Olfa Impresses Me Again at the International Quilt Market in Houston 2009

Olfa did not disappoint this year at Quilt Market. Once again I had an experience I did not expect. I had purposely gone through my rulers before I left for market. I have one ruler I really like but it is cracked (don't know who dropped it) and I wanted to find another one and learn more about the importance of choosing quality rulers.

I'm walking along and I see the Olfa Booth and I ask about the ruler I'm looking for. The gentleman, John Johnson, politely explains that the ruler I'm asking for is not made by Olfa. I know I checked specifically before I left the house and I could have sworn it was Olfa. Nope.....but was John rude or did he look at me like I was stupid, No. He was everything a gentleman could have been.

John asked me why I wanted that other ruler. I don't like rulers that slip and shift. He handed me an Olfa ruler and explained that the Olfa Frosted Rulers have a Non-Slip manufactured right into the acrylic so it does not peal or wear off. Once you put pressure on it it does not slip. I tried it and he was 100% correct (I hate to admit when a man is right....but he was!).

When the Olfa ruler is placed on busy fabric you can still see the measurement markings.

The lines on the marker are black....but.....
When they are placed against a dark background (my pants, lol) the lines still show up.

The circle on this ruler is a helpful guide when placing pieces...how cool is that.

Heidi Severson was also at the Olfa booth. She was friendly and kind (gave me a little cool note pad to take my notes on....came in very handy since my notebook was huge...THANKS Heidi :).

I left the Olfa booth feeling smarter than I was before I walked up. I wasn't embarrassed because I had made a mistake and I learned some very interesting things.

Later in the show I came across a stranger looking for the Olfa booth. I told her right where it was and she said she was too tired to walk back to give them her order. Knowing the main purpose of Market is to educate and take orders, it was important to Olfa that the order got to them. I offered to walk her order to the Olfa booth for her and she was thrilled. Heidi and John were pleased I took the time to run the order to them. That was just my little way of saying Thanks to Olfa for helping me and educating me....so I can pass this great information along to you.

I am in the process of adding more Olfa rulers to my website. In the meantime, I'd like to offer a great deal to my blog readers.

Blog Reader Special:

Olfa Rotary Cutter Retail 19.99....Your Price 9.00

5 Rotary Replacement Blades 45 mm Retail 31.99 Your price 14.00.

Just in time for some holiday stocking stuffers for those quilting and stitching girlfriends and man friends too!!

You must e-mail your order to IHaveANotion@yahoo.com in order to get this special pricing. Orders through the website will not be given this price special because it is for Blog Readers Only.

Please do not share this post with others or link to it. This is intended for regular readers of this blog only. Quantities are limited and when I'm sold out I will come back and post that the blades and Rotary Cutters are gone. I know it is tempting to share a great deal with all of your friends, but for this offer....lets keep this a secret among the IHAN readers only :) Please just purchase for yourself or for gifts. Maximum order on Rotary Cutters is 2 and Replacement Rotary Blades is 5.
Happy Olfa Smiles,
Kelly

P.S. On The Topic of Olfa

I forgot a detail. On the Olfa Circle Maker....you put the fabric on your cutting mat. Then you put the center needle/point on the cutter on the fabric. You turn the knob with one hand to make the circles. So you are thinking.....my wrist can not turn in a full circle (mine either :). So, the made the handle to go backwards like a socket wrench and then you just keep going. Sorry I forgot to add that. I thought about it while driving today.

If you make yoyo's or want to make a circle quilt or wall hanging or quilt it would be very cool. It cuts circles from 1 7/8 to 8 1/2. Great for penny rugs too. I'm guessing when the blade gets dull you could use it for paper crafts too.

OK...I'm done bragging on those Olfa folks. I think they should send me an Olfa gift basket to give away on my blog....don't you!!!!

Smiles,
Kelly

Olfa At Quilt Market

Perhaps by now you may have noticed that I don't like to be told that something works easily and simply when in truth the item is a waste of money or a pain in the booty to use. I was pleasantly surprised at the Olfa demonstration booth.

The ruler in the top corner of this picture was the Olfa giveaway. Tell me I was not appreciative to try a ruler I don't own.

The Compass Circle Cutter was there on the table. I asked to try it and the gal invited me behind the counter to try it. On the very first attempt I made a beautiful circle....no errors. She showed me where the cap is stored when you take it off the sharp tip and how to retract the blade. I also learned how to replace the blade and I have to say it was easy and safe. I was able to make a variety of sizes with this simple tool. I am convinced that this is actually a valuable tool and it is what they say it is.

The Chenille Cutter demonstrated. It was very simple and the design helps preserve the life of the blade.

This is Olfa's Angle Ruler. I asked why the half circle was printed on it. I figured it would help cut circles somehow. Wrong!!! It is to help you visually see the angles. Someone very smart works at Olfa and it isn't me.

The friendly gal who was willing to take her time to show me the items and answer all my questions. Great gal to have at a booth....I hope she got paid extra because she was really helpful.

I will admit that prior to going to Quilt Market my preference for rotary cutters and blades has always been Olfa. However, I must admit I was very impressed with their other tools and have not problem recommending them to you.

I know you were all hoping they unloaded 500 blades on me so we could all share. But they did not....not this time anyway :) But if they ever do....I'll be glad to share!!!

Smiles,

Kelly