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

Vicki Jones' Amazing Hand Quilting

Last week at our Applique Group meeting Vicki Jones (OH) brought in her finished quilt to show.  All eyes were on the quilt and some very talented ladies were saying to me...."wait until you see this....you want to talk about perfection". 

This was all hand quilted, needle up.....needle down (stabbing) not the rocking method.  Look how absolutely beautiful and even those stitches are.  The flowers were all hand embroidered.

Do you know how glad I was that I did not miss that meeting?  Oh wow....Vicki is a very talented lady and her quilt is a heirloom that will be enjoyed for many generations.

Grateful Smiles,

Kelly

Sew Fantastic Kona Giveaway

SewFantastic is having a Kona Color Wheel Give Away.  Run don't walk....translated....click quick...clickity clack and enter so you too will have an opportunity to gaze upon these lucious fabrics in person.  Good luck to you....I hope you win!!!  (I'm just being nice....really I hope I win)

Sneeky Smiles,
Kelly

Blog Hopper

Well....I've done just what I've said I would do....I've been blog hopping.  I have found a great tip for flat bindings and I've discovered a blog that I love.  So....as usual...I can not keep the good stuff to myself....I share.

Check Nellie's Needles for the flat bindings tip. (I added a seam press to my store (I know .... I did some work....but can you blame me?)

And Sue Spurlock's blog, Piece of Work. (I love the name of her blog)

Smiles,
Kelly

I Declare

(your never too old to go surfing....when you're young you stand up....then as you bloom....you lay on the board:)

....That today is be nice to Kelly day!!!  Have you ever just wanted and needed to have a day where you were just so nice to yourself all day long that you smiled when you went to bed?  Today is my day....I declare it to be so!!


Being this is my day.....I went back to bed after the boys went to school this morning :)


I'm having a cup of fresh coffee and I'd add chocolate to the breakfast menu if I had some here (darn....that is a crisis for sure!)


I'm going to take the time to color my hair which I've put off now for over10 days, yikes!!  (I know you are glad this is not television....cuz I'd need to have staff like Oprah to make me beautiful every morning.)


I'm going to work on my punchneedle name badge that I've been working on for way too long.  It should have been finished long ago but I have pulled out parts that I did not like the colors....so....I want to finish it soon!!


I'm going to get together all my thoughts about my big Anniversary Celebration coming up March 15-April 15.    An Anniversary Celebration is typically one day.....but when it includes lots of Give Aways....I thought it should last a whole month!!!  I'm sure you ALL agree!!  My house is beginning to look like The Santa's Stitchers Workshop thanks to all the incredibly generous folks in our Stitchers Circle!!! 


This will be a fun month.  I celebrate my 46th birthday, Rick and I celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary, and IHAN turns one year old (I think she needs a pretty Birthday Party dress with polka dots and ric rac.....but how do you dress a website?   Ok....there is another thought that just popped up.  I'll have to check with those folks over in the techno know how world to dress up this little girl.....ya never know what will pop into my mind/fingertips next.  I"ll be buying tuxedos for the co-workers (nope....too frugal!!)


Ahhhhh.....feel the declaration settling in with a wonderful cup o joe and now instead of working ......I'm going Blog Hopping!!!  One of my most favorite things to do because I don't like television.....Blog Hopping is like tuning into my favorite stations when ever I want to and there is always something "On" that I want to see.


Spunky Smiles,
Kelly