Showing posts with label craftsy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label craftsy. Show all posts

Friday, February 12, 2016

Craftsy Sweetens Up My Life

How much do you love Craftsy?  I see a lot of hands raised!  From classes, to patterns, to supplies and much, much more...Craftsy has become a part of many of our Quilting lives...they truly have Sweetened my quilting life!




When I was approached about joining a Craftsy Blog Hop, it didn't take but a second to say yes!  Thank you Julie @Pink Doxies and Sandra @mmm! Quilts  for including me in this fun Blog Hop!  There will be many reviews happening this week, lots of giveaways and of course, maybe meet a new blogger you may not be familiar with!  Total WIN WIN, don't you think?

As an added bonus:  all classes reviewed on the blog hop will be 50% off!  Sweet!   

So, let's get to it!  Let's talk Craftsy!!



I do a lot of tiny piecing.  Whether it's improv or paper piecing, they both have one thing in common...lots and lots of seams and rotary cutting!  

There has to be a better way, a perfect solution, a time saver (and knee saver), effectively efficient!  And I found it!  A Steam Fast Mini Iron and a Folding Cutting/Pressing Mat.


Steam Fast Mini Iron
~ and ~

Omnigrid Foldaway Cutting and Ironing Mat


First, let's talk about the iron.  You wouldn't think such a tiny thing would be so mighty!  Oh, but it is!  It's light weight (under 1 pound), has a long cord (always welcome) and heats up in under a minute.  My seams and wrinkles are no match for this 'hot & steamy' travel iron.

When finger pressing is not enough, I find myself repeatedly getting up and walking to the iron board...over and over and over and over!  All for one little pressed seam!  Crazy!  



I don't have the ideal sewing space, so having my 'station' compact and efficient is very important.  I need things at my fingertips and this set-up has been a life saver!  



Small projects such as this paper pieced star, involves numerous seams.  You can see how crisp and clean the seams are.  Honestly, I was so impressed with this little iron from the start. I wasn't sure it would live up to my standards, but it has and then some.  




There is no denying the crispness of the press!  In case you are still unsure, check out the back seams!


You can choose to use the iron with steam or without and while there isn't a 'burst' of steam button, it isn't needed at all!  The steam and the heat is enough for perfectly pressed seams every time. 

The proof is in the pudding, as they say!


What about the Folding Cutting/Pressing Mat?  You can see from the previous pictures that it has all the bells and whistles needed for cutting.  The trademark yellow lines, 45 degree lines, and of course...inches!  If you don't need both sides simply fold one side under the other! With three (3) sizes available, you can pick the size that is right for you and your space.


While making this paper pieced rainbow star, it was a breeze to stand up from my machine and trim each seam.  Slice, dice and press!  


This has been the perfect set-up for me at home, but it doesn't end there!  These are the perfect travel companions!  Small and compact!  Take them to your Guild meetings, sewing with friends or on a quilting retreat!  I'm happy to say both of these will be going o their first retreat next weekend!  Yes!!

All of my opinions are my own, I'm not affiliated, sponsored or being compensated for this rave review!  I couldn't be happier with both of these items.  Each one is available at Craftsy and as always, Craftsy has screamin' deals!  

I hope this was helpful to you.  Before I buy anything it's important to know what I'm getting and have some honest feedback!

I know you are ready for the giveaway part!  Yes you are!  

Craftsy is offering three (3) great prizes!
Amy Gibson Crown Jewels Kit,       Color Theory 6" Strips,     Color Theory 10" Square
Click Here To Enter The Giveaway!
Enter until Sunday, February 21, 2016, at 11:59 pm MST.  The winners will be announced Feb. 22 


Please do check out the other Blogs participating in 'Craftsy Sweetens Up My Life' Blog Hop!   

BLOG HOP SCHEDULE:

Wednesday 10 February
Judy @ Quilt Paradigm
Helen 
@ Midget Gem Quilts

Thursday 11 February
Cindy 
@ Stitchin At Home 
Vicky 
@ Vicki's Crafts and Quilting

Friday 12 February
Zenia 
@ A Quilted Passion 
Jayne 
@ Twiggy and Opal

Saturday 13 February
Tish 
@ Tish's Adventures in Wonderland
Anja 
@ Anja Quilts

Sunday 14 February
Beth 
@ Cooking Up Quilts
Preeti 
@ Sew Preeti Quilts

Monday 15 February
Julie 
@ Pink Doxies
Sandra 
@ Musings of a Menopausal Melon

Monday, February 16, 2015

Glass Half Full ~ Giveaway!!

I am so excited to be hosting this giveaway!  When I first joined Music City Modern Quilt Guild I was lucky enough to meet one of the sweetest and busiest ladies in town!  From quilting, crafting, writing, blogging and being a mommy ~ Lindsay is a huge inspiration to me and many, many others!   

Lindsay Conner
Lindsay Sews
I love this quilt pattern!  The name alone makes me smile!  It's a beautiful design full of fun and whimsy!!  

Who better to tell you about the quilt and giveaway?  That would be the super talented and gorgeous Lindsay herself!

Glass Half Full II Quilt

Late last year, I got the invitation to design a quilt with the new 2015 Cotton + Steel fabrics. The invite came from none other than . . . Craftsy! Of course, I said "Yes!" I received the fabric for this quilt around the holidays and stitched it up the first couple weeks of January. Now that the quilt kit is LIVE on Craftsy, I am happy to show it off!

Glass Half Full II Quilt Detail

I stitched up this quilt top on my Baby Lock Melody and and quilted it on my Tiara II (with my favorite free-motion rectangles pattern). It is completely luxurious to have so much room to move my quilt around without rolling it into a tightly wound burrito.

Photo via Craftsy


Glass Half Full II (a 65" x 89" twin-sized quilt), is available as a kit from Craftsy. I chose my favorite prints from the early 2015 Cotton + Steel collections. This was, of course, excruciating to narrow it down to just 15 prints. Because C+S fabrics play so well together, everything looked good. The kit features my faves from:
- Melody Miller's Playful collection

- Rashida Coleman-Hale's Mochi collection

- Alexia Abegg's Mesa collection

- Kim Kight's Cookie Book collection

- Sarah Watts's Tokyo Train Ride collection
Isn't is so cool how well these fabrics from 5 different collections work together? The binding is a navy blue text print. If you'd like, you can even pick up 5 1/2 yards of gorgeous, navy-blue C+S backing fabric to go with this quilt kit!


Treat yo' self to the Cotton + Steel Glass Half Full Quilt Kit here.




I resized and modified my crib-sized quilt of the same name and completely revamped the instructions to make it more straight-forward and to make the best use of the materials. It comes with full-size templates, assembly diagrams, and tutorial-style color photos to guide you step by step. My friend Mary designed the cover, templates and pattern, so it looks really fabulous.


See the Glass Half Full II pattern on Craftsy here.

Giveaway!

I'm giving away 3 PDF copies of the new Glass Half Full II quilt pattern. Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Craft Buds and My Shop

Thank you Lindsay!  

And good luck everyone....remember this fabulous pattern is available via Craftsy!