Kelly Ann's Quilting

Friday the 13th

2012-01-13T11:59:00.000-05:00

It's Friday the 13th...do you know what that means???

Don't walk under one of these..

cross paths with one of these...

step on one of these...

you'll need to do this...

Until Next Time

Be Creative

Kelly Ann

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

2012-01-13T07:37:00.001-05:00

I love that little saying...Winner Winner Chicken Dinner...so while I'm not giving away a chicken dinner we do have another winner to announce from our Pat Sloan & Bigfork Bay giveaway. The winner of Nicole's Autumn Pumpkin Patch is...

D. Mellott...Lovingthe give a ways! So kind, plus a great way to see the new patterns that areavailable! Loving it!

and to recap the rest of our winners....

kath in ohio said...

I love give aways andI love Pat! I have never made any of her designs, but am totally addicted toher blog & FB! CROSSING MY QUILTING FINGERS!

Myra said:

I agree! Come on Spring! I am tired of coats and hats andgloves and scarves. I have loved Pat's designs for many years, and Amelia'sSpring Delight is just the design to bring some Spring into my kitchen.

Mrs. DillyDally

Summerfeels like it is years away in my remote corner of the planet ... so yourpictures today were inspiring. Pat Sloan's pattern, like her, is also inspiring!Have a dillydally day!

If you've not sent me your mailing address please do so at kelly@kellyannsquilting.com...I know you are super excited to get working on these great patterns...and if you didn't win and still want to make one of a Pat's new patterns we do have them available on our website.

Thank you for all the wonderful comments and if you are new to my blog thank you for stopping by and I hope to see you often...

Until Next Time

Be Creative

Kelly Ann

Falling Leaves

2012-01-12T07:22:00.001-05:00

It seems like every winter the one season that I wish lasted just a bit longer was fall. I love the colors of fall, the range of golds, yellows, reds and oranges really do put a smile on my face, to stand outside as the leaves are falling and seeing this...

throw in a pumpkin or two and you have ....

Nicole's Autumn Pumpkin Patch

Pat really captured fall in this fourth pattern in her series from Bigfork Bay Cotton Company. And...yes this pattern is also signed by Pat. So if you've not win in the last three days remember to leave me a comment..today could be your lucky day...

and speaking of lucky..yesterdays winner is...

Mrs. DillyDally

Summerfeels like it is years away in my remote corner of the planet ... so yourpictures today were inspiring. Pat Sloan's pattern, like her, is alsoinspiring! Have a dillydally day!

Please email me your address and I'll get your pattern in the mail...

Until Next Time

Be Creative

Kelly Ann

Could use a touch of summer...

2012-01-11T07:24:00.000-05:00

Who couldn't use a touch of summer???

Cone flowers have to be one of my favorite summer flowers. The way they grow up towards the sun and let their petals mop down to give full sun to their beautiful hearts. Pat has really captured the cone flowers charm with her Chelsea's Summer Garden...

who wouldn't want to hanging in their home all season long to keep summer ever in our mind?

If you've not used one of Bigfork Bay Cotton Company's their instructions really rock, instead of telling you that you need an assortment of colors they tell you exactly how big a piece of what color number you need and great big applique patterns to trace.

Today is day three of the giveaway and just like the two previous patterns from Pat, this pattern is also signed by Pat, so you know the routine by now, leave me a comment to enter to win....

and now for yesterday's winner...

Myra said:

Iagree! Come on Spring! I am tired of coats and hats and gloves and scarves. Ihave loved Pat's designs for many years, and Amelia's Spring Delight is justthe design to bring some Spring into my kitchen.

Congratulations Myra, please email me your address so that you can get this touch of spring in your home...

Until next time
Be Creative
Kelly Ann

Wild Weather

2012-01-10T07:56:00.001-05:00

After posting yesterday's blogpost about Ava's Winter Flurries this is what happened in my little corner of Virginia...

So I'm gonna hurry and post todays GIVEAWAY in hops that it helps turn the weather around..

Amelia's Spring Delight

I just have a few words....COME ON SPRING!!!!!

And now the announcement you've all been waiting for...the winner of yesterday's pattern...

kath kath in ohio said...

I love give aways and I love Pat! I have never made any of herdesigns, but am totally addicted to her blog & FB! CROSSING MY QUILTINGFINGERS!

Kath if you will send me your mailing address I'll get your pattern in the mail.

See how easy it is to win...so again, just leave me a comment on today's post to be entered to win Amelia's Spring Delight and yes this one is also signed by Pat...

Until Next Time

Be Creative

Kelly Ann

Winter Flurries

2012-01-09T08:29:00.001-05:00

I'm thinking you thought I was talking about the weather with that blog title, didn't ya? Nope, today is the first day of my four day giveaway. For the next four days I'll be introducing one of four new patterns that Pat Sloan designed and that were published by Big Fork Bay Cotton Company. We will be carrying all four of the patterns in our online store once the giveaway is over, just in case you don't win and just have to have a copy of this pattern. So...let me introduce to you....

Ava's Winter Flurries

To enter to win this pattern is very easy...just leave me a message and you're entered...see easy! One more thing...all four of the patterns in the giveaway were signed by Pat...so your copy will be an autographed copy....yippee...

until next time

be creative

Kelly Ann

Giveaway

2012-01-08T11:02:00.001-05:00

Is it a "give-a-way" or a "giveaway" or a "give a way"???? Well..whatever it is I'm having one starting tomorrow....and I'm super excited...the rules are easy, read daily, post a comment and watch for your name to be announced...

until tomorrow...
be creative...
Kelly Ann

Yes...Another Challenge

2012-01-06T07:59:00.000-05:00

Yes...I know we're still doing the 2 color quilt challenge but this is one that last 12 months and it's a hand embroidery project and you can never have enough hand embroidery projects going...can you?

Starting this month Aurifil thread is hosting a Designer of the Month project, using their 12wt embroidery thread. Each month there will be a different embroidery block from a different designer and a bonus, they are including a setting for the blocks. There are a multiple of places to get the info, starting with Aurifil's blog and even the first months designer's blog, Roseann Kermes. So instead of me running down all the details hop over there, take a look and come back and let me know...

ARE YOU UP FOR A CHALLENGE??

until next time

Be Creative

Kelly Ann

Inside or Outside

2012-01-02T23:59:00.000-05:00

Do you pin ...

to the outside??

to the inside???

I'm interested to hear how you pin, I pin to the outside cause that's how I was taught but I've seen others pin to the inside ... just wondering ... which way do you pin???

until next time

be creative

Kelly Ann

Walking ...

2012-01-01T19:42:00.002-05:00

I took some pictures during our walk on New Years Eve ...

didn't take pictures for the New Years Day walk cause it was on the treadmill ... looks like winter is finally heading out way ... yiyiyi ... still looking for SPRING!

until next time
be creative
Kelly Ann

Happy 2012

2011-12-31T19:36:00.001-05:00

My wish for everyone is that your 2012 be full of creative endeavors....

Happy New Year...

until next time

Be Creative

Kelly Ann

Reprieve

2011-12-30T12:14:00.003-05:00

After receiving a number of emails on the two color quilt challenge it appears that several of people didn't know about it and a few, maybe just a few, might not be done, so here is your official notice. You have until February 29, 2012 to finish your quilt and because of the extension I've jacked up the requirement, the quilt must be completed with binding done. In case you didn't know about the challenge and still want to get in on the fun here are the details...

2 colors and 2 colors only. It can be any 2 colors but only 2 colors.
any size, shape, pattern, design
quilt must be complete, quilted and binding done
you must have fun

I had originally said I wouldn't disclose my two colors till the end and the end was suppose to be tomorrow so to be fair I'm gonna let y'all have a peek into my colors...but not my design...

Until next time...
Be Creative...
Kelly Ann

Is it...

2011-12-29T07:59:00.000-05:00

SPRING YET?????

until next time

stay warm

Kelly Ann

Winter Sky

2011-12-28T16:49:00.002-05:00

Winter sky in the hood....

until next time
be kind
Kelly Ann

Sailors take warning...

2011-12-28T07:55:00.001-05:00

Gotta love a painted sky....

until next time
be kind
Kelly Ann

They Are Everywhere....

2011-12-27T20:00:00.000-05:00

Am I the only one that has noticed that Owls are everywhere? Just wondering....

Owl Be Watching You
Until Next Time
Be Kind
Kelly Ann

2 Color Challenge

2011-12-27T07:42:00.002-05:00

Did you take the challenge? How's it coming along?? Did you know that you have 5 days left???

Just checkin'...

Kelly Ann

Afternoon walk...

2011-12-26T23:59:00.000-05:00

We've had some very mild weather this December and I've been taking advance of it by walking outside. During the week I walk around town but on the weekends I get to walk around my hood...today's walk included a walking partner...

I'm not really sure who's walking who but she led me down the road...and this is what we saw...

thanks for coming with me...

until next time
be kind
Kelly Ann

Christmas is still here...

2011-12-26T14:56:00.003-05:00

Bucket List..

2011-12-26T09:27:00.003-05:00

Do you have a bucket list?? Now is the time most people start reflecting on what they want to change or do different in the new year, I'm not one to make new years resolutions but I think I'll start a bucket list... so tell me...is there anything I should put on my bucket list, a must do????

Until next time
Be Kind
Kelly Ann

Christmas Sunset

2011-12-25T17:25:00.000-05:00

Christmas night in Jeffersonton Virginia....
Kelly Ann

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T23:59:00.000-05:00

From my family to yours

Merry Christmas

Kelly Ann, Andrew, Zele & Stella

Almost there...

2011-12-22T07:37:00.000-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-12-14T06:07:00.000-05:00

Canvas Boards

2011-12-13T08:26:00.000-05:00

While I was at Quilt Market in October I came across these Canvas Boards...

They had several different sizes in their booth and I feel in love with the possibilites of what a creative crafter could do with them. You could add fabric and turn the little squares into attic window blocks, show off your button collection, or display your collection of pins that you pick up in your quilt shop travels.
At Kelly Ann's Quilting we used them to display our collection of Needle Nannies & Scissor Keeps from Puffin & Co...

what would you do with a Canvas Board? Do you have a collection of buttons, pins, or whatnots to show off...so tell me what would you display?

Until next time
Be Kind
Kelly Ann

Two Color Quilt...Update...

2011-12-12T08:29:00.000-05:00

Did you sign up for the two-color quilt challenge? how's it going?? did you know you have 20 days till I reveal mine??? did you ever think you'd read a blogpost that was all questions????

Until next time...

Be Kind...
Kelly Ann

Christmas Movies/Shows

2011-11-28T20:30:00.000-05:00

Do you have a favorite Christmas movie or show? I don't know that I have just one favorite...I love White Christmas with Bing Crosby...

and then there's...
It's A Wonderful Life...

I bet I've seen this movie close to 30 times and to this day will say...Every time a bell ring an angel gets it's wings...

Then there are the cartoon or animated classics...the one I'm watching while writing this blog post is...The Grinch that Stole Christmas, only the original one allowed here...

who doesn't love to hear Boris Karloff's voice at Christmas time?

But my all time favorite animated show...EVER...is Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer...

Burl Ives rocks...and Hermey...the dude only wants to be a dentist....and Bumble, what a lovable guy. I found the coolest web sight that list all the characters...ya gotta go visit if your a fan.

So...do you have a favorite Christmas movie or show??

Until next time...
Be Kind...
Kelly Ann

Small Business Saturday

2011-11-26T07:54:00.000-05:00

Will you...Shop Small Saturday??

if you do I have two words...

THANK YOU...

Kelly Ann

Pantie Raid

2011-11-24T17:35:00.000-05:00

It's Pantie Raid time again at Kelly Ann's Quilting. We started collecting panties on Wednesday and will keep it up until next Wednesday the 30th...want to make sure we give everyone a chance to drop some off a package or two and enter to win a $25.00 gift certificate. Remember, new packages of ladies or children's panties in various sizes are welcome.

and...

We're also having a pillow case sew-in Friday & Saturday starting at 10:00am each day, we'll have a few machines set up and the ironing boards ready to go. I have the perfect pattern to use, so grab your stash and lets get sewing. If you only have a few minutes to spare we'll find a job just for you. All the pillowcases and panties will be going to the Safe Shelter in Culpeper that is a safe haven for battered and abused women and their children.

Last year y'all did me proud by donating all the panties and I know you can do it again...

until next time
Be Kind...
Kelly Ann

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T06:07:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all...and remember...

EAT MORE PIE...

Kelly Ann

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-23T06:07:00.001-05:00

Madison Georgia

2011-11-21T06:07:00.000-05:00

This past September we took a trip to Georgia, during one of our day trips we landed in Madison. The people were fun and friendly and they had some great antique shops...
hope you enjoy my camera shopping trip...

hope you enjoy this trip down south...
until next time...
Be Kind...
Kelly Ann

Springs Texas

2011-11-19T07:43:00.000-05:00

Instead of writing a story about my day trip to Springs Texas with some friends I thought I would share it through the lens of my camera

Until next time...
Be Kind...
Kelly Ann

Wordless Wednesday

2011-10-26T06:46:00.000-04:00

24/7

2011-10-23T17:41:00.000-04:00

This....

place is always open when you have a key... Was cutting out a stinkin' cute kit today when I miscut the main fabric, a quick run into town and back and now I'm ready to try it again...

wish me luck...

until next time...

Be Kind...

Kelly Ann

Time flies...

2011-10-19T20:08:00.000-04:00

I wonder how many blogpost I start off with...man does time fly...a gazillion maybe? I've been knee deep in planning, planning for our Tour de Quilt, planning for Quilt Market, and planning for Quilters' Quest.

Tour de Quilt was amazing, got to meet lots of new and fun people with lots of laughing and long days on my feet. Was lucky that I got to spend the day with one of my fun peeps, Susan, and then have dinner with her and our husbands, and yes lots and lots of laughing was going on.

Quilt Market is coming up, as a matter of fact I leave next Thursday for a action packed five days, I will do my best to blog while there, hopefully snap some pictures.

Quilters' Quest starts 9 days after returning from Quilt Market so once my feet hit the ground back in Virginia from Texas they won't stop for several weeks.

To keep up to date on my day to day going ons make sure and check out the Kelly Ann's Quilting Facebook page.

I promise not to be gone so long the next time...
but until then...
Be Kind...
Kelly Ann

Wordless Wednesday

2011-10-05T06:08:00.000-04:00

Road Trip to Georgia...

2011-10-04T07:42:00.000-04:00

We recently took a road trip to Georgia and stopped in to visit my friend Melisa at Sweet Home Quilt Co in Conyers Ga. Because our car wasn't big enough to take y'all with us I thought I'd share some of the pictures from her stinkin' cute quilt shop...

Wanna go for a ride???

Cute displays through out the store...

Pay no attention to the man behind the counter...that's Mike...everyone say hey to Mike!

Don't you just want to take a nap under that quilt?

Love her bathroom...look closely at those little "cups" hanging on the wall...

They are not really cups but little potties...Potties for the Potty....

Now after seeing this pictures don't you want to hop in the car and drive to Conyers Georgia and pay a visit??? if you do tell Melisa & Mike I said hi....
until next time
Be Kind...
Kelly Ann

Antiquing....do you?

2011-09-27T07:57:00.000-04:00

Are you an antiquer? NO I didn't ask if you were an antique, just wondering if you like to shop in antique stores, browse, stalk....I'm part shopper, part stalker, part browser.

Not sure how old this little sewing basket is but I thought it was so cute with it's little pin cushion sitting in the middle just waiting for someone to load it up with pins and needles.

A trunk of quilts...most of the quilts you find are not the best quality but these seemed to be in pretty good condition...and nope none them made it home with me.

HA...bet you wondering what this is...it's an Ironrite Iron and it was in surprisingly good shape.

This was one of those shopping trips where I shopped with my camera so I left the treasures for others to discovery...so I ask you...how do you antique?
Until Next Time
Be Kind
Kelly Ann

Emotions in Quilting

2011-09-26T07:15:00.000-04:00

We feel all kinds of emotions while quilting...

the thrill of selecting the fabric and pattern
the urge to get the fabric cut
the giddiness of sewing those first seams
the wonderment of it all coming together
the happiness of finishing

and then there's this one...

Sadness and Happiness all rolled into one big emotion...I was so happy to see that I had another spool of this lovely Aurifil thread waiting in the wings to help me finish up my latest project.

Now here's a question for you, do you save your empty spools? and if you do how do you display them?

Until Next Time...
Be Kind...
Kelly Ann

Wordless Wednesday

2011-09-21T06:00:00.000-04:00

What was I thinking...

2011-09-20T06:00:00.002-04:00

I slid my camera card into the side of my computer and was surprised when I came across these pictures.

With this picture I know that I love these old canister sets and always snap a picture when I see them.

This was a no brainer, a Mini-Singer, who wouldn't love to have this but at $120 I thought I would pass. The wheel did turn and the needle went up and down but I'm pretty sure it wouldn't sew a stitch today.

and then we have these two pictures...what was I thinking? I remember seeing the red boots and thinking how cool they were but the shiny short boots...not a clue.

Do you ever take pictures and not remember why? please tell me I'm not alone with this...
until next time...
Be Kind...
Kelly Ann

Morning Drive...

2011-09-19T06:00:00.002-04:00

Does your morning drive look like this???

or like this???

isn't it beautiful??

Until Next Time...
Be Kind...
Kelly Ann

Happy Anniversary

2011-09-16T06:00:00.001-04:00

Boy...

meets girl..

and become this...

Happy 16th Anniversary....love ya more...rr

First Friday in Old Town Warrenton

2011-09-15T06:00:00.000-04:00

Through out the summer the first Friday of each month Old Town Warrenton, for the month of September First Friday was sponsored by the Fauquier SPCA, I decided that if you couldn't come to Warrenton, Warrenton could come to you...

I took a lot more pictures but for some reason they turned out blurry...could have been the tales wagging or me chasing the puppy dogs down...hopefully you enjoy the stroll down Main Street...thanks for visiting...
Until Next Time...
Be Kind...
Kelly Ann

Wordless Wednesday

2011-09-14T06:00:00.002-04:00

Did ya Miss Me?

2011-09-13T08:23:00.000-04:00

I know I've been absent from blogging for way too long, my intentions are good and it's not like I don't have a computer in front of me 26 hours a day but I've been super crazy busy working on, not one, but two shop hop quilts. I'm lucky in that I didn't have to work on them by myself but with so few sewing hours for me during the day it was lots of late nights at the store. The good news, one quilt top is done and now the other is almost there so you should be seeing more of me here in blogland.

Let's recap on some past post...
2 Color Quilt Challenge...The good news for me, I have my two colors, decided on the block and have started cutting it out. Where are you in this challenge?

Food Adventures with KA ... Ya think it's been a long time since I posted here it's been longer over on my food blog...so I'm gonna fix that this week, keep an eye out for my spaghetti & meatball dinner..yes homemade sauce.

Zele & Stella... They both had birthdays since my last post, Zele turned 8 and Stella 6..and yes they are both still rotten.

Okay...so that's what has been happening with me...now what about you...what have you been up to?
Until Next Time...
Be Kind...
Kelly Ann

Sharing...

2011-08-28T20:50:00.000-04:00

Just a quick post...my friend Janet over at The Empty Nest is having a giveaway...might be worth it to check it out..

until next time...
Be Kind...

Wordless Wednesday...Sort of...

2011-08-24T07:07:00.000-04:00

Shaken not Stirred

Pat Sloan came to Visit

2011-08-23T08:13:00.000-04:00

Thought I'd share some snapshots from the Pat Sloan book signing the store held a couple of weeks ago. We lined the classroom with Pat's quilts and Pat did what she does best, a quick show and tell then spent the next several hours visiting and signing books, I'm thinking sooner or later she's gonna need to get a rubber stamp for her signature cause her hand is gonna just wear out.

Lots of fun was had by all...but don't fret if you missed on this round of fun with Pat she'll be back..
Until Next Time
Be Kind
Kelly Ann

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-10T06:43:00.002-04:00

Old Towns...

2011-08-09T08:33:00.000-04:00

Do you live in or by an "Old Town"? You know what I mean, it's the historic part of a small town that use to be the center of commerce, there's normally a court house, a few church steeples and hopefully a street lined with thriving independent business'.

I'm lucky in that Kelly Ann's Quilting is located in such a town, Old Town Warrenton. I've recently had the opportunity to visit the Old Town section of Charlottesville Virginia that has a thriving section that is closed to vehicle traffic and loaded, and I mean loaded with shops and restaurants and people..tons and tons of people. Just yesterday I was in Old Town Fredericksburg Virginia, and while it was lined with lots of retail shops and some interesting places to eat I was totally surprised to see so many places closed on Mondays.

Having a business in an "old town" I'm always looking for ways to enhance someones visit to "my town" by seeing what others have to offer or how they might go about attracting crowds of people. Both Old Town Warrenton and Old Town Fredericksburg have on street parking that is some cases is limited to 1 hour and Charlottesville has a closed to traffic downtown area. I know that Warrenton will never close off Main Street to traffic but while shopping yesterday in Fredericksburg I overhead a merchant complaining about the 2 hour parking they have on the street going so far as to saying "they might as well post a sign that says "don't shop here or we'll give you a ticket". This really got me thinking, are the merchants in my "old town" bitter about the parking? and ya know what, NO, they are not bitter but we know we have issues but I've never heard a merchant in my town talk like this. We have one hour parking on Main Street but right behind those buildings are two hour and all day lots and we're happy to direct people to them.

The other thing, I noticed yesterday was the number of retail and restaurants closed on Monday, I scanned my memory and ya know what, all of the business' in Warrenton are open and so are the restaurants. Is my old town perfect, no, but I will say we are a welcoming town and happy to see people walking down Main Street and all of the side streets, greeting people with a smile and a warm hello.

I still would love to have the busyness of Charlottesville, the outdoor cafes, the unique shops but then that comes with being a college town so I'll continue to travel to other old towns and see what's going on and then travel back to my old town with a smile knowing that it really is the greatest old town around. So...tell me, do you have an "old town" that you love?

Until Next Time
Be Kind
Kelly Ann

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-03T07:21:00.000-04:00

Doorways...

2011-08-02T07:19:00.000-04:00

I have a thing for doors and gates and grates and windows...lining our front hallway we have some great doorway and gate photos from our trip to New Mexico. Thought I'd share some pictures that I found in my camera...and surprise...doors...

so many doorways to explore...can't wait to grab my camera and start ~~stalking~~ ~~spying~~ snapping some great shots...
until next time
Be Kind
Kelly Ann

August...Again

2011-08-01T08:40:00.000-04:00

I was gonna put out a missing month notice vs a missing persons notice but then I'm pretty sure that I'm not the only one out there that misplaced July. Ya know how at the first of the year you make promises or resolutions to change something, to sew more, to be nicer to the person that pulls out in front of you while your driving 55mph...so anyway at the beginning of July I made list and while it was a mental list it was still a list, any guess on how many of the things on my list got done???

Okay, enough about me, now lets check in with everyone that's doing the two color quilt challenge...so has anyone started it? finished? I can't wait to hear how everyone is doing...and remember you have until December 31st...and it's not to late to jump on board with all the fun.
Until Next Time
Be Kind
Kelly Ann

Wordless Wednesday

2011-07-27T08:13:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-07-20T08:16:00.000-04:00

Shopping...

2011-07-19T07:53:00.000-04:00

I use to enjoy the hunt, prowling through the aisles, looking for my prey then bouncing when the perfect one was found but then it lost it's appeal, no longer fun it appeared that my shopping days were behind me. But recently I started shopping with my camera instead of my credit card (don't worry, I still buy) and I gotta say I see more now then I ever did before or maybe I see things differently...let me take you along on my latest shopping "trip"... off to Luckett's Store in Luckett's VA...

I did manage to come home with a little something and Andrew managed to come home with a new car but that's for another post....
Until next time...
Be Kind...
Kelly Ann

Silent Sunday

2011-07-17T09:54:00.000-04:00

LOL...was gonna do a picture but then y'all know me well enough that the whole Silent Sunday thing would never work...I can get by with Wordless Wednesday but Silent Sunday...yep not gonna happen...

Instead I'll leave you with this...It's a beautiful day

until next time...
Be Kind...
Kelly Ann

Wordless Wednesday Las Vegas Style

2011-07-13T19:17:00.000-04:00

I'm back....

2011-07-12T07:59:00.000-04:00

Wow...I just looked and the last time I blogged was July 1st...hmmmm...I bet you're thinking I didn't have anything to say...okay, I'm betting y'all that know me were not thinking that. Nope, I was busying getting ready to go on vacation, then we headed out, came back and voila...here we are 11 days later.

I bet you're wondering what we did on vacation and would love to see all the pictures and hear the exciting times...well...I do have a few pictures but as far as exciting times we did some chillaxin by the pool at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. I start off by saying this, Las Vegas in July is hot and we knew this but what we didn't know was that it was also crowded with kids..OMG..I'm talking lots and lots of kids. After spending our mornings hangin' at the pool complex we'd take some nice cool showers, cool as in the temperature not as in hip. Off to lunch and some serious people watching...now that's when I needed my camera ready...wowser there was some "interesting" dressed people in Vegas. The 5 days came to a close and we were back on the plane headed home with some major discussion on where we'll go next year on vacation...we're thinking lakeside with the girls.

I'm still working on the pictures...I'll start posting those tomorrow...
so until then...
Be Kind...
Kelly Ann

Two Color Quilt

2011-07-01T06:00:00.002-04:00

All the chatter earlier this year about the Red & White Quilt Show in New York City (why do I always want to say New York City twice in a row?), okay back to the quilt show, you might remember reading about it on Pat Sloan's Blog, or over on the LizzieBCreative Girls blog or here on Roseann's blog. I've been thinking about this and I've always loved two color quilts so I've decided to start one and why wait till I retire, which is my favorite thing to say "when I retire I'm gonna make all the quilts in my head"...well I'm not waiting.

The reason for not starting it earlier was because I couldn't decide if I wanted to do a red & white, blue & white, brown & green...o'my the color combination can go on and on.
So...are ya wondering what I decided to do? When I sat down to write this blog I was gonna disclose my color choice but decided that it would be more fun to keep y'all on pins & needles and will disclose it when I unveil the quilt no later then December 31st, 2011...yep, I'm giving myself 6 months.

Now here's another questions...anyone want to join me in the journey? If you're up to it let me know and I'll keep you posted with little secret emails on how I'm doing and maybe even some sneak peaks on how my quilt is coming along...but the only way to get on the inside track of info is to commit to playing along....

until next time..
Be Kind..
Kelly Ann

Bridges

2011-06-30T08:13:00.000-04:00

I was reading the news headlines this morning and came across this one...

Marathon span: World's longest sea bridge opens

I click over to read the article and find that this bridge spans 26.4 across the Jiaozhou Bay in China..man am I glad I won't be driving in China. Heck I have a hard time driving across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and it's only 20 miles across the lower Chesapeake Bay and while I've only done it a handful of times.

This kind of bridge is more my speed...

we lived about a mile from this bridge in Merrimack New Hampshire and I still have fond memories of taking our golden retriever Maggie down to Babossic Brook....and ya know that is one of the things I miss about living up North..the beauty...So you choose, which bridge would you rather go over, a 26.4 mile span full of concrete or this beautiful covered bridge painted red that spans a little brook?

until next time...

Be Kind..

Kelly Ann

Wordless Wednesday

2011-06-29T08:15:00.000-04:00

Celebrating the love of Independents

2011-06-28T13:00:00.000-04:00

As an independent business owner I get all excited when I hear of movements that recognize the importance of supporting independent business so I was super excited when I was chatting with my friend, Hilary Frye, on Facebook yesterday and she came up with the brilliant idea of starting a "Celebrate Independents Day". And Hilary having a way with words posted about it on her blog this morning, so instead of me repeating it all go take a look at what she's cooked up...

All of this goes hand in hand with the 3/50 Project that I am behind 100% ...

The 3/50 Project supports independent, locally owned businesses by inspiring consumer loyalty to the storefronts that directly fund their communities.

Think of three businesses you'd miss if they went away. Stop in. Say hello. Pick up a little something that makes you smile. That's what keeps them around, after all.

Pick 3. Spend 50. Save your local economy.

It's difficult not to run to a big box store for your gift items or cards but look around in your town, if your town doesn't have small gift type stores, or is made up entirely of chains, remember there's a booming business on Etsy full of handmade items, and yes all of these people are independents. So walk across the street and grab a cup of coffee from your local coffee dude, like Pablo, then pop in and see Lee at Latitudes take a quick trip to see me at Kelly Ann's Quilting ... we will all be very thankful for your business..

And the next gift occasion that rolls around if you're not inclined to make something please be inclined to shop local..

and as always..
Thank you for your support
and...
Be Kind...
Kelly Ann

Foto Friday

2011-06-24T08:05:00.002-04:00

One Day...Two Presents...

2011-06-19T06:49:00.000-04:00

Today is Father's Dad and my Father's Birthday so in our family that means two presents...and man'o'man does my dad like his presents...So here's to you dad...

Happy Birthday and Happy Fathers Day...
Love...your favorite child...

Kelly Ann

Foto Friday

2011-06-17T08:29:00.000-04:00

Still unloading my camera from Salt Lake City and Spring Quilt, I came across a bunch of pictures from the market floor...so for your viewing pleasure....

Until next time...
Be Kind...
Kelly Ann

Wordless Wednesday

2011-06-15T06:00:00.001-04:00

Blog about Blogs

2011-06-14T06:00:00.000-04:00

I blog and I read blogs, I read alot of blogs and while chatting with a Facebook friend, Hilary Frye of FryeStyle (y'all can go over and "like" her page if ya want). So the discussion was about how many unread blog post we had, I use Google Reader so I can see how many "unread" post I have.. today 272. But this also got me to thinking, what kind of blogs do people read...do quilters only read quilting blogs? do dog friendly people only read dog blogs? So this got me looking at the type of blogs I read...so here goes..

Quilting this includes embroidery
Gardening
Pet/Dog/Vet
Decorating
DYI
Cooking
Nutritionist
Fiber**lots and lots of Fiber**
Farming
News
Sports, Nascar/Football/Baseball
Knitting
Retail information
and a few that don't really have a catagory

So tell me...what type of blogs do you read? do you stick with your hobby? or are you as crazy as me and have blogs all over the board...

until next time
Be Kind...
Kelly Ann

Road Trip in Salt Lake City...continued 2...

2011-06-13T07:20:00.000-04:00

Here is the final installment of my road trip while in Salt Lake last month, Pine Needles located in cute Gardner Village was the perfect way to end the day. Loaded with cute little displays, bright color paint on the wall...there was eye candy all around and I couldn't decide what to take a picture of so I just kept snapping away. I hope you enjoy just a few of the pictures, if I had loaded them all you'd be here all day...

So that's it, the Shop Hop road trip is complete, the rest of my time in Salt Lake City was spent working to find lots of fun and interesting new goodies for the store...work work work...and maybe, just maybe a little fun at night with my friends.

Until next time...
Be Kind...
Kelly Ann

Sunday Morning....

2011-06-12T09:01:00.000-04:00

Sunday morning around here is actually our Saturday, we sleep in a little, and with the girls running around downstairs, I mean a little. If the weather isn't too hot, too cold, too wet...we sit out on the front porch with our coffee and computers, enjoying the sights and sounds of living in the country. Watching the birds on the feeder and listening to the cardinals chirp in the woods makes for a perfect way to start the weekend. Because our yard is surrounded by trees we have our own private oasis and except for the occasional bicyclist or car going by you can almost pretend your on your own little planet...so join us for a cup of joe, a blog list a mile long to read and life in the country...

until next time...
Be Kind...
Kelly Ann

Wordless Wednesday

2011-06-08T06:48:00.000-04:00

Road Trip in Salt Lake City...continued...

2011-06-07T08:08:00.000-04:00

Yes, I know, it's been a month since I was in Salt Lake and yes I know many weeks have gone by since my first post on the road trip I did while there...but ya know what they say...better late then never..

Up next...Piper's Quilts ...

As you walked up towards the front porch the front yard was lined with beautiful quilts and just as many hanging all along the rails. Lots of clever displays and was fun to chat with the owners about the history of the building and the ghost that resides there...

Hope you enjoyed this part of the road trip...one more stop to write about...

until next time...
Piece Out..
Kelly Ann

Wordless Wednesday

2011-06-01T07:51:00.000-04:00

Memorial Day

2011-05-30T17:19:00.000-04:00

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.

We shall never forget....

Wordless Wednesday

2011-05-25T08:16:00.002-04:00

Better Late....then never...SLC Shop Hop

2011-05-24T07:54:00.000-04:00

On Wednesday before Spring Quilt Market we went on a little shop hop....check out our first stop...I could have stayed in this shop all day, Nadine had some many nook and crannies to look at and go ooh and aah over....just take a look and see for yourself....The Material Girls Quilts in South Jordan Utah..

So if you are ever in South Jordan Utah pop in and tell Nadine I said hey...you won't regret the stop...I promise...

until next time...
Be Kind...
Kelly Ann

Dinner

2011-05-20T22:55:00.000-04:00

I've read blog post in the past about who people would sit down to dinner with and I've given it some thought, if the list was unlimited I'd have a massive table but what if the list could only include 4 names, living or dead, who would it be....

John F. Kennedy...I would love to hear what he thought of the world today, the changes in our country, and life in general...

Ernest Hemingway...if the man spoke like he wrote I could listen to him talk for days. I get completely absorbed in his writing...

Mark Twain...look at that hair..who wouldn't want this story teller at their table..and that hair, there has to be a story about that hair...

John Belushi...the man was a comic genius...

There's a peek into my psyche...so tell me...who would you like to sit down and have dinner with?

Until next time...
Be Kind
Kelly Ann

Day after Wordless Wednesday...

2011-05-19T07:48:00.000-04:00

Salt Lake City

2011-05-10T21:47:00.000-04:00

So you know that I headed to Salt Lake early, and I mean early, this morning but Market doesn't officially start till Thursday so I got to spend the day with Andrew and his BFF, Kenning. If it weren't for the fact that our business is in Virginia, Andrew's job is in Virginia, I love living on the east coast, and I'm not the biggest fan of snow I could see myself living in SLC.

A beautiful city, Salt Lake was settled in 1847 and is full of beautiful craftsman style homes...some are to die for. Spring has sprung and is giving us a beautiful show of color...the tulips are amazing. We took a walk this afternoon and I snapped a few pictures to share but guess what...I'm using my iPad on this trip and have no way to transfer pictures so guess you'll have to stay tuned for when I get back and download a ton of pictures...y'all will find this place amazing.

So..
Until next time...
Be kind...

Kelly Ann

37,968

2011-05-10T10:50:00.001-04:00

That's how many feet I am...straight up...kind of cool to blog from the comforts (not really comfortable)of the center seat on a Delta Airlines flight heading to Salt Lake...gotta love technology...

Until next time
From the ground
Be Kind
Kelly Ann

Salt Lake City....

2011-05-09T21:30:00.000-04:00

Here I come...the city will never be the same... Spring Quilt Market is in Salt Lake this year and I'm super excited to see what I'll find...I promise to share lots of photos when I get back but to hold you over till then keep checking the stores Facebook page.

Until next time..
Be kind...
Kelly Ann

Happy Mothers Day

2011-05-07T22:25:00.000-04:00

I know we all say this....but....I have the best mother in the world....and she's a beauty...

love ya Mom....
KA

Wordless Wednesday

2011-05-04T08:04:00.000-04:00

Creative type?

2011-05-02T23:32:00.000-04:00

Do you consider yourself a creative type? I know as a quilters so many times we follow patterns but do you stray from those patterns? I've been reading blogs on various creativity lately and it's got me wondering...just how creative am I?

So I'm gonna challenge myself to be more creative...wanna join me?...I'm thinking this just might be fun..

Until next time...
Be Creative
Kelly Ann

May 1st recap....

2011-05-02T08:45:00.002-04:00

The sun was shining on this wonderful country of ours on May Day....and what a wonderful way to end the day....

Kelly Ann

Day Off

2011-05-01T13:06:00.001-04:00

When you have a day off what do you like to do? Quilt, garden, cook, read, sleep....well today I'm gonna try all of the above...

WISH ME LUCK!!!
I'll be back with an update on how much of the above I did....
Kelly Ann
UPDATE:::
Planted what seems like a gazillion plants in pots, made two trips to Lowes and one trip to Home Depot. Didn't get a nap, read a little but not enough...and did zero quilting...and dinner, soup for me and egg sandwich for Andrew...now I have my feet up and am almost ready for an early bed...so, how did you spend your day off?
KA

Destruction

2011-04-29T22:28:00.000-04:00

Something that doesn't happen often, I'm at a loss of words to describe the sadness I feel as I watch the coverage of the mass destruction that was left behind by the massive tornado that tore through Alabama this week.

Please send your prayers down south as people sift through the debris of their lives and morn the loss of loved ones.

Until next time...
Be Kind....
Kelly Ann

Royal Wedding....

2011-04-28T22:08:00.000-04:00

No, I will not be getting up to watch the wedding live...I love my zzzzzzz's way too much. But to get into the spirit of all the wedding hoopla I thought I would share the little "name" game that's going around...so here goes...
Start with Lord or Lady (you decide on that one!!) followed by one of your Grandparents names and your surname will be your first pets name hyphenated with the name of the street you grew up on…
so....me first....
Lady Rebecca Curly-Greenway
so share....what is your Royal name???
Until next time...
Lady KA

Spring Time In Virginia

2011-04-28T07:40:00.000-04:00

I'm a big fan of the change in seasons, and yes while I do complain when it's cold and snowy outside I do enjoy to watch the snow fall and can see lots of beauty as it hangs in the trees. As each new season comes I always proclaim "Spring is my favorite" or Summer or Fall or Winter...get the picture, I'm pretty fickle with my love of seasons, they are all created equal. I thought I would share some pictures of my yard, the azaleas are in bloom...and what a pretty display of color...

and yes..the yellow flowers are azaleas...aren't they amazing..
Thanks for stopping by the yard...once the iris start to bloom I'll get some pictures of those...and yes they also have some amazing color to them...
so until next time...
stop and smell the flowers...but watch out for that bee!
Kelly Ann

Wordless Wednesday

2011-04-27T08:06:00.000-04:00

Happy Wednesday..
until next time...
Be Kind...
Kelly Ann

Happy Easter

2011-04-24T09:34:00.002-04:00

Happy Easter Peeps....

xoxo
Kelly Ann

My how time flies...

2011-04-15T15:30:00.000-04:00

One year ago tomorrow, April 16th, we welcomed a new neighbor and friend to Old Town...

and fast friends we've become....

with the whole family...
So stop in tomorrow, Saturday April 16th and congratulate them and while there pick yourself up a Kelly Ann's Latte'...no, not a latte for me but a latte named after me...see, told you they were great neighbors...
until next time
Be Kind
Kelly Ann

Wordless Wednesday

2011-04-13T08:15:00.000-04:00

NEW NEW NEW Round 2

2011-04-08T19:09:00.000-04:00

It's all about the new stuff at Kelly Ann's Quilting this week, we've gotten a ton of new books, the new lapel stick and now....

Cling On...the cutest little wearable magnetic pin/needle/scissor holder...

and look at how convenient they are when working on your next wool project....

so, grab your wool, lapel stick and cling-on and get to stitching...
until next time...
Be Kind...
Kelly Ann

NEW NEW NEW

2011-04-07T08:31:00.000-04:00

Don'tcha just love new quilty stuff..something new comes along and you just have to have it...you can't live without it...so let me introduce you to the newest, lastest, greatest must have....

perfect for cotton applique, wool applique, any place you might use glue this stick will come in hand and..ready for this...it's portable without spilling, you can take it in a car, you can take on a plane, you can take it on a train. And...something more exciting is that we are the first quilt shop in Virginia to carry this great NEW product. But there is one thing I want to caution everyone of...don't, and I repeat, don't mistake it for your chapstick...so, not a good thing.

Stop by today to pick up your stick or give me a call..I can mail them out...makes me want to spend the day setting up some applique projects for the rainy day coming tomorrow...
until next time...
be kind...
Kelly Ann

Wordless Wednesday

2011-04-06T07:49:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday

2011-04-01T00:05:00.002-04:00

Happy Birthday to the most wonderful man in the world....

he still rocks my world....
love ya...
rr

Speechless

2011-03-28T23:00:00.000-04:00

It doesn't happen often but when I saw this picture...

I was left speechless....
Until next time...
Kelly Ann