David Butler's Parson Gray and Amy Butler Design

I know Ladies come first...I wasn't raised under a bridge ya know.  However, today...I'm starting with the Gentleman first....you'll just have to forgive me :)

David Butler (yes, Amy Butler's husband) has a new line of fabric, Parson Gray Curious Nature.  If you have not heard of it yet....it is certainly time you did.     

I took this first photo in David's School House lecture at Quilt Market. 

Because the lights were dim the fabrics didn't show up very well.  Soooo...I just so happened to trip into David's Face Book Page and I copied this photo so you can see the colors better.  I'd click on the link and look around...definitely.

David was so busy talking to folks it was hard to snap of good pix of him. I did get some photos of his booth.....no easy task that is for sure.

There is absolutely no question that David is an extremely talented and a multifaceted artist. Weather he is designing graphics, labels, logos, fabrics or singing (his band...Black Owls) ...."he's got it all goin' on."

I was able to get a photo of Amy and David together in front of the Parson Gray booth :)

These two people have wonderful energy, individually and  together.   

It was no easier to get a photo of Amy in her booth.  However, I did get lots of pix of the booth....and it was glorious.

I know, lighting is not that great for my pix...but David was too busy to inquire about photography tips.

Just look...gaze upon the beauty that is Lark.  Just click on the word "Lark" and it will take you to a Amy's description of her inspiration for this new fabric line.  (I'm thinking Audrey Hepburn would have had a sincere appreciation for Lark.  It has modern depth and speaks of the deep inner beauty, grace and style that brings Audrey Hepburn to mind.) 

Clearly the wall in Amy's booth really captured my attention.  I think I stood looking at the wall for quite some time.

There was/is an energy about Amy and David Butler...I feel it every time I've been in their presence.  I'll make an attempt to describe what I feel...I'm not sure how well it will translate into words:

A true inner grace...a respect for one another and for the creative process...I see it as a translucent golden light emanating from them (together and separately).  They have a receptiveness that is warm, curious, passionate, sensitive with  quiet exuberance.  There is a purity of purpose and modesty I feel in Amy.  David seems to have a boundless curiosity for exploring and expressing his inner voice.  I think they are both gentle and bold beings with the curage to follow their inner voices.  

I think that just about covers it....ya get the feeling I like them?

Appreciative Smiles,

Kelly

We have a Winner!

One very lucky IHAN blog reader has won all three of these great books compliments of IHAN and  Martingale/That Patchwork Place.    Here is what the winner receives :)

Creative Mixed Media by Sherrill Kahn is a fabulous book if you are interested in learning more and improving your skills with painting, printing, Stitching, Stamping and Embellishing fabrics....and really any medium...after all it is Creative Mixed Media :)

Double Take, Quilts With That Hopscotch Twist by Heather Willms and Elissa Willms is another fun book with 16 different projects. Each project is rated Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced...very helpful if you are new to quilting to start with a pattern you know you will be successful with.

AND Make Your Bed by Leslee Evans. What I love about this book is it takes the pressure off of me to re-decorate a bedroom. No need to make full size quilts for your beds....nope....you can make some beautiful quilted bed runners, pillows and pillow shams and have a whole new look in your bedroom.

The winner is upstateLisa

upstateLisa said...

Great prize! I am always interested to see the latest mixed media stuff! Or you could see if they have one of those things on Star Trek so you could beam me up and I could look for myself!

Congratulations Lisa!!  Please send me your full name and address to Kelly@IHaveANotion.com .  You have until Wed to claim your prize...or another lucky person's name will be drawn.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend.

Smiles,

Kelly

Clydes Workshop - What A Treat!!

Organizing the Quilt Market photos sure is a process.  I'm getting much better though...I don't take nearly as many photos and now I just sort into larger groupings.  While I'm doing all of that I wanted to tell you about a lovely gift I received and a little story about how this all played out.

The story first!!! :)

Since IHAN is mine....I pick and choose which notions, books, patterns etc. that I want to review.  I get lots of requests to review these things and often I turn people down if I'm not interested or don't have the time.  An IHAN blog follower had sent me a few e-mails telling me about a shelf she had purchased and how much she loved it and wanted me to review the shelf on a blog post.   I politely declined as these shelves are custom made and went on about my way.  She felt so strongly about her "Quilting Shelf" she had one sent to me as a gift.  Once I opened it, I knew instantly why she wanted me to review it...you wanna' talk about QUALITY Craftsmanship and a terrific "Quilting Shelf"....it all makes perfect sense now!!

I'm very proud to introduce all of you to Clyde's Workshop and what I call "Clyde's Quilting Shelf".

My sewing area has grid wall against cement blocks so I could not hang this beautiful "Quilting Shelf" yet....but I'm now willing to rearrange all my do dah because of this one really beautiful shelf.  Mr. McSteamy and I are holding it up here...don't want to hang it in the family room....but you get the idea.

Just look at the quality of Clyde's work....the wood is absolutely beautiful and his craftsmanship is top notch.  This is definitely not a glued-together-mass-produced shelf made of pressed wood....this baby is solid and has a fine furniture finish (I'm sure there is a proper term for that).

The  dimensions of the shelf  is 22" x 7 7/8" and is 6" high. Under the shelf are 7 hooks to hang scissors or notions so they are handy....AND

The top has 14  grooves to hold your rulers.  These grooves were not just done with a quick router or a saw blade....they've been sanded smooth and the shelf has lovely rounded corners.  There were no short-cuts taken on this baby.

Under the ruler holder is a door and when you open it....you have 17" x 2 3/4" x 5 1/2" of   space to store threads, awls, thimbles and any other notion you want to put in there. 

When I say Clyde did not cut corners (he rounded them....ok...little pun for ya)

......this includes the quality of the magnetic gizmo he has mounted to hold the door close. 

The hangers for mounting on the wall are on a 16 inch center so that works well if you want to put the hanger in the studs in the wall. 

I took this photo to show you he has used wooden dowels to hold the wood.....just like I told ya...Excellent Workmanship!!! 

Clyde and I spoke about IHAN selling his "Quilting Shelves."  Basically I told him they are top notch and I thought he should make all the profits from his work.  I'd be nuts to not want to sell them for him...however....Clyde has invested years into his craft - not to mention the money to buy the tools, drive to get the wood and supplies etc....so I want him to be the beneficiary of  labors.  I sure hope folks go visit his new website and order directly from him.  (wait until you see his prices....I would not sell them for less than double his price...amazing quality and price.  Bet you are darn thrilled that I'm not selling them now ay?

The shelves also come in Cherry, Mahogany, Red Oak and Maple....and if you can believe this....there is no price difference between the wood you choose.  Unbelievable...I'm telling ya.  Since he makes them himself, I'd get over there quick if you wanted one for the holidays or to give as a gift....I'm certainly there will be a waiting list soon.

Go visit Clyde and tell him Kelly from I Have A Notion says HI :)

THANK YOU Jeanne for introducing me to Clyde for my beautiful "Quilting Shelf"...I will treasure it always!

Very happy smiles,
Kelly

Quilt Market Fabric Booths, Houston 2011

More from Houston...enjoy!

If I could have all the fabric from one booth....I think it would have been the Island Batiks booth....well then there is the Kaffee, Brandon and Phillip fabrics....oh and Valorie Wells....just forget it......I don't even know where I'd put all that fabric :)

Marcia Derse Designs

*(see note further down the page)

You'll all probably remember my post about visiting Marcia Derse's studio recently.  I loved the simplicity of her booth....you could see all her fabrics without being distracted.  Well, that was until Marcia and Pokey sat down on this beautiful settee.  Then I got distracted...go figure.

Pillow and Maxfield for Michael Miller Fabrics

If I were on the judging commitee for best booths at Market...I'd give out two first place ribbons.  One to Pillow and Maxfield and one to Marcia Derse. 

I loved the circles, squares and then the oval above the booth.  I knew instantly what I was looking at....fabric...and not the clutter of all the props. 

Marcia's was the same...the fabric speaks...not the decorations...that's my kind of booth!

Michael Miller Fabrics is known for their fun scenes and settings during Quilt Market.   Remember, this is where shop owners sit with sales folks to place orders...not like the designers booths....so their props are fun.   

No, this is not a booty call....get your mind back to fabric please :)  You have to remember....what goes into the building...must come out!!

Mark Dunn from MODA - United Notions....I love the way he dresses.  I missed the fun shirts he has worn in the past....then he told me "the shirt" was under the coat.  So I snapped a pix of that for ya too.

Since it was Halloween....his shirt had skulls....see....I knew he wouldn't let me down (like the guy dresses for my entertainment....nope....it just happens to entertain me at market).  

This is Ricky Tims new fabric line....Oodles of Doodles II....more about that in future posts.

St. Ives by Sarah Fielke

I really like Sarah Fielke's style...I think of it as "Traditionally Cheerful"..her booth always lifts my spirit.

Elephants and frogs are my thing.....so you know Valori Wells booth stopped me dead in my tracks.  Ohhhh the elephants....

 Westminster Fabrics

Caroline Hulse and Susanna Sammons (Cabage Rose Quilting and Knitting-Fort Worth TX) were so darn pretty I just had to take their picture.  "Livin' the Westminster Lifestyle" is my title for this pix.

 Ok, Ok, Ok...yes I realize there was lots more fabric and designers there....and I've saved some for their own posts....so settle down....take a breath....and just sit back and smile :)

All IHAN blog followers still have a great opportunity to get a gift with purchase of all Aurifil Thread Collections at IHAN (check out the prices...they are only good until tomorrow night...purchase 12 spools for the price of 8...that 4 gratis!) .  Also...leave a comment  HERE to win three excellent books. 

Smiles,

Kelly