Where in the World?

Where in the World are We?  And....who is We?

Here is the Quilt related part of the post...LOL. 

Could not resist laying on the floor....in public....to take these pix.  

More soon :)

Giggles and Smiles,

Kelly

Gone Fishin' ???

Seems like forever and it has only been a few days since I left for my "Fishin' Trip."  Thought I'd give you a few hints....and those who already know where I am....you can't say...that'd be cheatin!!!

A view from the boat?

 

A big ole fish we caught here!  ROFL

Hugs & Smiles,

Kelly & Co-Worker Zachary

What's New at IHAN and Lots More

There was a reader who requested photos of the orange halo....and you know I take photos of almost everything...LOL.

This photo doesn't really do the "Orange Halo" justice....honestly....it was glowing orange!  ROFL still.

A bit of a co-worker up-date:

We have a proud artist on our hands here.  Check out the castle he made at school....

And the frog he made with clay.

You have to look closely....see what is in the Frogs mouth?  Other than his tongue?  I laughed out loud and asked Aaron why the Frog ate his baby and Aaron said with exasperation, "Mom, that is a fly!"

 PEEK!  Look closely....here I am...under the cushions.

Before the co-workers came along, we lived in South Carolina.  We had the pleasure of buying new furniture for our home and we choose a sofa that is almost 8 feet long.  I had a fit if the girls ate on the sofa and every day I flipped the cushions so they would last.  9 years later....the co-workers use them as their personal crash pad and I've given up trying to keep them clean all the time.  If only I could have let the girls take their turn with jumping all over them....Live and Learn!

On to IHAN News:

Did you see that IHAN has a new Category?  WHATS NEW AT IHAN

 

It is right at the bottom of the Catalog on the right hand side of the page...I've got it marked HERE in the photo above.  Just in case you are wondering what is NEW at IHAN...you can always just click on that link and see.   

Also New at IHAN:

There is also a new sub-heading in the Sizzix Fabric Cutters Category.  There is a new link for all dies that are compatible with the Vagabond and Big Shot  Fabric Cutting Machines.  Click HERE if you own one of those wonderful Fabric Cutting Machines :)

 

Now on to packing for the big Fishing Trip...which I hope you all know I'm not really going Fishing...that's my way of saying I'm out of the office :)

 

Smiles,

Kelly

Machine Embroidery Improvements

Oh but wait...first a Flamingo Update:

I'm not sure if this is Mommy or Daddy taking the new offspring out for a stroll....can you believe it? 

Ok, now on the the stitching :)  A few weeks ago I had made some kitchen towels for a wedding shower.  Much to my dismay I used a stabilizer that was not so easy to get out of this particular design.  Before I go on, I want to say that folks will tell you that learning what stabilizer to use is not an easy thing....and that is only a little bit true.   As a newbie to Machine Embroidery I can tell you that if there has been a mistake to be made, I've made it....and I wish I were kidding (not to say there are not more to make :).  Floriani offers a Stabilizer Workbook that you can download for free and print if you like.  You can find it HERE.  Between a little bit of experience and the Floriani Workbook you will find choosing the right stabilizer to be a whole lot easier :)

On this one I used Floriani Perfect Stick and I was very happy with the hooping process....all I had to do was line up my design and press the towel down.  Easy right?  Right!  The thing I didn't take into consideration was the density of the stitching  and how to get out those small bits of stabilizer. 

Honestly...no biggie in the whole scheme of things because it will come out in the wash.  However, most folks don't want to have to do that...and naturally the experts at Floriani know what they are doing!

This time I used Floriani Wet N Gone Tacky. 

The cool thing about Floriani Wet N Gone Tacky is it is also a sticky back stabilizer but it dissolves in water and there is not tiny pieces of paper to tear away.  Inside the package there are instructions for anyone who has not used this stabilizer before.  I hooped the stabilizer and scored the top with a pin and tore off the paper, revealing the sticky back stabilizer.  The shiny stuff you are seeing above is there because of the adhesive on the stabilizer.

As you can see, I hooped it with the paper on and then scored the paper exposing the adhesive.  I wanted the paper part to stay where the hoop was so it would not stick to the hoop.  Keep in mind, I am a newbie so if you know more than I do....feel free to share :)

The machine is just a stitchin' away....and I could not be happier that it isn't asking me what to do next :)

By the way, I'm using the towels by Dunroven House.  I've added a ton of them to the IHAN website and you can find them HERE.  I have been very happy with the quality and consistency of the Dunroven House Linens so I have purchased several different colors and have a nice little stash for making those fun kitchen towels.

Back to the stabilizer....

After the machine finished with the Salt towel I cut around the design and left the rest of the stabilizer in the hoop.  As you can see, I patched the stabilizer (which conserves stabilizer) for the next towel.

This photo may be a bit difficult to make out.  The blue is a kitchen bowl I used.  I filled it with water and just put the part of the towel with the stabilizer on it into the warm water and soaked it.  The white hazy looking stuff is the stabilizer melting away.  When it is dissolving it has the consistency of light egg white...a little goopy.  After a few more minutes I took the towel out of the water and took paper towel and wiped off the back of the design.  I could have soaked the entire towel but I was on a time line....as usual.....and I wanted the design to dry so my sister could take the the gift to deliver.

Here is the towel drying....look...no little pieces of stabilizer to be annoyed with....yeah!!!!


Speaking of annoyed....I find myself annoyed with the bobbins running out when I'm doing Machine Embroidery.  Truth be told, I don't want to stop having fun to do these "necessary" things ( I also don't like to stop and go potty....I just want to have fun...I'm a real child aren't I?). 

YEP....I did it....I got a Portable Side Winder.   If you think like I used to think....you are probably wondering why do you need a Side Winder when the Machine's have bobbin winders on them... right?

Because I spend my time winding bobbins while the Embroidery Machine is doing it's thing and I don't want to take the risk of messing up the machine by using it's winder.  I have pre-wound tons of bobbins so they are at the ready when I need them.  Is is a bit extravagant?  Probably....but I have to say the Portable Side Winder works well...works with batteries or electric and it winds a spanky bobbin :)

Above you might be able to see I was winding from a large cone.  The Portable Side Winder has a pin for regular size spools and not the larger cones.  There is a Deluxe Sidewinder as well....but I wanted the compact Portable Side Winder so I put the cone on my thread rack and fed it into the Side Winder.  It worked wonderfully :) 

The black thread in this photo probably shows up better.  I was pretty happy to have a bobbin at the ready so I could keep on keepin' on.

That's what I've been up too....other than a really bad hair accident...:)  Yep....my sister and I were coloring our hair over the weekend and mine turned out bright orange ...but only around my face and at the roots.

Yep....it was more like the dark orange around the outer part of this photo.  To get such "rare beauty" only cost me 8 bucks.  Correcting  it cost me 105 bucks.....ouch!  That is the first time that has ever happened to me and I have to say it brought a lot of laughter....and laughter never hurt anyone...it was good for the soul.

I"m goin' fishing again....Tomorrow, Thursday, is the last day I'll be shipping IHAN orders until Monday April 9th.  Since I'm not supplying organs for transplant....what is waiting 10 days for your notions right?  I have not decided weather or not I'll take my laptop to do some blogging or not....we'll see.  The boss told me to do what ever my heart desired....I just love my boss :)

Smiles,
Kelly

Winner of Bed Runners and More

Happy Tuesday Everyone!  I've been doing paperwork for IHAN so I didn't get to posting yesterday.  I know you all understand because  one gal can only do what one gal can do, right?  Right! :)

Bed Runners and More

The winner was drawn on Sunday night and the winner WAS:

SewCalGal's number came up in the first drawing.  To make along story a short one....SewCalGal  has opted to share the book with another IHAN Blog reader..  I wasn't surprised because she has such a generous and kind spirit.

 Back to the Random Number Generator and the Newest Winner IS:

Congratulations Caryl!!  Please e-mail me with your full name and address so I can get Bed Runners and More into the mail.

A reminder:

All  IHAN blog readers save $5.00 on   Another Bite of Schnibbles  until March 31, 2012.

Smiles,

Kelly

Another Bite Of Schnibbles & Bed Runners and More - Book Reviews

I have so many book reviews backed up that I thought I'd do two today...so it's a two'fer Friday :)  Keep in mind,  I get to choose the books I want to review so I'm going to be bias in my reviews.

Martingale and Company have provided me with the opportunity to review Another Bite of Schnibbles.  The author, Carrie Nelson, has a huge following and I know many quilters who love her Schnibbles patterns.

 Another Bite Of Schnibbles by Carrie Nelson  (LaVie En Rosie , Carries wonderful blog)

 Twenty four quilts from 5" and 10" squares...all in one book!!!

Carrie begins with some great information about handling pre-cut fabrics and some excellent directions for piecing.   I know from experience, if you don't handle and sew pre-cuts properly, you will end up with blocks that are not square at all.  Carrie shares all her tips and tricks in the beginning of the book so everyone will end up with consistent block.  Well...most of us...LOL.  Ya all know I can look away and end up with a wobbly 1/4-3/8" seam....that's why I have a excellent seam ripper :)

"Lincoln" uses 10" squares and I have a few layer cakes looking for an excellent pattern.  I love how fresh and fun this pattern is....don't you?

It was so hard to choose which photos I wanted to share because I really like all the quilts in Another Bite of Schnibbles.  The quilt above, "Reveille, looks like it might be difficult to make...but when you see Carrie's instructions you will be surprised by how" un-diffiuclt" it is to make.  

Twenty-Four patterns for just  $26.99 (only $21.99 for IHAN Blog readers through March, 30, 2012)  that is a steal!  Twenty-Four patterns at, lets say $8 each, would be $192.  Each pattern is only $1.10 for IHAN Blog readers...now we're talking a super deal! :)
  

Clotilde provided me the opportunity to review the next book, Bed Runners & More. 

 Bed Runners & More

Bed Runners & More includes patterns and instructions for nine bed runners( four include instructions for pillow shams) each by a different designer.  The bed runner on the cover, Geometric Jazz" by Carol Zentgraf,  got my attention because I thought it would be perfect for my co-workers.

There are times I'm in the mood to make something small and bed runners add some splash to a bedroom without the investment of so much time.  Oh, and did I mention that I don't feel so bad when the kids spill or get pen marks on a bed runner....I flip when the do that on a full size bed quilt.

"Warm Splendor" by Phyllis Dobbs is another bed runner that left me drooling.  I love the fall colors Phyllis used in this design.  By the time I could make myself a full bed quilt, I could almost have a bed runner for every season! 

"Summer Blossoms" is another of Phyllis' designs.  What girl would not love to walk into her room and see this fun bed runner?  The possibilities are endless. 

Each bed runner in Bed Runners & More are labeled by skill level, Beginner, Confident Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced.  

The instructions for each design includes diagrams like the one pictured above. 

A bed runner is an excellent way to dress up a room without the time investment of a full bed quilt.  Honestly, think they would look great across the back of a sofa as well....just a thought :)

There is a nice variety of designs in  Bed Runners & More , something for everyone!  I think I"ll give a copy of this great book away to an IHAN blog reader.    To win, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post and I'll choose a winner this Sunday evening.  How does that sound?  Fun I hope :)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Smiles,

Kelly

New Fun Stuff

Wow, I got a lot of feedback from yesterdays post.  Before I move on today, I want to say that I'm not upset with anyone and I don't have any negative feelings about Pinterest.  I just want to be sure before I have another account that I learn what it all means so I'm not doing anything I should not be doing.  I'm all about having fun!

Speaking of fun....did you know Floriani has introduced 60 brand new colors of embroidery thread? 

Floriani New 60

They arrived yesterday and I'm telling you I was drooling.  I put them on my front porch in the natural sunlight in hopes the colors would show up well.  Here is another photo:

Some how they just look more exciting on my front porch :)  So if you are looking for some new color....hop over and check them out..  You will also receive 10 Free Spring Jacket Back Designs from Floriani.....no shipping charged on the free designs :)  With the free designs you will be saving a total of $279.99!!

Spring?  Really?  I'm sorry but it is over 80 degrees here in Ohio today and it feels more like mid-Summer to me!!  Just look at the bush in my front yard:

People, this is March....not June or July....it is so odd to me to have it this warm so soon.  Do you think people will begin scheduling their Spring Break Vacations in Ohio?  Can you even imagine?  LOL

I've added a WHATS NEW at IHAN Category over on the website.  You can see what has been added recently.  There are so many things that are added weekly that I can't even keep up.

Hot Sweaty Smiles,
Kelly