Practice, Practice, Practice....with Patsy Thompson

If I've been told once, I've been told a thousand times...practice, practice, practice....and then practice some more and you'll improve you Free Motion Quilting skills.   That's just what I did yesterday...I spent 4 hours with some friends and we all had a chance to practice and learn from Patsy Thompson. 

Having Patsy work with each one of us at our own pace and level was wonderful.  I'm more of a beginner and my only goal is to be more comfortable and do what ever it is that I can do, without wanting my work to look a certain way.  I don't aspire to become an incredible quilter....I aspire to love the process of making my quilts and have some tools under my belt to be able to do some of my own quilting.  I wanted to practice some Free Motion Embroidery, Trapunto and play with a variety of weight threads....and I certainly had my chance. 

Before I show you my "progress," I thought you'd like to see some of Patsy's work.

 I like the contrast between these two pieces. Patsy used her Appli-K-Kutz die to cut the same feather for each quilt.  It is the weight and choice of threads that Patsy used in the second quilt that makes it look so very different from the first.  

I so admire her choice of colors and how she has chosen to put these pieces together.  Patsy has added Machine Embroidery to her quilting and I absolutely love this corner piece shown above.

You may have already seen this table runner on Patsy's blog.  In real life...it is so much more than what it looks like in photos. 

 Here is the center block....in the photo it looks like the fabric in the center is what gives it the change of color....nope....

Look at the Machine Embroidery....I just love it added to her designs....it really grabs me.

 Here are a few more samples her free motion quilting.

 Ok, remember when I said that I just want to improve what I do?  Take a little break....blink a few times...other wise you just might miss just how nice my piece really is....LOL.

 It may not look like much to many of you, but to me this is a sign of real progress and I had a ball stitching on the applique shapes.  The other thing I loved is playing with the different variety of threads.  I had first stitched the little veins on the leaves in the lime green color.  Patsy suggested I use some Floriani (PF 516-the gold tone thread above) thread just inside the lime green and it would make the leaves really pop.  She was absolutely right!!! (No surprise there...but it is incredible to see before your very eyes).

I'm not finished with my flower yet.  Patsy suggested I use Invisifil Thread to go around my flower after I had done the thread embroidery and then do some quilting.  When Patsy says that many quilters under utilize their thread...that is so true of me.  I'm going to continue my Free Motion Quilting practice and use lots of the variety's of threads I own.

The stitching in red in the upper right corner....that's my very first time ever doing any Free Motion Quilting....so as you can see....I've come a long way!!!

Patsy suggested using fabric grade Silicone Spray on the bed of my machine and it really did help quite a bit. I think I was getting tense because my fabric was not sliding as well as it could have in the beginning....just more Practice, Practice, Practice :)

SewCalGal's Free Motion Quilting Challenge is going on so I'm going to have to take more pictures of my practice and submit them.  

Smiles,

Kelly   

My Quest For More Light

When I went to Quilt Market back in October, one thing I really wanted to research was table lights. I have 4 lights, all from the same company, and I'm not happy with any of them.  They are not bright enough for me and the hinges don't stay even after being tightened.  I'm not going to tell you the brand...but I will tell you they were not cheap.  (I bought two, won one and was given another)

I decided I was going to fiddle faddle with every single light I could find while at Quilt Market until I came across a table light I could not only use for myself, but also one that I could recommend to others with confidence.

  

The   LUX Bar Table Light and  LUX Bar Clamp Light were by far my favorites lights.  (The same light with two different bases essentially) 

  

 

I was impressed with the engineering and mechanics of the LUX Bar LED Light after it was put through the IHAN bump, smack, push test and passed with flying colors :)  I really like the LEDs too...it is really bright.

The light area is 36 inches...I took their word for it...I didn't measure it!   The arm is 19 inches the head swivels 90 degrees.   The LUX Bar Light is advertised to have 50,000 hours of light.....1 year = 8765.81277 hours so you do the math (I'm not going to calculate the years....let's just say it's a very, very, very long time ay?

I gave the LUX Bar Clamp Light that was attached to their booth a few good bangs too, just  to see if it would droop and it didn't.  The next day I checked back and  and it was still in the same position, ummmm Very Good!

The clamp opens 2 1/2 inches and has pads where it comes into contact with the table, both on the round part and where it meet the top of your table.  No scratching the table on either side...that's very nice too.

 

The other lights I thought were nice are the Luxdome Task Lights and you can see them on the right above.  They would be nice for a desk or computer area but I was mainly interested in a table light for my sewing area. 

So...I bet you are wondering where's a photo of my LUX Light right?  It's on it's way and when it arrives I'll be sure to share more photos :)

I have something else that is Mighty Bright to share with you too.  It's the Mighty Bright Microclip Lights.

I've had a Microclip light for a few years and I keep it clipped to my bussom pad pin cushion.  I love this little light and I always forget to tell people about it. 

 It's really not such a strange place to keep it at all....you wanna know why?

 

Because it is within reach when I need to check for threads hung up in my bobbin case.  Ever try to see up in there?  Not so easy is it? 

 When I'm at a retreat and I need to get up in the night and I can't turn on the lights...I cup my Mircoclip Light like this...and turn my hand over and it illuminates my path.  Here I'll show you...let me go turn off the lights....

See....it doesn't shine all over and into people's faces...oh I'm so thoughtful...LOL. 

Another very cool thing is the little light swivels...I'm not kidding!

See the little acrylic head, you can adjust the position.  Handy little fellas they are! 

When you get to mid-life or past...you start to appreciate the finer things in life...like good shoes, a good bed and some decent light!!!

Smiles,

Kelly

Nancy Lee's Machine Embroidery

I am fortunate enough to know a a few women who really know what they are doing with Machine Embroidery and they have been educating me since I  became interested in ME.  Both of them told me their first preference for stabilizers and thread is Floriani.  After hearing about how wonderful Floriani products are, I did some investigating and became a Floriani Dealer last November.

Today, I'm going to introduce you to one of those really smart ladies...this is Nancy Lee....Nancy Lee, I'd like you to meet the IHAN Blogifers. 

Nancy Lee has been sewing all of her life.  Over the last 20 plus years, she has been doing machine embroidery and the last 5-6 years she has been quilting.  With all that experience you know when Nancy Lee tells me  to put my metallic thread spool upside down on my thread holder...I do it... without even a slight hesitation! 

Nancy Lee allowed me to visit her home and photograph some of her projects in December.  All of her projects shown here were made with Floriani Embroidery Thread and I've noted the designers beneath the photos.

(Embroidery Design by Smart Needle)

 These sandals cracked me up.... it makes me want a swimming pool and a margarita for sure.

(Embroidery Design by Momo-Dini)

Nancy Lee took a third place ribbon in the Tote Bag Category at the Kaleidoscope of Quilts this past year.

I really like the close up of this design...didn't it come out nice?

 (Napkin ring Embroidery Designs by Advanced Embroidery)

These napkin rings are snowflakes and Nancy Lee had made several that were just beautiful. 

Thanksgiving napkin rings...aren't they just perfect for Thanksgiving?  Nancy Lee even embroidered her napkins...

Neat ay?  Now we just need an invitation for Thanksgiving Dinner!!

(Embroidery Design by Zundt)

This bag is a ribbon winner for Nancy Lee.  She received a 2nd place ribbon at the American Embroidery Conference in 2011.

The butterflies are three dimensional and really make this bag take off...pun intended :)

 (Embroidery Design by Julie Hall)

I thought this wine bag was really cute.  When I give people a bottle of wine...it never has a bag...I think this just may need to change.

 (Anita Good Designs)

A book mark is a nice personal little gift or treasure to have.  My boys are always looking for their book marks...I think I should make some with their names on it so they'll know who it belongs to.

Time for a confession....yes...another confession!!  I have this thing for dish towels and bath towels.  I love dish cloths with embroidery.  I've received a few as gifts and I'm telling you they are so much fun.  Perhaps because can make me smile when I have to do a dreaded chore.

If this doesn't make you giggle....well...just giggle will ya?  It won't hurt a bit!

Loralie has some very fun designs too.  Nancy Lee took the time to show me how nicely the Floriani Stabilizer tears away from the design.

Look how nice and clean the back is.

This pix is enlarged a bit to show you the centers of these lace snowflakes.  Nancy Lee used Floriani Wet N Gone Stabilizer and Angelina Fibers (center)....they really are so beautiful and the addition of the Angelina really pop these snowflakes, don't ya think?

(Jenny Haskins Designs)

Nancy Lee has made so many beautiful things that it was difficult to pick and choose the photographs for this post.  I thought I'd end with this one because I'm so impressed with how fine these flowers came out. 

Beautiful aren't they?

I'm going to leave you with some of the things Nancy shared with me about her experience with Floriani products:

"Floriani thread is my preferred thread because it shines beautifully like rayon and it glides through the needle.  Rarely does it ever fray or break and if it does, that usually means I need to change my needle.

Floriani Stabelizers are the best and I've never been disappointed.  The outcome of my projects really shows how nice the stabilizers are.  Everything comes out beautifully."  

Nancy Lee White, OH Dec, 2011

I have been using the Floriani Thread and Stabilizers since November and I've been more than happy with the results.  My needle never once got sticky when I used the Perfect Stick Stabilizer and when I used another brand my needle was covered in a gummy substance...not good.  The Floriani Thread is absolutely beautiful no doubt about it....so I've been very pleased.  Time has been limited with year end inventory and book keeping with IHAN so that stuff gets in the way of having fun with Floriani of recent.

Floriani has a Year End Sell Out Promotion going on until the end of January so if you want to take advantage of Floriani Thread at 50% OFF and other excellent deals...click here for all the information to order from I Have A Notion :)

Thank you Nancy Lee for sharing your time, projects and insights with me!

Smiles,
Kelly

Winners

We are all winners...but you didn't need me to tell you that.  I feel like I win the most because I have the good fortune to meet so many interesting and wonderful people.

Speaking of Interesting People....today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day here in the US.  I hope everyone stops today, if even for a moment, to remember THE DREAM.    In the photo above you mostly see people with black skin....but THE DREAM is for all people, ever where, no matter their color, religion or socio-economic status or education.  We are ALL important, we ALL matter and I Have A Notion that each of us have our own important tasks in continuing to bridge the gap between all people everywhere.

I've witnessed many stitchers and quilters stitch beautiful relationships across all the gaps and wrapped one another in love and beautiful quilts without concern for any of the politics, religions, finances or education of one another.  I'm proud to be a quilter  :)

Quilters need tools to do those jobs and speaking of which...we have some announcements to make....

For those of you who had not heard of Famore Cutlery, you can't say that any more!  Famore Cutlery makes scissors for several different companies.  The stamping on the scissors will have the other companies logo. Perhaps more people are familiar with Simplicity's Jackpot Scissors or Floriani's Machine Embroidery Tools...both made by Famore. 

BY THE WAY:  I noticed several people have ordered Famore Products and the Postage Calculator on the IHAN website has overcharged you for shipping.  You will be credited for the postal overage...no worries :)

The winner of the Famore Seam Ripper and Metal Safety Stiletto is:

Congratulations Pam!!! 

The Winner of Learn To MAKE A QUILT from start to finish is

Congratulations Penny!

And the winner of GARDEN PARTY Stitchery is.....

Congratulations Diane H.!

Pam, Diane and Penny please e-mail me your full names and addresses so I can send out your gifts.  (IHaveANotion@yahoo.com)

Now I have to run over and see who won the other Famore Blog Hop giveaways! 

Smiles,

Kelly



Sunday Sunday

I drive by this scene each day on my way to the Post Office.

I laugh or smile every day because these Flamingo's change position and different props are added depending on the weather.  Here they are trying to stay warm by the fire.  They had an umbrella over them when it was raining.  There is even a "black sheep flamingo" isn't that just hysterical?  Definitely my type of humor!

Isn't keeping order in the house with kids tough?  If you have or had children you probably had times when you wanted to gather up every toy and paper airplane and toss it into the trash.  

Back in Nov or Dec this phrase popped into my head: "Are we being good stewards of our belongs?"   It was so easy for me to see all the stuff that belonged to the kids that needs to go and some old things that I didn't know what to do with....but that was as far as it went....UNTIL

I took a look at myself....what do I have that I'm not being a good steward of?  What do I have that is holding up energy in my life?  I've already gotten rid of all the excess clothing and shoes a year or so ago.

I didn't need to look to hard to find that I've  been holding up tons of energy in stored fabric.  Perfectly good, fun, and quality fabrics....and here they sit...and sit...and sit....like a dam to the flow of energy around me.

 

I'm quick to tell people, "What you own, owns you" and this stuff is owning me. The one day projects or fabrics I might need.......really? I already have favorites that I have not had time to get to....

How much time and energy was spent gathering all of this? Then folding it, organizing it....  Sure, there was the time I made things with these fabrics  and I did use quiet a bit of what I bought....but there is always left overs and pieces I don't exactly love...if you know what I mean. 

I feel energized by just going through and letting some of these things go...less for me to care for and what I have left are fabrics I really love and will be excited to work with.

The co-workers have been busy playing in the little bit of snow we have had.

 

Here's a bit of  proof it doesn't take much to have a good time and be happy :)

There are two giveaways that will be announced tomorrow....so I hope you've taken the time to leave comments for the Famore Cutlery Blog Hop and the book reviews I did earlier this week...just click here to leave a comment to win one of the books.

Smiles,

Kelly

Famore Blog Hop

I hope everyone has had an opportunity to stop by each of the 5 blogs in the Famore Cutlery Blog Hop this week.  Today SewCalGal is reviewing the Famore Micro Fine Tweezers so hop over and visit her today.  Just in case you've been taking a break to re-set or you've been a human being and not a human doing...I'll list all the blogs for you :)

Monday Jan. 9th -  http://www.patsythompsondesigns.com/

Tuesday Jan. 10th -   http://www.greenfairyquilts.blogspot.com/

Wednesday Jan. 11th   –  http://www.ihaveanotion.blogspot.com/

Thursday Jan 12th  -  http://www.happycottagequilter.blogspot.com/

Friday Jan. 13th –  http://www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com/

 

Brint, Kelly, Mikki

I would like to say THANK YOU to everyone at Famore Cutlery and specifically Mikki and Brint, owners of Famore Cutlery,  for supporting this Blog Hop.   If any of you would like to say thanks to Brint and Mikki, you can send them an e-mail at sales@famorecutlery.com and make sure you put Thank You in the subject line.

Can you believe my "rapping" made Mikki laugh?  I haven't the slightest idea how to rap...the only rap I hear is from my nephew, Nick aka Da Hamstah.  His rap is edgy and typically vulgar...I like to think of my rap as "Gerber Rap" it is easier to swallow!

Another HUGE THANK YOU to Patsy Thompson Designs, Green Fairy Quilts, Happy Cottage Quilter and SewCalGal for being willing to indulge me in testing out Famore's Cutlery and participating in this blog hop.  THANK YOU Ladies...I so appreciate each of you.

Smiles,

Kelly

Life Imitating Art?

There is nothing quilty about this post....

You know those folks who have the plastic deer in their yards?  I guess it could be considered an art form....of sorts...right?

 I'm driving through Maumee, the next town over....and I see a plastic person (Santa in the background)  standing in a yard with real deer ...go figure!

 Just as comfortable as they could be walking down the sidewalk....moseying along as though they have nothing to do but watch me.  I loved the tables being turned for a change.

Those were some very fun moments....seeing the deer walk through town.  I loved it.  There is a park nearby and that's where they live...well...most of the time anyway. 

Believe it or not...I used my IPhone to take the photo too.  If I were really spanky, I'd be able to take the photo and post it to my blog in two clicks.  I'm not there yet.  I had to e-mail the pix to myself, come home to my computer, download and save, open in Picasa, Export, and then Upload to Blogger.  See all the steps I could save if I had a clue...LOL.

I rounded the corner to find Aaron skating in place holding on to the refrigerator door.....I cracked up laughing.  He was going no where....I can see where I might benefit from this new form of exercise...it would be difficult to get the door open while skating....he may just be on to something here. 

I hope you got a kick out of this pix....otherwise it may be one of those things where ya just had to be there.

Hope you are having a wonderful day too.

Smiles,

Kelly