Christmas Throughout the Year – Part One

Posted on January 16, 2017 by Penny Haren

I know that the holidays are now a warm memory, but lets take a moment to reflect and do what we can to minimize stress for 2017. Sounds crazy – but hear me out! Make a list, or review the list, of everyone you gave gifts to this year. Then modify – who did you wish you would have thanked with a little something?

Over half of the top 100 patterns are not quilts! They are smaller projects that can be made in an afternoon, are easy to mass produce, and would make great little gifts or add that awe factor to others. Why not start a series of classes to help your customers prepare for the season?

Gift cards and tickets to events are always a favorite. Why not make a collection of Gifty Card Holders? You can make a dozen in an afternoon out of 10″ squares. An added bonus? You know the recipient will reuse them as well – Go Green! Sell sergers? Show that edging as a quick and easy alternative.

This Open Wide! bag designed by Annie Unrein is easy to make and comes in three sizes. A set of all three would be a great gift or split them up and fill them with a little something. The zipper has never been simpler – it is bound on each side and then attached so anyone can do it – and is a great demo.

These ornaments also come in three sizes and are the perfect package tag for those special gifts. Instructions include a six petal or eight petal version. Date and sign the back for a lasting memory. These would be great favors for a party. Picture your table with a star i the center of each plate…..

Everyone loves candles. Why not add that awe factor by including a holder with the gift? This is also a great opportunity to play with those decorative stitches on your machine….

Have some quilting friends? Wouldn’t they love this arm chair pin cushion and organizer? Fill it with sewing essentials – the perfect gift for those who are just getting started or need a travel kit.

Many of these are great gifts to make with friends and family as well. Why not plan family craft days so the kids can help make gifts for their teachers?

Kitted Mug Rugs are Full of Charm

Posted on January 5, 2017 by Penny Haren

I love these mug rugs by Stitches of Love Quilting! They come two ways – buy the individual patterns OR buy the kits which include pre-cut fused fabric and everything you need to make it – including backing, binding and embellishments. The kits are priced at under $20!

Now picture the kits and patterns with a sample of each hanging on your wall for your next shop hop! Display a different one at the register each month. The kits include the pattern so your customers can make more than one – and they WILL make more than one – so be sure to include some appropriate fat quarters and embellishments in the display.

Each mug rug measures 5 1/2 x 7 inches so they are also easy to mail. Everyone has someone who could use a pick me up. Can you imagine getting one of these each month? Or make several and save them for gifts. They are that perfect little something…

Totes with Style

Posted on December 18, 2016 by Penny Haren

These new totes by Riley Blake are so reasonably priced that they would be great favors for your next quilting event.

These sturdy, reinforced bags will quickly become top sellers. Simply display them by the register. You could even offer their choice of one free with a qualifying purchase! I know these bags are not due in until April – but many of you are planning your shop hop events now and are looking for something “new”. You can’t get any newer than this!

The Ultimate Quilter’s Planner

Posted on December 12, 2016 by Penny Haren

This organizer #LNQ120 actually gives quilting the respect it deserves! You schedule aerobics classes – why not quilting time? After all, it is the icing on the cake for most of us!

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This Planner includes both weekly and monthly calendars with lots of bonuses for the quilter in all of us.

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This laminated calendar includes paper and graph paper to sketch your latest quilt ideas.

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It includes block patterns as well as digital downloads for 14 quilt patterns from top designers. An added bonus? Practice your machine quilting skills.

What a wonderful gift for any quilter on your list!

Still Time for Last Minute Gifts

Posted on December 8, 2016 by Penny Haren

You still have time to get in some special gifts and stocking stuffers for the holidays. Check out our gift tab on the website to see what is in stock and ready to ship. Here are a few ideas:

This cookie cutter collection #CNCCS is great this time of year when everyone is making sugar cookies – but are great year round for all of those quilting events.

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These gift items designed by Lori Holt are adorable. Start dreaming – and organizing your next quilt project. This calendar #ST-4150 starts whenever you want it to! Or, decorate your fridge or machine with this magnet set #ST-4150.

This beautiful scarf #SCARFVICT can add a touch of class to any quilter.

Go through your store and pull out other items that should be placed center stage for those seeking last minute gifts. Your customers may be surprised that you have more than fabric!

Prepping for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday

Posted on November 23, 2016 by Penny Haren

This blog has two different audiences – and today I am speaking to both! Quilters – use this holiday season to support your local quilt shop. Quilt shops who don’t sell machines are historically not as busy this time of year because most of you have already made your gifts and are busy cooking, cleaning, decorating – you get the picture!

How can we make this a win/win for everyone? As a shop owner, take a minute to look at your shop through your customers’ eyes. Set up vignettes that will interest everyone!

For those of us who have friends who want to learn to quilt, why not buy them a kit? For instance, the new Stripology Squared #GE-512, ruler by Creative Grids® #CGRGE2 is a perfect companion to the book. Add a bundle of 10″ squares to complete the package.

Go through all of the books and patterns in your store and “kit” everything that is based on fat quarters and other pre-cuts. If they require a specific tool or ruler, include that in the display. And, if you have a sample of it, all the better. Bringing that sample to the forefront may have everyone looking at it with fresh eyes!

One of my favorite families who quilt buy each other a “kit” each year. They pick out a project that they know the other will love. Everyone has a year to finish them – and bring the finished project to the get together the following year. Past “kits” have included a baby quilt for the sister that was going to be a first time grandmother; a collection of musical fabrics for the piano teacher – you get the idea. And what a great tradition! As newbies marry into the family, they are asked to join the group – and taught how to quilt! Talk about paying it forward!

And for that beginner? Have a display of rotary cutters, mats, and rulers as well. Be sure to include lots of gift certificates so they can buy a beginning class to go to with their new tools. Be sure to include some beginning patterns such as Yellow Brick Road and kits to go with them.

Have written copies of your class schedule that starts in January so they can give that as part of the gift!

Now, lets move onto stocking stuffers! Go through all of your notions, buttons, and embellishments and make a display that is eye appealing!

Last but not least, tell your customers that you are ready for them! Facebook is your friend! My best idea? Ask your customers to come in and fill out a wishlist. Have them give you their spouses email. Then, send their significant other an email with the items on the wishlist and prices. Offer to get everything together and wrap it for them. Be their one stop shop!!! And don’t forget to ask them if they want to add a gift certificate to the order. Believe me – they will be so thrilled they will actually be buying something that their partner wants, that they will be thanking you – and want to repeat this for other holidays!

Ready, set, go! Wishing you all a great weekend!

Christmas Ornament Crafts!

Posted on November 10, 2016 by Penny Haren

One of the hits of Market was the new Star ornament pattern by Poorhouse Designs – just in time for a Make and Take for your holiday events.

Holiday Stars includes instructions to make this star in sizes from five to twelve inches. It keeps its shape thanks a craft weight fusible such as Dura Fuse or Decor Bond. Wouldn’t these be gorgeous favors for a holiday party? Can’t you just picture them in the center of each plate? Talk about making a statement!

Be sure to have – and demo – her Fold n Stitch Ornament as well:

The square and round mug rugs – or the combination pack – provide the body in these beauties.

And have plenty of beads on hand to add the glitz:

Your customers won’t be making just one – they will be making dozens so order accordingly!

Meet the New Stiff Stuff Craft Patterns!

Posted on November 6, 2016 by Cindy Abdoo

written by Joan Hawley

Lazies, Join me for a whole new type of stitchy fun with my four new patterns and pre-cut squares of Stiff Stuff! Think of this as fabric construction paper. We are going to fuse a little, cut a little, stitch a little and done! Meet the new Stiff Stuff Crafts. All four of these designs use the same recipe, working with 10? squares, to create a ‘sandwich’. Cut shapes, stitch the edges, then finish. These new Lazy Girls are quick, easy, and addictive. Perfect for year-end crafting, stitching and gifting.

Transform your layer cake square to ‘fabric construction paper’
then cut, stitch and finish!

Ground Rules

Each pattern uses one 10? ‘sandwich’ composed of fabric, Fusi-Bond Lite and Stiff Stuff.
One sandwich makes one project – sweet!
Layer cake friendly!
Patterns available soon! Early November-ish, truly.

Button Boats #LGD138, $10
Oh my goodness, I love this design. Cut and stitch three planks, tie ends together and set sail for stitchy fun. Organize your life, then untie to store flat.

Prezzies #LGD139, $10
A sweet, delicate and simple wrap for little-ish things. Wrap a treasure in beauty for gifting, or hold small things in a beautiful way. For gifting, the recipient can gift again. Wrap a handwritten note with a small gift. More personal than a box for jewelry. Pack delicate items for travel or in your purse. I adore the simple elegance of this fabric wrap.

Tray Chic #LGD140, $10
Get ready to fall in love with these elegant, simple, stylish trays in three shapes. I already have these all over my studio, holding supplies while I work. Perfect valets for your goodies: keys, phone, eye glasses, etc. Don’t tell the Hexi or Square trays, but the Circle is my fav.

Gifty Card Holders #LGD141, $10
Easily personalize or wrap a gift card with these two sweet styles. The Keeper style wraps closed like a little envelope. The Tag style looks great tied to a package or as a tree ornament. They are my new essentials in gift card giving! One 10? sandwich makes two Keeper style or four Tag style holders. Love!

New Stiff Stuff Squares, #SLG107SQ, $8
The unique properties of Stiff Stuff from my Sew Lazy line bring these designs to life. Stiff Stuff is like the perfect hybrid between stiff/crunchy/thick interfacings and foam. Stiff Stuff has structure, but is forgiving, lightweight and thin. They are ready to go for any of the new patterns. Each pack includes four 10″ squares. That’s enough to try all four new patterns.

Fusi-Bond Lite
You are also going to need some of my Fusi-Bond Lite #SLG101 adhesive web to tie everything together. Fusi provides an amazing bond with the feel of ‘cush’, like a gel insole between your fabric and Stiff Stuff. It’s quite interesting and nice.

Button Up! #JABC8+color number
Get ready for a whole new line of amazing buttons from Just Another Button Company! These Snack Packs of gorgeousness are small-batch, hand-dyed buttons, in 35 custom colors to fit today’s fabric and crafting trends. One Snack Pack will make all of our new Girls. Oh my goodness! I want them all! More about these beauties in an upcoming post.

All colors are also available in two other packaged sizes: Smoothies, round buttons with a matte finish are perfect for primitives; Party Packs are loaded with different shapes, sizes and finishes for more fun.

Floss, Ribbon or Yarn Pearl cotton embroidery floss from Weeks Dye Works
The new Girls use a combo of buttons and ties for closures. I love the hand-dyed pearl cotton embroidery floss from Weeks Dye Works shown on the pattern covers. I use size #3 which comes in 10yd skeins of scrumptious colors.

Slicker Templates
Each pattern uses templates. Check out my handy tutorial for laminating your own paper templates. Tutorial: Slicker Templates

Talk To Me
What do you think? Are you read for some crafty, fusi, stitchy fun?

Please like and share this post with your stitchy friends. Join the Lazy Girl community on Facebook here: Facebook Lazy Girl

Enjoy!
Joan

New Gift Options That Are Sure to Please

Posted on November 2, 2016 by Penny Haren

Mason jars have been used for everything from canning to storage for generations. And, now they have become the foundation for sewing notions that will have your customers buying multiples.

Jardi is the easiest way to hang jars on a wall – functional, safe and removable. They are made of a high quality silicone that holds wide mouth mason jars securely. The package includes everything you need to hang two jars.

The Tutu transforms a wide mouth mason jar into a sewing caddy. The ring holds up to 16 bobbins; four pair of embroidery scissors; as well as anything you want to put in the jar. Cover the pincushion with your choice of fabric.

This lanyard holds a pair of embroidery scissors securely so they are at your finger tips.

All of these notions would be a great addition to a small gift display for the holiday season. Who wouldn’t love to find these in their stocking?

Deck the Halls Part Three

Posted on October 28, 2016 by Penny Haren

These wool characters by Cottonwood Creations are perfect little gifts – and although they can be used as pin cushions, they make darling ornaments or add a touch of whimsy to a wreath or windowsill.

What great favors for a holiday get together! Or add them as a package tag. The hardest part is going to be deciding which one to make first!

Many of you have a tradition of buying a new ornament each year. Why not start a new tradition and MAKE one each year? These would be great mini projects to create after that incredible Thanksgiving dinner!

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