Happy 4th of July

I hope this 4th of July finds you celebrating something joyful weather it be a great fireworks display or the joy of knowing you have access to electricity and are able to view this blog post....there's always something to be joyful about....or so I seem to think anyway :)

Today I'm celebrating!!!  Why?  Because last night I slept....yes...I slept through the night and that is a HUGE reason for me to celebrate.  I rarely get a full nights sleep since breaking my ankle.  It hurts 24/7 and I typically wake up several times a night.  But not last night....that's worth a year of fireworks to me :)

Hope you have a wonderful day find something great to celebrate.

Smiles,
Kelly

How young is too young to be a textile artist?

Both my co-workers went down to the Toledo School of the Arts for summer camp a few weeks ago.  Between making music, dancing, creative writing....there was a textile arts class....and I have to say I'm very impressed with Zach's accomplishments.  He's 10....just turned 10 in May and look what he made:

Day one he brought home a felt pin that he had sewn his name on...in case you can't read it...his name is Zach...LOL.

This is his painted t-shirt.  You may recall the trepidation I had while taking a ink class at Asilomar (Empty Spools) in March.  Zach whipped this up in a day....no kidding.  He wore this while reading on stage one of his creative writing pieces.  I was floored.  I could learn a thing or two from my kid ay?

Zach was very excited about making his pillow.  He wouldn't tell me what it was going to look like, just that he had sewn the entire thing by himself.

He never said a word that it was painted....another WOW for this proud Momma.  I'm thinking the teacher didn't know a blind stitch because this is how he closed the pillow.  No big deal....a few more years....his work will look like an experts...the painting already is in my book.

 Tree stump in foreground....before.

On another creative note....I was visiting with a friend at her lake house in Indiana on Sunday and we were discussing the huge tree that fell last year.  The tree was enormous and we had seen a man carving bears out of trees and mentioned to the neighbor that he may consider having someone carve into his tree instead of taking it down.  Check out what he did....all by himself mind you...with no prior experience:

It looks pretty good doesn't it?  Then Robin says....go around and look at the other side.

Creativity abounds....all it takes is a little encouragement and a few supplies.

What am I waiting for?  I better get my creative derriere in motion here God knows I have enough supplies and ideas.

Smiles,

Kelly

Winner of "A Promise in Pieces" by Emily T. Wierenga

A Promise in Pieces by Emily T. Wierenga

Ya know I never even put a date as to when I'd give this great book away!  Go figure....since it's my book and my blog...I decided today was as good a day as any :)

 The Random Number Generator appointed number 5 the winner.....and as I count down 5 comments...the fifth comment is:

Julie from Me and My Stitches...Congratulations!!! Please e-mail me your full address and I'll get the book in the mail to you right away.  The rest of you won't be disappointed if you head over to the author's website and purchase a copy....it is a great read.  If you hate it after you bought it on my recommendation....let me know within a week and I'll reimburse you for the book and have you send it on to another lucky IHAN blog reader...ya just can't loose here :)

While I'm on the subject of Julie....I happen to own two of her beautiful pieces of quilt jewlery.  Are you famiar with Julie's work?

YES, those are paper pieced tiny charms....amazing aren't they?  There's more:

Pendants and pins....Oh My!!!  I'm not much of a pin or pendant person myself and I adore Julie's work so I put mine on my camera strap.  They make wonderful gifts and are sure to put a smile on any quilters face.

No, none of this was prearranged...I sware on my life!  I just thought I'd take the opportunity to share with all of you some of what other gals are doing....you may already have known....either way....lets keep the good stuff going!

Smiles,

Kelly

Chicken A La King Anyone?

As most of you know, I've been dragging my lip (actually my entire self) around on the ground for weeks and I'm doing my very best to "keep my chin up."  MJ is in full swing with her chemo and for all the exhaustion and yucky side effects, that stuff better be working....or so I pray it is doing its job.

I received a package in the mail the other day and I could not help but laughing my bum off.....I absolutely LOVE this wall hanging and will treasure it for all the days of my life:

You know it hangs over the commode in the master bedroom.....this keeps the lip up because I can't laugh while dragging my lip on the ground!!!  Thank you dearest friend....I love you BIG....but you knew that before the gift.

Another girlfriend sent me this book a few months ago:

A Promise in Pieces by Emily T. Wierenga

I've been unable to sleep so I reached for this book on my nightstand.  A Promise in Pieces grabbed me from the beginning....I like people and this is a story about some of the best and most loving, kind and loyal people.  It is a story of passion, gratitude and triumph so you know it grabbed me and didn't let go.  When I turned the last page I was very sad....the same sort of sadness I feel when I've put the last stitch in the binding of a quilt.....sad that I'm parting with a friend and I know I'll miss them.

Paying it Forward.....I'm giving this exact copy away....just leave a comment below if you'd like to win the book and I'll let the random number generator do the rest of the work.  I'm willing to pay shipping to all US States....but if you live outside the US and want to pay shipping....you're more than welcome to leave a comment too :)

Who likes a "short story?"  I like all the details....as long as they are not boring....so if any of this bores you....just click on the X in your upper right hand corner :)

 Flamingos on Summer Vacation

World Cup Flamingo Style

A short trip to Maumee Bay State Park last weekend.

Upon returning home from Maumee Bay State Park....I looked up our street to see the Waldo MoBile coming down the street.

I guess you could call it a "Drive By Waldoing"....LOL

New family members direct from Grow A Frog....I'd like to introduce you to Abbott and Costello :)  Abbott for Zach's Christmas and Costello for his birthday.  I want a bumper sticker that reads "Let me tell you about my GrandFrogs."  They were tadpoles when they arrived and now....look how handsome those strapping young hoppers are....I love them.

Mr. McSteamy has a good friend at work who is retiring at the end of the month.  What did he get him as a gift?  Something to do with Golf perhaps?  Woodworking maybe?  Just some good coffee?  Nope!  Not my husband....this is what he bought for his retiring friend:

I laughed so hard when I opened the box. Can you imagine....I just couldn't figure out why there were two pair.  I didn't inquire....I just let it go.  Then a few days later we were out for an evening walk and McSteamy says, "I have to come clean about something."  Imagine my heart rate....it goes up....my mind begins to scan....has anything been strange recently....oh no....what is he going to say....

Then I say...OK...what is it?  This is his reply, "I actually bought the other pair of slippers for you but I was afraid you would not like them."  What a relief....my greatest fear was that he would say something like....I've been wearing your clothes....a pair of Bunny Slippers....I can live with that...ROFL.  Ya can't help buy smile while looking down at your feet with a giant pair of bunny slippers on....its true!

That's all from here....leave a comment if you'd like the opportunity to read, A Promise in Pieces.

Lip Dragging and Smiles,

Kelly

A NEW Tool

Do you ever have a difficult time seeing the contrast in fabrics because you just see color?  A new notions available to quilters allows them to see only gray scale so you can see only contrast.  I like the Sew Red Clip On Glass naturally because I already wear glasses.  The Sew Red Glasses are regular glasses for those who don't wear glasses.

Easy enough to flip them up....aren't I just a vision?  ROFL :)

I've been quite busy since returning from PA.  Hopping around town and the internet I've seen lots of great things and I thought I'd share a few with you.

While hopping on the internet I found a very fun tutorial to make this n the internet I found the neatest Pin Cushion Scissor Fob...naturally the elephant grabbed me and now I've got to make one for myself.

The tutorial was written by Karen at Faeries and Fibers Blog. 

Perhaps elephants are not your thing, no worries, use any fabric you love and you'll have a fun scissor fob or a wonderful gift to share.

Hopping around town took me to the local urgent care with my youngest co-worker.  Those trips are never any fun.

The little man bent down to pick up a "pretty rock" while he was rollerblading and rolled right over his right ring finger.  The skin and nail are damaged but the doc says he'll heal up in no time.  So fortunate :)

Last evening took us next door for a baby shower.  The happy couple are expecting a little girl, Ella May Vickers.  It was a family shower and we all had a great time.

Bryan and Elissa seemed to like the quilt I made for Miss. Ella May.  I found a label that read, "Your First Breath, Took Ours Away."  I just used a fabric marker on the label to give the rest of the details.  It was a super easy pattern as you can see, very nice for a quick gift.

Today is Mr. McSteamy's birthday so I've got to run.  I need to make his favorite cake, Screwball Cake.  I've posted the recipe before...but if you didn't see it by chance...here it is again:

Screwball Cake
3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
Combine the ingredients above and then mix in the following:
2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp vinegar
2/3 cup oil
Once that is all combined, add 2 cups of water and mix well. 
Cook at 350 degrees for 1 hour and you'll have a very yummy cake.

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend and if you are a father or do anything in the way of fathering for anything or anyone...Happiest of Father's Days to you!!!

Smiles,
Kelly

Hoffman Fabric Winners Announced

Congratulations to the winners of the Hoffman Fabric bundles!!!

Thank you to all of you who took the time to stop by and visit and thank you to Hoffman Fabrics for sponsoring this fun giveaway.

I apologize for the delay in announcing the winners.....I was home 2 days and we got back on the road.  Friday was surreal....can you believe my oldest co-worker is finished with elementary school?

They grow up so fast....just yesterday they were 2 and 3.

They were not off that bus more than an hour when we hopped into the van and headed back to PA.   Mr. McSteamy's family is here and I was able to rejoin MJ for a few more days.  She starts her chemo today so please send her all the good energy you can muster if you are so inclined.

Our trip permitted us to be with McSteamy's family and celebrate some birthdays.....and I've been working on some blocks using MJ's machine....

It's coming together....and I've only been able to sew a few minutes at a time.  Just a few minutes here and there can really get the job done apparently.  This pattern works for any fabric and any fabric combinations as long as the center squares are lighter than the other fabrics.

Have an amazing day and take time to smile...at least once today :)

Kelly

Another Beautiful Roadtrip

The scenery on my drive was breath taking....here are some pix :)

Then of course I arrive and the scenery gets even better....LOL :)

My dear friend, Mary Jane, receiving a quilt from our Tuesday sewing group.  She starts chemo therapy on Monday so please keep her in your thoughts and prayers....she will definitely be in mine.

I loved every minute of my visit...even though I could not stay as long as I would liked.  Visiting with my amazing girlfriends from PA always brings joy to my heart.  While in Wellsboro, I stopped in at Needles Quilt Shop and learned they are having a SALE....so if you are in the area, do stop in and get yourself some beautiful fabrics.

Guess who else I got to see?  Someone many of you are familiar with....Susan from Hanging On by Needle and Thread blog.  What a treat that was! If she ever says her sewing room is a mess....don't believe her....it was beautiful :)  My phone was not charged otherwise I'd have taken a photo as proof!

Leaving PA is always the hardest for me....for so many reasons....I love North Central PA and I hope one day we can retire and live there.   As I drove away from MJ's house, I was thinking about her and her husband.....knowing next week starts chemo therapy.  She has the best attitude of anyone I've ever met and I'm so proud to be able to call her my friend.  Looking into the distance...this is what I saw:

In this photo it is faint....there is definitely a rainbow there and it made me smile instead of cry.  What a blessing.

The sunset last evening from I80 heading West.....so many gifts we receive.

If you have not yet entered to win the Hoffman Fabrics, CLICK HERE and enter.

Smiles,

Kelly

Hoffman Fabrics Giveaway

I'll be traveling back to PA today to spend time with my dear friend Mary Jane.  Since I'll be enjoying myself, I thought you may want to enjoy lusting after these beautiful Hoffman Fabrics and enter for your chance to win one of these 3 bundles. 
Oh the Hoffman Challenge Fabrics for 2014 are so beautiful that I'm really having a hard time parting with this bundle....but for you....I will....but just this once :)  giggles

This is the brochure for the challenge and you can read more on the Hoffman Fabric Website.

This is the bundle that I'll be parting with...so vibrant and lush. 

Suzy's Pumpkin Patch by Suzy's Zoo 

 Suzy's Pumpkin Patch Table Runner

Hoffman Fabrics has a link for free quilt patterns on their website and they just so happen to have a way fun table runner made with Suzy's Pumpkin Patch Fabrics.  This pattern would be great for this next bundle as well....

Suzy's Christmas by Hoffman Fabrics

Not only would Suzy's Christmas make a fun table runner, I think it would make a great Christmas quilt for any young child.

How to win?  Check out the Rafflecopter Widget below...I will ask the winners to pay for shipping so if you are not willing to pay for shipping, please do not enter. 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Smiles,
Kelly