Polder Ironing Board and Petite Press

I’m always amazed at how fast time flys by.  I should have had the binding on this quilt and given it away about 1 month ago.  Well Mum will get it for Christmas.  To make sure I stay on track with this I’ve moved my double sided Polder Ironing board right beside my sewing machine.  Even though there is a place to store the full sized iron I’m using the new Petite Press ’cause it’s just so cute. It looks like it’s sitting on the ironing board but it isn’t . The built in stand actually works on this iron. It clears the ironing board by almost 2 inches.
Back to the ironing board.  We have 2 in with girdded tops right now.  It’s hit and miss as to whether they ship the girded ones or the plain ones. They are available on our site.
www.joannescreativenotions.com

Be Safe
J

Texture Magic

I finally made time last night to play with Texture Magic.  I cut a 12 x 12 inch square of Texture Magic and stitched it onto a larger piece of fabric in a 1’’ grid.  It really does shrink with steam. You do use a lot of steam, so fill  your water container up before you start.  You have to be sure you hold the Iron above the surface.  It’s cool.  What am I going to do with this piece?
I’m going to use it in a challenge.  The fabric I chose co-ordinates with the fabric in my mystery challenge package.  I didn’t choose this fabric intentionally.  It just happened.  Is that Serendipity?
I’m going to use some of this as a textured appliqué.  I will stitch around in the shape I intend to cut and then cut just outside that stitching line.  It will all unravel if I don’t do that first.
Texture Magic is available on our website
www.joannescreativenotions.com
Plans progress for SewFest West 2010. I think this will be a wonderful weekend.  There will be classes and free demos, more than just shopping. We’d love your input.  Feel free to email me @ info@joannescreativenotions.com
Have you seen something really neat at a show that you wish others would consider?
What about a quilting or fashion sewing instructor?
Many of our plans have been finalized, but we will gladly consider all your ideas and incorporate them if at all possible.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Oh!  Christmas is fast approaching.  Remember to allow time for delivery.
Be Safe
J

Surprise Gift & Discipline

I must admit I really didn’t expect it last week when John brought home this book.  Goddess of the Last Minute by Robbi Joy Eklow.   We don’t offer it, I’m sure you can get it online.  What a wonderful read.  I really had to discipline my self not to read it in one go.  I will read it again.
Robbi writes an article by the same title for Quilting Arts Magazine.  As she states, this is not a guide of how to complete projects, organize or offer other self help advice.  The Goddess of the Last Minute, simply chronicles the lifestyle of an Art Quilter, writer, traveling instructor, mother, wife (Do You recognize any of these…?) Funny, easy read and well worth adding to your stocking stuffer list or just go buy it now.

Sticking with the Discipline topic,  I’ve finally added, I hope, most of what I blogged about last week to the site.  I actually tried out the Snowflake Cedar Canyon Stencil on the weekend with the Grip-n-Grip. The Fusible Velcro® is there now too.
The easiest way to see what’s new it to click on the What’s New link on the right hand side of our web page.www.joannescreativenotions.com
Be Safe
J

Simplicity Product Update and MORE New Products

There are 2 each of the bias tape makers and rotary cutters left. They are available online now.  PLUS, the GrabARoo’s arrived!  These were hot at market.  These new gloves are actually marked in normal glove sizes.  8, 9 and 10.  They are machine washable.
Also here, the fusible Velcro for the new handbag patterns.  Black Beige and White in 3/4’’ strips.
Back to Cedar Canyon and Paintstik Stencils.  I’ve actually held them in my hand.  What a wonderful quality.  The same as the stencil included with the Coneflower pattern.  There are 3 new colours of full size paint stick here too. http://www.joannescreativenotions.com/store/

If I keep blogging I’ll never get this scanned and uploaded.
SewFest 2010.  Watch for more announcements next week.  We are just overwhelmed by the prospective vendor response.
More Info? http://sewfestwest2010.blogspot.com/
Have a great day
J

Sewing Machine Cookie Cutters

This is just too cute!  I had to start with this.

We sold out of these at the Fall CSNF.  I forgot I’d ordered more.  The cookie cutter is 5” across.  It’s a big cookie.  It’s one of those things were people will eat it even though they “shouldn’t”.  The cookie cutter sets arrived too.  Both are online at

www.joannescreativenotions.com.

Also I’ll blog about the  Cedar Canyon products but they aren’t on the web site yet.

 

I can’t wait to do the Coneflower.  It will go well with the starter kit.  You can use the paints that are in that, but they aren’t the exact ones used in the pattern.  I will have to work on that.

This pattern is more expensive because it includes the Mylar stencils. The finished wall piece is 27 x 38.  The patterns are really good.  The instructions are colour, will laid out, easy to follow and answer most of your questions as you go along.

#CCT505 $16.95.  Online later today.

Same this for the starter pack  it includes a 6 pack of Iridescent Fashion colours, the book PaintStiks on fabric and the Floral Fantasy rubbing plates.

Texture Magic Is back in stock too.

Lots of things to do with stencils.  Bet you thought I forgot.

Have a good day

J

 

New Product Arriving!

I’m so EXCITED!  Finally the rotary cutting machines and bias tape machines will arrive.  The Coneflower patterns for the Paintstiks®, the stencils we’ve all been watching and asking for and new starter kits will be here too.  I’m busy finishing some SewFest West documents so that I can get right down to adding these to the website tomorrow.   I guess between the SewFest news and Mum’s birthday our plans got a bit mixed up.  If you have any of these items on hold, we will be contacting you shortly to complete the transaction. If you are thinking about it, now is the time to get your email in.  The units have all been allotted by date of email arrival

http://www.joannescreativenotions.com/

SewFest West is proving to be quite popular already.  Word of mouth or type in this case is fantastic. Many Vendors have expressed interest.  We are pretty sure we can put together an interesting event.
Watch this blog and the SewFest Blog for updates

http://sewfestwest2010.blogspot.com/

Safe Travels

J

SewFest West-2010 Announcement

Yes, you’ve read that right!  SewFest is back!
When?  April 30th & May 1st 2010
Where?  Bingemans Conference Facilities in Kitchener
Who? Sponsored by Oakville Sewers Forum http://oakvillesewersforum.com/
SewFancy http://sewfancy.com/
Distinctive Sewing http://www.distinctivesewing.com/
Joanne’s Creative Notions http://www.joannescreativenotions.com/store/
More Info? http://sewfestwest2010.blogspot.com/

What?  SewFest West 2010 is a new Sewing and Needlework Event taking place April 30 and May 1, 2010 at Bingemans in Kitchener, Ontario.
We’ve Moved West in order to take advantage of the larger event facility. We are able to offer many, many more vendors. The highway access is great!
Parking is FREE!  The building is CLEAN!
Background
Conceived by Alma Laidlaw of Sew Fancy, Catherine Goetz of Distinctive Sewing Supplies and myself (Joanne Thomson of Joanne’s Creative Notions) with the intention of filling the upcoming Creative/Inspirational Void this Spring 2010
How do I get more information?
Details are being finalized, i.e. vendors, classes and instructors, your best bet is to keep track of the Blog Catherine has set up.  Isn’t she fantastic! http://sewfestwest2010.blogspot.com/
I’ll try to post here as well as on our site http://www.joannescreativenotions.com/store/ as details are finalized.
Alma will be doing the same on the SewFancy site.
So you see when we get together for coffee it isn’t always fun and games.
I’ll keep you posted.
Today, we’re off to celebrate Mum’s 92nd birthday.  You read that right.  I, at a youthful 49 was a “late lamb”.  I will also be spending time with our youngest family members, their parents and grandparents. (Notice the change of priority.)
Colouring outside the lines, babble and smiles.  Could you plan a more perfect day?  I hope your day is happy.
Safe Travels
J

Cedar Canyon Stencils/Sulky®/Islander classes

I’m busy here getting information, text and images ready to upload some new thread lines including SULKY®.  We are now going to carry the entire line of Sulky threads.  There are over 2000 items to be added to the site so please be patient.  If you need something before it’s shown online  you can always email me at info@joannescreativenotions.com or call 1.800.811.6611 and we will make it happen.
Back to the sewing room move.  There is always a reason when things don’t happen to schedule.  Our son’s band needs to store some equipment here over the winter.  The basement is better than the garage, so I’m staying upstairs.  The compensation is I’m getting help with shelving, rearranging furniture and general organization.  So the story goes, we will see what happens.
Have you checked out our web site?  I’ve added new lighting and the Holiday paintstik rubbing plates.  The STENCILS will be here next week!  I’m so excited.
Yesterday Alma of Sew Fancy, Catherine of Distinctive Sewing and I got together.  Something we’ve intended to do for years.  Just a plain old visit, discussing business and what we are up to and possible collaborative classes.
Catherine has the jump start there.  Distinctive Sewing is offering another Islander Certification opportunity next Spring.  May 17 to 20 2010 in Ancaster. You can contact her at info@distinctivesewing.com or call 1.877 739.2254 for all the details.
I’ve seen Videos with Margaret Islander years ago.  The method is very similar to the industrial techniques we were taught at George Brown in the Fashion Arts program: Narrower seam allowances, no pins etc.  If you want to increase your productivity these techniques are a viable option.  As I wrote above, talk to Catherine for all the details,  I’m just going by memory.
Back to thread colours.
Be Safe
J

 

 

Petite Press Iron

Well I’ve abbreviated the name.  It’s actually the Petite Press Portable Mini Iron.  NOT to be confused with the Clover Product.  This one is  completely different. It has a heavier gauge cord,  there is a digital temperature control.  The part I like the best is the auto shut off after 1 hour of use.   I think this is going to be a hot item this Christmas along with the Bias maker and rotary machine.

I’m hoping to get back to my experiment of what else you can do with a stencil.  I’ tried using it as a pattern to discharge colour on Sunday.  The idea is great.  The way I did it…. needs tweaking. I have lots of fabrics where there is just too much of one colour.  They are perfect pieces to experiment with.

The Petite Press Portable Mini Iron #Q29500 is available on our web site.
www.joannescreativenotions.com  It’s on Sale too.

Be Safe
J

Simpliciity Bias Tape Maker

This has to be THE most popular item right now.  We just can’t keep them in stock.  I’m expecting more late next week and they are already sold.

Every time I  alot one for myself I end up selling it before I even get to open it.

Some of the extra tips are available.  I’m only interested in making the bias to finish the 3 Quilts that are waiting to be bound.  Lynne quilted these for me.  As usual they are awesome.
Progress re the larger work space…..  We actually measured it yesterday and started planing the placement.
Halloween…. What a waste.  We had maybe 30 children at the most.  I’m sure we had nearly 100 last year, which is what we planned for.  Well my sweet tooth won’t be deprived for a while.

Today I’m in a drawing and painting mode. I’ve been working in my sketch book a bit.

Be Safe,
J