The State of the Store: Values, Stock and Products

old I Have A Notion web banner
Where We Were

In a little less than a year the state of the store has changed significantly. The web site started crashing and elements were not functioning requiring major renovations. I Have A Notion™, started down the road to the new look, new web site, new stock; well new everything! The site is modernized, sleek and organized. It will always be a work in progress, but the key elements are in place.

What are the Goals

To improve the State of the Store, new stock and products are being added all the time. Not just the newest hottest things, but the tried and true. Products that have stood the test of time and continue to work as well as the day they were introduced. These tools continue to work and have a long useful life in the sewing room. In addition, adding the new innovative products that will help guide us down the road of creativity, either by updating the method of how or by making the current process easier or better.

a banner with several IHAN products

Values of I Have a Notion™

Modern retail is based on the cycle of buy-buy-buy, but let’s buy right! All of us can fall into the cycle of constantly upgrading before every really learning to use what we have. Part of my job at I Have A Notion™ is finding useful tools that do their job well for the cost. To that end, I am sourcing out the best tools for the best price. We can all find the least expensive items at the big box stores, and most of them will work well. At I Have A Notion™, the goal is to stock the ‘better categories of products where possible. Not the lowest priced “GOOD” and not the top of the line “BEST” products, but the “BETTER” that does the job, will last or have made significant enough changes to ‘Tried and True’ to warrant the upgrade! Focus on the best bang for the buck. Tools that will pay for themselves or elevate your experience to the next level or BOTH! The value will be there, if not by the price, then the benefits of the item.

Tested by Beth

My IDEA is to show you the difference! By the cost or value, by innovation, or that it has stood the test of time and is still relevant. There are many “Tried and True” products, (Blue Washout Markers), that I use when crafting and sewing. Some are “NEW and Improved” products, (Misting Spray Bottles), that make some aspect much better, easier or both. Where there is only one choice of a particular item, (Machingers Gloves), then that is the one you will find here. Where there is more than one choice (scissors or pins), then you get to make the decision on which is best for you. Still not sure… ASK! I will assist you in any way I can, and I always tell the truth. I love helping you find exactly what you need to be successful in CREATING. Can’t find a tool, something you really want to have? Please email (Beth at quiltnotions@gmail.com) and we can see if it can be found!

The State of the Store will be ever changing as the stock and products, but the values will remain the same!

Beth

You can find the above products here: Misting Spray Bottles, Machingers Gloves, Vinyl Decals, Quilters Select Products, and Longarm Books.

Quilt Show

Last weekend the local quilt guild had our annual quilt show “Heartland of Kentucky Quilt Show. We set up on Thursday for a Friday and Saturday Show. This was where I spent all 3 days and I shared a REVOLUTIONARY new ironing product! 

The Booth

ihaveanotion.com had a booth at the show, I think I am going to need some more quilts for the tables! I had a blast. I love meeting quilters and helping them find just the right tool to help them make the most of their sewing, cutting, ironing  or creative time. It is precious.

A ‘Revolutionary’ sewing room aid

I think I have found one of those REVOLUTIONARY tools for the sewing space or household. I had heard of these “spray misting bottles” a few months ago and before there was one for the sewing industry! They were either black or white and only available at beauty supply stores for the professionals and retailing at a much higher price.  I started using one… immediately and I LOVE it. It was featured prominently to show this special spray bottle off at the quilt show. I set up an ironing station with a fabric that would show moisture so I could share… the REVOLUTIONARY benefits… and the poor quality spray we were using from ordinary spray bottles. So what makes them so special?

The Benefits

1 The first benefit is the super fine mist that the bottle produces. No large or super large drops are deposited on the fabrics that then have to be dried instead of just pressing out the wrinkles.

2 Benefit 2 is there a pump built in, so one pull on the trigger delivers a continuous spray, (about  1.5 cc’s) and will spray continuously with multiple pulls. Also if you only want a little… you can spot shot, with short pulls. No hand fatigue…. from pulling on a trigger from a dime store spray bottle that can’t decide if it spits or sprays.

3 And third is the ability to spray 360 including upside down!!!  It will spray right down to the last drop of moisture in the bottle. How helpful would that be? 

Its not a Plain Jane

Fill it with water or your favorite pressing aid. I use a homemade ‘pressing aid’ and I include the recipe with your order and it comes in 3 different designs.

Iron Maiden
Color Therapy
Quilt Shops

Have I intrigued you with the “newest tool” to make your time creating more productive? Check it out over here! What do you use at your ironing board?

More Later! Beth

Home

Welcome to I Have A Notion™!

I Have A Notion™ started down the road to New a little more than a year ago when the web site crashed. So a new web site, new stock, and well, almost new everything! The web will always be a work in progress, but the key elements are in place.

Values

Chaco Liner Silver Pen Style by Clover

Along with a new look, new stock and products are added all the time. Not just the newest hottest things, but the tried and true. Products that have stood the test of time and continue to work as well as the day they were introduced. Clover Chaco Liner Pens or the Sewline Ceramic Chalk Pencils, both create super fine chalk lines. In addition, adding the new innovative products that will help guide us down the road of creativity, either by updating a process or by making the current process easier or better. Like the new Wool Pressing Mats are hands down the best thing to happen to block pressing.

Buy Right

Misting Spray Bottles
The best thing to happen to the pressing station

Granted retail is based on the ever-increasing cycle of buy, buy, buy and I don’t disagree, but let’s buy right! The best thing your ironing station has ever seen. The Misting Spray Bottle for your pressing of fabric, blocks or if you longarm relaxing a quilt top, backing or batting without a soaking.

Bang for your Buck!

Quilters Select 12.5 inch ruler lable

We can buy ourselves into bankruptcy by constantly upgrading before ever really learning to use what we have. Part of my job is sourcing useful tools that do their job well for the cost. To that end, I Have A Notion™ is searching out the best tools for the best price. The goal at I Have A Notion™ is to stock the ‘better’ category of products where it is possible. Not the lowest priced and not the top of the line products and focus on the best bang for the buck. I recently found the Quilters Select Line of Rulers, they make ruler slipping a thing of the past! They are for left & right-handed quilters (measurements go both ways) and have lots of cutting lines and angles making them very valuable at the cutting table. The value will be there, if not by price, then through the value of the benefits.

You get to Choose

Showing the Beam n Read Lights
The Beam n Read Personal Hands Free Lights, Violet and Black

Where there is only one good choice that is the one you will find here. Like the Beam n Read Personal Hands-Free Light. Usefulness and value in one. If there is more than one choice, then you get to make the decision on which is best for you.

Need a Little Help?

Still not sure… drop me a line quiltnotions@gmail.com or 270-242-9900. I will assist you in any way I can because I believe in ‘old school’ retail. I would rather have you leave the store happy than dissatisfied and if I don’t have it I will try and help you find it.
Beth