Starr taught me to put the needle into a pencil eraser and punch using just the needle. I think there are 4 needles in the Super Luxo set....it is late and I'm tired...so don't quote me (you've probably learned by now not to ever quote me anyway....it could get you into a lot of trouble....it does me) ....check my site under Punchneedle and the pictures are there.

This is a description of Marinda's book:

This book is a complete guide to the art of traditional punchneedle, an embroidery technique using a punch needed to create designs with looped thread. It includes a brief history of the Russian origins of the technique, along with a comprehensive review of the tools and materials used. Each technique is illustrated with a small sample and instructions so that you can try out the technique. Marinda also teaches you how to use punchneedle embroidery on a wide range of background fabrics - from rough and earth silk tussah to the finest velvet - and how to create an enormous number of textures and effects.

Have a great day!!!

Kelly

Quilt Market Set-Up

These are some overhead pictures I took of the Quilt Market while they were setting up.

Does this give you an idea of how big the convention center is? It was huge. I don't know how many vendors were there....I should look that up someplace in all my paperwork.

I'm writing more about my adventures and getting them ready to be published. I'm going to be featured on Little Birdie Secrets reader appreciation giveaway this week. As soon and that is done I will post a giveaway from Quilt Market. I'm also in the process of putting two contests together to give some lucky readers an opportunity to create something original for two designers. Oh so much fun!!!

Smiles,

Kelly

Hi, I'm Kelly and I'm an Addict

I guess it is time I come clean. I could not control my impulses and purchased more fabric than I will use in a year or more....probably 3 years. I also bought some patterns. I will not be carrying fabrics on my website in the foreseeable future....but the patterns and notions will be there if not already. So...here are the introductions to my new babies:

These are Dovo scissors. I had never heard of Dovo prior to Quilt Market. I have always thought Gingher scissors were the best and nothing compared. Well...guess I was living in a cave. These scissors cut like 'buttah' girls. You may have to give up you car to buy them but who cares about driving when you can have these lovely sewing scissors right? Right!!! I'm walking and I'm OK with that....a bit tired....but it's OK....that is what I'm telling myself anyway :) I have the paperwork to begin to order these Dovo scissors for my website but they are not on there yet. If you want a pair and know which one's you want....sell your car....then e-mail me!!


This cool tool by New Leaf clings to your sewing machine top and helps you to sew on a diagonal line. I really liked it so I bought several for my website and of course one for me. Selling the car is not necessary for this cool tool....lunch would be more expensive :)

These patterns are by Castilleja Cotton. They are two sisters and a husband....they don't share him....well....they did not appear to share him.....one of the sisters was married to him....oh geez...I'm really digging a hole aren't I? Anyway....lovely people from Canada and I loved their patterns. They all three design and do what is necessary to take their patterns to market.

These are only 2 of Florine Johnson's roosters. I have ordered more and they will hopefully arrive soon. I just loved them. I have no idea why....probably the bright cheerful colors. I hope you love them too.....cuz I'm going to have those soon too.

Lori Smith's patterns were just beautiful. I wanted every one she had. She has even designed patterns that when finished will fit into ready made frames. How smart is that? So you go to your local frame shop (or if you are like me....your local garage sale) and buy a frame to fit your piece. I already have a few of her patterns on my site. Soon I will have as many as I can upload!!!

I thought these Flower Power Pincushions would make fun gifts. They would be great for Guild exchanges and fundraisers too. I'm hoping to have them on my site soon too. Geez....I need either more time or helpers.....

This pattern is by "The Noble Wife" and I thought they would be fun for flowers on a purse or as an embellishment on a package. Just too cute to pass up.

I liked this pattern for a purse organizer by Studio Kat Designs. I thought others might be interested for their purses and for their sewing notions in their sewing bags.

Cotton Ginnys had this Cell Phone Catty. I thought it might make Cat Lovers smile. I think it would also be very nice in punchneedle.

OK LADIES....here comes the fabric.....I'm telling you right now....I am studying Karate and I own weapons.....DO NOT BREAK INTO MY HOME AND TRY TO STEAL MY STASH.....you have been warned. I won't be serving coffee and cookies if I find you piling through my stash :)

Marrakesh by Hoffman Fabrics

Folklorika by Andover Fabrics....coordinating fabrics below.

Posies Roll Up by Robert Kaufman

Starflake by Brewer Sewing

This beautiful assortment is by Avlyn Fabrics.

Andover Fabrics Autumn Bounty panel and coordinating fabrics below.

Hoffman California front

Hoffman California back

I must have lost the label....but I loved it.

Exotic Felt Assortment by National Nonwovens.

I now live in a tent and walk everywhere I go.....but I do have an electrical cord from the kind neighbors to my tent so I can still sew.

Smiles,

Kelly

Batting and Fiberfill is Now Tax Deductible

No Kidding.....it just depends on where you store it. Now if you are currently storing your batting and fiberfill in your sewing room.....there is no tax credit for you. Oh yea....this is for US citizens only....other countries will have to check with their governments tax officers.

Now this is how it works girls: The government is offering a tax deduction, I think it is up to 30% of purchase price, for all insulating upgrades to your home. So if you store your fiberfill or batting in your attic.....you can claim it is insulation!!! What the HEXX.....I figure if they IRS comes out to check on why we are buying our insulation from a fabric store and not a Home Improvement store....we'll just show them our quilts....give them some coffee (and Tim Tams) and they'll see this issue the same way we do.

Now....if that doesn't work....claim ignorance and say you read it online....but don't give them the exact source :)

Smiles,
Kelly
PS....I'm wondering if I store my fabric stash up in the attic if that will count too....hmmm....I'll check into this one and get right back to you.

Sample Spree Thursday Night at Quilt Market

A Movie Star!!! Eleanor Burns was at Sample Spree in her beautiful boa signing books. Isn't she beautiful...what a great smile and boa.

Quilt Market is for business owners, designers, artists, longarm quilters and people associated with the quilting industry to meet and introduce their products, share information and take orders.


On Thursday night they have something called, "Sample Spree." The sample spree, from what I could gather, is to offer shop owners an opportunity to purchase fabrics and notions that have not yet been released for show in their shops or websites. Hence, Sample Spree.


After my last class at School House with Andover Fabrics I headed straight down to Sample Spree. I had been told by Internet friends that the folks line up early. The sale was to be 8-10 pm. It was just 6pm when I went to get in line. I was so surprised to see a huge line of two hours in advance. You have to remember this is my first Quilt Market. I could not believe people were actually lined up to PAY for things they could order from their home computers in just a few weeks....and some things that are already available. But I'm going with the flow here. We all patiently waited in line and chatted with one another. I really enjoyed that the most. I loved talking with people and learning about their lives and interests.


So the doors open and to my surprise they opened doors in the middle of the line as well. I guess that was a good decision on their part to avoid a stampede and having people rushed to the ER. I felt like I was at one of those soccer games you hear about on TV when people get trampled.


Just inside the door that I entered through, were the Andover Fabrics folks and then the MODA group. People were literally 3 and 4 deep and handing fabrics over their heads to other gals standing directly behind them. It was PANDEBALONIUM (if you are a follower of this blog you will know this word).

I asked the Andover guy how they know people are actually paying for all those fabrics they are passing overhead. He said, "I always trust a Quilter." That Andover guy says all the right things :) It is true....I've never been cheated by a quilter (knocking on wood) and I have found they are happier giving you something than taking something.

This was the line ahead of me.

This was the line behind me.

I loved this gals jacket. I was expecting to see more clothing created by quilting artists and designers. I only saw a handful of specialty clothing being worn. That was a big surprise to me.


Edyta Sitar was there with her husband signing books as well. I thought I was married to the best guy in the world. I guess Edyta must have gotten in the same husband gene pool as I did. He was right there helping, smiling and chatting in his friendly manner.

I ran into Katie and Mary from Needles Quilt Shop in Wellsboro, PA. Those are some seasoned gals....very wise. They strolled in after the rush and were just looking around. In the future....I'm following their lead!!!

Smiles,

Kelly

P.S....I went to bed last night at 9:30 and got up at 9:30 this morning. After a busy week with the family and being worn out by 4 days of walking and talking....I needed some rest.

Quilt Market Chapter 2

Misty Fuse and Transdoodle were two products that I had never heard of prior to going to the Quilt Market. I met a gal who was demonstrating how to use Transdoodle and Misty Fuse. I know I have her business card somewhere but I can't find it in this pile of paper I brought home from Market. I put these two items with the book I got about Fabric Art Collage because I really think all these products go wonderfully together.

Misty Fuse is a very thin/sheer paperless fusible that is great for all weights of fabrics (yes she said all and I saw it work). There is no extra weight from the fusible because it is so thin. I felt two pieces of cotton that had been fused and I could not feel the fusible web at all. It was not stiff or bulky. There is no added adhesive like some of the other brands so it does not gum up your needle or your scissors. I was so convinced that I bought several patterns that are applique. I plan to do a applique wall hanging for my kitchen and I'm going to use the machine applique technique. I saw some work that you absolutely could not tell was needle turn because the fuse was so thin and the stitches so invisible.

Moving on to Transdoodle. You can click on the link above to see a demonstration. I got so excited because I always mess up transferring designs. This product is a transfer paper that does not stain and is not waxy. You can re-use it over and over. It has a chalky color and will not set into your fabric. It rubs off. So if I want to transfer a pattern to black weavers cloth for Punchneedle. I just trace over the pattern with a layer of Transdoodle between my pattern and fabric and Wah-Lah....the design is there. It is like chalk carbon paper. You know I got a tube of this stuff.

The book, Fabric Art Collage by Rebekah Meier, was given by Checker Distributors and Rebekah signed each copy. I thought Misty Fuse and Transdoodle were perfect items to be used with Rebekah's book. I had watched Rebekah use another brand of fusible to bond tissue paper (gift tissue) and paper napkins together to make a paper fabric. I think the Misty Fuse would work wonderfully because it is so thin/sheer. It would not show through the work.

The rolls of white canvas is "Multi-Purpose Cloth" by Roc-Ion. This cloth feels like a canvas. It makes beautiful Floorcloths, Placemats, Wall Hangings and a variety of other items. This stuff feels sturdy yet flexible enough to sew through.

So you can take your Transdoodle to transfer your pattern and then use the Misty Fuse to fuse your papers or fabrics and then apply them to the Multi-Purpose cloth and you have an incredible wall hanging, floorcloth, bag, lamp shade, window shade, banner, sign, book cover, table runner or any other great thing you can think of.

I'm not being paid by any of these folks although I think I should be asking for some cash for advertisement. Big, no Huge Cash.....large denominations unmarked!!! I really think these are all great products and you have my word on that. No BS here.....that stands for Bologna Sandwich by the way :)

Sorry for the long post....but I had to tell you all about the great stuff I saw.

Smiles,

Kelly

Toledo Needle Arts Guild Meeting

I just have to take a little break from the Quilt Market news to share what I saw tonight at the TNAG Meeting. I am a new member of this Guild. I love the needle arts and boy did I see some beautiful work tonight.

The first Biscornu* was stitched and assembled by Christine Hampshire. The pattern is (edited 5/21/09 8:03 AM) “Floral Fifteen: A 15-Sided Biscornu by Just Nan". It is a 15 sided Biscornu pin cushion. When she showed it I was speechless (that is difficult to achieve for me). It was so beautiful I could never imagine putting pins in it. I think I would buy a special glass dome to put it under. Christine said she changed threads quite a few times and that if she knew how much it involved from the beginning she may not have attempted making this one. I'm sooooo glad she did not know and did indeed finish it. I took several pictures to show the many sides and just how beautiful the stitching is. I figured you would all enjoy looking too.

Last but certainly not least, was another beautiful Biscornu that Ann Rorarius had finished and shared with me tonight. The design is by Lilian Kok. Ann also made a smaller one as seen in the picture. I really like the color and the pattern of these Biscornu.

I am so thrilled that Ann let me take a picture to share with everyone. I don't know about you but I always am inspired when I see beautiful pieces like this one. I think it helps further the needle arts and pass on traditions to younger generations.

Biscornu this is a new word for me so I will keep saying/typing it over and over just for fun. It sounds so cool....pronounced "Bis Cor New" if you are inexperienced with this word like me.

*The word biscornu (sometimes written biscournu) is derived from a French adjective, meaning skewed, quirky, or irregular. My husband, ever the linguist, tells me that it literally means "two horned." Many English speakers, especially those from the Southern United States, think that biscornu is a cognate of the word biscuit. Well, it is similar in shape and size to a hand-pressed biscuit! Regardless, biscornu are basically made from two embroidered squares sewn together on point; the corner of one square meets the middle of the other as the two pieces are whip-stitched together and stuffed, creating the a quirky, skewed pillow. Additionally, many are finished off with a button in the center of the design top and bottom. (copied from http://prettyimpressivestuff.com/biscornu.htm)

Smiles,

Kelly

(I think I'll tell my children they are acting like a Biscornu and see what they say. Or instead of saying hello to someone tomorrow I'll greet them with, "Biscornu" and see how they respond. Ok so I'm goofy....who is goofier....me for saying it....or you for reading it?)

P.S. On The Topic of Olfa

I forgot a detail. On the Olfa Circle Maker....you put the fabric on your cutting mat. Then you put the center needle/point on the cutter on the fabric. You turn the knob with one hand to make the circles. So you are thinking.....my wrist can not turn in a full circle (mine either :). So, the made the handle to go backwards like a socket wrench and then you just keep going. Sorry I forgot to add that. I thought about it while driving today.

If you make yoyo's or want to make a circle quilt or wall hanging or quilt it would be very cool. It cuts circles from 1 7/8 to 8 1/2. Great for penny rugs too. I'm guessing when the blade gets dull you could use it for paper crafts too.

OK...I'm done bragging on those Olfa folks. I think they should send me an Olfa gift basket to give away on my blog....don't you!!!!

Smiles,
Kelly

Olfa At Quilt Market

Perhaps by now you may have noticed that I don't like to be told that something works easily and simply when in truth the item is a waste of money or a pain in the booty to use. I was pleasantly surprised at the Olfa demonstration booth.

The ruler in the top corner of this picture was the Olfa giveaway. Tell me I was not appreciative to try a ruler I don't own.

The Compass Circle Cutter was there on the table. I asked to try it and the gal invited me behind the counter to try it. On the very first attempt I made a beautiful circle....no errors. She showed me where the cap is stored when you take it off the sharp tip and how to retract the blade. I also learned how to replace the blade and I have to say it was easy and safe. I was able to make a variety of sizes with this simple tool. I am convinced that this is actually a valuable tool and it is what they say it is.

The Chenille Cutter demonstrated. It was very simple and the design helps preserve the life of the blade.

This is Olfa's Angle Ruler. I asked why the half circle was printed on it. I figured it would help cut circles somehow. Wrong!!! It is to help you visually see the angles. Someone very smart works at Olfa and it isn't me.

The friendly gal who was willing to take her time to show me the items and answer all my questions. Great gal to have at a booth....I hope she got paid extra because she was really helpful.

I will admit that prior to going to Quilt Market my preference for rotary cutters and blades has always been Olfa. However, I must admit I was very impressed with their other tools and have not problem recommending them to you.

I know you were all hoping they unloaded 500 blades on me so we could all share. But they did not....not this time anyway :) But if they ever do....I'll be glad to share!!!

Smiles,

Kelly