A New Chapter Begins

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Today is the first day in 18 years that I don't have a child ready for the first day of school!  I need a new hobby now to fill the time.  Well, I just have to get through the paying of the tuition and books and all that goes with kids in college, and then I can see what's left over! 

First up, though, in October, one of my BFFs will come in from Memphis to visit for a week.  We plan to have a little sewing retreat together here and then head over to Atlanta for the Country Living Fair!  So excited to actually go to the fair I've read about for years and to go with Lynda!  Two more BFFs and a favorite SIL live in the Atlanta area, so I will be reveling in lots of sisterly and gal-pal love for a few days!  Maybe I'll meet some blog friends, too.  Let me know if you're going. 

There have been a lot of embroidered pillow covers flying out of the studio.  Did I tell you that I finally learned to use the six needle machine?  Maybe I did, but it deserves to be mentioned again.  It's like having an employee.  The machine is sewing out designs while I'm sewing up the piping and pillow covers at the same time. 

A client request came for a large-scale embroidered monogram.  After about a month of searching out quality large-scale fonts, we both fell for the one pictured at the top.  The design is very lush and substantial.  Thanks to Mallory there is a new product for the calicodaisy shop. 

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Links to the Serena & Lily Kate bedding and requests for matching pillow covers have been coming my way.  Pink and limey green damask.  So serene and lovely, and I'm glad to accommodate! 

The One Where calicodaisy Goes Toddlers and Tiaras!

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Now that I can post again, I have a few months of catching up to do!  There are a number of things to show and tell, but the most darling of all is the custom dress that went to the Lollipop pageant last month.  The mama of the little 3-year-old darling sent me a photo a few months ago, and we created our own version of the dress. 

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Not that I want to get all caught up in this, but, I have to say, when it was over and I received a photo of the Little Miss all sassy in her dress and pink rubber boots (!), I'm pretty pleased.  Going down to the studio now to sew up two more outfits for this weekend's pageant.  The little one above and her friend will be the prize presenters, and their mamas have requested matching outfits in a casual boutique style.  Nothing like waiting to the last minute, but there was no way around it with the schedule.   

Free At Last!

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Can't stay signed into blogger.  Cannot comment on blogger. 

Sign In / Sign Out loop.  

Phrases above for those who google them.  Thank goodness, I think I am out of the blogger loop sign-in / sign-out nightmare!  I haven't been able to comment for months since Blogger had the glitch in the spring.  I've barely been able to stay signed in to post or make changes on the blog.  I have been so upset, I even began a wordpress blog just in case, but, really, I don't have the brains to figure that out right now!  Later.  

Anyway, if you googled yourself here, this is what I did:  After reading a post on Blog Guidebook yesterday as well as countless other things I don't understand, a little thought came to mind to google "enabling third party cookies."  I found these instructions on Feedjit, followed them, and it seems to have done the trick!  I have commented and am now posting without signing in, signing out.  It's a good day!  A banner day! 

Okay, I don't know anything else about it, so don't ask me.  I only hope I have truly left this loop of despair!       

Summer Stitchin'

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Lots of this going on since last we spoke.  Drum roll, please:  I finally learned to use the 6-needle embroidery machine!  Such a burden off the shoulders!  It's marvelous and very fast.  Must keep fingers out of the way.  New shelving is up in the crazy, messy sewing room, which is actually less crazy and messy. 
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Here is a fun block I sewed today for the One Block Over Bee, the Japanese x / + block.  Jump to the description and tutorial on this post.  You'll love it. 
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.Can you believe this little confection?  A custom dress for a 3-year-old princess to wear in a pageant last weekend.  If you click over to the calicodaisy FB page, you can see the dress in action -- all dressed up with pink rubber boots! 
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A number of these have gone out through the shop in the last couple of months.  It's so much fun to be part of clients' home dec designs.  This set flew off to NYC last week.  The "k" is made to match the Serena and Lily Kate bedding set.  So pretty! 

To cap off the summer, my boy is on his way home from his year in Germany!  If all flights arrive on time, I'll have both my chicks under one roof on Friday.  Of course, the year flew by, and it's hard to believe that this time last year, we were wondering how we were going to manage getting him everything he needed to live abroad.  Now he is just a world traveler.  Hoping my turn is next!