Fit For A Queen!

Last Spring, when I was working on my new book -- "Sweet Stitches" -- I was working on the Regally Radiant Birthday Crown project and had to run to the craft store for some supplies. Keep in mind I was working on a crown (see below).

While I was walking from my car to the front door of the store, I saw something pink on the ground a little way ahead. When I bent down to get a closer look, I was so pleasantly surprised to see that it was, of all things, a CROWN! Granted, it is WAY smaller than the one I was working on -- Barbie-sized, maybe?? -- but I took it as a sign that the Universe and I were on the same page. I keep it on my desk near my computer and it always makes me smile. I consider it my good luck charm for my new book's success.
Happy stitching!!

I've Been Freshly Launched!!

I stumbled upon a call for submissions to "LaunchHER" a while back and submitted information about Garden of Daisies Embroidery. I was THRILLED to receive an email the other day that I had been chosen to be "Freshly Launched".  The idea behind this is to give a boost to women in business as detailed in their mission statement:

 

LaunchHER provides the boost that women owned brands need by featuring new and fresh companies as well as providing social media consulting, branding, business development and legal services to start-ups.

 

Kara Jensen Zitnick, president of LaunchHER, is an attorney with an appreciation for womens' creative entrepreneurial spirit.
 
Kara lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with her husband and 2 young sons. Her love of crafting and handmade began at the tender age of 4 when her grandmother taught her the fine art of crochet. After being forced to participate in 4-H, she begrudgingly learned how to sew from her other grandmother and immediately began designing her younger sister a new wardrobe. Kara has moved on from creating garments using scraps of fabric from her mom’s fabric stash, but her love of design is stronger than ever.

After nearly 10 years of litigation in both state and federal court, Kara decided to follow her passion of assisting women entrepreneurs. As a practicing attorney, she recognizes the importance of starting any business venture off on the right foot from a legal perspective, which means protecting the creative work that flows from a business’s name, logo, brand and tagline are of the utmost importance from the start. A seasoned business-owner in the handmade sector, Kara acknowledges that legal costs can be a barrier to launching a business. As such, her firm provides flat-fee legal representation and business coaching to those starting their own small businesses. Flat-fee services include business formation, trademark and copyright.

In her free moments, you will find Kara in the kitchen baking confectionery treats for her friends and family, on a family bike ride around the many area-lakes, or conducting science experiments with her husband and boys.

 

Thank you, Kara, for all you do!!

 

 

 

 

Flower From Favorite Family Members

When I'm down in my basement sewing room, it's hard to hear the doorbell upstairs but when Emmie, my dog, barks like a maniac, I know it rang. A few days ago, she did just that so I ran up, peeked through the peep hole (had a hard time seeing who was there because my Christmas wreath is still up...oops) and saw a gentleman holding a beautiful basket of flowers. They were from my sweet sister-in-law, Corinne and her charming husband, Ken, in honor of me publishing my first book. Beautiful daisies -- so fitting for my business!! Thank you, guys!! You made my day!!

It's A Book!!!

I have been waiting nearly a year to be able to say these words: "It's a book!!" It's been a creative journey unlike any other and it's been a blast!

 

To see my book ready and available online is like no other feeling I've had before...except maybe when I had my kids! I know...a little weird. :) My passion is sewing and machine embroidery. For me, sharing that passion is as much fun as doing it. Being able to share it through a published book is amazing!!

 

Over the past few years, I've been a frequent contributor to Designs in Machine Embroidery magazine. Editor & publisher Eileen Roche, managing editor Denise Holguin, and acquisitions editor Christine Doyle saw enough value in my work to contract with me to be one of the first authors of their new series of creative machine embroidery books.

 

So... here it is:

"Sweet Stitches: Boutique-style Machine Embroidery for the Little Ones in Your Life"

 

 

 

From their website:

 

"Little girls have a unique affection for all things pretty, especially when that something pretty is made just for her. And the little girl in your life will giggle with delight when she sees what you've made for her from Sweet Stitches.

 

Inside this book by JoAnn Connolly, you'll learn to make eight oh-so pretty projects including a name banner for her room, a monogrammed pillow fit for a princess, and an embellished birthday crown for her special day. Watch her eyes light up when you give her the delightful flower headband, and see her jump up and down at the sight of her stylish new pajamas. Each project includes complete step-by-step instructions with photographs and all the embroidery design files you need—including one appliqué alphabet and one stitched alphabet!"

 

Happy stitching!!

Jo  :)