Announcement!

I Have A Notion blog and store have moved to:


the store can be found at


There is a much easier to navigate store, with new items. The blog has its own page as well... new content too.

The blog is now at www.ihaveanotion.com/blog

Please come and visit!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Sizzix & Westminster Partner for a New Fabric Cutting System - IHAN Product Review

 The new Quilting By Design Fabric Cutting System also embosses, cuts tin, foam, paper, card stock, and of course fabric.  You may remember my previous post (click here).   These photos belong to IHAN and were taken at Spring Quilt Market in Minneapolis, Checker Distributors in Maumee, OH, and here at IHAN World Headquarters :)  
 
My first opportunity to get my hands on the New Quilting by Design came in Minneapolis at Spring Quilt Market.  I had heard it cut so many different mediums I was very interested to see for myself how it worked.  You probably want to know there is more than one option for Cutting Machines.  There is the Big Shot and Big Shot Pro.  Both of those are hand cranked.  For those of you can not or do not want to use the hand crank there is the Big Shot Express that simply plugs into your electrical outlet.  (The word on the street is there is another new one on the horizon.....The Sizzix Vagabond Machine - inspired by Tim Holtz) Click here for the You Tube Video- I've seen it and it is definitely worth looking at.  For those of you who are interested in cutting fabric you will want to know the Cutting Dies work in both machines.
 
Cheryl Adam is the designer of the quilt behind her.  You will see her pictured below because she also attended the Checker Distributor 62 Anniversary Open House.
 
Meet the Big Shot Pro!!! 
The Big Shot Pro has a cutting bed and comes with two acrylic cutting pads.  It also comes with an adapter pad that is used for embossing....see below.
 
Depending on how you fold your fabric you can also make the above designs without using a special die.  It is all in how you fold your fabric :)
Here Sizzix had cut some rubber foam to make a rubber stamp.  I like the variety of things these machines can be used for because I'm also a scrapbooker. (Yes, I have an obsession with paper....I've had it since I was a young child...shhhh our secret!)
This was Mrs. IHAN (very tired) in Minneapolis using the Big Shot to see how it worked.  I also used the Big Shot Pro but I decided I have so many photos here that you don't need to see all of them.  If you want to....just ask :)

Now these are the photos I took at Checker Distributor after returning from Spring Quilt Market.  One thing I noticed when I used the Sizzix Bigz 2in Hexagon was that there seemed to be threads that did not cut through.  I called it the "dangling chad."  I was curious why this was happening.  I have since learned that this can happen with all die cutting systems and if it should occur, put a piece of paper on top of the fabric and that will eliminate the issue.
 
You will probably recall me posting this before.  I figured if I got threads hanging from the Sizzix Bigz 2in Hexagon  I would most definitely get the same result with the more intricate Sizzix Bigz Flower with Leaves and Stem die.

NOPE....it was a clean cut. 
Now fast forward to the recent Checker Distributor 62 Anniversary Open House (that is a long phrase and I'm about to just refer to it as "the CH-OH")*

Dennis Horcher from Sizzix and designer Cheryl Adam gave demonstrations of the Big Shot and the Big Shot Pro.
Here is the Sizzix Bigz Pro 25 - 3-1/2in Strips die.  Cheryl gave me a great tip, she suggested that when the acrylic mat is removed to slide it off as pictured below.  This cuts down on static cling. 
During the CD -OH* I purchased the Big Shot and brought it back to IHAN Headquarters to give it a whirl.
 
The Big Shot comes with The Big Shot Machine, 1 Pair Standard Cutting Pads and the Instruction Booklet.

Some assembly required.  I actually read the directions, aren't you proud of me?  The handle has to be attached and I found that to be quite easy.  The instructions are clear easy for me to understand.  The Big Shot Machine itself weights apx. 7lbs 9oz and it stands on 6 small rubber feet.  It is very sturdy and does not move when I put the dies through the machine.  The instruction booklet does have Tips for using Fabric and it says to use paper on top of the fabric as well as other tips.
My first die, Sizzix Bigz Sunflower and Poinsettia Petals, because I am in love with Sunflowers. 
 
I sandwiched one mat, the die, fabric and the other mat together and put it on the bed of the Big Shot Machine.  I laid it down and with one hand held it in place while I used the handle to move the die sandwich through the Big Shot Machine.
 
No I did not iron my fabric, I could have but for the demo I did not bother.  This is what I got the first time.
 
I now know the remedy to this so I took another scrap of fabric and put some of my used paper (I only use recycled/used/junk mail etc for the paper).

 
The results.....perfect Poinsettia and Daisy petals :)  No "dangling chads."  The only problem is I used green....had I been actually thinking I would have used yellows and golds.  Next time :)  I was a Gal on a Mission.
Both cutting Machines worked as advertised and I liked them both very much.  The Big Shot Pro weighs 44 lbs (per their website)  and the Big Shot weighs 7 lbs 9 oz in on my scale, their website says 7lbs 5 oz.  Both machines have open flat beds and do not fold up for storage.   The Big Shot Express weighs 9lbs 6 oz (as per Sizzix website).  The machines are heavy. I chose the Big Shot because of it's size and I keep it on the floor under my cutting table when not in use.

The machine's I used did not move when I was cranking the handle to get the die through the machine.  The weight and the rubber feet seemed to keep them in place.  I was able to cut (using the Sizzix Bigz Sunflower and Poinsettia Petals) up to 10 layers of cotton fabrics and still get precise cuts.  It also cut 4 layers of denim without a problem.  Once the fabric becomes too high the "die sandwich" will not go through the Big Shot any longer.  So there is a limit on the layers of fabric it will cut.  I cut one layer of woof felt and up to 4 layers of card stock.  I liked the price of the Cutting Machines.  The prices of the dies vary from 19.99 all the way up to 89.99.
I really like the repeating dies that cut one shape in the same size several times.

If using your hands has become difficult you can get the Big Shot Express that simply plugs into the wall.
Although I have not done any embossing in my scrapbooking or fiber life both of these machines have embossing plates.  I like that I can cut paper, cardstock as well as a variety of fabrics.  The machines are compatible with most everything Sizzix makes, I don't own any of those other items so I can't give them a review at this time.

I"m sure I will learn more as time goes by and I use my Big Shot more.  None of the items I reviewed were given to me, I purchased everything and was not asked by anyone to do this review. 

Smiles,
Kelly



Monday, September 13, 2010

Jaybrid Quilts Giveaway, You don't want to miss this one :)

Julie Herman, Jaybird Quilts blog, is hosting a giveaway, one you won't want to miss.  I'll give you a hint.....it has something to do with the quilt featured below :) 


Smiles,
Kelly

The Velocity V50 by Reliable Review - It made Oprah's O-List


Yes it is true, the Velocity V50 made Oprah Winfrey's O-List!!  Congratulations Reliable!! 
It is also true that IHAN knew it Totally Rocked Big Socks back in May  before it made Oprah's O-List.  So perhaps Ms. Winfrey's staff need to contact IHAN for the skinny on all the best stuff going ay?  :)

This is me (me hand :), and my red bag in the background, getting personal with the Velocity V50.  Mr. McSteamy has the Velocity V100 (posted about here) and I use it when I iron the co-workers clothes for school.  I will challenge anyone's iron against the V100 every day of the week and I know it will beat every iron out there for continuous steam and it will not leak or leave wet spots on your clothes.  I do not own the Velocity V50 but I used it at Spring Quilt Market and I was just as impressed with it as I am the Velocity V100

Art Grabedian and Kimberly Szucs tolerated Mrs. IHAN while she inspected their wears.  Art already knows when he sees me to back away from the merchandise because I don't want them showing me how it works.  I want to be the operator so I know for sure that it works and how it works. 

I needed something to iron and Art would not take off his shirt so I started to take mine off to iron it (Linen wrinkles very easily) and I saw people starting to run so I quickly changed the game plan and just ironed the bottom of my Linen shirt.  Here is the before..... 

And here is the after.....see what I mean....not one wrinkle.  The Velocity V50 had continuous steam the entire time.  The other thing I really liked about the V50 is you can bypass the auto shut-off.  That is really nice if you are working on projects and you don't want to be annoyed by your iron turning itself off.  There were no water marks or drips....just like the V100.
 
The only other wrinkled item I could remove (yes I have other wrinkles but they don't come off that easily) was my camera strap.  It had gotten wrinkled and bunched up in places.  So off it came (no one ran this time :)
See how nice it looks now?  It was perfect again.  As everyone already knows, I don't work for Reliable Corporation and I don't own stock in their company either (that I know of) but when I find something I think is a great investment, I like to tell all my friends.

As with every product, there are things the V50 just does not do well.....after almost 45 minutes I discovered what the Velocity V50 really stinks at doing and I've gone to the trouble of posting my photos as proof.
The Velocity V50 really stinks as a belt.  I thought the cord did nothing for my waist line and the fob hanging from the cord was just not runway material.  Sorry Reliable!!!
It was also really ugly as a toe ring embellishment.  Somehow it really failed my expectations.  Again, a drawback, but not the end of the world.


Lastly, it makes a really ugly necklace.  The iron itself is way to heavy to dangle down even if you are into a huge amount of bling.  I have to give it a negative rating in the necklace and scarf categories.  Although I was thinking about plugging it back in and seeing if it would remove my crows feet.....but I was afraid to be disappointed.

Art and Kimberly also brought the new EnviroMate Pronto P7 with them to Market.  I wanted it so badly I was willing to shoot Art to get it.
Good thing he brought Kimberly with him as backup.....I almost had that baby in my bag and I would have been gone lickity split.  I think Kimberly is an ex-marine....but I'm not 100% on that.

The EnviroMate Pronto P7 shot steam for 15 minutes straight....no kidding.  And it was not a puff of steam either.  I tried several times to take a good photo of the steam but I don't know how to do that and have the steam show up in the photo.  I guess I need to take a video camera with me to Houston for Fall Quilt Market.  That steam was literally coming out in front of the tip for quite a distance.  The EnviroMate Pronto P7 is only available for pre-order at this time.  But I have it on good authority it will be available soon!!!

I have purchased a steam cleaner last year only to return it to the store because it sputtered and spurted and did not really steam.  I have been interested in Steam Cleaners because they clean and sanitize without using chemicals.  With two young co-workers around that is very important to me.  Guess what else it will do?  Kill bed bugs.  I know that is a gross subject to bring up, but I have read recently that bed bugs are not just in beds....they have found them in malls, clothing stores, and other public places.  So when I travel, you know what I'll be bringing with me!!! 

All I have to say is....."I'll Be Back."

Smiles,
Kelly

 

Sunday, September 12, 2010

The Winners Announcement

Giveaways are so much fun.  The Checker Distributor 62 Anniversary Open House was lots of fun to go to and it was much better being able to share it with all of you.  I hope you have learned something new and enjoyed the posts.  And the winners are:


Rule-Breaking Quilts by Kathryn Schmidt
 WoolenSails

Take 5 by Kathy Brown
Becky from Georgia
Fabric's for Hobo Quilts
Kathryn
Pinwheel Squares Quilt Pattern by Carolyn Griffin
a.niza
 Floating Stars Quilt Pattern by Carolyn Griffin
Kay Lynne


 Braids on Parade Quilt Pattern by Carolyn Griffin
Joyful Quilter


Amy Barickman's Vintage Notions Tote Bag
Quilts and Cats


Patty in Iowa
Karin

Congratulations to all of the winners.  Please e-mail IHaveANotion@yahoo.com with your address so I can send you your prize.

If you are not a follower of the IHAN blog, I'd like to invite you to become a follower.   There are many more giveaways to come....and I'm not even finished with the Spring Quilt Market and I still have lots of prizes to be given away before I leave for Fall Quilt Market in Houston.

Smiles,
Kelly

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Checker Distributor 62 Anniversary Open House - Electric Quilt 7

Checker Distributor 62 Anniversary Open House

Final Chapter
The Electric Quilt Company - EQ 7
Presented by Gail Wadley

 


 
The very first Schoolhouse presentation was by Gail Wadley for The Electric Quilt Company.  I was very excited because I've been working on Linda Poole's Quilt Challenge and I had a few questions for Gail about my EQ 7 Software.  If I have not mentioned this before, I LOVE the EQ7 Software.  I have not had any problems uploading photos and scanning my fabrics to load into the program.  I can make design quilts using the fabrics I have here at home and see what they will look like before I ever cut my fabric.  How cool is that? 
 
Those who attended the presentation brought our computers and Gail also had her computer screen showing on an overhead projector as well.  (I'm sure there is more technical terms for what she was doing....but I don't know them...lol)   This made it wonderful for the students to not only follow along on our computers but for those without computers, they could see what was happening too.
 

Gail was an excellent teacher.  It was very clear from the beginning that she really knows this program and she shared some good information with the class.  The next time I can go to an EQ class being given by any of the EQ Instructors, I'm going....honestly it was not only fun but exciting to learn more about Electric Quilt Software.
These are some of the topics she covered:
There were many over suggested reading topics included in her handout as well.
I really enjoyed this class and was very grateful that Checker Distributors provided those in attendance with the opportunity to further our knowledge about EQ 7 Software.
This concludes the IHAN coverage of the Checker Distributor 62 Anniversary Open House.  I know I have left out other companies that were present.  I could not possibly cover everything and everyone.  I specifically did not cover the Sizzix Quilting By Design Fabric Cutting System because I plan to do a product review in the very near future and I want to do that separately.
Thank you Checker Distributors for hosting this event and giving all of those who attended an opportunity to learn more about the great products available.  The IHAN Bloggifers have been great!!!  Thank you for reading these posts and leaving your comments.  I will do the drawing for the Giveaways tomorrow and post the winners tomorrow evening.
Smiles,
Kelly

Friday, September 10, 2010

Superior Titanium Coated Topstitch Sewing Machine Needle & IHAN Needle Exchange Program

The IHAN Needle Exchange Program is alive and well.  I've received several stacks of envelopes from readers who are exchanging a used and/or broken sewing machine needle for a Superior Titanium Coated Topstitch Sewing Machine Needle

I have posted just a few of the notes that I have received.  You will notice I have blocked the names and addresses on the notes and envelopes. If it is your note, you will be the only one who recognizes it :) 


So what are you waiting for?  Take my challenge and send me a broken or used sewing machine needle (click here for all the details).  This is your opportunity try the Superior Titanium Coated Topstitch Needles and tell me what you think. 

Please be sure to read the IHAN Needle Exchange Program page on my blog for all of the information to get your new needle.

Smiles,
Kelly

Checker Distributor 62 Anniversary Open House - Double Diamond Ruler and MorningGlory Designs

Kim Templin is the designer of the Double Diamond Ruler.  She brought some new patterns (new to me) to the Open House and the one below was really fun for Christmas. 
 
There was also a really beautiful wall hanging of a guitar but my photo did not come out so I'll let you check it out here.  It is really a great idea for anyone who plays the guitar....so different and fun.
This is actually a purse....I know the photo does not completely show all the details.  The Double Diamond's make this purse unique don't you think?  It really catches your eye.  

Betsy Meyers & Margaret Winder are MorninGlory Designs and they had lots of new patterns to share.
These cozy jackets look great for Fall.  I love a fun jacket to wear when I'm out and about. 

 
IHAN has added a few MorninGlory Patterns to the shop and will be adding more soon.  If there is one in particular you are interested in and it is not listed, please e-mail IHaveANotion@yahoo.com and I'll get it for you. 
I'm almost finished with the Open House posts and I will be giving away some fun Prizes....if you did not know there was a giveaway going on.....click here to see what fun things are being given away very soon.
Smiles,
Kelly

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