Summer in Arizona

Oh my gosh, I didn't realize that it has been so long since I have posted. It looks like I was the last one to post anyway. :(
It is summer and it is HOT here in Arizona. We have already had our first 118 degree day, we have had 2 giant habubs. We haven't had much rain though. Wish we would get more here in the valley.
Business has been slow. Either because of the summer or the economy. Don't get me started on that....
School will be back in session soon and I have picked up some work with back to school items like back packs and lunch bags. There are sure some cute ones out there.
I have a new line of tote bags coming out soon. I find more and more people trying to be "green" (I prefer "Blue" since we ARE the blue planet" ;)  I use tote bags for the grocery store or a quick run into Costco or Sams. I always have them in the car. Will have them on Etsy and Craigs list soon.
As always I am so Thankful to know the awesome women of SuperWAHMz.com.
Well, take care, have a great summer........ until next time. :)

Etsy

Well, I finally got around to posting on my Etsy page.
Business is slow but finding time when you are a home/mom based business is hard to do sometimes.
There always seems to be something to do and no time to do it.
At this time I don't have embroidered items on Etsy.
Instead I chose to post some of the NEW stock I have left over from custom embroidery jobs
that I did and over ordered.
These blanks are perfect for embellishment.
They will make great gifts for birthdays or Christmas.
Since it is Thursday and I usually post on Thankful Thursday let me say now that I am
so thankful to have known the women of SuperWAHMz for so many year. You are awesome.
I am Blessed for sure to have you in my life.

21st Century :)

Here I come, kicking and screaming, into the 21st Century LOLOL
I need to work on my website.
I think it is about time I learn how to do that myself and
maybe take a class or two on search engines and how they work.
I need to learn how to blog more efficiently and
I need to learn how to tweet LOL
OH.... and I need to make a newsletter.
Not much to learn there. Maybe I CAN teach this OLD dog some new tricks.
I think I might be looking forward to the challenge.

Merry Christmas

This has been an interesting year. I suspect that 2010 will be more of the same however I hold a positive attitude and will pray for peace of the soul and the strength to carry on no matter how things go.
I value you all so much. You have enriched my life and always make me smile. I miss our chatter and hope that we will find more time for each other next year.
Nick and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.
God Bless us one and all and God please continue to bless the United States.
Be well :) Diane

To keep my business or not to keep my business

That seems to be the question I am asking myself these days.

Are any of you asking yourself that same question? Times are tough, nothing any of us don't know. My industry seems to be suffering maybe more than some. The first thing to go for a business is the little extras and embroidery seems to be one of those little extras. Even the local sports teams are having to cut back.

I totally understand but it does beg the question.... can D's stay in business another year. That is a question I never though I would ask myself, especially after 17 1/2 years.

In the back of my mind I continue to ponder opening a different type of business. I think I will always own my own business. I think it is in my blood. Just trying to figure out what that business might be keeps my mind turning.

Hope all is well with everyone. I miss the chatter.

9-11

What a sad day. I know there is not a one of us who do not remember where we were and what we were doing this morning 8 years ago. My heart hurts just as much now as it did then.

My love for my country, family and friends is ever growing. Please know that I value all of you in my life and my life is better because I know you.

Pray for Peace this day.

God Bless America.

It's been a long time

Been so long I almost forgot how to post to our blog. I say that with a sly smile on my face. Sorry for being MIA. Summers in AZ are so hot it is hard to wrap my mind around doing anything but hibernating. ;) Fall is quickly approaching though so there IS a light at the end of this tunnel.

Work has not been so good for D's Stitcheree.
I am hoping that the summer months have been better for all of you running your own business. The economy is tough, we all know that. I do have a question though for anyone who might like to chime in.

How is the economy effecting your OWNING your own business.

I just got a notice from my bank that effective Oct. 1 they will start charging a service charge of $15.00 a month on business accounts that carry under $1,000.00 daily balance. Since moving to AZ I have not had to pay a service charge with my bank and I have never held a daily balance of $1K. It is only $15.00 but in months where I might only make $100.00, that is a lot of money. I will see how the rest of this year goes then I am seriously considering closing my 17 1/2 year old business. I thought I would always work for myself but I may soon join the ever growing number of people unemployed.

Great Gift Idea

Oh My Gosh, I did not realize that I had not posted for such a long time. Where is the time going? I can't believe that next week is Thanksgiving already. MY favorite holiday of the year. I am thankful for so many things :) On this day in particular I like to have my dinner guests say one thing they are thankful for. It is odd to me that sometimes it takes quite a few minutes for someone to think of just one thing. I think people go through life NOT thinking of things they are thankful for and they should. Life is good. Even in these hard times.

On to my great gift idea.
I have a line of Totes for our pet lovers.
They are very successful with the rescue groups as fund raisers.
I was just thinking the other day that they would also make great gifts for the person who has everything or that hard to buy for person on your list.
If they love their four legged family member they will love our new

Pets are Family too Tote.

Our totes are personalized with names and you choose your colors.
We have done bags with up to 4 names so far. You can check out the other bags and order at
D's Stitcheree. They can also be found on Etsy.
Happy Thanksgiving. Turkey rules!

Thankful Thursday

Doom and Gloom or The Glass is 1/2 FULL......
I choose to believe the glass is 1/2 full. I think that you are what you believe and if you believe in doom and gloom then you will be a gloomy person. There is so much to be thankful for. Our beautiful FREE country. God Bless Her. :) Long may she live.
I wish you a beautiful day where ever you are. :)

Look Who's Featured In An Etsy Treasury!

Enter the Super Duper SuperWAHMz Contest!

The amazing and wonderfully talented, Diane, Custom Embroidery Goddess, had her embroidered lamb baby gift set featured in an Etsy treasury! In the first spot, not less!


Kudos to DistinctlyDiana for having such superior taste.

Specials at D's

Enter the Super Duper SuperWAHMz Contest!

I just bet you will be so excited when the election is over. I know I will be.
We all need a little financial relief. I can't offer billions in a bailout but...
D's has decided to offer a limited time special on a couple of our gift items. We are also offering FREE shipping on orders placed by November 15th.
If you do early/mail in voting, please remember to sign your ballot.

Super Duper SuperWAHMz Contest

Are you ready for a contest?

(sung to the tune of "Are you ready for some football???")  

Pay attention, because there are a few prizes and a few ways you can get a few entries to win one of the few prizes.

Let's do prizes first... (commence clapping.  you can hoot and holler too, if you want.)

First up from Kandas at Shaka Studios, we have a $150 Gift Certificate good towards the purchase of this lovely Brazos TV Stand or any handcrafted furniture or bedding from Shaka Studio. (oooo's and aaaaah's would be appropriate now : )



Secondly, from Diane at D's Sticheree, we have this ADORABLE embroidered Doggie Tote Bag. (imagine  a Price is Right model holding this : ) Valued at $34.00, it can be personalized just for your pooch. Imagine all the doggie treats this cute tote could hold.



Next up, from Noelle at Cabin Fever Primitives, a hand poured, highly scented, 16 ounce jar candle. (breath deeply and you can just smell it : ) Valued at $16.95, a great gift for someone you know, or a treat for yourself.



"What's next???" you ask. How about a little something from Peggy at Comfy Cozy? An ORIGINAL "magical" Glow in the Dark Make a Wish Pillowcase! (these are really cool!) Perfect for anyone that believes in wishing on a star. Valued at $18.95, it can also be Personalized : )



Wait, we're not done yet....Jill from Tips From Home is giving away a $99 membership to Branddoozie, the do-it-yourself marketing tool that provides start-ups and small businesses with online access to design, publish and print marketing materials. The Start up package includes a matching Brochure, Flyer, Business Card, Envelope, Letterhead and Postcard. It also includes a Free logo builder, and you'll be able to upload your own photos and have access to our free stock photography. (this is way cool!)



And last, but not least, would be my prize....you know me as Lynn - the piggy bank painter, but I do paint other things. In honor of the upcoming election (will it ever end?), I am giving away this assortment of hand painted, Americana items from Korff Ceramic Originals. A set of votive candle holders, tea bag holders and a double spoon rest, a total value of $44.00, these are great gifts for yourself, or someone you love.  (I say "keep them" : )

How to Enter.....

1. to get 1 entry in our contest, simply leave a comment.
2. to get another entry (that makes 2) follow our blog.
3. to get yet another entry (this would make 3) blog about our contest and link to it. Then leave us a comment so we know where to look for our link.
4. to get 6 more entries (yes, I said 6) visit each of our 6 websites that are listed with the prizes. Find your favorite product at each site (w/price, if applicable) and leave a comment back here for each website. Please leave a separate comment for each website.

I know, I know, it sounds confusing. But you bloggers are smart people and I know how you all like multiple entries... *grin* You can do it.

The rules (are as follows)...

• There will be a random drawing for EACH prize offered, from all entries received.
• You may win more than one prize.
• No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. Etc, etc, etc.....
• The prizes will be shipped free of charge to US residents. If you are outside the US and would like to enter, and win, you would be asked to pay the shipping charge.

This contest will run from Tuesday, October 7th to Tuesday, October 14th. Drawings will be held on or around Wednesday, October 15th .

Have Fun and Good Luck!

Dogs Rule

Here at D's we have added a FUN new item to our Family FUN Wear line of great embroidered gifts.
We believe that Dogs are family too and we thought that you might like to proudly display your pooches name on a colorful tote. Of course we all love cats too so keep an eye out for our new Cats Rule items, coming soon. I am looking forward to adding more Dogs Rule items as time goes by.
Since this is Thankful Thursday let me see if I can find something to be thankful for.....hhhmmmmm lets see....... LOLOL as if I can't find a ton of things to be thankful for. :)
Today though I think I will say I am thankful for my health. Although fighting my weight, all in all my health is pretty good. I have work, I am thankful for that. I have an awesome husband and I am super thankful for that. I have awesome kids and grandkids. Oh my gosh, who could ask for more. AND, let me not forget my SuperWAHMz friends. They are THE best. I have some pretty awesome non wahmz friends also. I am so thankful for friends. Life is just good. :)

Happiness

The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
they just make the best of everything they have.

Super Saturday

Well, after being a whine baby about not having work, the universe saw fit to give me more work than I can handle right now..... so what do I do???? I start a blog...
http://stitchens-morninsunshine.blogspot.com/
I am so happy today that I thought I should start to share. I am basically a positive person, a little hard to be in these days of politics, economy and the lack of world peace but I sure try.
OK, I am off to work.......... :) Oh, how I love saying that.
Since I didn't post on Thursday I should be sure to pop in here now and say a word of thanksgiving that our dear friends are all safe and that Kandas has her electricity back up.

Resume?

OK, I need a resume. I have owned and operated D's Stitcheree for 16 years. I know there must be something good I can put in a resume other than I am a SWAHM. I love being a SWAHM but find that I may now have to seek outside employment, at least for a little while. hhhmmmmm how does one compete with much younger workers when she has been at home for 16 years and does not have a formal education. Went to college 26 years ago. Do I go back to school at 56, hubby says no, I would never recoop the cost because employers would rather hire younger workers. I LOVE being a SWAHM and this will probably be mute in another month when my business picks up, BUT, for the time being this is an interesting predicament I find myself in.

Hump Day

Hump month. This morning I ran my reports from last month so that I could pay my taxes. D's did not sell anything last month. First time in 16 years I had a $0 report. This bothers me on so many levels. I am wondering if when the election is over, things will get back to normal? This is such a historic election, such an unsure time for our country. Personally I am tired of all the pettiness on both sides. Get on with Country Business and get jobs and money flowing again. What is wrong with these people. Small business is the back bone of our country but what are we gonna do if small business close because of $0 monthly reports. I am trying to stay positive. I wish we could get across to them (the politicians) that we don't want partisanship. We want results.

Thankful Thursdays

Of course we all know how thankful I am about just about everything so I wont bore you with that today. :) My dad just sent the cutest little PS that I could not help but pass it on. I think we need to remember this, as WAHMz. Keeping in mind what is important to each of us.

Thought for the day

Handle every Stressful situation like a dog.

If you can't eat it or play with it,
Pee on it and walk away.

Beautiful Music

You know, some days I just don't want to listen to Country Music or Rock & Roll, some days I am just in the mood to listen to nice quiet beautiful music. As I am working on the computer just now I am listening to the music from Somewhere in Time. Oh my gosh, the music is sooooooooo beautiful. The music is from "Rhapsody" on a Theme from Paganini Opera 43. What ever, it is just absolutely beautiful music to me. I also LOVED the movie. What an awesome love story.
Just so you know. I am working also. I have my embroidery machine working on a new baby design for bath towels and bibs and I am updating my website.
So..... do you love to listen to music when you work and if you do, what kind of music do you like to listen to. If you are like me at all you like a wide variety of music and it just depends on your mood as to what you listen to on any given day. :)
Enjoy life. It is much too short. In fact, if life is gonna be so short, eat dessert first :) LOLOLOLOL
Oh, and since this is Thankful Thursday, today I have to once again say that I am so thankful for my girlfriends. I am so blessed by each one of them.

Happy Sunday

:) What an awesome day. When I started D's Stitcheree my husband was still working full time and my youngest son was still in high school. I told myself that Sunday was OFF LIMITS for work. I pretty much stuck with that for 12 years. I totally believed that we had to have at least ONE day where we could all be together for meals and conversation and rest. It was great. As the years went by and D's got busier and busier it was harder not to work on Sunday but I stuck to my guns. Now we are in Arizona and my husband is retired but working part time at the super market. He usually works on the weekends :( but that is OK because we value every day together and when he isn't working believe me ... "I" am not working. Sunday or not. :)
If your home business takes so much of your time that you begin to wonder "why did I do this??", maybe you need to remember "WHY" you did this and at least take Sunday (or any day) OFF and make sure you spend time with your family.