Digital Velocity Steam Iron V100 by Reliable Corp. Wins Two Thumbs Up

Rick is very picky about his irons.  He has bought 4 in the past 15 months.  I finally convinced him....well truth be known, Art from Reliable, convinced him that the Digital Velocity Steam Iron would be the best match for him.  I knew if I tried to explain it to him....he would just say...oh that's cool.  So I wrote to Art and asked if he would do a "guys run down" on how the iron worked and he did.  Thanks Art....You Rock!!! 

I opened the package and looked at the iron before Rick actually say it.  The hysterical thing is I could not figure out how the iron worked.  I looked and could not see how you could tell if it was on high or not.  So I left it on Rick's ironing board....yes we have two (actually 3) and he irons his clothes because he is a grown up and he can do big boy things...LOL.

Last night when Rick was ironing his clothes I asked him how he figured out when it was on high.  I figured it just beeped three times or something.  He said, "Kelly, you have to take off the little plastic protective covering on the iron to see the gauge."  Geez did I feel embarrassed.  

Rick said he likes the continuous steam and the fact that it does not leak....Hurray!!!  So much cheaper than paying for the last 4 irons....and of course....the stores won't take them back.  Guess there will be a few irons to sell at the garage sale this year. 

Smiles,

Kelly

Where Is The Red Carpet When You Need It?

Oscar de la Renta  ....move over.....IHAN socks are going to run you off the red carpet!!!  I can't think of anything more wonderful to wear down the Red Carpet can you?  (do not answer that question)

A Red Carpet Event for me means one of my co-workers has spilled their V8-Splash onto the carpet.  None the less, I want to be dressed in the latest and greatest for these events too.  Tonight I finally made another pair of Spanky Fleece Socks!  I loved the pattern on the fleece I had so I used it to make the second pair.

People were asking me how you make a sock out of one piece of fleece.  Below are some photos that I hope help answer those questions.

See how the heel comes up to meet the foot at the ankle?

This is a photo of the sock turned upside down so you could see the back.

If I would have gone upstairs and re-painted my toenails this would not be posted so I decided....if they are good enough for me....they are good enough to show how I customized my new socks.  If you can't stand my little chips in my toe nail polish....just get a sharpie in the same color....and color it in on your computer screen.

I used a chalk liner to and traced around my foot so I could sew the sock to the shape of my foot.

Here you can see the chalk line.  Keep in mind you might want to do this for both feet.  Because if you trace the same foot on both.....you'll have two right feet for socks.  Quit laughing....you know if I thought about it you just might have done it too :)

Remember the first pair I made on Tuesday?  Well, I was so excited that I promised myself I would not take them off until I made myself another pair.  On the left is the first pair and on the right is the second pair.  Hmmmm....I'm wondering how much longer I could have possibly worn them?  I wish I would promise myself I would not eat unhealthy food and I would get 8 hrs a sleep each night and actually hold myself to it.....but these fleece socks are so much more fun :)

 I think I like the second pair a little more.  After drawing my foot out and stitching the outline, they feel like a wonderful new custom build Yacht for my feet. ROFL

Joyous Smiles,

Kelly

Cedar Canyon Textiles Blog

I am on the e-mail list for Shelly Stokes, Cedar Canyon Textiles, newsletter.  I opened it and was so amazed to see all that Shelly has done recently.  Check out her blog.

My two favorite posts are : Discharge with Discharge Paste and Needle Felting with Stencils ~ Playing with Stencils 3.

I don't have any photos for you because I've been traveling all day and did not have time to e-mail Shelly and ask to "borrow" a photo to show off what I'm talking about.  So....you will just have to exercise your pointer finger on that mouse and click over to see her beautiful work.

Smiles,
Kelly

www.IHaveA-Notion.com Is Raising Money For Haiti...find out more

It has taken me some time to figure out what IHAN can do to help the people in Haiti. I have created a Sister blog to IHAN and it is     I Have A Notion 2 Make A Difference. All of the information regarding this topic will be posted there. Please feel free to stop over and decide if you would like to be a part of Making A Difference.

Starting now, midnight January 15 through midnight January 20th  2010 you can purchase products from IHAN at the Suggested Retail value and 100% of the profits from those sales will be donated to those in need in Haiti.  You MUST e-mail your orders to IHaveANotion@yahoo.com with "Haiti Order" in the subject line to place an order that will benefit those in Haiti.  Please note the price you will be charged will not be the IHAN price posted on the website....it will be the first price (has a line through it)  Suggested Retail Value. 

 Your total with shipping, will be e-mailed to you as soon as I have your items packaged and the exact postage calculated.  You can pay for your order by PayPal or if you don't have a PayPal account, you can send a check or money order.  I cannot accept credit cards.  My website has a secure check out so I never see any credit information.  Therefore I do not have a credit card machine here...everything is handled securely through the website.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.


Smiles,
Kelly

We Can Help Those In Haiti, I Know We Can

Here is a link I found that gives lots of places to donate.  Money is reportedly the best way to help because the folks who are providing supplies and staff can use the money to get the supplies needed in an organized fashion.

I will be sending money....I encourage everyone to do the same or help in some way that you can.  No matter if it is $1 ..... or many dollars.....that could be each one of us....scared and suffering.  I would want to know that the people of the world cared and would help.

We were able to raise 1200.00 for the children in Romania (donated to the Green Fairy Quilt Charity).  We sent over 40 boxes of needed supplies to American Samoa for the Tsunami relief efforts (Bejewledquilts.blogspot.com).  I am wondering what we can do for Haiti.

Leave me a comment or if you prefer to be private...send me an e-mail and let me know how much you will donate and I will work with companies to get our donations matched for Haiti.  How does that sound?  For now, all I need is a commitment.  Once I know our monies will be matched, I will give you the rest of the information we will need to proceed.

We can make a big difference....I just know we can.

Kelly

Haiti

Such terrible news to wake up to.  I'm so very sad for the people of Haiti.  So, the next question is....what can we do?  Any suggestions? 

No smiles today,
Kelly

Up The Attic Steps

Pat Smith and Carolyn Snyder, Up The Attic Steps,  have made some absolutely beautiful dolls.  They were kind enough to let me show them  to you.  

I met Pat here in Perrysburg.  She was having a garage sale last summer and we have crossed paths a few times since then.

Their dolls are so much fun.  I love frogs....so you know the Frog delights me.

Enjoy!!

(This frog looks like me....really....check out the feet!!)

Their dolls have been been exhibited in the Museum of Folk Art in New York City and in the Toledo Museum of Art.  Can you believe they have over 70 different designs.  I can't even imagine having 70 designs....perhaps 70 Tim Tams but 70 doll designs....these gals are very talented.  Their dolls have been in Doll Crafter Magazine and in the Ann Arbor Travel Host too.

They do custom work as well.  Do you think I should order Aaron and Zachary inspired dolls?  Wouldn't that  just be the best?

Thanks Pat and Carolyn for letting me show my friends your work.  The dolls are just beautiful.

Smiles,
Kelly

Tickled Pink....and Pinker :)

Today has been one of those days....so wonderful in fact....that I am Tickled Pink!!

It started with a return to the YMCA where I used to exercise 5-6 days a week.  I've been on a "few" month (5)break.  I got to exercise and that felt wonderful.  Some of my workout buddies asked where I had been.  I told them I died.  At the funeral I peeked an eye open and did not see them there....I got pixxed.....and I'm just back to haunt them. 

Then we came home, (my girlfriend from college is still here), and we started a fun project that I've been wanting to do for sometime. 

I'm so excited to show you.....ok...here goes:

This is a piece of fleece that I love and have had on my shelf since last winter.  I bought it 1/2 price at Joann's (see I too shop at the J word :) clearance remnants rack.
 

Then I pulled out this very cool book with fleece patterns and found the sock pattern.....oh yea baby!

I traced the pattern onto some butcher paper.  You see....I really do have a size 12 foot.  I had to add on to the pattern to make it long enough to fit my foot. 

TA DAH!!! 

"Extremely Spanky Fleece Socks" I'm modeling for you, don't you think?

I only have owned one other pair in my life and I've had them for over 8 years.  Rick bought them for me one Christmas.  I treasure those socks.  When I went to the hospital to have Aaron and Zach they told me to wear something warm on my feet.  So there I was.....in the middle of labor.....with orange wild fleece socks!!!  I'm sure they still are talking about that one.  So I figure it was time for some new fleece socks to adore.  If I have said, "I love these socks" once, I've said it 25 times today.  I'm so tickled and they feel like warm silk on my feet.  Ahhhhhh.......I'm sooooo happy :)

Then Loren, my mailman, came to the door with my mail and a package.  I was not expecting a package......so this was a fun surprise.

 I must have won a giveaway and forgotten.....because look at what fun fabrics I got in the mail from Jennifer Davis of Woodbridge, VA.  How wonderful.....they are great!

Thank you Jennifer.....these are great :)  I'm so glad I forgot, because it is like winning twice.

What a truly wonderful day.  I'm sure I'll dream of sugar plum fairies when I go to sleep tonight.  Or better yet....I will dream Tim Tams and Swirly Gummy Bears.

Anywhoo.....I'll stop gabbing on and on and on.  I just can't help but say, "I LOVE THESE SOCKS."

Warm Fuzzy Smiles,

Kelly

Passacaglia Table Runner Pattern Free :) by Inklingo

Does anyone see the free pattern up in the left hand side of my blog?  Has anyone clicked on it to download their free pattern?  The link was not enabled for some crazy reason (operator error) and no one could have gotten to it if you wanted it.  So....I fixed it.  Now...run....don't walk....and get your free download for this amazing table runner.  You will be thrilled you did. 

And I'm sad no one told me....boooo hoooo....OK, I'm over it :)

Kelly

A Quick Show and Tell

We have packed up most of our holiday decorations.  When I was getting some things ready to go back over the garage I just had to take a picture of one of our treasures.  Look at this beauty:

Isn't is lovely?  It is supposed to be a tree skirt but I can't bare to put it under a tree.  We use it as a table topper.  Rick's mother, Dolores, made this for him as a gift years ago.  Every year we take it out and marvel at how incredible it is.  I had to unfold it to take the pix so I'm sorry about the wrinkles.  But.....if I take the time to steam it....and then take the pix....something else will happen and I would never have gotten to photograph it for this post.  Know what I mean?

Smiles,

Kelly

My Favorite Calendar by Edyta Sitar, Laundry Basket Quilts

I like this calendar so much that I am keeping it in my sewing area so nothing gets written on it.  I was actually excited to be able to take the wrap off of it and hang it up.  Isn't it beautiful? 

No surprise it is by Edyta Sitar, Laundry Basket Quilts.  Her work is some of my absolute favorite.

My favorite page is March.  Lucky me because my birthday is in March.  I love this pattern and the batiks Edyta used. 

You know what else this calendar has?  Not one, but two patterns!!  How nice is that....I think that is so cool. 

This is the other pattern....isn't it fun?  I think it is very cheerful.  Do you treat yourself to things that make you smile?  I'd love to hear about them.

Now....I almost hesitate telling everyone about another one of my favorite snacks.  The last time I shared.....there was a serious run on the market and now I can't find any for myself...I should have told everyone never to eat a Tim Tam and if they came into contact with them to immediately ship them to me and I would take them to a special toxic waste site (my kitchen cupboard!!!).  But noooooo.....I wasn't that smart.

To demonstrate that I have "hopped on the clue bus" I want all of you to know....what ever happens.....under no uncertain circumstances should you ever eat a Swirly Gummy Bear by Black Forest.  Don't do it....honestly (a lie) don't ever try them.....you will hate them....I'm certain you will get very ill (another lie) so just send them to me and I'll get them to the secret toxic waste site that I know of....I'm just looking out for my...I mean ....your best interest.

Swirly Smiles,

Kelly

It's A Wrap

Have any of you made one of these bowls or baskets recently?  I'm in love with this book.  I'd like to see more of what people have made.  If you have done one of these,  will you send me some pix?  I'd love to hear how it went. 

My girlfriend from college, Pam, is here visiting for a week.   It is so nice to have her here and she is such a huge help.  She loves to help make my life easier so she has been folding laundry, helping with the boys in the morning and she has inspired me to finish some Christmas clean up. 

Yesterday we even rented a movie, Julie & Julia.  It was really good and I can't tell you the last time I sat on a sofa and watched a movie in the afternoon.  Oh yea...did I mention the swirly gummies?  Maybe I'll just keep that little secret to myself....I don't want a rush on the market and then the demand will be so great I won't be able to get them.  I think that is what happened with the Tim Tams.  I can't find them anywhere now.  I bet it is all my fault too.  I should keep my secrets better hidden....cuz there seems to be a rush on the Tim Tam market.  I'm thinking their stocks just shot through the roof.  LOL

Swirly Gummy Smiles,
Kelly

Who Says Happiness Does Not Come In A Bottle?

That would not be anyone at IHAN....we believe happiness does come in a bottle :)


Smiles,
Kelly

Alderwood Quilts is Having a Giveaway

Giveaway alert!!!  Hop over to Alderwood Quilts as she is having a beautiful giveaway for her 100 post.

Smiles,
Kelly

Textile Art by Brenda Klein, Rain Drop Studio

Do your remember this post?  And these pictures?

Rick and I went to the Levis Commons Fine Art Fair and I don't know how he did it....but he did.  YES he did.  He bought me, not one, not two, not three.....but four of Brenda's amazing works of art.

I was so moved I could not speak....tears rolled down my cheeks.  I'm in love with my pictures and I'm going to paint my kitchen a color that compliments our new focal point.

Stop over to Brenda's Rain Drop Studio and look at all her absolutely lovely works of art.  You'll have to stop by my house if you want to see the ones in the picture....because as far as I know....I have the only ones that exist on this planet just like these!!!  I'll put the coffee on....do you take cream or sugar?

Smiles,
Kelly

Sheila's Sewing Miniatures

Visit a friend....what is that?  It had been so long I had forgotten what it was like to actually go alone to someones house to do nothing more than visit.  That is exactly what I did on Sunday afternoon and I had a ball.  I went to Sheila's house and she had these really cute sewing miniatures.  She made the sewing cabinets in the last three photos. 

They are sooooo cool.  How fun to make little sewing cabinets.  Good thing she did not use my sewing area as a model......the stuff would be all scattered and it would not be near as much fun.

Everywhere I go I carry my camera.  I feel like I take the whole blog world with me where ever I go.  I love having the Internet to be able to show people things that are interesting and neat.  It would not be the same if I called on the phone and said, "hey I got to visit with Sheila and she had some really neat sewing miniatures."  Besides.....it saves a lot of phone calls and tons of time zone change difficulties....LOL

Smiles,

Kelly

Weekend Mail Man Needs GrabARoo's Too!!!

It was so cold here on Saturday I could not believe my eyes when I saw my mail being delivered.  No gloves.  Yikes!!!  GrabARoo's to the rescue.  I ran downstairs as fast as my size 12's would carry me and fetched up a pair of GrabARoo's.  Loren, the weekday Mailman, has a pair....but thoughtless me....I forgot the weekend crew.

The GrabARoo's are not intended to keep your hands warm, but they do keep the wind from biting his hands and the grippers on the fingers help him to pick up the mail.  They also help protect his hands from the paper as it takes all the oil out of the skin. 

Ya gotta take care of those taking care of you ay? 

Smiles,

Kelly

Butterflies and Caterpillars Quilt by Ellen Highsmith Silver Oh La La

Metamorphosis

Such a wonderful word to ponder for the New Year.  Growth and transformation abounds in this colorful quilt that Ellen made a few years ago. 

The colors are so vibrant and the theme so beautiful I could not help but e-mail Ellen and ask if I could post a pix of her quilt.  I could just get lost looking into the quilt.

The Butterflies and Caterpillars were all fussy cut and hand appliqued.  She then manipulated the fabrics into wings and caterpillars....isn't that incredible?  I just love it. 

"Embroidery is my first love in the needlework world and I used it here and there for adding details. This whimsical quilt could suggest a whole new and time-consuming way to look at every single fabric design.

Hmmmm, what could this chicken foot or traffic cone or flower bud become if fussy cut? Bird feathers? Fish scales hydrangea blossoms?" 

I was first introduced to Ellen Highsmith Silver when I was working on the Roc-lon Multi Purpose Cloth Challenge last year. She is a very warm and wonderful woman with a great sense of humor. Her book, Floorquilts, will teach you how to use your fabrics...stash and scraps.....and turn them into amazing floor coverings.Speaking of Transformation and Metamorphosis, I'm off to get my Tina Turner hair to look more like Kelly Jackson hair.....POOF




Smiles,
Kelly

Aniko Feher, Quilt Artist, Is Looking For Pattern Testers

This is such an exciting opportunity and I'm so thrilled that Aniko  Feher gave me permission to post about her work. She is looking for pattern testers of all skill levels to test some of her patterns. I would absolutely love to be a pattern tester, but as many of you know, I can not commit my time because of IHAN and my co-workers. 

This is one of Aniko's quilts.  She is a portrait quilt artist from Oak Park, MI.  This close up of the baby stopped me dead on my keyboard.  All I could do was stare in admiration.  Isn't it breath taking?

The Michigan Region of Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA) has chosen Aniko as their featured artist for January.  You really need to stop over to their site and read more about Aniko.   I promise you will be glad you did.

Here is some more information about becoming a pattern tester:

"I would give you a reasonably good preliminary package containing the pattern and instructions.

You would either:

A. Make the project and comment on the instructions, noting particular problems or opportunities for improvement.

B. React to pattern by saying: Yuck, I have no interest in ever making this, what is that woman thinking?

In either event I'd like to get your overall impression and reasons for liking or not liking it - within 3 weeks.

This project is easy but time consuming. It takes a weekend to complete. I am not aiming for a complete finished quilt, only a finished quilt top.

To keep this from having any tinge of bribery, I am sorry but I can't offer you payment to do this.

I am asking it as a favor and hoping that it will be fun for you too. Your reward is a free pattern autographed and with many thanks, when it's hot off the press of course (and my gratitude for your assistance).

Any interest?

I have testing packs ready to go.

If interested I can send you the pack by mail.

I would like your comments back by the end of 3 weeks."

Written byAniko Feher

You now have all the information you need to decide if you would like to volunteer to be a pattern tester for Aniko.  I would like to add that you would be expected to return the pattern at your expense to Aniko if you do not complete the project.  I know everyone understands how important it is to get only those who honestly have the time and energy to volunteer.  The rest of us can buy a pattern after Aniko has them tested right?  Right :)  I know I'll be in that line.....I'm not missing out on learning how to make such a beautiful quilt.  I can see my boys baby pictures made into wall hangings....oh my heart is melting just thinking about it.  (They are upstairs right now...I hear their foot steps on the floor and they are supposed to be in bed.....I guess I have to go be "the boss" now!!)

To contact Aniko just e-mail her at quiltsbyaniko@gmail.com

Smiles,

Kelly