Fresh Eyes - Fresh Design

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A new client dropped by calicodaisy requesting an initial monogrammed pillow cover.  When she sent a photo of her nursery decor so I could match colors, I was happy to tell her that I actually had the coordinating colorway of the same fabric.  What a shrewd pre-shopper am I!  After she looked through my gallery of products past, she came up with the wonderful idea of combining the birdcage embroidery with her daughter's name and the coordinating home dec fabric as the piping.  It is so nice to get a fresh look at my own designs through another's eyes.  I'm so bombarded by new fabrics and embroidery designs and projects, that once one idea is accomplished, I've moved on to the next forgetting about what's in the files.  Thanks to yet another client's awesome idea, The Birdcage with Name design, there's a fresh new idea on the books. 

All In A Day's Work

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Oh, how I miss posting! Not sure anyone out there misses my postings, but I love to talk here. However, a lot of work is keeping me very busy and I've been reading and working toward better internet business strategies as well, so there's no real time or creative writing energy left. Above is a photo of my photo shoot area in my studio. The lights my husband rigged for me last year are getting used regularly now.  (West Elm home dec fabric on that tote up there.) 
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To me, this photo of the fabric storage bucket is just perfect. I love how clear it is, and, yet, I really don't know what the difference is that makes one picture better than another in the same environment. I'm counting on Camille to teach me that as she becomes a more fantastic photographer everyday. 
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I have to go now. Need to be at the hospital for work in just an hour. If you want to see what I've been up to most, check out the "Pillow Styles" gallery in my flickr gallery. Pillow cover sales have been marvelous! 

Beauty In The Bowl

I have no words.  Really.  Patty Hallman, a South Carolina, award-winning photographer, had a photo session with this sweetheart cozied up in my crocheted baby bowl photo prop.  Must show in extra-large fashion!  more later ...
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Thank you, Patty!

Fresh From The Pumpkin Patch

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Hello!  Are you ready for something sweet?  A precious little one in a Pumpkin Patch Cocoon Set.  The lovely mama of this little man is friends with a local photographer, Leigh, and I totally lucked out in the baby model department. 

When planning what new scarf design to crochet this fall for my shop and holiday shows, I came across these cocoon sets and had to make them.  Look at his little toes poking through!  And the twirly stem on top! 
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The Pumpkin Patch Cocoon Set is just in time, not only for Fall and Thanksgiving photo sessions but just for new babies to have a sweet little stroller set and comfortable Pumpkin Halloween costume. 

Just need a Pumpkin Hat?  That's an option, too.  Custom orders are welcome.   
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And with The Holidays right around the corner....  This set not listed yet, but you know where to find me! 

Just Getting By ...

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Do you ever feel like you're running and crawling at the same time?  That's my mode at the moment.  At the beginning of the day with the promise of about 17 hours before me, anything seems possible.  Lying back in the bed at night, I can't remember if I did anything important. 

I'm just chugging along in the sewing room.  A One Block Over Bee block was completed last night; uh, that's the June one.  Now for a paper-piecing July block, and I haven't opened the envelope for the August one, though I know it's a strip block, and I'm familiar with that pattern.  
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Baby gifts and going-to-college items such as embroidered pillow covers and towels are going out as well.  Isn't the little firefly darling?  Another custom bridal garter to make and send out this week.  Then, as has been planned for some time, 5-inch charm packs for boys quilts (prewashed fabrics) are getting organized for a photo shoot and listings in my shop this week or next. 

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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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. 

Deadline Craziness!

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My brain is whirring at 100 miles an hour these days!  I've gone from 0 to 100 in a matter of weeks going from no computer project work and few studio orders to lots of computer project work and a number of custom holiday orders!  However, there is nothing like a deadline to get my organizing game on! 

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This is a quickie post today, as I have a lunch meeting, but I need to announce the winners of the dress form pin cushions.  I had Camille draw the names the old fashioned way, and I am so suprised that both names she pulled are two new blog visitors who I met by running through the SMS giveaway list last week. 
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Michelle (another Michele/Michelle!) of Dresden Quilter.  

and

Burlap and Blue -- I couldn't find her name!  However, you should check out her blog post at the end of November.  She created an Anthropologie lookalike tree topper. 

I'll be e-mailing you girls this afternoon. 
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One more quickie note.  Isn't the little design above darling?  I embroidered out a First Christmas design on a onesie for my friend's little one and a bib for my shop.  I'll have it posted there later today. 

Off to the lunch meeting now! 

Anticipation!

I've been haunting Barnes and Noble for two weeks hoping for an early release of the One Yard Wonders book, so I can see my name in mass printing! No luck though for an early sighting. Today I had a meeting downtown and ran over to the B&N nearby, but my vanity has been checked once again. They hadn't unloaded the trucks yet! It was there, outside, in the truck! However, one more trip to my B&N this evening with a friend. I'm praying it's there.

If you see it before I do, take a picture of my page for me and tell me what page number I'm on. The authors named my project "Beach Time Towel Tote." I just called it "towel bag" and told them to go to town with re-titling it for me.

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Look what a new customer designed for her little one's first birthday! Didn't it turn out sweet? She is using it for his photo shoot and birthday party, and I can't wait to have a picture back for my portfolio. I put a second set in my calicodaisy etsy shop -- if you know someone special who would love it.

a lttle piggy dropped by ...

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... and left me with the flu!! Let me tell you, it is HORRIBLE! I have a very high tolerance for pain and discomfort, so when I say it is horrible, trust me. Every joint aches. Intestines ache. The inside of my elbows ache, my clavicles. And, it whacked me with a head cold and cough, too. Chills and shakes. My friends are docs and nurses, and, unless you're dehydrating, you just have to get through it (disclaimer: call your doctor). Alternate Tylenol and Advil, Sudafed, cough syrup, and lots of fluids. I'm such a cougher, I have to sleep in the easy chair.

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I started a new assignment yesterday, which was when things began to go from bad to worse. I didn't want to call out today, as they don't know me well. I woke up at 6:00 AM, felt better, went to work until 3, and from the time I got into the car, all the way home, I went downhill again, and here I sit in the easy chair bundled up with the cat on my feet. I have so many more important things to do, but not tonight.

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Before falling prey to this, I made paisley i-pod cozies and those darling owl pretties for your little one's hair or for your lapel. The owls are created on my embroidery machine, and one can put a pinback, ponytail holders, or hair clips on the back. Your choice!

Happy October - Looking Forward To The Weekend

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Not much to say here as I have been working out of the house for the past six days. I'm so happy not to have to take an early morning shower and get business-ready for the day! On the other hand, I am so happy to say that I have worked for the past six days. Thanks for your encouraging comments and e-mails regarding my waiting for the tide to roll into my studio work. I appreciate it. It's actually very good to write those worries and plans out, because it makes me think about what I'm saying and also opens up a chance for others to weigh in.
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I am so desperate for a new blog header. I've been through all the free places, but I don't want a new template, just the header. I found the one above at delightful dots. She has templates, tutorials, and headers. Love it. I downloaded the item to my desktop, then uploaded to flickr, then edited with text in picnik option. The thing that makes me crazy is I can't fill my header box!! I've tried to adjust and have been playing around with editing programs but can't get it. It occured to me today that I might be able to take the black frame that is automatically there through blogger out. Can you tell me how, please?
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I downloaded GIMP (a freeware photoshop program) and have been buying scrappy digital artwork to use down the road. I am determined to learn how to "photoshop" artwork. This is especially important to know because I have the software that converts artwork into embroidery files. Did you know that? If you are a graphic designer or you know how to fool around with photoshop images, contact me if you would like to turn your work into an embroidery design. OR, if you have any of your children's simple artwork you would like embroidered out forever on a tote or pillow or a fabric panel, I can do that, too.
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This pretty set of fabrics appeared at my local fabric shop the other day. I plan to make some charm packs and maybe a banner for the "college-savings shop" at the handmade fair. I put together a yard-set package for anyone who is interested in the fabrics by the yard. The photos need to be retaken in better light, but these show them off pretty well. If you would like a charm pack of #40 5x5 inch squares, let me know.
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A few Halloween-inspired items are at the calicodaisy etsy shop as well.

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I'm just about rested up this morning from my long week at work. My big plans were to be in Atlanta today through the weekend with friends and family, but a few items came up requiring a big cash outlay (vet bill and car repair), so I had to make the very difficult and grown-up choice of staying home and rescheduling the trip. However, there are now three unplanned days ahead of me. Of course, I just used up about four hours hanging out on the easy chair and watching morning shows. Anyway, a big list is growing next to me, and I'm going to get on it. Maybe if I say I will show before and after photos, I can be more accountable? Hmmmmm.... Let's just say, "I hope I am much more productive than one could ever have imagined" this weekend!

Home Alone Again

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Fabric Storage Bucket

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Finally, everyone is where they should be! I haven't been home alone since May. Now, the boy is back to college, the girl is back to school, and my husband went back to work after being home on disability for neck surgery six weeks ago. It's not that anything or anyone was too much trouble; it's just that they were here with me, all day, with varying schedules and needs. Today, it was just me. Good thing, too, because I worked a weekend shift at the hospital and needed some quiet time to recover.

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Do you know about Vista Print? That's where I get all my business stationary items. Anyway, they always have free items available, so I have quite the portfolio of designs I use. A new item is a photo flip book. I spent two hours editing photos and creating captions so I can have a semi-professional catalog to show off. Combing through my photos, I rediscovered a number of items I haven't thought about for a while. Just in time for bumping up the fall and holiday inventory. You should check it out, too. You can obviously make any kind of journal and use it for gifts as well. The turnaround is pretty quick, so don't pay extra for early shipping if you don't need to. Even with the 21-day shipping price, I generally receive my items within a week or so.
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This summer, I had an order for a personalized banner for a new baby's nursery. I've made a number of items for this good friend over time and it was so sweet to see calicodaisy touches around the nursery. It's so cozy in here.
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The nursery. We embellished the curtains with ric-rac.

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The banner over the crib. Love that black finish on the furniture!

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The monogrammed pillow. Isn't the chair great? Her mom and dad gave her this antique rocker which needed recovering. We went shopping together and fell for this fern fabric. I think it looks fabulous. She bought way too much fabric -- on my direction, I'm afraid, so I'm getting the rest of it for my stash and making her some throw pillows for when the chair goes to the den down the road.

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A calicodaisy reversible jumper for her daugher hangs on one side of the door and a canvas monogrammed tote/gift bag on the other.
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She agreed to be my model for The Roundabout Burp & Bib pattern. Here's Baby Will, too. Such are darling, sweet, soft baby!

Speaking of The Roundabout, the winners of my giveaway last week are:

Mystica and Jennifer.

It's a double international win, too. Mystica is a new blogger living in Sri Lanka, and Jennifer is a new mom from Australia. The nice thing is postage is easy -- an e-mail attachment.

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Well, I'm off to continue with those jobs I listed last post. Still working on it all. But, I did distract myself with a couple of fabric bucket designs!

The Roundabout Burp & Bib Pattern -- And Giveaway!

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My first e-pattern! It's taken months and hours and a lot of courage to come up with an idea and then work through the process of creating an e-pattern. My first argument with myself is "What hasn't been done?" The other me to myself, "It's not about that actually; it's just your take on things. Your best process." Still, though, I read so many magazines, blogs, tutorials, and hard copy patterns, it's often hard to decide what process is mine, what's a combination of my skill blended in with other crafters' or pattern makers' words, and what really has been done enough that isn't necessary to reinvent the wheel again. I wanted to start small, too. I have two crochet patterns and two purse/tote patterns in my studio journaling, however, it's the long process of thinking, writing, photographing, learning to create PDF files, getting the patterns to print out properly on the other end -- sheesh!
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So, here it is. The Roundabout Burp & Bib pattern by Michele S. Chisholm. Me, myself. Not read about anywhere. Not purchased anywhere. Obviously, I've seen something similar out there in the world, but I haven't touched it or looked it's way. This is mine.
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The Burp & Bib is a contoured, reversible burp cloth that lies nicely on mom's shoulder and gives a generous area for baby to move around. Down the road as the baby starts to hold a bottle or sit in the high-chair, the burp cloth attached at the tabs behind the neck transforms into a bib. There are two ways to create the closure mechanism -- twill tape tabs or sewn canvas tabs with gripper snaps or velcro attached. I used twill tape for the first set of Burp & Bibs I sewed, however, the twill wasn't strong and either ripped out of the seam or the snaps pulled away. So, I am going with the sewn canvas tabs when I sew up more.
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The Burp & Bib can be sewn up in coordinating cottons with a flannel lining for absorbency OR one cotton and toweling on the other side with no lining.
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Though I love the look of the coordinating cottons, I think soft toweling on the reverse of a burp cloth or bib is awesome. The item is very absorbent, can wipe up a mess fast, and turns into a washcloth if needed. I use the Walmart bath towels which cost about $5.00 for my toweling projects. The toweling is soft, pretty lush, and stands up to a lot of wear.
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Right now, The Roundabout Burp & Bib pattern is listed in my "college savings" etsy shop at the handmade fair. Hopefully, in the next few weeks, -- and I was hoping for a big to-do for the first week in September, but I'm not ready -- the new calicodaisy handmade website will be ready to go with the pattern available there. Actually, the site is already up with links available; I just haven't figured out how to load it yet with stuff and I haven't decided on the look for the tabs that will take a reader to where she wants to go. Every decision takes me so long to get through! It's hard to wear all the hats in a business. Especially a creative one like a studio. One part of one idea can take me weeks to get a grasp on.
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So, in my own celebration of producing my first pattern, I'd like to giveaway two copies of the pattern. In hopes of a bit of help advertising the pattern, if you'll mention it on your blog and/or put this little button up on your blog and then let me know, I'll add in another chance for you to win. If you can't figure out how to make a button with link, I can send the html code to you through e-mail. Please leave a comment through Sunday, August 30, 2009, and I'll choose winners on Monday morning.
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Of course, if you win or purchase a copy of the pattern and see any errors or problems with it, please let me know. After all the time I spent writing the information and creating the PDF file, I can now make a quick change if necessary! On the other hand, please let me know if you like the pattern, if it is well written, and show me a photo of the finished project if you like. Thanks so much for your support.
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One more thing -- Along with the puchase of the pattern is the permission to sew it up for gifts or for sales in your shop or craft fair. In general, I won't download a free tutorial or purchase an e-pattern if it isn't available to make and sell. I just don't want to remember who said what. My policy is "if I can't craft it for sales, I don't want it." A recent exception made for my blog friend, Stephanie, who just released her first pattern - a hard copy pattern - of her West Linn Bag, which is quite darling and which I plan to make for myself this fall.
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Now, for the next five days, I will be putting together the Scrappy Christmas Blocks for the ModernJax swap I'm in. I've already received two packages from gals who were EARLY! I'm not opening them, though, until mine are made, so I won't be swayed in my own fabric choices and find the need to go shopping again .....

This post can be considered my WIWOW, too.

Five Little Maids All In A Row

Just covering sweet bums around here.

Sassy sweet here.

Layette love here.