Getting back into creative mode - Walmart rant, again

Got to get back into the creative mode.  Have been spending a great deal of time lately doing yardwork and getting my garden together.  Still some things I need to get done outside, but have to get re-motivated to work on product.

Since I quit SVP Worldwide Embroidery Software Support team, I have been trying to keep connected with the 5D Embroidery Yahoo group and answer questions.  I would like to be an independent educator on their software products along with being certified with several other product lines.  Haven't had a chance to look much at the group questions for the past couple of days but have found that a large quantity of questions are coming from Great Britain and Europe where software support is lacking, unlike here in the US and Canada.

My niece's baby shower is today and I am missing it partly because I haven't had time to get her present made!  Will be working on a fleece baby bunting set which will also be available on my website at www.misskatescreations.com.  Have some adorable ideas for toddler clothing.  Haven't sewn toddler clothes for years because of my inability to compete with the cheap toddler clothes coming out of China and other areas of the far east these days.  By cheap, I don't only mean inexpensive, but lacking quality also.  One children's manufacturer (Garanimals) has sold their soul to Walmart.  Their clothing used to be sold only in higher end boutiques.  Now they only sell to Walmart and do not wholesale to any other businesses.  I had inquired directly with Garanimals to purchase wholesale and was told they no longer wholesale to anyone else.   I used to consider their clothing line of great quality up there with Fisher-Price who is known for their great line of toddler toys.  Not any longer.  I predict Walmart will decide to choose another line of toddler clothing besides their own Faded Glory clothing line and Garanimals will be out in the cold.  I have seen Walmart do this to countless brands and then this destroys the brand because they put all of their eggs in one basket.  Wake up American brands!

Using Unbleached Muslin to Trace Patterns

After 40+ years of sewing, I finally did something every sewer should do if they are going to be using a pattern which is multi-sized.  Trace the pattern onto unbleached muslin.  It's an inexpensive fabric and extremely strong.

This wasn't the easiest task in the world but I knew I would be sewing all 4 sizes included in the pattern package I  was currently working on.  I quickly discovered that the iron-on transfer pencils do not work.  What I used instead was permanent markers.  A Sharpie fine point marker works great to do the majority of the tracing.  Lettering or small detail work was accomplished with a Sharpie Ultra Fine point.  I used black but I suppose you can use other colors.

I didn't trim the pattern pieces down but instead left some of the unprinted tissue paper on each piece.  Pin the tissue paper to the muslin so it doesn't move on you.  Trace over one size at a time.  Using a permanent marker soaks through the tissue paper just enough to create an outline of the details on the muslin.  A new marker will give better results than one that has been around for awhile.  Make sure you include all markings for the size.  I started out doing the Large size first and then worked down.  After you have traced through the tissue, unpin it from the muslin.  The image will be faint on the muslin.  Retrace over the image with the marker.  I used a ruler for all the straight lines.  Once you are satisfied with the markings on the muslin, then trim off the extra muslin from each piece.  You will need to make sure you label each piece with the specific size.  You will now have a permanent pattern piece for each size without worrying about wearing out the original pattern pieces.  I also traced the one-size pieces so they wouldn't wear out with continual use.

Put each size together.  I used a large manila envelope to store the entire pattern since all of the extra pieces are not going to fit in the original envelope any longer.  I also had some clear adhesive envelopes to stick on the front of the manila envelope.  This worked great for storing the original pattern envelope.  You might want to write on the large envelope the pattern number in case you take the original pattern envelope out of the clear pocket and forget to put it back in.  At this point the only reason you should ever need to take the original envelope out is to see the yardage needed to make the item.  You can also make a copy of the back of the envelope and place it in a clear envelope and stick it on the back of the manila envelope.

If you have other suggestions for sewing enthusiasts, please let me know and I will include in a future blog post.

Reevaluation of life's pleasures

I guess I haven't done much writing in the past few months.  Quite a bit has gone on and much more to come.  I finally made the decision last Wednesday to put in my resignation at SVP Worldwide as an Embroidery Software Support Specialist.  Yes, if you've called SOS or the general number, you've spoken with me.  It has frustrated me by time constraints to assist a call-in customer and constantly be looking at the time ticking away while trying to assist someone in resolving an issue with their Viking or Pfaff machine.  This has made it look like I don't know what I'm doing, however, call-time time shouldn't have any correlation to performing a remote Webex session with a customer as long as it straightens out the problem.  Well, after April 27th, I won't have to worry about it anymore.  I would like to become an independent educational consultant with the company, but I do know that it will be a long time before I do a job like this again unless I have control over the situation and create a company which can provide all aspects of assistance like altering the computer's registry or recommending a different anti-virus software which is friendlier with the computer and software installed on it.

I'm pretty much going to relax, tend to my garden and finish scanning all of the fabric I have in my workroom so I can post it in the site and join other fabric retailers in a specific organization devoted to fabric retailers and quilt shops.

Decided life is too short to be doing something that is making you miserable.  I think this world would be much better off if more people came to this decision.  I figure I will be busier than ever now but doing what I enjoy doing.  Your input would be appreciated.

Busy week ahead

Busy, busy week ahead. Wrapping up completion of new items for revamped website. Here's just a sample of things to come - 100% cotton padded diaper burp cloths. Both the diaper and flannel fabric have been prewashed for shrinkage prior to assembly. This will make a great baby shower gift for mom or for the loving grandmother.

New Creations coming with revamped website (coming soon!)

Excitement is in the air!  It's finally happening.  Gearing up to go into full production of appliqued and embroidered clothing for all sizes and ages.  Already created a Soccer Mom sweatshirt and more options still coming along.  Has soccer ball fabric appliqued to the navy blue sweatshirt.  Dad's aren't forgotten.  Have one created for the proud Football Dad.  Many sweatshirt colors and sports activities will be available.  Also have choice between 20 Angels with Cancer ribbon to be embroidered on pink T-shirts.  Your choice of a filled design or a line-art design.  75% of Sales during the month of October will go to the www.TheBreastCancerSite.com,   Your Actions Here Fund Mammograms For Women In Need.  25% of shirt sales in other months will be contributed to this cause also.    Hope to get the revamped website up and ready for Christmas sales.  Lots of new and exciting products to see at reasonable prices.  Baby, baby, baby items galore!  Gift basket idea being formed.  You select the items & basket & shipping for free to gift recipient.

Football Dad

Soccer Mom

Breast Cancer Angel #8

Walmart disappointment

I'm just a little irritated tonight. It's not bad enough that our country could default to China at the whim of the Chinese goverment, but I discovered something at Walmart today that just made my heart sick. Knowing what Sam Walton stood for and his belief in the American way of life and trying to have most products made in Amerca, he would certainly be turning over in his grave right now. I was looking at kitchen towels in the linens department of our local Walmart this afternoon. To my shock, they are made in Vietnam. Yes, Vietnam. Has our country gone totally off the deep end? Why are we doing business with a country where we had a war where so many of our young people of the '60s and '70s were killed or came home as drug addicts or have PTSD? The war made no sense then and it still does not make sense in the history books.

Is product production in 3rd world countries going to take precedence over common sense? In market reports approximately a week ago, the journalist suggested that Walmart is going to start having a rough time with trade in China soon. The Chinese government is going to soon be reevaluating their currency. Does this mean more and more things will be made in Vietnam? This is truly a slap in the face of all those who served in that non-declared war.

Another slap in the face has also been to all the women who were in the class action suit against Walmart for job discrimination. The judge threw the case out because there were too many plaintants in the suit. Huh? That's what a class action suit entails. Helen Walton, spouse to Sam Walton, was a driving force behind his success and continued on with her philanthropic outreaching until her death in 2007. Had they not joined together as a team to purchase a Ben Franklin Store back in 1945, success may not have been as easily attained. Would Helen be satisfied with the way women have been forced to take a back seat in the company both she and Sam so proudly nurtured? There are many issues Walmart needs to really take a look at because the way they are heading is reminiscent of other retailers who have lost sight of what the origins of the store were all about.

Canned tuna observation

This doesn't have anything to do with the photo albums I create but I do snack while working on them. I was in the mood for tuna fish salad so decided to make a batch. When I make a batch, I mean a batch (8 cans to be exact). Have you ever noticed how tuna is packed in those little cans? I hadn't paid that much attention until I had all of them opened & had drained the liquid onto the dog food. My 3 lab mixes love the tuna water on their dry food. Well, out of 3 different brands of tuna (Star Kist, Bumblebee and Kroger's brand) there was a wide degree of how the tuna looked. There was even a difference within the same brand. Some of the tuna actually looked like tuna and some looked like squished mush. I guess what surprised me was how much difference there was with how the tuna looked within the same brand. I guess it depends on the packing plant but you'd think there would be some type of internal controls the various brands would demand. Really look at your food the next time you eat. It can be very interesting!