A bit ago Olfa sent us some fun goodies in honor of their 35th anniversary–that’w when the fighting broke out here at my house. Kelli and I both wanted the rotating mat they sent. I’ve always wanted one but haven’t broken down and purchased one….sadly, Kelli said the same thing. I know I needed a new 6.5†x 6.5†square ruler so I compromised. I got the ruler…she got the rotating cutting mat. It’s hard to be a partnership sometimes….
I had a small square ruler but just recently I realized that over the last few years of cutting, I’ve nicked the top edge so many times while cutting and now the edge isn’t perfectly square. It was on my list to purchase a new one when the package from Olfa came so I was happy!!
Olfa has been quilting with us for a long time. I’ve been lucky enough to have had rotary cutting tools since the time I started quilting. Last year Olfa had sent me their new Splash rotary cutter with the easy changing blade. At the time I got it, I didn’t really need another rotary cutter….well now it’s the one I primarily use. It’s my favorite. I love the ease in changing the blade.
Part of Olfa’s anniversary fun is for designers to make and submit a 6 1/2″ block and then they’ll have the blocks put together into a quilt honoring their anniversary. All of the blocks had to have some type of yellow in them. I started playing with a couple ideas…I started out with this…
I liked it but I didn’t like that the slide that covers the blade wasn’t included in the design. I kept thinking about rotary cutting and wanted the design to represent the turning blade….While trying to adjust the placement of the little triangles in the center of this design I accidentally moved the black piece in the background and the design re-adjusted. Something similar to the block below showed up. With a little more playing and moving I finally came up with this. I loved it. It looked like a turning blade to me. I sent the design to Kelli and she approved.
The next test was to see if it could be made without funky measurements like 3/16ths. Yep..it was all good and easy to figure. So here’s our block and here are the block instructions so you can make one of your own if you’d like. Just press the link for printable instructions. I thought some of you might appreciate your own pattern sheet with instructions.
The fabrics are courtesy of the goodie box of fabric sent to me by one of my blog readers. THANKS again!!
Kelli and I both really liked the block and plan to have it show up again somewhere in our designs.
I have wonderful news for one of my blog readers…Olfa wants to treat one of our blog readers to their own surprise in the mail….This kit includes an OLFA rotary cutter and a small cutting mat. The small mat would be great to take to a retreat!! It would also be great to win this and gift it to a friend or relative who is interested in starting to quilt.
If you’d like a chance to win just leave a comment here sending anniversary wishes to Olfa. We’ll get a winner picked next week.
I have been using alfa a long time in my 83 years not that they were available in my younger days and have not nick a finger or toes yet Greatess tool ever.. I bet my grandmother would have love them too just like me
Happy Anniversary Olfa! Thank you for making cutting easy.
Oh Happy Anniversary Olfa!! I will love you forever, for changing my life with fantastic tools! I bought my first olfa mat and rotary cutter 17ears ago. it was amazing! thanks for the chance!!!!
Happy anniversary Olfa! I started quilting in 1972. My mother in law taught me. The rotary cutter and mat sure make it easier! Thank you!
Happy anniversary Olfa! I have only been quilting for a few months and boy I could use that rotary cutter and mat, it sure would make my fabric cutting so much easier and smoother to.
Congradulations on your Anniversary-OLFA . You are blessed with many friends and followers and i love your Blog.Your block does look like a turning blade!!!!
Hi Jo and Kelly,
I don’t know where I would be, quilting-wise, if I didn’t have my Olfa cutter. Happy Anniversary to an innovative company! A funny aside: I once cut my foot open when I was using my cutter in bare feet! Note to self: Don’t do it!!!
Thanks so much for that cute block too!!!!
What an awesome giveaway,
Jacqueline in Pitt Meadows
I love my Olfa products, and use them all the time. Thanks for the opportunity to win, and Happy Anniversary, Olfa!
Happy Anniversary Olfa!! You changed my life for the good when you introduced your revolutionary cutting devise!!
I, too, love my Olfa products! Wouldn’t even dream of giving any of my cutters up for any other brand! I’m a lefty and the interchangeable blades are just perfect for me! Keep up the amazing product inventions, Olfa, and happy anniversary!!! To many more……
Happy, happy, happy anniversary Olfa!!!! May you have many more! I love your products!!!
Happy anniversary to Olfa! I love their cutters and mats. Won’t use any other mat than theirs!
Thanks for the chance to win.
Sandy A
Happy Anniversary Olfa! I love all your products!
Happy Anniversary, Olga!
Olfa! Danged autocorrect!
Congratulations on 35 years Olfa! Thanks for making so many quilters’ lives better!
Happy Anniversary to Olfa! Love my cutters though I don’t quilt yet but am about to start. I love your block and blog!
Thank you Olfa! I’m not sure I would have started quilting without a rotary cutter.
Olfa has been my go to tool since I started quilting. It’s all I use and I love how they make what we do so much easier. Happy Birthday, Olfa! I would love to win some more of your products.
Happy 35th Anniversary Olfa! You have made it this far because of your superior products. Nothing but the best for this quilter.
Happy Anniversary to Olfa!!! Looove your products!! & have several I use allll the time! :)
Definitely neeeeed some new things tho!! he he he…
What would we do without our Olfa cutters and rulers? Happy Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary to Olfa. Not that many people would be quilting if we didn’t have the rotary cutter. Thanks for coming up with the rotary cutter.
Happy Anniversary Olfa. I can’t imagine quilting without you!!
Happy Anniversary Olfa! Your products sure make life easier when working with fabric!
Happy 35TH Olfa, you make my cutting life so easy!
Happy Anniversary Olfa I couldn’t quilt without you
Congrats Olfa and thanks
Happy Anniversary Olfa…you make life so much easier…
Happy Anniversary Olfa!! I love your products!!
Happy I anniversary, Olfa!
I have used Olfa mats and rulers since they first came to Nebraska in about 1985. Happy Anniversary, Olfa! You’ve made my quilting life ever so much easier!
Happy Anniiversary Olfa What great tools to have to work with. Think about all of the quilts and projects you have helped with. Our grandmothers would really be surprised and grateful just like the sewing machines in their time. Thanks for making our work much lighter and faster.
Whoop! Whoop! I have spent some quality time with the quality products from Olfa!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OLFA! (and what a way to solicit comments :) I LOVE my rotating mat – I did break down and get one while making several HST chevron baby quilts. thanks for the givaway!
Boy, do I remember the first time I saw and used a rotary cutter. At first, I thought my Grandmother would love this! My first quilt was a queen size. Working off and on, it took me a week to cut it out. It’s no telling how long it would have taken if I had used templates.
Happy Birthday, Olfa. Here’s to many more!
Take care.
Emily
Happy Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary, Olfa! The ONLY rotary cutter I use!!
I love Olfa, happy anniversary.
Wow! Its hard to believe that Olfa developed some of these amazing products so long ago!!! A rotating mat would be fantastic!!!!
Love your block. Thanks for chance to win!
I KNOW I wouldn’t quilt as much as I do without the Olfa cutter. It changed my quilt life for the better. Wonderful invention. I haven’t tried the rotating mat but I know it would make the cutting even easier. I enjoy so much following your blog.
Happy Anniversary Olfa. Hope I win.
Happy Anniversary Olfa! I have used your products since the beginning. They are so handy and save so much time over using scissors. I just recently picked up a new cutting mat because I’ve worn out the old one.
Happy Birthday Olfa! You make some wonderful products!
Happy Anniversary Olfa!!! Love your products. Thanks for the pattern for the block you came up with—it is so cute.
Happy birthday to Olfa. I just love my old worn out cutting mat. So, I would be pleased to become a winner of these wonderful tools. Can’t even imagine quilting life without these. Thank you for the block and the chance to win. Look forward to your blogs every morning.
Sandi Timmons
sandit1@sbcglobal.net
Happy anniversary Olfa! Great block Jo.
Happy anniversary Olfa. Your products are well used in my home. Thanks Jo for you very interesting blog.
Linda
Happy anniversary Olfa! Thanks for the chance to win.
Happy 35th Anniversary, Olfa! Thanks!
Love your blog and the ongoing house project….But Olfa products are the best and I was so excited to see this giveaway!!…I only buy Olfa so, Happy Anniversary Olfa!! Keep the great products coming!!
Happy Anniversary Olfa. I did not start with this brand, but I am slowly migrating all of my equipment over. This gift would be a nice addition to my supplies
I love both of your blocks! So awesome. Thanks for sharing.
I love Olfa! Happy Anniversary to Olfa. I just treated myself to a new Olfa 24X8 1/2 inch ruler today, its awesome. The one I had lasted me years and years. Olfa products are amazing! Thanks for the chance to win more of their great products!
Happy Anniversary Olfa! I can guarantee I wouldn’t be quilting if you hadn’t invented the rotary cutter, as I hate cutting fabric with a scissors. What an awesome invention!
Happy Anniversary Olfa!!! You make my quilting soooo much easier & faster than my grandmother had it.
Happy Anniversary, Olfa! I have dreamed of owning a rotary cutter for years, and know that yours are top quality. Now I’m interested in quilting, and having one would save me hours of time! Your products make sewing and crafting so much more enjoyable!
Love all of my OLFA products. I remember taking a rotary cutter class at a LQS about 33 years ago and was amazed at the precise and efficient way to cut fabric! Thank you OLFA!
Happy Anniversary Olfa! You sure changed the quilting world for the good when you came out the with the rotary cutting system. I am old enough that I remember using plastic templates and scissors and it was not fun!
Happy Anniversary to Olfa!! I just love their products!!
Happy 35th anniversary, Olfa! Your products are the BEST and I can’t imagine sewing without them! Thank you!
Happy anniversary Olfa! I would be in poor shape if I did not have a rotary cutter. It sure has made my cutting fabric a lot faster.I am very happy to use Olfa’s products.
Happy Anniversary to Olfa and thanks for all the great products – couldn’t make all the fun projects without that rotary cutter!!!
I thought I entered this, but scrolled through and didn’t see me. Happy Anniversary, Olfa. I don’t think I’d even be quilting if it weren’t for rotary cutters and mats. Using scissors too much makes my hand hurt.
Happy 35th Olfa. I love your products and have used them for years. I would love to receive the giveaway. So happy your products have been around for those many years.
Happy anniversary! Here’s to many more.
Happy Birthday Olfa! Your products are a big reason quilting has become so popular. I love using your cutters.
Happy Anniversary Olfa!!
I can’t imagine quilting without you!
Happy Aniversary Olfa!!! Love your products! Don’t think quilting would be nearly as quick without you.
Happy anniversary! Very thankful for olfa!
I love Olfa cutters. The design has worked best for me. Happy Anniversary!
Happy anniversary Olfa. I use your products all the time.
Happy Anniversary, Olfa and many, many more. There are others who copy you, but there is only one OLFA!!!
Happy Anniversary Olfa! The rotary cutter has been a wonderful addition to the quilting world.
Happy Anniversary, Olfa!
Thank you Olfa for your wonderful cutter. Can’t imagine going back to scissor cutting again!
Woohoo! Happy Anniversary Olfa!
Happy Anniversary Olfa! I’m just starting to quilt so good quality tools would be much appreciated!
Congratulations Olfa! Thanks for sharing with us.
Happy Anniversary Olfa!