Mini & Mat

How is it that I didn't get one piece of fabric for my birthday?!  In all honestly, right now I don't 'need' anything.  I want.  I wish.  But, I'm set for at least this week!

What I did get instead, while not fabric it is related:  a folding cutting/ironing mat and a mini iron.  How could we quilt without a cutting mat?  Or a great steam iron?  You got it, we couldn't!  I suppose we could, but imagine the results if we didn't have our 'tools of the trade'! 

When asked what I wanted for my birthday I couldn't think of a thing!  Nada!  Nothing!  After thinking about it for a while, I thought....hmmmm....this set up might be nice to have next to my machine when I do Improv piecing.  Both items are available at Craftsy.

Not that I'm lazy, but sometimes working on a project (improv), I must get up 237 times just to iron one little seam.  It wears on you after a while!  Plus, I can take it to my guild meetings too!

The Mat is 12" x 18" and folds up very nicely.  It appears to be nice and sturdy, no slipping and sliding as it lays on the table.  

How about Mini?!  Small and compact.  Steam or no steam, variable temperature settings, nonstick soleplate.  

I fired it up as soon as it arrived and I have to say I'm impressed.  It heats up quickly and has good steam, everything a quilter needs!  

Wrinkled. 

Pressed.

Not bad at all for a little bitty iron!  This iron needs to sit upright when not in use.  I'm worried about that.  I just know I'll forget, leave it down, burn my new mat!  Darn my Oliso iron for getting me use to leaving irons sole plate down!!  

The folding mat and iron will be yet another tool to make my quilting life easier.  If it saves a little time here and there...it will be worth it!

LINKING:

Sunday Stash  

A Decision Has Been Made

Took me long enough!  For some reason it was a super tough decision on which iron to invest in.  Did I want to go with my favorite and risk the same fate as usual?  Or should I branch out and try something different?  

In my original post My Iron Is Incontinent ~ The Leaky Truth I received so many comments, suggestions and recommendations!  Thank you all for taking the time to respond!  It seems many of us have had the dreaded leaks!  Andy many of us are looking for a killer good iron too!

I put it off as long as I could.  Fought through more and more drips and puddles until I couldn't take it anymore!  I went with the Oliso Smart Iron.  My sister (who I look up to and trust wholeheartedly) suggested the Oliso.  

You really can't go wrong with pink either.  Plus, why not have a fun and pretty iron? They should make them in lime green!  IMO!

The big reveal!  ... nestled all snug in its bed... while visions of wrinkles danced in its head...

Getting ready to take this baby for a spin!

Let's hope this is true Oliso!  I have registered this iron just in case I need to use the warranty!  To be honest I have only burned my ironing board cover, never fabric or clothing. That wasn't a factor in my decision for getting this iron.  

Why did I choose this iron.  I wanted good (great) steam.  I wanted a higher quality iron (I hope) that will last a long time.  It is ergonomic, rapid heating, three steam settings, one pass pressing, very long cord and it has the ITouch technology.  Which is a little weird getting use to! Who leaves their irons flat after pressing... However, I do kind of like it! The good thing is if you don't want to use that technology you can disable it very easily.   

My test.  It seems to work pretty good!  I don't want to iron and iron until the wrinkles go away.  And I didn't have to with this iron!  YAY!  

The only thing I am really on the fence about with this iron is the soleplate.  I am so use to my old Iron gliding over the fabric with a stainless steel soleplate.  The Oliso has what they call a beadblast chromium finish.  I really feels different when ironing.  I'm not saying I hate it, just like the the ITouch technology it will take some getting use to. 

Bye~Bye old iron.  There's a new sheriff in town!

My Iron Is Incontinent ~ The Leaky Truth

It seems my iron is at that age where she just cannot hold her water!  Drip, drip, drip.  Aging gracefully is not in the cards, but the appliance graveyard seems to be!

Black & Decker Digital Advantage 2030

I love this iron.  It has all the bells and whistles that I need.  Great steam, great settings, lightweight, glides like an angel.  The price is super reasonable.  Which is probably why I have bought four over the years ~ all ending up having the same problem with peeing/leaking.  I use her all the time, nearly everyday.  What would a quilter do without her faithful iron?!  

Drippity Drip Drip

I know it's time to invest in another iron.  My heart says 'just get another one', my mind says 'get something different'.  

Since I use it all the time, I should really invest in a heavy duty one.  Something that will last longer than a year or two!  Yes, this Black & Decker don't last much longer than that!  Crazy!  

Yes, it's another HST Quilt!

This is where your help would be greatly appreciated!  I need some advice and suggestions!  

What kind of iron do you currently use?

Would you recommend it to others?

What do you love about your iron?

What do you hate about your iron?

How long have your owned your current iron?

What is the one thing you look for when buying a new iron?

One thing I cannot live without is an iron.  Sometimes you have to make a clean break from the one you love.  Start over.  Start Fresh.  Be strong.  I'm being a little dramatic!  I do not like change.  It can be way to stressful and at this point in my life...I can do without that!

With a new day comes new strength and new thoughts~

Elanor Roosevelt