Crazy Quilting

It has been 10 years since I have done any Crazy Quilting.  I took a class with a wonderful teacher who owns a small shop in MI.  She provided the fabrics and we were to learn how to put together crazy quilting designs and choose stitching for them. 

When it was finished, I gave this to my girlfriend, Pam.  She has always been thrilled with any and all of my hand made gifts.  I think the pillow still looks pretty darn good for being 10 years old and having lived through several dogs and cats.

Just thought I'd share some stitching inspiration with ya!

 

Smiles,

Kelly

Invention Convention 2011

Today everyone in the 2nd grade had an opportunity to display their inventions for the "Invention Convention."  Parents and grandparents were invited to come and see the children's inventions. I must admit when I first read the assignment I thought to myself, "are they kidding me?"  Yes, I do have negative thoughts from time to time. I certainly was pleasantly surprised when I saw the value of the assignment and the incredible inventions the children have made.

"The Recycle Crusher" invented by an IHAN co-worker.

Aaron's "Recycle  Crusher" is intended for home use.  You put your cans, bottles, paper, cardboard and batteries into the small box.  The machine smashes your recyclables into neat cubes to be put into your recycle container in the garage  (like a trash compactor).  

Below are photos from the Invention Convention.  Only those children who's parents gave me permission to photograph are shown with faces.  The other children's faces have been blurred or cropped for their privacy.

I did not get the name of this invention but I thought it was excellent. 

The back of the robe has a pocket for and an insert to warm and vibrate your back when it hurts.  Isn't that cool?  I hope she actually got to sew that little robe and pocket.

This is the "Pooch Patrol."

 

A robot person that comes complete with everything necessary to play with and clean up after the dog.

The orange object on the right side is a squirt gun.  A brush, a ball and of course....the poo poo scooper and bucket!

Then....the feet were too good to pass up....thread spools :)

I think this next invention is clever too.  If we had one of these hooked up to your sewing machines many of us would have smaller behinds....including me. 

 

You have to either walk on a treadmill or ride the exercise bike to power your television set.  Not only is the idea great but I love seeing it made out of Lego's.

I could wear this next one while stitching....but of course mine would provide chocolate cookies....negating the use of the previously mentioned invention.

 

 

"The Automatic Teeth Cleaner" made me giggle....you just put your teeth up to the box.  Hmmmmm....

 

The "Automatic Clothes Folder" is a definite must in my household and I'm glad I know who invented it because I'm going over to their house to buy the first one that comes out of the factory.

You put the towel onto one of the spools and twist....and best yet....it works :)

 

Just remove the towel and it is ready for the kitchen drawer.  I'm thinking I need a robot to do all of that for me too.

The "Dial-a-Doo" made me laugh out loud.  Unfortunately I did not get the best photo of this one.  It is a red had and you set the dial for how you want your hair done and it does your hair for you.

It will give you french braids, a pig tail, a head band or something that I can't remember.  Read the description below:

 

The inventor of "The Kiss-A-Matic" apparently does not like giving kisses.  If a kiss is required the person spins the dial and it stops at a number....then the recipient gets......

 

What else but a chocolate kiss.  There was a line of children to spin his wheel for the chocolate.

I saved the absolute best for last.  I walked up to this young man and asked what his invention was and he went right into the description without a seconds hesitation.

This is "The Mail Indicator 3000" and it lets you know when your mail has arrived.  "The Mail Indicator 3000 helps you to avoid superfluous and unnecessary trips to the mail box."   That is an exact and direct quote.  I ran for a piece of paper and a pen to write it down....talk about a Readers Digest moment.  I was obviously tickled and was soooo glad I had the opportunity to go today.  Superfluous....and unnecessary trips....well...there you have it.....a second grader with a vocabulary to be proud of!

 

There were so many more that are not included here....all of them were wonderful and imaginative.  I hope you have smiled and perhaps giggled....it is moments like these that keep me filled up.  Seeing all the little handwriting and drawings.....the smiling faces and the missing teeth......my heart is still singing.

 

Smiles,

Kelly

 

Quilting Threasures Laila by Laura Ashley and Scrabble by Hasbro Giveaway

 

I feel like a giveaway....what about you?  Sometimes ya just HAVE to give something away.  I went through my Quilt Market stash and came upon these two fat quarter stacks that I received from a lovely lady at Quilting Treasures.  The first bundle is "Scrabble" by Hasbro and the second is "Laila" by Laura Ashley.  Each stack has 4 fat quarters :) 

If you would like to win one of these stacks please leave a comment on this post and tell me what you think you'll make with them.  Remember, we are all entitled to change our minds...lol.  This is going to be open to Blog Followers only.  It pays to follow the IHAN blog!!

The drawing will take place on Monday, January 31st.  Good luck!  Only one entry per follower please.

Smiles,

Kelly

Australian Spirit Book Review & M & S Textiles

Hold on to your seats because what I'm about to show you will either cause you to jump from your seat....or fall off...lol....depending your your personal style and taste.  I recently had a need to get some pattern inspiration to work on a project I'm in the process of finishing (more on that later).  It is a darn good thing Waldo had purchased, "Australian Spirit"and all these amazing great fabrics from M & S Textiles.

 

"Australian Spirit"  is the first quilt project book to showcase Australian Aboriginal designs. Aboriginal artists paint the rich heritage of their use of color, symbols and design to tell their prehistoric stories. Having their art printed onto fabric gives them another dimension to speak to the world. The designers featured in this book have brought together this ancient art on fabric to create quilts that harmonize the work of many Aboriginal artists. Each project shares a different melody both stirring and beautiful. 'Australian Spirit - Designer Projects to Quilt, Fuse and Sew'

M& S Textiles

There are a variety of designers who have their patterns included in this book including; Yolanda V. Fundora, Sara Miller-Moe, Momo Lohani, Susan Deal, Cheryl Phillips*, Jayme Crow, Terrie Kralik, Diane Ricks, and Barbara Campbell.  Click on each person's name to read more about them individually.  Very interesting and talented ladies.  I've had the great pleasure of meeting Cheryl Phillips so it was a great thrill to see her work in the book. 

Look at all these beautiful fabrics Waldo owns (isn't possession 9/10ths of the law?)

Here are some close ups....hang on tight....this is where it gets exciting.....just think of all this amazing creativity.

 

The patterns in this book are excellent even if you were not using the AU fabrics....they are interesting and a nice diversion from traditional patterns.  The one I used for inspiration is by Terrie Kralik and it is titled, "Sacred Orb."  I read the instructions which were written well and I understood the directions.  I did not use the pattern exactly and I'll share that with you more later.

It is rare that I like every pattern in a quilt book.  Typically I like one and if I'm lucky two or three.  I was surprised to say that each pattern appealed to me and not just for use with the Aboriginal Fabrics (although those are spectacular!!!) but for other fabrics as well. 

More about my quilt soon.

Smiles,
Kelly

A Master At Work

More photos from my trip to PA

I just had to share these quilts with all of you.  I'm not sure I have words that even come close to describing this quilt (or many of the others made by the mystery woman-to be identified later :)

It is spread out on the bed to try to get some of the wrinkles out so you can see the designs better.

Impressive isn't it?  Now what would you say if I told you it is 100% needle turn applique?  Every one of those pieces cut out by hand?  Yep, I thought that is what you would think....I was thinking the same thing!  Do you think it will be machine or hand quilted?

And this is another one that just so happened to be finished of recent.  Yes, 100% needle turn applique and hand quilted.  Machine quilting would do no justice to  works of art like these.

Needle rocked quilting....by hand....the entire quilt.

And here is the "Queen of Needle Turn Applique and Hand Quilting" my dear friend, MJ!!  If you are going to learn something, ya might just as well learn from the best ay?

Fortunate Smiles,

Kelly