Conair Travel Iron

 Sometimes you just have to have

a quilt notion 

because it's

cute

Then when you discover

it's 

practical

you smile even more.

My friend Denise brought her

EZ Press 

Hand Held Steam Iron

by Conair

to class 

and I knew I wanted to order one, too.

Love the Aqua color
(*I admit, that is what sold me first :)

and Travel Size

Just perfect for taking to classes

with my small 

8 3/4" X 11 3/4" Fold Away

Cutting and Pressing Station

by Omnigrid

As you know, often at quilt classes you do not have

a lot of room at your table.

These nest snugly right next to my machine

and are convenient for working on blocks.

The Conair Iron

was $23.95 with free shipping 

from Amazon.com

HERE

The Omnigrid Mat

can also be ordered from Amazon.com

HERE

Kitschy Scissors

"Kitschy Scissors"

as opposed to 

"Kitchen Scissors"

*Austin, Texas

Definition of Kitschy (noun)

"Things (such as movies or works of art)

that are of low quality

and that many people

find amusing and enjoyable."

Well, If the scissors fit, 

wear them :)

Handy Caddy

 My girlfriend Denise

gave me a very nice

"quilty" birthday present

that I have found very useful.

 The Handy Caddy

8" X 11" X 5"

is a great storage organizer.

The vinyl pockets allow you to 

see clearly where each little notion is stored.

The Best Part!:

It folds easily and fits just perfectly

inside my Sewing Machine Tote

right next to my machine.

So when I travel to classes

I simply pull out the Caddy

set it next to me

and I'm ready to work.

 Denise added several notions to help get me started.

Pencils, post it notes

lotion

little containers

Frixion Erasable pens

Now I won't have to lean over and borrow her things :)

(as much)

Thank you Denise! 

 I've added in a few items of my own

like 

scissors

seam ripper

tape measure

and Clover Wonder Clips 

with more items to be added soon.

Denise has a purple Handy Caddy

and as you can see, has already filled it with all kinds 

of useful things.

 The Handy Caddy 

comes in 4 colors.

Denise ordered several on-line from Joann.com

HERE

 They normally are priced around $23

but have a 30% off sale going on right now.

While researching the item

I also found that there is a  slightly larger

Deluxe Handy Caddy available 

14" X 7" X 5"

in turquoise

from HSN found

HERE

price $30

A New Way To Cut Your Quilting Threads

 Quilters love to chain piece when ever possible.

But cutting all those little links of threads

can sometimes be a bother.

Recently Tracy shared with me this great little tip:

Instead of using scissors, she keeps a 

Gift Wrap Cutter by Scotch

right by her machine

to quickly snip those threads.

Normally these handy little gadgets are used to 

cut wrapping paper

coupons

or to

open envelopes.

They can even curl ribbon.

 But, the Cutter can also double as a quilting notion.

With a quick little flick

those threads are cut.

 Because the cutting blade is not exposed

you don't  have to worry about safety.

 Gift Wrap Cutters are priced for around $4

and can be found in most grocery stores

or places like Walmart

and can also be ordered from

Amazon.com

HERE

Iron Wars

 In reading Quilt Blogs 

for several years

a common theme and BIG frustration

has been to find a decent iron that will last.

As quilters we all are looking for

something affordable

that can be used every day

and will perform for a long period of time.

I have read review after review

as we try out this iron and that iron,

and have been as exasperated as the rest of you.

I once had a Rowenta that I loved and used for years.

It was replaced by another expensive new Rowenta

that began sputtering and dripping within a year.

grrrrrrr.....

...obviously they lowered their standards in design.

I finally resorted to buying inexpensive irons that 

were good for about a year and then tossed in the garbage.

Last week I found myself in the position of needing a new iron

AGAIN

but just as apprehensive about making a purchase.

In order to make a decision, I read what other quilters are saying recently

about their irons.

My friend Nanette (Freda's Hive)

wrote a similar post about her hunt for a decent iron

and how she had decided upon an affordable

Digital Advantage by Black and Decker

I read a few more reviews and decided

to give this model a try also.

I will keep you posted on how it works

or IF it works long term.

 One of the nice things about the 

Digital Advantage was the cost.

I didn't feel like I had to risk big bucks only be later disappointed.

At a retail cost of  $45

and using my 20% off coupon at Bed Bath and Beyond

I came home happy.

The iron is heavy in weight and feels solid to the touch.

With a week's worth of use,

it has provided excellent steam and glide.

So far so good!

Let's hope it lasts.

And to cheer up my sewing room

I even splurged with a new Ironing Board cover.

Happy Days are Here Again!

We quilters are easily pleased :)

Hex N More Ruler

While I was sewing

 on Tuesday's

Open Sew Day

at 3 Dudes

carloads of quilters from

Sun City, Arizona stopped in.

As part of their Shop Hop

Ray Steeves 

presented a demonstration using the

Hex N More Ruler

by Julie Herman of Jaybird Quilts

With the Hex N More

 you can cut

4 Shapes in 4 Sizes

 You can make 

2" - 4"

Half Hexi's 

 Hexagons

 3" - 12" Jewels shapes

and even

60 degree triangles

I really liked the look

that was created

when Ray fussy cut the jewel sections.

It makes you look at fabric with a new eye.

There are several patterns that can be made

using the Hex N More Ruler

Jawbreaker Pillow

can be taken as a class at 

3 Dudes on March 13th

For more pattern ideas

visit Jaybird Quilts

Hitler Pin Cushion

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving.

Our was a little more quiet than usual.

 We hosted an early feast 

By late afternoon, with leftovers

stacked neatly away in the fridge

and with Mr. Cactus in a turkey induced coma,

I had a few moments to sit down and

 scope Pinterest

As a quilter, I've collected 

Pin Cushions

over the years

and now like to Pin

unique and creative ideas

to my own Board.

I was a little taken aback to see this

Hitler Pin Cushion

a 1940's Novelty Gift

Originally produced by Gag Gift Companies

this Pin Cushion came in several forms

and sold for around .69 cents

 There was even a 

Stick-a-Pin-in-Hitler Club

As reported by 

Anorak

President Roosevelt

found the pin cushion so comical

he even kept one on his desk.

Vintage Spool Pin Cushion

 Today was another fun day

working at 

Pacific International Quilt Festival

The crowds have been so large

we haven't had time to venture far

from our booth.

Across the aisle

I saw this darling pincushion

designed by

 The Vintage Spool

I've seen vintage dish plates glued to the top 

of glass candlesticks,

but this is the first I've noticed 

this type of use for a canning jar.

Wonderful way to display old threads

and to create a unique pincushion.

Verna Mosquera

The Vintage Spool

Specializes in "Romantic and Timeless Quilt Designs"

You can learn more about their patterns 

HERE

Seam Fix Seam Ripper

Recently I was in a local quilt shop

and saw the

Seam Fix Seam Ripper

on display right at the front counter.

I've heard of this nifty little notion

and for $7 thought it was worth a try.

Have you seen it 

or tried it yet?

In a perfect world, 

we would not need seam rippers.

But, in MY World

I need to keep one 

close at hand :)

You use the seam ripper part first,

and then rub the fabric with the white rubber ends 

to clear away the stray threads.

I gave it a try, and it really works!

I have a friend with arthritis

who struggles with finger dexterity

and she feels this tool is quite helpful.

Heirloom Creations 

has done a short little demo

on You Tube

After watching the video

I found out there 

are also

 Electric Seam Rippers?!!!

oh my

Is Your Ironing Board Toxic?

 The other day when I took Sharon Schamber's Workshop

she mentioned that many quilters are using 

Ironing Boards that emit toxic fumes.

I had never considered the possibility,

but now that I think of it, 

it makes complete sense.

Do you ever 

get headaches

become dizzy

or smell fumes as you iron?

The inner
chemical ridden  Polyurethane Foam

or

Teflon coating

may be a contributor.

I'd be quite happy to give up ironing my clothes,

but as a quilter,

I  NEED (yes need!) to press fabrics 

on a daily basis.

I've found several solutions that can help.

 I purchased a pre-made

Perfect Pressing Board 

14" X 19"

from Sharon's daughter Christy (Purple Daisies)

HERE

There are a lot of perks to this pressing board

including the fact that they are non-toxic,

 and made with 100% Cotton Canvas exterior

with Warm and Natural Batting underneath.

(the back)
Added features include

the use of a hard surface that helps in accuracy

by not distorting the size of your piece.

* see additional features 

HERE

Or, if you would like to make your own

Pressing Board

Sharon offers a

Free Tutorial 

on You Tube

Thanks Sharon!

And if you would like to recover your 

ironing boards 

with non-toxic materials

Rachel Hauser (Stitched In Color)

offers a great Tutorial

HERE

*and my friend Cathy Underhill from Australia
(Cabbage Quilts)
recently did a post
HERE
on how she made a large
Pressing Board 
(using Sharon Schamber's Tutorial)
to fit the top of a
green sideboard in her new
quilting studio.

Quilt Label Ideas

 My friend Jackie Kunkel (Canton Village Quilt Works)

travels extensively with her quilts.

She is a Nationally Certified Judy Niemeyer Teacher,

has her own on-line store,

and her personal quilt designs

are published often

in major quilt magazines and books.

 With all of the traveling in and out of airports,

winding her way through many States,

there is always the risk of baggage loss or mix ups.

Labeling a quilt properly is

 ESSENTIAL

for safe return.

I was curious to see how Jackie 

tackles this challenge.

 I was especially interested to see that she 

takes a picture of her quilt 

to place on each label.

(great idea!)

Also included:

The Name of the Quilt

Her name/ including Home Town and State

Date Made

The Quilters Name

Pattern Designer's Name

 Jackie prints her labels

on 

EQ Printables

Inkjet Fabric Sheets

from the

Electric Quilt Company

that can be found

HERE
The printables come in several fabric choices 

from Regular Cotton to 

Premium Cotton Satin

and also available

in various sheet sizes, too.

Sometimes we drag our feet in labeling our quilts,

but it really is the final 

and very important step

in saying our quilt is finished

and ready to travel into 

this big wide world.

strk.it Quilt Labels

Have you seen the latest technology for

labeling your quilts?

I think this is one of coolest inventions I've ever seen!

strk.it 

offers a 

free APP

to print 

labels that have been embedded with a qr code.

And it's simple to use!

With the use of the camera on your smart phone

or by downloading stkr.it software

you can create an

iron-on  label that will include either

Audio

Photo

or Video Messages 

Think of the possibilities here!

With this sew on patch

you can tell the story of the

making of your quilt,
add additional photo's

or 

record a grandparent singing a lullaby.

For more information on how this APP works,

visit the stkr.it web site 

HERE

Wonder Clips

 Have you tried 

Wonder Clips by Clover

when binding your quilts?

I have seen these little red clips

recently available

in the notion department at

my local quilt shops

but wondered if they were really

worth the purchase price.

I bind a lot of quilts,

and decided to give them a try.

 I am happy to report that 

Wonder Clips

truly are a 

"great alternative to pins"

and my new favorite notion.

The strong spring holds 

multiple layers of fabrics evenly in place,

and I found the 1/4" marking on the

bottom foot

helpful in wrapping the 

binding over evenly.

One friend told me she especially likes 

using them when sewing with vinyls

when she makes bags.

 The clip packages come in various quantities.

I started out with a couple 10-piece cards

to give them a try,

but noticed that 

 Amazon.com

currently stocks them at a great price for

 the 50 pack

I will be buying more.

Bird On A Wire Chenille Quilt

 Yesterday I told you about

Nannette Holmberg's

Faux Chenille booth.

I wanted to show you a few more

of her quilts 

made with this

wonderful technique.

 Bird On A Wire

 Love, love, love this quilt!

Look at all the fun embellishments.

 As I mentioned yesterday,

the faux chenille embellishments

are easy to do

using the

Chenille-It  bias tape.

 Bird On A Wire 

was featured in 

Issue #88

of Quilt Mania,

and can also be 

purchased in a kit

on the

Faux Chenille

web site 

HERE

 Plant A Garden

 Chenille really dresses up a

Banner Quilt

 I love her mixed techniques

of machine applique

with chenille.

 I can hardly wait to start playing with my

Chenille-It Blooming Bias Tape

 and so many ideas for jackets and wearables!

Make sure to check out the

Faux Chenille 

web site for

patterns 

and notions.