February 2015

Hello Friends!  I just returned from the Road to California Quilters Conference in Los Angeles, and am back to the reality of 18 degrees and falling snow and ice.  But with Valentine's Day only 2 weeks away, I feel the need to sew something springy and PINK!  When warm weather comes along, it will be harder to find time indoors for sewing.  So the time is now!

I also encourage YOU to sew something pink!  I hear so many of you at shows bitterly complaining, "Boys!  All I get is boys!"  If that is you and you long for someone to sew a little pink dress for, just go ahead and make a little pink dress.  You don't need a reason!  The small amount of fabric won't break the bank, and it will give you a chance to use your Custom Keepsakes designs!  It would make a beautiful decoration to hang in your sewing room, and you will have the joy of making it.  In fact, you could fill a whole hope chest full of pretties for future generations to enjoy.  Sew what you really want to sew!  Being practical all the time is no fun! 

Sew Pink Sale!

Now that I have talked you into sewing something just for fun, I am also offering you a great opportunity for savings!  For the next two weeks only, you can enter the coupon code SEWPINK at checkout and take 25% off all Custom Keepsakes Embroidery Collections!  Whether you have your eye on one particular Collection or all of them, hurry to the website and take advantage of this short sale!  Sale ends Valentine's Day, February 14th, 2015.  Shop now!

Pretty Pocket Pouches

Here is a sweet little sewing project to get you started!  I saw a tutorial for basic little pouches like these on a beautiful blog called A Spoonful of Sugar recently, and immediately thought they could be made even cuter by adding little Sweet Dreams Collection in-the-hoop pockets!  Along with beautiful nightgowns sized from 18" dolls all the way up to XL Womens, Sweet Dreams also includes 3 different sizes of pockets - those for dolls, girls, and ladies - and 6 floral designs for each of those sizes, 18 pockets in all.  The pockets shown are the girls' size but the tiny doll pockets would be really cute too.  These pockets stitch entirely in the hoop with raw edges perfectly folded and ready to topstitch onto any project!  They are perfect for customizing a plain shell top for yourself, or any other purchased or handmade clothing.  And did you notice that the center one is PINK?  If you do not yet own the Sweet Dreams Collection, don't forget that you can get it or any of the other Collections for 25% off during the Sew Pink Sale!

Harriet's Heirlooms

As in past newsletters, I am including a picture of my granddaughter in a dress from my heirloom closet.  Look at all of those hand bullion roses!  I made this little bishop in 1994 for her Aunt Kate, along with matching smocked bonnet and booties.  The smocking plate is from Issue #26 of Australian Smocking and Embroidery, designed by Margaret Herzfeld.  It will always be my favorite bishop smocking plate.  The photo was taken on Harriet's first birthday!

I also promised you pictures of her baptism dress, which happens to be PINK!   My inspiration for the yoke of this dress was a line drawing that I saw online of Old Fashioned Baby's pattern, "Emma's Smocked Baby Dress".  I used white lace, just a bit of smocking on very pale pink batiste and machine embroidery from a couple of my Collections for this future heirloom!

Spreading the Word

If you have not already, please "like" Custom Keepsakes while you are shopping on the site, or on our Facebook page!  Please share this newsletter in whatever way you like with all of your embroidery friends!  Thanks for taking the time to help me spread the word about Custom Keepsakes!

Show Schedule

Check my calendar here for shows coming near you.  I'd love to see you!

Now have fun shopping at the Sew Pink Sale!  Don't forget, the discount code at checkout is SEWPINK, and the sales ends February 14!

Best regards,

Kathy