Did I Mention.....

A new family member?  It's true....we have another son-in-law as of this past Saturday.

Madeline and Cody were married on a beautiful sunny day and the wedding was everything we had hoped it would be.  May I just say....Catherine and William have nothing on Madeline and Cody!!!  Giggles

Our daughters center to left: Madeline, Megan, Krista....followed by friends.

Bride and Groom with one of three sets of parents.

I was so very grateful to feel well enough to attend the wedding and felt such immense  gratitude to be in the presence of so many family members and friends.

There was only one moment in the day when I thought I just might fall over.  It was time for the toasts and Aaron and Zach were missing.  I looked outside and found them.....they had sweet talked someone out of their phone so as to play a game.  Once interrupted....Aaron jumped up and headed for the door.

 I asked him if he was ready to head in for the toast....his reply...a resounding yes!  I asked if he was sure...he said yes again.  Then I said...."REALLY?"

This is what happens to children who play games on phones!!!  They don't realize they are not properly dressed.  I laughed so hard I almost fell over.  All I can say is at least the girls were fully dressed!

Proud Smiles,

Kelly

So Sorry....

I dropped out of sight.  Contrary to the word  on the streets, I have not entered any witness protection programs!

I could have been found....here and there......

In Ghirandelli Square with my nephew

 

At the California Academy of Sciences perhaps.....

 Or maybe in Monterey, CA with my daughter and son-in-law.......

 

Under a Redwood Tree ????

 

Could have been between a rock and a hard spot in Yosimite National Park?

Or just hanging with my chronies.....

Oh....there is the top of my head....proof of life!  ROFL

Truthfully....I've been both physically and mentally

 .......................................under re-construction!

Alive and well....I promise!  Something about an infection entering one's blood stream makes one very sick and then very tired.... things are looking up now!!!

Smiles,
Kelly

Winner of Point, Click, Quilt by Susan Brubaker Knapp

The winner of Point, Click, Quilt is Linda D.  Congratulations Linda!

Smiles,

Kelly

Classes with Susan Brubaker Knapp

Probably by now y'all think I really didn't go to take classes with Susan....giggles.  The really good stuff is worth waiting for, in my opinion!  I figured most of you were out surfing the Internet for the World Wide Quilting Day stuff over the weekend and too busy to read my post anyway. 

 Susan's classes were held at the Peggy R. McConnell Arts Center of Worthington, OH.  The art center was beautiful and such a lovely place to hold classes. 

The first day we worked on Susan's "Thread Sketching Snowflakes".  (As I am typing this....it is actually snowing outside my kitchen window...I love snow!)

 

Susan's work....not mine.

This is a wall hanging and we started by using either the window or a light box to trace our snowflakes. 

 Rosemary aka Waldo was just humming along on her snowflakes.

This is as far as I got on my snowflakes because I was having trouble with the tension on my machine.  Ever notice your machine runs perfectly at home and then you pay for a workshop....ya arrive and your machine doesn't seem to work as well?  A bit frustrating but overall I really enjoyed myself.

Susan is an excellent teacher.  She provides clear explanations and has such a wonderful way of speaking....my attention never wandered!

The second day we worked on "November Leaves".  Susan taught us about using fabric paint and Tyvek to create these beautiful leaves.

Again, Susan's "November Leaves"....not mine. 

Please keep in mind I pulled this right out of my sewing bag after having it all folded up and didn't take the time to press it.  I finished all the leaves and now I need to do the FMQing to finish it.  I'm feeling quite good about how my leaves came out.  

Below are more of Susan's art quilts that I photographed during our visit.  If you would like to see more of Susan's breath taking quilts, you can visit her Gallery on her website, Blue Moon River.com or just click HERE. 

Nature and bright colors are my thing so it is not so surprising that I love Susan's work.  

 "Gourds" by Susan Brubaker Knapp (it is for sale :)

Here is a close up of "Gourds."  Check out how amazing this quilt is:

Doesn't it look just like a real gourd?  The color is amazing and texture is outstanding.  I sound like a stalker now don't I?  

I've been fortunate enough to be able to purchase a few of her pieces.

 "Vanity" by Susan Brubaker Knapp

You will probably recognize this peacock feather, it was featured on the cover of Quilting Arts Magazine as are several of Susan's other quilts.  I had it framed and it hangs in my bedroom.   

I'll tell you a little story about how I came to purchase Susan's quilts.  One year at quilt market, I was talking with another woman who had several successful quilting books published.  She told me how little money the authors typically earn from their books.  When I learned this I was surprised (ignorant of many things and still am).  Seeing Susan's work lifts my spirits and I wanted to make sure she profited the most from her work....so I started purchasing her quilts.  Mr. McSteamy asked me what I wanted for our anniversary on our 10th wedding anniversary (if my memory serves me correctly....it may not).  He was thinking diamonds and I was thinking Susan Brubaker Knapp wall hanging....so I instead of diamonds I got a piece of her work.  Definitely a huge WIN/WIN!

 

Yes.....I really enjoyed myself and am so glad I was able to go and take some classes with Susan!

GIVEAWAY

Oh, yes.....I'm giving away a copy of Susan's book, Point, Click, Quilt and you can click HERE to enter.  Comments for the giveaway will NOT be counted on this post (although you can certainly leave all the comments you want to here) just on THIS POST HERE.

It stopped snowing....darn!  Oh well....I guess there is always green grass and beautiful blooming flowers ahead.

Smiles,

Kelly

Susan Brubaker Knapp Workshop, I LOVED It!

I realize it has been a week since I attended Susan Brubaker Knapp's workshop, but I've had a kidney infection and today is the first day I have been up to posting anything.  

Rosemary and I loved Susan's workshop and I took lots of pictures to share.  While I get my photos together, I thought I'd announce a giveaway :)  I purchased a  copy of Point, Click, Quilt from Susan to giveaway to one very lucky IHAN blog follower.  The giveaway won't start until tomorrow, 3/21/15 but you'll have a week before the drawing.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you to everyone who sent well wishes recently!

Smiles,
Kelly

Top O' The Day To Ya

I can hardly wait to tell you all about my trip to Columbus to see Susan Brubaker Knapp....but first...I have to get through the worst of this kidney infection.  My back hurt like the dickens while I was in Columbus....it wasn't the chair...apparently it is a roaring kidney infection.  I'll be back soon to tell you all about the great time Waldo and I had.


Green Tinted Smiles,
Kelly

Working on Mary Jane's UFO's

Mary Jane Ehlich

When my dear friend was ill she assigned me the task of clearing out her sewing studio.  Between traveling back and forth and a surgery of my own, I was in PA as often as I possibly could be and doing my "job."  We managed to go through some things and assign them to new owners and the rest was generously stored at another friends home.  When I went back to PA for Mary Jane's funeral I had just a short time to go through the remainder of her things and rack my brain as to what projects I thought I could manage to finish for her and which would be better finished by the rest of her close knit quilting group.

I came across a bag of assembled squares and I thought....AH HAAAA....I can do that!!! LOL

When I opened the bag with the squares I noticed a page with instructions.  It became very clear that this was a group project (making the squares) and they were to be made into a charity quilt.  I assembled the blocks and finished this quilt top and it will be donated in her memory.

Do you think it needs a border?  There is some red fabric left and I was thinking about small dark border and red binding....what do you think?

You may have heard it is warming up here in Ohio.  From mounds of snow to giant puddles everywhere.....I will miss the snow greatly.  While dropping off Aaron this week I drove past a GIANT mountain of snow in a yard and my car came to an immediate stop and out came my cell phone.

 

This mountain of snow is over 7 feet tall and it has been melting....can you imagine?  Who ever piled the snow and then dug the tunnel is a super hero in my book.

This is a view just inside to the right.....an enclosed cave was dug in the side....blows my mind.

The view directly through the tunnel.  Sure makes the assembly of a quilt top look like a walk in the park doesn't it?

Before I go, keep in mind there are a few EXCELLENT Giveaways going on in the blogosphere:

Gene Black, Alabama Quilt Artist's is giving away two PDF copies of his  "Dance of the Japanese Lantern's" quilt pattern. CLICK HERE.

QuiltShopGal has a few giveaways on her informative blog.....she is one of the Quilting Industries Super Heros in my humble opinion.

Jack Dempsey Needle Arts Giveaway is  HERE.
A Modern Twist Giveaway is HERE.
Eco Plus Premium Felt Giveaway is HERE.

Best of luck in the giveaways!

Smiles,
Kelly

Looking forward to Susan Brubaker Knapp Classes

Having something to look forward to can be such a fun focus.  Waldo and I are headed to Columbus, OH to hear Susan Brubaker Knapp speak on Thursday March 12th at the Quintessential Quilters Guild meeting. 

It  has been quite some time since I've visited with Susan and I am sooooo looking forward to re-connecting with her.

Friday March 13th Susan is teaching Thread Sketching Snowflake.

Saturday, March 14th she is teaching "November Leaves".

 

My pieces won't look anything like these.....but you know what?  I'm going to learn and have some fun!

If you are anywhere near Columbus, OH on the 12th of March, I invite you to join us for Susan's lecture.  CLICK HERE for information and location.  I'm not sure if there are spaces left for Susan's classes....but you can e-mail quintessentialquilters @ gmail.com to inquire.

Tickled Smiles,
Kelly

How Do Your Bobbins Roll?

Do you remember this post, "How Do You Store Your Bobbins?"  I wrote it back on May 3, 2012. 
In that post I reviewed Handi-Bobs and Bobbin Mates along with suggesting a few other self made solutions to storing your bobbins.

In that post I demonstrated how you could use a simple pipe cleaner to store your bobbins.  A variety of colors could be used for the different thread weights (color code as you wish).

The pipe cleaners work nicely because the ends can be easily manipulated to accommodate any opening on the top of your thread spool.

 The bobbin rests nicely o top of this spool of thread.

 See how nicely the pipe cleaner holds the bobbin from falling out.

There is a new product on the market (not very easy to get because they have been on back order for months) that work similar to my pipe cleaner idea....they call them "Bobbin Buddies."

They come in 4 colors and the plastic tips fit through the center of the bobbin.

The Bobbin Buddies also fit the tops of a variety of spools of thread.  

Is it a coincidence that the new Bobbin Buddies use my concept?  I don't know.  What I do know is that I have a ton of great ideas for saving money and it is you can spend your money any way you wish..

Bobbin Savers is how I roll....the hold my Bernina 140 and 430 bobbins perfectly.  I inherited my Bernina 820 and along with it Mary Jane's bobbin storage.

She had this foam storage to hold the larger bobbins and I used a Large Bobbin Saver for the overflow.  I still don't know where she got the foam holder....but I still prefer the Bobbin Savers because they hold my bobbins nicely and I can stack them easily in my drawers.

Rolling with the Smiles,
Kelly

All Is Well

I've had several e-mails from people want to be sure my family and I are OK.  For the record, we are all doing well.

My youngest co-worker is no longer a Cub Scout....he is now a Boy Scout!!!!

The Boy Scout strikes a pose....LOL!

I even got inspired and covered the seat of a chair yesterday....

I'll want a coordinating fabric for the back of the chair.

Don't ya'all plan for your futures?  Well, that is exactly what I'm doing.  No one is sick and nothing terrible is happening....just the opposite as a matter of fact.  Mr. McSteamy and I have long been talking about downsizing and moving.  Looking for a buyer for IHAN is just part of that downsizing and simplifying our lives.

I absolutely love IHAN and have been so pleased with the growth this business has had in the past 5 or so years.  I want to pass this blessing along to someone or a group of someones to give their journey new dimension.

IHAN is perfect for someone into quilting/textile arts, a couple, sisters, best friends or a quilt shop that would like to get a worldwide stage with which to further their business.  

You have my word I'm not going anywhere fast and I will continue my journey and passion in a different venue.  Short of death.....I am committed to continuing to grow the friendships I have made and I'm always looking forward to making new friends.

Sincerest Smiles,

Kelly