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

Gift Ideas from IHAN

Believe it or not, I've already been thinking about gifts for the holidays.  I thought I would point out a few things here at IHAN that I think are particularly great gifts to give during the holidays....and anytime really.

I'm a huge fan of handwritten notes.  So, no surprises when the top two things on the list are note cards....but not just any note cards....these are excellent in my humble opinion (and need I say not one has paid me to say a thing...lol)

The first is this The Art of Quilts Postcard Collection - Animals by C &T Publications.  The minute I saw it I had to have it.  There are 30 beautiful Art Quilts featured.  I just took a few pix just to show you a sample but the list of folks featured are: Susan Carlson, Joan Colvin, Dale Fleming, Katie Pasquini Masopust, Ruth B. McDowell, Velda Newman, David Taylor and Ricky Tims.

Cover art- "Sir Francis" by David Taylor

This is the photo the inside cover, "Looks Like It's Going to Be Cold Again Today" by David Taylor.

Old Man Turtle by Katie Pasquini Maspoust

"Madame Blu's Chickens" by Ruth B. McDowell

"Tickled Pink" by Susan Carlson

"SUNblooms" Correspondence Cards by Amy Butler Design is another of my favorites.  I use these all the time and people always comment on how beautiful the cards are.

These are the 4 designs.  Both the card and the envelope are wonderful to the touch.  Very nice quality and a note card I've enjoyed sending.  Great for any occasion too because they are blank.

Who would not enjoy some Best Press?  I wish I could claim the credit for the perfect name for this product....I know I know....you thought it was me....but no....not this time!!!

Best Press Spray Starch Gems 6 2oz Bottles In A Gift Bag

 

Yes, I realize now that I only took a picture of 5 of the bottles...so you'll just have to imagine the sixth bottle :)  These are nice to be given as a set or one to each stitching friend as a little sampler. 

I love fun tote bags and the next two are made from 100% recycled materials!!  The bottoms open up nice and wide so if you want to use them to take shopping you will be able to carry quite a bit in them.  The one above is the Kaleidoscope Tote. 

This one is the Rhapsody Tote Bag.  Both bags are by C & T Publishing and the measure 15-1/2in x 15in x 8in.  Talk about making a statement while out and about....I think these totes are beautiful and fun.

If you have friends or family members who like great notions these are some of my favorite to give as gifts.  The Sewline Fabric Pencil is nice for marking on fabric.  It has an eraser (yes it works:) and the bottom has a nice gripper. 

Alex Anderson's 4 in 1 Tool is another gift idea( Usually 19.99 IHAN price 13.95 while supplies last).  It has a Bernina Seam Ripper, an Awl, a pointed wood endcap for turning bias tubes, stuffing small items (dolls/pincushions etc), and Flat End Presser for finger pressing and folding.  It is great for applique and for paper crafts too.

I know the next item is an expensive gift...BUT....if you don't want the person to ever forget you....or you could just go right ahead and ask for a pair yourself....Dovo Solingen 3 1/2 inch Applique/Embroidery Scissors.  I have yet to show mine to a person that did not want a pair and I'm not kidding.  Look how fine and sharp the tips are.  I was able to cut out the antenna on the dragonflies on my Challenge Quilt.  Teeny tiny little wings and those tiny checks in gingham fabrics....YES....you can actually cut a tiny square without cutting in from the edge.  These are a slice of heaven!  I own 4 pair of Dovo and Brint the Scissorman says he won't stop liking me....he is a modern new age guy I guess!!  LOL 

There is always the GO! Baby Fabric Cutter and Tote that IHAN has on Pre-Order Special.  You get the Tote and Fabric Cutter for 149.00 (a 184.00 value-saving you 35.00)

Those are just a few of the ideas....of course a new sewing room with custom furniture wouldn't be bad either!!! 

Smiles,

Kelly

Exploring Embellishments - Book Review and Giveaway

Can you believe the help I needed was right under my nose?  I just opened the file for Spring Quilt Market and look what I found:

Exploring Embellishments by Rose Hughes

After all that struggle with "flying by the seat of my dragonfly pants" I had a book that could have helped me make that project really jump.  Exploring Embellishments, more artful quilts with fast-piece applique is just the ticket and I spent a few days looking over the book.  Rose autographed the book and gave me some Wool Demo Kits for Beaded Wool Gems to give away here on the IHAN blog.   Why didn't I refer to Rose's book before I started Linda Pooles' Quilt Challenge?  Hindsight....you know....is always 20/20.  Darn it anyhow!!

This is Rose at Spring Quilt Market in Minneapolis.  She demonstrated how to make Beaded Wool Gems. 

She also had this Bobbin Saver filled Superior Threads Masterpiece Collection.  Rose was telling me she likes to keep this with her when she stitches so she has all the colors she will need.  Now how handy is that?  Perfect for carrying in a project bag or going on a retreat.  No need to pack all those spools of thread.  I love this for doing hand applique in the car-while Mr. McSteamy is driving, not me silly!! :)

Here is a close up of the pretty Beaded Wool Gems Rose was showing us how to make.  They are beautiful as pins and/or embellishments for art quilts.

So if you are like me and need some excellent directions for adding some pizazz to your textile wall hangings, clothing and/or quilts....you will love Exploring Embellishments!!  Rose clearly put her heart into this book because it covers so many wonderful topics.  Not only are there 6 projects with excellent directions, Rose also covers tools, exploring backgrounds, the basics of applique backgrounds. 

Typically I just ask folks to leave a comment, but this time I'm going to ask you to go one step further.  In order to be entered into this giveaway you must go over and vote on Linda Poole's Blog for the Quilt and Fabric Object that you like the best.  The Iridescence Collection is Linda's first fabric line.  I agreed to do a Quilt Challenge and I made the piece below for the Challenge. 

I've gotten many e-mails asking me where I bought the fabric.  You can, click here, and be taken to Linda's website.  She sells the fabric as do many other fabric stores.  If you order it from her, you can request her to autograph the salvage. 

Now, you don't have to vote for my quilt, but you can if you like.  But you do have to go over and vote and then come back and leave a comment saying you voted.  If you have voted prior to this blog post, please encourage your friends and family members to go over and vote.  Then come back and let me know you encouraged others to go and vote.

Click here to Vote

On October 15th I will randomly draw one name to win Exploring Embellishments and three more names to win Beaded Wool Gems Demo Kits.  The kits include Wool Roving, a Superior Thread fully filled Bobbin, Gutermann Beads and a John James Needle.  Everything you need to make a beautiful Beaded Wool Gem!!  Thank you Rose for the lovely Kits and for the incredible book. 

Smiles,

Kelly

Linda Pooles' Iridescence Small Quilt Contest-Please Vote

Linda Poole announced her Small Quilt Contest for her first line of fabric, Iridescence,  little over a month ago.  I really like Linda and loved the class I took with her earlier in the year.  So when I saw the contest I thought about entering.  I've never, ever, ever, ever done a challenge and this was my first.  I had noooooo idea what I had gotten myself into.....and I'm glad I did not know in advance because you know how hindsight can be....LOL.

 

The challenge required that the panel or strip (any part/piece) and three coordinating fabrics in the Iridescence line and three fabrics of my own choosing.

This is what I started with:

 

 

I had absolutely no idea where to go with this fabric.  It seemed to lend itself to squares and triangles because of the panel.  Keep in mind I've never done anything like this before.  I have always had a pattern to start with.  I scanned all my fabrics into my EQ7 software and began designing a quilt.  I was very proud of myself and I thought I had come up with something that looked pretty good.  Until.....one morning I woke up and decided to try some techniques that I've never done before.  I've seen some quilts where there were varying size blocks....so I just decided to start making things and see what would happen.

This is a block I made....and I really like it too.

Here is another block

And another

And yet another.....

 

Then a mishap......honestly I don't even know if I can call it a quilt block....it turned out more like a size B bra cup (turn it on it's side and yep....that is exactly what it looked like, without straps).

Ok, I liked these....but I could not find a direction to take them into.  Nothing was coming together for me.  I let everything sit for over a week....and still nothing.  Then I had what I thought was a great idea.  I have lots of books and so many techniques that I want to try.....so I grabbed a book in the stack and decided to just give it a whirl....what did I have to loose right?  It happened to be Ricky Tims' Convergence Quilt.

(a photo of the book)

Well....ok then....I guess I'll slice and dice this fabric up and see where it goes.  The first Convergence I tried did not converge at all.....and I was lost.  My girlfriend Rosemary came to the rescue and helped me create the actual convergence.  Then I added a border.....got it all on....nope...didn't like it at all.

Then of course there were a long series of self made dragonflies....several and lots of print and fuse going on...so many sheets used and wasted it is a crime.

NOPE!  A few more days pass and I decide all the vertical and horizontal lines are just too stark.  This piece needs some movement.  But what?  I Googled "Dragonfly" and every photo had dragonflies on or near green leaves....so green leaves it is!!!

But which green?  This went on and on and on....for days.  It was 11:50 PM on the 4th of October (the deadline for the challenge) when I finally sent Linda the photo below.  I decided this was going to be finished and I was done.  I felt like I had given birth again. 

 

 

I think an appropriate title for this piece is "flying by the seat of my dragonfly pants" don't you? 

Linda has posted all the entries on her blog.  Who wins?  The person with the most votes of course.  Now....I do want everyone who reads the IHAN blog to go over and vote.  However....I only want you to vote for the one you like the best.....be honest!!!  If it is another one you like the best....by all means vote for them. 

PLEASE CLICK HERE AND VOTE!!!

Smiles,

Kelly