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April 28, 2008
Show
Specials........for YOU!
Finally! I'm back home
to stay for about 6 weeks. Yea!!!!!!! Shows are lots of fun,
but my OWN bed felt VERY good last night!!! The Paducah Quilt Show was my
first trip there - and what an absolutely charming town! I'm taking my
antique and shopper extraordinaire hubby there with me for a weekend this
summer! It was such fun to see so many women having a blast sharing their
common love of sewing/quilting. 
Now... I'll spend this week 'digging out' - which means unpacking
everything carefully, trying to get organized, catching up on orders,
ordering more good stuff..........AND petting my Very, very lonely cats!
Can't wait to see that #1 grandson of mine either - he's now 3. If it'd
just quit raining around here, we would get to go o more 'hammer' now -
which means watching the men at construction sites..... But, Spring is
definitely bustin' out all over. We have asparagus coming up like
crazy!!!
Very quickly this afternoon - here are some Show Specials I'm extending to
you - but please note: ONLY through this Wednesday, April 30, 2008.
A
special note to my new customers from the Puyallup Sewing Expo, and
Chicago Quilt Festivals ... You've been added to my mailing list, but your
25% off coupon special will be coming to you later this month...so watch
for it!
-
Sweatshirt
Sale!
I have special orders to fill, and need
some new ones for my own new creating as I have some new designs in my
soul just waiting to 'get out'!
My Show price is $24.95 - so I've applied percentage discounts to get them
to about that for this sale.
Authentic Pigment
are $24.91, and
Comfort Color
(Made in U.S.A) are $25.06 I would expect
to ship Special Orders some time the week of May 5. Select from the
In STOCK and ON SALE
department if you need them quickly - as
that means I have them NOW in stock.
-
Tagua Nut Buttons and Pendants -
these
have been received fabulously - but I'm conducting the final count and
assessment as to whether I should/need to carry ALL the
colors or not. Your selections will help me with my decisions. These
will wash just fine - but for a complete 'care' sheet - consult my
Wisdom section at the Gallery...
http://www.londas-sewing.com/buttoncare.htm
Regularly $2 each - but 20% off
through Wednesday.
I
had fun layering 2 shaped buttons together on this variation of my Genesis
Pattern... and
'closing' it with a ponytail elastic band tacked to the wrong side of the
jacket's right side.
My 'Show Stopper' Jacket has been this version of
Genesis,
featuring more of the great Rizado Italian Trim (I currently have black,
pink/green, purple/cream, green/cream, black/red/green, and this
coral/green colorways in stock. Find them here.) I wrote out directions,
and added pictures at the end of the webpage for my Genesis pattern. If
you already own Genesis - be sure to visit the webpage anew for this
recent addition. Genesis is a great 'beginner' pattern for my jackets
created from sweatshirts . Find
the Rizado Italian Trim currently ALL at this link:
http://www.wearableartsweatshirtpatterns.com/page/1226752 .
Remember when you place orders at more than one of my sites during a day,
I WILL Catch it, an combine your orders, sending along a shipping
rebate.
Finally, some sad news to share.
The charity cause I have supported with your help - the Israeli Sewing
Cottage - is closing. Dr. Deborah reports that the unrest in Israel
around the cottage is keeping women from coming to the classes to learn to
sew. Plus, she and her husband are returning to the U.S. later this
year. Hence, she doesn't feel comfortable accepting our assistance any
longer. While identifying a worthy cause to support here in my own
community would certainly be easy, I feel led to ask for your
suggestions. Some time this year, I will have the sewing machine we sent
to Dr. Deborah Christmas '06 to donate. Immediately, I
have funds to start off a new charity cause in a wonderful way - as the
tithe of my pattern sales is amounting to a healthy sum. Sew...........if
you are aware of any sewing-related causes that you feel would be
appropriate for Londa's Creative Threads and customers to join together in
supporting, please send me the details and some contact information.
Please, also pray for Dr. Deborah as she winds up her galiant efforts, and
that she will find other ways to share her talents.
- And... Some Miscellaneous things...
1. Postal Rates are due to increase the Monday after
Mother's Day...and that is a sad thing. I did not raise my shipping
rates at the last increase, but find I may have to do that this time
around, unless I do what I'm considering in just eliminating the Shipping
Confirmation portion - meaning I would NOT have a tracking number for
you. That would just mean that I would not have verification that it was
delivered. Unlike UPS, with USPS, tracking doesn't really track a package
at all until it is delivered. I
would welcome your input. If I decide to do that, I could hold my prices,
I think. USPS is in my back yard almost - and UPS is across town
- and I've had some BAD experiences there - so USPS is my delivery of
choice........
2. My main supplier for notions, etc. has joined with
another well-known company, so while some of my items will have to be
discontinued, MANY others will be added!!! This is great timing for me as
I tackle the humongous job this summer of bringning all my products back
under 'one roof'. Thanks in advance for your understanding if something
you order might not be available any longer.
Sewing hugs,
NEWS from
Londa's....
Fabric Blowout Sale - Puyallup
Report - New: Kits for Sweatshirt Jacket -
French Lick Skirt - Yo Yo Fashions
The
Kit endeavor, along with many other factors, has led to my decision (for
the near future) to clear out all current fabric yardage. My business
already spills out of the basement, and just having enough room around
here has become a problem. Sew.......... for the time
being, I'm BLOWING OUT the few (though GREAT) fabrics
on hand. Yardages
indicated are pretty accurate - but jump on these FAST to be sure to get
what you need! Please note: My system doesn't automatically decrease
yardage seen as available for PayPal orders, but I always fill orders
based upn time they are RECEIVED in my system. Prices
listed below are per yard - unless otherwise noted.
-
-
-
-
Black Wool 'crepe' Jersey
- $11.95 - now:$4.78 14 yards
available - this fabric FELTS BEAUTIFULLY - order twice as much as
you need... see description.
-
Black Double Knit
- great poly/rayon/lycra blend - $9.50
- now: $4.28 24 yards available - SUPER body for ALL
separates!!!
-
-
-
-
Floral Tapestry
- $29.95 -
now: $11.98 9 yards available - GREAT for
jackets, purses, totes...
-
Oscar De La Renta Tweed
in coral, cream, black - $38.95 -
now: $15.58 7 yards available. Great for a jacket,
or to trim a sweatshirt!
-
-
Puyallup
Report
Here in Central Ill Spring is
trying to peek her head ... without much success yet, I fear.
I SEW enjoyed the weather reprieve with my travel to the
Puyallup Sewing & Stitchery Expo in Puyallup, WA! My gracious
hostess, Karen, even had iris shooting above ground 6" or so. I'd never
been to the Northwest before - and it was a true delight. The BIG
evergreens, HILLS, and Mount Rainier - WOW!!!! It was even fun to fly
again. Sitting next to me on the plane was a wonderful man currently
serving our country - and what would you guess - in your wildest
imagination - that he did in Iraq? Mended uniforms!!!!!!!!! Yep - and
without even zig zag on the sewing machines (?) provided. It was
amazing to hear his stories of the challenges in even just keeping our
soldiers attired. That task of mending uniforms has been arranged now
for in other ways, or I'd be calling on you to help me provide them with
suitable notions, etc! That encounter was truly a 'God-arranged' one
for me - what a fun and eye-opening flight it was...
Puyallup (I know how to both spell AND say it now) - it is Pew-ah-lup -
is different from the other shows I've attended as a vendor/teacher in
that it is conceived and managed by Washington State University rather
than an individual or company. The entire show was wonderful...
starting with my wonderful hostess. Karen so graciously provided not
only a bed, but wonderful food (with help from hubby Michael), a place
to which to ship my stock ahead of time, and a guide for shopping for
booth needs beforehand - etc. She even found me 2 helpers in her
friends, Diane and Kathy. Yet another customer, (another) Kathy -
volunteered to work in my booth, so we had a real blast working all
together. In all my attention to getting the stop OUT there, I
neglected to get details on getting UPS to pick it up - what a
nightmare. Karen and her hubby took care of everything - THANK YOU!!!
This
was the first show I flew to rather than driving - so it was all a
learning curve for me. The Puyallup show is a very, very nice blend of
garment sewing, quilting, home dec, and other fiber-related booths. The
show is big - but not overly so. Unlike, say the Houston or Chicago Quilt
Festivals, it is not so big that you can't thoroughly see and 'dig' into
each booth. The facility is another big PLUS. Such a fairgrounds and
great buildings and food choices, I've never, ever seen! Combine all that
with wonderful people, enthused about the same things you are - and you
have a recipe for success. If you can make it - GO! I certainly hope to
return...
For some pictures - including Karen's spectacular hand-painted
machine case that I spyed in her sewing area - check out my Blog:
http://www.londascreativesewingchatter.blogspot.com
New...KITS for my Sweatshirt Jackets
With
much, much convincing on the part of many sewing friends and customers,
I have finally yielded and started to create and offer KITS for
my Creative Sweatshirt Jackets. I took quite a few to the
Puyallup Show - and they were very well received. I say
I am creating 'cousins', but not twins - in that NO kit will have an
exact duplicate - therefore, they are still 'One-of-Kind'. Combine that
with the originality and creativity that the purchaser will bring to the
jacket, I feel I'm staying true to my 'mission' of original clothing
that celebrates the original wearer. My kits include fabric, pattern,
trims, button, thread, interfacing if needed, etc.... everything EXCEPT
the sweatshirt (order separately to get your proper size), and perhaps
the monofilament thread (that I feel most have anyway). In addition, I
vicariously get to 'create' each jacket, because I also actually sketch
a jacket - taking off from the pattern the goodies seem to 'fit'
with that is included, showing where I would place the fabrics and
trims that I've included in that kit. I take a photo of both my sketch
and the kit itself for my records, so that if you need any assistance,
opinions, etc... I can 'picture' accurately what you are working with.
The other exciting thing about this endeavor (especially for my husband
and my house) is the 'dives' I make into my own 'STASH' for fabric and
goodies. 
For kits 'exactly like that sample' for which I was repeatedly
asked... I did quite a bit of fabric shopping at the show. I
bought enough of many great fabrics for a sample, and for about 3 or so
kits using the same fabric....
For
now, if you're interested in a kit, give me a call
(217-398-9853) or an email me with colors you're interested in. The
fact is - days are just too short right now, and too much 'on my
plate' for me to take the time to scan and upload these one-of-a-kind
kits.. Watch for them up online at
www.makeasweatshirtjacket.com
after the spring blitz of
shows is over - early May.
-
Yo-Yos continue to be popular
- thanks to the Clover Quick Yo-Yo Maker templates. I
continue to sell those things like crazy. What is being done with
them is getting better and better. I spied this new Indygo Junction
book at the show - which has an elegant purse made of silk yo-yo's on
the front. I must say, it is the best 'yo yo book' I've seen thus
far, and am happy to offer it
HERE. The funky, retro things that
youngsters and the 20 somethings are doing these days - hook right
into this yo yo craze. Sew - as you're plotting ways to get those in
your life hooked on sewing, consider this book and yo yos!
Book on SALE through Friday, March 14!
I'm on a mission this week to complete my newest pattern,
Transformed, so I'll have it for the next show: the
Original Sewing & Craft Expo in Cleveland at the end
of March. It will feature my concepts for 'transforming' the
sweatshirt bottom bands into great collars, and my yellow jacket as
seen in the current March issue of Sew Savvy magazine will be
one of the jackets. Keep tuned to my Blog for progress.
Sew.........I'm off to stitch
up the last jacket for that pattern today and tomorrow. I'll send out
a quick email as soon as it is available - hopefully by March 22.
Happy Sewing!
January 2008
Greetings - from Londa's Creative Land...translated as a VERY messy basement!
I've come up 'for a breath' from my long, hard - yet deliciously fun days of creating new jackets - starting with a sweatshirt - for FOUR New patterns! I'm SEW grateful to have a job that is this much FUN! If I could wave a magic want and have everyone emjoy their work like I do, it would be a wonderful thing. I wish that for you. If that's not the case for you, I just hope that what I have to offer in my newsletters, products, and websites can help you enjoy your leisure hobby of sewing even more.
Here is a snapshot of me hard at work at my laptop typing in the last step that I just stitched on one of my new patterns... I create, stitch, type, create, stitch, type....
Anyway - I jotted down some things I wanted to share/remind you of as I work. I hope these might help you in your own creative ventures.
My machine thanks me every time I do change its needle and yours will too. Also - if I've sewn heavy all day, I give my hook area a good oiling at the end of the day.
-
Cold weather usually means heavier fabrics. Heavier fabrics require more thread for each stitch, to go through all the layers, so be SURE you increase your stitch length to accommodate the heavier fabrics. For example: I would sew on cotton with a 2.5 stitch length. For the seams on my sweatshirts as I take them in to not be so bulky: I increase my stitch length to 3.0.
-
Ahhhhhhhhh - I LOVE that automatic needle threader on my machine. If your machine has one (and many do), teach yourself to use it - or go back to your dealer and have them teach you!!! When I had my dealership I would teach new owners to be sure to thread the machine with the presser foot UP (so the tension discs are open and the thread gets back between the discs and gets squeezed), BUT, then when going to use the needle threader, to put the presser foot DOWN. That puts tension on the needle thread (cause it is squeezed by the tension discs), and the needle threader works better. All the ones I had on machines we sold at my store worked by the principle of a hook coming from the back to the front of the needle. One needed to lay the thread underneath yet in front of the needle, so that the hook could pull the thread through and to the back - a loop, which then the finger could grab easily.
-
I use LOTS of monofilament thread in all my embellishment work. I find, in order for it to be invisible - since I have kept the same 100% poly thread in the bobbin, I need to LOWER (go to a lower number) the needle thread tension so that the bobbin thread doesn't peek up to the top - especially for zig zagging - which I do all the time as I couch down yarns. I carry both the YLI nylon monofilament (Wonder Invisible Thread) and 100% polyester - the Mono-Poly Thread. I still haven't decided if I have a preference - so I guess I really don't.
 I use smoke colored thread for dark colors, clear for light colors...
-
Thread Tweezers - well, my nails are down to stubs right now with all this work and the cold weather. so - I grab my thread tweezers more and more. The Clover ones are GREAT! And...I also have one in my make-up drawer to get stray eyebrow hairs - it grabs them GOOD! Click
HERE
to find my favorites!
-
Fancy Threads can be devils - especially when trying to thread them through Serger Loopers. My favorite threader is this REAL long one from Clover - and I keep it right in sight, IN THE PACKAGE (or else it will get lost), righ with my threads. Here's a snapshot:
 They are Clover Number: 8810 - 2 for just $5..00.
Another little gem I've come to depend on is the Clover Desk Needle Threader. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that gizmo! click
HERE
. or Cut and paste this into your browser:
http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Store_id=398&page_id=23&Item_ID=4522
Without a needle threader (or if it is hiding from you), this method works well too. Just take a regular strand of thread and make a loop. Stick the 'hard to thread'
thread into it, then guide the 2 matched ends of the regular strand of thread through the eye of the looper - and the 'devil' thread has to come along. Here's a picture of that at my serger. 
I finally came up with a great decorative lettuce edge for my Pastel - Pathways jacket. Here is a snapshot of my testing and final result...
 The cut off sleeve bands proved worth their weight in gold for testing!
Here's someone NOT to invite if you're battling your serger............................
 And, since that's not a very good picture of my Sasha, she wanted me to show you how good she looks in pink... . With her, though are my other most often-used tools.
I LOVE my Dritz Blue Rotary Cutter. The DRITZ is really a KAI - and that is really right on the blade, package, and the cutter. TOP, top, top quality. The other thing I love about this one is that it works by pressure. So - I just push down and the blade is exposed and works. When I'm not using it, it is safe. In the fast pace and mess I work in best, that is important to me. Click
here
to find my favorite Dritz/Kai cutter. OR - here's a link to copy and paste into your browser:
http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Store_id=398&page_id=23&Item_ID=5767
Here I am using it to cut off the 2nd side of a V-neckline on one of my jackets. I tried the sweatshirt on once I'd split it down the front, decided the angle of the front neckline, pressed, then cut on the pressline on one side. Then....took that piece, flipped it over on top of the remaining side, and used it as a template to cut the other side exactly as the first. Use this 'template' idea when taking in side seams, etc....
Also by Sasha are my Chakoner and the Kai 5220 scissors. I have several Chakoners around at all times - so one is usually buried close to where I need it! AND, I love my green-handled Kai 5220 scissors - it whacks through the sweatshirting just GREAT!!!
I need to clear out the overstock of Books I have right now, so many are on sale. Here's a list of just a few...but there are a total of 48 books marked down significantly. Winter is great reading and stitching time - though I thought this would be a good Sale Item.
-
Pants For Real People, and Jackets for Real People - - 30% off.
-
Needle PUnch Easy and Fun - 40% off
-
Opening & Closing - 25% off
-
Sewing Fun for Kids - 40% off
-
The Complete Serger Handbook - 40% off
-
Basic Guide to dying and Painting on Fabric - 40% off
My new patterns are titled:
Pathways (angled front), Refined (completely cutting the sweatshirt apart, and including a 'standard' pattern for each brand to cut a more fitted armscye and sleeve cap - eliminating all that underarm yucky bulk), Unity (combining a completely different lower portion to the sweatshirt top), and
Fruitful. ( lots of different embellishment ideas). Here's a glimpse at some of the new jackets - in various states of completion.
I'm even having great fun utilizing selvages of the hand-dyed wool groupings I'll soon be adding to stock. See me at work with them here in the photos of "Blue Heather - Pathways".
Thanks to all of you who wrote volunteering to give opinions, test patterns, etc. I WILL be getting back to you - SOON!
Send me pictures of what you're all sewing. I'd love to share them on my Blog. If you're searching for certain sewing things and think I might be helpful to you, let me know.
Have a sewing group that wants to buy in bulk? I give great bulk discounts. Most of the items at my Clover website offer discounts for quantity as well....
http://www.londasclovernotions.com
Whoops - almost
forgot to share that the March Sew Savvy
magazine (due out Jan. 29) will include an article by little ole' me -
instructions for an entire jacket! Here's a sneek peek of that jacket I
did for that piece. I haven't even seen the article yet - so each day I
go to the mailbox hoping, hoping it has arrived.
AND, I'm thrilled to have Nancy's Notions selling my
books in her catalog. I joke with my family that I really should be
saving multiple copies of all this stuff to wallpaper my room when I'm
an old lady in a nursing home some day. Anyway - it's sure fun to be
able to share with other sewers in these ways for this time of my life.
Back to the basement I go.....Once the patterns are ready, you'll be the first to know and - as always - I'll have a great Introductory Offer for you.
Creatively,
This is an example of one of the
main benefits of membership in my Londa's Fashion Club. Members
get 4 to 6 of these FREE each year. FYI: Recently, I also treated them
with a FREE copy of my pattern, WORTHY!
Join my Fashion Club today! BONUS:
FREE 'GENESIS' pattern for anyone joining for a full year by Monday,
November 12, 2007!
Click on this link to join!
http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_dept_items.asp?Store_id=398&Page_id=17&categ_id=119&parent_ids=0,19
Here's that excerpt:
Though Christine says to ‘serge’ to seam, I just don’t do well by
stitching that way in most cases. I need a FEW pins to hold things
together properly, and that is not very smart to do at a serger.
Rather, I stitch at the machine and then use my serger as the
‘microwave’ in my sewing room, to finish off the edges. Do what you are
comfortable with.
When stitching knits of any type, I usually
use a zig zag stitch set at .5 (that is ½) wide and 3 in length. I use a
Stretch Needle – so on this fine rayon jersey, I used the size 75 needle.
I also use a 100% polyester thread – like Metrosene.
Steps 24 and 25. I would first mark
the wrong side of the fabric pieces somehow, just to insure that I keep
continuity here. Often times on a knit, you can’t tell the wrong side
from the right side once you get going…
Also - stitch from wide, hem edge to narrow
top edge – especially if you are sewing a woven. Give a little taut tug
as you stitch for a nice seam.
PRESS your seam flat first – SEAL the seam.
Then, press the seams towards the center front and center back. If your
fabric is bulky, you might even want to grade the seams.
After stitching, I serge the seams
together. EXCEPTION: on my additional center back seam, I serged the
seam allowances independently and pressed them open, since I would be
inserting a zipper. I left about 2” extra ‘open’ on the seam for
insertion of the invisible zipper.
FIT
THE SKIRT!!!!
This is easiest to do with the skirt inside
out, and this works IF and only IF your sides are symmetrical. If you are
uneven, fit with the skirt right side out. I just pinch and pin til I
have the fit I desire. For a knit, then be sure you can still get it down
over your hips though!!! The specific knit and it’s stretch qualities
will determine this. Since there is a turn down top elastic application,
be sure you don’t angle out too drastically for the first 2” at the top
though. Remember this turn-down (even perhaps the 1” extra you allowed
as I instructed above in the Cutting Directions) as you do your specific
fitting. Gently ease back out to the original seamline by the notch.
This will maintain the fullness of the skirt.
Note:
You may want to topstitch the seams, but wait and do that later…
HEM IT NEXT!!!!!
This is our game plan:
I suggest you hem it with the narrow
topstitched 5/8” hem at this point. THEN, fit the skirt in front of a
mirror, shoes on, and with circle of elastic in hand. Put the elastic on
over top of the skirt, and pull it up or down at the top, until you have
your hem falling evenly, and parallel to the floor. It is great if you
have a helper to measure the distance from the hem to the floor. Mark the
TOP of the elastic. (I used my Chakoner). That marking is where the
fabric should fold down to encase the elastic. If you have ‘ample’ fronts
or backs, you will quickly see that it takes more length to go over your
bumps. Hence…the addition of 1” more at the top of the skirt, as I
directed in the Cutting Directions.
For
a great hem:
1.Clip into seam allowance – right up to
seamline AT THE HEMLINE. (In this case, at the 5/8” line.)
2.Press the seam allowance in the HEM
allowance the opposite direction. This will ‘balance the bulk’
3.Fuse
BIAS FUSIBLE TAPE
to the hem allowance. Bias Fusible Tape:
http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Store_id=398&page_id=23&Item_ID=2534
4.Serge, Skimming off just a tad.
5.Press up the hem allowance. You’ll see
now how nice and non-bulky it is since you ‘balanced the bulk’.
6.Thread up and stitch hem with a Twin
Needle (I like the 4.0 width). Make sure it is a STRETCH needle if you
are on a knit. OR do a cover hem on your serger or cover hem machine.
NOW
– go back to our ‘Game Plan’ as described and follow the directions to
define and mark the top fold of your skirt waist!
Step 27, 28, 29, 30 – Length of elastic …and
application directions
First, Christine has you actually lap the
elastic ½” to make the circle of elastic in Step 4. I feel that gives a
bulky lump, and rather prefer to BUTT the elastic ends together on a scrap
of lightweight fabric (usually found in my waste basket), zig-zagging them
securely. Therefore, I would naturally subtract 1 additional inch from
all the measurements given.
If one does a study on the length of
elastic given proportionate to the waist measurement for each size, one
quickly sees that a less proportion of elastic to body is given for
larger sizes. I AGREE with this – finding it to be very true, that the
larger the body, the more you want elastic to STRETCH to accommodate
it. I imagine the other reason Christine is directing for 3” – 10”
less elastic than the waist measurement, is that in her technique, you
are stitching through the elastic several times – first to serge it onto
the edge, then to double needle stitch it to finish. I have some
refinements to her technique to offer, but just realize that whenever
you stitch THROUGH elastic, that you are going to stretch it out
additionally to some degree...................
I also stitched up this same skirt from the
Wine Tencel Woven fabric,
and angled the hemline of each skirt piece to echo the angles in the hem
of my Worthy Creative sweatshirt Jacket. The Wine Tencel is just $7.95
per yard and 64" wide!
http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Store_id=398&page_id=23&Item_ID=5592
You can read all about how I did it, and see a picture of the unique hem
variation I camd up with to 'echo' my Creative Sweatshirt "Worthy"
Jacket - including adding an invisible zipper at the center back, with a
tab closure inside...just go to my
BLOG:
http://www.londascreativesewingchatter.blogspot.com
I KNEW I'd love this doubleknit fabric, so I cut off a hunk of both the
navy and the charcoal for MY stash! It is 59% poly, 24%
rayon, and 17% lycra ... 54" wide, and just $9.50 per
yard (regularly $16/yard). Here is a scan of the GREY. the navy is
really a nice navy - holler if you need a sample. Black is a good, dark
black.
Grey a
nice heathered charcoal grey. Click
HERE,
or cut and paste this into your brower for the Grey.
http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Store_id=398&page_id=23&Item_ID=5647
Click
Here
for the Navy, or cut and paste this into your browser.
http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Store_id=398&page_id=23&Item_ID=5646
The Black
Chico Slinky would make a
great skirt - and with the
Black Striped Slinky
in the top...WOW! Add a pant (how about the new, fuller style?)
in Slinky, and you'll be set for travel and the Holidays!
Black Chico Slinky:
http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Store_id=398&page_id=23&Item_ID=5648
Black Striped Slinky: http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Store_id=398&page_id=23&Item_ID=5649
A Quick Word about Fabrics at Londa's: The sum and
substance of it is that the competition for fabric online is vastly,
vastly increased in the recent year. I just don't have room for - nor
am I close to good sources for - GREAT fabric at wonderful prices. My
suppliers have dwindled as well. So for the present time, I'm
offering only the very, very BEST and BASIC fabrics at GREAT LOW pricing
that I can find. It won't be lots, but what I do have is GREAT
quality and value! There's just no time to search out, nor travel to
NYC with my involvement with the sewing shows. The shows and the
success of my 'thing' with my sweatshirt jackets is taking all my extra
time, AND, remember, I'm a Grandma! My
elderly folks need me as well (the only kid in town), so fabric hunting
is on the back burner...for NOW.
 Just
wanted to 'clue you in'.
After I get totally unpacked, I KNOW I will be putting some GREAT
inventory on clearance ... like some Kai Scissos, some fabric,
patterns, etc., etc. Shows are done, and it is time to scale back
inventory for years' end...so watch for this clearance email coming
soon. I'll even have some pictures by then to include...
From my years in retail, I KNOW that women get totally involved with
cooking Thanksgiving - as I get to this year myself...so watch for your
next newsletter right AFTER Turkey Day!
Read my "Houston Chronicle" at the end...if you're interested...
Sew thankful for arriving home safely, health, family, God and his Son,
and also for you, my great customers...
Sewing hugs,
to unsubscribe, just send me an email:
londasews@insightbb.com
with 'Unsubscribe LCT" in the subject line.
***Almost an out of gas - somewhere in Arkansas...(My
hubby usually watches the gas tank... Did I ever tell you that I was
blonde before I turned grey? Of
course, along the way there were some map detours...guess I need a newer
atlas than 2001..(so my sister tells me.) My customer/friend Bev and I
chatted all the way and it went oh, so fast!
Mon. - found the George Brown Convention Center downtown - getting in
much earlier than we ever dreamed, only to have a wreck with the van. 
I did NOT see this car in my left blind spot! Even the cop said it was
an accident - but I got a ticket. Thankfully, no one was hurt, my van
only has a dent on the left side. (YES, I always take the insurance on
that with the rental van!) Mind you, it was FULL of stuff at this
point... Except, I felt (and still do feel) awful for the young woman
whose right vans' front got smashed. She was so calm and not mad. I
immediately asked if she knew the Lord, and we were both hugging several
times before we parted way - which was quite a long time since the cop
took an hour to write the ticket, as it was his first day back on the
'beat' afte 15 years on the desk. So - though it was nerve-wracking,
we were saying prayers of thanks that no one was hurt, and my van was
barely dented. Even a flat tire for me would have undoubtedly meant
totally unloading the van........I don't want to think about it.
*** Tues. - we join the othe vendors in the 'staging yard' for a 3 hour
wait to get to the docks to unload. What fun!! Really...getting to
chat with other people, and here comes this singing old time ice cream
wagon. Nostalgic...
With a little exta $ paid, I'm smart to have help getting us unloaded
and everything into the booth. I even got the foam floor laid down and
fixtures placed!!! All boxes were opened and placed in front of
appropriate fixtures as Wednesday would be a marathon day setting up the
booth, then selling from 5 to 10 pm - a marathon!
*** Wed. - almost immediately upon starting work, I notice I'm missing
the box FULL of the neat Crone Art embellishments. Mind you, this is a
box worth approx $3000!!! Looked everywhere - never to find, so
obviously it was stolen overnight in the 'secured' exhibit
hall. Desperate to replace the merchandise, prayer is answered and I am
able to contact my suppliers just in time. Even though she was leaving
town for a vacation - the dear woman delays her departure 1/2 day to get
a replacement box on its way to me overnight the next day! That arrives
on Friday. Yipee!!!! My dear sister, Laurie arrives that night - WOW -
was I ever glad to see her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
***Thurs. - booth full of people, I look up - and immediately realize
one of my favorite jackets was GONE! Another customer said quickly that
someone had taken it down, saying they were going to try it on. Nowhere
to be seen - that jacket is obviously gracing someone's body. It was
one of my personal favorites - but also one I had worn and worn and worn
this spring - so at least they didn't get a brand new jacket! By this
time, the police know me pretty well...
***Fri. - day going well. Find an Olive Garden to eat at after
feeling pretty smug that I've mastered these Texas u-turns - which are
against the law in Illinois. With mouths watering for those
breadsticks, walking through the parking lot all the sudden, Bev is
flying through the air in S - L - O- W motion towards the pavement.
BOOM! She now is sporting an increasingly rich hued bruise on her left
side and we are STILL amazed and praising God that she is in one piece,
no broken hip, no blood was spilled............you get the idea. Hey -
supper was FREE! And the Olive Garden Manager was wonderful and will pay
for fixing Bev's groovy glasses.
***Sat. - I taught my 3 hour class in the morning, confident that my
sister well knows how to take in money and Bev sells up a storm.
Perfectly fine, uneventful day - but poor Bev is hurting. As at the
end of every day, the sexy-voiced announcer proceeds to announce the
daily winner of the Bernina 75th Anniversary Sewing machine (which Bev
has daily entered, hoping to win...) and lo and behold...we hear "BEV"
from Mahomet, Il is the WINNER!
Shocked
beyond belief, she never would have made it to the booth unless I'd
been at her elbow reminding her to BREATHE!!!! All the Bernina gals
were tickled pink, cause Bev was the first one to actually come to claim
the machine, as the other winners daily weren't present fo that fun. So
now when Bev's ribs holler, we just sing 'Bernina' to her and she
smiles!!!
***Sun. LONG hours fom 11 - 5 -- though with change of time fom
Daylight Savings Time, got an extra hour of sleep. Start methodically
packing up the booth, then find my empty boxes behind the storage
curtain, and momentarily think I've found the box of Crone Art that was
stolen. Then later realize it was the box I had just packed - with some
of the pieces on the top. Now that I've totally unpacked the remaining
inventory from the show - I KNOW it was stolen. My temporary relief was
just wishful thinking. First load to the van - I knocked my head real
good on the inside ceiling light in the van. Ouch! | | | | |
