Shop Talk

Christmas season is officially here. The USPS will be slowing down so please remember if you want something quickly request invoice and send an email requesting Priority Mail. Most patterns will fit in a Flat Rate Priority Mail Envelope. Generally, I will include the Priority Mail as an option when sending an invoice but I do forget once in a while.

Over the next week, there will be several new items added to the store. Most of the items are new releases. I will send a "What's New" email from eBay and I will post a notice here with links back to the store.

Happy Sewing!

New patterns lines are here!

I finally have finished scanning and editing the pictures for the new patterns. The new pattern lines are Heather Bailey patterns and Portabellopixie boutique patterns. Lots of variety here. Portabellopixie has some really cut patterns for little girls. Check them out.

Other new items include broch pins, 6" round bamboo look purse handles, a couple of bags patterns and the Cupcake Pincushion pattern by Cindy Taylor Oates has been restocked. Go see all the new items.

Remember, when using the links that I mail out or the links found in the blog, I will discount the shipping or give free shipping. I will pass the savings on to you. All purchases must be made during the same session the links launched. Remember to ask for an invoice.

Happy Stitching!

Shop Talk - Lots of New Items

In the past couple of weeks, I have added lots of new patterns. Also, sold out items have been restocked. Check out the "What's New" section to see all the new items.

There are more new patterns coming. Think boutique style patterns. They should be uploaded in the next couple of weeks.

Happy Sewing!

More Ideas for Holiday Decorating

I really enjoy this time of the year with all the wonderful decorations. There is still time to make decorations for the upcoming holidays. Here's a few ideas:

1. There are a few examples of stockings in the store. They are so much fun to fill. Here's a couple of examples: the Victorian Elf Stocking pattern by Artful Offerings and the Christmas Rose pattern by Fig Tree threads.

2. Pillow covers are another nice item for holiday decorating. Here's a cute pillow cover pattern by Bunny Hill Designs: A Pillow Party for Christmas.

3. Calendars are fun for children. I have two examples in the store: the "We are Waiting" calendar pattern by Disa Designs and Christmas Tree Countdown pattern by Suzanne's Art House.

4. There are also decorative items that can sit on mantels, tables, etc. Here's a couple from the store: Santa Trio pattern by Disa Designs and Jingle Bell Vases pattern by Artful Offerings. There are more of this type of pattern for general winter decorations, too.

5. Let's not forget the kitchen. There are towel patterns: Holiday Towels pattern by Little Country Quilts, and Christmas time tea towels and potholders by Disa Designs. Look around at other examples of fun towels.

As always, I will special any design that I have access too. Also, use the direct links or the store link to the right to get free or discounted shipping. I will pay the savings on to you.

Happy Sewing!

More Green gift ideas – For the kids

It's always fun to sew for kids. The excitement is contagious. Here's a few ideas:

1. If your purchased games or some boxed item, how about a personalized pillow case with their name on it as the wrapping? It's two gifts in one. Here's a couple of examples from the store: Pillowcase Patterns by Patches Pallette, and Heads Above the Rests pillowcase pattern by Vanilla House Designs.

2. How about making a stocking to tuck the ipod player cover in or the cell phone cover? Here's a couple of stocking patterns: Goodie Socks pattern by Details by Dianne and Christmas Rose pattern by Fig Tree threads.

3. Here's some cell phone holders: Cell Phone Catty's pattern by Cotton Ginnys and Cell Phone Cuties by Fig Tree threads.

4. Are you getting a little boy some pirate toys? How about making a pirate map that can work as a wrap: Pirate Treasures pattern by Needlesongs. Lots of appliques here for making lots of pirate related items.

5. Here's a bag pattern that would inspire some creative play: Castle Keeper tote pattern by Needlesongs. For little girls, fill it with princesses and clothing. For little boys, it could be filled with knights. Don't forget the story books!

6. For the little ones, how about a animal blankie? There are several examples on the store for both hand embroidery and machine embroidery. Here's a couple of the links: Hankie Blankie Pets pattern by Black Cat Creations for hand embroidered faces, Hankie Blankie Pets pattern by Black Cat Creations for machine embroidered animals, and Snuggables Animal Blanket and Ball pattern by Cotton Ginnys.

Be sure to look around when you visit. There are lots of items for kids just waiting for someone to make them up for a special child(ren).

Happy Sewing!

Shop Talk - More Green Xmas Gifts Ideas

This has been fun coming up with a few ideas for a green Xmas. Here's a few more ideas:

1. For the golfer, there are many small items that would fit into a shoe bag(s) think golf balls, golf tees, gloves, gift certificates for a round of golf, and golf towels.

2. For the avid cook, fill a shopping bag (links in previous post) with an seasonal apron(s), seasonal oven mitts, towels, gift certificates. Here's a link to aprons and kitchen items.

3. For the sewer (sewist), a beginner would love to receive tools of the trade or even patterns that would help build skills. Fill a tote with scissors, tape measures, rotary cutters, rulers, chalk, beeswax, seam rippers, pins & needles, different sizes of sewing machine needles, small containers for taking necessities to class, and gift certificates for sewing classes. Here's a link for tools and pins & needles.

That's it for now. I'll see what else I can come up with. Please remember I will do special orders.

Happy Sewing!

Shop Talk - More Green Ideas for Xmas

This has been the year of Going Green. So instead of using wrapping paper for all of your gifts, how about making the wrapping as part of the gift? Here are a few examples:

1. Janet's Jewelry Case pattern would be an excellent pattern for just this purpose. Make it out a fabulous fabric, fill it with jewelry, and tie it with a big bow.

2. Shopping bags - This is probably the most talked about item when Going Green. Make a shopping bag (or two) that is personalized and fill the bag with your gift. Again, tie it closed with a bow or zipped it closed, depending on the pattern used. Here's a few from the store: The ReUse a Bag pattern, Eco Market Tote pattern, B.Y.O.B. bag pattern, or the Easy Market Bag pattern. This is just a few of the bag patterns that are available.

3. Lunch bags - Do you know someone who carries a plastic bag with their lunch in it daily? Why not make a pretty bag for the ladies or a masculine bag for the gents to carry lunch in? Here's a couple from the store: Let's Do Lunch tote pattern or the The Lunch Bag pattern.

4. Make-up bags - Again go for the beautiful fabrics and fill them with daily necessities. Here's an example - Gwen's Zip-N-Go Totes pattern.

This is just a few ideas.

Happy Sewing!