Mary Lee Grabowski Does it AGAIN!!

Last night at the Black Swamp Quilt Guild Meeting we had a Garage Sale and Pot Luck along with our meeting.  (Why isn't there a pot luck with every guild meeting?) More about those details after the photos of Mary Lee's Art Quilts.

I've posted about Mary Lee before, so for those of you who don't know (or remember :)....this is Mary Lee.....Mary Lee....meet the IHAN blog clan.

Tell me you cannot look at this quilt and hold back a cheerful feeling and a smile.  If you can honestly do this, take your Prozac toot sweet or check into Electric Shock Therapy. 

The challenge was to use tulle and I tried to take a photo so you could see the tulle...I hope this one works and you can see it. 

If the first one did not grab you....this one will for sure!!!  Apparently it grabbed me so hard that I took at least 6 more photos and decided I did not "need" to share them all with you. I do get carried away, often!!!

The best part of Mary Lee's "work" is her attitude.  She is a "who cares if you follow the rules" type of gal.  We have a few of those free spirits in our guild.....I aim to become one of them. 

"Just make it work and hack it off" was said -out loud- last night by an un-named free spirited quilter.  Can I get a Whoooo Hooooo out there?

If only I had my video camera with me last night.  The closest I could get to what "really" (a lie) happened last night after the "hack it off and make it work comment" is this youtube video.  The colors were Orange and Brown and the gals in the group made the shapes of sewing machines and quilts as we all whooooped it up.  You never know what kind of fun we will have at a guild meeting :)

Whooped Up Smiles,
Kelly

Do You Use A Needle Threader?

I do!!  The one below is mine.  It is not one of the newer pretty colored ones (see below) mine is brown.  However, I must say, despite it's color it is the best needle threader I've ever used.  I have tried quite a few of them too. 

Clover makes a wonderful, easy to use, needle threader.  I've been told that some folks don't use needle threaders until they "need" one.  Well, I NEED mine.  I get so frustrated every time my thread comes out when I am stitching.  I love working on my English Paper Pieced hexagons while traveling and I'm telling you I un-thread that needle so often...why?  Someone needs to "FOCUS" on her needle and stop having to turn around and speak to her co-workers while traveling!!!

Check out the beautiful new colors:

These are all available at IHAN (scroll down to bottom of the page :)....except for the brown one....that one is mine.  But if you would like to trade....I can make arrangements....I'm willing to swap for a purple one :)

Do you use a needle threader?  Which one and why?

Smiles,

Kelly

Double Diamond Ruler -Re Post with More Info!!!

I received permission from Bright Quilting Notions to add photos of the Double Diamond Ruler from their site.  So, for those of you who loved seeing my little photo shots....you will LOVE these pix.

Not only is this a beautiful Guitar Strap....how about a cool Camera Strap?

Not only are they so generous to share their photos....they are also sending a special package for the Anniversary Giveaway starting in just FOUR days!!!  Thank you Bright Quilting Notions.

Click here to see their FREE bookmark pattern :)

Smiles,
Kelly

Simpli-EZ Bias Ruler And the Double Diamond Ruler Demo's

On March 4th Checker Distributors had a demo of some of their products in the warehouse.  Penny Harren, author of Pieced Applique`, gave a great demonstration of the Simpli-EZ Bias Ruler by Simplicity and the Double Diamond Ruler by Bright Quilting Notions.

This is the Simpli-EZ Bias ruler.  You lay the ruler on the edge of the fabric as shown.  You make your first cut to the right side of the ruler at the distance you require.  If you cut the blunt ends of the ruler (difficult to see in this photo) you will be able to match and join your bias strips.

You can cut bias strips quickly and accurately using the Smili-EZ Bias Ruler.  I love this ruler and use it every time I have to cut bias strips. 

The Double Diamond Ruler is a very interesting ruler.    Not only can it be used on fabric....but I can think of how wonderful it would be in scrapbooking and card making too!  Add some Mod Podge and the sky would be the limit!! :)

You get TWO rulers!!!  The 1 1/2 and the 3 1/2 rulers come in the package!!  Can I hear a "Wooo Hooo?"

 

Isn't this neat?  I think it is really interesting and I can see it being used with paper as well.  It would be fun to see an embellished shirt or jacket.  I'm sure there are a million ideas....I just need time to think of them all.  LOL

 

To watch a video of how to use this ruler, you can click here for The Bright Quilting Notions Video. 

There are three patterns available that use the Double Diamond Ruler.  If you want a closer look, click here. 

Stay in touch....leave a comment....or three!!  You  are going to need the practice for the 15th of March!!!

Smiles,

Kelly

Vicki Jones' Amazing Hand Quilting

Last week at our Applique Group meeting Vicki Jones (OH) brought in her finished quilt to show.  All eyes were on the quilt and some very talented ladies were saying to me...."wait until you see this....you want to talk about perfection". 

This was all hand quilted, needle up.....needle down (stabbing) not the rocking method.  Look how absolutely beautiful and even those stitches are.  The flowers were all hand embroidered.

Do you know how glad I was that I did not miss that meeting?  Oh wow....Vicki is a very talented lady and her quilt is a heirloom that will be enjoyed for many generations.

Grateful Smiles,

Kelly

Sew Fantastic Kona Giveaway

SewFantastic is having a Kona Color Wheel Give Away.  Run don't walk....translated....click quick...clickity clack and enter so you too will have an opportunity to gaze upon these lucious fabrics in person.  Good luck to you....I hope you win!!!  (I'm just being nice....really I hope I win)

Sneeky Smiles,
Kelly

Blog Hopper

Well....I've done just what I've said I would do....I've been blog hopping.  I have found a great tip for flat bindings and I've discovered a blog that I love.  So....as usual...I can not keep the good stuff to myself....I share.

Check Nellie's Needles for the flat bindings tip. (I added a seam press to my store (I know .... I did some work....but can you blame me?)

And Sue Spurlock's blog, Piece of Work. (I love the name of her blog)

Smiles,
Kelly

I Declare

(your never too old to go surfing....when you're young you stand up....then as you bloom....you lay on the board:)

....That today is be nice to Kelly day!!!  Have you ever just wanted and needed to have a day where you were just so nice to yourself all day long that you smiled when you went to bed?  Today is my day....I declare it to be so!!


Being this is my day.....I went back to bed after the boys went to school this morning :)


I'm having a cup of fresh coffee and I'd add chocolate to the breakfast menu if I had some here (darn....that is a crisis for sure!)


I'm going to take the time to color my hair which I've put off now for over10 days, yikes!!  (I know you are glad this is not television....cuz I'd need to have staff like Oprah to make me beautiful every morning.)


I'm going to work on my punchneedle name badge that I've been working on for way too long.  It should have been finished long ago but I have pulled out parts that I did not like the colors....so....I want to finish it soon!!


I'm going to get together all my thoughts about my big Anniversary Celebration coming up March 15-April 15.    An Anniversary Celebration is typically one day.....but when it includes lots of Give Aways....I thought it should last a whole month!!!  I'm sure you ALL agree!!  My house is beginning to look like The Santa's Stitchers Workshop thanks to all the incredibly generous folks in our Stitchers Circle!!! 


This will be a fun month.  I celebrate my 46th birthday, Rick and I celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary, and IHAN turns one year old (I think she needs a pretty Birthday Party dress with polka dots and ric rac.....but how do you dress a website?   Ok....there is another thought that just popped up.  I'll have to check with those folks over in the techno know how world to dress up this little girl.....ya never know what will pop into my mind/fingertips next.  I"ll be buying tuxedos for the co-workers (nope....too frugal!!)


Ahhhhh.....feel the declaration settling in with a wonderful cup o joe and now instead of working ......I'm going Blog Hopping!!!  One of my most favorite things to do because I don't like television.....Blog Hopping is like tuning into my favorite stations when ever I want to and there is always something "On" that I want to see.


Spunky Smiles,
Kelly

"IT'S A WRAP II" Now Available at I Have A Notion

Susan Breier's new book, "It's A Wrap II" is available NOW at IHAN (19.95).  If you loved, "It's A Wrap" you will be thrilled with her latest book.

Can you imagine Easter Baskets that get used every year because they were made special for your child or grandchild?  (co-workers in my case :)

What a statement this would make in a room. 

OK, everyone knows I love fish....so yes....this one really, really, really appeals to me.

Cheerful Green

How about this one at a picnic?

These bags and plates are really great too.  The instructions are clear and easy to understand (which is a lot for me to say because I have a tough time reading and understanding instructions). 

Another thing I think is really neat about Susan's designs is the clothesline she uses to wrap in fabric.  I much prefer this use of a clothes line!!

100 feet of Clothesline is only 3.75!!  And you can use your scraps, salvages, and even use the Simplicity Rotary Cutting Machine to cut strips for you.  With all the energy you'll save you will have some left over to jog to the store and get a few packages of Tim Tams!!!  Now you're talking :)


Naughty Smiles,
Kelly

New Additions at www.IHaveA-Notion.com

If you are traveling this Spring and Summer you might want to take advantage of this IHAN Special.  Fiber & Fabric Mania A Travel Guide 15.95 is NOW only 10.95 at IHAN.

This price will be good for one week only.  So if you want one Now is the time to order :)

Other new and fun things available at IHAN are Presencia Thread Collections.

To View Presencia Cotton Sewing Thread Sampler Crayon.  To view all of the Presencia Collections just click here and you will be magically transported to the IHAN Presencia Collection page :)

Also added to IHAN is the:

 "BIG DADDY or GRANDADDY" *

Aurifil Suitcase

.

( I call this a focal point for decorating....however technically it is not.) 

*Ever notice I seem to have my own names for products?  I know the manufacturers and designers really do put a lot of effort into naming their products....and I guess on one hand I know why they don't ask me first for the name they should give their products.....but I have to say.....I think the names I give them are so much more fun.....just my opinion...and with 44cents you can buy a stamp I know :)

Smiles,
Kelly

"Do The Crazy Dance Mamma"

Those are the words I last hear as my boys get on the school bus in the morning.  "Do The Crazy Dance Mamma" started when my first co-worker was in Kindergarten.  I would stand in the driveway and wave goodbye as my "baby" got on the big bus and he loved it when I would do a silly wave or shake my legs around.  He started calling it the "Crazy Dance." Mind you, I have bed head and I'm typically still wearing my jammies.  I figure if it bothers the neighbors they can always move :)

The last few weeks have been filled with "Peak Experiences" with my co-workers. So many activities and good times have been shared. If you've been wondering why I have not posted as regularly, that is why. I want to soak up every minute of this joy.

Aaron having a pizza lunch with "The Principal" at school.

Zach having a pizza lunch with his teacher at school

This was one of the Silent Auction items at their school last Friday night.  Wonder who's idea it was to have a silent auction for "Lunch With Teachers"?  Hmmmm.....the kids absolutely loved it and the folks at the school thought it was great too.  The pizzas were donated by "Marcos Pizza."  It was a great fundraiser and definitely a Win/Win/Win activity.

Zach stayed home one Monday due to his cough.  IHAN closed its doors and spent the day tending to co-workers.  He had to wait outside (climbing up and down in the trees) for Aaron to get off the bus after school.  It is so funny to watch them argue and fight.......then wait with such anticipation and joy for the other to return.

Aaron saw me taking pix of Zach in the tree as he got off the bus.....so you know my monkey had to climb into the tree for his photo opp!!

Bowling last Sunday.....Zach strikes a pose.  My heart just sings with complete and total joy when I see them playing like this.  (What do you say.....should this be "the" photo at his wedding?  I am thinking it might just be the one!!!  LOL)

Aaron is so proud he can hold the bowling ball.  It is hysterical to watch him run up to the line and sort of roll/throw the ball down the alley.  Thankfully it is bumper bowling!!!

Zonked!!

It is such a joy and pleasure to be able to work from home so I can soak up every second of this time.  Of course there are those days when I wish I worked on another planet just to get a break....but not recently :)

Joyful Smiles,

Kelly