Initial Impressions

This morning I participated in the Boulder walkathon for Multiple Sclerosis in honor of my mother who died of a related disease - ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) in 1980 at the age of 49.  We had a morning that started out cool, but sunny and warmed up nicely.  The care stations along the route had water, sunscreen, fresh fruit and other encouraging enticements.  A good friend joined me for the walk and we caught up with family news along the route.

Early this morning, before the walkathon, I embroidered a shirt to wear that featured my mother’s loved forget-me-not flower (inspired my company logo) and the words “For Barbara”

I am pretty sure my mom was pleased at how I spent my morning. 

Yesterday, I went to a sewing conference in Denver and was introduced to a new way to apply Swarovski crystals to fabric.  I am contemplating adding this rhinestone application system to Initial Impressions so that I can offer personalized sparkly shirts, hats and more for my bridal customers.  This is just another way we try to evolve and expand.  We might even do a combination of embroidery and bling.  It may be a while, but I am looking into it.  I would love to hear your thoughts on this idea.

She loves our embroidered linen pillow and wedding gown labels.  Thanks for the vote of confidence!  See those and all the other nice wedding items she likes.

http://preppysouthern.blogspot.com/

I am feeling so sorry for the FedEx driver whose truck is stuck in our Colorado driveway.  It is surprising that he attempted to go up the driveway and equally surprising that he doesn’t carry chains.  We are searching for our tow chain, but so far no luck.  So, if you live in Colorado and you are expecting something from FedEx today, it may well be here.

Our grosgrain wedding gown labels come with a “pinked” (zig-zagged) edge to prevent fraying. Most people tuck in these edges and apply it to the gown as shown.

Once pinned in location, you can press the edge with your finger or a warm (not hot) iron before doing a whip stitch to sew it into place. In doing the stitching, take a little bite of the lining fabric of the dress (being careful not to catch the front dress fabric in the stitch) and then catch a bite of the label itself. Do this along the edge of the label on both sides. It does not take a lot of stitches to hold the label firmly in place.

Today I am brainstorming more styles of quilt labels while my machines are purring along on today’s embroidery orders.

I want to offer labels for quilts that customers make or buy that memorialize the circumstances of their arrival - whether they are a gift from or to a special person, a celebration of a special occasion or whatever the reason.  Sometimes it is difficult to remember these details accurately years after the fact and a label makes sure all is preserved for posterity.

In my mind’s eye, these labels will be very custom and can even incorporate fabric from the quilt itself.  I love the idea of working closely with you to make the quilt label almost as special as the quilt.  So stay tuned as these details are worked out.  As always, I welcome any input you want to suggest.

I just joined the website Project Wedding (www.projectwedding.com) where various wedding vendors are showcased by category.  People who have purchased Initial Impressions items for their wedding can leave comments there about the products offered.

Two sisters are getting some cute towel sets for Easter and they are part of today’s embroidery projects.  Hailey is getting a seafoam green towel set with our darling luvbug dragonfly embroidery design.  Ava is getting blue towels with the coordinating Luvbug embroidery design.  What a nice alternative or addition to the normal eggs and candy.  I bet they will giggle when they see them.

Today’s projects include working with a customer - or actually a wife of a customer - who accidentally opened up her Mother’s Day gift a bit too soon.  We had to put our heads together for a good female strategy to solve the problem.

It is snowing at the moment here in Colorado, but the general trend lately has been toward warmer weather, Many of us are longing to see our gardens started, and the beauty of flowers brightening our surroundings. How about adding some flowers to your embroidery projects while you are waiting?  Our flower embroidery designs are “perennial” favorites and a great way to Think Spring!