Lightening Strikes IHAN Twice

Remember this photo from yesterday....

(I took this photo :)

taken here in Perrysburg.  I have one to add to it....

 Check this one out.....LIGHTENING.....I bet you think it can't strike twice in one place.....you would be wrong....LOL

(note: this is not a photo I took....I just thought it was beautiful and looked like Lightening Striking Twice....but thanks for thinking even for a minute that I could take such beautiful photos:)

Remember last month when everyone and their brother wanted to win the GO! Fabric Cutter from AccuQuilt for our First Anniversary Celebration?  Well......AccuQuilt has decided to do it again!!!

How exciting and incredible is this? You know I'm thrilled because I think my GO! Fabric Cutter is the best thing since sliced bread (no, I have not tried putting bread through my cutter....yet :)  IHAN blog readers know I love giving things away. 

Now, I just have to come up with the fun details about how you can enter to win.  You know me, I'll come up with something!!!

 
Stay tuned for all the fun details :)
 
Smiles,
Kelly

Bye Bye Miss Kelly

Meet my little friends.  These little people all jumped at the chance to take a picture with me and it made my eyes well up with tears of gratitude.  Last week was my last day helping in Zach's Kindergarten class.  They had gotten me some flowers (Zach is holding them over my head with a big grin..lol).  They signed a precious card and then everyone gave me hugs.  I thought my heart would burst.

I know these photo's don't exactly go with the topic.....but they do go with my week.  Check out these amazing photos of the sky.  I looked out the window and saw how quickly the clouds were moving and changing. 

Absolutely beautiful and powerful.....interesting how dark clouds can be beautiful.

Smiles,

Kelly

Happy Campers with IHAN Prizes

This is Patty from MyLifeUnderTheBus blog.  She won the Just Bee's Pins from Just Another Button Company in the IHAN 30 days of giveaways.  I asked folks who won to send me a photo of their prize when they got it or of them using it.  I think this is a very fun photo....Thanks Patty!!!

Melissa from AndreasNest blog won the QTools Sewing and Cutting Edges. 

Attached are three pictures of my IHAN anniversary prize in action! With these strips, I can make even seems of any width. Great for piecing quilts, especially on my old machine that really isn't calibrated well at all anymore.


Thanks again!
Melissa
Green, Ohio

I think it is fun to see where all these fun things go and how people like their things.  So if you won a prize and would like to send some photos along, I'd be happy to post them.

Smiles,
Kelly

What Makes Today Wonderful?

Maddy and Zach were both born on this day!!!

Happy 21st Birthday Madeline and

Happy 6th Birthday Zachary

Two very wonderful, kind, loving, smart, thoughtful, tender, honest (for as much as one can be at

6 and 21, LOL) AMAZING people....yes they are and I love them dearly!!!

Zachary, my youngest co-worker, has a mind of his own and always has had.  Stubborn and determined don't even come close to describing this little fella.  How do you like his outfit?  He dressed himself this morning....from head to toe :)  Yes those are Halloween socks and nice dress pants with a tye-dye shirt!

Oh yes, and this "scary" necklace came from the gumball machine and he had to wear it too this morning.

All I can do is laugh and keep going.  He thinks he looks wonderful and is all happy this morning.  Who am I to tell him that he does not exactly match?  I say, it is your birthday....I love you....have a good day!!!  Then I get him on the bus and come into the house laughing myself silly.

This morning he wanted to know who the first person born on earth was.  He had to know if they shared the same birthday.  How funny is that?

Both co-workers love hearing stories about when they were babies.  So this morning I was telling Zachary how I sang Patty Cake Patty Cake to him.  Aaron was standing near (he is 7 1/2 now mind you) and he rolls his eyes and says, "Mom that is Soooo 1990's."  So I asked him if he meant 1900's and he said, "Nooo, Mom, 1990's....this is 2010 you know." 

So all of you reading this....you know we are all just SOOOOO 1990's.......but little do they know.....we'd all be thrilled to be SOOOOO 1990's.....instead of 1900's.....or in my case 1964's....ROFL.

I'm sure Maddy is still sleeping this morning.  She is LEGAL now....so my guess is she went out last night and waited until midnight and then ordered her first legal drink.  Just a guess.....not saying that is what she did.....but I'd put.....oh say.....a hundred bucks on that bet :)

Maddy just finished her third year of Nursing School and she is looking forward to some R & R this summer.  She is in FL for the summer with her new baby, Beowulf, a lab puppy.

LIFE IS GOOD
And when it's trying....eat chocolate!!

Smiles,
Kelly

This and That, Now and Then....and Always

This is That....Now is not Then....and always eat chocolate. 

Yes, this is what it has come to today....I finally have cracked....gone bonkers.....another kid with a sore throat....how does this happen?  Isn't there something we can spray them with to keep the bugs away....Cooking Spray?  Raid .... no I guess there is a little skeleton that says poison....some sort of silicone spray that does not allow any illnesses to creep onto them?  Should I send them to school wrapped in a bubble wrap filled with disinfectant?  Ok, Ok, Ok.....I'll go to bed....sleep it off....then laugh tomorrow and read my post and agree with you....sleep is the best remedy :)

Smiles,

Kelly

Happy Loving and Nurturing Day To You!!

Beautiful art by Kevin Dyer....check out his amazing art!!!

Everyone already knows I'm an odd bird....and I'm OK with that :) So I know you will understand when I wish you a Happy Loving and Nurturing Day instead of a Happy Mother's Day.  I would wish you a Happy Mother's Day,  but many readers may not be Mother's and then there are those who did not get from their Mother's what they needed so it makes Mother's Day uncomfortable or unpleasant.  I'm truly grateful you are all here so I thank your Mother and Fathers for having you no matter what the circumstances. 

I want to honor the loving, nurturing and caring spirit within each and every one of you.....Happy Loving and Nurturing Day to you!!  I hope each and every one of you are taking the best and  most loving and nurturing care of yourselves as possible no matter what your life experience is at this time in your life.

Take this day to be good to yourself and those you love.....and I'll do the same. 

Odd Bird Smiles,
Kelly

Smith Street Designs Wildflower Pattern with CD

Last Saturday I was lucky enough to be able to join some gals in the local Machine Embroidery Guild at one of their stitch-ins.  I don't have an Embroidery Machine but I've always wanted to learn what they are about.  Wow was I surprised to see the varieties of machines and the amazing quilt pattern everyone was working on.  The pattern is called Wildflower and it is by Smith Street Designs.

This is my friend, Diane's block.  Everyone was working with batiks and they were absolutely beautiful.

These machines are soooo cool.  Diane was showing me all the bells and whistles on her machine.  I was fascinated by how her machine knew just where to stitch and it moved around the hoop until it found where it was going to stitch. 

Isn't this Sunflower beautiful on the batik?

I am amazed by how sophisticated these designs and the machines are.  I know it sounds like I live under a rock and I don't.  But honestly I don't think I ever really took the time to investigate what machine embroidery is all about.  If you think Machine Embroidery is just for monogramming and little pictures on towels.....you are like me and I'm telling you there is another world out there.....I just peeked in and it sure is impressive.

Smiles,

Kelly

What A Difference 10 Years Make

Ten years ago tonight I was having the time of my life.  Rick and I were married that Saturday afternoon.  I think the look on my face tells it all.  I thought I would burst with joy. 

As a tribute to our marriage I got 10 rose bushes for our yard.  I told Rick the roses are beautiful like our life together over the last 10 years and the thorns are to remind us that we get prickly sometimes.  He laughed and said they seemed appropriate.  

I have not posted the last couple of days because my youngest co-worker has had Strep Throat. 

My oldest co-worker reached into my purse while in the doctors office and started shooting pictures.  They both use my camera and it is funny when I find close up photos of each other's mouths and stones on the ground.  Mr. Zach is feeling better and will be going to school tomorrow :)

Do you know what this is?  It is hail!!  We had a bad storm roll through and I was away from home.  Rick ran out and grabbed a piece of hail and put it in the freezer.  The next morning the boys were thrilled to see their "hail" still in the freezer.....and it is still in there now.  I just glad they did not put a critter in there....the joy of boys :)

Isn't this a lovely postcard?  I think it is so great.  Anya, HillsCreekQuilter, sent it to me after she received her prize from the Anniversary Celebration.  Thank you Anya!!!

Smiles,
Kelly

Electric Quilt Company EQ 7 Pre-Order for 130.00 Upgrade 49.95

Electric Quilt Company EQ 7 Pre-Order

$130.00

 Save 59.95 

Electric Quilt Company EQ 7 Upgrade

Pre-Order

$49.95

Save 40.00

No I'm not going crazy......I've had customers that pre-purchased the software and then found lower prices.  My customers know I don't operate "Catchem and Cheatem's Bargain Store" here at IHAN so I've reduced the price.  This price will be honored here at IHAN through May 25th.  Thank you for choosing I Have A Notion :)  I would be honored if you referred IHAN to your quilting friends and groups.


Smiles,
Kelly

Do You Know Any Quilters Who Live Near Downtown Minneapolis?

Time for a little savy Quilt Networking!!!  I'm looking for a quilter or family member of a quilter who lives near Downtown Minneapolis.  There will be two of us going to Minneapolis on the night of the May 12th through May 16th EDITED HERE: 19-23rd. because I would then have to stay yet another week because Market does not start until the 19th!!!  .  All we need is a clean (non-smoking) place to sleep and shower.  I figure there is no need to pay a zillion dollars for a hotel when we are part of the most wonderful community I know of....the community of Quilters.  I've always said I wish when folks traveled they would come and sleep here for free rather than pay a zillion dollars to sleep in a hotel.  Perhaps there are others who think like me?  Ya don't know until you ask right?

I figured a Quilter might like an AccuQuilt GO as a Thank You gift.....or perhaps something else?  Hmmm....guess I'll ask the person.

We are driving so we can drive downtown but we don't way to stay too far away because we'll be very tired.  Neither of us smoke and we've never been convicted of any crimes....yet (I'm still planning that Aurifil heist!!!).

You know where to reach me.....just drop a line.  If anyone of you are passing through Perrysburg....south of Toledo.....you're welcome to give a ring and we'll make room for you.....or like Tom Bodett says, "We'll leave the lights on for ya!!!"

Smiles,
Kelly

It's A Wrap Bowl by Rosemary and Tonya's Mod Podge Prize

Most of you know I have been working on the It's A Wrap projects with my friend Rosemary.  This is her second project.  This time she used Batik fabric.

She wanted to do an oval basket and this is how it started.

And this is how it ended!!!

Great looking basket isn't it?  I'm currently in the process of using Batiks as well.  I'll post mine when I'm finished.  Beware.....this is a lot of fun.

Tonya over at Tonya's Sewing Room Blog won the Mod Podge in the IHAN Anniversary Celebration.  Check out the fun things she has made already:

A decorative thread jar and

A Magazine Bowl.....now tell me how very cool this is.....so Green and just darn right spanky!!! 

Thanks Tonya for showing us your fun projects :)

Smiles,
Kelly

Needle Felting Beginners Class with the Needle Arts Guild of Toledo

It has been several days now since I went to this Beginners Needle Felting Class at our Needle Arts Guild of Toledo meeting.  Caren Scarbrough, our past Guild President, gave us a beginners lesson on Needle Felting.  I had exactly zero experience with Needle Felting prior to this class.  All I have to say is it was fascinating. 

The piece above and this incredible gentleman were made by Kay Griffith.  All I can say about her Needle Art Skills is                     .  Her work leaves me speechless every time.  There are always those experienced Guild Members that have seem to turn every piece of work into a breath taking object of art.  She is one of those in my eyes.  Not to say there are not many more....but today, I'm talking about Miss Kay :)

Kay stitched and felted every part of this gentleman.  Isn't it incredible?  I bet I could visit her house and spend the entire time taking photos and never wanting to leave.

Caren brought her Baby Lock Felting Machine.  I did not even know such a machine existed.  It has 7 needles and no thread.  It just felts and wow it is a fast and wonderful machine.

This is a close up of the felting process.  It is much like free motion quilting.

These are some samples of other felted pieces.

Our beginners lesson was about making this birds nest.  We started out with a felting needle and a piece of Styrofoam.  We just poked and poked and turned and poked until it became the shape of an egg.  I think it was a great beginners project.  I'm going to use mine as a pin cushion. 

And I'm going to put these "Just Pins - Around the Block" in the pin cushion.  Won't that be so fun?  I think it will.  Another reason to smile.  By the way.....I'm always open for another reason to smile!!

Smiles,

Kelly

IHAN Anniversary Celebration Statistics

No wonder I'm tired!!!!  I had no idea the number of gifts nor their value until I sat down and tabulated these Stats.....unbelievable!!!

Now keep in mind these are rough numbers.  I did not go back and recount and obsess.  I'm sure there is someone out there who will re-count for me...feel free!!  LOL (ps....you need to see a psychiatrist for your obsessive tendencies if you are the one who actually does it)

Number of Prizes: over 160

Retail Value of Prizes: $3300.00

Number of Winners: 83

Total Number of Comments: 4613

Qualifying Grand Prize Enteries: 2448

Can you believe it?  I couldn't!!!  If I seem a bit wonky lately it was from having to exchange e-mails with 83 winners (multiple times) and many contributors to coordinate shipping of prizes.  Then there was the calculating postage, paypal requests for postage, boxing up prizes for about 75 people, and hand written notes in the packages.  Hmmmmm.....yep....I guess there is a good reason I've been tired lately.  This was a 4 person job not a one person job :)

You know what kept me going?  It was all the wonderful thank you comments I received from IHAN blog readers.  So many people took the time to thank me for doing the 32 Days of Giveaways and complimented my posts and efforts.  What an incredible Pay Check that was!!!  Thank you to everyone who took the time to read and leave comments.  I so appreciate your kind words and support.  It is truly fuel for my soul.  Not only that.....several folks sent nice thank you notes back with their postage.  A few sent extra postage and more offered to send more to cover additional expenses.  I don't know of another business person (I"m sure they are out there....but I don't know them) that people actually offer to pay more....go figure!!!

Then there were those few gals who worked in the background....they had the toughest job of all.....they gave me feedback and support when the going got rough.  Their suggestions, help, several daily e-mails, and kind words really allowed me to keep my sense of humor up until the end.  You girls know who you are....my heart felt thanks!!! 

Oh yea....there is someone to blame for all of this.....you know who YOU are too!!!!  This is all your fault and don't forget it.....LOL :)

Huge Smiles and Monster Gratitude!!!

Kelly

(edited to add the total number of grand prize people)

It's A Wrap finish and Superior Thread Company Machine Needle Experience

Well I enjoyed Tuesday morning so much I decided to take a break this afternoon and finish my, "It's A Wrap" plate (recommended first project by the author).  Keep in mind I left my book with Rosemary so I had no idea what was recommended for the process of keeping your work from getting all tangled up.  I am someone who will wrap it up around my feet....trip and fall....catch furniture with it while I walk downstairs to sew etc (yes I catch my purse strap on door knobs).  Luckily my paper towel was down to the last three pieces so I used the cardboard part to coil my wrapped line around.

Here it is next to my machine.  Check out how bright my Bendable Bright Light is....I love that thing!!!

Then all I did was use my left hand to rotate the coil under my machine while I held the cord taunt with my right hand.  It went very quickly.  I really like how forgiving this project it.  If by chance you don't catch the coil....just go back and stitch it again and it does not show.

Here she is....finished :)

And here is a close up of the fabrics.  Amy Butler fabric....oh yea!!!

These needles have nothing to do with my "It's A Wrap" project except that I used them for the first time today.  I have only used one brand of needles in my life.  I have never had a reason to change....I honestly have never thought of even trying another brand (old dog I guess).  I was asked to give these a spin and see how they worked.  I can tell you that I was able to thread the needle and that was huge for me.  I typically can't thread a needle to save my life.  Not with my glasses, two Ott lights and a Bendable Brightlight.....I guess the holes were just too small.  I had not one problem and only had to do it once....not 5-10 times licking the thread then the needle etc.  One time!!!!  The needle was nice and sharp....not one problem with the needle at all.  Guess you know where I'm going with this ay?  Yes....I'm going to start using the Superior Needles. 

Smiles,
Kelly