Electric Quilt Company Celebrates With " I Have A Notion"

Day 4 of

 IHAN's Anniversary Celebration!!! 

30 Days of Giveaways

The Electric Quilt Company (EQ) has joined in the Celebration and are offering their Quilt Design Wizard software to one lucky IHAN reader!!! Thank You EQ!!!

The Quilt Design Wizard software is for those of you who are beginning quilters and software users.  This is a great way to start designing quilts on your computer.  It has simple pieced blocks, straight/horizontal layouts, on-point layouts, and the ability to change colors.   I like to think of it as dipping your toe in the water to see if you want to jump all the way in. 

Want to know more?  EQ has an entire page dedicated to educating you about their Quilt Design Wizard software so you buy (or win!!!) feeling confident you know what you are getting and can use it once you have it.

I have personally never used the Quilt Design Wizard  software but I have the EQ6 Quilt Design Software.  It has always been difficult for me to learn new material and I get intimidated fairly quickly and shut down when it comes to even thinking about learning new computer software.  So for me to say I have really enjoyed my EQ6 and have found it very manageable to learn, really says something!!!

The Electric Quilt Company has made their software fail proof....and I'm not just saying that to be nice....it is 100% true.  These are just some examples of what EQ does to make sure you are successful once you purchase their software:

A host of demo videos available on their website-free-

• 
  
  What You Get with EQ6
• 
  
  Designing Quilts
• 
  
  Adding Borders
• 
  
  Printing Patterns
• 
  
  Importing Photos, Scans, and More
• 
  
  Drawing Blocks
• 
  
  More About Drawing
• 
  
  Quilt Gallery

 EQ also offers:
Newsletter
Club EQ
Lessons, Classes and Tutorials
Forums
Books (one comes with EQ6...others are available for purchase)
Tech Support
Customer Service


Oh, and I mention they have their own channel on You Tube?


They have crossed every "t" and dotted every "i."  If you have any interest what-so-ever in designing your own quilts or if you want to know what your fabrics will look like once cut into your pattern....EQ software is for you. 




You probably want to know how to win the Electric Quilt Design Wizard software, right?


You must leave a comment on this post sharing either your experience with EQ Software or telling me why you would like to have an experience with EQ software. 


The Electric Quilt Company will mail the Quilt Design Wizard software to the winner of this drawing (drawing being held on 4/16). Comments will close on 4/15/2010.


If you would like to read about my EQ6 experience....click here. :)


For those of you who may be first time visitors to the IHAN blog, you may want to read more about the 30 Days of Giveaways and learn how to get more entries into the drawings.  You can click on the link above or go to IHAN website and on the left side on the bottom there is a link that says "Happy First Anniversary."


Smiles,
Kelly
(PS....I have no personal relation to the Electric Quilt Company and everything that I have written has been from my (very positive) experience)

Happy Birthday!!!!

Do you want to know how it feels to go from this ....

(me age 6)

To This? 
(Me at 46)

I Love it and I'm Getting Jiggy With It :)
You must play this video while reading the rest of this post
to get the full message as it is intended.

Just in case I've never said this before.....I love Will Smith's attitude and smile.....I'd invite Jada and Will to my Birthday Party, if only I knew where to send the invite.  While I'm doing the invites....I'd invite Carole Burnett too!!!  Oh yeah....and Dolly Parton.....and Michael Hedges (his spirit anyway).....

Then of course all my blogging buddies....and I'd have the party in the Bellagio in Vegas under Dale Chihuly's glass ceiling.....and.....we'd all eat lots of wonderful cake and ice cream.....small pieces all cut up and put on pretty plates with little scoops of ice cream. (I know....you are wondering why I say small right?  So we can try a lots and lots of varieties....and eat more:)

That's my kind of PARTAHY.....and my co-workers would be right there with me dancing like James Brown (they do and they've never seen him dance....soooo funny).
We would all stay in the hotel and be treated like Royalty....and we would have slippers to match our robes...they would smell spring fresh and the house shoes would fit perfectly.  Warren Buffett would be invited too....and he would graciously pick up the tab....oh yeah baby!!! (Oh yeah....I forgot to tell everyone....I really admire Warren Buffett.....and not for the reasons you may think.)

When it was time to come back home....Rick would be wearing a Tux like he wore at our wedding....and I'd melt into the Limo seat for the trip home.

Now....I need a nap....that was a very fun trip....but now....I get tired a little quicker than I did when I was 6 :)

Big Smiles,
Kelly

Famore Scissors and Seam Rip

Day Three of IHAN's 30 Day Anniversary Celebration!!!  

Meet Brint...aka "The Scissor Man" from Famore Cuttlery (Specialty Products).

This is me attempting to steal Brint's Apron. I told him at Spring Quilt Market that he should handcuff himself  to his apron because one day I was going to steal it. By Fall Quilt Market,  I had gathered enough moxy and just reached out and grabbed it....unfortunately he had more help so he won....this round. (Trust me....I may have lost that battle....but I'm not down for the count....I can float like a butterfly and sting like a bee....I'm Kelly Ali)

Fortunately for me, both Brint and Michaelann, understand I have a thing for scissors and they are very forgiving. I call his apron "Scissor Porn." (They both agreed not to press charges if I were to seek help for my Porn Addiction...but I just have not found the appropriate group...anyone know of any resources for this type of recovery?") (Another Lie)

These are the Fine Point 4 1/2 " Scissors by Famore Cuttlery.  They are wonderful scissors.  The tips are fine and sharp so they are great for detail work, applique, and "un-sewing." 

 

                                             

With Sandy's permission I am publishing her unsolicited comment:

Hi Kelly,

I had my side of the family Christmas brunch yesterday and gave the nifty little scissors. My sister , the expert quilter of the family, gave them the once over when she opened them.When she got home she tried them out on a purse she had made and called raving about how great they were. IF they passed her test we scored.

Thank You again , Kelly
Always,
Sandy Johnson

I get this response from may customers who buy these scissors.  The Quality and Price can't be beat!!!

This baby is my most favorite seam rip of all time. The Famore Seam Ripper 5 1/2in comes with 3 replacement blades. Not 1, not 2, but 3 replacement blades!!! I have yet to replace a blade and I use mine for everything. I know some folks are afraid of the surgical steel blade....why? They use rotary cutters Right? Just give it the proper respect and mindful use and it is just as safe as a rotary cutter.  Price and Value....again....can't be beat!!

So, you probably want to know how you can win these Scissors and Seam Rip (Excellent Porn) right?  You need to leave a comment (no-reply bloggers won't be counted) telling me why you think you should have these scissors.  I want some real honesty here....not just because "I" say they are great.  I already know they ROCK....I want to hear why they sound interesting to you personally.

There have been some updates to the Anniversary Celebration (rules and regs. so to speak) so please check here for updates :)

Naughty Smiles,
Kelly
 

These Irish Eyes Are Smilin

Top of the Day to Ya!!!

Green Beer Smiles,

Kelly

Lets Spread The Word!!! Giveaways For A MONTH!!!

Let's tell everyone we know about these wonderful Giveaways.  Please post this button on your blog and link it to my blog.  Who wants to keep such a fun event a secret?  Show your friends the love....pass it around.

If that is not your thing....please just let others know by posting it to your blog or perhaps at a guild meeting. 

Also, I do want everyone who leaves a comment to have a chance at winning.  So please check the comments for your posts.  If you see you are a no-reply blogger.....fix it quick so you can be contacted if you win.  I can't find a no-reply person.  Hate to rehash a very old subject....but if some of you are new to blogging you just might not know what I'm even talking about.

Smiles,

Kelly

Brewer Quilting and Sewing

How could anyone resist  Brewer's
Dupioni Silk? 

Brewer Quilting and Sewing is one of IHAN's distributors and they have generously given this "Silk Hearts Collection" for our Anniversary Celebration. 

I love Brewer's silks and when I go to Market I make sure I go to to their Silk School House Series.   These are photos I took from Spring Quilt Market 2009.

See what I mean.....Silk is not just for the rich and famous any more.  We can all indulge in its rich and delicious texture and bask in the incredible colors Brewer offers.  I feel like a stalker at Market.  Either I'm the first in their class or I'm dashing around looking for Brewers School House on Silks. 

If you are still breathing (if you are not....I can't think of a better way to go....and if you are just hanging on by one last little breath....

...these are some tantalizing accouterments that are not in the giveaway but I thought you just had to know about.

Hearts by Sarah Vedeler Designs 

Silk Hearts Collection by Aurifil Threads

See what I mean about still breathing?  My heart rate has gone up just looking at these photos.  I better get a lawyer and fast. (if you are from OH ...just think Elk & Elk ROFL)

Sarah Vedeler Designs work wonderfully with Brewer's Silks.  I am not responsible for what happens to you if you click on the Sarah Vedeler Designs link.  You may be blown away.....be sure you are sitting on a chair with wheels....I was....now I'm in the next room!!!  Don't miss the free download of her pattern!!!!!

All you have to do to win this incredible "Silk Hearts Collection" is leave a  comment saying what you will use the silk for if you win.   (I just want it....does not work...sorry)

For more entries, send photos of your silk projects to IWantToWinAtIHAN@yahoo.com  along with a little description of your project and a little about yourself.

Silky Smiles,

Kelly

PS...click here to read all the ways you can get entries for this months giveaways.  Especially if you are a no-reply blogger :(

No-Reply Bloggers Alert and More

You might want to check the comments you have been leaving.  If you are a no-reply blogger.....guess what?  You can't win because I don't know who you are to leave you a comment about winning.  So in order to win a great prize please follow the instructions below:

Here is how to do it if you don't know how:

•first, go to your blogger dashboard
•near your picture or logo on the left, click "Edit Profile"
•go to the first section labeled "Privacy"
•in this section, the third line down should say "Show Email Address"
•make sure the IS a Check Mark in the "Show Email Address"
•if you don't have an email address listed, you can fill it in in the "Identity" section
•The MOST IMPORTANT part when you finish, is to go to the bottom of the page and click "Save Profile" on the bottom left side. If you do not click save it won't work.

Also....if you want to win the prize you need to answer the question, yesterdays question was, Why do you want to win these DVD's.  I honestly want to know why so please include that in your comments :)

Good Luck to everyone!!!

Smiles,
Kelly

Patsy Thompson Designs

Welcome to the month long "I Have A Notion" Anniversary Celebration!!!  Let the party begin........



Come on .....Lets Shake our Tail Feathers!!!!   Who better to shake our feathers with than Patsy Thompson of Patsy Thompson Designs, right?

(Hi Patsy:)

Have you ever wanted to learn or improve your machine quilting?  Let Patsy show you how she creates beautiful award winning quilts with her DVD's.  She has graciously offered the following three sets of DVD's for the IHAN Anniversary Month Long Giveaway!!!

We all know it takes practice, practice, practice.....however if you are anything like me I could practice until the cows come home and make little progress.  But with some instruction from a talented instructor...I can make progress much faster.  (Don't believe me?  Just ask Mary Jane!!)  

Isn't this absolutely beautiful? 

Wow....now that is a "tail feather" LOL

This is a lovely use of fun threads and you could learn from an expert how she makes these gorgeous designs.

It might be difficult to see the quilting in this photo but if you click here you will see it beautifully.

New this Spring, Patsy has a  2 disk set coming out based on feathered border designs and a Feathers book.  So we have more fun to look forward to :)

Patsy offers free (we love free) downloads and a Power Quilter Certificate!!  She also has a lovely on-line shop to purchase more of her DVD's and recommended notions. 

Speaking of notions, Patsy honestly has the very best video on her site about the Bendable Bright Light.  She makes taping a video look so easy.....trust me....it is not.  I drop things....my voice sounds funny....her video ROCKS and it shows you exactly what I've been saying about it.....I don't think there is a stitcher alive that would not love a Bendable Bright Light. (if you find one....you've moved a grave stone and that is against the law!!!)

On to the Giveaway.....you can win the above DVD's by leaving a comment on this post about why you would like to have one of Patsy's Free Motion Feather's DVD's. 

Want more entries?  Click here to find out how you can get lots more entries for each of the days between today and April 15th when the Giveaways end.

There will be three winners, one for each of Patsy's DVD's and the winners will be announced on April 16th, 2010.  This will give everyone plenty of time to read through the post/posts and be thoughtful about their replies. 

Tail Feather Smiles,

Kelly

FYI-All of the posts for the coming month have been written by Kelly Jackson.  They are all my own words and thoughts.  Having this giveaway is my way of saying Thank You to all of you and the wonderful people who so generously donated these items.  How better to celebrate?  I get to tell all of you about wonderful products and you have a chance to win some really incredible things!!!  Now that is what I call a Party!!! 

(a special note to all my friends out there....if you see I've made a mistake....let me know, thanks :)

"I Have A Notion" Starts Celebrating On Monday March 15, 2010

I had to dress up the girls (blog & website) for their big celebration....their one year anniversary is coming up.  The festivities start on Monday.  But I could not wait to get them all dressed up for their big day.  If you want to grab a button and put it on your blog with a link to IHAN....you just feel free to do that. 

More very soon....the future looks so bright....ya better wear your shades :)

Sneaky Smiles,
Kelly

Golden Quilter Awards 2010 for National Quilting Month

Golden Butterfly Award

"An award given for generosity of time, sharing of knowledge, inspiration, encouragement and charitable contribution to Quilting & Fiber Art."

This award was generously given to me by Lacey Hill, Golden Thyme Designs.  I graciously accepted it and now I'm passing it along to three wonderful bloggers who definitely deserve this recognition as well.
 
Hills Creek Quilter - Anya from PA. 
Anya's was the first blog that I followed on a daily basis when I first started reading blogs.  Anya is a lovely woman who freely shares information and encouragement.  
 
Hanging On By Needle and Thread - Susan also from PA.
Susan's was the second blog I started following.  Susan is another lovely PA woman who shares her joy of sewing with others.  She also does a lot of charity work that she posts on her blog.
 
Nellie's Needles- by Nellie is from Tennessee & Michigan.  When I found Nellie's blog I fell in love with her birds.  This was before she had a link to the pattern.  I wrote to her and told her I loved her birds and without hesitation she sent me her pattern.  I was floored.  I've read her blog every since.
 
These are just three of the many blogs that I love to read and certainly believe they deserve recognition for all that they do for others and for their fun blogs.
 
If by chance, your blog is a non-award blog.....no problem....just know I am sending this our of respect and joy for your work.
 
Smiles,
Kelly

Mary Lee Grabowski Does it AGAIN!!

Last night at the Black Swamp Quilt Guild Meeting we had a Garage Sale and Pot Luck along with our meeting.  (Why isn't there a pot luck with every guild meeting?) More about those details after the photos of Mary Lee's Art Quilts.

I've posted about Mary Lee before, so for those of you who don't know (or remember :)....this is Mary Lee.....Mary Lee....meet the IHAN blog clan.

Tell me you cannot look at this quilt and hold back a cheerful feeling and a smile.  If you can honestly do this, take your Prozac toot sweet or check into Electric Shock Therapy. 

The challenge was to use tulle and I tried to take a photo so you could see the tulle...I hope this one works and you can see it. 

If the first one did not grab you....this one will for sure!!!  Apparently it grabbed me so hard that I took at least 6 more photos and decided I did not "need" to share them all with you. I do get carried away, often!!!

The best part of Mary Lee's "work" is her attitude.  She is a "who cares if you follow the rules" type of gal.  We have a few of those free spirits in our guild.....I aim to become one of them. 

"Just make it work and hack it off" was said -out loud- last night by an un-named free spirited quilter.  Can I get a Whoooo Hooooo out there?

If only I had my video camera with me last night.  The closest I could get to what "really" (a lie) happened last night after the "hack it off and make it work comment" is this youtube video.  The colors were Orange and Brown and the gals in the group made the shapes of sewing machines and quilts as we all whooooped it up.  You never know what kind of fun we will have at a guild meeting :)

Whooped Up Smiles,
Kelly

Do You Use A Needle Threader?

I do!!  The one below is mine.  It is not one of the newer pretty colored ones (see below) mine is brown.  However, I must say, despite it's color it is the best needle threader I've ever used.  I have tried quite a few of them too. 

Clover makes a wonderful, easy to use, needle threader.  I've been told that some folks don't use needle threaders until they "need" one.  Well, I NEED mine.  I get so frustrated every time my thread comes out when I am stitching.  I love working on my English Paper Pieced hexagons while traveling and I'm telling you I un-thread that needle so often...why?  Someone needs to "FOCUS" on her needle and stop having to turn around and speak to her co-workers while traveling!!!

Check out the beautiful new colors:

These are all available at IHAN (scroll down to bottom of the page :)....except for the brown one....that one is mine.  But if you would like to trade....I can make arrangements....I'm willing to swap for a purple one :)

Do you use a needle threader?  Which one and why?

Smiles,

Kelly

Double Diamond Ruler -Re Post with More Info!!!

I received permission from Bright Quilting Notions to add photos of the Double Diamond Ruler from their site.  So, for those of you who loved seeing my little photo shots....you will LOVE these pix.

Not only is this a beautiful Guitar Strap....how about a cool Camera Strap?

Not only are they so generous to share their photos....they are also sending a special package for the Anniversary Giveaway starting in just FOUR days!!!  Thank you Bright Quilting Notions.

Click here to see their FREE bookmark pattern :)

Smiles,
Kelly

Simpli-EZ Bias Ruler And the Double Diamond Ruler Demo's

On March 4th Checker Distributors had a demo of some of their products in the warehouse.  Penny Harren, author of Pieced Applique`, gave a great demonstration of the Simpli-EZ Bias Ruler by Simplicity and the Double Diamond Ruler by Bright Quilting Notions.

This is the Simpli-EZ Bias ruler.  You lay the ruler on the edge of the fabric as shown.  You make your first cut to the right side of the ruler at the distance you require.  If you cut the blunt ends of the ruler (difficult to see in this photo) you will be able to match and join your bias strips.

You can cut bias strips quickly and accurately using the Smili-EZ Bias Ruler.  I love this ruler and use it every time I have to cut bias strips. 

The Double Diamond Ruler is a very interesting ruler.    Not only can it be used on fabric....but I can think of how wonderful it would be in scrapbooking and card making too!  Add some Mod Podge and the sky would be the limit!! :)

You get TWO rulers!!!  The 1 1/2 and the 3 1/2 rulers come in the package!!  Can I hear a "Wooo Hooo?"

 

Isn't this neat?  I think it is really interesting and I can see it being used with paper as well.  It would be fun to see an embellished shirt or jacket.  I'm sure there are a million ideas....I just need time to think of them all.  LOL

 

To watch a video of how to use this ruler, you can click here for The Bright Quilting Notions Video. 

There are three patterns available that use the Double Diamond Ruler.  If you want a closer look, click here. 

Stay in touch....leave a comment....or three!!  You  are going to need the practice for the 15th of March!!!

Smiles,

Kelly