Hoffman California Fabrics Tour Last Chapter

WARNING: If Hoffman Fabrics gives you weak knees....please sit down now as IHAN ® is NOT responsible for any injuries you incur as a result of passing out cold after seeing these photos....Photo intensive and long post...sorry (well, not really)!

 During my visit I learned that the Hoffman's are a family of environmentally friendly leaders, champion surfers and they have shown their dedication to the environment by investing in a water treatment processing in Bali to minimize the impact making Batik fabrics has on the environment.  

Subsequently I have learned that Hoffman Fabrics have partnered with Quilksilver to provide funds to Everyday People Initiating Change (E.P.I.C.)  a non profit that is committed to bringing safe, clean drinking water to a number of villages in the developing world. 

I love companies that share my values and I find it very easy to support them and buy their fabrics....and boy do I! :)

Entering the Warehouse

This surf board collection covers the walls.  The collection  belongs to champion surfers, Walter and Philip Hoffman. 

Forewarned is forearmed!!  Remember I told you about what was coming next.....

This rainbow of bundles were on a desk and I just could not imagine what they were doing there all by themselves...so lonely.  I should have stayed to keep them company....but those darn co-workers are always needing something!

Most of us know exactly what a Hoffman Bali Pop is right?  Those gorgeous 2 1/2 inch strips of the Hoffman Batiks.  But...did you know there are now Bali Snaps (5x5) and Bali Crackers (10x10)?  What I love about the pre-cut  fabrics is getting the variety.  I don't want to have to buy a yard of everyone one I like...just give me some of all of them....oh yeah baby!

Don't get too excited....these are not the Colossal Roll being offered as in the Hoffman Pre-Cut Collection...LOL....these are more photos of my warehouse tour.

When I saw this....it was total silence...I was speechless....couldn't utter a word....I was able to get my breath...eventually.

It didn't end....a gigantic warehouse filled.  I would have thought there would be armed guards at all of the doors and sharpshooters on the roof ....but nooooo they were all cool calm and collected.  Do you think there is something wrong with them?  How do you get accustomed to being in that environment every day? 

 

 

Stop....breathe....OK...you can go on now!

My understanding is that many of the employees at Hoffman Fabrics are long time employees.  I was told this lady has worked there over 20 years.  I found some odd pleasure in watching her create the swatch boards by hand....and not machine.  How wonderful is that?  An actual human performing a task....there was some Zen in that activity and it just felt good to see it.
 

Up close and personal with the Hoffman Challenge Fabrics....someone pinch me or I'll think I'm already dead.  I'm not kidding....I was right there and touched those lovely fabrics.

This is how they get the fabric from the rolls to the bolts.  These guys were putting the fabric into the "bolt machines" (I have no idea what they are really called) and then the put their initials on the bolt when it is finished. 

The next time you are shopping for a Hoffman Fabric, check the bolt end for the initials and just know....real people do that!

That was supposed to be the end of the tour...but you know me...I had to wander up and down those isles and "be with" all the energy in those isles.  As I walked to the end of a row I asked....what is that?  Keep in mind this photo was not altered...the light coming in....it does look like Heaven opening up....but I don't own any software that could alter a photo to make it look that good and I'm too cheap to pay to have that done.

"Stairway to Heaven" was the first thing that popped into my head when I gazed upon this sight.  It is the archive's at Hoffman ....where they keep their archives of fabric swatches.

I stood there...yep....me....this was much better than the Walk of Fame in Hollywood....by far!
 

 

 Something else I learned while at Hoffman Fabrics is that they are sponsoring the "Why Quilts Matter" PBS Series.  How cool is that? 

Do you Love Hoffman Fabrics too?  I thought so :)  All IHAN® blog followers can feel free to leave a comment on this post and all you have to say is, "I Love Hoffman Fabrics" for you chance to win one of  these lovely "Sushi" Rolls.  The "Sushi Rolls" are not available in any quilt store...they are rolled up samples of Hoffman Fabrics.  Do you want 2 chances to win?  Click Here to and "Like" Hoffman California Fabrics on Facebook  and come back and let me know and I'll enter your name again!

Giant Smiles,

Kelly

PS...forgot to give a deadline....go figure!  Leave your comment on this post by Sept 11 2012....why not have some really good memories associated with that date?

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