Cooler weather means Holidays are nearing!

I just love this time of year!  The weather is cooler and the mornings and evenings are crisp!  I also love making cheery holiday clothing.  Every little one can enjoy there time at family gatherings and on Santa's Lap wearing a Polka Dots and Stripes Original!  Here are just a few sneak peaks into our Holiday Line.  I will be working on more samples this month!

These will be added to the website www.pdsboutique.com this week!

You can also link directly to the Fan Page from the Polka Dots and Stripes Web Page now!  Check out the link "Follow Us on Facebook" on the left column.

Finally Upgraded!

After running by business on a single needle machine, I finally decided it was time to upgrade!  Doing embroidery for a local boutique as well as keeping up with my own appliques shirts made it a must.  I must say I am in LOVE!

I started out on the Brother ULT 2003

I know this machine inside and out and have used it for over a year now to do hundreds of appliques and embroidery jobs.  It served me well!  Now - with the PR-650 I can run shirts all day with no problem!

It requires less time and less "babysitting" and everything I stitch out looks amazing!  I cant help but sit and watch it!

Fabrics, Fabrics, Fabrics!

Just had to share the fabrics I am included in my children's clothing options this year!  I am also so excited when it is time to stock up on fabrics for the new season!  Here are my fall and winter choices:

 I of course have Ta Dot in there along with some other Polka Dots!!!  The solids are cords and the paisley is a cord, too!!

Finally setteled....my first projects!

We moved in our new home this past Saturday and I have been unpacking boxes like crazy!  First off I set up the kitchen, assembled beds ( since nap time is crucial), and then got to work on our study/my sewing room.  My first project - after completing some orders needed ASAP - was monogramming some pillows for our bed.  This was a must!  Our color scheme in the Master changed from Brown and Green to Aqua and Creme, with brown as an accent.

Next up, was a hat, since we are spending more time on the beach and in the sun, a hat was a must have!  I went with lime and hot pink - bright and cheery!

2 Truths, 1 Lie Revealed

Thanks to all who participated in the 2 Truths, 1 Lie Blog Game!  I enjoyed checking out all the blogs you posted as well.  Always looking for more to follow!


A couple of you guessed right - my lie was #3...I was not born in Atlanta, GA - I was born and raised in Augusta, GA, but did live in Atlanta for a brief time when I was younger....and now, we call our home Charleston, SC.  As for my truths, I DID have 3 children within 35 months and I am very thankfully a stay at home mom - I am thrilled to have found a job I love (embroidery) that I can do from home around my boy's schedule!

Thanks to http://randomosityblog.com/ for starting the game!

2 Truths, 1 Lie

Playing a little Blogging Game tonight.  2 truths, 1 lie - also known as an Icebreaker.  Leave a comment with your guess as to which one is not true!  I will post the answer tomorrow:)

1.  I had three children within 35 months.

2.  I am a stay at home mom.

3.  I was born in Atlanta, GA.

Applique and Embroidery Must Haves

Items that I cannot stitch without!

Dritz Dual Purpose Marking Pen










Totally Stable 2.5 oz Cutaway Backing

Quick Tear 1.8 oz Tear Away Backing

Solvy Topping

505 Adhesive Spray

Moving Day is Approaching!

It has been a long month of temporary living arrangements while we wait to move in our new home in Mount Pleasant, SC.  We will move in this Saturday!  I am more than ready to get my machine set up and stitching!   I have so many ideas that I want to try right away.  Mostly throw pillows, shower curtain designs, and shams for my bed.  I have some new framed monogram designs that I can't wait to test out - I would love to make something like what I have pictured below which was shared on the Applique This and That Group!  Then of course, it will be back to business!  I already have 30+ shirts on my order list from customers that have been patiently waiting my return to sewing!

In the meantime, I am excited about re-organizing my sewing room in a new space.  My sewing room will be in a study just off the kitchen, which might be kind of nice.  in our home in Augusta, GA, I was in the basement, so I had to make time dedicated to going down there to work, maybe now I can multi-task as I will be more in our common space!  I will be contemplating how to organize my fabrics and will definitely need to invest in a thread catcher (love the ones pictured below - found these on http://madewithlove-candice.blogspot.com) and a few other items to keep the area nice and tidy - since it will be much more visible!

I will be sure to post photos of my sewing room and projects when I get going!

All things appliqued, monogrammed, or personlized!!

I love, love, love applique - especially on children's clothing.  For several years now, I have been selling monogrammed and engraved gifts - then last year I ventured in to the world of applique and things really took off. 

Polka Dots and Stripes:

www.facebook.com/pdsboutique

Anyone can have an online store these days with Facebook being such a great way to reach tons of people and gain fans!  I am currently taking a "vacation" as we move to our new home and while my machine is in storage during the transition.  Having this time off has given me inspriation to try some new and different things - like appliqued and monogrammed items for the home.  I hope to feature my ideas by way of this blog - as well as list specials for Polka Dots and Stripes!

Who knows - I might try out some tutorials as well!  Stay tuned:)