Hoffman California Fabrics Tour Chapter 1

I hope many of you are still with me on my Southern California journey. In THIS post, I asked if you knew who the man in the photo was..

Rube Hoffman, Founder of Hoffman California Fabrics

Had I not been there I would not have know either...so don't feel bad if you didn't know either.  Most all of us know about Hoffman Fabrics and that is really why I went to see all the fabrics :)  I owe the honor of this trip to SewCalGal as she arranged for us to meet with Michelle Flores there at Hoffman. .

 I remember when I first became aware of Hoffman Fabrics.  It was at  Needles Quilt Shop  in Wellsboro, PA.  They carry Hoffman Batiks....I drooled over their selection every time I went in...and still do :) 

Someone pinch me....I'm standing in the lobby of Hoffman California Fabrics.  The first thing that grabbed my eye...honestly....was not this amazing shark and surf board....it was this:

This Needlebox from Needleboxes Etc.  was sitting on the counter just inside the door.  I've met the Gals from Needleboxes Etc at Quilt Market and I just love their Needleboxes.  One made with Hoffman Batiks...now you know why I didn't notice the shark first!

Right next to the Needlebox were all these Bali Pops.  My heart almost stopped....right there in the lobby.  I tried so hard to compose myself and behave like a respectable human....it took everything I had but I think I pulled it off. 

Michelle gave us a tour of the front offices and these are some of the quilts they have displayed.

This one really grabbed me....I took some close ups and they are below....fun aren't they?

What fun....and this little dog cracked me up. He looks like a beach dog ready to play in the sand.

The collages below are not scrapbook pages made from paper...they are done in fabric.  I really thought they were neat and they also hang in the lobby area at Hoffman Fabrics.

 If you would like to read more about Rube and his sons, Walter and Phillip you can click here, here, and here.  I had a great time reading the aforementioned articles about the Hoffman Family.

More beautiful quilts....not that my photography was all that beautiful...sorry...I brought my "real" camera and left the battery an hour away.

Chapter 2 coming soon....the Hoffman California Fabrics Warehouse ....prepare yourself.  If  you take heart medication....be sure to have it near while you are reading the next post..

 

Smiles,

Kelly

Sorry For The Delay

I am still working on my Hoffman California Fabric blog post.  We left town unexpectedly this morning for a short adventure and I've not had the time to devote to the post.  I promise it will be us soon.

You know what?  I think I'll break it down into chapters so it isn't so long.  And I didn't forget about the Hoffman Fabric giveaway either...so check back soon.

Smiles,
Kelly

Welcome Back to Quilt School?

Do you remember when I posted this photo?

 CLICK HERE if you would like to send Fan Mail to the Flamingo Flock

 I didn't notice the other side of the chalk board was a dry erase board....imagine my shock when I drove by and saw this today:

Apparently someone told the Flamingos about National Sewing Month and they have taken up Quilting!

WHAT?  Flamingos Quilting.....Now your talking!!!!  Oh yeah....new friends to stitch with :)  I must say the teacher wasn't the friendliest either.  While I was visiting I heard her yell at one of the students.  Apparently there was one student who had brought some electronic toy to class.  School is no place for electronics...I don't allow my boys to take any so I completely understood....until....

I spotted this....now I get it....this Flamingo is an "advanced" Flamingo and wasn't interested in learning to piece....it skipped the piecing and went directly for the Free Motion Quilting and was watching Patsy Thompson's Fast and Free DVD.    I had not idea there were intellectually advanced Flamingos...perhaps they are a new breed?

I was Over the Moon Rainbow with excitement.....Waldo and I now have a Flock of Friends to stitch with.  These are some really hip Flamingos....they have Edyta Sitar's Aurifil Thread Kit, Over the Rainbow.

Their classes started simple...they made a babushka and some scarves.  Didn't they do a lovely job?

I inquired as to where they had gotten all that beautiful fabric for scarves and I was told Hoffman Fabrics.  I said really?  What a coincidence....I was just at Hoffman Fabrics on a recent trip to Southern California.

I'm going back tomorrow to speak to the head mistress and see if I can get some of those beautiful Hoffman Fabrics to give away on my blog. Wish me luck!

Oh...and for those of you who doubt Barnie Fife lives near me.....I took a photo of his police car yesterday.  Here's my proof!


Smiles,
Kelly

Winners of the " Where in the World" Giveaways

All of those who took the time to guess Where in the World the IHAN ® Clan had gone a week ago were entered into a drawing to win this:

 Spirit of the Bear Snap Sack

And the winner's comment was.....

Congratulations Donna! 

 Please e-mail me your full name and address to IHaveANotion@yahoo.com and I'll ship your Spirit of the Bear Snap Sack to you. You only have a week to e-mail me or I'll choose another winner.

Do you remember the Where in the World ....Day 3 blog post?

Yes....when I took a nap with some beautiful Batiks at Island Batik Fabrics.  I promised to give away some of the sample rolls to those who left comments on that post and an additional chance for "Liking" the Island Batik Facebook Page. 

I feel just terrible telling everyone that I actually lost those sample rolls.  I've looked high and low and still can't find them....boooo hoooooooo

Today on my way to town I was shocked to see this:

Apparently those sneaky Flamingos have stolen the Island Batik Sample's!!!  I headed right to the Sherrif's Office and found this guy to get my Sample Rolls back...

Yep...Barnie Fife headed directly over there and the Island Batik Sample Rolls are back safe and sound at IHAN® headquarters :)

Congratulations Gene!

Congratulations Linda!

Congratulations Patty D from NC!

Congratulations Dana Gaffney!

Please e-mail me your full name and address to IHaveANotion@yahoo.com and I'll ship your Island Batik Samples to you.  You have to e-mail me within a week or I'll choose another winner....so hop right on it :)

Thank you to all who were so kind to leave comments!   You know me....there is always more to be given away....so stay tuned.

Smiles,

Kelly

PS...Portions of this blog post may have been embellished a wee bit :)

Back In The Swing with Sizzix Fabric Cutting Machines

Well, I think I'm back in the swing of things....fuzzy head from the sinus meds~

Where were we?...Oh yeah....Who are these folks?  I got lots of funny replies to that question.  My favorite was....these people were the owners of a dance school. Nope...not as far as I know anyway!  They are Robert and LeDorna Eichenberg, the founders of Ellison.

Robert and LeDorna Eichenberg  founders of Ellison

While in Southern California, SewCalGal and I were fortunate enough to get a tour of Ellison's Headquarters.  You may be more familiar with Sizzix,  Ellison is the parent company of Sizzix.

I had goosebumps as I pulled up out front...no kidding.  I get very excited when I'm passionate about something and I sure am passionate about Sizzix Cutting Machines and Dies.  So much so in fact, that when the Vagabond arrived on my doorstep, I immediately shot a video using it and I had never done a video before.  If you have not seen my entry into the video world...you can CLICK HERE to see my less than perfect video.

I enjoy seeing where the people I see at Quilt Market work and getting a glimpse into their world.  We met with Linda Nitzen, Ellison's Sales & Marketing Quilting Manager.  We had met in Houston so it was wonderful to see her again.

 I know this pix is a little dark, but I can't fly back and re-take the photo...not today anyway :)

 

The only photos I could take were in the Lobby....so here are some fun shots of the Ellison Headquarters Lobby.  

Why all the passion about the Sizzix?  For me, it is all about quality and values.  All of the Ellison dies are made by hand....yes...by hand....using high quality steal set into wood and a high density long lasting foam top.  Keep in mind, I don't get paid to say any of these things and I certainly am not qualified to be a spokesperson for Ellison....but this girl knows what she likes and recognizes quality :)  

Sizzix Big Shot Pro with Extended Tray - great for the long strip dies for quilters.

Being an owner of all of the Sizzix Cutting Machines I can tell you that they all work equally as well and are very sturdy.  I tell people they were built by "Tonka."*  They machines don't tilt, flip or wobble.     Even though they have been building these machines and dies since 1977 and are huge in the Education and Crafting communities, they are relatively new to the Quilting Community.  Their dies cut paper, chipboard, tin, foam, felt, thin magnets,  metallic foils AND fabric :) Something else that I really like is their warranties.  The Big Shot and the Big Shot Pro have 3 year warranties and the Vagabond has a 1 year warranty. 

Sizzix Vagabond - Electric Die Cutting Machine

I've had to deal with many companies customer service departments since I've been in business and I must say I've always been very pleased with the speed and service I've received from Ellison's customer service.  The contact I've had with customer service has never been about a faulty die or machine.  The contact was about a handle that was broken by the owner during a move and Sizzix replaced it for free...including the shipping, without a question asked.  I have moved my Big Shot so many times that the little rubber feet that suctioned to the table fell off. (I have an older model and the feet have been changed on the newer models).  I told Sizzix about what I had done and they replaced the feet immediately. 

There was a time....way back when....when most all companies had this type of excellence in customer service.   I'm sorry to say it is not the case in today's business world and that is why Ellison/Sizzix really stands out in my opinion. I guess it is easy to have excellent customer service when you have excellent products.  (No...I'm not brown nosing either....I was and am not being bribed...no pre-release dies arrive at IHAN® Headquarters...just so ya know!)

 Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting Machine

The tour was so much fun.  I was able to see where they shoot their videos and let me just say their video taping area is light years nicer than mine...LOL.  I saw some artists and designers working on creations, a library of dies and all of the wonderful machines made by Ellison.  I'm telling you I could have stayed all day long but I don't think my family would have appreciated that very much.  Oh yes, and I was able to see some new products that will be debuted at the Fall Quilt Market this year.  I gave them my word that I would keep everything I saw a secret so don't even think to try to bribe me with cars, boats or vacation homes....my lips are sealed!!  What I can say is that I think folks will really like what is coming out in the Fall.

To celebrate my trip to the Ellison Headquarters, IHAN® is having a Sale on all Sizzix Die Cutting Machines. Test one for yourself....if you purchase it from IHAN and are not 100% satisfied....I'll pay for your return shipping and give you a refund too.  That is how confident I am about their Die Cutting Machines.....and I've never had one returned...so it is easy for me to make the offer...LOL :)

*Tonka...when I was growing up people would refer to something that was well made as being built by "Tonka" as in Tonka toys.

Smiles,

Kelly

Nah....that rumor isn't true!

The rumor about me falling off the face of the earth is just plain not true!!!  We arrived home safely on Saturday night :)  Sunday I had to get the boys supplies for school ready, hair cuts etc...and I came home with a nasty sinus thing (yucky crud). 

I had all those orders that came in while I was out and about having the time of my life, a Dr. apt....and my in-laws arrived today.....SOOOOOO...that is why I didn't get back to that post about who those folks in the photos are.  Trust me...I'll get there ....ya just have to have a wee bit of patience with me.

In the meantime......lets check in with the Flamingo's....

Sniffley Smiles,
Kelly

Where in the World....Day 7

Leaving on a jet plane...don't know when we'll be back again....la....la ....la.  Trust me, you'll be so glad I typed those words and didn't record them with my own voice for your listening pain!

I have another day of amazing travels to share with you....but I'll be on a plane today...so it will have to wait until my return.

As a little teaser...I'll show you the photos of the Founders of the companies I visited.  Feel free to guess who they are.  You know there are always fun prizes for those followers who read and leave comments....and you don't even have to be correct to win :)

Founder of first location.....

Founders of second destination....

With my luck one of you are related to these people or are their neighbors....LOL.

Smiles,
Kelly

Oops...Where in the World....day 6

Oops...I missed a day!   I guess that can happen when ya fill your days with so many activities.

Soooo...Day 6.....

Lunch at Nick's favorite Mexican Restaurant, La Villa in Gardina, CA.

 

 Nick & Krista

An un-named Movie Star had apparently joined us for lunch.  I suppose he was worried he'd be recognized and mobbed?!?  Lunch was a 10, the food was authentic and delicious (not that we are professional restaurant reviewers :)

After  lunch, Nick took us for a tour of  SpaceX  (Space Exploration Technologies) , his place of employment.  For those of you who don't know, SpaceX is the first privately owned company that designs, manufactures and launches rockets and space crafts into space. 

We were all extremely excited about the tour and felt quite honored and privileged to be stepping past the front door.  It is really worth your time to check out their web page HERE.  Just scan the page and you'll be very impressed with what these folks do. (It blows my mind!)

Photos are only permitted in the lobby and in front of the building....this is a prototype of the SpaceX  Merlin Engine that is in their lobby.  You know I was very well behaved and never once even considered taking out my camera...I can be be so well behaved when the occasion necessitates such things :)

The only way I can describe my experience at SpaceX....is complete and total AWE!  I think my mouth was partially open the entire time and my eyes were sparkling (I had tears in my eyes often and goose bumps too).  There are only a few other times in my life that I've been in AWE of the things that humans have made/achieved.....at Kennedy Space Center ( NASA)  in Florida, and my visit to the Louvre in Paris. 

We stood right next to the Dragon Spacecraft, the first privately owned vehicle to return from space.  The Dragon docked at the International Space Station.   The experience of just seeing it was "out of this world."
I feel incredibly lucky that we have a family member who has the privilege of working on these rockets. 

The only down side to our tour is that Elon Musk, the owner, was not there during our visit (click on his name and you'll be blown away by what this 41 year old man has achieved  :)
Since Elon was one of the a co-founder of PayPal,  I assume he has some friends that are still with PayPal..  You know if I ran into him I would have most certainly asked to have an Executive PayPal account with all fees waved for my lifetime :) :) :)  (Yes....I'm just so bold....crazy....off my rocker....LOL)  Here is a link to Elon Musk's Facebook page...don't you think a ton of quilters should Like hime?  I do....how fun would that be?

OK...on to the Fabric I prommised.....

Krista wants a table runner and I wanted her to show me some fabrics that she would like.  SewCalGal told me there is a store in Anaheim that has a very large selection, M & L Fabrics. 

After our SpaceX tour, we headed to M & L. 

 Everywhere you look, fabric....I mean lots and lots and lots of fabric of all types and varieties.  I think there was enough quilt quality cotton fabrics to make thousands of quilts....honestly.

I was especially tickled to see all the different types of fabrics....I loved the ones above!  How fun would some of these fabrics be added to a wall hanging or added to home decor?  I think there is something for everyone in that store!

Thanks for traveling along with us.

Smiles,
Kelly