Monday, January 7, 2013

January Beginning : :

The last of our family visitors headed back home over the weekend, and so today things are officially back to normal. Well, except that both Kevin and I are pretty sick with this nasty chest cold that everyone has right now, we're never home and under the weather at the same time?! Plus we're all a little heart sick from saying our goodbyes. It's always so hard, especially after having such a special and long holiday. We made a lot of great memories in this new house of ours, and started some new traditions, too. It really has been magical! So much so that I can't even think of taking our tree down yet.

So today, I have plans to take an easy, do some cleaning, and then sew and get myself a little more acquainted with this new, super fancy iron of mine!

Oliso -- pretty yellow!

This pretty yellow, Oliso Iron showed up on the doorstep of my old house, and was delivered by my best friend who noticed the box, just before Christmas! No note or receipt attached, so it's a bit of a mystery gift? And quite the upgrade from my old, $13 Black & Decker Iron!

Irons -- Before and After

So far I have only spent one day working with it, but I am loving it! It presses beautifully!! It has a sensor in the handle that lowers the iron when you touch it, and raises the iron off of your work when you let go. If you suffer from chronic joint pain, like I do, or other arm and shoulder injuries, I can see where this could make a big difference in your sewing life. It really does minimize the amount you have to lift, and for some of us, that's huge!

Luxe in Bloom & Oliso

Having such a pretty iron also made for some sweet picture taking as I worked on my next Fat Quarter Gang Project with Luxe in Bloom! This fabric is SO gorgeous and I'm really excited about this next tutorial! I really hope you guys like it, I'll be sharing the project how-to on the AGF blog next Monday, along with a Luxe in Bloom GIVEAWAY right here!!

Gorgeous Luxe in Bloom

I also want to thank Melody for the gift I received for joining in the Ruby Star Wrap-Along! It was so much fun and totally my pleasure! Aren't these sweet?!

From Melody!

Happy Monday, everyone!!  ,  Maureen

28 comments:

  1. Hi Maureen! You have that magic iron - sounds to be great!
    That telephone fabric is super! x Teje

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  2. great iron, I think I've seen that on fons and porter on tv, thought it was a great idea, though I'm so used to lifting and tilting my iron, it would be weird NOT to do it, does it have any lights ON, anything that lights up when it's plugged in? mine does and I don't like that

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    1. Not that I noticed? I am still not used to the auto lift, half of the time it makes me jumpy, but in a fun, silly way! The kids think it's super cool, too! :)

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  3. I will be checking that lovely iron out at Road to CA in a few weeks! Look forward to the new tutorial with that oh so pretty fabric.

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  4. Feel better and enjoy some relax time today! =D

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  5. Oh what a bummer being rough at this time of year.
    At least you have lots of goodies to play with, that iron sounds great xx

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    1. Gotta focus on the good, right?! :) This cold is seriously wicked, the cough is the worst, but I'm glad my daughter is almost all better and the boys didn't get it at all. It would be a HUGE bummer if we all had gotten it!

      I shared a little more on the iron on facebook just now. I wasn't asked to do and share a review, but it's so nice and pretty, I had to share at least a little with some pictures!

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  6. What a great iron, I must run out and see if anyone left me one. Well no packages for me.

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  7. How sweet of someone to give you such a great iron and presents from Melody too!
    I've got a great iron too ~ it's a Reliable by Velocity and I love it too. There's a feature on it so it doesn't turn off ~ nothing worse than when you're sewing and ready to press and the iron is cold. I've used the new one you have too ~ love it too.
    Hope you and your sweetie are in the pink quick!

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  8. what fun presents, how lovely!!!

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  9. Loving that fabric line. I may have to add it to my wish list, you know, for when we win the lottery! :) I'm so happy someone gifted you a new iron. You're so sweet and totally deserve it'

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  10. Would love if one of those irons just turned up on my door step. Love the fabric would make a lovely quilt.

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    1. It really was so wonderful and very comfortable for everyone to gather here!! Looking forward to many years of celebrating the holidays in this home!!

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  11. thanks for mentioning that part about the iron being good for people with joint pain. I definite get fatigue in my wrists from ironing and wouldn't have even thought about that aspect. I'll have to look into it.

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  12. Great looking iron! I love seeing the Melody Miller fabric too-- didn't realize there was a glittery star on the dial!

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  13. The iron is awesome! and . . . happy to hear that your holiday was such a success!!

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  14. My Rowenta kicked the bucket right before Christmas. I'm slowly warming up to it's replacement but I don't LOVE it like I did my Rowenta. Feel better soon! My company left this morning too and I'm looking ahead to normal life and getting some projects done.

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  15. nice iron...I have been eyeing one of those!!! lol

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  16. Hi, Maureen. I have been a follower of yours for about 7 months now and I love everything that you do. I started my blog last year and never really did anything with it because I didn't have a machine or necessary items needed to sew with and join in on all the fun you guys have. It has taken me several months to gather those items and am ready to start my blogging journey. My question is this: do you know of any say, beginner blog-hops that have frequent contests where it is possible to win some fabric? I have a small stash that I've been working on these last several months. I would like to enter some blog-hops, but I'm afraid if I start and am not able to replenish, then i'll just be stuck. Any suggestions would be helpful, thanks:)

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    1. Hmn? Well, I had joined in some contests in the past in an effort to meet other bloggers and win fabric, but I am not aware of any happening right now. I would suggest entering fabric giveways, maybe? I have been lucky enough to win in the past, and now I host one each weekend for my readers and you can find many more linked up each month on Craft Buds ( http://www.craftbuds.com/giveaway-roundup/ ). If I hear of any beginner blog-hops, I'll be sure to let you know. I wish I had the time to start one, it's such a great idea!! Maybe find one sew-along and go from there?

      I wish I could be more helpful! xx Maureen

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  17. That sounds like a pretty nifty iron! I can't wait to see what you're making with that gorgeous fabric! I made Christmas gifts and posted them on my blog today. I hope you get a chance to check it out.
    My tree is still up too!
    Get well soon!

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  18. Ooh, glad you got your mystery gift, wherever it came from (although I'm a little sad to see the old water jug retired ;o) ) Fab wee goodies from the hop too!

    Hope you all feel better ASAP

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  19. congrats on the new iron!!!! I used one at a shop awhile back and found it hard to break the habit of lifting it up! :-P Can't wait to see your tutorial!! Have a great week!! Hugs from Helen

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  20. Isn't the Oliso great?! I have actually gotten "ironer's elbow" in the past because I enjoy ironing but had a cheap, 25-year old iron. Now that I have an Oliso though I'm good to go. It really does make a difference having the proper tools.

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  21. I Have never heard of that brand, sounds very cool :)

    Hope you guys feel better soon :)

    It was hard saying "Goodbye" to my "kids" after the holidays too!!

    Thank goodness for skype :)

    HAPPY NEW YEAR :)

    Cheers, T. :)

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  22. Um, the iron is from me. Ha. Just kidding.
    Fun new gift! I got an iron for Christmas, too! And yeah, seriously in love with Luxe in Bloom. I bought 2 yards of my favorite print for a new garment, which I hope to make soon. Need to buy a little of it all, though!

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  23. I am in love with the iron - I have a lovely iron but it is large and bulky - this iron is on my wish list. Love the Luxe in Bloom - now I can check that off my wish list soon:)

    Have a wonderful week!!!

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  24. are you still loving the iron? is it good? i recently got a new rowenta and i love it so far! ;)

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