One a day

Published on January 26, 2012 in class projects and Creativity boost. 0 Comments

There are a few ‘good’ habits I am trying to adopt this year.

I won’t tell you all of them because I don’t want you to point and laugh when I (undoubtedly) am unable to commit to them for good.

One thing that I have been having fun with is my sketchbook. It has been really fun and inspiring to take a few minutes everyday to sketch something new. Sometimes I only have time for a quickie, but many times I’m able to sit down for longer. This happens mostly when I am lucky enough to work with one of my talented students on their croquis book or presentations. Here are some samples from my book. I hope you enjoy them and find some time today to doodle, too!

 

Things that are keeping me busy…

Published on January 17, 2012 in Creativity boost. 0 Comments

  • after making Rex’s initial SuperRex cape and shorts set it has become a permanent fixture in his wardrobe… Custom cape sets will be available at Stitch very soon!
  • I took a Bonsai class this week! What a great time!
  • Beard hats are all the rage here at our house. I’m crocheting as fast as my little fingers can go!
  • above is a picture of the snake scarf I made before Christmas. It. Took. For. EVER.
  • trying to fit in sketching anywhere I can!

 

 

 

 

Beginnings…

Published on January 8, 2012 in Creativity boost, Customer focus and Tips. 0 Comments

 

I’m trying to start small this year.

Usually I bite off [way] more than I can chew at this time of year. My fridge is usually full of  notes reminding me to be consistent with far too many resolutions. This year, I’ve decided to just go with the flow and fit in what I can. I used to promise myself that I’d make time every night to get in some personal sewing and I wake up each morning feeling like I failed because I couldn’t conjure up the motivation after chasing a toddler into bed and folding the laundry. Argh!

I feel pretty good about my progress this year. I find it much more reasonable to have smaller projects handy that don’t take too much brain power! I’ve been knitting and crocheting small projects (tonight I finished a ‘beard hat’ – photos to come tomorrow), I picked up cross stitching again, and I also started sketching more! I think that sometimes I feel like I have to stick to one project until I finish it… Why?! It’s not fun if I have to force myself to do it! Now I have several choices that I can pick up based on my mood!

Here are links to some of the projects I’m working on… Won’t you join me?

Ultimate Bearded Beanie – you’ve probably seen this one already, but I love it! I also did the slouch version by the same designer. The patterns were VERY easy to follow… and I am a pretty basic crocheter… just saying.

Cross stitch. My nephew really likes Ed Hardy. I can’t believe I actually found a cross stitch book based on his work. This was supposed to be a Christmas gift but I chose a very large design, so…

I also really like Subversive Cross Stitch. This needs no explanation.

I pretty much love to sketch anything (one of my latest is pictured here)… still life, fashion, design ideas… But I did find a book that I really liked and purchased it as a gift for a friend. One Drawing a Day gives you prompts to use supplies you’ve never experimented with, location ideas, and inspiration. I also recently picked up some artists’ trading cards at a local craft store. They are 2 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ artists’ papers. Fantastic! Sometimes a huge canvas can be overwhelming. They are just right for my next masterpiece!

 

So what are you hoping to achieve creatively this year? Can you share some ideas for ways to fit art/sewing/creativity into our days?

Christmas week

Published on December 29, 2011 in Merry Christmas and Sewing. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

Well, we made it through Christmas and most of the planned DIY gifts were completed!  A few still on the cutting table and the world didn’t end !  (We’re not alone on that are we?)  We hope you had a wonderful weekend with friends and family.  If you’re out and about stop in to say Hi!  We’ll be open normal hours this week, but closed Sunday and  Monday to celebrate New Year’s Day.

If you’re looking for something to do, stop in Thursday, Dec 29 and make a yo-yo flower embellishment.  Anytime between 1 & 4:00. $5, supplies are included.  These are fun little goodies to wear, pin to your fave new sweater, jacket , bag or just clip one in your hair!  I think one would even look good stuck on your sewing machine!  You can use just about every inch of all those little fabric pieces in your stash on these little treasures!

Our January class schedule is now up, check the class tab for more info and stop in to see the samples.  Or, if you prefer private lessons, call now to schedule before cabin fever sets in!

Merry Christmas

Published on December 23, 2011 in Merry Christmas. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

To all of our fabulous students and customers, (yes-that’s you!)  We wish you a very Merry Christmas!!  We will be closed Friday thru Monday to spend time with our family – the most important thing to do!

If you neeed a last minute Gift Certificate, please send an email and we’ll be sure you’ll have  it  in time to stuff in Santa’s bag!   (heidi@stitchcleveland.com)

Merry Christmas!

oxo

Heidi, Megan, Rex & Minnie, too!

 

Thanks to you…

Published on December 17, 2011 in Customer focus. 0 Comments

Today a friend of ours posted a quote on Stitch Cleveland’s Facebook wall. It really is a great quote and I wanted to share it again…

When you buy from a boutique or a small business, you are not helping a CEO buy a third vacation home. You are helping a Mom put food on the table, a little girl finally gets those dance lessons or helping a student pay for college. Our customers are our shareholders – and they are the ones we strive to make happy. Thank you for supporting boutiques and small businesses!

Thank you for supporting us for the last 5 years. We hope you’ll join us for a little evening of customer appreciation. We’ll be having an open sew on Tuesday evening from 6-9pm. Come on in and enjoy some sewing company while you finish up your last minute projects or just come to socialize!

Last Minute Gift Workshop

Published on December 8, 2011 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

Time is flying by isn’t it?  Still a few names to cross off your list ??  Teachers, sitters, hostesses?   We’ve scheduled a last minute workshop for those special giftees on you list.

The Dressform pincushion is a must for your seamster friends-they will be thrilled to have her on their sewing table and think of you with each pin they carefully place!  (Also an excellent dresser top jewelry keeper!)  The Wine tote is an  excellent hostess gift and goes well with “two buck chuck”!  The gift card wallet is always a good “gift wrap”, and you know it will be used afterwards for all those punchcards or business cards we all gather!

Join us for a fun night of sewing, your machine will love the company!  You’ll receive all three patterns, and we’ll have fabric kits available for each project, too!  How easy is that?  Last Minute Gift Workshop, Wed Dec 14, 11am-2 OR Thursday eve, Dec 15, 6-9pm.  $45.

Don’t have time to sew them yourself?  Don’t worry, the elves at Stitch Cleveland happily accept special orders !

Small Business Saturday

Published on November 26, 2011 in Classes and Customer focus. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

Think of 3 local business that you really love, stop in today and say Hi!  These are the places that make your community thrive. I can think of quite a few in the Lakewood area, it’s so nice to see business owners face to face, too, isn’t it?  They go out of their way to take a few minutes to say Hi!  Nice.  Yesterday it was Black Friday, Monday will be Cyper shopping…so, today take time to support your local businesses, you’ll be glad you did!

We hope to be  on your list for today!  We’re offering 15% off fabrics, book and patterns from 10am – noon!!  We’ve just received Amy Butler’s organic cotton fabrics for the Soul Blossom quilt.  Purchase your fabric and get  6 hours of studio time for free!  We also have a nice assortment of indie sewing patterns, trendy sewing books & don’t forget Gift Certificates for all the seamsters on your list!!

 

 

 

Giving Thanks

Published on November 23, 2011 in Thanksgiving. 0 Comments Tags: .

It’s hard to believe that Stitch Cleveland is 4 yrs old already and we have all of you, our fabulous students and customers to thank for that !  Without you we just wouldn’t be.

We’re thankful for all the moms &  grandmothers who recognize the importance of sewing as a life skill and share their skills & passion for sewing with a new generation of seamsters.  We’re thankful for all of those who walk through our door and feel that passion and want to learn more.

Most of all, I am  thankful for my Mom, who gave me my first sewing lesson and shared her beautiful Pfaff sewing machine with me when I was only about 8 yrs old.  It started an unending passion from way back then!

And, tied with that, I’m  thankful for my daughter Megan, who shares that passion with me – how lucky am I for that?

Just a few things I’m thankful for.

May you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

 

 

 

 

 

AIDS Memorial Quilt panel workshops

Published on November 22, 2011 in Events. 0 Comments Tags: , .

 

Create a lasting tribute for your loved one by making a quilt panel, which will be added to the AIDS Memorial Quilt.

Or, participate in one of our panel making workshops and share your sewing/crafting skills for a good cause.   Wed, Nov 30 or Sat, Dec 3.  Call Jenn McMillan-Smith at 216-778-4051.

We’ll be working with CIA students, Pins & Needles and local seamsters at the Atrium at MetroHealth.  All supplies will be there, bring your machine if you’d like to, or use one that will be there.

Reach out this Holiday Season and give the gift of giving.