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