Ricky Tims' "Oodles of Doodles" at Spring Quilt Market 2010

I think the photo problem is fixed!  Thanks for your patience.

Red Rooster Fabrics hosted Ricky Tims for a Schoolhouse presentation at Spring Quilt Market 2010
(Music for this presentation provided by MC Hammer thanks to IHAN's creative staff?)

You know IHAN was not going to miss this presentation!! I can't say I got the best photographs but I did have a great time and enjoyed hearing Ricky Tims speak.

Oodles of Doodles is Ricky's new fabric line with Red Rooster Fabrics.  It will be in stores by September/October 2010.  "Circles spinning with bands of color that swirl and twirl create the ultimate in contemporary design!" is the description I copied from Red Roosters Site.  I think I would have called it, "Way too much fun" and  the song "Can't Touch This" would be playing in the background. - IHAN's creative staff managed to add it just for this post....cuz.....I felt like it :)

Can you tell IHAN really, really, really likes this fabric?  I love the energy....and it does not even have caffeine or sugar....so just the effects without the shock to my internal organs....just the beauty in my eyes.  I bet if you hooked me up to one of those brain scans my pleasure centers would go bonkers when these fabrics were shown to me.  What about you?  No, then close your eyes and those who say Yes....DEFINITELY YES....keep reading :)

Obviously I did not get to meet Ricky while he was giving his presentation for Schoolhouse.  The next day I was able to meet him at the American Quilter's Society booth.  I know why Alex Anderson likes him now.....he seems to have a kind, gentle, creative, fun-loving and sincere spirit.  He posed for a photo with me but since I don't know how to Photoshop the pix I'm not posting it today.  I look like Casper and I'm having one of those days (you know what I mean).

Ricky gave everyone who attended his Schoolhouse presentation a kit to make the wall hanging that is pictured above.  How cool is that!!!  Extremely cool indeed :)  I know the gift was intended to be used by folks to make Samplers for their shops.  Since IHAN is virtual.....and I already posted a photo of it (above) then why not pass this lovely gift alone to one very lucky IHAN blog reader right?  RIGHT!!

All you have to do to win this "Oodles of Doodles" Wall Quilt Kit is leave a comment on this post and tell me where you will hang it or who you will give it to.  Easy enough?  Make sure you leave your e-mail address if you are going to leave an anonymous comment or you are a no-reply blogger.  This giveaway will end on Friday July 2, 2010 at Midnight.

Smiles, Kelly

All of these Ricky Tims Items are
NOW Available at IHAN (at a nice savings too!!!)

Rhapsody Quilts

Convergence Quilts

         


Superior Threads - Ricky Tim's Art Studio Colors

Rhapsodie Fantastique Embroidery CD

Grand Finale DVD

Harmonic Convergence

Some Goodies for Me

I'm trying to hurry to finish my work so I can get downstairs and have some "me" time.  I would work at this computer for 12-14 hours at a time if I did not set limits on myself and my co-workers were on auto-pilot.

These are some books that I'm actually not giving away.  I know, can you believe it?  I bought these for myself recently and I'm excited to have some time to look through them as well as finish up a few UFO's.

For time's sake I'm only going to give you a quick review of Jane Davila's Surface Design Essentials.  I'll get to the other two as soon as I get into them a little more.  No fair in reviewing a book you have not even had time to read right?

 

If I've said it once, I've said it a hundred times, I'm a visual learner.  But it is true.  If I read instructions without pictures, and good pictures at that,  then I stall and my mind goes blank.  Here are a few snapshots of the photos and instructions in Surface Design Essentials.

Here Jane is describing color mixing.  For some folks that comes natural, not for me.  Last night while giving Zach a bath he asked me what green and red made (he likes food coloring in his bath water)....I had no idea. (non-fiction)

Do you get excited when you see all the design tools and supplies but you don't have a clue what to do with them?  Good, that means I'm not alone.  This book gives instructions and describes what to do with the supplies that many of us have in a drawer someplace because we did not know what to do with it.  No, I'm not going through your drawers....I'm a psychic medium in my spare time :)

Jane Davila's Surface Design Essentials covers:

• Using Soft Body Acrylics
• Using Acrylic Mediums
• Creating Background Washes
• Using Acrylic Ink
• Stamping
• Printing
• Mono-printing-Subtractive
• Mono-printing- Additive
• Sun printing
• Stenciling
• Painting Unusual Surfaces
• Using Water-Soluble Ink Pencils
• Modifying Commercial fabric
• Making Image Transfers

So you see, I'm not so generous after all.  LOL  I'm off to the basement now....that is where my sewing area/design studio/stuff is :)

Smiles,

Kelly

Cutting Corners Template Set by Toby Lischko Winner Announced

Cutting Corners Templates by Toby Lischko

Goes to: Mary on Lake Pulaski

(please e-mail me with your address)

Thanks to everyone who left comments.  I'm still going through all the Quilt Market photos and I have lots more fun gifts to give away so stay tuned :)

Smiles,

Kelly

St. Louis Stars by Toby Lischko at Spring Quilt Market 2010

EDITED 6/29/10 2:00 PM

IHAN blogifers meet Toby Lischko, Toby, meet the IHAN bligifers :)

This is Toby's new book, St. Louis STARS.  She was showing me her book and template set and we were talking at the QuiltWoman booth. 

 

17in St. Louis Star Template Set

Toby is a Quilt Teacher, Pattern Maker, Award Winning Quilter so when you read her book and look at her instructions you can quickly see she knows how to explain each step so that students can understand how to repeat the process and be successful in making their quilts and other projects. 

EDIT : Apparently I have not been clear in my post.  The template shown above is only one in her set of templates for her book: St. Louis Stars.  The templates below are completely separate and do not relate to her book.  They are some new and very useful templates she has designed.  I hope that helps clear things up a bit.  As soon as I get some more photos of the templates for her St. Louis Stars book, I'll add them above.  Thanks!!

Toby gave me a set of her new templates,  Cutting Corners while at Quilt Market.  I was very excited because I watched her demo and I knew this was something I could repeat without having to be reminded what I was doing.  (Not to say instructions are not helpful.....but there was an intuitive process that I could see)  

So I decide to get them out to review them for the IHAN blog and I know you are going to laugh at me.....but some of you may relate to my insanity (if you don't - keep it to yourself because NO ONE likes a perfect person :)  .

I take them out of the package and head downstairs to photograph a demo.  I get out the instructions and actually read them....all.....can you believe that?  Then I get some scrap fabric out to use for the demo.  I turn on the iron, get the fabric ironed and ready to go.  I turn around to my cutting table and realize there is paper on the back of the templates.  Dang, do I want to take off the paper just to do a demo and then the person who wins them won't get a brand new set?  Then it dawns on me.....why on GGE (Gods Green Earth) would I even do this when Toby did a full demo of all the templates at Quilt Market and I took photos already.  So, I decided to leave the paper on and show you what one lucky IHAN blog reader will receive.

These templates work great for Square in a Square blocks, Flying Geese blocks, Star Sashing, and strips with triangles on the ends or unusual sash effects, Bowtie blocks, Snowball blocks as well as Bindings and Borders.  You won't need to draw those lines on the back of your squares if you use the Cutting Corners Templates.

Here is a glimpse of how easy the directions are to follow.  If I can follow them.....trust me.....you can follow them.  I'm a visual learner and between the easy to understand directions and the pictures it really is very simple.

So here you go.....instead of me taking time to do the exact same thing Toby did.....here are the photos I took while at Quilt Market:

Toby has more samples on her blog, just click here.  What I found to be very helpful with these templates are the flat edges that help to match the correct edge.  There is no guess work with those little triangle tips.  Although I'm good with math I don't like to have to "think" or "calculate" my way through a pattern.  When I have to do that I tend to make silly mistakes.  These templates help avoid the typical math calculations because you just use the strip sizes in the directions for your project and you use the correct template.  If you are anything like me, you will need to put the other templates away because I am always picking up the an adjacent ruler or template and cutting something that not on the step I was on.   I'm not a lame brain.....but I do have ADD and it does make it a challenge to break down things into small manageable steps that go quickly.

Yes I did use my rotary cutter to cut some strips and begin to use the templates without tearing off the paper.  They do work exactly as described.....and I guarantee you there will be many more uses for these templates once you begin expanding your ideas with other projects.

Currently the Cutting Corners Template Set is only available at  Toby's site Gateway Quilts & Stuff.  However, on very lucky IHAN blog reader will be able to win this very nice set I have here on my desk.  If you would like it to be you, leave a comment on this post telling me how often you think you will use them, what project you will use them for AND promise me you will use them and not just enter to be winning another set of templates.....these are just too good to be added to "the collection" and you do know what I'm talking about!!! :)

Giveaway Closed

The deadline for entering......let me see.....what is this week looking like?......Hmmmmm......how about I say only the first 30 comments count, you can only leave a comment once.....it must include the information requested above......and as soon as we hit 30....I close it and do the drawing?  Good idea?  I thought so too :)  NOTE: I have to be able to contact you.....some of you don't know it but you are no-reply bloggers....I can't contact a no-reply blogger.  So if you are not sure, leave an anonymous comment and be sure to put your name and e-mail address in the comment.  It makes me sad to not count all the entries for a giveaway.

Good luck to the first Thirty who read this post. 

Smiles,

Kelly

PS....Thank you to everyone who continues to say I'm so generous.  Generosity is a quality I possess.....but keep in mind, I have a store, http://www.ihavea-notion.com/ and you can't exactly walk in my door and get a demo....so I can share in photos those demos and then I get the pleasure of giving away the gifts that the extremely generous and talented folks give me to tell you all about.  If I kept them all......it would be a crime and I'd have more than one person can possibly use.....so be sure to thank the folks who provide the lovely gifts too.

Robert Kaufman and Hemma Eye Candy From Spring Quilt Market 2010

A little self explanatory eye candy to gaze upon while I'm finishing another fun post that includes another giveaway!!  Stay tuned :)

I'll be back later to finish the other post....hope you had fun looking at these lovely items....see you soon.

Smiles,

Kelly

Quilt in A Day - Eleanor Burns at Spring Quilt Market 2010

Edited 6/29/10
Lady Eleanor Burns Schoolhouse Presentation Spring Quilt Market 2010

Lady Eleanor is sporting an apron inspired by her new book, Quilt Blocks on American Barns.  You have to know if Lady Eleanor is talking there will be smiles, laughter and everyone will have a great time!! 
This is a beautiful example that was held up for showcase how beautiful the patterns are from Quilt Blocks on American Barns.  This particular quilt was made by Patricia Knoechel and was quilted by Annie Potter, long arm quilter.  The lavender and green really appeals to me. Edit: I applogize for the misspelling of the machine
quilter for Lavender Fields.  The correct spelling is Amie Potter.  Thanks to who ever sent the comment!!

Diana Edgemon made this quilt in warm natural tones from the Kansas Troubles Fabric line. 

Lady Eleanor continues to talk while a crazed Farmer rifles through her belongings.  What fun would a Schoolhouse on Barn Quilt Blocks be without the entire cast right?

I like the energy of the colors unfortunately I did not get the name of the person who made this quilt.  It can be difficult to take photos with one hand and write with the other! 

You know I resonate with this quilt, "The Funny Farm"  made by Sue Peters.  I think this might just explain some of the following photos too. 

Eleanor continues to talk and says something about when Pigs Fly and then came a Flying Pig right up the isle....what a hoot.

Then came a crazy man being chased by an attendant from the local "home of the mentally otherly abled."

I have no idea how this fella managed to escape while still wearing a straight jacket.  Yes, that is a straight jacket for those of you who have never seen one...LOL.

I think they need to use more restraints next time....perhaps his shoe laces should be tied together so he could not run so fast.

After Schoolhouse I was walking down the hall and the Quilt In A Day Clan were gathered chatting.  I asked for a photo and they all smiled.  What a fun loving group. 

Then they insisted I get into the photo.....I was reluctant to stand with such a clan....but I thought I would do them a favor :)  Snickers.

On the Market Floor I stopped by the Quilt In A Day booth several times but Lady Eleanor and Prince Orion were always working.  I decided I would just go ahead and shoot some pix. 

Twice As Nice Plus More is the pattern you are looking at on the back wall.  It includes instructions for 3 quilts.  I just love the scalloped edges on the border below.   They used the Scallops, Vines, & Waves Template by Quilt In A Day.  My mood feels lighter just looking at this quilt again. 

Orion and Eleanor were kind enough to give me this incredible gift pictured below.  You can imagine my surprise and gratitude.

 It includes an Autographed copy of Quilt Blocks on American Barns, a very fun tote bag and project bag,  a pin with a photo of Eleanor, a package of "On Eleanor's Farm" pre-printed fusible web that includes 6 Chickens and 6 Roosters, and a package of "Quilt Blocks on American Barns" fusible web, non-woven fusible interfacing and templates that includes Windmills, Chickens and Roosters, Gambrel Barn Silos, Gothic Barn Roofs, "American Barns" text and half rectangle template.

Quilt Blocks on American Barns has excellent photos and instructions for completing each project.   There are stories of some of the barns Eleanor visited and lots of great pictures too.

Here is a close-up of the pin.....isn't it great? I think so too

You all know that when people give me things I typically have a hard time not giving it away on my blog.....it just seems like the right thing for me to do.  So, I'm going to give all of you an opportunity to win this gift package that includes everything you see above in the photo.  Well.....almost everything......

 

That pin jumped from the photo onto my camera strap and it won't come off.  I'm so terribly sorry to say that it will NOT be included in the giveaway.  I'm really sorry. (fiction.....the part about being sorry ) 

Leave a comment on this post telling me why you want to win this great collection and you have to promise you will make a Barn Quilt or wall hanging.  Non-reply bloggers and anonymous posts will not be counted unless your e-mail address is included in the comment.  The drawing will be done by random number generator on the 4th of July.

Smiles,
Kelly