Monday, March 29, 2010

Old News / New News


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Look at this!  I've gone international!  Well, One Yard Wonders has anyway.  A British version, Sew A Metre, is in the works and due out at the end of May.  Fun!  I've saved it to my wish list, so I can have this version, too. 
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Also, this morning I noticed a comment on a previous post that a gal made up my Beach-Time Towel Tote (page 118 of OYW, if you've forgotten) as a gift, and she blogged about it!  What a lovely surprise to read this morning.  Just in case you missed all my excitement and info last fall when the book came out, I did create a flickr set to show off the attributes of the bag, as OYW only had one photo per project, and, unless one reads the description well, you might think it is only a towel/fabric combo tote, but it's really so much more.  Check it out; it's the right time of year to whip one up!  (Just forgive the lack of stylish fabric used on the prototype.  I made this tote ages ago before I discovered the most cool fabrics out now!) 

Friday, March 26, 2010

For The Wedding Planner


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A couple of new embroidery designs for the newly engaged and upcoming bride and groom are available for sewing out.    These will look great on t-shirts, bags, acessories, home dec, etc. 
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Please contact me at my calicodaisy handmade shop if you would like to design something special. 

 (The actual digital embroidery designs are not for sale.) 

On a related subject of weddings, my 22nd wedding anniversary is today!  Too bad we don't plan ahead ... this could have been a beautiful 3-day weekend away. 

Sunday, March 21, 2010

One Step Closer ...

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... to being a real shop and better organizing my time and energy.  I've wanted to automate my shipping for a while but didn't know which direction to go.  After gathering lots of information from like-minded business friends, I decided on this Zebra LP2844 postage printer.  I like that it is self-contained and small and not just another piece of office equipment requiring its own piece of furniture.  I'm looking forward to using it often!   

Saturday, March 20, 2010

calicodaisy on Etsy Weddings Showcase

Today I have a spot on the Etsy Weddings Showcase.  If you pop over, use the drop down menu on the showcase page to choose "weddings."

Of course, I purchased the spot earlier in the month to showcase my wedding garters and hoped I chose a day when upcoming brides and their moms were cruising Etsy. 

Have you used this option before when listing your items?  Twice last year I purchased spots, once in the Ultimate Bridal Shower and once in the Baby category, and it worked out well for me.  Even though I only sold one or two items on each of those days, the exposure and return customers were worth it.  Plus, both times new customers had great ideas for me which added to my inventory list. 
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rosette ivory lace bridal garter
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To participate, just go to the "Your Etsy" page.  At the far right of your listed items, you'll see the "promote" option.  Just click that and follow the path to choosing the proper category and date to be showcased. 
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Too bad I forgot about my showcase day this week!  I had plans for some ring bearer pillows and more casual garters with embroidered monograms.  I'll just have to do it again when I'm ready.  This pretty flower is destined to top a ring bearer pillow.  Love the 3-D look for this little presentation of loveliness. 

Thursday, March 18, 2010

A Gentle, But Very Important, Reminder


Oh, friends.  I just received the most shocking news.  This is the part of reaching the middle years of life that's worrisome to me.  A neighborhood friend, a beautiful woman of 51, passed away in her bed Tuesday evening of a heart attack.  I remember Tuesday evening; I was blogging on the couch watching the news.  I understand that earlier in the day after exercising, she called her husband to say she didn't feel well.  He told her to stop and get rest and see the physician before she exercised anymore.  I can only imagine that, as a woman, mom, wife, busy, healthy person, she thought it would pass.  That evening, she went to bed early.  Her husband fell asleep on the couch for a bit and then woke and went to the bedroom to find she had passed away. 

Julie wasn't my close friend, more of an acquaintance, but we used to attend the same church and waved when we passed on the road.  She was very quiet and obviously loved by many.  Her boys are marvelous.  It is because of her husband we found our great home+apartment seven years ago when looking for a place to live with my grandmother.  She leaves two sons, the same ages as my children, and a lovely husband.  Our hearts are weary for those three men. 

So, ladies, the gentle reminder what we already know but just forget to take seriously for ourselves:  Heart Health!  Let's take good care of bodies and hearts - for ourselves and for our husbands and children -- and be sensitive to what our bodies are telling us.  If you feel particularly strange or have palpitations or your girlfriend tells you see is having such odd symptoms, GET A FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND and go your physician's office or to the ER that very day. 

Please send a little prayer over to South Carolina that this family may feel the Lord's comfort and grace.   

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Liberty of London - In The House!

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It's a very good thing that I am scheduled to work today, otherwise, I'd be scouring all the Targets in town for the Liberty of London goods revealed today!  I actually went to the nearest Target yesterday and found my first pieces of affordable LoL; a storage basket ($8) and some little frames ($4 each).  Bedding sets were featured ($60.00), but I didn't see if those included sheets, which is what I'm hoping to find as they will be immediately repurposed!  
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Of course, I began this morning at the local Bruegger's for my DC and a bagel and, for once, sat down to make a chore list for my kids today (we'll see how that goes!) and to look through April Country Living, a great issue this month.   There is a feature of the LoL floral inspired items and some of the goods at Target.  Take a look!   
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The colors are fabulous.  I'm loving the floral tennies. 
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These floral tins will be scattered about the house, I'm sure, and my daughter is already anticipating some LoL tops and floral dresses to add to her spring wardrobe.  (Aren't we glad that "beautiful" is stylish again for our daughters?)  I haven't seen a price on those yet, but I'm hoping they fit the budget.  I'm so ready for spring now and freshening up the home decor!

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Sweet Bottoms

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Spring is bringing the stork around again!  Not to leave a little bundle at my house, of course; just to carry some sweet little orders away. 
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These little personalized bloomers are wending their way to Idaho.  Baby Violet!  What a pretty name to pick and have splashed across a sweet bum. 
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I've also rediscovered my Roundabout Burp & Bib pattern.  Isn't it crazy how we just go from new idea to new idea and forget about the one that was so highly important just a few months ago?  I had such a surprise when I sold a pattern last week; I actually had to think for a minute where I had stored the PDF file!  And, then, another sold this afternoon.  Wouldn't you like one, too? 
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Roundabout Burp and Bib
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Well, obviously, with the baby bloomers order in process, I had to cut out a Roundabout to include in the package for some new exposure.  This one is quite eclectic in pink mushrooms and whimsical owls.  Fun, though, to mix it up like this. 

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Stripping -- Late To The Game!

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To keep up with the fun quilting crowd, I made my first attempt at strip quilting.  Stephanie put out a challenge a good while ago to use up stash by strip quilting and to show off what one has accomplished.  Without formally entering the challenge, the strip quilt block has been on my mind.  I put together a stack of lovely blue, brown, and green florals to create some charm packs for my shop and wanted to sew up something to show off the fabrics together for presentation.  This project accomplishes two projects at once.  This pillow cover was the perfect chance to sew up a "quilt" without trying to manage a full quilt and not finishing! 
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Though I still don't have my indoor lighting figured out, here is a closeup of the quilted pillow cover and the fabrics all together.  I wasn't sure how to quilt the piece, so I went with a machine straight line.  Maybe a stipple would have been better; definitely some handquilting around the diamond would have looked great.  Also, I didn't notice when auditioning the blocks around that the green and brown floral sort of clumped together and looks like I made a design error.  Oh, well, I'll get used to it.  The pillow will look great as an accent on the bed in our room. 

butterfly garden set

I'll have the 40-piece charm packs and/or fat quarter stacks together soon, if you're interested.  The butterfly garden set (above) is in my shop now.  All fabrics have been washed, dried, and ironed before cutting, so no shrinking or color bleeding to worry about.