Observations On the Road

On the road now since Feb. 2 - been to Denver where I was treated to being hosted by and helped by Jo Ann - a wonderful customer from my old retail storefront days who is now located in Fort Collins.
The Rusty Barn Sewing Expo in Denver at the Merchandise Mart was my first real 'educated' effort at flying to a show and having a booth/teaching, etc. Worked quite well - and I'm so humbled by the generous reaction to my Creative Sweatshirt Jackets .
As gals asked "WHAT is a 'Talking Pattern' and I explained it as (I could say this in my sleep...!) "As I design and stitch a jacket, I take a photo of every step of the process. THEN, I actually record a verbal tutorial to go with each step. That then - the photo of each step, and my 'telling you what to do (or not do!)' for each step of the jacket creation is what you have access to online at the dedicated special website for each 'Talking Pattern" as it is given to you in the pattern booklet when you purchase it from me." It was so much fun to see a big GRIN come across their face - and they say, "Well, I guess I COULD do it then..."!!!

Common sentiment was 'please return in July' - so I just need to orchestrate fitting this into my schedule - and hopefully along with a Colorado Vacation for my hubby and I for second week in July, 2010.
Thanks to all of you in Denver area for your warm reception!

I'm now on my way to do a 3 day presentation and workshops for the Corpus Christi, TX ASG guild...that will be a ball!

Along the way...travel observations:
1. I need a travel scale to know when my bags are at that 50 lb. limit!
2. I need to buy some back-up locks for my suitcases, as the airports love to just cut them off!
3. The BEST place to get your shoes looking like NEW is at an airport by those shoe shine manifico guys!
4. Whoever has the solutuion to sleeping well in strange beds and motels - PLEASE let me know! i just pray I sleep more than I think I do~!
5. I was the lone "COLTS" fan on the airplane as it landed at Houston right before the Super Bowl. Here I sit - chatting with a stranger - now a friend as the Super Bowl begins.
6. Colorado has a secret! 360 days of sunshine a year - more than Miami or San Diego! MUCH more temperate here than I ever imagined in February.

Londa's "Talking" Patterns and Book UPDATE

YEA!!!! And kudos to my professional son for ALL his intelligence and help in this project of transforming 3 of my most popular patterns into TALKING sewing patterns!
Not only these patterns, but my great 'starter' BOOK is now 'TALKING" as well!

AND AND AND - even if you purchased any of these products in the past, YOU TOO have access to the new 'Talking' format - just go to the dedicated web pages as they are listed in your product, and you'll see an option to to the "Talking" format! Your printed booklet will not just exactly correspond to the numbering, etc., but the verbal tutorials more than make up for that! If you desire the edited pattern booklet, the best way would be to just order the downloadable pdf version of that pattern - which costs just $12.

For a sample of how cool this "Talking" concept is...over on the right - under my Videos - click on the one of the denim colored jacket and orangy collar and wait a minute - for the sewing audio to kick in - for a sample! My hope - prayer - goal in all this is that this added mode of learning will empower many 'creative-challenged' sewers to be just as creative as God created them to be!

Here are clickable links to all these great products - or more like 'children' is really the way I think about them!

• Transformed - this sewing pattern teaches how I transform that lower band into great collar and neckline finishes! Use this one in my workshops all the time - the cardigan style as it is so popular and ez to wear!
• Worthy - gals love this one for its fit - the angular design, the back, and all the options included!
• Celebration - my design that has that dramatic back flare to it - always turns heads...and now with a NEW cover including the popular brown and black version featuring Italian Trim!
• Chosen - my first and MOST POPULAR sewing jacket design since its debut October 1, 2009. It was the success of this talking pattern that inspired me to edit and add value to these others! It features really great face-framing collars.
• my printed starter sewing book that includes 5 jackets - and now numerous additional optional jacket variations! Creative Sweatshirt Jackets...Londa's Way

I'm 'on a roll' but now need to pack to travel extensively - Rocky Mountain Sew Expo in Denver, a gig in Corpus Christi for their ASG, and then the Creative Sewing & Stitchery Expo in Puyallup are all on the list for between now and the end of February.

Future plans include expanding my "Swirl" Jacket and my "Refined" pattern into this "Talking" format in the future.

Sew - log on and enjoy MORE if you already own any of these products. If not - get yours today! Find them all in this Creative Sweatshirt Jackets department...

Project Runway

I watched the premier episode while working today - LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that they re-run it!
I, too thought the winner was amazing - I had marked his and Ping Wu's as my 2 favorites.
I loved the detail work on the bodice - which appeared to be impeccably executed - the juxtaposition of the geometry and the circular designs - how the geometry of the top echoed the geometry of the print - and yet how the full circle (appeared) skirt echoed the shape of the motif in the print...then how those dark bands swinging (did they - or were they 'attached' to the skirt?) pulled - connected the darks in the bodice down into the skirt.
I truly feel that this season's talent takes us back to the level - if not even above - that of the initial season.
Pin Wu's no 'Hanger appeal'? Sew - if I had a store - a boutique, you bet your booties I'd put her garments on a mannequin and they'd sell - sell - sell! I thought her model was far too dull for her design though...hope she selects a more dramatic one to match her style next time!
HOW they do this all that quickly is BEYOND ME - my wildest imaginations!!!

TALKING patterns for TRANSFORMED and WORTHY are ready and released

I've just released the TALKING versions of both
TRANSFORMED and WORTHY sewing pattern designs for my Creative Sweatshirt Jackets.
I believe they are all tested and as perfect as my talented professional web-smart son and I can get them.

YES- if you purchased these patterns in the past - you, TOO can access the NEW format online at the same url for each design as given in your pattern booklet!

Have fun - enjoy - and if you have any comments -please comment here, or email me directly -
londa@londas-sewing.com

Celebration, and my printed book - Talking Versions are about done - and Refined is yet to come...so STAY TUNED for this new type of pattern tutorial!

I'll be a speaker at Sewing & Stitchery Expo in Puyllup, WA

Yea - and how exciting!
I've been selected to be a speaker, and also to do my Trunk Show of Creative Sweatshirt jackets at the ultimate Sewing show -Sewing & Stitchery Expo in Puyallup, WA
Read all about this great event at this online brochure.

1-27-10 - I had an exciting call...to let me know that my Thursday at 4:30 Creative Sweatshirt Jackets Fit & Flatter 1 needle seminar is SOLD OUT! Sheesh - that'a over 100 gals in my class - I'm so flattered! The class organizer, Ann, asked if I would teach it again on Thursday at 2:30 pm - to which OF COURSE, I said YES!

Just shows me how very interested sewing ladies are in:

• sewing creatively
• one-of-a-kind jackets
• casual, yet stylish jackets - we're tired of looking dumpy and TOO casual!!

Read more about my patterns, books, and DVD's on stylish jackets sewn from a sweatshirt.

Interesting Shirt Collar

Ironing (in addition to cleaning!) before I leave to go to Laura's Sewing & Vacuum for a weekend of Creative Sweatshirt Jackets in West Palm Beach, FL tomorrow - and decided to give my new Casio Camera a try....
So while I was ironing, I noticed this very detailed, interesting collar button down treatment - which obviously is intended to keep the collar buttoned down - without seeing the button. So here is how it looks from the wrong side of the collar - THAT's alot of work, I'm thinking...

Here is how it looks underneath the collar, with it buttoned up.
So the collar from outer appearance looks like what you see here.

This is a shirt from Kenneth Roberts - Platinum.

Pretty nice detail...think I'll email shirtmaker Pam Erny about this one and ask if she's ever seen it!

TALKING Pattern Demo

I've been HARD at work - along with my super smart professional webmaster son updating and adding to the value of some of my most popular patterns by adding my verbal tutorials AND editing the printed pattern to include more photos.

So far: CHOSEN & TRANSFORMED are ready and available.

Coming within 10 days: WORTHY, CELEBRATION and my book: CREATIVE SWEATSHIRT JACKETS...LONDA'S WAY.



AND - even if you've already purchased any of the above, YES - you will have access to the 'Talking Version', though your printed booklet won't correspond completely - it will still be useable.



Below is an example from the Convertible Collar version of CHOSEN.

SitUpon Cushion is AMAZING!

OK - I fell BOOM on the ice a week ago Sunday and my tail bone is STILL sore! Doesn't matter if I'm doing website work or sewing, I'm SITTING!

Had just added these SitUpon Cushions to my website - so Iordered one - and WOW! PLUS I think my 'buns' will firm up as well! It's kinda like sitting on the inside of CROC shoes - and balancing on one of those big Balance Balls for exercise (I deflated mine!).

It looks like what you see above - and yes, it's purple.
Side benefit: my cats do NOT like to sit on it - so now there's no cat fur on my seat either...YEA!

SAVE$$ on this item since you found it on my Blog:
Click on the link below...
http://www.londas-sewing.com/Living--a-Creative-Sweatshirt-Jacket-Talking-Pattern-Ddesign-Booklet-by-Londa--CAT-p25336.html 

Meet Tina - my VERY talented neighbor Bridal Seamstress Extraordinaire

One of the VERY best parts of my 'career' in the sewing field has been the excitement of being even a small part of encouraging customers to make a business of their passion for creative sewing. I know at least 3 of my students from the Summer Sewing Camps during my retail storefront days went on to study fashion design... and Tina just shared with me her updated bridal sewing website. One thing I KNOW for sure - I surely loved having her expertise close by when I was stitching my daughters' wedding dress about a year ago.... I asked Tina to share how it all came about for her and her training...read below what she has to say.

"Clients often ask how I got started in the custom bridal gown business. My neighbor, Londa Rohlfing, gets some of the credit for encouraging me to start my business. At the time, Londa owned an independent fabric store in Champaign, Illinois, called Londa's Sewing Etc. She knew about my sewing abilities and love for fine fabrics because I spent a lot of time at her store buying fabrics and studying with the well-known sewing experts who came to the shop to teach classes. When Londa decided to add a bridal fabric department to her store, she suggested that I could use my skills to start a business and we could help each other out with referrals for fabrics and custom dressmaking services. It didn't take me long to realize that I wanted to specialize in wedding dresses and other special occasion garments. My two boys don't have much of a need for fancy dresses, and I have limited need for them myself. Making bridal gowns gives me a chance to work with beautiful fabrics and trims, and I get to meet all kinds of interesting people. Please visit my website at http://www.treasures-by-tina.com/ to see photos of some of the gowns I've created. Londa and I are still neighbors, and I was glad to be able to help her out last summer when she was making her daughter's wedding gown (see her blog posts for more about this including pictures of the gown). "

I hope her boys are smart enough to use their mom's talent as a real 'PLUS' as they date!

New Year's Dancin' Fool

Here is my handsome hubby and I waltzing away New Year's Eve. NO - I did NOT make my gown - from a wedding where I made everything else including bridal bridesmaids! We are so fortunate to have a wonderful dancing place calld the Regent Ballroom and Banquet Center just blocks from our home with 'real' nice, dance-able music, lessons (took years ago) and good friends.

Next day we conquered inventory - and now am hard at work making Creative Sweatshirt Jacket Kits and taping audio for my Talking Patterns and my Creative Sweatshirt Jackets Book... Christmas stuff all put away - yea!

Wishing everyone the very, very best New Year!

True Christmas - 1Corinthians 13

-
1 Corinthians 13, Christmas Version
If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator.
If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.
If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.
If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband. Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.
Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.
Merry Christmas and lots of love to you and yours!

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Miracles In Action News & Thank You Note

What a great feeling it is to share! I recently received this nice thank you note from Penny Rambacher, Founder & President of the charity I focus on: Miracles in Action in Guatamela.

Penny writes that the donation I was able to make because of your support of my Creative Sweatshirt Jacket patterns will go a long way to set up the sewing training area of the new Vocational Center they are building in Santa Cruz. I've scanned the inside of that brochure so that you can read more about it. Their goal is to raise $150,000 to complete the construction of this 5000 sq foot building.



I'm proud to be a part of this effort - and, again, thank YOU for your support! Smile with me on what we are contributing...together!

MISCELLANEOUS GOOD STUFF

Sew much has been in my head to share...this is a real conglomeration - I hope you find it useful and a little diversion at this busy time of the year...

• Have a new HP printer here in my office - which runs out of ink constantly. Went to Walgreens to get refilled - they couldn't do this type. Gal standing there recommended Rapid Refill. GREAT place - lots of them around country in this chain...you exchange your empties for new ones immediately - and they recycle/refill the ones you brought in. Were a fraction of the cost of new ones. Chatting with the owner, asked him for printer recommendations. He said NOT to get a Lexmark. DID recommend the Brother for about $100. Cartridges cost just $7.99!!!! Sounds good to me. Also - for info: the manufacturers are now 'splitting' the ink colors - a cartridge for black, for red, for blue, for yellow. AND - if one is empty - makes your printer not work at all. I thought I would print photos when I got this printer - NOT! Cheaper to 'order'online from WalMart at $.07 each!
  

• Since I write the annual Christmas letter to go with the cards, I decided to just do it in reality - as I'm writing it - not my hubby and I! Giving credit where credit is due...

• Working like mad on my computer these days - lots of editing, website work, etc... so forced myself to get organized, cleaned the office...which led to the basement. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE those Guerilla Shelves we got for the basement. WHY didn't we do that years ago??? Anyway - for satisfying my 'munchies' I 'feast' on Celery, Cucumbers, and hot water with lemon. Doing the trick so far...though those cookies in the FREEZER keep calling my name...
• Speaking of CUCUMBERS... just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1,B2, B3, B5, B6, C, Folic Acid, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorous, Potassium and Zinc...so WHY do I still want a cookie???? Also - the photochemical in a cucumber causes the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite - so if you're a lucky one going to a sunny place over Christmas holiday, remember that!
  
• I LOVE being a size 1.5 at Chico's.....what marketing THAT is!

Standing in the PO yesterday - a LONG line, the postmistress tells us of an elderly woman who said she wanted a religious Christmas Stamp - and so she said, "Sure - Here's Madonna and Child". To that, the lady said "No, she's nasty, I sure don't want HER!"

If you're a Grandma Read this one!

To my friends who are grandparents and those who enjoy a good laugh...

(This was actually reported by a teacher)

After Christmas, a teacher asked her young pupils how they spent their
holiday away from school. One child wrote the following:

We always used to spend the holidays with Grandma and Grandpa. They
used to live in a big brick house but Grandpa got retarded and they
moved to Arizona. Now they live in a tin box and have rocks painted
green to look like grass. They ride around on their bicycles and wear
name tags because they don't know who they are anymore.
They go to a building called a wreck center, but they must have got it
fixed because it is all okay now, they do exercises there, but they
don't do them very well.. There is a swimming pool too, but they all
jump up and down in it with hats on.
At their gate, there is a doll house with a little old man sitting in
it.. He watches all day so nobody can escape.
Sometimes they sneak out, and go cruising in their golf carts. Nobody
there cooks, they just eat out. And, they eat the same thing
every night --- early birds. Some of the people can't get out past
the man in the doll house. The ones who do get out, bring food back to
the wrecked center for pot luck.
My Grandma says that Grandpa worked all his life to earn his
retardment and says I should work hard so I can be retarded someday
too..
When I earn my retardment, I want to be the man in the doll house.
Then I will let people out, so they can visit their grandchildren.

.... PRICELESS