Hello Houston...Here We Come!

Oh my....the garments and goodies just keep multiplying!!!  I thought that I would post a couple of pictures of some more of the things that I am bringing to my Houston Trunk Show on October 15th at Lindsay's house.  I finally found some really cute matching brother/sister outfits!  Some are smocked and some are meant to be monogrammed.  Either way...they are, indeed, Sweet Stitchings!

                                                                                          
Check these out!

I love these sweet little smocked Santa Faces!  The girls bishop dress comes in sizes 6mo through 4T and the boys longall comes in 9mo through 24mo.  For the slightly older fellows, the co-ordinating red corduroy longall is a good match in 2T through 4T.




 

                                                                                                                     Festive Candy Canes!         The girls bishop dress comes in sizes 6mo through 4T and the boys smocked co-ordinating longall (corduroy) comes in  6mo through 24mo.   And, once again, the boys red corduroy in 2T through 4T looks great with these items!

The older girls (4, 5, 6) can also co-ordinate with all of the above items in a fun little red corduroy dress that is ideal for a monogram.  (Monogram it in white and it will also be ideal for Valentines!!)  It is the same color as the  toddler boys longall.  Put the boys longall over a turtleneck or white shirt piped in red and you are "good to go"!

....and

More cozy robes!!!!  White microfleece or pink Nordic chenille for Mom at right....and pink or blue terry velour for the little ones!  (Sizes 1 -4 for the children)





                                                                                                                                                  















        
            



            ...and then,



Throw in some bags, bibs, blankies, backpacks, and towels and there are lots of fun items from which to choose.










                                                                                
                                                                              
Can't wait to see you in Houston on October 15 and in Dallas on October 20!!!!
 If you have questions, feel free to e-mail me at sweetstitchings@att.net

Trunk Show!!!

Well, it has been a while since I have posted anything...that would be because I have been very busy preparing for my first endeavors in the marketplace - Trunk Shows in Houston and Dallas!!  Since my last post, I have been to an embroidery trade show and made contact with new vendors, opened accounts with other fun vendors like Mullins Square and Little English, and...if you can believe it, I got another embroidery machine!!!  Yep, at the trade show I fell in love with a 15 needle industrial model and it arrives at my home at the end of next week.  However, I have to go to "Embroidery School" for two days to learn how to use that particular model and the software that comes with it!!!

Thought I would show you just a few of the things I have been gathering up...more is still to arrive!

Fluffy white towels just begging for a monogram!

...and how fun are these decorative towels!  There are matching cocktail coasters that will come in packs of four with an initial.  I haven't monogrammed those yet, but I will post them when I do.  They are really cute!  Great gift item!

...and something for the traditionalist!

Fun, fun colors for waffle-weave spa robes, headbands, slippers, cosmetic bags, etc.

I also have a beautiful soft pink color that is coming from another vendor

Here are a couple of the sweet smocked dresses that have arrived...more coming!

(I have a run of sizes in most.)

Here a a fewof the bibs and burps that I will have in addition to the ones that I already have to match the onesies that I am doing.  (You can barely see the camouflage bibs at the bottom, but they are great...toddler size!)  I am SO EXCITED about the super fun bibs, towels, and robes that I have coming from Mullins Square, but they have not arrived yet. They are some of my favorite things.  They are super cute by themselves and even more fun with a monogram!

I found a great vendor for really good quality knitwear for children at the trade show and here are a few of the items that I purchased from them.  Their knit is soft and very substantial feeling...it doesn't feel flimsy and you can't see through it.  I love their stuff.  (It is a little more expensive than some brands that I cannot mention, but it it is worth the few extra pennies!)    I loved the little red & green dresses...they will be really cute with a little Christmas monogram for a more casual look!

These are some of the fabrics that I am working with for my onesies, burbs, and bibs, etc.  I think they are really sweet.  I am still looking for others...I LOVE pretty fabrics and can't seem to put and end to my quest...never met a fabric store I didn't like!!!!!

Lindsay has been so sweet to invite her Houston friends to my Trunk Showing there.  (Kudos to my "Regional Marketing Director")  I am so excited to see you guys there and share ideas.  I really want to hear about the things you are looking for and what you really like.  I have already seen some really cute spring things for both boys and girls that I will definitely be stocking for Easter!

My Dallas Trunk Show will be the week after the one in Houston and I am looking forward to seeing all of my Dallas buddies at my home for that one!  The invites are almost ready to go out!!!!

Maybe Lauren needs to set me up with a Trunk Show in London...wouldn't that be a good excuse for a trip!!!  On second thought...maybe I'm not ready for the international marketplace yet.

Hope to see you all soon!!!!

Thanks to All...and Pricing!

      Thanks, Everyone, for all of your e-mails, phone calls and comments on my projects.  I have had numerous requests for my pricing on items that I have displayed.  Since I have been working on a website, I did not include those, but I have gone back and put prices on the items that I showed on my last posting.
Please e-mail me at sweetstitchings@att.net for your questions or orders.

I have different fonts, and colors that I can use on most any of the designs that I have shown.

Keep looking!  I will have more things to show very soon.  Again, if you know of personalized items that you would like to have or give as gifts, let me know and I will try to add them to my list of projects.

Thanks again, everyone!

Samples!!!

Well, I have finally taken the time to post a few of the projects that I have been working on for my little monogramming business. Even though things are still very much in the "preparatory phase", I am up and running and taking orders. I am certainly still in the process of looking for new ideas and seeking input on what I have done so far...therefore, I would certainly welcome your comments and suggestions. I am in the process of planning designs and gifts for the Christmas holidays, so if there is anything you are looking for...let me know and I will see if I can help! In addition to baby items, I plan to have an assortment of other things that will be great for gift-giving. So far, I know that I will be having decorative Christmas linens, cocktail napkins, guest towels, bath towels, robes, spa wraps, cosmetic bags, totes, golf towels, etc. I am anxious to hear any other ideas that you might have. Of course, I will have new items for babies an children, as well. As I know that many of you are be fans of Stephen Joseph designs, I will be offering those as well.

Here are a few samples:

Packaged set of Burp cloths that I did for one of my daughter's friends who had a baby girl

Detail of the two cloths in the set!
$14.95 each or set for $28

Infant sacque for my own sweet granddaughter, Ainsley!
(I am still looking for a good for sacques - price later)

We all love Diaper covers! Here area couple that I did featuring either a name or a 3-letter monogram.
$14.95  - many colors & and fonts

What girl could resist the prissy pony print on a skirted onesie!!!!
$23.95

This is a monogram that I did on a onesie...could be put on most anything else, as well. I have also done this same design on a matching bib and diaper cover. It would also be really sweet on a burp cloth!
Long-sleeve white onesie with name or 3-letter monogram - $16.95
other colors and fonts for boys or girls
White Interlock Bib (Same design) - $12.95
Set with onesie & bib - $28.00

My daughter's are keeping me busy with precious names for their friend's babies. This is a gift set that I did for little Parker!

Trio of burp rags for a baby boy...looks like Call of the Wild!!!!
$14.95 each for monogrammed burp
Set of 3 - $38
Set of 2 (monogrammed designs) - $28
Set of 2 (either of the monogrammed design + monkey fabric) - $24

Fun bib for game day! This could certainly be done for any school using different colors and mascots. I think that if I did it for a girl, I would use a more "girly" font (and maybe a little embellishment.)
$14.95 - any school or color

Packaged bundle of goodies for Davis!

Contents of the little bundle for Davis!
many fabrics for boys or girls
Onesie with puffed applique & and name - $19.95
Interlock knit bib with puffed appliqued letter - $14.95
Burp Cloth with co-ordinating fabric - $15.95
Set of all three - $48.00

Some "SPA" accessories that I made to match the robe I monogrammed for my daughter, Lindsay, for her trip to the hospital when Ainsley was born. (Like a hospital is a spa!!!!)  these accessories come in the same colors as the matching robe below.
Slippers (S,M, L) - $21.95
Lingerie Bag - $22.95
Cosmetic Bag (larger than the one shown) - $18.95

Waffle-weave spa robe. This robe (just above the knee) is a lightweight robe that is not too hot for Texas weather!! One of the things I like about this robe is that I can get it in a lot of fun colors like chocolate brown, black, lime green, light pink, hot pink, lavender, tropical blue, celadon, tangerine...
$42.95 - one size fits all

I monogrammed a similar set for my younger daughter, Lauren, who preferred the chocolate brown with bright turquoise lettering...so Lauren!
same as above, except I used a spa wrap (just below the knee) instead of a robe - same colors as robe
spa wrap - $33.95
(While this font is pretty, parts of it are actually too delicate to look perfect on the ridges of the waffle weave.  I would recommend a denser font

I will be posting prices very soon for my items and look forward to hearing from you! Meanwhile, if you have questions about something or want to place an order, feel free to contact me at sweetstitchings@att.net

More Later...Enjoy!

Taking the Plunge!

Yes, I know...I can hardly believe that I am taking the plunge and creating a blog. I will be using my blog to chronicle the transformation of one of my lifelong hobbies into a little business that I LOVE! I have always enjoyed things that are creative, especially sewing, and I thought I would enjoy a small business associated with that. (Hence the name of my blog and business, "Sweet Stitichings") Thanks, Lauren, for the name! My sewing interests run the gamut and have have ranged from garment construction, home decor projects, applique, smocking, French Handsewing, embroidery, counted cross-stitch, needlepoint, quilting, etc. - I think I will need to narrow my focus a little for my business!

I have thought about the idea of a little business for a long time but never really acted on it...for several reasons.

• Time - I now have some!
• Time - Will this take over my life?
• Fear - Can I do this?
• Fear - Will I regret not doing this?

Despite these apprehensions (and probably many others) I got this mad bug last Friday and took the big plunge. All in one day, I went to the County Clerk's office and filed the proper papers to start a business, went online and filed for my State Sales Tax Permit, and contacted the IRS to establish my federal tax ID. And now...I have a business. (Well, as of August 1) Now What???

When my husband came home from work that day and asked what I had done during the day, I think he might have been somewhat shocked by the answer!!! But, he was a great sport, as he always is!

At any rate, I will be posting pictures of some of my projects and offerings very soon. (I don't really want to start in earnest until September because my daughter is having a baby in August and I don't want to miss a moment of that!)

Stay Tuned!