Just Another Button Company at Spring Quilt Market 2010

I'm still going working on Spring Quilt Market Posts and I'm in the middle of booking my trip for Fall Quilt Market in Houston.  Either I have to find a better way to automate my Market posts or I need to take fewer photos!!

This is Cecile McPeak from Just Another Button Company.  I love the button and pins from JABC because they are so fun and playful. 

Look at this scrap catch and pincushion.  Now, how can you not smile when looking at this little fella.  See....I didn't think you could....me either.

Then for your winter  stitching....another scrap keep and pincushion. 

How about this bird pincushion?  Now how can you not want one of these?  I don't care how many pincushions I own, I still want this pincushion.  Do you think I should seek help with my pincushion hording  issues?  Me either....don't turn me into the hording police and I won't turn you in....we can remain co-conspirators in the underworld of the hording community :)

These fun patterns can be found in Sew Necessary by Art To Heart.  The buttons and pins that coordinate with these fun projects are made by Just Another Button Company. 

The "Just Pins" from JABC are affectionately referred to as "Spanky Embellished Wonderments" by IHAN.  They are just too much fun to be called "Just Pins"....at least in my mind.

These are pincushion kits from Just Another Button Company.  Can you imagine getting one of these as a gift or better yet, giving one as a gift?  They sure are a pick-me-up and smile maker for sure.

These are new this year, Just Clips.  These are my favorite here....look at those little pea faces.

Isn't this button bracelet great?  JABC has kits to make your own bracelets as well!!

Here is a photo of a few more of the bracelets. 

I'm not sure who the gal on the left is but that is Cecile on the right.   Every time I think about her she sends me an e-mail or a letter.  Telepathic communications seem to keep occurring.  Recently I was thinking about Rachel, Cecile's daughter.  Just as I was asking about her Cecile told me that Rachel had just put a package in the mail to me.  Isn't that just so strange how that happens with some people?  

My next post will be about Rachel and her new adventure!!!  Stay tuned :)

If you would like to be the lucky owner of the Orange Lemonade Just Pins from Just Another Button Company than leave me a comment on this post.  What fun place you plan on using your Just Pins.?

I will draw a winner on Tuesday night.

By the way, IHAN only has the Just Pins line and some of the JABC buttons.  If you are interested in the pin  cushion kits, Just Clips or bracelet kits please e-mail me at IHaveANotion@yahoo.com and I will get them for you.

Just Smiles,

Kelly

Help Ryan Walsh -I'm Just A Guy Who Quilts Blog - Free The Fabric

Free the Fabric...LOL

If you are a regular reader here on the IHAN blog you already have seen my link to Ryan Walsh's blog - I'm Just A Guy Who Quilts.  He has a fantastic blog and I didn't want anyone to miss out on his posts.

Did you know he is de-stashing?  You know we can't have all those lovely fabrics going unused now can we?  We need to assist him in "Freeing the Fabric" so it is no longer sad and unused.  Those precious bolts need new homes so their energy can be released into creative new projects to inspire others to keep the stitching going.

If you stop over make sure you tell him you just want to help in "Freeing the Fabric"...LOL....afterall we all love a good jail break every now and again :)

Smiles,
Kelly

Golden Thyme Designs at Spring Quilt Market 2010

Edited 8/20/10 2:00*
Lacey Hill, Golden Thyme Designs, has been one incredibly busy woman this past year.  Below are photos of quilts and bags that Lacey made for Spring Quilt Market using Northcott Fabrics. 

Rocky Mountain Forget-Me-Not by Lacey Hill*

The fabric in this quilt is Stonehenge by Northcott Fabrics. I really like the design in this quilt.  I'd also love to see it in batiks.   Needleturn applique is something I enjoy (especially on a large scale like this one) and this would be so much fun.  Guess I need the pressure of shows to make me work faster....or not!!

I just made a backpack using Lacey's pattern, Snap Backpack.  Mine does not look near as great as Lacey's does, but then again, I did not design the pattern either!!  :)

This is her Snap Bag pattern. 

 "Sunset in the Sierras"  by Lacey Hill, Golden Thyme Designs

Day at the Fair by Lacey Hill, Golden Thyme Designs

As if that were not enough, Lacey just co-authored two books with Ro Gregg.  

  Easy Sew With Lacey & Ro provides the answers to your designing questions with the help of easy to follow instructions, stunning colors, and perfectly proportioned large scale prints. Included are designs for quilts, headboards, draperies and matching accessories.

2 Easy to Sew With Lacey & Ro presents you with easy appliqué and up-sized blocks that provide the classic elements you need for creating dazzling designer home fashions.

 

This is a great photo I took of Ro and Lacey.  Can you believe they just finished all that work and still look alert and energetic?  I wonder if they eat Wheaties for breakfast? 

These are photos I took during the School House presentation for QuiltWoman.com   (See Nancy, you can teach an old dog a new trick..lol)

These Hydrangeas are so beautiful and stunning in this quilt.

Don't you just love the pillow cases on the bed?  I want some of those to greet me at night too!

Between Spring and Fall Markets all of the designers and authors work endless hours creating all of these amazing and beautiful treasures to inspire the rest of us.  Thank you Lacey and Ro for all your hard work and for continuing to inspire so many of us to continue to create wonderful treasures that will be enjoyed for generations to come.

Smiles,

Kelly

Giveaways Going On - You don't want to miss this one :)

I know you will not want to miss this giveaway!!  You can't win if you don't enter so I've entered three times.  Jen Eskridge, ReannaLilly Designs,  is hosting her Second Blog Birthday and she is celebrating by giving away some wonderful gifts.  (Aren't we supposed to bring the gifts to a party?....We get gifts at someone else's birthday party?  I'm really liking this...LOL)

Head over to ReannaLilly Designs Blog.  Her giveaways are open until Monday and this is only Thursday so you still have lots of time to enter.

Today you can enter to win 8 1/2 yard cuts of Jackie Clark Designs and two patterns.  That's all I'm telling you because you need to head over and check it out. 

Smiles,
Kelly

Green Fairy Quilt Charity Quilt Donation

A finished project.....oh yes!!  I enjoy finishing projects on one hand and on the other,  I actually feel sad like I do when I come to the end of a very good book.  I finished hand stitching the binding on last night and it will go in the mail first thing tomorrow morning. 

Judi and Clint from Green Fairy Quilts have a charity and most of you have read my posts about them before.  Since Judi is pregnant (with her fourth!! :)  In September, Clint will be going without Judi to Romania to take quilts to orphans and homeless children in Romania. 

I won this MODA Jelly Roll and Judi's pattern, Strip This Quilt, a year or so ago.  I could not think of a better use for the Jelly Roll than to make one of Judi's patterns and send it  back for their trip to Romania.


I had no idea how hard it is to actually photograph a quilt "for real."  This was the best I could do for the time I had so pretend you don't see shadows etc.

The pantogram has butterflies, swirls and a sun.  You can see that I'm a beginner with a long arm quilting machine but I think it looks pretty good if I don't say so myself. 

This is the back of the quilt.  As with most things in life, this quilt was a team effort.  I took the fabric and pattern with me to PA several weeks ago.  Mary Jane, IHAN East Coast Operations Manager, and I enjoyed putting the top together.  When I got home I called another friend, Dale, who has a long arm quilt machine.  Dale taught me how to follow a pantogram and with her guidance and help I finished quilting it in 3 or 4 hours.  I had a ball with the long arm quilting machine.  Can you imagine a charity quilt ending up costing me 12 - 15 thousand dollars?  It might because now I know what those babies can do and that sure was fun!

I wish Clint safe travels to Romania in September.   For those of you don't know about the Green Fairy Charity click here and read more.  100% of all monies donated goes directly to Romania.    Please consider making a donation for their trip.  There is no amount that is too small.  If you have a zillion frequent flier miles piling up.....donate them to Judi and Clint for their trip next year :)

Believe it or not I actually hugged my quilt before I folded it up and put it in the box.  I actually feel sad sending it away because I have really enjoyed making it.  I guess that is the sort of quilt I would want to receive if I were a little girl.....one that is loved and is sent with love. 

Bye bye little quilt.....fly away and bring joy and happiness to a little one far away.

Smiles,

Kelly

Simply Sublime Gifts by Jodi Kahn Book Review

I was eating lunch when I heard a knock at the door.  I jumped and ran for the door because I was hoping it was my copy of Simply Sublime Gifts by Jodi Kahn and it was!!!  I had been waiting for it to arrive and did not set it down even once until I had gone through every single page.  My mother was visiting and I kept saying, oh this is cool and she actually expected me to hand her the book so she could see what I was talking about.  Nope, not until I had gone through the entire book.

I'll start by telling you there are six chapters

• Hostess with the Mostest -Hostess Gifts
• Pretty resents - Gifts for Her
• It's a Guy Thing - Gifts for Him
• Kiddin' Around! -Gifts for Kids
• Heart Attack - Gifts from the Heart
• Holiday Hoopla - Gifts of the Season

You all (ya'all if you are from the south :) know I'm a visual learner so I really like the "icon key" that Jodi had put in her book.  There is an icon next to each project that indicates weather it is  a no-sew, low sew, or hand sewn project.  A project skill level is indicated as well.  Level 1 is for newbies and it goes up to Level 5 for the "Craftalicous!"  There are plenty illustrations that guide the reader through the projects as well. 

Supplies are all indicated right up front so you won't be frustrated when you have chosen a project, you'll know just what you need.  I read through the list and I think there was only one thing that I did not have on hand already.  Most items are what I consider the routine supplies and items from around the house.

I was tickled to find several projects that I had not seen made before along with lots of really fun and surprising ways to make things that you may have seen before but not like this!!! 

It is not a secret that I love pincushions.  One of my customers even sent me a cupcake pincushion that I adore.  Jodi pattern is super easy and you know everyone at your stitching group would love to have one.  What a perfect gift and one that does not cost too much or take too much time.  If you can't stop yourself, feel free to send me a dozen!!! :)  I think it would be fun to make them in every holiday theme don't you?  How about a night to get together with friends to make cupcake pincushions and everyone bring different embellishments.  You could make it a challenge to see who brought the most unique embellishment.  (You know I would bring Spanky Embellished Wonderments aka Just Pins from JABC!!!)

This is the Wink Wink Eyemask .  I like sleeping with an eye mask on because I don't like the light from the nightlight in my eyes.  (Yes I know I could turn off the night light but then the co-workers would scream mommy in the night and this IHAN employee likes her sleep to be dark and quiet!!)  I am tempted to applique bulging eyeballs with red lines going through them instead of the cucumbers.  I might get a really good nights sleep-the boys and Rick would not dare bother me wearing that eye mask!!!  LOL 

These slippers really got my attention.  Do you really want to know what they are made from?  Are you sure?

Can you guess?  Dishtowels....TJ Maxx here I come!!!  When those holiday dish towels go on sale for 80% off, I'm going right over and buying them so I can make slippers.  I imagine you could use any fabric with the pattern but I love the dishtowels.  How about recycling the kids clothing into slippers?  The fun little kid clothes with all the fun pictures on them.....oh that would be neat.  (They also got my attention because you may remember my post about making my own fleece socks.  I have a size 12 foot and the only slippers I can get that fit well are men's....so now I can have really fun and pretty house shoes :)

I can't give away all the secrets from this great book.  I'll just leave you with this very fun photo and I'm not going to even tell you what it is.  I'm sooooo bad.....and sooooo good because I'm not going to spoil all your fun when you get your copy to enjoy for yourself. 

When I e-mailed Jodi to tell her how much I liked her book with all the fun ideas she said this:

"If there is one “main” point about my books, I would say it’s this: HAVE FUN!!!! That’s the point of all of this.  We sew and create because it’s FUN!!!! And, if I can help readers come up with super EASY ways to create things that they can enjoy themselves or give away as gifts --- AND, if those projects look stylish, too — well, then that’s even better!"

IHAN gives Simply Sublime Gifts Two Thumbs Up!!  Thank You Jodi Kahn and Random House -The Crown Publishing Group for sending me this book to review.  The book itself is a Simply Sublime Gift.

Big Smiles,
Kelly

IHAN Plays Hooky

The good thing about playing Hooky at IHAN is you don't have to worry the boss will find out....we are honest about our goofing off around here.  This past weekend we did some serious goofing off too!!

The IHAN co-workers taking a magazine very seriously while waiting for Mr. IHAN to finish getting his hair cut.

Here they are at a water park in out hotel playing.  They love to swim and play in the water.  I think we are all a little pruned after soaking in the water for 3 days.

Did someone say Arcade?  That is one word both boys can read forwards and backwards, no kidding.

 

After checking out of our hotel this morning we went to Rochester, MI where Rick and I were married.  Zach, age 6, took our photo standing in the same place where we took our vows.  Not a bad photo for a 6 year old ay? 

There was a stream and some children in the water swimming and playing.  Aaron and Zach wasted no time getting to know the boys and find out what they were all looking for.  Seven little boys hunting.....

and this is what they caught!  Yuck.....they look like big cockroaches don't they? 

Little boys and a stream.....that is the definition of happiness!!

 

Oh yes.....and then there was this one stop that was just for IHAN Mommy.  Cristina's Quilt Shoppe on Second Street in  Rochester, MI.  What a lovely store.  I was lucky enough to be given about 30 minutes to shop and enjoy all the beautiful samples that were hanging in the store.  The gal that helped me find coordinating fabrics was very helpful (you know I need help in that area!!)  If you are ever in the area it is definitely a great Quilt Shoppe to visit.  I found some coordinating fabrics for Linda Poole's Quilt Challenge today so that tickled me. 

"Zelda's Fancy Hat" was made up into a sample at Cristina's Quilt Shoppe. ( Pattern by Meg Hawkey, designer and owner of  Crabapple Hill ) It is the most fun witches hat I think I've ever seen.  What a great Halloween decoration.  I was told the pattern includes instructions to construct the hat.  I love the crazy quilt stitches on the hat.  You know I want one of these hats but will I take the time to make one by this Halloween?  I suppose if it were a challenge....LOL.

I hope all of you had a wonderful weekend.  Time for me to get back to work.....oh yeah....our boss lets us play Hooky :)

Smiles,

Kelly