May 1st, 2008 by Loretta
The other day I posted about Autism Awareness jewelry and it seemed to be a topic that a lot of you were very interested in. Good cause, pretty bracelet, what more could you want, right? Well, now you can have a chance to win an Autism awareness bracelet. Head over to Laura’s site and get yourself entered in the contest. Allyou have to do is leave a comment! Easy peasy.
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April 28th, 2008 by Loretta
Spring and Summer bring craft fairs to town and that means setting up, networking, and getting out there and selling your wares. I know for a lot of people the actual fair going time is a few months away, but it’s time to start getting ready now. Work on your flyers, taking pictures, printing brochures, and of course crafting your crafts! Be ready. Preparation will save the day.
First you need your products obviously. You’ve probably got that handled. One thing I always noticed when I was doing craft fairs was how many tables and booths did not hand out business cards or flyers, or any kind of contact information at all. Don’t make this mistake. You can easily load up on great business cards to hand out from Vista Print, which I have recommended several times in the past for their super cheap address labels and other print goodies. You can actually get a whole box of business cards from them for free, just pay shipping.
And remember, the address labels don’t have to have your mailing address on them just because they are called address labels! Get labels printed with your Company Name, website url, and a little slogan, maybe a phone number. Toss a roll of those in your box on fair day and stick them on bags, tags, anything you can stick a label on. Put your information in front of people so they remember you. Hand out business cards. Give them flyers that show what else you have, especially if you offer custom work of any kind. You want them to think of you even if they don’t pick up a cash and carry sale that particular day.
Are you ready for craft fair season?
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April 28th, 2008 by Loretta
We’re about to head into May already. I can’t believe April is ending so soon. I swear it was just April Fool’s yesterday… where has my precious time all gone to?
So much getting my butt in gear and getting some stitching done for a change. It’s just not been happening for me lately. I have been able to keep up with the forum a lot better though the past month or so. Which is a huge thing for me. I feel so disconnected when I’m not on the forums here.
Anyhow, I wanted to let everyone know that the STNA forum stitchers are gearing up for a round of Word Bingo in May. So, hop over to the forum and sign up!! Send a PM with your word selections and get ready to win some stitchy goodies.
Go …. now. Join. Play. Win!! 
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April 26th, 2008 by Loretta
So, I was just sitting in the office typing away at some things that I needed to do for work. I heard the mail carrier deliver the mail. I figured it was time to take a quick stretch anyway and give my eyes a break so I went and got the mail. Fortunately there was no bad news this time -lol- However, there was a new Oriental Trading Company most recent catalog all full of summery craft and party goodies!
So, yes that distracted me for a good half hour or so. But, I did get the dishes done and it took my mind off more stressful things this weekend too, so perhaps it was a mail blessing in disguise! If you get a chance browse through the book, or go onto the website and poke around. There’s some really great ideas for kids crafts. If we weren’t moving in a few weeks I’d definitely be buying some goodies for the summer. I’ve still got a few projects left from last summer that we didn’t do yet, so those will just have to hold us over until July!
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April 22nd, 2008 by Loretta
I’ve always said that my stitching is like therapy for me. Well, after the last couple days I was in some major need of therapy. To recap real quick, and this is all posted at my personal blog - Just Not Martha so I don’t want to cross post too much of it.
Thursday, car accident. Van smashed. Friday they take the van to the garage, but we haven’t heard anything either way from the adjuster yet as to whether or not it’s totaled, repairable, what. Meantime $200 a week for a rental car… which is a car meaning we don’t all fit into the vehicle to go anywhere together. Someone will always be left behind.
Saturday and Sunday my allergies and ezcema flared up something fierce and I headed to Patient First care center. I got shots (not in the arm) of Prednisone and Benedryl. As well prescriptions for Hydroxyzine and an oral round of Prednisone. Things are improving. They said if I wasn’t 90 percent improved by Wednesday to come back for another set of shots. So far I’m on the path to that 90 percent, thank goodness. Hopefully things keep improving.
Yesterday, Monday, we received a notice that our lease will not be renewed and we have to move out of our townhouse by June 30th when our lease is then expired. *whew* That’s everything in a nutshell.
So, I needed some therapy today between working and getting the kids taken care of. I pulled out my HAED (Heaven and Earth Designs) Butterfly Fae and started stitching on that again. As you can see it’s been awhile, and I wasn’t very far.
Here’s my lapstand and floss box and all the goodies sitting on top of my laptop. Don’t sue me for laptop abuse, it was only there for a few minutes LOL
And here’s a closeup of the progress when I started on it this afternoon.
So, what are you stitching on?
Technorati Tags: HAED, Heaven and Earth designs, butterfly fae, cross stitch, lap stand
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April 14th, 2008 by Loretta
April is Autism Awareness month and I came across these wahm-made bracelets today. There are several for sale by this ebay seller starting at $2.99 opening bid, and shipping is listed at $3.00.
If you want to learn more about Autism you can check out great sites like Autism is Beautiful. There is so much about autism that goes unsaid and ignored. Being aware is the first step in a better understanding.
Technorati Tags: autism, autism awareness, april autism, autism jewelry
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April 13th, 2008 by Loretta
This week’s SBQ was suggested by Jennifer at Sweet Pea Stitches and she asked:
What is the most complicated piece you’ve ever completed?
*completed* would be the keyword in that sentence. See I’ve started big and complex pieces like TW’s Guardian and not yet finished them. I’ve completed big pieces like Dracolair’s Ouroborus, but I didn’t find it complicated at all, in fact I found it soothing to stitch and the design just flowed right off the needle. I think the most complicated piece I have *finished* all the way to the end would actually be TW’s Tempest in a Teacup - and it’s a free design available on her website!
Here are pictures of my finished Tempest which resides in my kitchen so I can see his handsome face daily.
Why do I consider this my most complicated finish? It was the first time I stitched a Teresa Wentzler design all the way to the end. And if you’ve ever stitched a TW you know that there is a reason she is dubbed the queen of the blended needle. This may be a small piece but she sacrifices no detail! There are blended colors and little enhancements all over the design. It was a joy to stitch, maybe complicated isn’t the right word for me to use. It was a learning experience for me to stitch as well.
Visit this weeks SBQ and add your own answer to the question of the week!
Technorati Tags: sbq, stitching bloggers, question of the week, tw, teresa wentzler
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April 10th, 2008 by Loretta
I know I am running a little behind on the name announcement. My mom came by to visit from Pennsylvania so between that, work, and the kids being off school this week I haven’t been around much.
Without further delay…. the winner is Cindi.
Congrats to Cindi, look for an email from me to get your mailing info ;) We’ll be having some more great contests very soon as well. Thank you everyone for entering and telling your friends.
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April 6th, 2008 by Loretta
Yes, you read that right. I actually finished stitching something. Small as it may be that project I pulled out awhile ago to stitch on is all done. It’s a tiny little thing not much bigger than a stamp by SanMan Originals.
The fabric I used is a leftover bit for a Silkweaver Solo aida that I’ve been milking forever! So if it looks familiar that’s because I’ve used that fabric before. Love the solo fabrics that they post over there. In fact part of my motivation to start stitching more often again is so that I can buy more fabric! LOL
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April 5th, 2008 by Loretta
Stitch Pink is having a contest to win this great pink ribbon fabric!
This material is 46 1/2 inches by 31 inches. It is machine-washable cotton. It’s perfect for backing pinkeeps, flat-folds, scrapbook covers… almost anything!
Entering is as easy as leaving her a comment and a winner will be drawn tomorrow.
Technorati Tags: pink ribbon, fabric, contest
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