Spring Quilt Market 2010 - Fresh Cut Quilts Pattern Co.

I know, I know, I'm leaving for Houston a week from tomorrow and I'm still posting about Spring Quilt Market.  I've got to clear out my files to make room for new Fall Market Reviews.

I remember meeting Kari Ramsay from the Fresh Cut Quilts Pattern Company.  She was full of energy and excitement and her booth really radiated that great  energy.  Funny how photos take me right back to the moment and I can recall almost everything that we said and how great I felt being in Kari's presence.  She had just got the fabric cards for her fabric line with Henry Glass called Tidbits to go along with her new book, TidBits from Triangles.  (click on Henry Glass link and on the sidebar click on Kari Ramsay /Tidbits to see the fabrics up close)

Kari's booth just emanated fun energy.  I loved the re-assignment given to the old records, very cool idea.

As you can see Kari has many patterns she has designed.  I only wish I could have that sort of creative freedom in my mind.  What a gift, don't you think? 

This quilt was more beautiful in person than in this photo.  I'd love to have a fun quilt just like that one ....guess I better get busy....I mean busier!!!

 

Jolly Stockings is a block of the month pattern that comes complete with full size templates.  This has to be the most fun Christmas Quilt Pattern I've ever seen.  It is playful but not too whimsical....(oh geez...guess I better take some classes in description for critics....it is like describing a fine wine....I have no clue...just using my own verbiage here!)

This is the quilt on the front cover of TidBits from Triangles.  So often we buy the pre-cut fabrics because they are pretty and fun but then we put them on our shelves to look at.  Kari's patterns make it easy/easier to use up your pre-cuts because they use Fat Quarters, 10" Layer Cake Squares, 5" Charm Squares and 6" Squares or Tunovers.  Now that should certainly give you some more reasons to open them up and actually make something with them.  After all......that is what it's for....sewing with!  LOL....I think we are all a little guilty of not wanting to cut or use our favorite fabrics.  I have to turn myself in and say that I've decided to use my fabrics no matter how beautiful.....because that is why I bought them....not to collect or admire them....but to actually make something I can enjoy.  Geez...I'm sooo guilty here.

You know this jumped off the table and into my eyes.  My love of pin keeps would not permit me to avoid this fun creation.  And with a closer look....guess what else was there to adorn that precious pin keep?

 

YUP, sure enough....those embellished wonderments, Just Pins, made by Just Another Button Company.  Well that is all it takes to get my attention.  Did I mention there was a long line of millionaire men, nude, with "we love IHAN" signs standing all over the place....I never noticed them until someone pointed them out....why?  Because I could not take my eyes off pin keeps and embellished wonderments!!! (slight exaggeration) 

 

This is Kari holding her new (was then!!) book and she autographed it....and you know what that means don't you?  Yes indeed, to be given away here on the IHAN blog.  So if you would like to be the lucky new owner of TidBits from Triangles all you have to do is leave a comment on this post telling me why you want the book.  I have not decided yet weather to use the random number generator....or to choose a comment myself.....I guess I'll just wait and decide later.....I guess it can be a blog writers prerogative to not decide!!! 

If you are not sure if you are a no-reply blogger, leave your e-mail address otherwise I won't know how to tell you that you won!

Smiles,
Kelly

 

Interesting Stuff in Five Short Chapters

Today's post is a collection of things I've been wanting to share so I'm putting them all in one post with 5 Chapters.

Chapter One

Do you remember when I blogged about this book, Happy Villages?

Happy Villages by Karen Eckmeier

Rosemary, my girlfriend, bought Happy Villages and I bought the Accidental Landscapes and Layered Waves books by Karen Eckmeier.  Rosemary is much faster than me....check out Rosemary's Haunted Village below.

This was still on the design wall and the threads were not clipped when I snapped the photo.  Isn't this a fun Halloween wall hanging?  I just love it.  I don't have any Halloween fabrics but I'm going to start getting some so I can make one too.  Of course, I want on for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Presidents Day, Valentines Day, Columbus Day...oh yeah....and my birthday too!!! 

Chapter Two

I recently needed to make my own design wall.  So I laid the insulated foam board on the floor with the batting under it so I could cut just the right length....don't want to waste any!  Check out these Batting and Fabric Shears that I received from Brint (Famore Cutlery) the Scissorman.  When I first saw them I thought they were huge.....I mean they are 11 3/4 inches from tip to top of the handle!!!  Everyone knows I'm almost a giant so typically I would not hesitate....but these really caught my eye.  I was pleasantly surprised how nice they felt in my hand as I cut the batting....the scissors cut the batting smoothly and I did not have to use my fabric shears which was wonderful (I only use those for fabric).  When I find out more about stocking them at I Have A Notion, I'll let everyone know.  They are some mighty fine scissors indeed!!!!  Yet another reason to LOVE the Scissorman!!!

Edited 15minutes later....found the scissors and have link embeded


Chapter Three

A year ago I learned about "Wrapagain" when a friend e-mailed me thinking I would be interested.  After reading more about Wrapagain I was very excited and thrilled for Susan Frantz, owner/designer.  She has designed her own re-usable gift wrap made from our favorite ingredients : FABRIC!!!!  I was tickled when I ran into her in town at a festival and asked if I could blog about her product and take some photos.  I'm so glad she said yes because I think her invention is genius.  It is green as green can be....nothing to throw away ever....and it is beautiful.  You can't get better than that for wrapping gifts.  Click here if you want to see how to wrap a gift using a Wrapagain.

(the little boy in the stripe shirt is none other than my co-worker Zachary :)

I bought the large red Wrapagain that Susan is holding above.  I have not used it yet because I'm having a hard time parting with it...LOL.  Word to the wise....buy a Wrapagain that you are not crazy about.  That will make it much easier to actually wrap a gift and give it away!!  Another really cool thing is Susan has each Wrapagain numbered and when you register them there is a tracking system.  Isn't that cool?  I think they make neat gifts in and of themselves.

Chapter 4

Check out this beautiful holiday towel I got in the mail.  I was so tickled when I opened the envelope.  Surprises are so much fun.  A blogging friend, Karin, made it for me.  Now to keep it away from the boys!!!

Chapter 5

My traveling friend, Dana, came by to visit and stitch one afternoon and she brought some things for show and tell.  Check out the great skirt she made with Batik fat quarters. 

And of course, she had to make some fun fleece socks for this winter.  I made some last year and I'm telling you if you have not made yourself a pair of fleece socks.....you might just want to....they feel wonderful and are guaranteed to make you smile.

Dana made a gift for a friend....and of course....her humor is right up my alley!  Check out this cute little shirt:

 

It is not an I-Pod, but a I Peed....perfect don't you think?  And check out the back:

 

This just cracked me up.  Mr. McSteamy came home for lunch that day.  Being in the IT field I knew he would appreciate this bit of humor.  He was more than willing to model the shirt for me.....LOL :)

 

Well, this concludes my interesting things to share in 5 short chapters.  I have been working on adding the GO! Baby Dies to my website for pre-order.  It takes me several hours to add items to my website....so if you don't see me for a few hours....you'll know where I am...:)

Smiles,

Kelly

Giveaway Alerts

Julie Herman, Jay Bird Quilts, is hosting a sponsored giveaway for Canton Village Quilt Works.

John Cary, Quilt Dad, is hosting a stop in the Tina Givens Blog Hop and you won't want to miss that one either.  Click here for the full schedule....it is a great line up with some great giveaways too.

Smiles,
Kelly

Fall into Fall Quilt Bloggers Giveaway & Exploring Embellishments Winner

My sincerest thanks for all who visited.  It was a pleasure having you visit and I look forward to getting to

to know some new followers.

Lucky Linda from "Quilt Cookies"

won the Westminster Fabric  Roll!!! 

I still can't believe how many comments that were left for one Fabric Roll...532  I did my best to reply to every one's comments that were re-ply-able :)

Lucky Joyful Quilter won Exploring Embellishments!!!

The Three Beaded Wool Gems Kits go to:

Woolen Sails

Penny's Hands

and you are not going to believe this one....I didn't when I saw the number come up again....but it is the honest truth

Joyful Quilter.  I guess it pays to be Joyful today :)

Congratulations to all the winners....and let me remind you.....we are all winners.  To have the privilege of being able to communicate with one another over the Internet and be concerned about little gifts.....is in and of it self an wonderful gift and I hope we all continue to do gratitude checks.....especially now when here on this part of the earth the days are getting shorter and the darkness can bring some low moods.  Lets continue to remind one another of our blessings....I know I need that continued support.

I also want to say THANK YOU to everyone who went over to Linda Poole's Blog and voted.  She had over 1,000 people vote total.  I was fortunate to win the Quilt Challenge and I am grateful and thrilled....and I so appreciate every one's voting for my quilt.  The Iridescence Fabric Line is available now as well as Linda's new line (which I get a yard of each....oh my word I can't wait) Seahorses.

If you are a fish person too and love the sea/water....all of these fabrics are available for purchase from Linda...click here and scroll down :)

"Life Is Good" Smiles,

Kelly

Grandpa and Punchneedle Embroidery

Since the post yesterday, I've had several people inquire about Punchneedle Embroidery.  So here is a little bit of information about Punchneedle and Grandpa :)

Rick's parents, Dick and Dolores (Grandpa and Grandma) came to visit last month.  I was showing Grandma and Grandpa the Punchneedle piece I was working on.  Grandpa asked me to show him how I was doing it and I gave him a little lesson (mind you, I'm no authority on the subject!). 

I gave each of them a Cameo Punchneedle and some thread.  I started with the Cameo Punchneedle and I found it very easy to learn with.  It can easily be adjusted for the length of the loop.  I now use the Super Luxo Punchneedles because I like to take the handle off and just use the tip.  Any thread that will go through your needle will work!!!  You do need a good hoop with a rim that will hold the fabric taunt.  It needs to be as tight as a drum.  I use a frame (you can see Grandpa is using my frame) .  The Round-About Punchneedle Frame has the same type of carding as mine does.  It really holds the fabric taunt.

I gave Grandpa this pattern from the M Shaw Collection.  Look what he did in just 2 days.  Punchneedle goes fairly quickly compared to may other forms of embroidery.  If you are ever interested in learning Punchneedle the book I would recommend is Punchneedle, The Complete Guide by Marinda Stewart.  It is the best I have found.

Marinda's instructions are very clear with photos and lots of examples of Punchneedle being used in a variety of ways.  There are lots of other wonderful Punchneedle books out there as well.  Marinda's is just my favorite.

On another note, today is the last day for the Fall into Fall Quilt Bloggers Giveaways.  So if you have not clicked on the Scarecrow and hopped around entering some wonderful giveaways....you better get hopping!!!

Smiles,

Kelly

Tour of IHAN Work Space & Projects

I had someone recently ask me to post my workspace and Micki said she was interested in seeing my punchneedle projects.  So I took some time this morning to take a few photos.

My sewing area is it the basement.  I recently had someone help me re-organize and move my tables so I would have more open space to walk.  I like it much better now but I do need my cutting table raised back up some.

The project I have on my table is a pattern by McKenna Ryan, Fish Tales, I need to mark it for quilting.  I love fish and when I saw this pattern I knew I had to make it.  Believe it or not, I started it over 5 years ago!!!  I had everything here and then our basement flooded and all the pattern pieces and fabrics were a mess.  I finally got up the nerve to sort it all back out and get the top finished.  The only reason I procrastinate on finishing this is because I love it so much I really want it to turn out nice.  I guess I just need some more confidence in my skills.

Some of you might remember the feed-sack dress.  I love that dress and Mary Jane made the apron so I just had to have it. 

I have more notions but I don't keep them all on my work wall.  The ones I don't use too often are in drawers. 

I forgot to take a photo of my "stash", please don't laugh :)  So here it is too!!!  It is behind my design wall.  I just got the insulation panel design wall while I was working on the Linda Poole Iridescence Quilt Challenge.  Which by the way, the deadline is tomorrow!!!   Click here to vote :)

Carol Merrill called in sick for work today, so I'll have to show you what's behind Door Number One myself.

Shelves with bins.  In those bins.....fabric oh yeah....and a big old bag of rice and lavender.

The rest of the stash has been shrunken down and put into the giant vacuum sealed zip lock storage bags.  This is where I need significant yardage and things I don't need to rifle through.  See, I don't have a big stash at all.  I've seen some of those photos of people's stash.....mine looks like it belongs to Minnie Mouse in comparison.  (Notice I did not photograph my scrapbook paper?  Now that would be impressive....shocking to many...that's where I learned not to stockpile....so I'm pretty moderate with my fabric.)

Here is IHAN headquarters....directly across from IHAN sewing center...LOL.

Oh geez, I didn't even close the file cabinet drawer.  Oh well.  Yes I know my desk is a mess....if I don't see it....it does not exist.  That is how the Spring Quilt Market gifts got hidden.  I was so organized that I put them in hanging file folders in the bottom drawer of the file cabinet.  Not a good idea!!!

Next, projects I'm working on.  This is a Grab and Go Kit that I got to make a gift for our Quilt Guild Gift Exchange.  The gift has to be handmade.  I wanted to make something that I thought would made a good gift and did not really have to match any one's decor.

This is the punchneedle pattern I just finished for Halloween.  It is a Lizzie Kate Pattern and I thought it would be fun made into a table decoration.

My pumpkin pin.....it was a Needle Arts Guild sampler and it will be a pin as soon as I mount it.

I got this pattern from my secret stitcher.  Our Needle Arts Guild has secret stitchers and they will bring little cards and gifts on occasion.  I was soooo excited when I saw this pattern.  It is the shape of a candy corn.  I'm going to use it as a pin keep-of course!!  The pattern is by With Thy Needle & Thread. 

 

I find doing punchneedle very relaxing.  Many of the designs that I've seen are "prim" but any pattern you draw can be done in punchneedle.  Any thread that will go through the needle will work too.  I have used sewing thread....a great purpose for old thread that you don't want to sew with.

So there you have it....the behind the scene look at IHAN.  Nothing too shocking or thrilling.  My desk is always full of papers....and little slips of papers.  I have not broken that habit yet.  

Tomorrow is the deadline for the Fall into Fall Quilt Bloggers Giveaway.  The Giveaway is open to all bloggers so if you have not left a comment at IHAN yet just Click Here and leave a comment :)  This Fabric Roll by Westminster Fabrics is the prize...YUMMY!

Tomorrow is also the deadline to vote for Linda Poole's Iridescence Quilt Challenge.  My entry is pictured below.  Please, please, please go over and vote....just Click Here and scroll down to where it says Vote Here :)

Thanks so much to everyone who went over and voted.  Please send all of your family and friends over to vote too.....at least I said "please" right?

Smiles,

Kelly

Leaves Galore Applique Templates by Sue Pelland at Spring Quilt Market 2010

Nope, not done yet!!!  Still more and more and more about Spring Quilt Market 2010.

I remember all the buzz the first time a friend had discovered Sue Pelland's Leaves Galore Applique Templates.  I went over to Sue's site to look at them.....and then thought to myself....who makes that many leaves?  LOL....I can be very simple sometimes as you probably already have picked up :) So I continued to look  and I learned these templates make more than leaves.

These are the three templates: Leaves Galore Petite Applique Template 15in, Leaves Galore Norme Applique Template 18in, Leaves Galore Grande Applique Template 24in by Sue Pelland and the come as the set of three as well.

These are the quilts Sue had in her booth in Minneapolis. The templates were used to make the flowers, leaves and the ribbon around the quilt.

I'm not one for holiday quilts....but this one is absolutely beautiful.  Red and Green get preferential treatment around here....my favorite color combination.

I think the border on this quilt really makes the quilt stand out. 

 

See, some folks do use a lot of leaves!!!  I know my girlfriend Mary Jane would certainly use that many if not more and she does needle turn applique.  I'm just not to that point yet.  A few more years practice and then I'll be ready.

 

Lots of movement in this piece which is a great example of the many uses of the Leaves Galore Templates.

This is Sue demonstrating the Leaves Galore Templates:

 

If you like video like I do....here is the video:

Well, I know it is almost Fall Quilt Market and I'm just posting now....but you know what?  I think I would need a team of folks covering all the great stuff at market.  I need a IHAN Posse don't you think? 

Smiles,
Kelly