Olfa’s 35th Birthday Bash!

Olfa’s 35th Birthday Bash!

Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday, Dear OLFA Rotary Cutter,  Happy Birthday to you!

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So the peeps at OLFA are celebrating 35 glorious years of the rotary cutter. I am pretty sure that I made my first quilt around then too, but I didn’t hear about rotary cutters for probably another 16-17 years.  And I have been using them ever since.

I got to go to a wonderful breakfast put on by OLFA this past spring in Pittsburgh.  My friend Pat Sloan had a great post about that soiree here.  But the party didn’t stop there. This summer (yes, It is technically still summer for a few more days {in this hemisphere at least}, even though the stores are filling up with Pumpkin Spice Everything already) I was invited to help keep the party going by first by making a block for their 35th anniversary quilt.  Here’s the block that I sent them:

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The quilt that they are making from all of the blocks will be on display at Quilt Market in Houston this fall. I am not sure where the quilt will go after that. But it will have a bunch of blocks made by many peeps. I am sure it will have a Dear Jane effect to it…..in my mind’s eye at least.

And for my second  part of the party, the Fine Folks at OLFA want to send one of my readers the below gift  package as well:

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This is a DYNAMITE giveaway peeps! Seriously great stuff in this package …the rotating cutting board is SOOOO helpful! I found it especially useful when I was trimming up all of the blocks in two of my first four patterns (Painted Forest and Beauty in the Bark)!

So to win a pack of this cool OLFA stuff drop a comment here about OLFA products or anything about the color Yellow or the color Black.  ( Due to the postage of this package, I am pretty sure that OLFA is limiting the shipment of the prize to US addresses only……so if you are out of the country…..find a long lost relative here to send it to, okay!?)

Looking forward to hearing what you have to say!! I will draw for the winner this coming Friday the 20th….the first day of Autumn (here at least….I have to say that because I have a bunch of friends in the land of OZ who are looking forward to a great spring I am sure!)

100 Comments

  • Debby

    Reply

    I love my Olfa products. Couldn’t live without them!!

    September 13, 2014 at 9:27 pm
  • Sarah

    Reply

    I have been sewing things for as long as I can remember, but didn’t become interested in quilting until two years ago (even though I made quilts before that). I still don’t have a rotary cutter, and I would love to win this and see what they’re all about! Thank you for your fantastic giveaways. I’m also looking forward to seeing what the final Olfa quilt looks like.

    September 13, 2014 at 9:30 pm
  • Happy Birthday OLFA!! I have been wanting one of their frosted rulers & OLFA rotary cutters & mats are the ONLY kind I use. Thanks for the opportunity to win this cool package!

    September 13, 2014 at 9:54 pm
  • Emily C

    Reply

    i love how the yellow and black gives their products a style that is very appealing.

    September 14, 2014 at 4:12 am
  • Daphna epstein

    Reply

    What was life like before the invention of the rotary cutter? Can’t even imagine!

    September 14, 2014 at 5:32 am
  • allison pogany

    Reply

    I love my rotary cutter! Couldn’t imagine attempting a quilt without it. And that frosted ruler looks great!

    September 14, 2014 at 6:26 am
  • Debbie M

    Reply

    Happy birthday to Olfa! The only cutters I’ve ever used are Olfa’s! I have eight of them in three different sizes! I sure could use that rotating mat and the frosted ruler looks interesting.

    September 14, 2014 at 6:31 am
  • Joyce Mitchell

    Reply

    My first Olfa rotary cutter was the 4th rotary cutter I purchased. The 1st cutter was a dangerous one because I had to loosen a screw, slide the guard down & tighten the screw before I could cut anything, so you know I kept the blade exposed most of the time (I still have that one & only use it on paper). The next 2 cutters broke pretty quickly. But then I bought an Olfa ergonomic cutter & it was amazingly easy to use. They’re the best. Thanks.

    September 14, 2014 at 6:41 am
  • carolyn montgomery

    Reply

    i have tried other mats and rotary cutters but always come back to olfa.

    September 14, 2014 at 7:04 am
  • Jackie Thompson

    Reply

    I love Olfa and have wanted to try that rotating mat. I like your block! It will be neat to see the compilation of everyone’s pieces.

    September 14, 2014 at 7:18 am
  • Cory

    Reply

    I love my Olfa cutter. I have tried other brands and prefer Olfa. They have been doing it the longest and have perfected it. Thank you for the chance to win. Take care and God bless, Cory

    September 14, 2014 at 7:46 am
  • Diane Beavers

    Reply

    Wow what a perfect end to summer solstice (Yellow) soleil. Welcome Autumn Equinox:)
    Thank you Olfa and keep on moving forward. I’m about to go out and buy the 12X12 rotating self healing mat…perhaps I should hold off ha ha.

    September 14, 2014 at 8:59 am
  • Janie

    Reply

    Aside from my seam ripper, grrrr my rotary cutter is the best friend a quilter can have. I swear the two are always competing for my attention! Happy birthday Olfa! Thanks for your great products. Thanks for the giveaway.

    September 14, 2014 at 9:14 am
  • Quilting Tangent

    Reply

    This giveaway sounds so great for trimming up blocks and pieces. Happy 35th Birthday OLFA.

    September 14, 2014 at 9:15 am
  • I PROMISE not to cut any fingers off if I win….really!! 🙂

    September 14, 2014 at 9:58 am
  • My Olfa mat and cutter are essential tools for my quilting projects!!

    September 14, 2014 at 10:08 am
  • corsara

    Reply

    My fave colors! Happy birthday!

    September 14, 2014 at 10:32 am
  • Victoria R

    Reply

    Black and yellow is all Pittsburgh is this time of year- it would be great to cut something to reflect that!

    September 14, 2014 at 10:38 am
  • Garm

    Reply

    I think I got my first mat and cutter about 20 years ago. I asked for them for Christmas. I’m sure my husband wondered what the heck I was wanting those for. I hadn’t been sewing for long. Love them! They are so handy!

    September 14, 2014 at 11:41 am
  • Natalie F

    Reply

    I love my OLFA Quilt and Press. I really need a new rotary cutter. Olfa is a great brand and I know I’m getting quality when I buy it.

    September 14, 2014 at 12:40 pm
  • Ashley

    Reply

    I don’t have either cutter or mat, but I’d love to win one! I also don’t have ANY yellow fabric. Can you believe it?? It’s just not a colour I’ve needed yet, so I always seem to pass it up. I’ll have to go buy some! 🙂

    September 14, 2014 at 12:57 pm
  • Maryellen

    Reply

    Olfa is my go-to cutter, for more than 25 years, since my first quilt. I’ve tried others, but my favorites are the Ergonomic ones, because the blade is closed when you release the handle. Next favorite is the Splash, because, who can resist that gorgeous aqua! I need a good rotating mat! Thanks for the celebration!

    September 14, 2014 at 1:05 pm
  • Sherry VF

    Reply

    I have wanted an OLFA rotating cutting mat for sooo long. I’m going to put it on my Christmas list if I don’t win it here! Can’t wait to see the finished quilt!

    September 14, 2014 at 4:01 pm
  • Like you, I started quilting over 30 yrs ago and cut out my quilts with templates and scissors. So tedious. A few years later I learned about the Olfa cutter and mat and it certainly made my life much easier!! Happy Anniversary, Olfa!! And thank you!!

    September 14, 2014 at 5:14 pm
  • Evie H

    Reply

    Happy Birthday Olfa! Can’t believe it’s been that long; I think I’ve been quilting almost the same amount of time because I bought a starter kit and that little rotary cutter was included (although not the mat). Thanks for all the good times and for a great give away!

    September 14, 2014 at 5:32 pm
  • Karen in Breezy Point

    Reply

    That little pin is so cute! Hmmm…black and yellow? They make it easy to find on the cutting table, and of course, the caution yellow warns of danger–watch out for those sharp blades!

    September 14, 2014 at 5:45 pm
  • Toni Leli

    Reply

    I just purchased the 45 and 60 Olfa rotary cutters with the squeeze handle to engage the blades and I love them. In the past I thought I was a bad rotary cutter cutter (?) but now I know it wasn’t me, it was my old rotary cutter. All that frustration for nothing. Thanks Olfa!

    September 14, 2014 at 6:03 pm
  • Bellamy L

    Reply

    I don’t know what I would do without my rotary cutter! It makes everything so much simpler. Happy Birthday Olfa!

    September 14, 2014 at 6:22 pm
  • Jenna

    Reply

    I love my ergonomic 45 mm rotary cutter and my circle cutter! Very accurate and user friendly! i would love the rotating cutting mat and smaller cutter. thanks for the giveaway!

    September 14, 2014 at 6:30 pm
  • Cecilia

    Reply

    I love my Olfa cutters and mats, especially the rotating mat. It is the best thing for trimming up my blocks. Thanks for the great giveaway. Happy Birthday Olfa!

    September 14, 2014 at 6:37 pm
  • Jerry G

    Reply

    I started quilting before rotary cutters came out and let’s just say I’m glad to have lived in the time AFTER they came out…lol. THANK YOU OLFA and a very Happy Birthday! Yours are the only cutters I use.

    September 14, 2014 at 6:56 pm
  • Jan

    Reply

    Happy Birthday Olfa! I have the old style Olfa rotary pin from years and years ago, that was included with a mat and rotary cutter. Olfa products are the best because they are pure quality all around. No if, ands or buts about it, they can’t be beat.

    September 14, 2014 at 6:58 pm
  • Frank

    Reply

    I love my Olfa, but I have to make sure I don’t load two blades at once. I shredded a bunch of fabric and blamed the cutter.
    Turns out, I was just a little stupid 😉

    September 14, 2014 at 7:08 pm
  • barbara woods

    Reply

    Love all their products, thanks

    September 14, 2014 at 7:12 pm
  • I love the Olfa cutters, I rely on the 60mm for my basic cutting, switch down to a 45mm for more intricate work, and then I have the smaller sizes for some special rulers to cut curves.

    Looks like a great give-away!

    September 14, 2014 at 7:16 pm
  • Bradley

    Reply

    Black and yellow were my HS colors, maybe that’s why I love Olfa. Maybe it’s because their rulers and rotary cutters are the BEST. IDK, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROTARY CUTTER!

    September 14, 2014 at 7:22 pm
  • Leanne Clare

    Reply

    I made my first quilt in 1969 – cut all of the pieces out individually with pinking shears! I got the most horrible cramps in my hand! Once I discovered the Olfa cutter, years later, my life changed and my quilting took off! I cannot imagine quilting without Olfa now!

    September 14, 2014 at 7:24 pm
  • heidi

    Reply

    I like your rotary block contribution!
    What an awesome giveaway, that mat is going to make someone’s day!

    September 14, 2014 at 7:38 pm
  • Patty

    Reply

    Olfa products came out shortly before I started quilting. I took my first quilting class in a quilt store, so I ended up going home with the cutter, mat, blades, rulers, etc. (They must have known I was a push over). I have used and loved Olfa ever since. I like the bright yellow because I can always see it in the mess on my cutting table.

    September 14, 2014 at 7:45 pm
  • Kathy Davis

    Reply

    I love my BIG OLFA cutting mat, and as for the colors black and gold(yellow) they are the colors of the Missouri Tigers! I am from MO!!

    September 14, 2014 at 7:56 pm
  • Marti

    Reply

    Black is my second favorite color and probably 85% of my clothes are black. I was very lucky and was gifted an Olfa rotary cutter for my birthday and I just love it, but I am seriously crushing on a rotating mat!

    September 14, 2014 at 8:05 pm
  • I love my Olfa rotary cutters, rulers and cutting mats!! They are the best!!

    September 14, 2014 at 9:01 pm
  • Chris

    Reply

    I only buy Olfa mats but yellow is my favorite color. I drive a yellow VW bug. Yes I am old, my children are long gone and my car is just for me.

    September 14, 2014 at 11:08 pm
  • Ryan Cooper

    Reply

    I’d like to take a second to bellow to all the ladies and the fellows. Stay calm and be mellow, like a bowl of jello. For the greatest rotary cutters are certainly yellow.

    So just sit back, maybe grab a snack, because you know these cutters pick up the slack. Just look for that logo, written in black. “O” “L” “F” “A” , you feel me, Jack?

    September 15, 2014 at 2:17 am
  • Lori M

    Reply

    I LOVE my OLFA cutters and rulers. I have wanted a rotating mat forever!

    September 15, 2014 at 4:07 am
  • Tony J

    Reply

    The rotating mat is very useful if you’re making 8-at-a-time triangle squares. I really need one!

    September 15, 2014 at 6:03 am
  • Dawn

    Reply

    I’m not a huge fan of yellow but I do love some black in a quilt.

    September 15, 2014 at 6:46 am
  • MaryBeth

    Reply

    I do love my Olfa rotary cutter.

    September 15, 2014 at 7:44 am
  • Bethany

    Reply

    Olfa is the best! I love my aqua rotary cutter and cutting mat!!

    September 15, 2014 at 8:08 am
  • Tammy

    Reply

    Rotary cutters and strip piecing have made quilting doable for me. Gone are the days of handcutting each piece. I have been wanting a smaller plastic cutting guide/ruler for a rotary cutter — wonderful bundle of products!

    September 15, 2014 at 8:19 am
  • I learned to sew clothes in ’72 (the summer I turned 11), but the fun really started in ’79 when my mom bought me an Olfa cutter, a white self-healing mat (with no gridlines) and a set of pattern weights. It was a few more years before I started quilting, and by then using my Olfa was automatic. Not only did it make cutting quilts easier, it opened a whole new world of design possibilities. What fun we’ve had the last 35 years!

    September 15, 2014 at 9:22 am
  • audrey

    Reply

    I started out with a Fisker rotary cutter and within a couple years went to Olfa. I have NEVER went back!

    September 15, 2014 at 9:55 am
  • Robo M

    Reply

    I would not be a quilter if it were not for Olfa rotary cutters, in my hands scissors are a weapon of mass destruction. Armed with my rotary cutter, I am a Quilter of mass construction.

    September 15, 2014 at 10:49 am
  • I like the color yellow because it’s a color that is immediately happy. Thanks for the give away!

    September 15, 2014 at 12:15 pm
  • Karen Rhodes

    Reply

    I love my OLFA rotary cutters and really need a rotating cutting board. Also, I like yellow, the happy color!!

    September 15, 2014 at 1:02 pm
  • Phyllis Ginder

    Reply

    Have you ever tried going back to cutting pieces by scissors? I gave it a try at a sewing group I belong to and oh my, what a mess. I love my Olfa rotary cutter. Lately, I have been lusting for the Olfa rotating mat. My fingers are crossed.

    September 15, 2014 at 1:24 pm
  • OLFA the rotary cutter of my dreams. Yellow like delicious preserved (or unpreserved) lemons and black like licorice candy. Happy Birthday OLFA and thanks for sharing the celebration.

    September 15, 2014 at 2:10 pm
  • Kari Meshak

    Reply

    I started quilting 13 years ago and my first rotary cutter and ruler were Olfas, a gift from my husband. I haven’t used any others since!

    September 15, 2014 at 3:04 pm
  • Darrell

    Reply

    Love, Love, Love my rotary mats, rulers, and cutters.. could not get by without them.

    September 15, 2014 at 3:14 pm
  • Crystal Flemmer

    Reply

    Yellow and black (well, technically GOLD and black!) were my high school colors and we were…get ready for it….The Hornets! lol Of course! Many fond memories of that particular color combo. Thanks for the fantastic giveaway and the chance to walk down memory lane. =)

    September 15, 2014 at 4:18 pm
  • auschick

    Reply

    I was so sad the day I left my new olfa mat in the car!! Sigh… it will now be a mat for my daughter to do her crafts on I think! (I’m in USA)

    September 15, 2014 at 5:35 pm
  • usairdoll

    Reply

    Happy Birthday Olfa! Love my rotary cutter and have my eye on getting one of the rotating cutting mats, fingers crossed, hehe.

    Thank you and Olfa for a super giveaway and a chance to win.

    September 15, 2014 at 9:11 pm
  • Judy

    Reply

    I would not want to go back to the days before the Olfa rotary cutters and Olfa mats were available. They just make the whole quilting process go so much faster. The rotating cutting mat would be a great addition to the mats I already have.

    September 15, 2014 at 9:54 pm
  • Carla S

    Reply

    I love olfa rulers. Yellow and black is a great combination because the black brings the yellow out and keeps it from looking faded.

    September 16, 2014 at 3:22 am
  • I have two 45 mm cutters that are decades old — one standard and one ergonomic. I bought a circle cutter a couple years ago but haven’t used it yet. I have been meaning to buy a small cutter but haven’t gotten around to it. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for this giveaway!

    September 16, 2014 at 6:20 am
  • Nancy Lynn Hilderbrand

    Reply

    Have always used Olfa products This is the perfect time of the year for the colors yellow and black

    September 16, 2014 at 7:07 am
  • Vanessa Kasal

    Reply

    When I first started quilting I was given a mat, cutter, etc NOT made by Olfa and struggled quite a bit. I was told that Olfa was “the best” so I purchased a rotary cutter and the rest is history LOL I’ve been eyeballing the rotating mat lately so this is an awesome giveaway! Thank you so much for a chance to win more yellow and black!! 🙂

    September 16, 2014 at 7:57 am
  • robin

    Reply

    I love Olfa products. Wouldn’t want to be without them. 🙂

    September 16, 2014 at 8:44 am
  • Judy Allen

    Reply

    I use . my Olfa cutter every day. I find at least 20 minutes to cut and sew every day. Kudos to the yellow and black!

    September 16, 2014 at 12:30 pm
  • I like the quilting rulers. They are awesome!

    September 16, 2014 at 1:26 pm
  • I’ve had my eye on that rotating may for a LONG time…

    September 16, 2014 at 2:32 pm
  • Julia

    Reply

    Love it! Would love to win!

    September 16, 2014 at 6:49 pm
  • Kathy h

    Reply

    Happy birthday Olfa! The yellow rotary cutters work so well and the mats are my favorite too.

    September 16, 2014 at 7:00 pm
  • Leslie Bower

    Reply

    I learned how to make quilts with graph paper, scissors, and a 1/4″ guide. Once I was introduced to rotary cutters there was no going back. I can’t imagine how my mother and grandmothers did without Olfa products. Thank you for the chance to win.

    September 16, 2014 at 7:24 pm
  • Lori Morton

    Reply

    Happy Happy 35th Birthday OLFA!!!! We alllll LOOOOVE you!! Thanks for such an Awesome invention..we looove our OLFA Rotary Cutters!!! We loooove the sunny yellow color with very cool black accents! And the green mats make them pop!

    September 16, 2014 at 7:42 pm
  • Nancy Lanier

    Reply

    Couldn’t live without my Olfa cutting boards & other tools!

    September 17, 2014 at 6:33 am
  • i love the Black & Yellow color combination. HONEY BEE!!

    September 17, 2014 at 7:44 am
  • Jessica P.

    Reply

    Being that I am a beginner sewer I am super excited to enter this contest because I’ve read so much about these product. It makes sewing projects that much easier!!

    September 17, 2014 at 1:49 pm
  • Lea

    Reply

    I have wanted to try Olfa’s rotating mat for a long time. Thank you for a chance to win.

    September 17, 2014 at 2:05 pm
  • Sandy K

    Reply

    My sister introduced me to the rotary cutter. I have one for fabric and one for paper. Love it.

    September 17, 2014 at 5:53 pm
  • Vicki H

    Reply

    I have no idea what I would do without my rotary cutter. Quilting just wouldn’t be the same. Thanks Olfa.

    September 17, 2014 at 5:55 pm
  • Lee

    Reply

    I love yellow and black – reminds me of bees and I am taking a bee class right now! Fabulous giveaway! thanks!

    September 17, 2014 at 8:50 pm
  • Mom C

    Reply

    I remember when I got my first Olfa cutting board and rotary cutter. I was so afraid to use them, either I’d cut off my hand or I’d cut right through the board into my counter top. But halleujah! the days of cutting with scissors, sandpaper templates and pins was over! Now I can’t cut out a quilt without them. Thanks.

    September 18, 2014 at 11:20 am
  • Sarah J.

    Reply

    Yellow is one of my favorite colors- but can be hard to find really beautiful shades sometimes. Would also love to give a small rotary cutter a try- thanks for the chance to win!

    September 18, 2014 at 1:08 pm
  • Mary D

    Reply

    I love my Olfa blades and cutters. I have the 28mm, 45mm and 65mm cutters and I only use the Olfa blades.

    Hmmm… the colors black and yellow. Oh I know, they were my high school colors and they both go very well together.

    September 18, 2014 at 2:39 pm
  • Carla

    Reply

    I love my Olfa products!… They just make any sewing experience better!

    September 18, 2014 at 7:11 pm
  • Ellee

    Reply

    I love, love, love Olfa rotary cutters. They make cutting a breeze as well as more accurate.

    September 18, 2014 at 8:37 pm
  • Olfa rotary cutters and rulers are my favorite! I’ve been eyeing the rotating mat for awhile now so I’d love to win!

    September 19, 2014 at 10:18 am
  • Charlotte

    Reply

    I started quilting not too long ago. The mat, ruler and rotary cutter I bought were OLFA. Since then I have purchased a larger mat and a second cutter and a few different size/shape rulers. Of course I went straight for the OLFA products.

    September 19, 2014 at 12:47 pm
  • Helen

    Reply

    I can’t imagine quilting life without my OLFA rotary cutters. Best time-saving and precision tool ever!

    September 19, 2014 at 2:12 pm
  • Tabitha Keener

    Reply

    I love Olga, I’m handicapped and I wouldn’t be able to quilt much without my rotary cutter! Thanks so much for the giveaway!

    September 19, 2014 at 4:39 pm
  • Karen A

    Reply

    I love my olfa cutter and ruler. They get quite a workout at my house on a regular basis!

    September 19, 2014 at 5:11 pm
  • Olfa rotary cutters and mat, who could cut fabric without one? One of the best! Thanks for the chance!

    September 19, 2014 at 6:02 pm
  • Karen Propes

    Reply

    I love Olfa products, the are the leader in quilting tools to help the quilter receive the best results. That’s why they are celebrating their 35th year. Happy Birthday Ofla. Thanks for all you create to help us.

    September 20, 2014 at 10:02 am
  • I wouldn’t love quilting half as much if I didn’t have my OLFA rotary blade. Black and yellow=OLFA, so easy to spot out. No long lost relatives (as far as I know!) but I’ll pay for the shipping, if that’s ok!

    September 20, 2014 at 11:16 am
  • I love my quilting rulers they are great! I also have a rotary cutter and couldn’t imagine doing my sewing projects without my Olfa. Great giveaway and thanks for the chance.

    September 20, 2014 at 5:29 pm
  • Charlene Rojek

    Reply

    LUV my OLFA… my weapons of choice, the blade to the boards … The yellow and black are my DeWalt of tools in the sewing room .. 😉

    September 20, 2014 at 9:44 pm
  • Cindy Weaver

    Reply

    Who can believe there was ever a time without Olfa?

    September 21, 2014 at 1:54 am
  • Donna Joy

    Reply

    Love the rotary cutter, I have the one of the first ones that came on the market. So much nicer to use than tracing around cardboard templates and cutting with scissors.

    September 21, 2014 at 6:03 am
  • Linda

    Reply

    Hi, love your Blog+love Olfa too!
    Great Olfa Tools!
    Thanks for sharing a great giveaway!

    September 25, 2014 at 2:25 pm

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