Announcement!

I Have A Notion blog and store have moved to:


the store can be found at


There is a much easier to navigate store, with new items. The blog has its own page as well... new content too.

The blog is now at www.ihaveanotion.com/blog

Please come and visit!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

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.






Amanda has a beautiful fabric line out with Robert Kaufman Fabrics, Ambrosia and Swiss ChocolateI 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:

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

Monday, June 27, 2011

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. 

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

Saturday, June 25, 2011

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 BattingThe 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

Friday, June 24, 2011

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....


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:

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

Thursday, June 23, 2011

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

Monday, June 20, 2011

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.

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!

Saturday, June 18, 2011

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!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

What does Rit Dye and Mod Podge Have In Common?

Ellen Highsmith Silver....that is what Rit Dye and  Mod Podge have in common.  Remember when I posted about Floorquilts written by Ellen? If you answered no, click here :)

A Floorquilt Class....beautiful aren't they?

Ellen has come up with a new method for sealing her Floorquilts using Rit Dye and Mod Podge (You know Mod Podge Rocks don't ya? ).  Eddie from the Rit Dye Blog even posted photos and a tutorial here.  Check it out...it is perfect for a summer project and fast too.


I was recently telling someone about using Roc-lon Multi-Purpose Cloth to make Floor Cloths/Quilts.  So if you didn't know you can use up some fun fabrics by making a Floorquilt....now you do :)  If you have some Rit Dye..check out the tutorial above...you could have a really spanky project to show off to your family and friends. 

Smiles,
Kelly

Product Review: Katahdin Premium Batting and Batting Seam Tape

Have you ever used Bosal's Katahdin Batting (Made in the USA).  I remember the first time I saw the name I figured it must mean something but I didn't know...nor did I know how to pronounce Katahdin. It is pronounced, "kuh-TAH-din."  Now we can all act ed-u-ma-cated :)

This is what the packaging says,
"At the Northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail stands Mount Katahdin, the highest peak in the State of Main.  IN the native Penobscot Indian language "katahdin" means "The Greatest Mountain".  Like Mount Katahdin, we believe you will find our Katahdin Premium Batting to be the greatest, highest quality quilt batting available today." 
Below is a sample of hand quilting using Bosal Katahdin Premium Cotton Batting 3oz Summer weight.


Hand quilting done by none other than the IHAN East Coast Head of Operations and "Master Hand Quilter", Mary Jane.  She whipped this up as a sample / trial run.  MJ is going to be doing a whole cloth quilt soon and she wanted to make a sample block before she selected her batting. 

I asked MJ how she liked working with  Katahdin Batting and this was her reply, "It needled very nicely and was soft.  It holds the design well and had a consistent, even, smooth texture and it has no voids.  I really like it"

I asked another trusted and  experienced quilter, Madalene Murphy (she writes one of my favorite blogs- Working Wall to also write a review for Katahdin Premium Batting because I know she uses it.  This is what she wrote,
"I have a new favorite batting. I just finished my third machine quilted wall hanging with Katahdin summer weight--their lightest weight batting--and it is now my batting of choice. Because it has no scrim, it is extremely soft so that the quilt drapes beautifully and it is very easy to sew through. But whatever kind of needlepunching they do to make the cotton hold together, they have found the secret of making a product that holds its shape and that I love to work with. I will also be using the autumn weight--slightly heavier--in some projects, but I will definitely keep a good supply of summer on hand."
Madalene Axford Murphy

It sure is good to know some talented and experienced quilters when I need a review for a product that I personally don't feel I can review with confidence.  I don't have near the experience Mary Jane and Madalene have and they are women I trust when it comes to honesty and being forthright. (Can you imagine how I managed to attract these ladies?  giggles)


Katahdin Summer 3oz Premium Batting  is Lightweight, 100% Organic Natural Cotton Batting Ideal Weight for hand quilting but stable enough for Machine Quilting. 

Katahdin Autumn is a Premium  Midweight 100% Organic Cotton Batting Ideal for Machine Quilting and Crafts.

Katahdin Winter is a Midweight 100% Polyester Micro-Denier Batting Ideal for Machine Quilting and Crafts.

Katahdin Peemium Batting is available at IHAN  in the following sizes: 45" x 60", "72 x 90", "90 x 96", and "108 x 90" and by the roll, 90 inches X 30 yards. 

While discussing Batting....I think I'll also tell you about Bosal's Batting Seam Tape.  It is the only Batting Tape I'll use.  I love the weight of it and I have found it very easy to work with. 


Waldo and I are working on a quilt as you go project for charity.   The batting needed to be cut 10" x 10" so this gave us an opportunity to use up scraps of batting we had. 


You can see in the photo how nice the Batting Seam Tape works and you'd never know it was there once you cover it with fabric!  So, there's another tip for ya :) 

Smiles,
Kelly

Monday, June 13, 2011

Applique Giveaway & Master Applique and Hand Applique Follow Up

Before I go any further, I need to clarify something I wrote in my post about Mary Jane's Baltimore Album quilt.  The center block is an Elly Sienkiewicz design, the leaves and berries surrounding the block is what I was supposed to point out as being MJ's design.  I sincerely apologize to Elly.  Thankfully Elly didn't catch this and write to me....I'd have been so embarrassed!

I loved reading all the comments about Mary Jane's Baltimore Album Quilt.  So many of you guessed correctly, my favorite is block number 9, the one with the bird. 

I put everyone who left a comment into a little bag and drew out a name. 


A great gift for applique just might be a wonderful 4" pair of Karen Kay Buckley's Perfect Scissors....and the name I drew out was.....SARA! (I'll give ya three days after that...I'll draw another name)

Sara, e-mail me with your full name and address and I'll send you Karen Kay Buckley's Perfect Scissors....might I just add that Karen's Perfect Scissors honestly rock big socks....truth!

Thanks for reading and leaving comments :)

Smiles,
Kelly

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