LaRueSews-Quilts,1/2-Square Triangles, Easy?

This blog could be considered as an Anniversary Blog, since it has been a year and seven days since I posted my very first Blog.  I didn’t think it would last this long.  But thanks to all of you and your faithfulness, I’m still here.  Also, I’d like to give a lot of... [More]

Girl Friend Get Togethers

As it happens I have 2 daughter in laws who are quite entrepreneurial!  This week Kendal was invited to bring her Pampered Chef product to an event that had 50 attendees who also got to look at other wares that included aprons.  As it happens a local gal has begun a business making aprons,... [More]

LaRueSews-Quilts-Binding Isn’t the End

The subject matter this time is probably one of the “testiest” that I have approached.  We are nearing the end of making a quilt from start to finish.  Adding the bind is the best part, right up to stitching down the binding on the back.  The photos I am using were ma... [More]

Keeping It Simple with a Quick Casserole Carrier

If you are like me, you subscribe to more than one embroidery and quilting magazine and scour them all front to back when you finally get the chance. Sometimes I'm inspired by the projects in the magazines but many times I'm overwhelmed. And any time that I sit down to sew I'm likely... [More]

The Prom, the Purse and the Lady

Last time we met here, I left you with two photos that I said I would Identify when I came back from my little sojourn from the BLOG.  Here’s some answers for you.  Several months ago, my granddaughter told me that she planned to make her prom dress.  Since she was a senior... [More]

How a computer stopped an embroidery business ..

Computer repair can be costly, I don't just mean out of pocket cash .. but, cash that doesn't reach your pocket because your computer issues are halting business.  As you can probably tell, I have been MIA for the last 2-3 weeks.  Blame the computer .. I spent hours of my time tryi... [More]

Flag Day Celebration

Did you know that Flag Day is this Sunday?  It is nice to take a moment and remember how gratef [More]

Tea for two

Some people are surprised by our African tea cup designs... Why tea cups? What do tea cups and teapots have to do with Africa? Good question. What many people do not know is that South Africa used to be a British colony. For many years the British ruled South Africa and as a result many of the Briti... [More]

Where exactly did I put that? You mean I could make money tagging other people's precious items?

Every month is Start Your Own Business these days, but Brother has gotten serious about this concept.  Infact if you go to our website you can see a great financial opportunity that we have for you all.  You can actually save lots of money if you buy a PR-620 NOW!  Whether you are an ... [More]

Twitter - An Annual or Perennial in Your Social Media Garden?

Inspirational PlaceMy family is very fortunate that our home has been blessed with a beautiful garden in spite of having nary a green thumb in sight. When my wife and I first saw this property two-and-a-half years ago, it looked like something out of a magazine - the inside was pristine and the outs... [More]

June Brides...Old and New!

Did you hear me laughing this morning? I was reading an email from Quilter's World magazine and they were recommending that you re-purpose a wedding dress into a christening gown.  Not a bad idea, but for me that would never have worked because I had a mini-length wedding dress! I rem... [More]

A new roommate, a new niece and a new quilt!

You may remember my January 17 post "What is all this stuff and how did it get into my house?" Well, the situation has worsened. There is now 3 people's stuff in a house that was already overstuffed with 2 people's stuff. How in the world can this have happened? I was just beginnin... [More]

It seems the art has 100 colors, what is a digitizer to do??!!

I just had one of those embroiderer and 'can't make up her mind' customer interactions. The antagonist of the story, played by the customer, is a great water color painter -- if you don't believe her, just ask her -- and, she brings in 3 water color paintings.  Well,... [More]

I get by with a little help from my friends

Although I haven't posted in my blog for more than 10 weeks, you all have always been close to me in my thoughts and I've felt your warm collective hug. With the help of your prayers, warm thoughts, words of condolence and encouragement I've been able to somehow get through the dark days... [More]

LaRueSews-Quilts- Quilting and ME Working Together

Yes, friends of Ann The Gran, Quilting and Machine Embroidery are great partners.  They can be used in ways other than making a quilt with machine embroidered blocks.  The two following photos are the first of a number of photos what will appear on LaRueSews-Quilts in the not too distant f... [More]

Digitizing Training ~ The RUN Stitch

Sorry for taking the week off .. I really like to prep for Mother's Day .. after all, my Mom is THE Queen and I really like to dedicate the whole weekend to her .. cooking, cleaning, taking her shopping and and out to a nice dinner and maybe a movie (though there isn't much at the movies her... [More]

A Social Media Star is Born - The Many Facets of Facebook

Celebrity GossipThe prevailing wisdom of our celebritized culture seems to tell us that, when everyone has an opinion about you, you know you've done something right. Facebook is a celebrity, a big star. It's a cultural phenomenon. Everyone has an opinion on Facebook. And just as the tabloid... [More]

Spring has Sprung

Spring has sprung in New Jersey.  Everyone is out and about walking and enjoying the beautiful trees as they bloom. That is here in New Jersey, apparently Mother Nature has a few things confused and my grandchildren in Colorado are still wearing their snow boots. Don’t forget though that ... [More]

LaRueSews-Quilts-Batting, Which One Will I Choose?

We are nearing the time when you will be getting your quilt ready to quilt.  That means that you have to make some choices about batting. First of all, just what is batting.  Batting is the middle layer of the quilt that provides warmth and comfort that we all know as a quilt.  In wa... [More]

Art to stitches - what kind of art works well

Q:  You hear stories of beautiful embroidery designs created from sketches on a bar napkin.  Is that true?A:  Though I may have had gotten ideas from sketches, the better the art, the better the embroidered design will be. Your software undoubtedly can import a wide array of art.&nbs... [More]

Starting an online business

Q:  I heard that online businesses were a fad and that in time physical storefronts will emerge on top again.A:  Ask your local travel agent what they think of it being a fad !! Online stores are more popular than ever before, as a matter of fact, I was working on a deal with a large fran... [More]
Reusable Grocery Bags

Reusable Grocery Bags

USING CREATIVITY TO HELP THE ENVIRONMENT

In the next few weeks many cities are enacting a law that will allow grocery stores to charge for plastic bags. Some of you have already been using reusable tote bags; some purchase these bland reusable bags from the store at which they are shopping. However there is no reason these bags need to be boring. In fact they can become real conversation openers and stunning creative inspirations. Our African Folklore Embroidery designs are perfect to stitch onto reusable tote bags.  You do not need a sewing machine, only a needle and cotton to stitch them onto the bag, either with a basic running stitch or chain stitch. 

 

 Whether it is a wildlife life design featuring a giraffe, elephant or lion or a scrumptious looking cupcake design or even a beautiful flower., your tote bag will become something of which you are really proud.  Summer is the perfect time to start your African Folklore Embroidery design and stitch it onto a tote bag.  

 

 There are still a few more weeks to submit and enter your completed African Folklore Embroidery in the African Folklore Embroidery Challenge. The first place winner receives $500 cash. Even if you decided not to enter, I would still love to see a picture of your completed African Folklore Embroidery Design, so email me at info@aflembroidery.com.

 

Calling all quilters, fiber, embroidery and beading enthusiasts – WIN $500 Cash in the AFRICAN FOLKLORE EMBROIDERY CHALLENGE

 

Entry forms for the 2011 African Folklore Embroidery Challenge are now online at www.aflembroidery.com THE GRAND PRIZE is  $500 cash, 2nd prize $50 and 3rd prize $25.00. All entrants will receive certificate of participation and be considered for inclusion in a new book. All entries will be on display at the International Quilt Festival in Long Beach, July 29th – 31st and at the American Sewing Guild Conference in Los Angeles, CA Aug 19th-21st 2011. Westin Bonaventure
404 South Figueroa St.
Los Angeles, CA 90071

 

 The deadline for entries is July 15th 2011

 All entries will be able to be viewed by the public at the International Quilt Show in Long Beach, July 29th-31 and the American Sewing Guild Conference in Los Angeles, CA Aug 19th- 22nd. I look forward to seeing you there.

 Last year’s 1st place winner was Madeline Reyes from the Coachella Valley Quilt guild. EGA members Judy Dymond and Carol Cunnignham -Hutte form the Mountain View EGA Chapter in California  won 2nd and 3rd place in 2010. Entries from the 2010 African Folklore Embroidery Challenge can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=234386778169&ref=ts

For more information, contact: Leora Raikin, info@aflembroidery.com  (818) 999-6094

 

Special Summer offer

For parents and grandparents looking for fun creative projects to do with the kids over the summer, we have a special offer, when you purchase two or more kits, you will receive a FREE copy of my book, Safari through  African Folklore Embroidery, which explains and illustrates teaching techniques to children, with bright colorful pictues along with ideas for completing your African Folklore Embroidery project.

 

African Folklore Embroidery has a selection or reusable African inspired tote bags for purchase. Visit our website at www.aflembroidery.com or CLICK HERE at AnnTheGran to view our designs.

To see a selection of our NEW SUMMER DESIGNS email me at info@aflembroidery.com

 

 

Please login to comment