Day 15 of 30 Day GIVEAWAY #2 - Aurifil Thread

IHAN's 30 Days of Giveaways

Anniversary Celebration

Day 15 Giveaway #2

Mark Lapinski's 

The Intermediate Collection 

by

Aurifil Thread 

You won't need an afternoon cup of coffee or a sugar hit today.  This giveaway should provide enough adrenaline to keep you up until midnight.  Your eyes are not failing you...it is true....Aurifil Threads is giving one very dog gone lucky IHAN reader the Mark Lapinski's Intermediate Aurifil Thread Collection.  Twelve great colors of 28 weight cotton thread 820 yards of thread. 

 
I thought that was the response I would get!!!  I promise I did not open any of the threads although they may have been fondled....the wrapper is still on all the spools :)  I don't know how much longer I can be trusted though.

When I was a teenager I actually had a dream about finding the make up displays from the big department stores and no one wanted them.  (Teenage Heaven)  Now, I dream I come upon those incredible Aurifil Displays and those handsome Italian guys are away from their booth...(in my dream, I also have a dolly and a getaway vehicle).

Can you imagine?  This must be Thread Heaven....all the colors....when ever you need one....just reach over and grab a spool.  One for you sewing machine, a few for your embroidery machine (MJE, Diane, Dale, Joanne, Darlene), three or four for your serger and then some for your mid or long arm machine.  See what I mean....we need all this thread:)  Of course there is plenty for hand applique, redwork, making lace and plenty for eye candy in your sewing room!!

Ok, well stop dreaming and come back to reality.  Here is some great information about Aurifil Thread:

Cotton Mako 50 wt (orange spool) great for:

• Needle Turn Appliqué
• Lace Making
• Detailed Machine Embroidery
• Redwork
• Quilting - Piecing and Hand sewing (lighter weight helps seams lay flatter)
• Serging
• Stitching Miniature Blocks

Mako Cotton 40 wt. (green spool) great for:

•  Decorative Stitches
• Machine Embroidery
• Quilting - Hand and Machine Piecing
• Lace Making
• Buttonholes
• Stitching in the Ditch

Mako Cotton 28 wt. (grey spool) great for:

• Blanket Stitching by Hand and Machine
• Lace Making
• Hand Quilting (does not need to be glazed or waxed)
• Long Arm Quilting (Borders and Edges)
• Top stitching
• General Purpose Sewing
• Machine Embroidery

Lana Wool 14 wt. great for:

• Folk Art Applique
• Machine and Hand Sewing
• Sewing on wool or felted wool
• *requires 90-100 needle

Mako Cotton 12 wt. (red spool) great for:

• Decorative Quilting
• Machine Embroidery
• Folk Art
• Sashiko
• Redwork
• Embellishment
• Buttonhole or Blanket Stitch
• Serging - gives more texture and dimension
• *requires a large eye top stitch needle size 90/14

Want to know more about Aurifil thread?  Click here :)  Look at this incredible Suitcase 216 colors....oh yeah baby!!!  I've heard people say Aurifil thread is expensive....do yourself a favor and check out the price you are paying for the equivalent thread in another brand.  You will be surprised to find it is only a little more and the quality is certainly worth it!!
It may be difficult to type after all this excitement.  But in order to have an opportunity to win Mark Lapinski's Intermediate Aurifil Thread Collection you must leave a comment on this post telling us:

1. Have you used Aurifil Thread?

• If so, tell us about your experience.
• If not, please tell us why you would like to win.

THANK YOU Aurifil Threads and Alex Veronelli for giving one very lucky IHAN blog reader a box of your incredible thread!!!

Aurifil Threads has a Facebook page and a blog-Auribuzz.  For more fun information you may want to look there :)

Smiles,
Kelly

Day 15 of 30 Days of Giveaways - QuiltWoman.com

IHAN's 30 Days of Giveaways

Anniversary Celebration

Day 15 Giveaway

QuiltWoman.com 

Nancy Dill, Owner

Anyone remember this picture?  These are the women who "saved my life" in Pittsburgh.  Carol, Lacey and Nancy were the ones who I approached on the streets of Pittsburgh and asked if they were familiar with the area.  I had gotten turned around and could not find where I had parked and it was after 10 PM.  They were so kind to help me find my van and then they waited until I got in and left.  I could still be wandering the streets of Pittsburgh if it were not for these lovely ladies. 

Since that time I've had the pleasure of meeting up with them again and chatting with them over the Internet.  I posted recently on the recognition Nancy received from American Express for the "Make Mine A Million Dollar Business Competition" and she was one of 10 awardees at the American Express Open Women’s Business Summit in Houston, Texas. 

Nancy also owns Betty's Quilting Etc. I am telling you she is one busy woman!!!   I don't know weather to scratch my watch or wind my butt most of the time.  I guess I need to learn how Nancy does it all :)

One thing I can tell you, she did send 10 wonderful patterns to be given away to 10 very lucky IHAN blog readers!!!  Here they are:

The top 10 patterns of 2009 for QuiltWoman were:

Stoneworks by Ann Anderson

Humbug Bag

Window On The East by Carolyn Startup

Take Four Placemats by Cary Flanagan

Batik Diamonds by Barb Sackel

Tuck AwayTote by Mckenna Linn

Jelly Patch Straight To The Point Series by Ann Anderson

Table Graces by Jean Dunn

Prairie Window by Anne Wiens

Trophy Case by Barb Sackel

Very cool patterns indeed!!!  Speaking of cool.....in January when it is cold here....I mean freezing and the skys are grey and dark.....you could join QuiltWoman on their

First Annual Quilter's Family and Friends Cruise.  They are going to the Western Caribbean, January 15 - 20, 2011.  NO we are not giving away a cruise (I would have to draw my own name for that one folks!!!)....but if you want to join them...click here for more  details. Can you imagine the fun of stitching with a group of wonderful friends on a cruise ship?  Oh I'm going to be busy when my co-workers get older!!

Back to the giveaway!!!  To enter to win one of QuiltWoman's  patterns please leave a comment telling us which patterns you would like to win and why.  Two of the patterns will be put into the Grand Prize Drawing so that leaves 8 lucky people for this drawing.

Thank you QuiltWoman / Nancy Dill for giving 8 IHAN blog readers this wonderful opportunity:)

Smiles,

Kelly

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