SIMPLY SUBLIME GIFTS by Jodi Kahn Will Be Released Tomorrow!!!

AUGUST 10, 2010

the release of

Simply Sublime GIFTS

by Jodi Kahn

Random House says, Simply Sublime Gifts offers more than thirty fun and imaginative gift ideas to make quickly, inexpensively, and with little to no sewing using clever short-cuts and inventive techniques. You’ll find a well of inspiration for any occasion, including Handy Hand Towels for hostess gifts, fancy Fabric Bangles for her, Tailor-Made photo frames for him, charm necklaces, holiday ornaments, and more. Accompanying eye-catching gift-wrap ideas are sure to complete the perfect present for everyone on your gift list.


With projects that are a snap for beginners—and that provide a fun challenge for experienced crafters—Simply Sublime Gifts is loaded with hints, tips, and tricks of the crafting trade. Many of the gifts are also made from accessible, recycled, or repurposed materials, like the kitschy, cool Wonder-ful Apron created with iconic Wonder Bread® wrappers! Kids, family, teachers, and friends will love the customizable treasures found in this book, and you’ll love giving gifts that are special and meaningful, original and personal.

With author Jodi Kahn’s clear instructions and step-by-step illustrations, in less than a day you’re on your way to creating a gift that is simply sublime.
 
IHAN says, HOT DIGGIDY DOG DIGGIDY!!!   Because a little birdie has told me that I will be getting to review this exciting book and I'm thrilled  Just in time for the holidays too!!!  I'll let everyone know just as soon as it arrives and I'll give you the IHAN scoop!!!
 
Do you remember Jodi's last book, Simply Sublime Bags?
 

Jodi showed us how to make really nice up-scale hand bags so I know her new book, Simply Sublime GIFTS has to be a good one.  I think I'll wait for the mail carrier tomorrow, just in case!! :)

 

 
Anticipatory Smiles,
Kelly

Pat Sloan's Quilt The Seasons Book 2 Giveaway Winner Announced

Someone has been busy lately!!!!  I apologize for not announcing the winner of Quilt The Seasons Book 2 by Pat Sloan.  The random number generator chose number 9 and the winner is Sherry from Keep You In Stitches Blogspot.  Congratulations Sherry!!!  Please send an e-mail to IHaveANotion@yahoo.com and let me know what your shipping address is.  I will have the book in the mail first thing tomorrow morning.

Thank you for reading the IHAN blog and leaving comments.  There are many more books and fun things from Quilt Market to be given away here so stay tuned :)

Smiles,

Kelly

Quilt Day at the Wood County Fair Update

When I was asked to do a Notions presentation at the County Fair I had no idea what that really meant. I agreed to do it to help out. Afterwards I learned there would be a stage and a microphone. Oh geez, I'm not a professional speaker and I thought I had made a mistake. Then I figured I'd just be myself and fly by the seat of my pants they could only ask me to leave right?

It was very hot and they only had fans going in the Annex Building.  I was dripping as I stood and spoke to the ladies who had gathered.

 

This is me setting up.  I was just getting my supplies out and on the table here.  I was nervous and my hands were shaking a bit.

 

This was my table after I got it set up.  I demonstrated the products I use most often and really like.

This was the audience before I started.  I figured I'd better get a photo since it was the first time I'd given a Notions lecture.  Just as I was introduced I looked up and this is what I saw:

 

I don't know who was behind the signs, but I can tell you for sure my heart was deeply touched.  This experience will stand out in my memory for the rest of my life.  I only have a few experiences that I hold near and dear to my heart, peak experiences with people, and this was sure one of them.  Thank you so very much to all of you who supported me.  I still can't believe it. 

 

Ok, it was so exciting I put in two photos, I had to have the gals do another showing of the signs.  Wow, what a gift.

Afterwards people asked me how it went.  My reply: No one left and no one said booooo so I guess it went well.  Not everything went smoothly and that is OK.  I didn't wet my pants but I suppose if I had it would not be the end of the world.  Thank You Janette Willman for inviting me and all the wonderful women from the Extension Office who unloaded my van with lightening speed and helped me set up my displays.  Thank you Joan Edwards for your help and for taking some photos for me.  Of course special Thanks and Hugs to all of you who held up the "Kelly" signs.....you rock big IHAN socks!!!

After I spoke then Jenny Morlock, QuiltCrazyGalJennaLouise blog)  spoke about Artist Trading Cards and Post Cards.  She is the Youth Development Director for the 4-H program.  Many of the quilts displayed at Quilt Day were quilts that the 4-H Quilters were donating to charity. 

I just love the Artist Trading Cards and the Post Cards.  I have one ATC and three Post Cards.  I guess if I want more I better make more.

By the way, I heard about a fun contest that I decided to do and I thought I'd invite anyone interested to join me.  I loved Linda Poole's class on Bended Bias Applique so when I heard she was doing a contest I knew it was something I could manage.....if you know what I mean :)  Join me, it will be fun.  Just click on the link on the left sidebar of the IHAN blog. 

What's New in Notions?

Quilt Day at the Wood County Fair, Bowling Green OH

Inquiring Minds Want to Know!!

If you really want to know, you'll have to come to the Wood County Fair today at 2:00.  IHAN was invited to do a Notions Demo. I'm going to have a stage and everything.....yikes....do these folks know how tall I already am?  I can't believe they want to give me a microphone and have me stand on a stage.

Apparently no one told them I'm really just a Chicken Chaser...LOL

Hope to see you there.

Smiles, Kelly

PS: No I did not forget about the Amy Butler Giveaway....Congratulations Sheila, you are the winner of the Amy Butler Gift Package!!  Please e-mail me at IHaveANotion@yahoo.com to claim your prize.

Bosal - Their new Premium Batting at Spring Quilt Market 2010

At the Northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail stands the Mount Katahdin, the highest peak in the Sate of Maine. In the native Penobscot Indian language "katahdin" means "The Greatest Mountain".

Like Mount Katahdin, we believe you will find our Katahdin Premium Batting to be the greatest, highest quality quilt batting available today.

(copied from the Bosal website)
I just had to include that because I had no idea what Katahdin referred to.  I knew I liked the name but had never heard of this Mountain in Maine.  I love the name don't you?  Wish I had thought of it.

I discovered a new Premium Quilt Batting by the Bosal Company.  Katahdin Premium Quilt Batting is VERY NICE.   Do you know how I know?  I was given some samples while at Quilt Market and believe it or not, I kept them :)  Yes, something for myself .  I used it on my Heart wall hanging and I'm telling you it was wonderful.  I am saving my other pieces to use with my other UFO's. 

I had the opportunity to meet both Drew Serbin (Director of Operations) and Rolando Berdion (Director of Sales) while at Quilt Market.  They were great guys to chat with and very kind to show me the three new battings and give me some samples too.  Little prizes are always nice :)

I'm posting these photos so folks know what their booth looked like at Market.  

There are three Katahdin  lines, Summer, Winter, and Autumn and all Made in the USA.  They are 100% with no scrims or resins used.   There is no preshrinking required.

The Katahdin Summer Batting is a Lightweight 100% Cotton batting that is great for hand-quilting. 

The Katahdin Autumn Batting is a Midweight 100% Cotton batting. It is great for hand or machine quilting.  

The Katahdin Winter Batting is a Midweight 100% Polyester batting.  It is a soft and luxurious microfiber. Excellent for hand quilting, machine quilting and crafts. No resins, glues or binders.

You can also read all about the Katahdin Premium Batting on the Bosal Website by clicking here.

I have to say I'm a little concerned about Drew and Rolando's thinking.  I was there at the end and helped Patsy Thompson load a few things and Drew and Rolando were still taking down their displays.  I offered to help them and they said no.  Who in their right mind would turn down free help?  Maybe they saw me on the Aurifil forklift and they knew they might be in trouble!!

Smiles,
Kelly
PS.  A little birdie told me about a new and exciting Bosal product that will be shown at the Fall Quilt Market in Houston.....oh this is going to be a good one....stay tuned.  I'll only tell if you buy me the land in PA that I want and put only my name on the deed.....then I'll squeal :)

Electric Quilt Cruise....Oh Yeah!!!

Honestly when I got this notice in an e-mail a few minutes ago, I thought to myself, what a wonderful opportunity and a great way to get together with blogging friends.  I think we should all consider going!!

The Electric Quilt Company's e-mail included the link for more information.  If you want to see it, CLICK HERE.

While I'm on the subject of The Electric Quilt Company, did you know they added Video Demo's for the EQ7?  Well they did and all you have to do to see them is Click Here.

If you're thinking of signing up for this late January cruise, now's the time. Really. The cruise is filling up, and we want to save room for you! Sign up now to join us on a 10 Day / 9 Night Caribbean Cruise - January 28-February 6, 2011. You'll have sun and EQ fun with top-notch teachers Barb Vlack & Mary Ellen Kranz. Come home knowing more about EQ7 and with small sewn projects featuring your own cruise photos. BONUS: You'll learn how easy it is to take better vacation (and quilt) photos with one of the quilt world's best photographers and teachers, Gregory Case.   To check out all the details, click here on EQ Cruise.   (copied with permission from The Electric Quilt Company)

Smiles,

Kelly

Pat Sloan and The Edge in Minneapolis Spring Quilt Market 2010

This is Pat Sloan, as if I even needed to tell you her name.  By the way, if you do not know who Pat Sloan is, I'm sorry to say you just might need to get out a little more....just a wee bit :)  Pat was autographing her book, "Quilt the Seasons" at the Checker Distributors Booth at Quilt Market.  It is tough pulling myself away from the Checker Distributors Authors stand.  I'm always there ready to hear their guests talk about the latest products and books.  I'm actually thinking of wearing a disguise in Houston for Fall Quilt Market so they won't tire of me...LOL.

Quilt the Seasons is a wonderful book with so many great projects that your home is guaranteed to be festive for all seasons.  The list of projects include quilts, table toppers, and wall hangings but we all know the patterns can be used for any project from Seasonal Clothing to Scrapbook page designs.  (I love using the fun designs for page layouts when Scrapbooking....it gives new meaning to paper piecing!!)

Pat was one very busy woman at Quilt Market.  Not only was she autographing her book but she was also lecturing about The Cutting EDGE rulers and Rotary Cutter from Sullivans.  The lecture was great and I was thrilled to be getting so many photos.  All of which had Pat with her mouth open or sideways as she lectured.  So here are the photos I took that explains how Sullivans has an EDGE on quilting rulers.

All of The Cutting Edge rulers have a diamond carbide EDGE (650 grit...as if I know what that means:) that keeps your rotary blade sharp while you work.

 

Each person who attended the lecture received a.....well....a business card....as a promissory note to get a ruler to demo at their shops.  Unfortunately by the time I got to their booth to turn in my promissory note all of the rulers were gone.  I was able to use The Cutting Edge Rulers and Rotary Cutter at their booth.  Definitely innovative in the age of conservation.  Longer lasting rotary blades is definitely an excellent way to save more money in the long run.

Sullivans USA has all the information about their rulers right on their website.  Click here for more information.  One of the "frustrating" things about going to Market is almost everything that is shown is on it's way to market and not always available to order.  I Have A Notion will carry the rulers just as soon as they become available....and I hear that will be soon!!!

 

Although Pat is working her bootay' off while at Market she was kind enough to pose for a photo with me. I honestly have no idea how Pat Sloan manages to publish books & patterns, participate in Twitter, Facebook, Blogging, and maintain a website, host Creative Talk Radio....oh yeah....did I mention she also has this thread kit and this thread kit with Aurifil?  I would need roller skates to keep up with her....and a full time staff with two nannies too!!

I'm sure you all know that I took good care of you....yes I got an Autographed copy of Quilt the Seasons Book 2 by Pat Sloan.  Although it is killing me to give it away, I know it will go to a good home.  Will it be your home?  Will your Seasons be festive?  We'll find out on the evening of Friday Aug. 6th.  Just leave a comment telling me what adding some Seasonal fun projects to your home will mean to you.  Non-replay bloggers need to leave their e-mail address to qualify.

Smiles,

Kelly

Amy Butler Designs in Minneapolis for Spring Quilt Market 2010

I am no where near finished with reporting on Spring Quilt Market and I'm already having to book my trip for Fall Quilt Market.  Oh, and did I mention Checker Distributor's Open House coming in late August?  Let me just say that if I don't buckle down, I'll never ever ever get to the bottom of these photos.  And today's photos....trust me.....you won't want to miss!!!

Amy Butler Designs

Amy's school house was so full people were standing in the hallway trying to look over other people's heads to see what was happening.  I was one of those with my zoom lens on my camera trying to get a tiny glimpse of what Amy and her incredible team had for all of us at Spring Quilt Market. 

Mallory is on the far left and she is a wonderful gal who works on Amy's team.  Then you might notice the fella on his knees behind the slide show....that would be none other than David Butler, Amy's just as wonderful other half.  I took so many photos but I'm not going to post them because all you can really see is how packed that room was. 

This is Amy Butler Designs booth inside the Market.  I tell you there was so much energy there I could have skipped several meals and still had plenty of energy left over (I only wished I had missed all those meals....and many others too....but who wants to talk about that right? Not us :)

I just love this jacket Diane Capaci was wearing.  When I see Amy Butler Designs I typically think of young people (I don't consider myself part of that group) and when I saw Diane (not that she is as old as me but surely she is not 20) wearing this jacket, I was surprised and excited by how nice it looked on her.  I think it is time I break out of my old way of thinking....get a bit hipper (not hippier)!

Did you know Amy Butler has thread now?  Westminster/Rowan offers Amy Butler threads that are just as beautiful as her designs. 

Oh yes, and wallpaper....did you know her wallpaper line is coming out soon?  Here is the list of all of Amy's current lines....

Fabric

Sewing Patterns

Thread

Yarn & Knitting

Books and Kits

Software

Paper Crafts

Sweet Life Bags

Organic Bedding

Towels

Wallpaper

Wall Art

Desktop Accessories

Giftwrap and Tablewear

Handbags and Luggage

Impressive isn't it?  I think an excellent addition to this list would be  Amy Butler Design Band Aids!!!  I even suggested it to Amy that she needs the Band Aide line too.  I can only hope she jumps on the idea because what woman would not buy them?  I know I would ...sales would boom and up would go the price of Band Aide stock.  Perhaps we should all buy the stock now before she decides to go with my idea and we'll all make a fortune.  Then I'll have my farm property in PA.  See, I keep dreaming :)

 

Here Amy is hard at work on the market floor.  She was hopping the entire time.  I bet she must sleep well to be able to do all that she does.  Did I say she?  I did....I should have said they.  Amy, like many other very successful people has a great team of people working with her.  Remember this post?  If you scroll down and read the entire post you'll she just how much of Amy Butler Designs is really Amy and David Butler Designs. 

David's website, Art of the Midwest, really says it all.  He is one amazingly talented man as well.  I think that Patrick Demsey of Grey's Anatomy Fame needs to move on over and sit on the bench next to Brad Pitt because David Butler is "movin on in"!!

Check out what the IHAN secret photographers caught David doing while at Spring Market......Kissing Mrs. IHAN, can you believe it? 

 

I didn't think you would believe me....guess I deserved that...LOL!

David's description of "Middle-American Art & Design-Creative Endeavors designed to elevate presence  and give rise to the voice of excitement, honesty & reason."  My defense is that I had a creative endeavor that eleveated my presence and gave rise to the voice of excitement without any honesty or reason.  You know I searched high and low for a photo of the IHAN lunnie that was facing to the left but I could not find one.  So I had to settle for this....too bad I have no idea how to doctor up photos to make them look real.

 

This was the "real kiss" and it was shared with the beautiful and talented Mrs. Amy Butler.  Amy please forgive me for my insanity.  However you must have expected that when you married such an attractive man some lunnie would attempt to steal a little smooch anyway they could :)

IHAN blog readers know I always bring home treats to share and here they are.....an autographed Amy Butler Designs tote and the 2010 Spring Catalogs from Amy Butler Designs that includes a beautiful pattern of a Laminated Picnic Blanket with Carrying Case and Tumbler Roses Flannel Quilt Pattern (both autographed) AND a Pattern for the Betty Shopper!!! 

 

All you have to do to win this great collection is to leave a comment on this post telling me you can't blame me one bit for doctoring the photo AND which Amy Butler Designs product line you like the best.  Comments will close next Wed night. 

Smiles,

Kelly

PA Projects.....Ahhhhh :)

These are some of the other UFO's I worked on while in PA. I won this pattern and a Jelly Roll from Green Fairy Quilts last year.

This is what the the quilt top looks like now. It is not finished yet but my goal is to finish it and ship it to Judi and Clint for their Romania Trip (Green Fairy Charity). Clint will be going to Romania again this year to take quilts to homeless children and those who live in orphanages. They are still collecting donations for their trip as well. Click here for more information. Did you know that 100% of the funds go directly to the children in Romania? They pay for their own travel expenses so that every penny they raise goes to those in need. I applaud Judi and Clint and look forward to sending this quilt for them to take along.

The Snap Backpack pattern by Lacy Hill of Golden Thyme Designs. I am embarrassed to say that I started this backpack last November while in PA for Thanksgiving.

This is the front of the backpack. As you might be able to see, I had done a chalk drawing of a Celtic knot and I had intended to applique it to the back of the backpack. I decided it needed something much more "wonderful." But exactly what that wonderful is I don't know. Do you have any ideas? I'd sure like to hear your thoughts. I now know why Lacey used colorful fabrics for her backpack. I love batiks and I really like how my bag turned out....but it is too plain.

Here are the pockets inside. I love all the pockets the pattern calls for. I will have a place for everything!

This is a photo of the back and the straps. I just love the bag, I just need some ideas for embellishing the back.

Last night I finished hand stitching around all of the bended bias for my table runner (Linda Poole's class).   So I'm making progress and I'm enjoying all the hand stitching.  I think that is my favorite.

On a personal note, I'm finding it very difficult to re-acclimate back into my routine here in OH.  All I can think of most days is what my friends are doing in PA.   Anyone have an extra 450,000 to buy the farm across from MJ's house?  I'll send you the proper spelling of my name so you can have it put on the deed correctly.  I'd even send a thank you card....LOL.

Smiles,

Kelly