Bowls with Borders Blog Hop and A Giveaway

Everywhere I look lately..... I either see bowls....or the mess I have made from making my Bowls with Borders.  If you've been following this blog hop then I'm sure you know where the pattern came from and who's idea this all was (who got me into this mess...lol).  If not, I'll put all the wonderful credits at the close of this post.

Suffice to say,  it has been years since I've done any paper piecing.   With my state of mind lately (menopause)  I'm surprised that I  remembered what foundation paper piecing is much less that I once knew how to do it.    What's a woman to do?  Call Waldo* of course!!!   One phone call and she was here within 30 minutes.  After Waldo*  refreshed her memory....she then refreshed mine...LOL.  

The ideas for this Blog Hop came fast and furious.  I thought about doing several in very different patters and calling it "Something for Everyone".  Then I thought about doing one where the bowls curled around and did a loop and I would call that one  "Time to do the Dishes."  Of course I thought about kids bowls...that would be fun...or ethnic bowls....and on and on and on.  Then lightening struck.....I need to have this done by Friday...Yikes!!! 

Here are a few of of the Bowls with Borders that I created .....

Although I liked both of the one's pictured above.......this is the one I decided to go with......

 (the photos below show the colors more accurately)

It was the first one I made and it was the one I liked the best.  It is not quilted or bound (yet) but what is a gal to do when she is finishing another quilt, making a table runner, running kids all over tarnation and packing for a trip?

Do you want to see some close ups?  Ok.....here ya go:

Took the idea for these flowers from the book Blooming Possibilities by Abbey Lane Quilts.  I added some beads and buttons to the centers of the flowers.

To give the bowls some pizazz I added a few stitches, silk ribbon and some beads.

 My favorite were the iridescent beads on the purple fabric. 

A few more beads....and I was finished.  I have to say I was very surprised by how much fun I had making this piece.   I'm sure glad I chose to participate!!!

There are so many participants .....take a few minutes and click around and see the other Bowls with Borders ....I think you'll see some very fun ideas and meet some potential new friends.

Today's participants are :

Beate from Gabrielles Atelier
Sharon-Quilt Sheddy

Lilypad Quilting

Searching Out Simple

Scrapbook Chick A Doodle
Ark Angel Creations
Polka Dot Classic

PRSD4Tim2

Little Mushroom Cap

Thanks Carol....Madame Samm and the pattern designer, Regina Grewe ...it takes a great team to get this many bowls all stacked up.

To see all the Bowls with Borders...check out Madam Samm's Pinterest page HERE.

 

If you leave a comment on today's post and you are a follower of the IHAN ® blog,  you may be the lucky winner of a package of Carol Doak's foundation Paper for Paper Piecing.

 

Foundation Paper by Carol Doak

 

AND

 

 

A pair of Famore Titanium Ergo-Spring Action Snips

The winner will be drawn by the random number generator and announced on the IHAN ® blogI at the end of the Blog Hop on Aug. 29th.  (The Bowls with Borders Blog Hop ends Aug.28th). 

Thanks for visiting !

Smiles,
Kelly

 *Waldo is my girlfriend Rosemary.  She turns up in photos all the time so I call her Waldo...after the Waldo Book Series.

It's Not Sewing....

It's thread painting...or so I told my 17 year old nephew this morning.  His new job doesn't start until the end of next week and I figured he needed something to  fill his time.  This morning I suggested he learn to use a sewing machine.  To make it a little more appealing...I called it thread painting.

I gave Nick a short lesson and set the machine up for free motion quilting and let him go.  Here is his first piece:

 He's getting the hang of it....

I even saw something that looked like a bird.

Once he got the feeling for the machine....he just took off...

 There was no need for that "suggested glass of wine" to relax....he was cool as a cucumber...zipping along...

While I was upstairs working this is what he made.....

He's not even finished yet...but I had to recommend he stop sewing for awhile....the machine had been going for a few hours and I thought it might need a break!  I've never sat with my BSR going for 2 or 3 hours.....I'm so jealous!

I do want to encourage him and his art....but I may have to consider dipping into his college funds to replace some of my thread....I still can't believe how many times I had to wind bobbins for him.  He was using my Aurifil thread ....I guess I'm a pretty nice Aunt :)  

What he needs is more fabric....so he can make a quilt.  I think I'm going to hook him up with a collection of fabrics and let him do....well...in his words, "I'm just  "improvising."  I wish I had learned to sew with his method....he seems so much more relaxed that I ever was.

All the while he was creating his art....this is what I made:

 A mess...that's all....just a mess.  Paper piecing is not a very clean sport ya know.  

What?  Did I hear someone ask about what the Flamingos are up to today?  Well....just by chance I did see them...

I think they are relaxing and discussing what their next adventure will be.

Smiles,

Kelly

Bowling Anyone?

 It's a Bowling Party....well....sort of.....it's really more of a Hop than a Party :)

No balls necessary...although I did use pins.

(yes I mean bowling balls...you have a terrible mind I tell ya!)  

Bowls with Borders Blog Hop starts today and I'm telling you I've already seen so much variety and fun...what a joy to see what others have been making.

On August 17th you'll be able to see the Bowls I've been working on.  Here is just a little sneak peak for ya......

I'm not very good at surprises anyway....I'm the one who always wants to know.  If you have not already been Bowling today...just Click Here to begin your Bowling Trip.

For those of you who are hooked on the Flamingos...here is the latest update:

A Flamingo Olympic Soccer Game on Saturday.

Silly me...the last time I saw this I thought it was a parade....

It was not a parade....it was the opening ceremony for the Olympics and this was the closing ceremony.  Some of us are not quite a sharp as they'd like to be :)

Flamingos wearing hats....are these folks wonderful or what?

Hope this leaves you with a smile....if not....

Smiles,

Kelly

IHAN® Trademark is Now Official

Has anyone noticed the IHAN®  banner has changed on the I Have A Notion  ® website.

Yes, IHAN ® is now a Registered Trademark :)

(for anyone wishing to have the exact numbers I am more than willing to send you a copy of the registration)

We are now in the process of having all of the buttons changed for those of you who have them on your websites (I shutter to think where I would be today without all of my friends...hugs to all of you...big hugs too :)


Nothing else has changed and for those with inquiring minds....I did not stamp the Elves foreheads with the ® symbol...LOL


Smiles,
Kelly

Thats Why They Call It Patchwork :)

Before I get to the Patchwork part....I think many of you will want get some Olympic Updates.

I'm not sure if these are "Official Olympic Results" ...I'm just reporting what I saw!

Yesterday morning brought an awards ceremony. I stopped to congratulate the winners.  I'm guessing these are the Olympians from the weight lifting and gymnastics team ...from last report.

Fierce Flamingo Fencing

A mini-Dream Team

Flamingo Beach Volleyball....isn't this incredible?

I'm so grateful to the couple who put so much time, effort and money into giving us a smile each day.

QUILT RELATED :)

I just figured out why quilting is referred to as patchwork.  Some of us are not as sharp as others sometimes....LOL  I finished the UK quilt top yesterday and this is what it looks like:

It needs to be pressed etc....but it is finished and it doesn't look all that complicated does it?  A quilter would just draw out a scale and write down the dimensions, cut the fabric, sew the pieces together...right?   This quilter just so happened to draw up no less than 8 pattern options....then draw out the dimensions....I measured and measured and measured....cut.  Wrong....the blocks were not the same size.  After a few more attmepts...I call in the National Guard....Mr. McSteamy.  Yep....he had to do it twice too!  ROFL

Then I changed where I put the one border and it was therefore not long enough....so I did some PATCHWORK :)

How this happened is beyond me.  This was supposed to be a quick little project for my son-in-law as a sofa throw.  Now the border looks nothing like my plan....but hey....the top is finished and I'm guessing no one on earth will really give a hoot.  Now to baste it ....wish me luck.

By the way....I've decided I do have an expertise.  I'm going to give graduate level courses at the Quilt University.  The title of the class?  Un-Sewing....only for experts....are you going to take the class?  I'll need to know because there is a limited number of seats available.  ROFL

Smiles,

Kelly

Heat and Gone Topping by Floriani -Review and Blueberrys too!

Guest Post by Karin Callander for I Have A Notion

I was so excited when Kelly asked me to look at toppings for her – my first thought was HOT FUDGE!  Closely followed by CARAMEL!  Then BLUEBERRY DRIZZLE!  Then I realized she was talking about stabilizer toppings.  Not quite hot fudge, but still a topic close to my heart

The right stabilizer topping is every bit as important as the bottom stabilizer, and I’m about to show you why.  For years, I’ve used the name brand, water-soluble topping on the top side of my embroidery projects wherever there was a nap to my fabric, or the fabric was textured in any way.  This includes denim, terry cloth, and velour, even some of those home decorator fabrics you can get on sale and make terrific market totes!  And waffle-weave towels.  The topper stabilizer keeps the stitches from sinking into the pile or texture of the fabric, and it allows your embroidery design to pop. 

But, did you ever stop to think about that water-soluble topper?  What happens when it gets washed away, as it undoubtedly will?  Eventually, that topper is gonna disappear, and all your stitches will sink into that texture, as if you had never used the topper in the first place.  So, if that’s what you want, well go for it; you might as well not even waste your time and money on a topper in the first place.  But, I’m pretty sure that’s NOT your intended result.

Heat N Gone by Floriani eliminates that sinking feeling!!  And you know Kelly’s going to bring it to us at the best price possible!!  Heat N Gone.  Let me say that again – Heat N Gone.  Wonder why they call it that?  You’ll know once you use it!

Put a layer of Heat N Gone over your fabric (you can hoop it all together or just pin it in place, whichever is easiest for you), stitch your design, tear away the excess, then gently run your iron over it.  POOF!  Watch it disappear.  I’ve asked the people that know things, “where does it go?”  Well, they don’t know either – they just know it doesn’t gum up your iron, there’s no little pill-balls to remove, and it doesn’t leave a gunky residue on the project you just spent hours on.

Think you will get the same result from water-soluble?  Think again, my friend.

Here’s a sample I stitched out for you. 

The first design, (left) I didn’t use any topping at all.  Notice all the little nubbies poking through?  Yeah, not very pretty, is it?  The topper is used to prevent those nubbies.

The second design (bottom right), I stitched with a water soluble topping, and the third (top right), I stitched using Heat N Gone.  Then I started washing the towel.  I washed and washed and washed it.  I’m pretty sure it’s been washed about 15 times by now.

Now, I’ve got a high-efficiency washer, which means hot is HOT, and spin is something like 3800 (yes, HUNDRED) revolutions per minute.  And look at the difference in how that design is holding up. 

Here’s the one with no topping.  We still have nubbies, just lots more of ‘em:

Here’s the name-brand wash-away; notice the terry cloth is making its way through the design:

And, finally, we have Floriani’s Heat N Gone:

OK, now I have to admit – the stitches aren’t as tight as they originally were, on all 3 designs, and there’s a bit of separation, even on the Floriani design, but that’s not the fault of the topping.  That’s because I used a tear-away stabilizer on the bottom, and for the amount of abuse I’ve heaped on this towel, a cut-away would have been a better choice for a more permanent base.  But, checkout out those leaves – there’s not a nubbie in sight!

Get a roll and decide for yourself, if you don’t believe me (or my pictures!).  I think I’ll go find me some hot fudge!   If you’re one of those unfortunate folks who get migraines from chocolate, you have my sincere sympathies.  And here’s a blueberry drizzle recipe just for you, courtesy of www.cooks.com!  (and, yes, I abosolutely DO put this on all my cheesecakes!!)

BLUEBERRY SAUCE:

2 tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. cornstarch
1/4 c. water
1 c. blueberries
1 tbsp. lemon juice

In small saucepan, mix sugar, cornstarch, water, and lemon juice. Cook and stir until thickened. Add blueberries; cook until bubbly. Chill. Spread on top of cheesecake and refrigerate (if you can wait).  Personally, I slice my (still warm) cheesecake, plate it, then pour the sauce over the slice and enjoy it right away.

Written by Karin Callander for IHAN

Local Olympic Heros....Sort Of....

Yes.....we saw an extraordinary performance from Phillipe Flamingo Dude-Guy on the balance beam....what a performance it was too! 

The next event was weight lifting....

Synchronized weight lifting ....a recently added Olympic Event!  LOL

Hope your Sunday is going well.

Smiles,
Kelly

The Reliable V-50 Iron Wow's Again! Anyone Surprised?

If it surprises you....it really shouldn't.....I've been saying this is the most incredible iron for quite some time....then Oprah caught on (I think she really needs to read my blog don't you?...Oh wait, maybe that is how she learned about the iron in the first place.  Quit laughing....ya just never know.)...and now we have another V-50 lover.....who will be next?  

 Nick, my nephew, has joined the IHAN clan.  He needed to iron a shirt and asked if he could use our iron.  (I know it is shocking that a 17 year old would care to iron a shirt and actually know how....it is true :)  I told him there is one set up in our bedroom and he could feel free to use it.  A few minutes later he came down wearing a nicely pressed shirt and said, "JoJo, that is the best iron I've ever used in my life, where did you get it?"  ....his exact words.

After Nick's response to the Reliable V-50 Iron I asked him if he'd be willing to let me use his words and pix for a blog post....and he agreed....good kid ay?

I have to say, I still get a kick out of people telling me how much they like their V-50 and all I can says is....I told ya so....and then I giggle.  I do like being right....I know that's arrogant...but sometimes...I just can't help but indulge in a little bit of my dark side.  Does that ever happen to you?

Not much is going on around here that is new....I'm waiting to see the Dr. about this "change of life" situation.  I'm telling you it has taken the Kelly right out of me.  You may have noticed I don't blog as much and there are fewer reviews....but until someone can help me resurrect the Kelly in me....then this will just have to do.

The Flamingos do keep me going....such a fun and entertaining part of my day.  Check out their latest activities:

The Flamingo Family has a new ring-leader :)  Guess what she had them all doing?

I just know she wasn't making them march in this heat....it must have been a Flamingo Parade :)


Last night Waldo and I went to our Applique Group and on the way I spotted this car....and for a moment I was transported back to Mayberry RFD.

I didn't slip into time travel at all....it was really sitting there....another reason to smile and be grateful for those simple joys in my every day.  While I'm waiting for the "Kelly resurrection" I might as well find some fun stuff to keep myself going.

Smiles,
Kelly