Button-Bustin' Proud of my Girl

Had the joy of paging through my dear daughters' (27) 'House Idea'' Folder with her last night...what fun! She and hubby are about to close on their first house - and she's obviously been dreaming and collecting and vicariously 'feathering' her nest for quite awhile now...
Conclusions:
1. She has the creative bug - THAT's for sure! She must have caught it - that is exciting!
2. That sewing machine I gave her (and everything notions-wise to use it) will soon be broken out of it's case - especially since she's 2 hours away from ole' Mom here.
3. There is nothing she doesn't think she can do! How awesome is that?!? Even hard wood floors - Wow!

Anyway - I borrowed a couple of her tear-out sheets cause I thought you sewing gals might find these ideas interesting...
How cute and clever is that! Lace tacked into side of makeup drawer to hold things in place!
In all the pillow-making I've done over the years - I don't think I ever did what you see above - simple Knife edged pillows with different sides. How simple is that???

Avoiding 'Dog-Earred' Pillows...
Reminds me of something I learned from a Singer Sewing Reference Library book on Home Dec - which I can NOT find anywhere now - when she could use them - though I DO think I loaned all of those to her back when she was decorating an apartment..... is what you see below... folding fabric (or pattern you cut SAME size as pillow form - NOT larger for seam allowances!) in quarters, then trimming 1/2" off at corners to nothing half way along each of the 2 sides or loose ends and you get this: Believe me - it WORKS! Then - take 1/2" seam allowances and you'll end up with a VERY nice, SQUARE rather than POINTY cornered pillow, fully and tightly stuffed pillow!

She also had lots of pictures of pleated treatments - and most seemed to be Box Pleats. That made me think of the handy dandy Simflex Gauge that I finally have back in stock... for marking things like pleats. Wonderful - marvelous -super dooper - can't live without it notion. If you don't have one - order quickly! I'm definitely packing them this weekend to go along to the American Sewing Guild Conference in Atlanta.

Working hard on new jackets - and making Refined™ into a Talking Pattern™...

Refined Talking Pattern™ delayed...

OK - I can't resist. In transforming the Refined™ pattern into the Talking Pattern™ version - I created a NEW jacket from the V-neckline version (Fuchsia Fun) yesterday. Since I ALSO have collections of wonderful fabrics pulled together for the remaining 2 jackets in this pattern, I have decided to make those as well. Therefore - the availability date for this pattern re-make has been delayed to late August - early September.

THEN - what I 'refine' and add in the creation of these jackets will become wonderful ADDITIONS to the current pattern as it gets redone to the Talking Pattern™ format.

AND - if you've already purchased Refined™ in its present state, you WILL HAVE ACCESS to the Talking Pattern Version AND the additional photo galleries with abbreviated directions for all 3 of the new jackets!

This is pretty brain-twisting for me, but Mom taught me..."If you're going to do it, do it right and better", and my Dad taught me..."Always give your customers MORE than they expect...never less!"

All goes along with my motto of the Golden Rule as Jesus taught Treat others as you'd want to be treated (or better!) than yourself.

Off to work.

Here's the latest jacket:

Napkin of Ideas from Snoop Shopping on Vacation

Hmmmm - yep, this is how I do it - along with my trusty camera, and now my phone camera as well. However, sometimes it just isn't possible to take a picture - so one just must sketch. Sew...here are my sketched design ideas from our recent working Colorado vacation...

Not jacket design - but, OH, was that cream cheese blended with salmon ever good!
Top right: a little T-shirt on a gal at a table next to us in a restaurant. The stretched elastic around the neck, down the center front, and around the armscye (but not under the armscye) was really a nice, simple, feminine touch. Can't wait to try it - utilizing Clear Elastic and my trusty Twin Stretch Needle.

Center Scooped Neckline: This was in a shop - many different ribbings - different colors - attached together for the front neckline. Fodder for the new sweatshirt jacket pattern my brain has started on featuring sweaters and sweatshirts....

Sleeve below above sketch: Yet another idea for insertion of sweater fabric for a sweatshirt jacket sleeve...

carlopick? well - I thought that was the label in some neat knit dresses - but, alas, Google's page 1 doesn't take me anywhere - shucks!

Pink Linen Note: Reminds me of this great pink linen jacket in a HIGH Class shop in Vail, CO - with ruffles all around - lapel, front, hem, etc. The princess seams were stitched regularly, then pinched together as a French Seam - on the outside, and stitched close to the edge - really highlighted those flattering seams.

Other half of my napkin idea to come - but must go iron! Hubby seems to think end of 2nd day home all wash and ironing must be done. O well..... catch me later!

New pattern: Genesis Too™ now available...

Alas - home from CO working vacation, and shipping my newest pattern, Genesis Too™.
The pattern pieces (Front, Back, Sleeve) arrived from McCall's 1 hour - yes, 1 HOUR before we left on vacation on July 1. I was able to stuff and get shipped all the pre-orders from customers and shops who had ordered this pattern at the Spring Quilt Market - as I had envelopes pre-addressed, thinking my Dear Son would get the fun of doing this...alas, I was able.

Genesis Too™ was top seller for me at the Rocky Mountain Sew Expo in Denver. Next Thurs. and Fri., I will be using it at a workshop for the DeKalb Quilt Guild. I'm SEW excited! This was a real labor of lover, and it turned out SO good - if I might brag.... If you want a beginner project - THIS is IT! PLUS, the entire Section II is like my 'Frumpy to Wow' and 'Embellishment' classes added as the frosting on the cake! Of course, this is a Talking Pattern™ - meaning I've taken a photo of EVERY step of the process, the recorded my personal tutorial for each and every photo. All that and more is posted on the dedicated webpage for this pattern - which, of course, you only get with purchase of the pattern. Still work best by reading and seeing? Well - it's all printed for you as well - now with the most vital photos printed in the pattern booklet.

Sew...for yourself, for your sewing group, guild, or shop - I recommend this pattern, Genesis Too™ !!! ANY questions - just holler - I'm home and working hard on transforming another favorite pattern, Refined™ into talking format!

Trash at Sporting Events Rant

WHY can't people pick up the trash they make at games?
Hubby and I went to Cardinals vs Denver Rockies last night - and I couldn't believe the amount of trash left in the stands!

If everyone would have just picked up after themselves - Tickets could be cheaper allowing more people to attend the games. VERY sad - especially for the 'green conscious' Coloradians...

Take just 3 minutes to help sewers in Guatemala

PLEASE take just 3 minutes or less to go do this - PLEASE! It will really, really help the great charity that I support through my website - where they teach women to sew and SELL them sewing machines to improve their lives - in Guatemala. Londa


Dear Friends of Miracles in Action and Guatemala,

Most of you know, we are seeking votes from Facebook Friends to win $20,000 to build a school Guatemala that was destroyed by mudslides.
This morning, a generous donor offered to match the $20,000 winnings, but only if we win the Chase Community Giving contest.

Now your vote counts for $40,000!!!

We are at 217th position today, and need many more votes to move to the top 200, and stay there until voting ends on July 12th.

We can't do this without you and your friends. Please forward this email, and FB message all your contacts.

PLEASE VOTE!!!
Simple steps to vote:1. Go to our website www.MiraclesInAction.org 2. Click on the "Support Us" Vote box. 3. Click on: "Get Started to Vote" in Green4. Request for Permission to Access Basic information – click on "Allow" 5. Pop up window asks you to "Like" Chase Community Giving – click on "Like" 6. Verify you are still on the Chase Community Giving Miracles in Action page 7. Click on VOTE. If you are not on Miracles in Action's vote page, go up to "Search and Vote"
and enter our name in the search.

Thank you for your vote, and spreading the word, Penny

P.S. Please view our video with the "Story of Miracles in Action". Here is a YouTube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvJNQho78H4&feature=email
Penny Rambacher, R.D.
Founder/PresidentMiracles In Action, a 501(c)(3) non-profitwww.MiraclesInAction.org239-348-0815Helping poor families to help themselves…Building our 28th school in rural Guatemala. Established 19 vocational workshops and libraries. Installed 20 water systems for remote villages. Join us, and support a sustainable development project, where 100% of donation dollars go directly to the project.
Dear Friends of Miracles in Action and Guatemala,

Most of you know, we are seeking votes from Facebook Friends to win $20,000 to build a school Guatemala that was destroyed by mudslides.
This morning, a generous donor offered to match the $20,000 winnings, but only if we win the Chase Community Giving contest.

Now your vote counts for $40,000!!!

We are at 217th position today, and need many more votes to move to the top 200, and stay there until voting ends on July 12th.

We can't do this without you and your friends. Please forward this email, and FB message all your contacts.

PLEASE VOTE!!!
Simple steps to vote:1. Go to our website www.MiraclesInAction.org 2. Click on the "Support Us" Vote box. 3. Click on: "Get Started to Vote" in Green4. Request for Permission to Access Basic information – click on "Allow" 5. Pop up window asks you to "Like" Chase Community Giving – click on "Like" 6. Verify you are still on the Chase Community Giving Miracles in Action page 7. Click on VOTE. If you are not on Miracles in Action's vote page, go up to "Search and Vote"
and enter our name in the search.

Thank you for your vote, and spreading the word, Penny

P.S. Please view our video with the "Story of Miracles in Action". Here is a YouTube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvJNQho78H4&feature=email
Penny Rambacher, R.D.
Founder/PresidentMiracles In Action, a 501(c)(3) non-profitwww.MiraclesInAction.org239-348-0815Helping poor families to help themselves…Building our 28th school in rural Guatemala. Established 19 vocational workshops and libraries. Installed 20 water systems for remote villages. Join us, and support a sustainable development project, where 100% of donation dollars go directly to the project.

Colorado Observations

On vacation in Colorado - Vail area before the Rocky Mountain Sew Expo later this week...
Some observations to share:
1. The flowers! Oh my gosh!!!!
You'd NEVER see pansies potted with geraniums in Illinois - pansies are only for spring and fall. The Lobelia are prolific...amazing!!! And, combining of colors - all and every colors in one pot. Really quite beautiful. The Lupines and Delphiniums and Poppies - just amazing! Especially fun was the Betty Ford Gardens in Vail. I even LOVE the dead trees amongst it all - what a wonderful contrast. It looked like the dead wood was specifically placed throughout as well...

2. Love to 'snoop shop' - though it seems it's either T-shirts and polar fleece smattered with 'Vail' on them - or VERY $$$$ clothing and art galleries. Guess where I linger??????? Yep - the $$$ shops and art galleries. Vail Village was exceptionally fun. Here is what I see:
Monochromatic embellishment - yes - embellishment done in the same color - oftentimes even the same fabric. I watch FOX News and I see this all the time on the simple dresses on the women reporters and commentators as well...and of course, sleeveless. I see this embellishment - usually of a knit fabric cut on the cross grain so it will curl, or on the bias for woven fabrics. Definitely adding to the cost - regardless of the price range....as well, it should!
WHITE Blouses and shirts with ruffles or pleats - everywhere! I actually really think this is a clean, fresh look - for most everyone - especially those of us who have seen cosmetic dental work ie: whitening. I learned in my color training that you shouldn't wear white whiter than your teeth or the whites of your eyes. Well - there are many more of us around with much whiter toothies than God ever planned on! Anyway - they look good. I love wearing my Coldwater Creek white blouse as a jacket.
More Embellishment than ever...EVERYWHERE. I have a napkin full of drawings and quite a few pictures on my cellphone from my snoop shopping. Many of the ideas I've seen will be adapted and utilized on upcoming Creative Sweatshirt Jackets. However, I often think that the designer has gotten carried away. Usually the more $$$ garments do this - in my humble opinion. Even Tim Gunn (Project Runway) would agree with me I'm sure. It all comes down to 'Less is More'. So - if you need some em bellishment ideas and techniques, be sure to invest an EZ $19.95 in my Refined Embellishments for Creative Clothing.

Off in a jeep today - into God's 'closet' of creation. Stay posted for what inspirations I get today....

Appropriate Dress

ok - I have to rant. I am constantly APPALLED at the cleavage I see - everywhere. AND, just because a woman is 'large' - overall - does NOT give her the privilege to flaunt her cleavage in front of me at a checkout lane.
WHERE are the managers??? WHERE is common decency and good sense????