Valentine Gift and Snow

I made a small wall hanging recently to give to Zach's teacher. She is one of those "special" teachers that a child never forgets.

I stitched out the heart design ( Urban Threads) on white fabric and then added the borders.  A wise person might have quilted the background first.  I started quilting and decided to take the borders off.

Unfortunately I used a very small stitch length and it was very difficult to remove the stitches so I opted for cutting off the border.  You can see in the photo above a bit of the fabric remained.  Good thing I own all the best tools because I was able to get that line of fabric off with the tip of my Seam Fix and Famore Micro Fine Tweezers.  All I did was pull a bit at the fabric with the tweezers and then rub with the tip of the Seam Fix and all of that fabric came off.  If you can believe this....the white Kona fabric didn't fray :)

Nice to be able to get all those threads out.  I didn't bother with those that would be beyond the border.

The wrinkles in the fabric will come out with  a bit of steam.  I put a extra layer of wool batting just behind the heart so it would pop and then I used my regular sewing machine to go over some of the stitch lines to give extra dimension.  A bit difficult to see in the photo but I think it came out nice. 

You might be able to see the dimension a bit better in this photo.

The Seam Fix and Famore Micro Fine Tweezers are available at I Have A Notion, Inc (IHAN)and below are the links if you are interested.

Famore Micro Fine Tweezers-
http://ihavea-notion.com/store/item_2838/Famore-Micro-Fine-Tweezers-3-12-in..htm
Seam Fix Mini-
http://ihavea-notion.com/store/item_3633/Mini-Seam-Fix.htm
Seam Fix Pink
http://ihavea-notion.com/store/item_3493/Seam-Fix-Pink.htm
Seam Fix Teal
http://ihavea-notion.com/store/item_3494/Seam-Fix-Teal.htm

How about all that snow we are getting here in Ohio?  I'm a snow lover so you won't hear me complain.  The boys have been out of school and today had a two hour delay.

 

All 4 of us shoveled our driveway and front walk 4 times on Sunday....yep.....4 times.  It was a ball!  The neighbors all use snow blowers and the boys always ask why we don't have one.  I say the same thing every time....until we can no longer use our arms and legs we'll continue to use a shovel to remove our snow....they roll their eyes....giggles.

Yesterday I took them and a friend sledding at a local hill.  The wind was so cold it was burning our faces but the kids didn't seem to mind very much.

Good thing I remembered our thermos of hot chocolate.....oh what a good time we had.

Cold Smiles,

Kelly

Breaking My Silence

I don't believe I need to post until I have something noteworthy to say....and I've been enjoying my retreat and honoring my silence.  Now....I have something to say.....sinister grins :)

A dear friend, Jean from Jean Creates, recently had foot surgery and it wasn't that long ago that I underwent two surgeries on my ankle so I can definitely understand what a woman would appreciate at a time like this.

If you are 50 or over, you probably already have guessed what I made and sent to her....a "Let It Go" just in case tinkle pad for her chair/sofa.  Yep....I figured she just might feel the urge and need to go quickly to the ladies room to powder her nose....if she didn't make it fast enough....the powder could be absorbed and not ruin her lovely furniture.    I used two pieces of fleece that I had embroidered, a piece of water/powder proof soft lining and serged around the edges.  The goal was to make her laugh and I think I succeeded.

A few weeks back when I was looking out the window at the beautiful snow  I happened to also look down inside the window sill...YIKES. 

Dust, dirt and yes even webs of sorts....not very pretty that's for sure.

 I keep this Micro Vacuum Attachment Kit (available at I Have A Notion, Inc.) near my sewing machine but it works great for all those other hard to reach places including appliances, computers, heat vents etc.  

I attached it to my vacuum hose and quickly got rid of those webs and other unmentionables hanging around in there.  My life isn't always exciting you know.....and I'm guessing yours isn't either!  LOL

On a recent trip to IKEA I found this 6 drawer metal stand....perfect for my embroidery threads!

My only regret is not buying 2. 

I use this one for my embroidery threads, I could use one for my sewing threads as well. It could be said I have tried every thread storage solution out there....and I have liked them.....but what I like best about this solution is it also fits under my sewing tables so I could keep it tucked away if I wanted to.  No labels yet....that isn't so important to me now...but keeping the dust off is :)

My days are not only filled with concerns about powder and dust....I also have some prime entertainment around here!  A bit of a backdrop....there was a fair at Aaron's school recently and the prizes included small plastic toys, rings and kazoos.  Aaron was very taken with the brightly colored plastic rings and he loves wearing them.....what a free spirit he is and I can definitely relate.

Oh and did I mention for a ticket he could get a face painting...ROFL....I do love him so and pray he keeps his joyful spirit for all the days of his life.

The next day he came downstairs and started singing and dancing around wearing all of his rings aka bling.  I could not resist.....please don't ever tell him I shared this video.....I just think it is way too good not to share the laughter and joy with others.

Big Joyful Smiles, Kelly

A Gentle Retreat

I'm not talking about a sewing retreat this morning, I'm referring to a gentle retreat into my surrounds...taking time to NOTICE that which makes my world so special and beautiful.

The boys have only had three days of school since the beginning of the year because of weather conditions.  There have been no complaints at our house....we have all retreated into the warmth of our togetherness and making the most of this beautiful weather.

Monday morning school was canceled because of the snow and we relished the opportunity to go to a local snow hill to sled and enjoy the fire pit at the park.

This morning the boys answered the phone and were squealing with delight when they heard a voice tell them there was a 2 hour delay due to weather conditions.  They did not identify the voice on the other end of the phone as their fathers....ROFL.  Adults prank calling kids....a turn of the tables and it got lots of laughter out of me this morning.  How could they be so gullible?  Giggles

The house got quiet as those gullible little people headed out for school....I sat and looked out the window at the amazing snow.  I thought to myself....how can I capture this magnificent beauty?  Pictures don't always capture what I see with my eye (guess I could learn more about the cameras I own ay?)  Well....I gave it my best and this is what I captured to share with you today:

The close ups of the snow is what I was trying to get....the tiny snow flakes layered on a berry or branch....so beautiful and it is just outside my window....I'm so very grateful.

Something else I'm grateful for is YouTube because I have learned to crochet by watching tutorials posted there.  At long last I have made something larger than a dishcloth....wild laughter.

This started as a prayer shawl that was to be given back to the church who gave me one when my mother was ill.  I found the gift of a prayer shawl so very loving and comforting.  As you can see, it started so nicely....look from the bottom of the picture up about 1/2 way...nice and even...a little decorative stitch at the bottom...nice ay?  Please don't ask me what happened after that....I can not explain.  However...I can laugh and could not stop laughing when I laid it out to take a picture.  A perfectly imperfect shawl to keep someone warm....gotta love it.

Check out the uniqueness of each of the ends:

 I learned a very long time ago to count it all good....and this shawl is indeed GOOD :)  So good as a matter of fact that I have mailed it to my cousin because I know for sure she will treasure it and recognize the love that has been stitched into the shawl.  When she opens the box I guarantee she will let out a howl (laughter) and then wrap herself in it and stay warm in Washington State this winter.

Lets hope I've learned from my "practice"....no calling it mistakes....as I have started an afghan.  Scary thought isn't it?

 No I have not stopped quilting or sewing....as a matter of fact....I have gotten several projects finished recently....I'll post about those soon. 

Smiles,
Kelly

Back to Life

Well, I've had an amazing break these last few weeks. I promised myself that between Dec. 23 and the beginning of this new year I was going to do only those things I wanted to do or absolutely had to do and nothing else.  It was a WONDERFUL break.

I realized that I never posted the gifts we made for Christmas gifts for one another this past year.  Oops....and I didn't take pix of all of them.  But here are a few we made and have enjoyed giving.

 Aaron filled this clear bulb with mini marshmellows and then decorated the outside.  The Raindeer's face is Aaron's thumbprint.  Definitely a much treasured gift he made for me.

This was a pod for a tree that Zachary painted and gave to me.  I don't know the type of pod but I've seen them before somewhere.

The following are an assortment of holiday dish cloths I made and gave away. 

 

My sister requested some crochet dish cloths....so I made these:

Rick taught Aaron to do some carving and Aaron made his first piece...and has gifted it to himself :)

I made pillowcases and forgot to take pix of them....silly me.  I gave away three of the acrylic drink cups that I monogramed.  Here is a pix of one of them...I thought they were cute.

One of the most joyful gifts to see under our tree this year was one Zach had made for his father.  The outside of the package had the little ornament Zach made and a dollar bill taped to the package.

On the inside was this picture that he drew and colored for his father....I just loved it.  What the dollar was about I'm still not sure...but it was wonderful seeing it under our tree for a few weeks.

When Rick asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I made it very easy....I just sent him a link to exactly what I wanted....so very simple :)  I can not tell you how much joy these wind chimes have brought me.  I can hear them throughout the house and the sound is amazing.  I just took this video to share with you....ENJOY!

These are made in the US and are called Gentle Spirits by Majesty Bells.

Smiles,
Kelly

Wishing You

Wishing you everything you would wish for yourself including excellent health, laughter, joy and appreciation.

I'm so very grateful for all of the people in my life....I am so very blessed to have people whom I love so very much...I'm always humbled and overjoyed by the amazing spirits I've gotten to spend time with and to be blessed by knowing.

I know this is the Eve. of a New Year....yet I don't get too caught up in resolutions or "word" of the year etc.  I'm all for one day at a time and looking for every opportunity to laugh or bring a smile to someone's face and frequently....just breathe!  We can't control what happens to us but we certainly have some say in how we respond.  I pray to not loose any friends this year, yet I have no control over that either.  May each and every single one of us find something wonderful in another person, pet or plant....rock, landscape, sky....what ever brings you bliss....and have gratitude for every moment of bliss we experience.

So much has happened in the last two years of my life....more pain that I ever knew was possibly physically and emotionally.    For those of you who know me and are close....you know all about it.  For those bloggers who are dropping by....whoops....wrong day to drop in...LOL.  Stop back again another day....giggles.

Two songs I heard this past year that I loved.....and brought smiles joy and fun....I'm going to post them below.  The first song entitled, "Dirt", made me think about my dear friend who died this past year.  Her life was nothing like the video....but she grew up in a wonderful farm house, renovated it when she retired....and lived there happily until she died there this past Aug. On a side note....the only time I feel really bad is when people ask if I'm still crying over the loss.  The people I have connected with and love...there is not magic time on the clock at which time I'll stop missing you or crying....while I'm still a human being....I'll miss you and think of you until I leave this planet.  If you don't have people in your life you feel that way about.....get your bum up and run...don't walk....until you meet folks that change you, your life and inspire your greatness...AND that's what I have to say about that!!!

The other song, "Up Town Funk", brings back the Mo-Town fun I grew up in.  The song reminds me of The Jackson Five, The O-Jays, The Spinners, The Four Topsand The Isley Brothers and all those folks involved in making music in the 70's at Mo-Town....I can't help but float a bit when I hear this song.  Hope you enjoy them...if not...no worries.  If you don't like them....I'd love to hear what you like....and see if that brings a big ole smile to my face because I'm always open to feeling that smile form on my face.


Cheers and Smiles,
Kelly

Merry Christmas to All and to all A Good Night :)

Haven't heard from me recently?  There is a reason...I'm exausted and on that note; Merry Chritsmas and now I'm going to bed.

I hope you have had an amazing holiday and have enjoyed all whom you love, I have!

Big hugs to you!
Kelly

Happy Birthday Patsy!

 

Happy Birthday Patsy Thompson!

 I hope you are having a wonderful day doing what ever it is you want to do.

I know this will surprise her so I could not resist!

Feel free to join me in wishing Patsy a Happy Birthday and you can find her HERE.   

On another note:

Those of you who have not read my blog in a few days may not know there is a Happy 2014 Holiday Sale going on over at I Have A Notion.  Many items are 50-75% OFF so if you have not been over there....ya just might want to because there will be no back orders taken.

Smiles,

Kelly

Beauty....on Fabric....Sooooo Lovely

I just know I'm not alone here....there is just something about having amazing fabrics on hand to uplift the creative spirit!  Look what came in the mail today:

Please don't drool on my new fabrics!  Giggles

They came from Jackie at Canton Village Quilt Works.  I can typically resist any sale and even free fabric...yep I'm pretty darn good at that.  However.....I could not resist Jackie's Cyber Sale on Batiks and Kaffe Fassett Fabrics.  She hit me right in the knees with this sale!

Will you just look at all of these amazing fabrics....certainly made my list of amazing things that happened today!

Where have I been other than at the mailbox?  Nowhere really.... the elves and I have been working, doing laundry, cleaning floors, making and cleaning up meals and that's about it.  

Hope you are in love with your fabric stash....cuz I certainly am in love with mine.

Giant Colorful-filled Smiles,

Kelly

It is ALWAYS Cyber Monday at IHAN

Don't let those folks with their red hot "One Day Only" deals fool you. Typically they mark the price up to mark it down or limit what you can purchase to certain items. NOT at I Have A Notion, Inc.

Check out our 2014 Happy Holiday Sale....I think you'll be very surprised to see the low, low, low prices available through Dec. 31st, 2014 (While supplies last of course.)

Want something that is not "On Sale" ...no worries....Be Smart and e-mail me at IHaveANotion@yahoo.com

Smiles,
Kelly