Talk About Addictive

Addictive in a good way....naturally! :)  I know many of you are not into Machine Embroidery but that doesn't mean you can't appreciate the results...right?  Right :)

I had a wedding shower to go to last Saturday and I knew I was going to be giving a gift card because the couple live out of state and they'll be moving soon...a gift card is just the right size and weight for travel.  I still wanted to give them something fun to open at their shower.  Check these out.....

I used Floriani threads because I love the way the colors have a shine that just pops the design.  I didn't want hoop marks on the towels because I was them the same day so I used Floriani Perfect Stick stabilizer.   I just hooped the stabilizer and positioned the towel, pressed it down and I was good to go.

 Call me corney if you must...but I have always liked hand towels and kitchen towels that have a pretty design on them.  I think they are sort of decadent....clearly not required....but fun and frivolous to have.  Like kitchen / bathroom jewelry if you will.

What I'd like to know is how on earth anyone does Machine Embroidery without excellent tweezers and a pair of very fine pointed and sharp scissors?  I used my Famore Micro Fine Tweezers and my Dovo Embroidery Scissors to cut the fine threads from the back.  All the other tweezers I own would not pull just one or two threads....and I needed to do that here and there....so I'm thinking if anyone who doesn't have a pair of Famore Micro Fine Tweezers needs to get some lickity split....no kidding.  By the way, if you do order them from IHAN and decide you don't think they are the bomb I'm telling you they are....I'll refund your money along with paying the shipping too.   The tweezers were great to get that little bit of stabilizer off the back in the tiny spaces too.

This is another one I made for them....I loved the Eggplant design.  Naturally I made them others and in my race to the finish line I didn't take photos.  I literally finished the towels within a 1/2 hour of needing to leave to go to the shower.  Do you know anyone else like that?  :)

Switching topics here....I've gotten a lot of e-mails asking how the Flamingos are doing.  They are just fine and in the same place that I showed you last time.  When the folks who own them get around to moving them...I'll be sure to get another photo to update everyone.  I was thinking about sneaking over there and doing something funny with them to give the owners some pleasure and humor....but then I was afraid it might not be the best thing to do....I'd be trespassing....so I didn't.

While tutoring at my co-workers school last week, a little girl wanted to show me the book she had just written.  I asked to take a pix and she let me.....and since it isn't identifiable....I'm posting photos here to share with you a few moments of joy and humor that was written by a 9 year old little girl.
 

 

I hope you can read each page....

Smiles,
Kelly

"Let's Roll"

"Let's Roll" is a powerful phrase....and who ever broke into Patsy and Ernie's car in Corbin, KY didn't realize they were messing with an elite group of extremely well armed Quilters....rob one of us....you've robbed all of us. 

 

I can only imagine the darkness that is going on in the person or person's life that broke into their car and stole a laptop, quilts, embroidery machine, threads and notions.   I do hope that something good comes out of this situation....now that's my honest wishes.   Y'all know I"m not a mean spirited person....but I do enjoy partaking in my dark side on occasion.  In the photo above, you may be looking at what might happen to the robbers if I were into Voodoo...ROFL.  It just ain't so smart to be messing with middle aged women who has rotary cutters, hot irons and a host of other very dangerous sharp objects.  They just might find themselves used as an applique and pressed down very hard upon with a very hot iron....then zig zag stitched all around their borders (naked borders) ya know what I mean?  

One guess would be,  they are very disappointed in their haul because it isn't exactly easy to sell a quilt that was made by someone else....and quilters are so connected that someone will see it and the "cat will be out of the bag" so to speak.

  

 I once heard that if you are ever out of town and need help...don't dial 911....call a Quilter...you are much more likely to get the help you need.  I laughed when I heard that but you know....it's probably very true.

When you think about it...and if everyone within a 5 state radius of KY checked their Craigslist listings for Embroidery Machine and Babylock Ellismo to see if possibly there are any new listings....we might be able to locate Patsy's machine.  I did enter a google alert for Craigslist and both Babylock Elissimo and Embroidery Machine.  I'm not sure if that will work or not...but I figured it was worth a try.  

Patsy's work is so unique it won't be difficult to spot so if we all keep our eyes and ears open...ya just never know what may happen.

I'm telling you it just isn't smart to go messing with a Quilter!!

Evil Smiles,

Kelly

Be On The Look Out

Updated 7:10 PM  -For more information about Patsy's quilts...please go to LostQuilt.com or click here.

Somewhere out there....perhaps in a Thieves Guild....perhaps in a gallery, a flea market, a pawn shop, a garage sale or maybe even hanging someplace you might see some amazingly beautiful quilts that look exactly like these:

As many of you may have already heard by now....Patsy Thompson and Ernie Bode's vehicle was broken into and an embroidery machine and her quilts and works in progress were taken.  If anyone sees anything that remotely looks like these pieces or anything suspicious....please call me at 419-913-8080 or e-mail Patsy at Patsy@PatsyThompsonDesigns.com. 

No Smiles Today,
Kelly

I'm here and we're safe

My sincere thanks to everyone who has sent e-mails to inquire about the IHAN clan.  The tornadoes have not been near us and we are all doing well.  Please keep those less fortunate in your thoughts.

A friend (non-quilting / stitching friend) is visiting and I'm still recovering from this yucky upper respiratory stuff...so now y'all  are up to date on the latest....well almost...you'll have to come back for some yummy pix soon :)

Smiles,
Kelly

The Winner of Creative Quilting with Beads

Creative Quilting with Beads 

After writing every one's names down....cutting them up and putting them into a bowl....I would appreciate it if someone would please remind me to find a new way to add additional names in a random number drawing?  

The winner is:

 

 Congratulations Quiltluver!!!  

Please e-mail me with your full name and the address you would like your copy of  Creative Quilting with Beads sent to and I'll make sure the publisher gets that information and they'll be shipping your book out.

To everyone who said they would like to join the teeny tiny itsy bitsy challenge, please stay tuned.  I'm compiling a list of names and I'll be posting about it here on the IHAN blog and if I have e-mail addresses I'll also be e-mailing you.  No worries...just like I promised....the challenge is intended to inspire one another to actually pull out our beads and other embellishments and use them.

Smiles,

Kelly 

 

Sale Prices End Tonight at Midnight

Just a reminder that the Valentine Specials were extended until March 1st...today.  If you were planning on ordering please do so today or send me an e-mail at IHaveANotion@yahoo.com to confirm and I'll process your purchase at the sale price.

The winner of the Creating Quilts with Beads will be announced later today :)


This is just a copy of the information about the Valentine Special:

After reading this comment, I've decided to continue the IHAN Valentine Specials so everyone can have an opportunity to participate :) 

Just in case you missed these yesterday, here they are :

Teal Me Away Machine Tote is 50% off

Regularly 129.00 Today Only 59.99

Click here to see the review and Here to Purchase

Other Valentine Specials

25% off ALL Aurifil Thread

Click here to See all Aurifil Threads

25% off ALL  Floriani Thread

Click here to see ALL Floriani Threads

The specials will end at Midnight March 1, 2012.

My Valentine wish for each of you.....

for each of you to look into the mirror at some point today and say I love you....you are important....you are lovable....and you deserve to be loved.

Smiles,

Kelly

Really? I don't believe it....not IHAN blog readers....

I'm giving away a very inspiring and beautiful book and as of today at 2:00 pm I only have 20 comments.  I know IHAN blog readers are not Chickens?  I never said you HAD to join in the challenge to win the book...nor did I say your reason for wanting the book more than I do,  had to be a good reason....and still there are only 20 comments.  I'm almost speechless....but not quite :)

With over 1600 people reading my blog, I can't believe that many of you missed THIS POST.   I am giving away a copy- a germ free copy- of  Creative Quilting with Beads by Valerie Van Arsdale Shrader .  After reading the copy I received to review, I didn't want to give it away....and besides...I've been sick and my copy must have some germs on it.  The publisher, Lark Books,  didn't want any of you to get my bug so they have agreed to ship a copy of Creative Quilting with Beads to the winner of the drawing (US addresses only.  If you win and are outside the US I can have the book shipped to me or one of your other friends and you can arrange for it to be shipped to you..fyi)

You'll get one chance to win by simply leaving a comment on the post about the giveaway (click here) and if you choose to join the" teeny weenie ittsy bitsy challenge" you'll get three more chances to win the book.   Anything that you have to embellished will count....I don't care if it is a postage size piece or a mug rug....the goal is to encourage one another to pull out some of our beads and other embellishments and create a little something....that's all...nothing will be judged....it's just a teeny weenie ittsy bitsy little challenge....so what are you waiting for?  If it is a call from me personally....you better let me know that so I can dial you up.

If you actually went back to read that post you'll know exactly what I'm referring to with this picture of Jim Carey from the movie Mask. 

When I said it was very difficult  not to show a photo of every page in Creative Quilting with Beads....I wasn't kidding.  Y'all know I can be over the top...every now and again...and apparently this must resonate with most of you or you would not be near crazy enough to read this blog...LOL. 

Sue Spurlock, one of the contributors to Creative Quilting with Beads, has made so many beautiful pieces and I just love looking at her photos for inspiration.  I asked her if I could use "some" of her photos from her blog, Piece of Work, and she said yes.  I have saved the e-mail as proof too....and she made the big ole mistake of not saying how many...

"Somebody Stop Me".......said with wild abandon....ROFL :)

All photos below are property of Sue Spurlock and have been used with her written permission.

I assure you after looking at these photos you'll want to go over and follow Sue's blog, Piece of Work.  No, she's not promised to give me one of her pieces nor has she offered to take my boys for a week while I go on a retreat....I sincerely don't want folks to miss some wonderful inspiration and meeting a very insightful woman....so enjoy :)

All photos above were published on this post with the written permission of Sue Spurlock, Piece of Work blog.

I know within each and every one of you there is an idea stirring...an appreciation....a fun thought....and I want to invite you to express it in some way...embellish it!!  :)

I want to say THANK YOU to Sue Spurlock for the permission to use your photos....and for inspiring me to express some of the ideas I've had stirring for quite some time.  And to the rest of you...I say:

 If you look closely at the fabric under the tiles....it is all embellished....one with beads and the other with stitching....and you know what?  I didn't make either one of them....nope.  The beaded one is a vest I wore to work years ago that I absolutely loved.  I knew one day I'd use it in an art piece but I didn't know when....so I've saved it....and this here:

is a vest I picked up at a yard sale.....I loved the stitching and I knew it could be embellished further and added to something else. Each of you have interesting little things tucked into drawers and closets...lets pull something out and make a little something...or a big something....where ever your inspiration takes you.

Before I close I want to show you a photo of something I decided to do one night.
I had this fabric...I think it was Art Gallery Fabrics but I'm not sure....it' was a long time ago and I was in love with it. 


The post I took these from is HERE....I made this for Amy Butler as a gift (I'd never make another gift like this again...I thought I'd throw up giving it to her).  I have to say I absolutely loved putting the beads on the fabric and I've not done anything like it since...so I'm in for the itsy bitsy challenge too :)

Appreciative Joyful Smiles,
Kelly

Creative Quilting with Beads - Book Review and Giveaway

I sure hope everyone is feeling healthy and energetic today.  I've been sick for the past few days and even though I have not felt well....I've had some joy, smiles and some gratitude.  That's not to say I haven't also had a few moments of ........!!!  LOL....Why?  Because I have the absolute pleasure of reviewing Creative Quilting with Beads ..... but I have previously agreed to give it away. What is wrong with me anyway?  My true colors are showing now....I feel greedy and want to keep the book....but I am a woman of my word so....here we go! :)

 Creative Quilting with Beads by Valerie Van Arsdale Shrader

Valerie has done an incredible job of showing us how to add some pizazz to our art quilts.  She has put together over two dozen projects by some wonderful artists and has showcased them in Creative Quilting with Beads.

I'm not kidding when I say I could easily take a photo of every page and show you.....I need a bonus point for restraint here folks....

"Reach For The Stars" designed by Sue Spurlock

Look at the hair dance on this piece.  I love the swirling stitches and the beads.  I think the addition of the bead work has taken this piece from nice to wonderful and eye grabbing....what do you think?  I think Valarie and Sue are very generous because the instructions and patterns are included in the book.  Rest assured if I had created this beautiful piece....I'd charge you a whole lot more to share the instructions and patterns!  I wish I were kidding...but I'm not. 

Valerie takes us through the choosing of beads, threads, tools, quilting methods, fusible applique as well as hand sewing techniques.  She also covers quilt assembly techniques...binding and making the hanging sleeve.  I am absolutely certain that if you can hold a needle and do some basic stitching....there isn't a one of us who can't make any one of these beautiful projects.  The projects include  purses, a pillow, table runner, fridge magnets, art quilts and a card. 

"Tagalong Handbag"  designed by Veronica Hofman Ortega

I would be proud to have this handbag when I go out.  Veronica has taken some plain fabrics and given them life with her beautiful stitching and beads.  Seriously...look back at the photo of the "Tagalong Handbag"....just focus on the fabric and imagine it without the beads and stitches.....another amazing transformation! 

You know "Love Letters" by Deborah Boschert grabbed my attention.  She used Marcia Derse Fabrics and I'm a fan of Marsha Derse Fabrics.  I have some fabric left from my Derse Purse so now I have a great idea for using those scraps....thanks Deborah!  I took this photo on my iphone and it pales in comparison to the photo in the book....this is a beautiful art quilt.

Do you remember when Jim Carey said, "Somebody Stop Me", in the movie Mask?  That's exactly how I feel right now....like I just can't stop myself from showing more photos....I'm so bad.  (I'll put a link to the clip of Jim Carey at the end of this post just in case you don't remember or didn't see it....and need a good laugh today)

" Jewels Of Our Past" designed by Larkin Jean Van Horn

I'm going to leave you hanging here.....aren't I just terrible?  By the way....this is not a  button....it is a beaded applique....and I know you will love the rest of the piece when you win this book.

In the back of Creative Quilting with Beads, Valerie has included 12 Gallery pages. 

Queen of Heaven II by Patti Shaw is a piece shown on one of the Gallery pages.  This was made with commercial cotton fabric, photo transferred, hand quilted seed beads and sequins. The 12 pages in the Gallery are full of more photos as beautiful and amazing as this one.

Creative Quilting with Beads is a must have for anyone who loves to stitch and wants to add some pizazz to anything they create and lots of things they haven't created.  Sixteen different artists have contributed to the book ....there is something here for everyone.

So....I ask.....Who would like to win a copy of Creative Quilting with Beads....other than me?  I'm going to make you work for this one....it is going to take a little more than a simple, "count me in" to get this book out of my hands :)

If you are an IHAN blog follower....you will need to leave a comment on this post before Thursday March 1st telling me why you need this book more than I do. 

Is one chance not enough for you?   If you are jones'in to have this book and will agree to participate in a future  IHAN challenge inspired by Creative Quilting with Beads I'll give you 3 extra entries.  You say you want informed consent?  My readers are no dummies. The challenge will be announced as soon as I know who wants to participate and the project can be any size....seriously....you can make an inchie and qualify....so go ahead and plunge head first into my devious plans to get all of you to make something beautiful. 

The winner of Creative Quilting with Beads will be announced on Thursday March 1st.....so you need to start to think about how many chances you want to win this wonderful book.  There is a total of 4 chances available.

Smiles,
Kelly

If you need a good laugh...you can watch Jim Carey translate how I was feeling when writing this post :)