Do you EQ?

I Do (now) and I Love It!! 

If it were not for Darlene (SewCalGal) my EQ 6 would still be in the box.  Not  because I was not excited and not because I didn't want to learn....but because I thought it would take a lot of time to learn how to use the software.  Darlene said, "Kelly....15 minutes a day."  She was right. 

I got this book, EQ6 Simplified, because it works through 6 lessons.  I sort of decided to start this way ....like I'm in EQ6 kindergarten. 

Here is Lesson One

Page One Lesson One

Each sentence told me what to do and had photos too so I would not get confused.  (This should be called the Idiots guide to EQ6....honestly)

Woo hoo, Kelly can read and click!!!

Ok, so Lesson One is the Kaleidoscope.  First I had blank template and the lesson walked me through getting the pattern in each square.  Remember, this is kindergarten for me....so I did only as they instructed.  I learned quickly that I could just take off and keep playing but I wanted to learn each tool so I did my best to stay focused.....although highly tempted to keep investigating all the variations.

Here is my first design, if you will.

I clicked on a paint brush and chose a color/fabric and then just clicked on each area that I wanted to color in.

I have learned the colors don't show up because my camera was too close to the screen.  These should all be the same depth of color.  I found it interesting to change just a few things to see how different the blocks looked.  I could accentuate what ever design I wanted.  I think the person who wrote this Lesson knew how to engage a beginner.  I really picked up the idea quickly by following along in the book and then I just started working/playing.  I'm warning you...don't drink coffee while starting this Lesson.  My heart was pumping and I got excited and if I had had some coffee....I would have been up all night long....no kidding.

A few more changes....and it looks different.

I changed the color pallet and decided to highlight some other patterns in the same template.  Look how cool this one looks.

This is the same pattern but look how different it looks.  You may not like the colors but I'm just learning to use the tools so I just picked anything that would not ruin my eye sight...LOL

Here is is again....different colors.

I decided to play with red and white so I just whited out some of the design and started playing with red and white.  I then thought of trying black in there too.....but my 15 minutes was up. 

I'm hooked.  I know I will continue with my lessons because I want to be able to build on my skills.  Isn't it interesting how different my "quilts" look compared to the photo in Lesson One above....all just a click of a button to preview another option.

I have a very difficult time deciding on fabrics for quilt projects.  I have auditioned and auditioned fabrics and then decided upon a combination.  Once it is cut out....I did not like the way the colors or shapes looked together. (Remember my Sizzling Circles?  I cut out 4 different leaves....all batiks....did not like a single one even though the fabric next to the background looked good at the beginning.)  Not any more....this is like a crystal ball....I can see it first then ....change it around if I want to....try different combinations....never having cut one piece of my lovely fabric. 

Thank You Darlene for the encouragement and Thank You Electric Quilt Company (Sarah :)  for the wonderful software....I Love It!!!

Big Smiles,

Kelly

AccuQuilt Go Demonstrated

I've had a few people e-mail me and ask how the AccuQuilt Go works.  Below is a demo. 




Smiles,
Kelly

AccuQuilt Go went to Charity Night at GOQ for Project Linus

We had a great turn out for charity work night at The Gathering of Quilters Guild last Thursday night.  I don't know how many people were there but every table was full and people were working the entire time.  There were separate tables set up for a variety of charities including: Mended Hearts, Project Linus, Quilts of Valor and Hospice Comfort Pillows.

I took the AccuQuilt Go to cut fabrics from a variety of pieces Project Linus had in a bin.  My girlfriend Dana and I had some good laughs while we were cutting 2 1/2 in strips and 3 1/2 x 6 1/2 inch rectangles for Project Linus Quilts.  For more information about the Toledo/Lucas County Chapter of Project Linus Quilts please e-mail Nancy at bussing@bex.net.

We had fun fussy cutting some of the fabrics with sharks and other pictures.  I think that the rectangles will make a very fun scrap quilt with lots of really neat fabrics that we cut for them on Thursday night.

I was surprised by the number of people who had not seen the AccuQuilt Go before.  I demonstrated how it works and let them have some fun with it too.  If you are local (Toledo OH vic) and would like to use the AccuQuilt Go, feel free to e-mail me at IHaveANotion@yahoo.com and I'll let you give it a whirl....it is lots of fun.

Then of course was show and tell.  The first quilt here was done by Dale Burnett.  Had I known in advance she was working on this quilt I guarantee I would have found my way into her home and stolen this quilt...or at least had the urge to do so!!  Isn't is just soooo cool?  This quilt, "Zebras",  was designed by Lisa Moore and published in the Sept/Oct 2009 Fons and Porter Love of Quilting magazine.

The hand embroidery on this next quilt, "South of the Border", was done by Thorneta Hinkle.  She is 88 and has been doing hand embroidery for over 80 years.  She donated the embroidered blocks and some ladies put them together to make a beautiful quilt for charity.  I know if I were in need and received something this beautiful it would renew my spirit.

I happen to know some of the ladies how did some of the Hungarian Embroidery on this next quilt.  During some of our gatherings I watched as they stitched these beautiful blocks for a raffle quilt.  It is absolutely stunning, the photo does it no justice.  It was raffled by the Calvin United Church of Christ in Toledo Ohio.  Joyce Smith was the lucky winner of the quilt and she brought it to show and tell.  I'm going to start buying more raffle tickets....can you imagine winning such a treasured quilt?

This next quilt cracks me up.  Sheila Painter can take the credit for this fun quilt.  I know many people spend hundreds of hours putting together their Dear Jane Quilts.  Sheila did what I would do....she bought a convenience panel while on vacation and machine quilted it.

I can hear the booooos and hissssses through my computer girls.  I know, I know.....but think about the people who have no clue as to the hundreds of hours putting together a "real" Dear Jane Quilt.  This type of thing is for them.  They will see it and say....oh that's nice.

This last quilt here really grabbed me.  Candy Colleen Rudd made this quilt.  This is Candy's first quilt that was created with all hand work.  She did needle turn applique, embroidery, hand piecing  and then she hand quilted this wall hanging.

I only wish my photography was better.  These photos do no justice to the real magic in this quilt.  I love to do hand work and this piece is very inspiring.

Smiles,

Kelly

Valentines Day Giveaway Alert

Quilting Can Be Fun is having a Valentines Day Giveaway.  If you win....you may have to consider some sort of swap for the Monkey....it is just too cute :)  LOL

Good Luck to Everyone who enters!

Smiles,

Kelly

A Store Gets a Return AND A Gift???

I wonder how many stores get a returned item along with a gift for the owner?  IHAN does :)  I sent Barb Gaddy a Bendable Bright Light (actually my husband packaged it) and it had an international plug on the end.  The company had sent it to me in error and since my husband was helping with packaging he never noticed. 

Barb and I had several e-mails back and forth and we were both scratching our heads.  I did not understand what she was talking about and she had no clue as to what I was saying.  Then she sent a photo....it had the international plug on it.  ROFL

Once we discovered why were unable to understand one another....I immediately shipped Barb another BBL but this time it had the correct plug.  She sent me back the other one and inside the box was this beautiful fabric.  Thank you so very much Barb!! 

 

I have some of the best customers in the world!!

My family even received a lovely Christmas gift from Jocelyn, Happy Cottage Quilter.  Can you believe that?

I have always believed there were more wonderful people in the world than the not so wonderful one's you hear about.  It is true....and I am fortunate enough to know a whole slew of amazing people.

Grateful Smiles,

Kelly

Toni Whitney's Art is on E-Bay-What An Opportunity to Own An Original

Do you remember this post about Toni Whitney ?  She is the artist who has patterns at the Bigfork Bay Cotton Company. 

I recently learned she has some of her original art work on E-Bay.  Below are the descriptions and if you click on them it will take you directly to the auction site. 

HORSE Colt ORIGINAL PAINTING Acrylic Fine Folk Art CA

HORSE Palomino ORIGINAL PAINTING Acrylic Fine Folk Art

Miniature Equestrian Horse Original Painting Fine Art

This is an incredible opportunity for those who love horses!

Smiles,

Kelly

Longarm Quilt Guild Meeting

On Saturday I was lucky enough to be invited as a guest to a Longarm Quilt Guild Meeting in Maumee, OH.  I know almost nothing about longarm quilting and I wanted to know more about the process so I jumped at the opportunity. 

Show and tell was too much fun.  Look at these amazing quilts.

This is a Celtic Wedding Ring.  It is pieced in squares and the "elbows" are needle turn applique.

This is Cindy.....the woman with the "patience of a saint" to put the Celtic Wedding Ring together.  Didn't she choose beautiful colors for her quilt?

When I saw this next beauty,  I instantly thought of Moda Bake Shop Sampler.  However, in the Sampler there are only 480 squares.  This quilt has 2000....yes....two thousand squares.  It was made by Sheryl Guess. 

I really like how Sheryl laid out the squares.  Can you imagine the work involved?

I really like green so you know this one jumped out at me. It was made by Lisa Spalding and the pattern is Magic Tiles.

Here is a close up so you can see the fabrics.

After show and tell we were indulged in an amazing pot luck lunch. I was thinking it would be worth joining the guild just to take part in their quarterly potluck. These folks know how to cook.....unlike someone else I know.

Don't I look happy and at total ease with Lisa's longarm quilting machine? 

Oh yea baby.....I'm a natural. 

This is a picture of my very first free motion quilting.  I just zipped right along .... sort of like a Zen Master Meditating.  I was at total peace and my breaths were even and deep.....in and out....completely at one with the machine, fabric and thread. 

Ok, I lie like a rug (but you knew that).  This is actually my first work and I was sweating like a hog.  I was scared for some strange reason (I think it is because the black handles reminded me of my first time learning to ride a motorcycle.....I turned it over and darn near cried).  I'm so glad that machine was on a big table and the room was full of nice people....because if it had turned over on me.....I would have been traumatized beyond recovery....LOL.

Being a Psychologist by profession, I just so happen to know a little bit about IQ.  But that knowledge was completely useless on Saturday. 

This IQ refers to IntelliQuilter!!!  I had never even heard of such an invention. It is a computer controlled quilting system. Who knew? I'm so glad I was not in the Cash Cab being asked what this referred to....LOL.

Check this out.  Lisa punched in some numbers on a computer screen and this is what happened:
 

I won't be doing anything this cool anytime soon but at least I know some of the lingo!!

The last piece here was made by Rich Spalding.  I loved this Dragon Quilt.  Rich used a pattern by MedowLyon Designs.

After quilting the design he used Paintsticks to highlight the areas he found interesting.  I think this is soooo cool.  Did I mention.....Rich has his own longarm machine?  I thought that was really neat....both Lisa and Rich do longarm quilting.  I was fortunate enough to meet some other couples who also use the longarm quilting machines. 

The meeting was very enjoyable and again I got the opportunity to meet some very interesting and kind people.  By the way, many of them liked my Spanky Fleece Socks!!! 

Smiles,

Kelly

Digital Velocity Steam Iron V100 by Reliable Corp. Wins Two Thumbs Up

Rick is very picky about his irons.  He has bought 4 in the past 15 months.  I finally convinced him....well truth be known, Art from Reliable, convinced him that the Digital Velocity Steam Iron would be the best match for him.  I knew if I tried to explain it to him....he would just say...oh that's cool.  So I wrote to Art and asked if he would do a "guys run down" on how the iron worked and he did.  Thanks Art....You Rock!!! 

I opened the package and looked at the iron before Rick actually say it.  The hysterical thing is I could not figure out how the iron worked.  I looked and could not see how you could tell if it was on high or not.  So I left it on Rick's ironing board....yes we have two (actually 3) and he irons his clothes because he is a grown up and he can do big boy things...LOL.

Last night when Rick was ironing his clothes I asked him how he figured out when it was on high.  I figured it just beeped three times or something.  He said, "Kelly, you have to take off the little plastic protective covering on the iron to see the gauge."  Geez did I feel embarrassed.  

Rick said he likes the continuous steam and the fact that it does not leak....Hurray!!!  So much cheaper than paying for the last 4 irons....and of course....the stores won't take them back.  Guess there will be a few irons to sell at the garage sale this year. 

Smiles,

Kelly

Where Is The Red Carpet When You Need It?

Oscar de la Renta  ....move over.....IHAN socks are going to run you off the red carpet!!!  I can't think of anything more wonderful to wear down the Red Carpet can you?  (do not answer that question)

A Red Carpet Event for me means one of my co-workers has spilled their V8-Splash onto the carpet.  None the less, I want to be dressed in the latest and greatest for these events too.  Tonight I finally made another pair of Spanky Fleece Socks!  I loved the pattern on the fleece I had so I used it to make the second pair.

People were asking me how you make a sock out of one piece of fleece.  Below are some photos that I hope help answer those questions.

See how the heel comes up to meet the foot at the ankle?

This is a photo of the sock turned upside down so you could see the back.

If I would have gone upstairs and re-painted my toenails this would not be posted so I decided....if they are good enough for me....they are good enough to show how I customized my new socks.  If you can't stand my little chips in my toe nail polish....just get a sharpie in the same color....and color it in on your computer screen.

I used a chalk liner to and traced around my foot so I could sew the sock to the shape of my foot.

Here you can see the chalk line.  Keep in mind you might want to do this for both feet.  Because if you trace the same foot on both.....you'll have two right feet for socks.  Quit laughing....you know if I thought about it you just might have done it too :)

Remember the first pair I made on Tuesday?  Well, I was so excited that I promised myself I would not take them off until I made myself another pair.  On the left is the first pair and on the right is the second pair.  Hmmmm....I'm wondering how much longer I could have possibly worn them?  I wish I would promise myself I would not eat unhealthy food and I would get 8 hrs a sleep each night and actually hold myself to it.....but these fleece socks are so much more fun :)

 I think I like the second pair a little more.  After drawing my foot out and stitching the outline, they feel like a wonderful new custom build Yacht for my feet. ROFL

Joyous Smiles,

Kelly

Cedar Canyon Textiles Blog

I am on the e-mail list for Shelly Stokes, Cedar Canyon Textiles, newsletter.  I opened it and was so amazed to see all that Shelly has done recently.  Check out her blog.

My two favorite posts are : Discharge with Discharge Paste and Needle Felting with Stencils ~ Playing with Stencils 3.

I don't have any photos for you because I've been traveling all day and did not have time to e-mail Shelly and ask to "borrow" a photo to show off what I'm talking about.  So....you will just have to exercise your pointer finger on that mouse and click over to see her beautiful work.

Smiles,
Kelly

www.IHaveA-Notion.com Is Raising Money For Haiti...find out more

It has taken me some time to figure out what IHAN can do to help the people in Haiti. I have created a Sister blog to IHAN and it is     I Have A Notion 2 Make A Difference. All of the information regarding this topic will be posted there. Please feel free to stop over and decide if you would like to be a part of Making A Difference.

Starting now, midnight January 15 through midnight January 20th  2010 you can purchase products from IHAN at the Suggested Retail value and 100% of the profits from those sales will be donated to those in need in Haiti.  You MUST e-mail your orders to IHaveANotion@yahoo.com with "Haiti Order" in the subject line to place an order that will benefit those in Haiti.  Please note the price you will be charged will not be the IHAN price posted on the website....it will be the first price (has a line through it)  Suggested Retail Value. 

 Your total with shipping, will be e-mailed to you as soon as I have your items packaged and the exact postage calculated.  You can pay for your order by PayPal or if you don't have a PayPal account, you can send a check or money order.  I cannot accept credit cards.  My website has a secure check out so I never see any credit information.  Therefore I do not have a credit card machine here...everything is handled securely through the website.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.


Smiles,
Kelly

We Can Help Those In Haiti, I Know We Can

Here is a link I found that gives lots of places to donate.  Money is reportedly the best way to help because the folks who are providing supplies and staff can use the money to get the supplies needed in an organized fashion.

I will be sending money....I encourage everyone to do the same or help in some way that you can.  No matter if it is $1 ..... or many dollars.....that could be each one of us....scared and suffering.  I would want to know that the people of the world cared and would help.

We were able to raise 1200.00 for the children in Romania (donated to the Green Fairy Quilt Charity).  We sent over 40 boxes of needed supplies to American Samoa for the Tsunami relief efforts (Bejewledquilts.blogspot.com).  I am wondering what we can do for Haiti.

Leave me a comment or if you prefer to be private...send me an e-mail and let me know how much you will donate and I will work with companies to get our donations matched for Haiti.  How does that sound?  For now, all I need is a commitment.  Once I know our monies will be matched, I will give you the rest of the information we will need to proceed.

We can make a big difference....I just know we can.

Kelly

Haiti

Such terrible news to wake up to.  I'm so very sad for the people of Haiti.  So, the next question is....what can we do?  Any suggestions? 

No smiles today,
Kelly