Harrison Rally Day in Perrysburg OH

The Harrison Rally Day was held last Saturday here in Perrysburg, OH. The Perrysburg Area Arts Council hosts a Rally for the Arts. There is a parade in the morning and the kids just love it. Candy is thrown and the children scramble to put candy into their little bags. Local politicians and social groups come together and parade down the street. Bands and dance troops come as well. Local artists, businesses and social groups have booths as well.

I met Lois Morgan, Cut Loose Designs, that Saturday. Lois has knitted fabric to make some fun bags. She is a jewelry designer and sells her work to galleries. The bags were something fun Lois did for the Harrison Rally Day. She sells patterns and kits as well. If you are interested please e-mail me at IHaveANotion@yahoo.com and I can put you in touch with Lois. I think this is an excellent use for salvages and thin strips of left over fabric.

As usual, this photo does no justice to how nice this bag really is.

The best part of the parade for me were the Way Public Library Ladies. I've never seen this done before and I absolutely loved it. The ladies were pushing their carts in the street....then to the music...the did a formation and pushed their carts like the Shriners do their little cars. I really laughed and smiled. That is my kind of entertainment and humor.


Then of course the boys had their faces painted by two very talented ladies. Here they are with their friends.

I had to post this one of Aaron. Down the street comes the Fire Dog and Aaron walks into the street with his arms wide open wanting to hug the Fire Dog.

Rick and I had a great time and enjoyed the day with the boys and friends.

Smiles,

Kelly

Who Knew?

Interesting life isn't it? Beautiful music!!!

Smiles,
Kelly

Fruit Flies? Yuck

I hate fruit flies....they are a real annoyance and getting rid of them has been difficult. I've tried spraying them....no go....putting out apple cider vinegar and that did not work. I'm able to catch only a few and they are still in my kitchen. So what does Kelly do to solve her problems? You got it....I Google it.

I found a solution and I'm so excited I thought I would share it with everyone else. I cut a piece of banana and put it in a bowl. I covered it with plastic wrap and poked holes in the top. The fruit flies go in....and don't come out too easily. I can approach the bowl with a magazine and cover the top. Then I take it outside and let them go. I think I've caught 50 today. Nasty little buggers....back outdoors where they belong.

Fruity Smiles,

Kelly

Thrifty Gift Ideas

I find it difficult to get gifts for some of my family members and friends for birthdays and holidays. I've moved away from the traditional gift giving .... get a list....buy from the list etc. Since most people I know have their "needs" met I decided to make gift giving more of a creative adventure. For example:

Calendars such as these from I Have A Notion:

I guess I mention these first because I love Calendars. Some of these even have patterns included....really makes the price extremely reasonable given you get two gifts in one.

Last year, my girlfriend and I decided to restrict gifts to things that have been previously used, purchased from a garage sale or rummage sale, re-purposed items, handmade/homemade things and things we got free. We had the best time thinking of wonderful gifts like these. I know it is not the best thing for the economy right now....but why not try it for yourself?

I gave Rachel a beautiful nightgown....it was really pretty. She opened the gift and was just thrilled....then I said....how much do you think I paid for that....(she is like me....gets a huge charge out of paying almost nothing for something wonderful)? I paid 1.00 at a church rummage sale and the tags were still on it. I could have and would have easily paid 40.00 for the nightgown....but I loved giving it to her and I paid 1.00. This makes the gift giving adventure more thoughtful....because you have to search high and low to make sure your gift fits into the category.

I'd love to hear your experiences like these....or if you decide to do this as well....please leave a comment and if there are enough....I'll publish a chapter on fun gift giving ideas.

Thrifty Smiles,

Kelly

PS....did you know I Have A Notion has a gift registery and gift certificates? We do!!!

Disappearing 9 Patch

I need help/assistance....calling everyone who has ever made a disappearing

Nine Patch.

I realize this photo is on it's side....but you get the picture. This is a trial block for a twin size charity quilt I am making. I was very careful to cut all the blocks that I will be using (not these in the photo....this was a sample) 4 1/2" square. Now....I'm guessing the fastest way to put this together is in rows, right? When pressing....is there a direction that works best overall? Do you have a "system" for putting your blocks together in the 9 patches? I made sure each block has 9 different fabrics and then pined those into sets of 9. I have 24 piles now. I'd like to do this the most efficient way possible....and I don't have time to do the research.....so if you've done one and want to give me some pointers....I'll be ever so grateful :)

Smiles, Kelly

Resuscitating Sue S.

Resuscitating Sue S.

Today my post is not about sewing, stitching, giveaways.....I want to share the experience I had yesterday with you.

I pride myself on using all recycled boxes and bubble wrap for my business (unless priority post is needed). I get some of my boxes at the recycle center where I take my things. Yesterday I happened to look into the paper bin and what I saw shocked me. Someone had dumped Sue S.' paper life into the dumpster. There were check books, life insurance policies, car titles, rental agreements, previous years tax filings....you name it and it was in there. I imagine this person has passed away and whom ever is taking care of her "business" felt it necessary to put it into the recycle bin.

These were some of the things I felt necessary to "save":

I pushed all of her personal data to the back of the bin and attempted to cover it up with other newspapers. I could not help but take these items and some letters that were hand written. I feel sort of dirty taking them on one hand....on the other I feel like I've resuscitated a part of Sue that did not die (as I am assuming).

The journal is a cookbook. There are lots of hand written recipes dating back to 1916. The pages have flour and sugar inside stuck to some of the pages. I could not just let that go....I'm not sure why....but somehow I felt it had to be saved. I sort of felt panicked in a way....like this ladies life was about to be made into more paper without any of her history being preserved. Isn't there someone to whom cares about this woman today? I don't know....perhaps I'll find out....perhaps I won't.

Interesting isn't it?

Kelly

I Love Faces - Completely Candid Photo Challenge

This is my entry for the "Completely Candid" photo challenge at I Heart Faces blog. It is a picture of my youngest son 3 1/2 years ago. I was on the grass trying to get him to walk towards me. It was hot and he kept falling...and then he would cry. I kept coaxing him to get up and walk over to get my camera.....he walked up just close enough and I snapped this pix. I love it because I caught his tear, his sweat and his drool. Love that baby face :)

Smiles,

Kelly

Giveaway Alert

A woman can't get a minute to herself before someone wants to give her something....my oh my. If you too want to have a chance to have a wonderful surprise....click on the photo.....only if you really want a gift package in the mail though. If you don't....you could always just leave a comment saying Kelly sent you!!!! Over and over and over if you're feeling compulsive today!!! LOL

Smiles,
Kelly

Love Sunflowers and Snowmen....Me Too

I almost forgot....shame on me....to share with everyone the beautiful print my husband bought for me at the Perrysburg Fine Arts Fair a few weeks back.

The artist is Kim Rhoney.

Here are some photos I took that day. The brilliant colors really grabbed my attention. If you like vibrant colors you might enjoy a stroll through her website and blog.

This is Kim. I enjoyed talking to her....and she has little kids too. She can relate to working and managing/enjoying the "co-workers."

I had a very hard time choosing between the red background and the blue. I love them both....actually....I loved them all.

This is Theresa Malik and she is a Woolen Artist.

Theresa uses natural and dyed dorcet sheep wool to make her beautiful designs. She has a shop on Esty.

Who would not love one of these this Winter? I must say it was great to see her make this little fella. She is a very talented lady.....and she was so kind to allow me to take these photos to share with you.

So much happens I get the cart and the horse all mixed up sometimes. I had intended to publish these pictures weeks ago....oops!!

Sunflower and Snowman Smiles,

Kelly

Giveaway Alert

Danger Will Robinson Danger!!! You will become addicted to Mod Podge....so if you leave a comment to win the giveaway...you are now providing informed consent to becoming addicted. No 12 step groups for Mod Podge or Fabric or Paper out there (that I know of)....enter at your own risk!!!

Click on the red link or the photo and tell Amy I said howdy :)

Devilish Smiles,
Kelly

The Gathering of Quilters Guild

This past Thursday evening was The Gathering of Quilters Guild Meeting. It was a potluck meeting. I wish every meeting was a potluck meeting. There sure were some excellent dishes and lots and lots of deserts. Good food, good company, quilt talk....couldn't ask for much more....other than my girlfriend Rosemary.....I'm sure she could ask for more....like that I get gas before I agree to drive!

Garnett Smalley, owner of Cotton-by-Post (Alisa Craig, Ontario Canada) was the speaker for the evening. He brought several Irish Quilts to show/tease us with before his show. He also shared a bit about his previous shows from Africa and Russia.


This is the information about the show:

October 19-24th are the dates of the show and there are many classes being offered as well.

Photos below are from his show/tease at the guild meeting. Thank you Garnett for your permission to publish these photos!!!

There was a description and story that goes with each piece. I did not take notes or get the details of each of the stories. I'll just tell you that they were interesting and enjoyable to hear. The last one I remember .... this piece represents fish crates....this is what that person sees in their part of Ireland...lots of fishing crates. I thought it was really neat. I think Garnet said it has fishing net on it too.

I hope you have enjoyed this little tour....

Smiles,
Kelly

Jelly Roll Week Giveaway Alert

Visit the Missouri Star Quilt Company's blog.....hurry....don't blink or even take a breath....click here so you too can see the hub bub going on over there. I'm thinking positively that I'm going to win the jelly roll of my choice. You too can think positively and win a jelly roll of your choice :)

Good Luck and Enjoy the read....it's fun and interesting.

Winning Smiles,
Kelly

Roc-Lon Challenge Winners

Marsha Randles was chosen by Rockland Industries as the first place winner in the Multi-Purpose Cloth Challenge. I thought it would be fun to show you photos of Marsha with her piece and her prizes. She was so thrilled.

Blogifers meet Marsha....Marsha meet the Blogifers!!

Marsha with the prizes from IHAN.

Close up of the center...Marsh has woven cloth in the center of the sunflower.

The stained glass work was great. She did a lot of cut work to make this come out so beautiful.

The Blogifers Viewers Choice Prize went to Diane G.

Blogifers meet Diane Giveins....Diane meet the Blogifers :)

Did you know that I Have A Notion now sells Roc-Lon Multi-Purpose Cloth?

Smiles,

Kelly

FYI..."Blogifers" are the interesting people who follow my blog.
By the way, Blogofiles are people who peep at other's blogs. There is a huge difference. ROFL

Want to be moved?

I can't find the way to embed this video yet so I'll let you click here to see it. It is from the Green Fairy Quilts Charity trip 2009. Judi and Clint just got back from Romania. Though you might be moved....I certainly was.

I just want to share with all of you how I got involved raising a little bit of money for Judi and Clint. It was totally by chance that I saw a "giveaway" notice someplace and it was for a jelly roll and a pattern. It looked nice so I entered the giveaway. Someplace I saw the "Green Fairy Charity" on her site or blog...don't know which. I was curious so I clicked on it. I thought it was nice...and nothing more....until I saw that 100% of the donations go directly to the people and children in Romania. Before that time I had never seen a charity where 100% of the money went to the people/purpose it was being given to.

I e-mailed Judi and asked if it was indeed true...were they a registered charity and did 100% of the money go to the purpose stated. She said yes and showed me where the registrations for the charity were documented at the State and Federal levels.

Then I asked how she got started and were they involved in a larger program of some sort. Judi said she was watching Oprah one day and Oprah said you can make a difference just do what you love....or something to that effect. Judi likes to quilt so she started there. Now there has been two trips to Romania....and it was that simple. Not easy at all....but certainly simple to do what they love and to offer those gifts to others.

I was already planning a garage sale to reduce the clutter around here. I had the idea to ask other folks if they had a box or bag of unwanted items they could donate it and I would sell it at the garage sale. I just e-mailed neighbors and friends and asked them to send the e-mail along to anyone they thought might be interested. The things that were donated raised 572.00. It was simple.....just an idea....not easy....but pretty darn low tech and simple.

Smiles,
Kelly

Bias Tape Maker Machine and Rotary Cutting Machine By Simplicity NOW AVAILABLE

Breaking news.....we interrupt this regularly scheduled program to announce that the Simplicity Bias Tape Maker Tips are NOW AVAILABLE in the following sizes:

3/8" Single Fold Tip
1/2" Single Fold Tip

3/4" Single Fold Tip

The replacement blades for the Simplicity Rotary Cutting Machine are also NOW AVAILABLE.

Straight Blade

Small Wave Blade

Large Wave Blade

CLICK HERE TO ORDER NOW

We return you now to your regularily scheduled program already in progress.

Roving Reporter Smiles,

Kelly

Amy Butler Spanky Name Badge Challenge WINNER Photos!!!

Meet Janice Pope....IHAN's Spanky Name Badge Designer!!!!

Janice won all these lovely things from Amy Butler Designs. Her name badge was selected and she is making 6 badges for the Amy Butler Design group to wear in Houston at Quilt Market.

Thank you Amy and Mallory for the wonderful gifts you have sent and for allowing me the opportunity to host the challenge. I had a ball.

Smiles,

Kelly