Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Loving our Valdani!




Embellish, Embellish, Embellish!
You just can't seem to get enough!



















Once you start you, you just can't stop!



Pieces come alive with color and texture!




We have added bright, vibrant colors to our packs!



 


Check out all the Valdani Threads we have to offer through the online store!

Kelly

Friday, August 26, 2011

Sneak Peek into September


I spent most of today finishing up September's web update and can't wait for everyone to see it!  We have so many new and exciting items coming next month!  Here's a sneak peek...



My brother, Jason, has sent us a few packs of hand stamped words.


Three new colors of seagrass and chenille.


New embroidered and glazed buttons.


New, limited, striped wool bundle.


New, one of a kind, wool bundle.

Most of the new items are one of a kind, one time items, so be sure to snatch up what you want before it's sold out!

Kelly

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Blooms

It is so hard to describe living through an Ohio winter.  To say they are long and drab, doesn't quite capture  the impact that it has on one's psyche.  There is a heaviness, a grey heaviness that seems to hang in the air for months.  There is no break from it, not one ray of sunshine; just grey, heavy skies, for months and months...
As a teen, I remember my mom trying to round us up for 'yard day'.  It was by far the most dreaded chore there was because no matter where we lived (we have moved a lot), our garden was always enormous in comparison to our neighbors, and my mom could spend hours and hours out in the yard.  I will never forget when my mom said to me that, 'one day you will love yard work' and that 'there is no therapy quite like putting your hands in the dirt'.  Well, that day has come, and I cherish the few months I have to be in the garden before winter comes...



Which brings me to my exciting news!  Next month I will have my first mini kit available on the website!  I am so excited but nervous... I keep thinking, what if no one likes it?  What if none of them sell?  Will it be a total failure?  And then last night I thought, is this how my mom feels before a pattern or book is released?  She can't possibly... she is a superstar!  (Aimee and I call her 'superstar', she gets so embarrassed!  My mom is so humble!) 

Wool cuts for my kit!

September is fast approaching!  Don't miss out on all the new and limited items we will be featuring next month!

Kelly


Thursday, August 18, 2011

Pink Elephants, Oh My!

First, I would like to thank everyone for the kind words and enthusiasm of Sue Spargo, Twee!  All week I have been threatening Peggy and Mary with the camera.  They are thrilled at the thought of me posting pictures of them drowning in yards of wool and embellishments for the BOM, tripping over bags of shipping, running over one of the dogs with the computer chair, searching for 'that piece of paper'... I have decided I will give them some time to digest what fun this really is going to be.  Unfortunately, Cathy is on vacation, and has missed all the excitement buzzing around the office.  She won't know what hit her Monday morning!  

As many of you know, my mom and Aunt have been collaborating for several months on a series of ribbons for Renaissance Ribbons.  With the first collection of ribbons complete, I was surprised to find a new colorway when ripping into a recent Renaissance delivery.  


 A NEW PINK ELEPHANT AND ARROWHEAD ON LIME!
(Available online in September)



We are incorporating ribbons on all our creations, and eager to receive the fall ribbon collection, which is currently in production.


Lavender Sachets, by Cathy Palmer
Ribbon Bag, by Sue Spargo
Check out the first collection of ribbons!

Kelly


Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Heishi's


I have recently spent some time seeking, sorting and packaging African Heishi beads, due to popular demand!


In September we will be updating the website with new Heishi packs for you to stash, stack and stitch!









Sunday, August 14, 2011

New Beginnings

I joined my mom's buisness about 7 months ago, to take a much needed break from my nursing career.  I had no expectations of staying.  Initially, I felt,  I was an extra pair of hands to help where needed.  I am the eldest of Sue's four children, and have never taken much of an interest in sewing or creating.  It's an ongoing joke that my two brothers, Andrew and Jason, received all the talent from the gene pool, and that my sister Aimee and I received absolutely nothing.  Several years ago I began to knit and realized what a mind-numbing therapy session it was.  As a person whose brain never stops running with a continual "To Do" list, knitting became a 'me' time as well as a time to switch off my brain.  Over the years I have realized what a gift my mom has; not only as a designer, but in the way she touches peoples lives.  She has a way of reaching into your creative soul.  She takes you on a journey, gives you confidence in your creations, provides a safe place, an outlet, takes you away from your troubles, your life.  Over the past 7 months, I too have experienced, the life changing gift by my mom's hands.  Sue Spargo, Twee, is something we have talked about launching for the last few months.  We wanted to provide all our loyal customers a sneak peek into the studio and a first glance at upcoming fabrics, notions and treasures before posted to the online store, www.suespargo.com.  I am excited for the opportunity to share new products and take you behind the scenes, to the chaos, that is suespargo.com!