Meet Ottra Lotta. She stands to my right when I sew and my machine. Ottra can be moved over my cutting table with a quick lift and twist wrist motion. She came from Needles Quilt Shop in Wellsboro, PA. I won her in a drawing. I was just as shocked as anyone to learn I had won.
Announcement!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Ott Lights Galore
Meet Ottra Lotta. She stands to my right when I sew and my machine. Ottra can be moved over my cutting table with a quick lift and twist wrist motion. She came from Needles Quilt Shop in Wellsboro, PA. I won her in a drawing. I was just as shocked as anyone to learn I had won.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Grandparents At Last!!!!
Introducing "Fluffy and Funny".....Zach's Twins (his choice of names). He chose the seeds at the store early in spring. He planted them and has taken care of them all summer. This morning they bloomed. Aren't they beautiful? No crying, nighttime diaper changes or baby blankets.
Next, I'd like to introduce "Reddy and Bob the Tomato" (is on the right ...Aaron says it is because it looks like a face). These are Aaron's children. He loves tomatoes and he planted way too many tomato plants this spring. We will be keeping Reddy and Bob....but many of their siblings will be put up for adoption. The rest of the clan will become salsa. Eating one's Grandchildren is cruel....but in this case....we are making an exception.
Please don't send congratulatory gifts at this time. We don't have room for any more belongs. As a matter of fact, we are having a garage sale this weekend in hopes of re-locating lots of our stuff. There will be two sections for our relocation program. The first is our family general re-location. The other is a Green Fairy Quilts re-location project. Many people have contributed unwanted belongings to be re-located. The monies raised (100%) will go to the Green Fairy Quilt Charity to feed and dress children and their families in Romania. For more information check out the Green Fairy Quilt Charity.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
May Arts Ribbon Ohhhhhhhhh Lahhhh Lahhhhh
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Roc-lon Contest..... Are You In?
What you make is up to you. The only catch? You must use Roc-Lon Multi-Purpose Cloth and the size is limited to 8 1/2" x 11".
(Photo taken at Quilt Market May 2009 by Kelly Jackson)
Roc-Lon Multi-Purpose Cloth is ideal for painting, sewing, machine embroidery, decoupage, and more. Roc-Lon Multi-Purpose Cloth is reversible, does not fray or curl, is durable, lays flat, holds its shape, does not require primer or gesso, accepts fabric glue/tape, can be sewn or hold punched, and can be cut using household scissors!
Each person who enters the contest will receive the 8 1/2" x 11" piece of cloth for your creation(it will be mailed to you on 8/18/09). You will have until Friday, September 4th at 9AM to send me a photo or photos of your finished work.
Please don't allow the photos I have posted here to limit your creativity. What ever you create with the cloth (8 1/2" x 11") is your expression of creativity. I just took these photos at Quilt Market and thought you would like to see what other folks have done with Multi-Purpose cloth.
The winner will be selected by Rockland Industries, Kelly Jackson and by votes posted in the comment section of this blog. The winners work will be displayed by Rockland Industries at International Quilt Market in Houston & CHA in Anaheim and will be returned to the winner in Feb.
What will you win?
5 yards of 54" Roc-Lon Multi-Purpose Cloth (a $38.60 value), 3 yards of 107/108" Roc-Lon Star Pattern Cheater Cloth, 2 yards 44/45" Roc-Lon Light Tea-dyed Muslin, and 2 yds Roc-Lon 108" Solid Brown - 100% Cotton, and a Surprise Gift Package from www.IHaveA-Notion.com
Sound exciting?
E-mail your name, phone number and address to IHaveANotion@yahoo.com All e-mail commitment entries must be received by Sunday Aug. 16th at midnight. It is important to make your commitment so the cloth can be sent to you.
I got interested in the Multi-Purpose cloth after seeing this floor cloth at Quilt Market.
Floorquilts by Ellen Highsmith Silver
I thought making floor cloths for gifts would be an excellent way to use lots of my scraps. I also thought my kids would love making placemats too.
Again...if I have not been totally clear....I don't expect you to use these examples as a jumping off point for you. I just thought I would share how and why I got excited about the Multi-Purpose cloth.
I expect my e-mail to be completely full when I check it!!! Please invite/challenge all of your creative friends to join in the contest.
Excited Smiles,
Kelly
Friday, August 7, 2009
Giveaway Alert
My First Quilt "Many Hands"
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Jackpot Scissors by Simplicity Comments and Curb Alert
Email: blnquilter@comcast.net
Comments: I have to tell you
how pleased I am with my jackpot scissors. I took apart a twin sized quilt using them instead of my seam ripper and it was so much easier. The scissors are sharper and the needle nose gets right in there so the stitches can be cut.
Great product !!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Wendy Jenkins' Work
Behind the Scenes at I Have A Notion
I am a Mother first and a business owner second. I did not have them until I was 38 and 40 years old so I really want to enjoy them. Screaming and hearing "Mommy....Mommy.....Mommy (louder and louder) when I'm on a business call is customary. I usually say, please don't mind my co-workers, they are a bit fussy. Then I move on...no excuses or apologies. If you should find an interesting sticker or crayon mark on your box....consider it a gift from my co-workers :)
So I thought I would take you behind the scenes at I Have A Notion. You might know my co-workers, Aaron and Zachary, from reading my blog.
Zach is on the left and Aaron is on the right. Aug. 3rd was a huge day here at I Have A Notion. No I did not get 10,000 dollars in orders that day. Both Aaron and Zachary learned to ride two wheelers Sunday night. (That is why I was rambling a bit in my blog post Monday morning.....I was writing it at 1:30AM)
Working here is soooo much fun :)
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Accuquilt Go Now at www.IHaveA-Notion.com
You can now buy Accuquilt Go and Accessories at my store!!! So if you are considering purchasing one...or several....(you have to take care of those friends....and have great giveaways on your blog, right?) please think about buying it from I Have A Notion. At least you know the customer service is excellent....a bit nuts....but friendly none the less :)
Smiles,
Kelly
Rotary Cutting Machine Test Results
These are two tools you will need if you get or have a Rotary Cutting Machine. A flat head screwdriver and a cross tip screwdriver (Philips head). Why? Well because the tension on the cutter needs to be adjusted with a flat head and the blade is changed with a cross head. You are now prepared :)
I am holding the Rotary Cutter up at an angle so you can see both screws that I just spoke/typed about.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Accuquilt Go and SewCalGal's blog
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Curb Alert
Friday, July 31, 2009
Simplicity Update
I'm in contact with a gentleman from Simplicity to resolve the concerns and questions folks have about the Rotary Cutting Machines. I'll keep everyone updated :)
Kelly
Jackpot Scissors by Simplicity
I'm sure they are good for other things too....clipping your nails, stabbing an intruder, opening packages, trimming your husbands eyebrows.....but I don't recommend them for those uses unless you are desperate.
I'm not the only one who things so either. Check out this comment.
She makes the same promise I do....you won't be disappointed. Stop by my website and see for yourself. Ok, I'll make it easy for ya....just click HERE :)
Smiles,
Kelly
Rotary Cutting Machine by Simplicity Update
Rotary Cutting Machine Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn’t my blade cut through the fabric?
If you are
using the machine for the first time, you must tighten the pressure between the
blade and the roller underneath. Out of the box, the machine will not cut – it
is loose to protect the blade in shipment.
If the machine was cutting
cotton and now you want to cut wool or paper for example, you will need to
adjust the pressure for the heavier materials used.
What can I cut with
the machine?
Our testers cut quilting cottons, artist canvas, wool, paper,
fleece, craft foam, and felt. The pressure between the blade and the roller
underneath must be adjusted to achieve the cut for the materials to be cut.
How many layers of cotton can the machine handle?
This will depend
on the pressure between the blade and the roller underneath. However, in testing
by several quilters they found that 2 layers gives more control for accuracy
than more layers.
Why aren’t my strips straight?
Maintaining
consistent and accurate results takes practice. (One of our testers said it took
him only about 10 minutes to get the hang of it!) In testing, we found that
guiding the fabric with your hands behind as well as in front of the blade
provides more control.
How do I prevent drag when trying to cut a long
length of fabric?
One of our testers placed the machine in a sewing machine
cabinet so that the surface of the machine was level with the cabinet surface to
allow for a larger flat work surface area.
How do I change the blade?
To change the blade you will need a Phillips head screw driver and a Flat
head screw driver. Follow the instructions that come with the machine. You can
also watch our How-To video by clicking on the link. http://www.simplicity.com/rotarycuttervideo.aspx
Are there additional blades available?
There will be 3 blades
(large wave, small wave, straight) available in late September 2009. Additional
styles of blades will be available in late fall 2009.
Watch our instructional video at: http://www.simplicity.com/rotarycuttervideo.aspx
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Sizzling Circles by Lacey J. Hill
You might remember her from my story of the Quilt Market in Pittsburgh. She and her friends are the gals who saved my life. I was wandering around the streets of Pittsburgh looking for my car. I saw these three gals and asked if they could help me. They not only helped me they drove me to my van and waited until I drove away. So, she saves my life and now sends me a gift. (she must not read my blog....she probably wants my first born....boy is she in for a surprise..rofl.) Lacey is in the middle of the picture below.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Rotary Cutting Machine by Simplicity Update and Alex Anderson
OK, on to the Rotary Cutting Machine by Simplicity:
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Alex Anderson Alert!!!!
Lets hear it for Alex!!! Hip Hip Hooray!!! Check out the comments on my post today.
Thanks Alex.....how wonderful for you to take your time and leave a comment. By the way, I think you are beautiful in person and on TV. You seem sincere and real .....which are very high on my list of values.
Smiles....Big Smiles,
Kelly