It all started some in 1993. Whilst reading one of my wife's American Magazines I noticed a review of quilting software.
At that time there were only 3 major programmes - Electric Quilt, Quilters Design Studio, and PC Quilt.
I wrote to the one that obtained the best review to ask if it would run on my Mac and was told  "no" but a Mac version was in the pipeline.
I then asked if the company had anyone selling the product outside the US, again a negative response, so suggested that
I could act on their behalf and was accepted - and that's how it all began. Then came the question of what to call my fledgling business  - Joyce's business -
The Contented Cat - would clearly be close - so what better than to call my company after one of our 3 cats.
I chose Rio, she is a Classic English Red Tabby and knows nothing about computers but loves sitting on working papers etc.
You will have seen from the previous pages that the business has grown somewhat and deals in other quilting related products as well as software.

Sadly in August 2003, Rio developed a very nasty tumour in her stomach and we had to let her go - she was coming up for 18 years old. When we took her on in 1985
she was not expected to live very long as although she was the first born of the litter and perfectly marked. she had several congenital defects which meant
she could never be a mother or be shown as befitted her pedigree. It now seems very strange to come home to an empty house

Rio after a 'cat nap'

Way back in 1995  I felt that there was a need in the UK to develop a Rotary Cutter Blade exchange and sharpening service.
I wrote to the one man I knew in the USA who is regarded as the best in his field and enquired if he would make me or sell me a suitable machine.
Was informed that the technology was not for sale, but that he would sharpen blades that I sent to him from  UK Quilters.
He uses a special machine, with several processes and many types of grinding paste so that the blades are sharpened just right.
Yes, you've guessed it, I had to form a separate company and decided that this would be ' Sheba Blades ' after our late Foreign White.
This one knew a bit more about computers as she either sat between the Monitor and the keyboard, or walked all over the keyboard whilst
I updated the web pages or even sat on top of the monitor as it was nice and warm. She knew MS Word backwardssssssssssssssssssssssssss !!

SHEBA BLADES

Prices as at 1.7.2000 (and they are still the same in 2007!)

Will Supply new OLFA 45 mm blades for:                                       £3.75 plus SAE

Will exchange your old 45 mm blade for a new OLFA blade for:        £3.25 plus SAE

Will sharpen any make of 45 mm blade for:                                      £2.50 plus SAE

Will sharpen 10 blades for the price of 9                            £22.50

0r supply 10 New OLFA blades for the price of 9                £33.75

or Supply 10 'generic' (no name) blades for                          £27.50

or exchange 10 old blades for 10 new OLFA blades for the price of 9  £29.25

Note that I will pay postage on bulk orders (10 + )

Please send all old blades in their original plastic cases (you can post 10 in one plastic case )
or securely taped to a piece of card, then place inside Stamped Adressed (Large Letter Post Please)  Return envelope and forward to:

Sheba Blades
Flint Cottage, Treacle Lane
Rushden, Buntingford
Herts., SG9 0SL

New, sharpened or replacement blades will normally be despatched by return.

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Updated on May 13th 2007 by The Man from Rio