Checker Distributor 56th Annual Open House - Part 2

I have a bit more time today so I'll give you more of the skinny about my take on Checker Distributor's recent open house.

Julie Creus of La Todera Sewing and Craft Patterns had a fun booth.  Every time I see one of her flowers I can't help but smile. 

I'm not much of a "fru fru" type of gal...more of an LL Bean sort....but I'm telling you I've always loved Julie's flowers and can easily see them on my house shoes or on a pen like she had in her booth.

Isn't it just fabulous?  I would have loved to have some of these made up when my mother was ill.  I know she would have just loved having those on her slippers.  An easy and wonderful gift!  Speaking of wonderful gifts, La Todera also has some wonderful pin cushion patterns too!!!  The Urchin Pincushion would make a perfect baby gift...something that could be easily washed.

Bosal Fiber and Foam had a long line of shop owners in front of his booth. I know the quick placemats have been the rage for awhile now and Bosal now has them in round and hexagon shapes.

 

These placemats on the kitchen table would bring a smile to anyone's face.  You can find several placemat patterns HERE and the Bosal Forms HERE if you are interested in bringing some fun to your kitchen table.

Waldo sat down to take a break and met a fascinating and fun gentleman, Dalen Keys.

Dalen writes children's books and he gave Waldo/Rosemary a copy of "The Mess" for her grand daughter.  I asked him about his other books and he shared about his writing of "Just A Quilt" and "Charles T. Cup."  He was a lot of fun to talk to and you can see by his face that he has a lot of joy to share.  What luck to run into him and to learn more about his books!

There were a few machine embroidery designers at the Open House. 

 If you enjoy machine embroidery than you have probably heard of Lunch Box Quilts designs.

 About Trout is one of their designs and this has to be one of the best About Trout's that I've seen.  I loved the fabric and all the fishing lures. 

 I'd say this lure is the "cats meow" but that would be too corny since the Cat Design is laying next to it. 

Fancy Feathers was displayed on the front of the booth and it really grabbed me.  My mother loved birds and the minute I saw these birds I thought of her and warmth filled my heart.  (For those of you who don't know, my mother passed recently.)  Such a cheerful remembrance for me.

Once again I've got this enormous Elephant that I need to eat (co-workers, work, house, you know what I mean) so I'll have to come back and post more about Checker's Open House soon.

A quick reminder, if you have not voted for your favorites in the Pets On Quilts Show yet....NOW is the time to do it.

There are some amazing prizes to be won....I'd head over there if I were you :)

Smiles,

Kelly

Checker Distributor 56th Annual Open House - Part 1

August means Checker Distributor Open House and this year is as wonderful as the previous years.  This year I have had the great fortune of meeting one of my favorite applique artists, Karen Kay Buckley.

 Karen's DVD, Hand and Machine Applique the Karen Kay Buckley Way, is how I became acquainted with Karen.  She does an EXCELLENT job of teaching both hand and machine applique.  I wanted to be in her living room with her after watching the DVD....ever have that happen? 

Fiesta Mexico is Karen's latest pattern and she took Best Of Show in Paducah this year.  She shared the award with quilter,  Renae Haddadin,  How exciting for both of them and for me because I now have this pattern and you know I have tons of bright fabrics to make this beautiful quilt.

"Alive with Joy" would be my title for this quilt....but they didn't ask me before going to press....imagine that....giggles.

"Centered Beauty"....again...no one asks and I'm guessing they don't care...but I continue to self entertain.

Several other familiar faces are at Checker's Open House too.  I'm sure you'll recognize these folks:

 Elena Gregotti and Alex Veronelli (below) ....when you see them you know you are going to have an Aurifil Threads experience!  I know I didn't hear anyone ask what is an Aurifil Thread experience did I? 

 The Aurifil Thread experience can be seen in the movie, When Harry Met Sally....you know...the restaurant scene!!!!

You'd have to watch that video over and over again to have the "multiple experience" when you see Aurifil's new collection....look at the beautiful drawers full of that luscious Aurifil Thread....drool bucket please.

Rob Krieger, owner of Checker Distributors had a wonderful surprise yesterday and I was lucky enough to be within camera shot of his fun experience. 

 Marilyn Wise from Pieces & Patches in Lexington SC gave Rob this beautiful wall hanging made up of several Checker T-Shirts.  What a wonderful idea!

Marilyn said that Rob had done so much for her that she wanted to show her appreciation....what a lovely way to say thank you Marilyn :)

Much more coming soon....I've got to get my co-workers back to "work."

Smiles,
Kelly

Patsy Thompson "meets" Kaffe Fassett- Fabric Combinations (A Story)

 (Story Post...kick back for a fun read)

If you have read "Jean Creates" past few blog posts ( here and here) you know what I've been up to.

A week ago Wed. I had the great fortune of heading up to Detroit Metro to pick up Jeannie W. for a week of FUN!!!  Jean and I met 3 or 4 years ago through our blogs and we have become dear friends.  I couldn't wait to see her again because she moved from Ohio to Washington State a year ago and I've really missed her.

We both have an affinity for Kaffe Fassett, Brandon Mably and Phillip Jacobs fabrics.  Jean decides we are going to stop petting our fabrics and actually use them.  What a mind blowing idea ay?

Jean pre-ships her fabrics and this is what arrived at my house:

A blown out box of some of the most fabulous fabrics I have ever seen.  YES, I did remind her that Possession IS 9/10ths of the LAW!

I had pulled all my Kaffe/Brandon/Jacob fabrics from my stash and had them waiting for Jean's arrival.  Mine were all neatly folded in piles...well...until Jean arrived and suggested it would be more fun to toss them all into one big pile and just start.  Another mind blowing idea :)

I've never, ever....ever started a project like this one.  Talk about excitement/anticipation/and drama (mainly the colors of the fabrics)....way too much fun.  How the plan began...it was a book (un-named for sure!) Jean found and thought it would be an awesome way to begin and each of us could add to the others quilt.  After a few hours actually using the book the book (definitely not a recommended book) idea was abandoned and we were on our own creating. 

I grabbed some of my most favorite pieces (the blades to the star) and built around that fabric with others that made the fan blades pop.  Shall I mention that Jean had made her center block and was well into her first set of borders before I finished my center block?  No...OK...I won't mention it.

I wanted my block on point like Jean's block....so I measured and added some fabric to each side of my block.  OOPS...came up pretty short so what to do???  Add some more fabric and hack off the rest naturally.

 You know what you get?  You get a block that finishes at 17 7/8.  Not 18"...nope...oh well...we had tossed the book by this time and I figured I'd just add more fabric and hack off the parts that didn't fit...FREEDOM!

I wanted a fabric that would allow a place to rest before seeing more exciting prints....so I went into my stash in search of just the perfect fabric.  Initially I hunted through my batiks...nope....then....WOWZERS....I came across a piece of Patsy Thompson hand dyed fabric that was perfect....absolutely perfect in my mind.

Ooooohhhhhhh AAAAAhhhhhhhhhh!

Talk about feeling good....I was on top of the world at that point.  (I won't mention that Jean had already finished the inside of her quilt by this time and was working on a pieced border....or will I?)

Working from intiution is a odd feeling/experience....I've not done that before.  I set this block up on the design wall and waited until something came to me for the next border.  I knew I didn't want a square quilt so I would have to elongate the block...top and bottom borders to move from a square to a rectangle.  Hmmmm.....Incubation Time.....

I saw my Magic Stack N Wack book on my bookshelf...hey...I've never done that...I'm going to make some of those fun kaleidoscopes for my quilt.  Might I suggest you actually read the book before "Wacking" into your fabric?  I did not cut enough repeats so I ended up with 1/2 kaleidoscopes that I combined for my design. 

 I liked this one the best.

Ok....well.....hmmmm....I think I'll add these to the outside borders and not next to my main center block...back to the drawing board.

My block now measures 24 1/2 x 24 1/2.   Then it occurred to me....3.5 x 7 = 24.5 PERFECT...I just need seven 3/12 inch somethings to add to each end of the square.  I cut up several pieces of white paper that were 3/12 inches wide by various lengths and began drawing different shapes to see what I thought would look good.  The one I loved the most I couldn't use because I couldn't figure out how to paper piece it.  Jean pointed out that I had only spent a day and a half trying to figure it out and if it were her...she'd move on and choose another block.  What an  epiphany!

By this time it was Tuesday...Jean was leaving Wednesday so I had better get my butt in gear ay?  Hmmmm...I like the blocks I made but I've decided I want some piping around the center square before I move on.  I've purchased many of my  Westminster fabrics from Patsy Thompson Designs but I needed one she didn't have so I ordered from  Glorious Color website.  I was very pleased and will order from Glorious Color again. (No, I don't get kickbacks from either site)

Jean's progress?  Well...here is her quilt:

 Yes...she is faster to move on (her perception is that I have more patience...perhaps I do...but she sure has the speed down.).  She is going to add one last border and be finished with the top and I'm sure I'll finish mine sometime in the next month or so....I hope :)

Then again...Jean shows up with these very FUN shoes..maybe if I had cool shoes like her's I'd be able to go faster?

Very Happy Big Smiles,

Kelly

Pets On Quilts- Enter NOW!

A little birdie told me you don't actually have to own a pet to enter.  The animal can be borrowed, stuffed, plastic etc.   So what are you waiting for?  Hop on over to see Jacque at Lily Pad Quilting and get your quilt entered.  She is accepting entries through Saturday, Aug. 17 and voting will begin on Sunday Aug 18-24th. 

Did I just hear someone ask if there are prizes?  Well YES, there are prizes...and some amazing prizes too.  I'm not going to tell you what they are so you go over and see for yourself....I know I'm bad :)

Smiles,
Kelly

Golden Tapestry -Anita Goodesign

Can you believe the beautiful quilt that hung in my booth at Kaleidoscope of Quilts is a beginners project, Golden Tapestry from Anita Goodesign? It's true...Golden Tapestry is honestly a beginners project!!!  My girlfriend, Diane Giveins made this for my booth and I had people oohing and ahhhing over her quilt.


 Diane used Silk Dupioni for the background and borders.  I think the color combination really makes this quilt spectacular.  She used  Floriani Gold Metallic Thread and had absolutely no problems with the metallic thread :)  Warm N Natural was used for the batting and Diane used 2 layers of Floriani No Show Mesh (one layer vertical and one horizontal).

Each block is stitched out separately and then joined.  Below you can see that the design stitches the quilting first.

The the gold work is stitched.  Notice the outline stitching around the design, that is the outline for joining the completed rectangles.

The completed rectangle can then be trimmed -- see below.

After joining the two rectangles, the bird gets his bum attached...(couldn't resist)

After the rectangles are  joined, Diane suggests that you hang it on the wall for a few days to get a feel for how well you have stitched the rectangles together.  I think that is a great idea for all quilts honestly...that way you can see if you need to make any adjustments before you finish.

The border is completed the same way as the rectangles of the design.

The quilt is then bound as you would on any quilt.  If you make the Golden Tapestry and decide to enter it in a quilt show, it is best to add a backing and then outline several of the motifs so that the piece is quilted. 

Diane brought her Golden Tapestry to show last night at our Black Swamp Quilt Guild meeting. 

See how simple this project is to do!  Even I can manage this one :) 

I have it on good authority that if you purchase the Golden Tapestry from I Have A Notion® that you will get free lessons at the Machine Embroidery Guild (MEG) workshops.  The workshops are every third Monday of each month. Click HERE to learn more about MEG.

Appreciative Smiles,
Kelly

Winner!

The owner of this beautiful pin cushion is Patsy Thompson, from Patsy Thompson Designs.  She was at the Kaleidoscope of Quilts and I took the opportunity to snap a photo of her beautiful pincushion.  What I would have really liked to do was kidnap her pincushion and hold it for ransom....but I just didn't have the courage to do the napping. 

The winner is Debbie (debbiesther@xxxx.com)!  Congratulations Debbie.  Bet you are wondering what you win?  How about a $15.00 gift certificate to I Have A Notion®?  How would you like that?

I apologize for the delay in writing this post.  I was invited to a friends lake house for a few days and I just could not pass up the opportunity :)

 Smiles,
Kelly

Who does this Pincushion belong to?

Can you identify the owner of this pincushion?  Do ya really think you know who it belongs to?  If you think you can identify who it belongs to please e-mail me at IHaveANotion@yahoo.com.  I'm not accepting comments on this blog post.  Why?  Because I'm going to put all the names who e-mail the correct answer into a bowl and pick a fun prize out for them.  You have ....oh I don't know....how about until Friday to send your e-mail with your guess.  Only one per e-mail addy and please put "Pincushion Guess" in the subject title of your e-mail.

Giggles & Smiles,
Kelly

Some Hightlights from the Kaleidoscope of Quilts 2013, Sylvania OH

Well, well....I've been busy putting my inventory away and didn't even follow up photos of the beautiful show....I'm sooooo bad!  Sorry for the delay and here ya go:

 "Kaleidoscope Memories" by Kathy Kanitz 

Quilted by Irene Rose

Binding by Londa Burkett

I really got a big kick out of this quilt.  From a distance it looks like a Kaliedoscope quilt....until you see the blocks up close and then you see they are faces.  Kathy used photos of the members of the Toledo Gathering of Quilters over a 30 year period and made a quilt.  What a wonderful inspiration....how fun would it be to do one of all your family members?

"Christmas Bouquet" made by

 Jean Overmeyer - Design, Thread Painting & Quilting

You probably recognize this piece.  I have posted about it before and have drooled every time I see it.  Jean taught a class at Kaleidoscope...more on that later :)

Oh....time for "Where's Waldo."

LOL....Here's Waldo!  People ask me all the time, "how is Rosemary."  I'm so glad to tell you that she is well and out and about.  Waldo's grand daughter, Claire, is affectionately referred to as our 4th daughter and she came and helped too :)

 

"Wildflowers" by Annie Tate

Quilted by Jodi Appel

Wildflowers is an machine embroidery and applique pattern from Smith Street Designs.  Annie said she was surprised to see that she had gotten a ribbon for her beautiful quilt.  My reply was something like, "Annie, we've been drooling over your quilt for awhile now...you think us girls don't know what we are talking about?....LOL"   Way to go Annie!  :)

 "Applique Playground" made and quilted by Jo A Coon

Pattern is "Applique Affair" by Edyta Sitar

 I really was enamored with this quilt and the way the applique was set, the borders, colors -everything was just beautiful.

 

Sandra's Sister's Choice made and quilted by Dale Burnett

Dale quilted "Momma's Quilt" too.  She has a heart bigger than Texas!  "Sandra's Sister's Choice-This quilt is for a very special lady whose life was torn upside down oChristmas Day 2012.  We had the opportunity to help her re-build her home and I'm hoping that the quilt will bring her comfort."

 "Year of the Never Ending Spring"

 made and quilted by Patsy Thompson.

 "Tropical Harlequin" made and quilted by Amy Reitzel

(Sorry for the fuzzy pix...the quilt is beautiful)

 "Honeycomb" made by Linda Blaesing

Quilted by Sheryl Guess

Talk about a knock your socks off quilt!  When I walked around the corner and saw this quilt it just grabbed me.   The colors and fabrics are perfect together....in my mind :)

"Iris Medallion" made and quilted by Sue Gruber

 The original photo I took really doesn't do justice to Sue's quilt but this close up does a better job of highlighting her beautiful work.

 "Seascape" made by Shari Wiesman

Quilted by Dick Wiseman - Quilt Wise

 You really have to see this quilt in order to grasp its grandeur.  Shari has added some netting and embellishments that skyrocket this quilt (again, in my opinion...giggles) to the top of any show.

I really liked that Shari added this piece to the side of her quilt....she is giving me ideas for my future projects :)

 "Sample This" made and quilted by Barb McLean

 You just can go wrong with these Westminster Fabrics!

 "Curve Carnival" made and quilted by Amy Reitzel

 Love this quilt using fabrics by Marcia Derse.  She was at the show vending her beautiful fabrics and I'm telling you....I just wanted to lay in the middle of her fabrics and roll up in them.  I don't think she would have appreciated that very much.

 If you like hand embroidery, and know about brazillian embroidery....prepare yourself for this next quilt....it is a special visual treat!  I was so taken with this quilt that I only took close up photos and forgot completely to take one of the whole quilt.  Luckily for me, she took a First Place Ribbon at Sauders Village for Best Hand Quilted.

Photo Credit Click Here

 I've done some Brazilian Embroidery in my time....nothing as breathtaking as this piece for sure.

  "Aunt Millie's Garden for Lydia" made and quilted by Diana Trost

 "Spring Bouquet" made by Kathryn Bartley

Quilted by Rosanna Williams

"Painterly Flower" made and quilted by Jean Overmeyer

 "Pretty Petite Squares" made and quilted by Rita Trumbull

This is a miniature quilt....mind blowing to me!

"Mandala & Noel", both made and quilted by Diane Giveins

 "Winter Beauty" made and quilted by Mary Clark

"Sherbert Glacier" made by Lisa Spaulding

Quilted by Crystal Smythe

 "Glacier Star" made by Lynn Michel

Quilted by Anita Shackelford

 Youth Quilts

"Purple Country Music" by Sarah Higbie (age 11)

Quilted by Lisa Spaulding

"To Infinity and Beyond" made and quilted by Caytlin Schultz (age 13)

Impresssive young ladies, wouldn't you agree?

More quilts from the show:

 These are quilts that are being donated to the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative

I don't know who made this quilt, but it blew my mind.  Having lost my mother so recently I could easily see a photo of my mother there...it depicts grief and joy so very well.  Absolutely amazing!  If you know who made this quilt and would like to leave a comment or e-mail me...I'd love that.

There were so many more quilts that I didn't get time to photograph.  I hope you enjoyed the ones I did grab during one of my breaks.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Smiles,

Kelly