What's New At I Have A Notion (IHAN) ?

Currently I'm working on a post to clarify the differences between several of the cutting machines available.  It will take me a bit of time to compile all my info so in the mean time....I thought I'd just tell you what is new at I Have A Notion / IHAN.

 I could not resist this quilt kit....it also comes with the tin.  The quilt finishes at 38 x 48...perfect for a little one.

Punctuation Quilt Kit by MODA

 Master Machine Stitching - Thread Sketching Beyond the Basics with Susan Brubaker Knapp

Pinmoors...I recently published my review of these little fellas.

Hand And Machine Applique The Karen Kay Buckley Way DVD

Karen Kay Buckley's Perfect Scissors Large 7 1/2"

Karen Kay Buckley's Perfect Scissors Small 4"

By the way, I've tried these scissors and they are ALL she says they are plus two bags of Frito's!!!  I embeded the youtube video below....they are truly as good as they appear in the video...you have my word on it!

Paradise Batiks Fat Quarter Bundle - 40 Fat Quarters

Another weakness of mine, Batiks.....and who could turn down 40 Batik Fat Quarters?  Not me!!

Posh Posies Small Quilt Kit

Not only is this a fun and relatively quick project.....it is nice for yourself or to give away.  I think it is very cheerful, don't you?

Stuck On You!

You already know I think this pin cushion kit is SPANKY!

Scissor Blooms Bent Handle Titanium 8in Blue Purple by Westcott

These scissors by Westcott and wonderful all purpose scissors.  They are reasonably priced and made from Titanium....very nice indeed.

Scissor Blooms Titanium 5in Blue Purple by Westcott

Artisan Batiks by Robert Kaufman Chop Chop Ivy

I'll leave you with Karen Kay Buckley's YouTube Video.....enjoy :)

Smiles,

Kelly

Stuck On You!

Oh you all know how much I love the embellished wonderments at Just Another Button Company.  Well, check out this kit they have made. 

Stuck On You! comes with buttons, You Just Pins, Weeks Dye Works wool, wrappers, box, wool roving and instructions.

Can you imagine the joy a stitching- chocolate-lover would have when they received this as a gift? Or a calorie free treat for yourself perhaps? No one to make them for? E-mail me and I'll send you my address :)

Yes this is fun for Valentines Day....however....being the person I am....I would love to have something like this given to me at another time during the year telling me that I was loved....wouldn't you?

Smiles,

Kelly

Calling All Extra Spools

A good friend is in search of empty spools like this or similar - like empty serger thread cones or king cones.  Is anyone a pack rat like me and have saved stuff like this?  If you have and want to pass them along before the Hoarders television program arrives at your house....e-mail me at IHaveANotion.com....none of us wants to be caught by the Hoarder folks....yikes!!!

My excuse for saving little things.....I spent a lot of time with my Grandmother growing up and she lived through the Depression.  I even have some War Ration Stamps she saved.....so I use her as my excuse and I plan to continue to use this  excuse until the cows come home...what's yours?

Superior Titanium Coated Topstitch Sewing Machine Needle & IHAN Needle Exchange Program

Edited: 2/5/11  The program is not over....you still have about 6 weeks to participate....just letting everyone know it won't go on indefinitely :)

By now if you have not heard about the Needle Exchange Program at I Have A Notion,  NOW is the time to exchange a needle before the program ends!

70/10 For Quilting, Applique & Embroidery Using Very Fine Threads

 80/12 For Piecing, Applique & Embroidery Using Finer Threads

 90/14 For Quilting, Applique & Embroidery

100/16 For Quilting, Applique & Embroidery Using Heavier Threads

These are some of the comments I've received since starting the Needle Exchange Program:

I recently received a Superior Titanium needle size 16

I LOVE it!
I have been stitching away and have had no problems whatsoever.
Thank you for the opportunity to trade in my used needle.
I will be purchasing these needles in the future.


I didn't believe it, BUT you were right. The Superior Titanium Coated Topstitch Sewing Machine Needle is FABULOUS! I chose the #90/ 14 needle and started using it a few days ago. It stitched through quilt layers with ease AND bounced off several of my pins. I love it! Thank you so much for this program - I'm a believer.


Yes, I received my superior needle. Have been using it about a week and really like. I will have to get more. I would like to be able to find Superior Needles at my local quilt shop and not just order on line. I shall research it


Thanks for this fine program.
I just finished a quilt with the needle you sent me and have pieced a second. So far I am very pleased. Thank you for introducing me to Superior needles.


I just used my new Topstitch 100/16 Superior needle to attach prairie point binding ties to a Christmas tree skirt using decorative metallic thread and it all went thru like butter. No needle breakage and no thread breakage. Thank you for setting up the free needle program, I will definitely be ordering some soon.

If you are a bit skeptical about trying new things like I am....you might just want to trust me on this one.  Click on the link : IHAN Needle Exchange Program and follow the instructions to get your free needle before they are all gone.  Once these run out....the program is over.  Please remember to enclose your self addressed stamped envelope and a broken/used needle for the exchange.

I wish all of the incredible products that I have come to appreciate could be so easy to ship out samples of....unfortunately that isn't the case.

I want to say Thank You to everyone who has sent in a needle.....THANK YOU!!!  I'd also like to say Thank You....THANK YOU....to Bob Purcell of Superior Threads for saying yes to my idea and for providing all the free needles.

Smiles,
Kelly

Australian Spirit Pattern; Marketplace India Quilt and Pinmoor

You may recall my post on January 24th about this book, Australian Spirit.  Well.....I'll continue where I left off there....

 

As I mentioned in the earlier post, this book belongs to Waldo.  She and I were both excited when we saw this pattern by Terrie Kralik, Moose Country Quilts.  The "Sacred Orb" pattern is exactly what I needed to solve my latest puzzle.  What puzzle is that you ask?  I thought you would!

 

A gal from Marketplace India had contacted the Black Swamp Quilt Guild's President and inquired if there were any people interested in making some quilts for them as a charity project.  Naturally I raised my hand and agreed to make one.  We were given clothing and fabrics and had to cut them to make a 48 x 48 quilt.  I took one look at all the fabrics and went blank.....what am I going to do with these I thought.  Then Rosemary remembered her book,  Australian Spirit, and we were off and running.

Here is my version of Terrie's Quilt Pattern, "Sacred Orb."

 

 

All of the embroidery was already on the cloth.  I tried to get the most interesting patterns with embroidery to work in this pattern.  I really like how it came out.  What do you think?  I loved Terrie's pattern and the other patterns in the Australian Spirit book as well.  Thank you Terrie!!!

After I finished the top I had to sandwich the quilt for quilting.  I had read about Pinmoor but had not yet tried them.....so what a great opportunity right?

 

Pinmoors are little silicone stoppers that go on the end of your straight pins when basting a quilt.  I'm a skeptic so the first time I saw them I thought....oh....little pencil erasers.  I was quite surprised when I used them that they are not like erasers at all.  They are soft enough to push your pin into without being so tough it will dull your pins (which I'm not going to have that happen to MY pins....I love my pins). 

This is how they work and below is how they look when you baste the top of your quilt.

 

I like the Pinmoors and think they definitely provide a easier way to baste if you like using pins to baste.  There are a few important cautions I think you need to consider.  First, they are brightly colored and could be attractive to young children....a choking hazard.  Same goes for small pets but they are great choking hazards for Pests. 

The other thing I noticed was that if I was not paying attention (which happens to me all the time) you might push the pin through the Pinmoor and into your finger (yes it happened to me....but then I wised up). Pinmoors are non-toxic which is a great thing and even better, they are made in the USA. There are 50 to a package and that was enough to baste this 48 x 48 quilt top.

Now, on to the free motion quilting....I need all the positive energy and support I can get....send the vibes this way...please :)

If your guild or group is interested in more information about the Marketplace India Charity Quilting you can contact Shanti Freitas at  sfreitas@marketplaceindia.com.

Smiles,

Kelly

Giveaways In Blogland.....But Nothing I NEED

With all the giveaways going on in blogland you'd think someone would be giving away a snow plow or perhaps 200 hours of house cleaning.  I can't even find anyone who is willing to organize my life and tasks.  What is going on here people....where are the truly generous people when you need them?
Smiles,
Kelly

Quilting Treasures Laila by Laura Ashley and Scrabble by Hasbro Winners Announced

Quilting Treasures Laila by Laura Ashley and Scrabble by Hasbro Winners Announced

The first number generated was 11 which is Loris.  Congratulations Loris!   You have won the Laila fabrics.

Loris' comment: I love Laura Ashley! Still have my wedding dress...made by her :-) and a comforter upstairs on the guest bed. I even have quilt charm squares ready to be put into a quilt. With fabric from Laila, I would definitely make a throw quilt and wrap myself up in it :-)

Thanks for asking!
January 26, 2011 2:40 PM

The second number generated was 44 which is Jessica.  Congratulations Jessica!  You have won the Scrabble fabrics.

Jessica's comment: I am a HUGE purple fan, and I'm currently making a scrappy purple quilt for myself (!) so that's what I would use those FQs for. The Scrabble ones would be perfect for my teacher quilts in progress!

January 26, 2011 5:34 PM

 

You each have three days in which to e-mail me to claim your fabrics.  My e-mail is IHaveANotion@yahoo.com.
 
This was fun....thank you to everyone who took the time to leave a comment. 
 
Smiles,
Kelly

One World One Heart

2/2/2011: Edit:  I've had several comments that indicate people think I have made the bag posted.  I did not make this bag....it is from C & T Publishing. 

Welcome to my blog, I Have A Notion, my name is Kelly and I'm so happy you came by to say Hi.  I am participating in the One World One Heart Blog Hop.

I live in the US, Ohio to be exact.  It is cold and snowy here and we are expecting 12 inches of snow in the next few days....it will be a winter wonderland complete with sledding and snow ball fights (if the snow will pack...we'll see).

One World One Heart

A little about me: I love to work with my hands and I've done all types of embroidery, crochet, quilting, sewing, pottery, scrapbooking, and photography.  I love the outdoors and nature.....and being surrounded by loving creative people who support one another in their quest to explore their authenticity.

The door prize is this new beautiful  Rhapsody Tote Bag (Ricky Tims Design). The zippered tote is made from durable, 100% recycled polypropylene, creating a beautiful new use for tires and plastic bottles that would otherwise end up in the landfill and it measures 15-1/2in x 15in x 8in.

Please leave a comment on this post letting me know a little about you and what city, state, province, country you are from.

Thank you for visiting and I truly believe we are all connected by this one world/ planet and what we do affects one another no matter how far away we are physically.  May you all smile and make our world a more loving and accepting place for all who live here.

Smiles & Peace
Kelly


.

Giveaway Alert - SewCalGal Blog Giveaway

Hop over to SewCalGal's blog and enter her giveaway.....this is what she is giving away:

This giveaway is open to anyone. Four winners will randomly be selected. One winner will win the AccuQuilt GO! which comes with a value pack die. And three winners will each receive a die of their choice for the AccuQuilt GO! Those that win a die should have an AccuQuilt GO! or be seriously interested in getting a GO! as it wouldn't be very exciting to win a die and not have a GO!


Smiles,
Kelly

Sew Many Ways Swap Meet Extended

Oh please....I know many of you have more stash and stuff than any 10 people need or could use in a life time.....get it out....take a pix and swap it with someone.  Karen, Sew Many Ways Blog, has extended the swap until Friday.  I pulled out some kits and stuff and someone somewhere can use it I'm sure.

I can certainly get more stuff out and add it to the pix if that is what it will take to get all of you swapping....so..."Get Your Groove On" and "Get Up Off That Thang" and "Get On Over".....(don't you just love those songs?) and join in the Swap :)

I'll see you over there, right?
Smiles,
Kelly

Sew Many Ways Swap

Have you heard of Karen's Sew Many Ways Swap yet?  I'm participating and if you would like to click here and you'll be able to join in too!

I'd like to swap these 4 kits (complete to my knowledge as I have never opened them, except to take this photo) and a significant amount of fabrics and squares left over from another quilting project. There is enough in the quilting project to make a nice size baby quilt for sure.

Close ups of everything in the photo above:

What do I want to swap for?  Good question. I like bright Kaffe Fassett type fabrics, batiks, and interesting sewing notions and scrapbooking supplies.  I also like hand made jewelery, things made from paper, hand made in general other than pottery type things...I have lots of that already :)  If you think I might be interested, just e-mail me at IHaveANotion@yahoo.com and ask.  I'm definitely not interested in pottery, tea cups, etc.

Smiles,

Kelly

Crazy Quilting

It has been 10 years since I have done any Crazy Quilting.  I took a class with a wonderful teacher who owns a small shop in MI.  She provided the fabrics and we were to learn how to put together crazy quilting designs and choose stitching for them. 

When it was finished, I gave this to my girlfriend, Pam.  She has always been thrilled with any and all of my hand made gifts.  I think the pillow still looks pretty darn good for being 10 years old and having lived through several dogs and cats.

Just thought I'd share some stitching inspiration with ya!

 

Smiles,

Kelly