Antie Em and a Wizard not in OZ but in OH

On my way to see the Wizard today, I thought I saw Dorothy and Toto .....but it was just a trampoline. Can you believe the wind did this?  It did. (Yes...I always carry my camera!)

This is where the Wizard's Magic takes place: Super Suppers in Perrysburg, OH!!!  You were not thinking I cook....no....I heat :)  I don't like to cook but these gals love to cook and they make everything so easy.  They really make me look good at the dinner table.  Better than plastic surgery and cheaper too!

You can stop by and pick up pre-made meals or you can stop in and put together several meals to put in your freezer.  It does not get any easier than this....and they clean up the mess!!!   The only improvement I can think of .....is if they folded my laundry and put it away.  OK....I'm dreaming....a girl can dream you know.

Smiles,

Kelly

Have You Met Lois?

I love Lois....she has 6 followers....come on....lets show her some love!!!  You won't be disappointed....she is one neat person with lots of fun projects and stories.  I hate for anyone to miss reading her blog.  Get right over there and read it....and not because she posted about me.....honestly......she is really interesting and talented.  You need to see the scarf she made for her step-mother.  It is soooo sad that her step-mother moved without telling Lois.  Yep....she told me to tell Lois to ship her scarf my address and said she would pick it up here.  (VBS)

Wicked Smiles,
Kelly
(VBS=very believable stuff?)
When she reads this....I'm in for it....I can see it now....I'll be run over with her sewing machine...LOL

10 Tips for Resolving Tension Issues by Susan Brubaker Knapp

Susan Brubaker Knapp has written 10 Tips for Resolving Tension Issues and it was published today on Quilting Daily.  I thought it was very interesting and wanted all of you to know about it too!!

I had the pleasure of meeting Susan while in Houston for Quilt Market.  We were both sitting on the sofa in the Hilton working on posting to our blogs.  She is a lovely and very talented lady. 

Her DVD,  Master Machine Quilting: Free-motion Stitching and Thread Sketching is available through Interweave Press.  

Susan teaches you the basics of free-motion machine stitching, including thread work to enhance the surface and quilting to hold the layers together beautifully. Find out what materials you’ll need and how to get started. Beginners and intermediates—and those who have been too terrified to try until now—will find inspiration and answers, as well as lots of tips, techniques, and practical information to improve their machine stitching. Stitchers of all levels will benefit from Susan’s thorough approach—from her careful consideration of materials and preparation (including advice on how to chill out), to the differentiation between thread sketching and machine quilting. Learn the benefits and purpose for each of these methods, and find plenty of inspiration through Susan’s artful examples.

Kelly
Smiles,

Alex Anderson's 4 in 1 Essential Sewing Tool NOW AVAILABLE 16.95

NOW AVAILABLE $16.95 at I Have A Notion!!!

Four Must-Have Quilting and Crafting Tools in One Flat-ended presser cap for finger pressing, folding, burnishing. Super-sharp BERNINA seam ripper for fast unsewing. Pointed wood end cap for turning bias tubes and and doll parts. Extra-long stiletto.

Click here to order your 4 in 1 Essential Sewing Tool before they are sold out.

Smiles,
Kelly

Virtual Christmas Quilt Show at SewCalGal

Darlene from SewCalGal is hosting a Virtual Christmas Quilt Show.  Not only is there a show, but an opportunity to win some really wonderful prizes too.  This is my entry:

"Christmas Baltimore"

These blocks are 12 of  Elly Sienkiewicz's patterns from her Baltimore Album books.  It is needle turn applique done in  red and green fabrics.  The quilt is 74 x 94 and was made in 1994. 

I love Baltimore Album quilts.  Red and Green just happen to be two of my favorite colors too.  So, naturally I love this quilt. 

I was turning 30 that year and did not like it one bit.  I was unmarried and had no children.  I had a great career but the fella I was dating at the time was definitely not marriage material.  Sitting at my desk I decided I needed to get away.  So I phoned the travel agent and gave them my credit card number.  I told them I wanted to leave for a week, send me anywhere in the world but bring me back in one week.

Then I walked down the hall to my boss' office and asked for a week off.  I knew that would not be a problem but I figured I better ask first since it was that next week.  

By the time I got back to my desk the travel agent phoned me to tell me I was going on a cruise leaving that Sunday returning the following Sunday.  Cool beans!!!

I had the time of my life.  I danced on deck during the parties (yes alone) and went to shows, snorkeled, para-sailed, shopped, slept, ate and exercised when I wanted to.  No one could believe I was alone.  Like traveling alone is unheard of or something.

While snorkeling I learned about nude beaches.  A bit of a surprise to me because I had never experienced this before.   I was jealous of how comfortable these people were.  Being fair skinned I have always feared the sun.  But, I was turning 30, and I felt like had not yet lived.  So.....yep you guessed it!!!  I walked way down the beach where no one could see me....I mean no one!  I put my towel down....took off my swimsuit....laid on my towel....I figured 30 seconds was plenty of time to be able to claim I had done some nude sun bathing.  On went my suit....up came the towel and I walked away all proud of myself. 

You may be asking yourself, "What does turning 30 and nude sun bathing have to do with a Christmas Baltimore?" 

The quilt was made the year I turned 30. 

My dear friend Mary Jane made the quilt and loaned the picture and details to me so I could have a quilt in the Virtual Christmas Quilt Show.  Since I don't really have a story to go with it....I figured I would tell you a story about the same time the quilt was being made.

So there you have it....a story and a quilt.  I qualify now!!!  

Smiles,
Kelly

Denyse Schmidt Giveaway!

Sweet Liberty is hosting a Denyse Schmidt Giveaway.  The only way to beat me out of a chance at this fabric is to hop on over and add your name to the list.  (Subliminal message....my name is Kelly Jackson....my name is Kelly Jackson.....my name is Kelly Jackson) now go add your name (Kelly Jackson) to the list.

Smiles,
Kelly

Once Upon A Time

there was a beautiful fairy princess(she did not know she was beautiful because she was young and stupid).  She was carefree and she stitched in the evenings after work.  This is an example of one of her creations:

I found these items up over the garage packed away.  The two ornaments were stitched by a very talented friend, Karen Van Wert of Flushing, MI.

Ahhhhh and now the fairy princess has 5 children and a home business.  Memories are so much fun!!

Smiles,

Kelly

Daylight Needlework Up Light 65.99 Only at I Have A Notion

Here I am in my very clean house fully dressed with my spectacles on doing some stitching.  I have fresh flowers delivered daily and really enjoy relaxing during the afternoon with a bit of stitching. 

 Daylight Needlework Up Light 

If you are a regular reader you are already rolling your eyes.  If not, you should roll your eyes.  This is not even my reality.....however needing more light is.  I find the older I get, the harder it is to see without very bright lights.  I prefer Daylight Lights because they are brighter (just ask my neighbors....I have them in every light on the first floor and my house looks like a landing strip).

The Daylight Needlework Up Light (suggested retail 89.99) is only 65.99 through December 15th at I Have A Notion.  Why such a good deal?  Because if you are like me, you wait to buy these types of stitching accessories when they go on sale.  We wait and wait and wait and typically don't get around to getting ourselves a nice light.  So if this describes you or a dear friend or family member, stop by I Have A Notion and see the good deals for yourself.

Bright Smiles,

Kelly

Moda Bake Shop Sampler - 480 Fun Filled Charms ONLY 35.00

You don't want to miss getting one of these  Moda Bake Shop Samplers .  They are 35.00 and there are 480 mini charm squares for your creative pleasure.  They make wonderful gifts too.  There are 12 mini charm square packages in the newest of Moda's fabrics.  You could even break them up and give them to 12 of your quilting friends for an affordable and fun surprise or stocking stuffer.

Supplies are limited because these are a one time deal :)

 Smiles,

Kelly

May Arts Ribbon Stocking....Check this out.

Most of you know already that I love May Arts Ribbon.  The quality is tops.  Every now and again I get a chance to peak at their blog.  Look what I found:

I really like the close up photo of the top of the stocking.  Click here if you want the instructions to make one for yourself :) 

Smiles,
Kelly

A wee bit of Cirque

I don't think I've shared with anyone about my big interview coming up here in January.  I'll let you in on a little secret....but....you have to promise not to tell a Soleil.  I have been invited to interview for a position with Cirque du Soleil.  Apparently someone from Cirque has been reading my blog.  They were so impressed with my balancing act they phoned me requesting an interview.  I need to be ready to replace one of these people by January.  Which one should I replace?  Hmmmmm....


I have been practicing......

How do you think I'm doing?  Do you think I'll be ready by January 2010? Me either.  But I sure had fun at the Imagination Station in Toledo this weekend.

Aaron played fireman and had a ball.

 

The boys got to visit with St. Nick.

Zach was making a magnetic sculpture. 

Yes this is my husband.  Rick was pretending to be moving in slow motion.  Makes you wonder why he would be married to someone as boring as me ay?  LOL

The boys attempting to walk through a room that is tilted on an angle.  If I just walk near the opening of this room I instantly feel ill.  I have no idea how children can play in there for so long without becoming sick to their stomach.

Zach busting a move on the piano.

All of that on a Saturday night.  Then on Sunday.....an angel appeared:

To put a star on our Christmas tree.

The end to a fun weekend:

Waking up Monday morning to find some snow falling.  The boys had to see some tire tracks in the snow.  They jumped on their bikes and took a little spin in the driveway before the bus arrived.

Ahhhh....if every weekend were so much fun.  I guess it is all a balancing act ay?

Circus Smiles,

Kelly

(Disclaimer-the stuff about Cirque calling me...was BS....well VBS...Very Believable Stuff....for those with reality problems...LOL)

Tutto Sewing Machine Bags from 149.00 to 239.00 at I Have A Notion

No kidding...medium Tutto bags start at 149.00 , Large 169.99 and XXL 239.00.  That is a huge savings just in time for the Holidays. 

Stop by I Have A Notion to check out the Tutto Bags and all the other Recent Additions. 

                               

These are just few of the colors available.  If you don't see the color you want, please e-mail IHaveANotion@yahoo.com .  Customer satisfaction is my NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.

Get Organized with the Desktop Carousel for 32.99

I was so tired of all those coffee cups fulled with my sewing tools next to my sewing machine.  I decided to get myself this very cool organizer and look at how nice it holds my tools.

The Desktop Carousel is only 32.99 at I Have A Notion.

Display and organize tools and crafting supplies with this sturdy MDF 6-sided organizer with 10 compartments and 6 drawers. Each side features a metal label holder and each drawer features a metal handle & magnetic closure. Easy turn base.

I've decided that I'm done with being disorganized.  I may have to re-organize every so often....but at least I'm going to have some places to put my things to keep them together nicely.

Smiles,
Kelly

I used my Quick Points Ruler

Quick Points 1 " Ruler at IHAN for 26.99.  I have one and I love it.

Over Thanksgiving I had a chance to sew with my dear friend Mary Jane.  We had a ball.  This is one of the things we made.  We used some of her turkey fabric and make some Prairie Points or Picots.

Then we made the Ric Rack.  We did just what the video told us to do and it worked out perfectly.  I'm going to add the Ric rack to my co-workers Christmas pillow cases.  When they are finished I'll post the photos.

In case you did not get to see this video the first time I posted it....here it is again.  This is the Ric Rack video tutorial.

View all the Quick Points Rulers here.  These are great gift ideas.  How nice would it be to surprise somone with one of these under the tree?

Smiles,
Kelly

Love Batik Textiles? Wondering what to do with them?

Did you know IHAN has over 60 one yard cuts of Batik Textiles?  It's true!!  They are one yard cuts and I only have one yard of each one.  You can purchase them in groupings here.  The photos below are just a few of the pieces I have for sale.

Love Batiks but don't know what to do with a one yard cut. 

Besides the obvious purpose for fabric....have you considered giving it as a gift wrap?  You can and it is so easy.  Check out this video from YouTube about Furoshki.  My friends, Jim and Chika, came to visit from Nagano Japan in March.  They brought me a book about Furoshki and some lovely fabric.  I love it and I love the idea of using fabric as gift wrap so it can be re-used.  Think about it....you don't have to buy paper gift wrap....it is green.....you can buy just the one yard cut you love and tell the person if they won't use it....to give it back and you can use it in your beautiful creations :)  You can also give a gift in it to a stitching friend.  I know they would love it and appreciate the gift so much more.


Smiles,
Kelly