Giddy Up!

An update from Lauren about her riding...

Lauren had a great riding lesson yesterday and wanted to share the video with family and friends. She completed four 'real' jumps riding Ollie and got to canter. Sorry for the fuzzy video but all I had was my cell phone at the time.

The first jump was a surprise!

Here's another one.

Lauren also got a short ride on Caimen (?spelling) who is Miss Amanda's horse. He is a former racer and polo horse. He's been under the weather but feeling better now. Thanks Miss Amanda!

Now for some sad news... Ollie, my favorite pony, hurt his knee and is on stall rest for several weeks. We are going to make him a get well card and basket of horse goodies. Get well soon Ollie!

Beaches and Bling

Hi all,

We've been busy, busy, busy with summer activities as I image you all are. Here's what we've been up to...

Business Update...

I am making progress with my Etsy and Ebay stores. Not so much progress on the ecommerce website, sigh. I continue to digitize but the test sewing process is slow going. Here are a few designs in process. Stitchers stay tuned.

Sewing Update...

I haven't had much time for sewing but am working on the squares for my mom's quilt for my sister Diana. Here is the one out of the three due that I have done. This motif is special since my sister learned to sew on our grandmothers treadle sewing machine.

Lauren absolutely loves to 'bling'. Here is her first project which she completed on her own with just a bit of hovering by mom.

Personal Update...

Lots of summer fun going on. Lauren just finished up the week at horse camp. Lots of driving and dirt involved in that activity. She had the end of camp horse show today. She rode in the 'advanced' group and placed a second and forth place ribbon. She rode Pete who is Ollie's best friend.

The biggest news is that our friends the 'T family' from Toronto/Michigan came to Boston for a visit. We had a great time while they were here. We hit the aquarium and Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester. What a great beach! The kids boogie boarded on the waves and built a sand palace. They squeezed in a visit to the mall and played Wii. Here are a few pics.

Take care all!

Gloria

Repunzel, Repunzel Let Down Your Fair Hair

Hi all,

Lauren wanted to show off her long straight locks. We spent some quality time at the salon this afternoon.
I also wanted to test the new blog update email notification process using a Google user group I created called MyEmbroideryOnline. The purpose of this user group is to send an email when this blog is updated. I added family and friends whom I thought would be interested in knowing when the blog has been updated to the distribution list. Please let me know if you'd like to be removed. Others can also sign up by entering their email address in the field provided in the upper left on the blog.

Cheers!

Gloria

Summer Fun

Hi all. Hope everyone is staying cool. Its toasty here in MA.

Business Update...

I have been busy working on the business side of the business. I think I have everything in order now. I have been digitizing a bit as well. Here is one of my projects in the works...

Chicken Cow Oh My

I purchased the Magna-Hoop to be able to create custom embroidered sew in tags and embroidered ribbon. I'm seeing lots of folks on Etsy asking for this product. I'm still trying to work the kinks out but I think I'm getting the hang of it.

My Embroidery Online Sew In Tag

This tag is one inch wide. I plan to use these for small zippered bags that I am going to sew and sell on Etsy.

I've sold a few embroidery designs on Etsy and Ebay this past week. Boy, having to produce a physical CD for each design set is far more work than providing the customer with an electronic file (boo Ebay!). I'm working on launching an ecommerce site where customers can purchase designs and immediately download the design after confirmation of payment. The site is 50% of the way there. It has been fun working on the site but it does take time away from digitizing.

Sewing Update...

Progress is being made on the two wedding projects I'm working on (Kenny & Michelle, Miss Katy & Mr. Joe).

Kenny & Michelle, October 2008: My mom and I purchased everything I need to make my nephew's family crest wall hanging when I was in Michigan. This picture shows what I am attempting to create for them less a few changes they've asked for. The wall hanging will be a combination of piecing, embroidery and embellishment. They've picked out embroidery designs for the major elements and the colors that they like used. My deadline is August 31st so I better get sewing soon!

Their Selections

Miss Katy & Mr. Joe, December 2008: For their wedding, I'm making eight muffs, five stoles, three capes and Katy's veil. She has selected styles for the stoles and capes and designed her veil. I've collected samples of various faux fur for the muffs. I'm considering options for the capes (bridal taffeta or velvet with faux fur trim). I'm am going to tackle the veil project first since it is the most creative and important. She wants a two layer fingertip veil with delicate silver thread edging and tiny swaroski crystals.

Veil Edge Detail Possibilities

I just received an influx of fabric from my mom and mother-in-law. I finished sorting through all of it today. I am collecting stray fabric to use for the charity pillowcases I make for hospice and for the zippered bags I plan to sell on Etsy.

My sewing room is on the third floor. It is beginning to close in on me due to all of the fabric and 'stuff' I have in there. I've gone so far as to set up a card table with my sewing machine and serger on it in the family room--mainly for the AC and for the company. One benefit to physically moving my active sewing project to the family room is that I can't see all of my UFOs (unfinished fabric objects for you non-sewers out there). I have 25 projects on my UFO list not counting the ones I am going to completely abandon. Oh my.

Personal Update...

Grandpa is here and we're having summer fun. The collective we have been spending time at the pool and at the movies in attempt to stay cool (no central air here!). I think we're going canoeing tomorrow if the weather holds out. We're off to the Cape on Thursday for a day at the beach with cousins Phoebe and Graeme. We are looking forward to our friends the T family's visit in the next week or two.

Over and out....stay cool!

Gloria