Simpli-EZ Bias Ruler by Simplicity

Another cool tool alert. I forgot all about posting this great ruler. I got it at Quilt Market and I guess I thought I posted about it and I didn't. It is called, "Simpli-EZ Bias Ruler" by Simplicity.

This ruler automatically lines up the 45 degree angle for cutting fabric on the bias. You just line it up with the bottom of your cutting mat and you are done. No more moving the square up and down the fabric. Of course I love this for cutting bias strips!!! Then I just feed them through the Bias Tape Maker Machine by Simplicity. You've all seen my pix of that cool tool already.

My fabric was so busy it did not show up when I first took the picture. I grabbed a dark blue piece just for a demonstration....you could not see the ruler with the other fabric (that is the secret tutorial fabric....keep looking and listening :)

I'm helping my mom make piping for some cushions for my sister's house. She called to see if I would cut all the strips because I was telling her about this ruler a few weeks ago. My mom does not even have a rotary cutter or a cutting mat. I feel so bad about that. She says she does not want them until she gets a sewing area set up. I guess I'll have to go and help her get it all together so she can whip these things up.

OK, so now you know....you really can cut your bias strips for quilt binding etc....quickly and easily...honest.

If you have not been to I Have A Notion lately (shopping in your jammies or in the middle of the night) you might want to stop by. There is now a SALE tab.

Smiles,

Kelly

More about my trip to PA

As we pulled out of Eleanor's driveway I snapped this photo. Interesting sky's!!

After visiting Eleanor's house, we went to Pizza Hut to meet Anya and Susan for lunch. Susan won the giveaway (bag tags of course) for guessing who's shirts my boys were wearing in the picture a few weeks back. So I took them to give to her. This was the first time I had met Susan. Oh we had fun. I knew I was in for some fun when I saw everyone with their handmade bags.

Mary Jane, Susan, and Anya

Susan with her bag tags.

" Bloggifers" or "Blogologists" or "Blog-on-an-on-ists"

After lunch, we went to Needles Quilt Shop in Wellsboro to visit Mary and Katie. If you've not been to Needles in Wellsboro, you need to go. You'll be greeted warmly and treated like you have been coming for years. They'll help you out with anything they can and if they can't.....they sure do know someone who can. I bought some batiks to make an apron for my daughters wedding shower. I'm in charge of bringing the tea towels and apron for the kitchen gadget basket. We could not stay long because Bill put dinner in the oven early (MJ's hungry husband)....so we ran back to the house for dinner.

I got to meet "Betsy" (Bernina 820) for the first time. This is MJ's new baby girl. Oh this machine does everything including thread the needle and cutting the thread when it stops. I was waiting for it to start talking but it only beeped. I was afraid to really play around too much.....what a nightmare if I jammed it or somehow it stopped when I was sitting in the chair. No problems though.....she just purred and purred.

Sorry this pix is so blurry. This is a pix of a miniature quilt MJ put into the frame I had given her. I really like these frames and I wanted her to have one.....what a beautiful wall hanging....shame the pix is blurry. Guess if you had several glasses of wine it would look clearer? Well....you might not notice as much or even care :)

MJ had made this apron and I had admired it before. She offered it to me and I did not hesitate....I had it in my hand in a heart beat. It is so colorful and fun. I think you are supposed to tie aprons around the smallest part of your waist? Well, I could not that so I just tied it around the middle. That will have to do!!!

Being the nutcase I am.....I had to give it multiple uses.....it can't be just an apron.....it is also a beautiful head wrap. MJ cracked up laughing when I put it on my head. I told her she would have to wait until she sees Rick in it too. We're all a bit "odd" if you will.....we do silly things all the time.

Me in the "Walk like an Egyptian" pose

Rick with his "Lawrence of Arabia" head dress

Zach with his "Laundry Day" head wrap

Aaron looking like a gift package

I'll keep looking for more uses for my lovely apron. I hate to say I really think it would be great to keep the sun off your neck when you're in the yard doing yard work or gardening. Then you just pull it off and tie it around your waist and wahhhhh llllaaaahhhhh....you have an apron ready to go.

MJ and I spent most of Wed afternoon and evening writing a tutorial to be published on my blog. I can't say what it is exactly.....but keep your eyes and ears open :)

Smiles,

Kelly

Visiting with Eleanor in Wellsboro, PA

MJ and I went to visit Eleanor in Wellsboro to take care of several yards of unfinished business....fluffy business (batting). I wish I had taken pictures of Eleanor's work space. I just love her set up. Her living room is really a sewing studio. She has wonderful tables to lay out large projects. Easy access to the kitchen and wonderful windows for lighting.

Meet Eleanor :)

After I was kindly guided in my rolling of the batting (my end kept corkscrewing out no matter how I tried to get it straight) I went on a walkabout around her house. Eleanor is finishing a quilt and of course I wrote down the name of the pattern and the information but do you think I can find it tonight when I want to post.....you are right....I can't find it.

Well, a picture is worth a thousand words right? How about 7 pictures? I'll get the proper information and make an addition to this post. In my next life, I'm going to have a computer appendage so I have all necessary information with me at all times.

I think the pattern is called Beyond Baltimore...I'm 98% sure. It was a block of the month project and it is all needle turn applique and hand quilted. I think it is absolutely beautiful. Eleanor has an eye for color and it really resonates with my vision of beauty. MJ and Eleanor were working on squaring up the quilt. I wish I knew how to photograph quilts better. It is tough to get a full appreciation of just how beautiful this quilt is by my picture.

Eleanor responded by e-mail and this is what she had to say, "You were close on the name of the quilt. It's WAY BEYOND BALTIMORE and designs were by Jane Bestwick."

(Drop your left ear to your left shoulder.....see the picture is now in the correct orientation)

The next piece was a miniature Eleanor made and it was laying on a table. I went through my purse for a quarter to lay on it so you could see just how small these little pieces are. The pattern was called, "Springtime" but Eleanor titled her piece "Summertime" she said because of the colors she choose.

I could have spent an entire afternoon cataloging all of her fun quilts and wall hangings. Eleanor is great fun and even more fun when she has a drink. I know, the next time I visit Eleanor, I'm taking lots of liquor and my PF Fliers!!! She'll wake up with naked beds and walls...I'm soooo bad!!!

Naughty Smiles,

Kelly

Giveaway Alert

I am embarrassed to say that my addiction to scrapbook paper is significantly more disabling that my addiction to fabric. So when I saw this giveaway I had to put my name in the hat....not once....but three times....eeek. Danger Will Robinson Danger.....alarms and sirens spinning and swirling. Geez...I'm cringing....did I just tell everyone about my "other" issues? Geez....ok....I admit I am powerless over paper and fabric....are you happy now? I have come to believe that a power greater than myself can and will help deliver me from these chains.....(I'm so bad that I'm thinking that power greater than myself that will help deliver me is the dollar bill.....to hire someone to get me organized so I can get to playing with my toys faster....so sad isn't it?)

So if you have issues like mine....you can visit Rebecca's blog and get yourself into some trouble too. Her blog is called: Rainy Day Kisses. What a cheerful title :)

Smiles and Blushes (deep red cheeks now that I'm partially out of the closet)
Kelly

PS...speaking of airing our laundry in public....Anya and Susan not only decided to dye their underwear....they took pictures and hung them in a tree!!! Now I'm not the only one blushing :) If you don't know Anya and Susan....check out their blogs: Hills Creek Quilter and Hanging on by a Needle and Thread . Someone else I know actually has a real issue with having her underwear show up in very public places...but we won't talk about that....today anyway :)

Bendable Bright Lights are on Sale!!!

If you don't have one of these babies....you don't know what you are missing. They provide 100,000 hours of light...yes, one hundred thousand hours of light. I love mine because it helps me thread my needle and see better on dark fabrics. Another great thing I love about mine is I can move it from my machine to my punchneedle frame. I just put another bracket on the frame and I move the light to that bracket when I am doing my punchneedle (which is not often enough lately:). To read about all the other great qualities and check out the sale price...just click here. I have limited quantities so if you want one, ya better e-mail or order on the web fast!!!

Smiles,

Kelly

Stories from PA

When I go to PA I usually get to spend a few days with my girlfriends. A week ago Tuesday we met at Ann's house in Mansfield. This is a picture of the gals who gathered to stitch together.

Ann's granddaughter was working on decorating eggs when I arrived. I was very impressed with how delicate and tiny these little eggs are. Here are a few pictures of Ann's collection. Aren't they just great?

We stitched and caught up on all the latest news. We shared stories of our children and grandchildren. Here are some goodies I just had to share:

Leona's granddaughter (apx. 4 yrs old) was getting ready for pre-school and learning to use the potty independently. She was with grandma and used the potty. She asked grandma to wipe her and Leona told her that she was getting to be a big girl now and she needed to wipe herself. The granddaughter replied, "but grandma if you wipe I won't have to wash my hands."

Another story about Leona's granddaughter. She came up to Grandma and asked her if she wanted to buy a pine cone. Leona asked her how much money she wanted for it. She said, "how about $3.00. Leona said, "Grammy does not have $3.00." Granddaughter says, "how about $2.00?" Leona says, "I don't have $2.00." Then she asked for $1.00. So Leona gave her a dollar and then one to her other sister. The granddaughter says, "Grandma, you did have $2.00." All of this from a 4 year old. Math starts early in their family I guess!!

Eleanor's granddaughter (apx 11) visited last summer. Eleanor suggested they make cookies one afternoon. Her granddaughter said, "Grandma, we can't make cookies, we don't have any dough." I guess this little girl thinks all cookies come out of a refrigerated section of the grocery store!!!

I can't remember what story I shared about the boys. I have so many. Another funny one on vacation came from Zach. He had found a little shell by the river. He brought it to me and asked me to save it for him. I put it into a little zip lock bag and gave it back to him to carry around. He wanted to hunt for more shells later. The next day he came to me and told me he had 3 more shells and he wanted his little zip lock bag. He handed me the shells.....they were pistachio shells....he had found them by someones campfire. He was very confused when I tried to explain that these were not shells from the water they were from nuts. To him....they were indeed shells and we were going to save them no matter what!!

It is late and I'm very tired. I spent my day wrapping up packages for the winners of the giveaway. I needed to get groceries and get to the post office. So I sat in the parking lot of the grocery store writing out note cards and addressing packages so I could hurry into the post office to ship them without my frozen items melting. Multi-tasking makes me nuts.....but without a full time maid and nanny what is a girl to do? Multi-task with roller skates on baby :)

Smiles,

Kelly

Loooking for a winner: PAM

I know this may come as a huge surprise to some of you.....but the Just Another Button Company winner needs to send me her address. PAM left a comment and she is from Santa Rosa CA.....but I don't see an e-mail from Pam with your address. So if you are Pam....better hop right to it....because I know there are plenty of lovely people just itching to get their hands on 28.00 worth of Just Pins....right?

I'll post later today.....I have some great pictures from my trip. I've got to get these suitcases (don't tell my mother in law) put into the closet.

Smiles :)
Kelly

And the winners are.....

The cliffhanger comes to an end.....and the winners are:

Michelle- Valori Wells Designs

Anita in FL - Square Dancer Pattern and GrabARoo's

Sue Stubbings - Dear Jane Book

Angie - More Elm Creek Quilts

Moneik - Brewer Bag, Isacord Thread, nail file, Clover Pin Sampler, Hoop Tape etc.

Pam - Just Pins(both sets) by Just Another Button Company and Andover Tote Bag

Jean- Christmas Layer Cake and Charm Pack by Freedom Fabrics.

Becky - Little Pieces and Vintage grains patterns

Sew Cal Gal - Isacord Thread

Congratulations to all the lucky winners. Really we were all winners because we got to read all the great comments, learn about great new blogs, compile fun recipes, get some great sewing tips, learn about new products and hear some really fun stories. I hope you all enjoyed participating. If you go back and read all the comments there is a lot of great information there. A few people commented that this was work. I was surprised to hear it was work. I tried to make it fun and informational for everyone who was reading and writing.

To receive your gifts I need you to e-mail me your full names including your addresses so I can ship all these fun packages out. My e-mail is IHaveANotion@Yahoo.com .

Smiles,

Kelly

We are home safe and sound

We are home safe and sound. The unpacking begins....yippee....or not :) I would like to thank everyone who participated in the NINE DAYS of GIVEAWAYS!!! I have really enjoyed the comments and I need to finish reading them. Since the giveaway does not end until midnight, I can't tell you who the winners are because I don't know.

Another cliffhanger...don't ya just hate that? Me too.

I'll try to entertain you a bit while until we know who the winners will be.

My son Aaron who is 6 1/2 woke up one morning this past week and got into my lap. He wanted me to tickle his arms and back while he was waking up. I told him how his arms and legs are shaped just like his daddy's arms and legs. He said, "I look just like my daddy." I said, "well, no....where is your beard?" He said little boys don't have beards. I asked him when he thought he would grow a beard. He looked off and was thinking.....then he said, "15? 16?" in a questioning voice. So I told him..... maybe....this entire time he had his hands on my neck. He said, "mommy, when will I get a flappy thing? Grandpa has a flappy thing too." I was kind and allowed him to live. I told him he would probably be much older than 16 when he got a flappy thing.

I guess I need plastic surgery to remove my chicken neck/flappy thing.....s h i x.....I was hoping to use that money for a dream vacation. I wonder if a ace bandage in skin tone would hold that thing up so I can save my money....a new marketing idea for Ace Bandages. If that works maybe they could get other things to hold up....or at least higher than they are....wow....that would be a huge savings.....I could afford a spanky new wardrobe for that dream vacation. I better get on Google and find out who the marketing directors are for Ace Bandages and claim my ideas before all of you beat me to it....ROFL.

Smiles,
Kelly

Day Nine Giveaway

Today's giveaway is five spools of Isacord Thread 1000m. Colors include: Royal Blue, Yellow, Cinnamon, Petal Pink and Old Gold. These would be a great addition to any one's thread collection. Oops...did I just say collection.....well....we're not really collecting....we are using...right?

To have a chance to win today you need to leave a comment telling everyone where you would go for a week if money and time off was of no concern. What is your dream trip? Who would you take, why would you take them.....and why are you you choosing this destination? Since it's dream vacation....you can include me in this one!!! ROFL

Smiles,
Kelly

Day Eight Giveaway

Ohhhhh Ahhhhh these are so neat. Today you could win "Little Pieces-Miniature Quilt Art" pattern AND "Vintage Grains -Miniature Quilt Art" pattern by Galloping Pony Studio.

I saw these made up at Quilt Market and they were so neat. Aren't you glad the picture came out right side up today? I hate to have everyone always bending over looking through their legs to see my pix in the right orientation!!!

Today is the 4 Th of July....so to have a chance to win today you need to leave a comment telling us what you are doing today or what you have done today. Don't leave out any of the really yummy/juicy details....like how chocolaty the cookies will be or how red and juicy the strawberries were. Feel free to send pix too :)

Did you read "Giveaway Rules"?

Smiles,

Kelly

Day Seven Giveaways

If you stand on your head while looking at this picture it will be right side up. If you can't stand on your head.....just bend over and look between your legs at the screen....are you there yet? See....it is right side up now :)

This beautiful Christmas fabric is by Freedom Fabric given to me by Brewer Sewing. Brewer gave these away in their Schoolhouse seminars in Pittsburgh. They are absolutely beautiful....you will get a Layer Cake and a Charm Pack. These will make a great quilt or a table runner.....or what ever you want it to be.....tree skirt....mini skirt.....several mini skirts....holiday boxers...Ok...I'm done :)

You might be thinking....How do I win this great prize? Well....to win you need to leave a comment sharing a sewing tip or tutorial. You can leave a link to a great tutorial if you like (not mine...that's too easy).

Remember that all the prizes will be drawn for randomly. So you may leave a comment today and win a prize from day three. If you are not sure...go back and read the post for day one giveaways. Be sure to leae your e-mail addy for each comment...I won't be able to contact you :(

Smiles,
Kelly

Day Six of Giveaways

Just Another Button Company Pins and an Andover Tote Bag are the prizes you could win today! I just love these pins. Cecile from Just Another Button Company gave me this pins. She is so very generous and kind. I want to be selfish and keep them for myself....but what fun would that be. I have to share them because they are so pretty.

The Andover Fabric Company gave out these really fun tote bags at Quilt Market. I'm only sorry the picture shows mostly the pins. I guess because I wanted the details of the pins to show up. Don't you know I uploaded the pictures while at home and now I'm on the road and can't re-take the pix. So, Andover folks.....your bag is beautiful and I thank you for giving it to me....and now I'm giving it to a lucky blogifer!!

To have an opportunity to win today.....leave a comment telling us all who you plan on leaving your sewing machine to when you transcend this existence!!! Be honest.....who do you want to get your little baby once you are talking to the clouds.

Make sure you read the post entitled: "Giveaway Rules" so you know how the gifts will be given away.

Smiles,

Kelly

Day Five Giveaway

Today you'll have the opportunity to win this collection of fun things I received at Quilt Market. It includes a tote bag from Brewer Sewing, two spools of Isacord thread 1,000 m in Irish Green and Egg Shell, a nail file, a ruler and Key Chain, Samples of Clover Pins and Quilters "No Slip" Hoop Tape and a wooden needle holder from Frank A Edmunds Co.

To have a chance to win....you have to leave a comment telling everyone what your 5 favorite blogs are. You can't count mine....I'm not assuming you would....but if it were....and you did....that's to easy!!! So leave us the web addresses for 5 really fun blogs.

Make sure you read the post entitled "Giveaway Rules" so you know how to win.
Smiles,
Kelly

Day Four Giveaway

More Elm Creek Quilts is the prize being shown today. This is a beautiful book by Jennifer Chiaverini.

Jennifer has written some great novels and if you have not read them I recommend you get one this summer. This is one of her pattern books and I thought you might like to have a chance to win it....So.....

Today you will need to leave your favorite recipe on the comment form!!! How fun is that? Everyone will be able to have some new recipes to enjoy this summer.

Make sure you read "Giveaway Rules" so you know how to win!!

Smiles,

Kelly

Make Sure You Read Day One's Giveaway Explanation

Hi again. Since we've last visited the Tooth Fairy has visited. Aaron is completely surrised that the Tooth Fairy would know he was on vacation. But she knew and he's thrilled.

Ok....just a reminder here. Here is how the giveaway is going to go: I will draw a random number 1-9 (one for each days gifts) then I will draw a random number between one and the number of comments for the day. So you could have commented on Monday but win Friday's gifts. Get it. So be sure to leave comments each day. No one said I would go back and check the time stamps so if you missed a day....what the hoodle doodle....just go back and leave a comment with the day's requirements.

Have fun and don't be like me.....keep the secret of the giveaway to myself so I have better chances of winning.....go ahead and let others know too.

No pix to upload today.....I'm in the boonies and the camera is in the doonies.

Smiles, Kelly

Day Three Giveaway

You have an opportunity to win "Dear Jane" book by Brenda Manges Papadakis. This book is amazing...it has 225 patterns for a Dear Jane quilt. There are so many blogs that just talk about Dear Jane quilts....they are so beautiful.

Today you have to leave a joke in the comment section. It can be a cartoon, a joke or a funny story. Don't make me use the moderation button for your joke or story.....I'd just hate to do that :) Keep it moderately clean .... if you can't keep it too clean, than make sure us gals will really laugh :)

If you want to win a prize for this weeks giveaways please be sure to leave your e-mail in your post. If for some reason your computer does not allow you to leave comments feel free to leave your comments on my web site and I'll include them in the giveaway.

Smiles,
Kelly

Hey All We're Here

I'm here in Wyalusing at our Cabin and I had to drive into town to find a wireless connection. I can't believe I even found one.

Ever day for 9 days there will be giveaways on my blog. Please tell all your friends and groups so they have a chance to win too. I can only get to moderate the comments once a day. You may not see your comments until I get to posting them. Don't be discouraged if you don't see yours right away.

Make sure you leave your e-mail addy so I can contact you if you win. If you mention my giveaways on your blog or yahoo group (any groups you belong to) leave another comment that you did that and I'll put your name in the drawing twice each day. You can't beat that now can ya? Ok....yes I know you can beat that....but just pretend you can't :)

Smiles,

Kelly....sweaty smelly stinky Kelly

Day Two Giveaway

You have a chance to win this brand new pair GrabARoo's (size 7) and a Square Dancer pattern by Mountain Peek Creations.

I love these GrabARoo gloves. They are great for free motion quilting and a host of other things too. I gave a pair to my mail carrier and he was thrilled. I love to scrapbook and when I use these I don't get fingerprints on my pictures!!! Woo hooo :) The paper and pictures are easy to pick up too.

The Square Dancer pattern was given to me at Quilt Market by the gals at Mountain Peek Creations. They were sooo kind and generous. I thought I would share this beautiful pattern with a lucky winner :) I hope that winner is YOU!!!

What do you have to do today? Well....lets imagine you were given a gift certificate for $357.00 from http://www.ihavea-notion.com/ and you had to spend it all. What would you buy? Have fun....but just remember you are imagining you were given that certificate.....its imaginary :)

If you want to win a prize for this weeks giveaways please be sure to leave your e-mail in your post. If for some reason your computer does not allow you to leave comments feel free to leave your comments on my web site and I'll include them in the giveaway.

Smiles,
Kelly

Day One Giveaway is Today

I'm sorry it is so late in the day but this is the first chance I've had to sneak away and post to my blog. I promised a giveaway each day that I am away.

You could win this Valori Wells Carry - All Tote & Throw Pattern

There will be 8 days of prizes to win. To make it even more fun, you won't know what you are winning. I will post a picture each day of a prize that will be drawn for at the end of the giveaway. So, I will randomly select one person's comment from that day and then a random number for the prize.

Please keep in mind that some of the books or patterns were floor samples so they are not exactly new....but in great condition. For example, the envelope on this Valori Wells pattern has a small tear. It is a brand new pattern and never has been used. Just a small flaw so I can't sell it at full retail.

To win today you need to leave a comment before midnight about the most famous person you have ever met and the circumstances under which you met them. Give the juicy details.....but keep it PG or close to it :) Well....of course if you have slept with Robert Redford then I guess you could spill the dirty beans.


If you want to win a prize for this weeks giveaways please be sure to leave your e-mail in your post. If for some reason your computer does not allow you to leave comments feel free to leave your comments on my web site and I'll include them in the giveaway.

Smiles,
Kelly

We have a winner :)

Susan said...
What wonderful photos and what sweet boys. Imperial skills??? What a riot!A week of giveaways sounds like a fun week! As for today's answer, I have no idea, but because you said that it was taken in PA, I will guess that they are MJ's shirts.
June 25, 2009 8:07 AM

One person guessed correctly. They belong to MJ....the "Bag Tag" designer :) Susan gets her choice of two bag tags or what ever she can talk me out of :) Now that's not a really difficult challenge....I love to give things away.

I've gone through all my Quilt Market stuff and more books that were Floor Samples (not used but not new....still great)....all to give away starting Saturday.

Smiles,
Kelly

Annual Pilgrimage Home

Every year we head to PA for the 4th of July. The only difference this year is we are going the week before and leaving on the 5th to return home to OH. We look forward to this trip all year and enjoy seeing our friends and family.

I adore this picture. It was taken in PA in July.

Can anyone tell me who's shirts these boys are wearing? You have to recognize the shirts owner and not be the owner....hey owner....no telling....that's cheating!!!

If you are the first to leave a comment on who the owner is and you are correct....without cheating (quilters don't cheat.....well.....I do....but usually they don't!!! LOL) I will send you a special prize. How about .... hmmmm.....what would be fun to give away (no I'm not giving one of the kids away...I'd go to jail) mmmmm.....mmmmm.....2 Bag Tags....your choice of colors!!! If you hate that....then you'll have to talk me into something else I guess :)

The Cabin....ahhhhhh our retreat away from everything....no electricity or running water. Rick and his family built the cabin in 1983. The boys love to go to the "house cabin."

Speaking of the boys...one quick funny and I'll get right back on topic...I promise. Tonight Aaron, Zach and I are in the backyard trying our best to catch fire flies. Aaron looks at me very seriously and says, "Mommy it takes imperial skills to catch 4 fireflies in one jar." Imperial skills? You just have to love that one.

I thought it would be fun to do a week of giveaways....one each day I'll be away. Does that sound like a good idea?

Smiles,
Kelly