Day 14 of 30 Day GIVEAWAY Simpli-EZ Rulers by Simplicity Creative

IHAN's 30 Days of Giveaways

Anniversary Celebration

Day 13 Giveaway

Simplicity Studio Rulers 

by Simplicity Creative Group 

For a quilter this looks like the flood gates of Quilt Heaven has opened up and dropped out some incredible rulers!!!  And....it did.  When the Simplicity Creative Group told me they were sending one of each of the Studio Line Rulers.....I asked them to dial 911 and send the fire department to pick me up off the floor.  I could not believe it until they arrived here at IHAN headquarters.  It is soooo tempting to keep them all for myself....but I have not given in to the Quilt She Devil that lurks within me....I will be giving these all away to very...did I say very....I mean incredibly lucky IHAN blog readers. 

Lets begin by showing you each of these beautiful rulers:

Simpli-EZ Bias Ruler  - Cut bias strips quickly and easily from fat quarters or 1/2 yard cut of fabric. Cut perfect bias strips from 1/4in wide to 2 1/2in wide.

Simpli-EZ Piping Wizard - Cut perfect seam allowances after covering piping cord. Use with multiple sizes of cording and seam allowance. Always a perfect seam allowance. Great for working with piping for quilts, garments and craft projects.

Simpli-EZ Flip n Set Ruler - Cut triangles to setting blocks on point. Folds open to cut triangles for 4in to 16in blocks. No math to figure. Also use to square corners on quilts.

Simpli-EZ Tri-Mate Ruler - Ideal for use with rotary cutter. Cuts triangles 4 times as long as they are tall. Cuts triangles with finished heights from 1/2in - 3in.

4.5" Easy Angle Anniversary Edition Ruler - Celebrating 20 years of Easy Angle with Sharon Hultgren. Cuts half square triangles from 1in to 4 1/2in. Built in seam allowance - no math to figure. Cut triangles from straight strips quickly and efficiently.

    
Simpli-EZ 30 degree Triangle Ruler - For Dresden Plates and Fans. Eliminates need for center applique. Can be finished with curved edges or points. Many sizes on one tool. Use even size strips.

                              
Simpli-EZ 45 degree Triangle Ruler - Great for use with Kaleidoscope quilts. Many sizes on one tool.

 

Simpli-EZ Double Wedding Ring Ruler - Cut three different units with one tool-centers, melons, and squares. Inside curves are cut easily as outside curves. A and B units can be cut from strips or squares.

Simpli-EZ Pineapple Ruler - Make Pineapple blocks with no math, no trapezoids, no stress. Make blocks in almost unlimited range of sizes. Make both traditional and non-traditional Pineapple blocks. Makes log cabin, album style, and many other quilt blocks quickly and easily.

Simpli-EZ 4.5in x 4.5in Square Ruler  - Marked in black for right handed users and red for left handed users. Numbers read correctly ANY way the ruler is turned. 1/4in markings. 45 lines for centering when squaring up blocks. Useful for cutting squares and trimming blocks to size.

Simpli-EZ 6.5in x 6.5in Square Ruler - Marked in black for right handed users and red for left handed users. Numbers read correctly ANY way the ruler is turned. 1/4in markings. 45 lines for centering when squaring up blocks. Useful for cutting squares and trimming blocks to size.

 Simpli-EZ 9.5in x 9.5in Square Ruler - Marked in black for right handed users and red for left handed users. Numbers read correctly ANY way the ruler is turned. 1/4in markings. 45 lines for centering when squaring up blocks. Useful for cutting squares and trimming blocks to size.

 Simpli-EZ 12.5in x 12.5in Square Ruler - Marked in black for right handed users and red for left handed users. Numbers read correctly ANY way the ruler is turned. 1/4in markings. 45 lines for centering when squaring up blocks. Useful for cutting squares and trimming blocks to size.

        
Simpli-EZ Rule 6.5in x 12.5in - Marked in black for right handed users and red for left handed users. Numbers read correctly ANY way the ruler is turned. 1/8in and 1/4in markings. 45 and 60 degree markings. Large numbers foe easy reading.

 Simpli-EZ Rule 6.5in x 24in - Marked in black for right handed users and red for left handed users. Numbers read correctly ANY way the ruler is turned. 1/8in and 1/4in markings. 45 and 60 degree markings. Large numbers foe easy reading.

Simpli-EZ Jelly Roll Ruler - Ruler size is 5in x 10in, perfect for cutting 10in Layer Cake into Jelly Rolls, Honey Buns, and Charm Packs.


I could write a review on these rulers....but Mom Gadget has already done it for me.  Click here to read their reviews on the Simplicity Studio Rulers and see their excellent photos of how to use the rulers successfully.
 
Some really great things about the Simplicity Rulers are:

• numbers are easy to read (Bold black for right handed users and bright red for left handed quilters
• black lines are solid and mark the ½” lines both horizontally and vertically
• edges are marked at 1/8″ intervals with a short hash mark and at 1/4″ intervals a longer hash mark
• each ruler is made of clear 1/8” thick sturdy acrylic and has a hole to hang on a hook or peg board

For this giveaway you will need to leave a comment telling us why you want to win one of these wonderful rulers.  Feel free to leave your own reviews if you own one or more of these rulers.

There are 16 Rulers here to be given away. Four will be put into the Grand Prize Drawing so we will draw 12 names for this giveaway.
 
Thank you Simplicity Creative Group for allowing IHAN to give away such wonderful rulers for our First Anniversary Celebration!!!

Please read over the Anniversary Giveaway Guidelines to learn about more chances to win during the 30 Days of Giveaways.

Simpli-Smiles,
Kelly

Day 13 of 30 Days of Giveaways - Floorquilts, Roc-lon Multi Purpose Cloth and Mod Podge

IHAN's 30 Days of Giveaways

Anniversary Celebration

Day 13 Giveaway

Floorquilts

by Ellen Highsmith Silver

and

Roc-lon Multi-Purpose Cloth 

Rockland Industries 

and

Mod Podge 

Plaid 

When Ellen Highsmith Silver wrote to me saying she wanted to join in the IHAN Anniversary Celebration I was soooo excited.  I love Ellen's book, Floorquilts.  I first learned about her book while I was in Pittsburgh for Quilt Market.  I was drawn into a booth by Ellen's book Floorquilts.  As I walked into the booth  a very nice gentleman greeted me and asked me if I had ever heard of Roc-lon Multi-Purpose Cloth. I had no clue what it was much less what someone would do with it. When I left I was thrilled to learn all the different things that can be made with Multi-Purpose Cloth. 

They had my attention.  I thought the Roc-lon Multi-Purpose Cloth was neat in that it didn't frey and it could be used for so many things.  I learned that the fabric is sealed using Mod Podge (all in one glue, sealer and finish). 

 

When I learned that all three companies were going to help IHAN Celebrate....well.....I just can't help but post them together.  The giveaways are separate but I wanted to share with everyone how I learned about these really cool things.

 

These are students that Ellen Highsmith Silver taught to make Floorquilts.  Aren't they beautiful?  Wouldn't it be great to have one of these on the floor or even wall if you prefer?

More about Ellen's book Floorquilts :

 

· Through clear instructions and projects, Ellen guides readers through the process of transforming your favorite stash fabrics into durable floor coverings.
· 12 projects with step-by-step instructions, appliqué patterns and dozens of helpful tips throughout.
· More than floor coverings! Ellen also applies her technique to placemats, coasters, luggage tags, trivets, bookmarks, and more.
· A new place to show off your favorite quilt designs when your house is already filled with quilts!
· Lots of how-to photographs and inspiring examples assure success for beginners and seasoned crafters alike.

 Now, on to Roc-lon Multi-Purpose Cloth made by Rockland Industries. 

 Roc-lon Multi-Purpose Cloth is ideal for painting, sewing, machine embroidery, decoupage, and more. Roc-lon Multi-Purpose Cloth is reversible, does not fray or curl, is durable, lays flat, holds its shape, does not require primer or gesso, accepts fabric glue/tape, can be sewn or hold punched, and can be cut using household scissors. 

Here are some examples from IHAN's Roc-lon Multi-Purpose Cloth Challenge held last year.

Submitted by Marsha Randles

Submitted by Dinae Giveins

Submitted by Catherine Elliott.

Submitted by Sheila Painter

Submitted by Sue Bleiweiss 

I made this little booty

 Aren't these some great examples of what can be made using Roc-lon Multi-Purpose Cloth?  For more information and ideas click here.  I've had several customers purchase Multi-Purpose Cloth to make banners for their churches.  Your imagination is the limit with this cloth.  You can use it as a window shade because it eliminates light, insulates against heat and cold, provides privacy and acts as a noise barrier. 

 Mod Podge  is an all in one glue, sealer and finish.  The button above is from  Amy's Mod Podge Rocks blog.   It is true, Mod Podge does indeed Rock and so does Amy!!!  Plaid has made Mod Podge since the 60's. It comes in a variety of formulas including: Classic Mod Podge, Hard Coat Mod Podge, Satin Finish Mod Podge, Brush Stroke Mod Podge, Fabric Mod Podge, Paper Mod Podge, Outdoor Mod Podge, Sparkle Mod Podge, Puzzle Saver Mod Podge, Glow-in-the-Dark Mod Podge, Mod Podge Shimmer and Mod Podge Glitter.  Mod Podge is an all in one glue, finish and sealer.  It has been used in decoupage since the 60's.

Ellen's Floorquilts is a perfect example of what can be made using Mod Podge :)  For daily ideas using Mod Podge you want to follow Amy's Mod Podge Rocks Blog and look at Plaid's newsletter here.

As I said when I started this post, these giveaways are separate.

Ellen Highsmith Silver will send one lucky IHAN blog reader a copy of her book, Floorquilts and a kit of all essential supplies minus fabric, of course with which ANYONE can make any of the projects in the book.

The second drawing is for 3 yards of Roc-lon Multi-Purpose Cloth (2 yards will be in the Grand Prize Drawing).  The sky is the limit for what you can make with 3 yards :)

And the third drawing is for a Starter Pack of Mod Podge.  It will be sent to the the address of the winners choice by Amy from Mod Podge Rocks!!!

To enter today's drawing, you need to leave a comment telling us why you would like to win and what you plan on making with  Floorquilts,  Roc-lon Multi-Purpose Cloth and Mod Podge Starter Kit.  Please leave a seperate comment for each of the giveaways that you would like to be entered into. If you just comment on one of the items, that will be the only drawing your comment will be entered into.  

Thank you soooo very much Ellen Highsmith Silver, Rockland Industries, Plaid and Amy from Mod Podge Rocks.  What wonderful people to want to celebrate with IHAN and offer you all these incredible prizes :)

Smiles,

Kelly

IHAN Note from Mr. McSteamy

Mr. McSteamy here….


In order to give Kelly a break, I am volunteered for the first time to write today’s blog. (We are off to see Uncle Walt next week, so Kelly needs to pack!) First of all, being male, I need to put a list together to get everyone up to date.

1. Yes, I really do love the Reliable steam iron. Best I have ever had in my hands. Lots of steam and I can get a shirt done with a third less time. The coolest thing about it, is that it has a motion sensor in it, so if you set it down for more than 3 seconds, the steam temporarily stops.

2. Yes, Kelly is as crazy-wonderful as see sounds in her blog. I am blessed to be able to share so much time with her. (I think you bloggers get more of her time than I do quite honestly.)

3. I am truly impress with how much IHAN is giving away this month. Please leave your comments if you want to get in on this. Kelly is reaching out to you, and she wants to connect with you with some meaningful dialogue.

Enjoy the holiday season, and I apologize if I steal her away next week. Please be tolerant with the 30-day giveaway, as she needs a break away with the kids and myself. I promise the giveaway will go on. Keep on blogging.

Mr. McSteamy
FYI….The prizes are literally piling up here, and I can’t wait until she gives them all away!!! Good luck.

(Note from IHAN CEO-I'll post today's giveaway in a few hours....Mr. McSteamy is making me pack and not post my giveaways....guess balance in life is a good thing:)

Day 12 Giveaway #2 Mary Ellen's Best Press

IHAN's 30 Days of Giveaways

Anniversary Celebration

Day 12 Giveaway # 2

Mary Ellen's Best Press

The Clear Starch Alternative

by Mary Ellen Products Inc.

I learned about Mary Ellen's Best Press from my quilting friends in Pennsylvania.  I have not used any other starch since buying my first bottle of Best Press.  What I like about Best Press is that it is clear, doesn't flake, and it has a stain shield.  I remember when I introduced Best Press to Rick (my Mr. McSteamy).  He could not believe that it did not leave flakes and that it starched his work shirts so nicely.  I'm not kidding when I say we have a bottle at each ironing board and a backup gallon upstairs at Rick's ironing board and another gallon for refills at my ironing board.

Quoting Mary Ellen :

There wasn't any new product for ironing in years - then I got sick and tired of using aerosol starch! So now, I've introduced a clear crisp starch with a lovely scent that makes ironing more enjoyable. It's in a non-aerosol can, so it's environmentally-friendly and you can see how much is left, too. There's no flaking, clogging, or white residue on dark fabrics. A special stain shield protects fabrics, and the product helps resist wrinkles. Best of all, it's more effective than any starch you've ever used. 

Here are some quotes from other Best Press users:

"My quilting ladies love Mary Ellen's Best Press. We put a sample out for them to use during classes and once they have tried it, they have got to have it!

*the scents are lovely, not over-powering
*there is no residue left on the fabric
*it provides a little extra stability when working with bias edges
*it aids pressing curved piecing like on the double wedding ring pattern
*seams press flatter and crisper for precision piecing
Many of my quilter's buy it by the gallon.
We have only good things to say about Mary Ellen's Best Press. Thank you for making a quality product that is a joy to use, Kathy Rutherford, owner of Calla Lily Quilt Shop"

"I am a new consumer of Mary Ellen Products. As sick as it may sound, I like to iron, and have been a frequent user of Niagara Spray starch for many years. I had the opportunity to try "Best Pressed". Can't say enough good things about Best Pressed. Product lasts longer than Niagara, does not flake or leave any type residue on clothing after ironing. Also leaves a nice fragrance on clothing. Yuo should try it." -Lynda, Texas                          (taken from Mary Ellen's Product website)

Aren't these the cutest little bottles?  Best Press now has a gift bag with six 2 oz bottles of each of their scents.  These would make a wonderful Easter Basket surprise or a fun  way to say Happy Birthday or Thank You to a quilting friend.
 
Mary Ellen's Best Press is acid free and made in the USA!!!
 
I know you are going to be thrilled that Mary Ellen Products have sent six bottles of Mary Ellen's Best Press (16 oz), to be given away to six very lucky IHAN blog readers.  The Tea Rose Garden scent will be put into the Grand Prize Drawing.  To win one of the other five bottles of Mary Ellen's Best Press leave a comment here on this post telling us what you like about Best Press if you have used it.  You've not tried Best Press?  Please tell us why you would like to win a bottle.  We will draw 5 names for this drawing. (The sixth one goes into the Grand Prize Drawing:)
 
Smiles,
Kelly

Day 12 of 30 Days of Giveaways - Mistyfuse

IHAN's 30 Days of Giveaways

Anniversary Celebration

Day 13 Giveaway

Mistyfuse

by Attached Inc.


Mistyfuse White

Mistyfuse Ultraviolet

Mistyfuse Black

I am so surprised every time I hear someone say that they have not heard about Mistyfuse. If this is the first time you are hearing about Mistyfuse, boy are you going to thank me.

The official description for Mistyfuse:

Use paper-less Mistyfuse® for all weights of fabric from velvets and cottons to delicate tulles and organzas. It's a dream to work with—it handles well, is incredibly sheer, doesn't add bulk to your fused piece and bonds firmly once cooled. And since there is no added adhesive, it will never gum up your scissors or quilting needles.

"My" description of Mistyfuse:

Use it...trust me...you won't be sorry....excellent fusible that is light and does not make your fabrics or papers hard or stiff....they stay nice and soft...(stop thinking about Charmin Toilet Paper will ya.....it is soft but not nice and thin like Mistyfuse)

I met Iris Karp (Owner of Attached Inc.) in Pittsburgh last May. She demonstrated how Mistyfuse works and I was fascinated. I'm sure she thought I was absolutely nuts because I carried the sample she gave to me all around for the duration of market asking people if they were familiar with it. I sent everyone I spoke with over to Iris so she could show them how cool it is. I'm surprised Iris did not call the police and report a nutcase on the loose. (No one here will be surprised because all of you know when I learn about something that is really neat and works like it says it will.....I tell everyone I know. )

I know you want to see some projects that have used Mistyfuse.  Here are some examples of things Sue Bleiweiss has made using Mistyfuse:

Fabric Charms 

Silk Journal Purple, Green & Blue from Sue's Etsy Shop 

Funky Flowers Art Quilt from Sue's Etsy Store 

Soap Bubbles Art Quilt in Sue's Etsy Shop 

Sue is a very talented artist and quilter.  I really appreciate her allowing me to use her photos from her projects for this post-THANKS Sue!!! 

Three Creative Studios   (Sue Bleiweiss, Terri Stegmiller, and Vicki Welsh) have put an excellent Mistyfuse Tip Sheet on their site.  They also have the following free tutorials:

Fabric Charms Tutorial 

Fiber Collage Cards 

Fabric Frames 

Foiled Silk Cards 

Mixed Media Fiber Cuffs 

Mini Padfolio 

Painted Lace Surfaces 

THANK YOU Three Creative Studios for the excellent tutorials :)

Here are some of my customers e-mails with their thoughts on Mistyfuse:

Mistyfuse and I have gotten to be great friends, and it is definitely my preferred fusible. I had avoided using fusibles because they made my quilts stiffer than I liked, but Mistyfuse converted me. It is so light I have even used it under organza. My latest project involved small narrow circles and ovals of fabric, and Mistyfuse made it possible to easily translate my vision into fabric; if I had had to pull paper off all those narrow pieces of fabric, I would have gotten very frustrated with the process. It gets an enthusiastic recommendation from me.

Madalene Axford Murphy
workingwall.blogspot.com

Hi Kelly,

Mistyfuse is a great product. Recently I made ATCs using layers of candy wrappers and Misty Fuse was so easy to work with to get the look I was hoping for.

Jenny Morlock
quiltcrazygaljennalouise.blogspot.com

MJE's Bag Tag Tutorial is posted on the sidebar of my blog. I make fun Bag Tags using Mistyfuse. They make great gifts and I love them to put on all my bags including my co-workers backpacks.

I should also tell you that Mistyfuse comes in :

Ultraviolet-

In accelerated aging studies, exposure to UV rays have been shown to cause fusibles to tan (darken). Especially on light colors, sheers or other light weight fabrics, and surface use, tanning may read as a color shift or dark spots. But now there’s Mistyfuse Ultraviolet! Mistyfuse Ultraviolet is specially formulated with an effective retardant to protect against the tanning effect of UV rays - without sacrificing any of the inherent Mistyfuse qualities you expect and trust. Mistyfuse Ultraviolet is white and fuses clear.

And Black-

Use Mistyfuse Black with any fabric or with tulles and sheers to create shadow and other special effects.

To have a package of White Mistyfuse shipped to the address of your choice, you need to leave a comment here telling us about your experiences using Mistyfuse and if you have not used Mistyfuse please tell us what you intend to make using Mistyfuse.

For extra entries please send photos of projects you have made using Mistyfuse with a description and you review of Mistyfuse to IWantToWinAtIHAN@yahoo.com

But WAIT...there is MORE....Iris Karp is going to give away one package of Mistyfuse each week for three weeks....so watch for more posts....and the last week she is going to giveaway a roll of Mistyfuse 12 in. x 100 yards in the Grand Prize Drawing. To learn more about the Grand Prize Drawing....click here :)

Thank You  Iris Karp (Attached Inc.) for your generousity and for giving me the idea of having a Grand Prize Drawing !!!

Smiles,

Kelly

Did Someone Say There Is ANOTHER Giveaway?

Guess what, Barbara Foley from Craft It Wednesday is having a giveaway and I thought everyone would want to know.  I'm starting to think the old saying, "April Showers Brings May Flowers," should be changed to April Showers Brings Great Packages :) 

Barbara is giving away a brand new issue March/April 2010 of Creating Keepsakes,  Trading Cards for scrapbook book, and  Crazy for Chipboard book.   Click here to enter her giveaway :)  Craft It Wednesday's giveaway ends on April 1, 2010 too.  Hop on over and put your name in the hat....feel free to tell your friends too.

Smiles,
Kelly