It's FRIDAY...IHAN's Beam N Read Blog Hop Hurray :)

Today is the final day of IHAN's Beam N Read Blog Hop and its finally my turn....hey who put me at the end of the list?  I want to talk to someone about that.  It has been tough reading all the great posts this past week reviewing the Beam N Read Hands Free Light and knowing I had to wait until the last day to post.  At least I'm not alone....Patsy Thompson is reviewing the Beam N Read 6 LED Hands Free Light today too (make sure you head over and leave a comment on her blog too :).

I use my Beam N Read to illuminate my hand stitching projects but I also have to share it with the IHAN clan too.  Typically it is in my stitching bag but it does periodically disappear.  Because it is so bright I typically can find it quite easily....even when little robbers don't' want to be found!

Hmmmm inquiring minds want to know why the bed is glowing when it bedtime and all little monkeys need to be fast asleep......

Caught in the act!!! 

Apparently there is a particular co-worker who thinks "lights out" refers only to the bedside light.  Playing with Lego's seems to be more fun than going to sleep.

Then there are always those times when you get the hankering for some fresh raspberries and you have to go out back to pick a few after dark. That Beam N Read Light should be called the "Beam N Eat Light" here at IHAN.

Speaking of eating....

 Sometimes a box of cereal is not just a box of cereal ya know.  There are lots of creative places to hide stash (Tim Tams, Chocolates....any treat that is shelf stable)....but .....there is one really smart gal who would never take any risks with her "stash"!!    When all the lights in the house are out and I'm certain there is no thieving quilters lurking about or peeking through the windows... I slip my Beam N Read Light over my head and I creep down to the kitchen pantry to check on my stash.

Ahhhhhh....safe and sound....oh yeah baby!

 Sure you laugh....but Kate Spain's Terrain doesn't ship to Quilt Shops until September soooo  this is one coveted layer cake and I'm not taking any chances!!!

Another great use for the Beam N Read Light is reading those all important labels.  If you are over 40  you may have noticed your vision is not what it used to be....mine sure isn't anyway.  Below you can see I have the magnifier attached to my Beam N Read Light....since these two aerosol cans are the same height and width....I just need to check to be sure I've grabbed the right can....safety first here in the IHAN household :)

 "Hmmmmm I better be sure I've grabbed the right can."

Can you imagine how upset I would have been had I sprayed Mr. McSteamy with my 505 Adhesive Spray instead of  "The End- Late Husband Killer?"  Waste not want not...ROFL.  (It is actually Wasp Spray but I loved the can so much I changed the label.  It pretty much stopped Mr. Mc Steamy from arriving home late from work when the boys were very young.)

Here they are....All TEN Beam N Read 6 LED Hands Free Lights....who will be the lucky winners?  Have you left a comment on each of the blogs...including this post?  Are you sure you can be contacted if your name is drawn (meaning you are not a no-reply blogger)?  Good Luck to each and every one of you :)

I want to close with a stitching tip:
.....are you ready for this one?  Ok then....make sure you are having fun while stitching!!  I honestly think that is the most important thing....to just have fun.  Another thing I have found quite helpful is getting a consistent 1/4 inch seam allowance.  Especially for beginners...I think this eliminates a lot of frustration.  Simple, yet true. 

Smiles,
Kelly
PS...for those of you who are visiting for the first time..."IHAN" stands for I Have A Notion my Quilting Notions and Needle Arts Supply on-line shop :)

Charity Quilt Finished and the Beam N Read Blog Hop

Not only is it finished....but thanks to Waldo...it was finished ahead of schedule.  I had a hard time finding a place to take a photograph because it is so long. 

I hope it goes to a young woman who is very tall...it is one long twin quilt!

Here is a close up of one of the blocks.  I think it came out nice and there will be a young girl who will be absolutely thrilled to have a quilt of her very own.

Next project already underway and hopfully it will be finished soon so I can share photos.  It feels so good to finish a project doesn't it?

I hope you are having a great day today.  Before you log off your computer today be sure to stop over and  leave a comment for your chance to win a Beam N Read 6 LED Hands Free Light for yourself.  Today you can stop by and visit Barb and Susan's blogs.  If you are just finding out about the Beam N Read Blog Hop don't worry, you can go back and leave comments on all the posts by following the links below :) 

• June 27:
  • Sew I Quilt
  • Amy's Creative Side
• June 28:
  • Irish Muses
  • Happy Cottage Quilter
• June 29:
  • Insights from SewCalGal
  • Jane's Fabric and Quilts
• June 30:
  • Bejeweled Quilts By Barb         TODAY :)  Have Fun and please help Barb find her light!
  • Hanging On by a Needle and Thread
• July 1:
  • Patsy Thompson Designs
  • I Have A Notion

I know I'm packing my Beam N Read to take with me to PA next week.  We have no electricity at our cabin so you know I'll be wearing mine all week so as not to step on any critters in the night..Yikes!

Smiles,
Kelly

Amanda Murphy Design - New Patterns

Have you seen these new patterns by Amanda Murphy Design?  Talk about cheerful and fun....she has it going on.

Garden Paths

Village Green

Blossoms

Town Square

Bubbles

Portraits Of My Garden

Amanda has a beautiful fabric line out with Robert Kaufman Fabrics, Ambrosia and Swiss Chocolate.  I can't decide which one I like best....they are both so neat.  Which one is your favorite?

Would you like to win an entire set of Amanda's patterns?  Stop by Amanda's blog and read about the details.  The Fat Quarter Shop is giving away two sets of Amanda's patterns.  That's three chances to win....very cool ay?   I'm heading over to enter too :)

Before you go.......

A friendly reminder to stop by Micki and Jocelyn's blogs today to win a Beam N Read 6LED Hands Free Light?  Here is the IHAN Beam N Read Blog Hop Schedule:

The participating blogs posting about the quilting light are:

• June 27:
  • Sew I Quilt
  • Amy's Creative Side
• June 28:
• Irish Muses                                   TODAY
• Happy Cottage Quilter
• June 29:
  • Insights from SewCalGal
  • Jane's Fabric and Quilts
• June 30:
  • Bejeweled Quilts By Barb
  • Hanging On by a Needle and Thread
• July 1:
  • Patsy Thompson Designs
  • I Have A Notion

If you missed yesterdays blog posts....you can still go back and leave comments on Madame Samm and Amy's Blogs....there are 10 Beam N Read 6LED  Lights being given away!!!

By the way....if you are a no reply blogger....you can't be contacted if you win.  Isn't that just so sad?  I think so too.  You can change that....just click here :)

Smiles,
Kelly

Welcome to the IHAN Beam N Read Blog Hop

Here they are....gift tags ready to go....we just need to know who's name will be written on the gift tag. Ohhhh this is so exciting : )

By the end of the week we will have 10 very happy new recipients of a Beam N Read 6LED Hands Free Lights!!  Here they are....gift tags ready to go....we just need to know who's name will be written on the gift tag.  Ohhhh this is so exciting :)





The Beam N Read Blog Hop begins on Monday
June 27, 2011

There will be Ten...yes 10 Beam N Read Lights LED6 Deluxe Hands Free Lights given away...one per blog....so make sure you stop by each blog for your opportunity to win one of these nifty lights for yourself. 

• June 27:
  • Sew I Quilt
  • Amy's Creative Side
• June 28:
  • Irish Muses
  • Happy Cottage Quilter
• June 29:
  • Insights from SewCalGal
  • Jane's Fabric and Quilts
• June 30:
  • Bejeweled Quilts By Barb
  • Hanging On by a Needle and Thread
• July 1:
  • Patsy Thompson Designs
  • I Have A Notion

Feel free to leave comments on each of the blogs on their assigned days...that's 10 chances....whoo hoo :)  If you are a no-reply blogger make sure you leave your e-mail address, otherwise there is no want to contact you and an alternative name will be drawn.  You will need to read each blogs post for the details for their requirements for your comment.  The drawing is open to the everyone on the globe and to make this possible, the winners will be responsible for the shipping costs of their light to the address of their choice (lights are being shipped from OH, USA). The winner will be able to choose the delivery service (UPS, FedEx, USPS). 

So what are you waiting for?....Hop on over to visit with Madame Samm at Sew I Quilt and Amy at Amy's Creative Side and leave a comment :)

A special Thank You goes out to the Marketing Manager from Beam N Read Lights, Bob...lets hear three cheers for Bob for making this Blog Hop possible....Hip Hip Hooray....Hip Hip Hooray....Hip Hip Hip Hooray ...THANKS Bob!!!
Smiles,
Kelly

Artist Transfer Paper and More of Jean Overmeyer's Work

Jean, a wonderful quilt artist friend, was at my house one day and I was showing her all the cool stuff I had tried while in Houston at Quilt Market.  I loved the Transfer Artist Paper class I took and loaned Jean my supplies so she could play with it too. 

Jean used a photo she had from a snorkeling trip and transferred it using Transfer Artist Paper (TAP).  When she first loaded it into her printer it was low in ink.  She changed the ink cartridge and then put the same piece of TAP into her printer.  Can you believe it re-printed in the exact same place and there is no shadow?  I couldn't believe it either.

Jean signed her name on a piece of paper and reversed it /flipped it and then printed her name on the TAP and ironed it on the back.  She said she didn't want to take the chance the ink would run through the piece.  I loved her idea.

TAP by Lesley Riley is such a cool product.  I was able to transfer images to fabric, wood, paper, and canvas in my class.  You can also transfer images to glass, mica and metal.  When I initially gave Jean my class pack she said she was leery and didn't think she would like it.  Much to her surprise she really likes it. 

"I was impressed with the brilliance of colors that transferred and how soft the fabric ended up being....AND it's washable...that's fantastic!"  

I've always enjoyed sharing the things I've learned because you never know when the information will be valuable....so cool :)

Speaking of cool....while visiting with Jean today she let me photograph her latest quilt. 

"Sunny Delights" is Jean's own design.  She used batiks, silk, ink, swarovski crystals and wool batting.

Jean used Halo thread by Superior Threads and bobbin couched the feathers.  I loved the shimmer on Jean's feathers....but I couldn't tell what she had used to make them shimmer. 

Jean took a few drops of All-Purpose Ink and mixed it with water.  Then she brushed it over her feathers.  The shimmer is incredible....when I first saw her quilt I thought the shimmer was neat but I could not tell how she got only the feathers to shimmer.  Guess it pays to file all those tips we learn along the way so when you want to do something interesting....you have the knowledge of what will produce that effect.

The flowers are trapunto as are the purple and green leaves.

In this close up you can see she painted the quilted circles with fabric paint and then she also used some of the All Purpose Ink over the top to give it some shine.  This photo does not show the shine as well as I would have liked it to.

Another really neat thing about Jean's quilt is how she pieced silk and batik fabrics in the first layer.  I love how the fabrics transition.  I thought the feathers were trapunto....nope....Jean used Tuscany Wool Batting.  The wool batting gave the quilting that lift.  Jean said she learned that from reading Patsy Thompson's blog. 

I took a photo of those leaves that were done with trapunto so you could see the dimension.  I just love Jean's work and her adventurous spirit.  Below is her quilt label....you know I couldn't miss taking a picture of that :)

This is another quilt Jean has recently finished.  I blogged about it previously when Jean was starting this project.  If you missed that post, click here.

 Here it is finished....another amazing job Jean!!!

 She joined the sections using glass beads.

So, now I'm home and I'm all fired up....the project I'm working on now is a baby quilt .  What are you working on?  Did you learn anything from this post?  I hope so....I enjoy sharing and love reading other bloggers tips and tricks too.

Smiles,

Kelly

Modern Basics Winner & Beam N Read Blog Hop Reminder

It's Friday....and it is time to do the Friday Dance....oh eeee...ohhhh ahhhh ahhhh....doin' the Friday Dance (ya gotta use your imagination a little :)

The random number generator produced number 15....so as I go through the comments....number 15 is....

Modern Basics by Amy Ellis

Quiltma!!  Congratulations Quiltma :)  Please e-mail me your full name and address...in the next three days (otherwise I have to draw a new winner :( 

A friendly reminder that on Monday the IHAN Beam N Read Blog Hop starts....so make sure you get around to all the bloggers listed below and leave a comment on their post for your chance to win one of 10 Beam N Read 6LED Hands Free Lights....compliments of  Reading Light and I Have A Notion ...aka IHAN.

The participating blogs posting about the quilting light are:

• June 27:
  • Sew I Quilt
  • Amy's Creative Side
• June 28:
  • Irish Muses
  • Happy Cottage Quilter
• June 29:
  • Insights from SewCalGal
  • Jane's Fabric and Quilts
• June 30:
  • Bejeweled Quilts By Barb
  • Hanging On by a Needle and Thread
• July 1:
  • Patsy Thompson Designs
  • I Have A Notion

Just in case you were wondering if Waldo and I finished our quilt as you go project by Friday (today our deadline....issued by Waldo herself)....YES....it was finished last evening....Hooray for Waldo and her determination to get this done.  She didn't quite use a cattle prod on me to get it done....I think she was thinking about it though!! 

Smiles and Giggles,
Kelly

Clover To The Rescue - Wonder Clips and Flower Head Pins

Waldo and I are still feverishly working on our quilt as you go charity quilt.  Every evening this week we have gotten together to get our blocks joined and now our rows.  Waldo is determined to have this quilt done by tomorrow, Friday.  Ya gotta love a woman on a mission....she keeps me hopping :)

I have to say it really is great to have the right tools for the job.  I am a person who gets annoyed when things don't go smoothly and I've found myself annoyed a few times with this project.  

These are the 10 count package of Wonder Clips.  They also come in 50 count packages.  If you are like me you are thinking...why do I need these...I could use the metal clips for paper right?  That was my first idea too...then I remembered Clover came out with these new clips and I wanted to try them. 

What I like about the Wonder Clips is that they did not crease my fabric and there is no risk of tearing your fabric like with the metal ones (I've actually done that).  They have a nice grip and I dropped them on the floor a few times and they did not break....which to me means they were made well with good quality and strength plastic.  The other neat thing about the Wonder Clips is they have a 1/4 and 1/2 inch seam allowance markings on the clips....and the clips lay flat.  As you can see in the photo above, I've clipped the roll together.  Before I did that, I found myself very frustrated the roll would unwind and I kept having to move my hand that was guiding the fabric through my machine to straighten the roll....then my stitching was crooked.  It does not take too much ripping out to tick me off .....really now...lol.

Waldo (Mrs. Rosemary) is joining the blocks so we can join the rows....we did that last night...whoo hooo..almost done :)

We have to fold and pin the fabric that will be the binding and the borders for this quilt as you go project.  I kept getting the fabric wobbly and I found it hard to grab the glass head pins that I love....so I grabbed the Clover Flower Head Pins and gave them a go.  They were perfect because I could grab the head so much easier with my fingers and they were nice and long...holding that fabric for a greater length.  Now I'm not saying our binding and borders are perfect....although I'd like you to believe that....but I did find the Flower Head Pins to be a great help.

I have to say I love my job!!!  I get to try all the new notions and tell my friends about the things I find to be helpful....it beats scooping "you know what"  in the circus.  LOL

Smiles,
Kelly

IHAN is Hosting the Beam N Read Blog Hop

Yes all the rumors are true...IHAN is hosting the Beam N Read Blog Hop starting on Monday, June 27th.   For your chance to win a Beam N Read LED6 Deluxe Hands Free Light  , hop on over to these blogs...but not until next week :)

• June 27:
  • Sew I Quilt
  • Amy's Creative Side
• June 28:
  • Irish Muses
  • Happy Cottage Quilter
• June 29:
  • Insights from SewCalGal
  • Jane's Fabric and Quilts
• June 30:
  • Bejeweled Quilts By Barb
  • Hanging On by a Needle and Thread
• July 1:
  • Patsy Thompson Designs
  • I Have A Notion

Beaming Smiles,
Kelly

Modern Basics by Amy Ellis Book Review

If you read my last post you know I'm having to be creative to get my sewing in between work and family.   I know another woman who not only juggles the same things I juggle...she has 4 children!!!  Its true, Amy Ellis, author of Modern Basics, is the mother of 4 children from ages 2 to 9.  She knows what it is like to sew in her kitchen too :)  Amy seems to focus on the pleasure of creating and the joy of making a quilt and her designs really reflect her focus well.

I've had Amy's book for some time now and I've enjoyed looking at every last page of it.  Martingale & Company have given me this and several other opportunities to review some great books.  I can only show you a photo or two...so I chose the cover and one of my favorite quilts inside the book.

Modern Basics, Easy Quilts to Fit Your Budget, Space, and Style

This quilt is called, 1, 2, 3.  It can be put together rather quickly and I know each of my girls could make one and each quilt would be totally different because of the fabrics they would each choose.  They are in the 20-something crowd and yes I do allow them to use my sewing machines when they are home (if they break one...I'm taking it out of their inheritance...lol).

Modern Basics has 14 quilt patterns....and each and every one of them are delightful.  Amy's quilts are interesting and not complicated so even a beginner can be successful in making a beautiful quilt using her patterns.  I have read through each pattern and I have to say Amy has made the steps clear and used great diagrams to show you the steps.  Modern Basics also includes chapter on Quiltmaking Basics so there is no way one of these patterns should end up a UFO!!!   Giggles :)

I have so enjoyed reviewing Amy's book and I hate to part with it....I have loved it and want to pass it along to an IHAN Blog Follower.  If you would like to have my review copy of Modern Basics please leave a comment on this post telling me why you want to have this copy.  I'll choose a winner by random number generator on Friday June 24, 2011. Good Luck!!

Smiles,

Kelly

PS....you may or man not have noticed there is a new button at IHAN....New Products...check it out!

A Woman Has To Do What A Woman Has To Do

Do you know what I mean?  I'm sure I'm not alone when I'm trying to squeeze in some time to finish a project and life keeps interrupting my plans.  So what do you do?  This is my solution:

Set your sewing machine up at the kitchen counter...the hub of our house....and squeeze in a few squares when ever I can.  I'm even thinking of how I can set up a system in my van so when I'm at a stop light I can just swivel my seat over and sew a line or two....ok...just kidding there :)

A week ago today, Mrs. Rosemary (Waldo) and I went to a quilt as you go workshop.  The purpose of learning quilt as you go was to get more twin size quilts to donate to charities.

One of our guild members, Carol Hicks, was kind enough to lead the workshop.  Basically we pre-cut large squares of fabric and centered a smaller piece of batting and then began adding strips.  Later we will put together all the squares and the quilting will have been done as part of the piecing process.

 Jenny, QuiltCrazyGalJennaLouise Blog,  was stitching away when I swung by for a photo.  I could not help but love her fabrics all lined up...check them out below....

 AND her wrist pincushion.   I loved her wrist pincushion.....who wouldn't smile with that on their wrist? 

How darn cute is this?  Jenny said she made it a few years ago at Quilt University....that is what she could remember and something about the number three and fiber.  I'm guessing it was the amazing gals at Three Creative Studios that taught the class (I'm not sure but I've sent them an e-mail to find out). 

Waldo and I are working on the same quilt.  We decided we might be more successful in completing our charity project by July's meeting if we work on it together.  I had the center fabric squares and some coordinating fabrics.  We both searched our stashes to find anything that would coordinate and we came up with enough strips to make at least one twin quilt.

The block below is another way to set up the blocks...if you have a print for the center.  I really liked this placement too.  There is a variety of ways to lay them out...I guess you just choose depending on what fabric you are starting with.

My two cents on the quilt as you go method....it does use up quite a bit of thread because you stitch, stop, cut, start, stitch, stop, cut....and all on small strips.  I find it a bit mind numbing at times...but you have to remember it takes some really striking colors and designs to keep me awake in the first place...LOL.  I really enjoyed the workshop and all the gals who were there too....I think that was the best part....it usually always is for me anyway.  I think I'd use the method again....when the opportunity presents itself...for perhaps a small project or I'd make larger blocks....then it would go faster.

That's what I've been up to....what about you? 

Smiles,

Kelly

PS...if you have not visited Three Creative Studios recently....oh geez....go over and check out their blog and their website.  They always have something fun going  on and lots of free tutorials and patterns too!