Raise Your E-Notion IQ - Slice Fabrique Product Review

It's Wednesday again and that means it's time for a IHAN Product Review.  Today I'm reviewing the Slice Fabrique.  I chose the Slice Fabrique because I've had a number of e-mails recently asking questions about the Slice Fabrique. 

The Slice Fabrique's job is to cut out applique shapes in a variety of sizes (1"-4" in 1/2" increments) and those shapes depend on what design card you put into the machine. 

Here you can see I have a variety of the design cards....there are more...just click here to see all of the cards available.

 I put the Basic Applique Shape Card (included with the Slice Fabrique) into the back of the machine.

After pressing the menu button I selected this flower.  I'm making a onsie for a friend who has just had a baby.

Then I put some of the adhesive on the glass cutting mat.  Then I used the sponge brush that come with the cutter.

I spread a thin layer over the glass cutting mat.  That is what holds the fabric down while the cutter is doing it's magic. 

I then run over to my ironing board and fuse some Robert Kaufman Daisies & Dots Charm Squares by Piece O'Cake Designs.  In my previous review of the Fabric Fabrique I wrote about the fusible that I used.  After working with my Slice Fabrique several times I only use the Slice Fusible Web because every time I cut a design it works.  It does work with the others like I said in my earlier review....but I found there were times it didn't work and I'm one of those who can't stand being frustrated. 

Pressing, pressing, pressing...... 

Back over to my work table and I put the fabric face down on the glass cutting mat.   I selected my design and pressed the cut button....and.... 

This is what I got :)

My Slice Fabrique has a little home dock because if I didn't have one my stuff would we everywhere and again I'd be frustrated when I went to use it.  Do you have that problem?  If something doesn't have a "home" I can't ever remember where the parts are and I waste my time searching instead of sewing.

 This is the little cheat sheet that tells ya all the applique designs on the Basic Applique Card.  Each card comes with a cheat sheet.

 (back of cheat sheet)

I'm ready now to put my design on the onsie.  I put this pressing ham inside the onsie...I know it looks odd....but it really did the trick.

 See, the pressing ham held the fabric out like it was on a baby's chest and I could press the applique flowers and leaves with a little more accuracy.  No worries if you don't have a pressing ham....mine is next to my ironing station so it worked :)

 Last step....a little embroidery thread and a button hole stitch....and now I have a pretty little gift :)

If you want to know all the rest of the details about the Slice Fabrique you'll find all that information HERE.

Now for an update the Truesharp Power Rotary Blade Sharpener review from last Wednesday.  Many people asked how many times a rotary blade can be resharpened.  Good question right?  I knew I could sharpened my blades several times but I did not have an "official" answer so I called The Grace Company and spoke to their service department.  I was told they have sharpened blades many times over....50-100 times.  Of course some of the nicks are too deep to grind out so then a new blade is needed.  I'll add this information to that post as well....just thought you'd want to know :)

Now...off to African Safari :)
Smiles,
Kelly

Amanda Murphy Design Giveaway

Cheerful, fun, energetic....yep....that is my description of Amanda Murphy's patterns....and I'm so excited that today Amanda and I are both offering a giveaway.

 

Amanda has recently been given an AccuQuilt GO! Baby and she used the GO! Round Flower Die with her two fabric lines, Ambrosia and Veranda.  They are perfect for her Village Green Pattern.

 Amanda is giving away a Village Green Pattern with 20 Round Flowers  cut from her Ambrosia fabric line and a Village Green Pattern with 20 Round Flowers  cut from her Veranda fabric line.  Make sure you visit Amanda's blog to enter.

Here on the IHAN blog you  leave a comment for your chance to win a Village Green & Portraits Of My Garden Patterns by Amanda Murphy Design.

AND I'm also offering a great discount on the AccuQuilt GO! Round Flower Die (Save $8.00) and on the GO! Baby Fabric Cutter (Save 39.99).

So what are you waiting for?  Leave a comment here on this post telling me why you are excited to win Village Green and Portraits Of My Garden Patterns....then hop, skip and jump over to Amanda's Blog.  The comments for this giveaway will end Thursday evening and the winners will be announced on Friday.  The sale on the GO! Round Flower Die and GO! Baby Fabric Cutter will also end Thursday night.

I wish all of you great luck in the drawings :)

Smiles,

Kelly

 

Iron Quilter Competition at the Kaleidoscope of Quilts

I hope you have all enjoyed the photos of the quilts I posted from the Kaleidoscope of Quilts.  There was also an "Iron Quilter Competition" that was so much fun to watch. 

The Iron Quilter Competition was comprised of  three teams that were selected randomly from the guilds who expressed interest in participating.  Each team was given a bag of fabric and embellishments and they had to create and finish a quilt or wall hanging larger than 20" x 20".   The completed quilts became part of the silent auction raising money for the Victory Center.  The winning team was also  given a check for 100.00 for their guild. 

 Representing the Black Swamp Quilt Guild (I'm a member) was Cindy Hufford and Mary Lee Grabowski.

 AKA "Superfly Cindy & Mary Lee the Flying Nun"

 Representing the Gathering of Quilters (I'm a member of that guild too)  was Amy Reitzel and Debbie Linenkungel.

 Representing the Cellar Sewers were Cheryl Darr and Edie Dyke.  All of these ladies were very brave to have volunteered in my opinion!

Sheila Painter was the MC of the event.

Sorry for all the blurry photos below...but guess what....those girls were moving as fast as they could.

 The clock was ticking and those gals were having a ball.  The crowd was there to cheer them on and then a whistle was blown....what?  A whistle?   

Guess who showed up?  None other than the quilt police....I'm surprised there were no tomatoes thrown. 

There was a lot of laughter as these fellas pulled out their measuring tapes and flash lights. 

And the winning quilt was made by none other than "Super Fly Cindy and Mary Lee the Flying Nun" from the Black Swamp Quilt Guild.

 Second place went to Amy and Debbie from the Gathering of Quilters.

and third place went to Cheryl and Edie from the Cellar Sewers.

It sure looked like all 6 gals had a great time.

 I thought it was neat that stamps and glitter were used....those gals must have planned lots of techniques that could possibly be used and had to decide fast.

 I was very impressed with all three wall hangings and loved the idea that what was done was done and it only took 90 minutes. 

I think this would be a very fun addition to retreats and other sewcials.....not only a challenge but lots of laughter too.

Smiles,
Kelly