Notes from Stitches By April

We have a winner!

2011-04-01T13:33:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Lisagi! You are the winner of our monogrammed mini market tote giveaway! For those of you who didn't win, our market totes will be on sale through April 10th.

Mini Market Tote Giveaway

2011-03-23T12:03:00.000-07:00

Daffodils and blooming dogwoods, longer days and warmer weather (...oh and baseball!) are signs that Spring is here! It is a blessing from the Lord to enjoy changing seasons. We've decided it's time for another give away....a monogrammed mini market tote! (Try saying that three times!)

Our mini market totes are a mini-version of our regular market totes. They measure 12" x 9 1/8" x 7 1/4" (LxWxH) and are completely collapsible so they will store flat. These little cuties work well as organizers in your vehicle, a special place for toys or books, a sweet gift basket, or our new favorite use...a reusable Easter basket. All mini market totes are 10% off this month.

How to Win: Look around StitchesByApril.com and leave a comment letting me know your favorite product. Each of the following will give you an extra entry in the giveaway. Please make sure to leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

Post about this giveaway on your blog, or facebook profile linking back to Notes from Stitches By April.
Subscribe to our monthly e-mail newsletter or let me know that you already subscribe
Become a Blog follower
Become a Facebook fan of Stitches By April or let me know you are already a fan.

Last day to enter is Thursday, March 31 and we'll choose a winner Friday, April 1 using random.org. We will e-mail you to let you know you won. Winner must respond within 48 hours of the winning e-mail. Thanks so much for reading!

Top 10 Lap Desk Uses

2010-10-12T12:11:00.000-07:00

Early last month we got our first shipment of lap desks in. They come in a variety of patterns but one of my favorite things about them is that they are super light weight. We adorn them with a cute vinyl monogram or name and send them on their way.

Here are our top 10 uses for our monogrammed lap desks:

10. Folding paper. Do you make your own note cards? Origami?

9. Writing

8. Homework

7. Grading Papers

6. Cutting Coupons

5. Craft Projects

4. Dorm Life

3. Portable desk for kids on road trips (cup holder is the perfect place for markers & crayons)

2. To compliment the iPad or other tablet device. (Holiday Gadget Article)

1. To prevent toasted leg syndrome! (Good Morning America Story )

I'd love to hear how you'd use one!

Make It Monday--Tutu Cute!

2010-08-16T12:11:00.000-07:00

Most girls enjoy a little glitter and frill and our little 2 year old is no different. She has enjoyed twirling around the house for quite sometime pretending to be a ballerina. Not too long ago she put on one of my old petticoat slips, (you know, one of those slips that went under your Sunday Dress to make it stick straight out with ruffles galore!) and thought she had made herself a tutu. Well, the slip is too big, and just not ballerina-enough, so I thought I'd buy her a tutu. I saw some at a big box store, but they were surprisingly expensive. I thought it couldn't be too hard to make one, so I googled it and found some instructions for a no-sew tutu. Here are a couple of great links I found with good pictures and instructions.

I decided to do a two colored tutu, so ordered 2 spools of tulle (1 spool of new pink and 1 spool of pink)from my favorite ribbon supplier, Ribbon And Bows Oh My! at $2.75 each. I already had some elastic here, so I ended up only spending $5.50. (I had a free shipping coupon, so I didn't even have to pay shipping!) When the tulle arrived, it literally took about 15 minutes to cut it to length and tie it to the elastic. Viola! An inexpensive tutu to provide our little girly girl hours of twirling entertainment...Tutu cute!

And we have a winner!!!

2010-06-01T03:26:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Liz Garland, you are our winner of the monogrammed market tote! Thank you to all who entered! It was wonderful to hear how you all would use or already use a market tote. Since everyone couldn't win, I've put all our market totes 20% Off this week.

May Monogrammed Market Tote Giveaway

2010-05-13T05:57:00.000-07:00

Are you ready for summer? Do you have something fun to lug all your stuff with you? This month, we're excited to give away one of our monogrammed market totes just time time for the busy summer season. Whether you are headed to the ballpark, to the grocery store, the park, local farmer's market, the pool or beach, I'm sure you can find a good use for a market tote.

How to Win: Look around StitchesByApril.com and leave a comment letting me know your favorite market tote and how you would use it. Each of the following will give you an extra entry in the giveaway. Please make sure to leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

-Post about this giveaway on your blog, or facebook profile linking back to Notes from Stitches By April.
-Subscribe to our monthly e-mail newsletter or let me know that you already subscribe
-Become a Blog follower
-Become a Facebook fan of Stitches By April here or let me know you are already a fan.

Last day to enter is Monday, May 31 and we'll choose a winner Tuesday, June 1 using random.org. We will e-mail you to let you know you won. Winner must respond within 48 hours of the winning e-mail. Thanks so much for reading!

Buy 2, Get 1 Free...NEW Monogrammed Pens

2010-05-07T11:01:00.000-07:00

The newest addition to our monogrammed accessory line is our Monogrammed Pens. I had a customer contact me a couple of weeks ago about selling them and I researched them and decided to add them to our product line. (Thanks Kendra!) These chubby little ergonomic pens are great for writing, but they are also fun, cute and make simple personal gifts for teachers, graduates, girl friends, co-workers, etc. They can be paired with a matching stainless steel water bottle, or new fabric key fob for a great gift set.

Now through May 21st we are running a special on our new pens. BUY 2, Get 1 FREE. All you have to do is add all 3 pens (you choose the fabric insert, font, and thread color) to your cart and enter FREEPEN as your voucher code at checkout.

Free Shipping April 14-15!

2010-04-14T03:35:00.000-07:00

Got your taxes on the brain??? Since 1955, April 15th is the day that all taxes are due to our federal and state governments; this day has become know as Tax Day. Well, in honor of tax day, get free shipping on all orders Wednesday, April 14th and Thursday, April 15th. No need for any special codes, the shipping will be deducted automatically at checkout. (Combine this with the 10% off April discount announced below, and you've got yourself a great deal!!!)

Water Bottle Give Away Winner!!!

2010-04-13T05:13:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to April (tutucuteandco)! You are the winner of the Monogrammed Stainless Steel Water Bottle!

You should have received an email with further information on collecting your prize. Thanks to all who entered! It was fun seeing all your comments! Stay tuned for the next give away, scheduled for the first week of May! :)

10% Off April Discount

2010-04-11T12:39:00.000-07:00

There are many spring occasions ahead like Administrative Professionals Day (April 21), National Teacher's Day (May 4), Mother's Day (May 9), Graduations, Weddings, new baby arrivals and birthdays. Get a jump start on your spring shopping and save!

Save 10% Off your next purchase of $25 or more by entering BLOOM as your voucher code at checkout. Offer ends 4/30/2010.

Image: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Product Spotlight--Aprons for Kids

2010-04-08T13:42:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty new to blogging, and I'm trying to be more consistent so I thought a fun way to feed the blog would be to spotlight different products. (If you can think of other things you'd like to see on this blog, please let me know...like I said, I'm new the blogging world and any input would be much appreciated!)

Last week a customer called to ask a question about our Jr. Chef aprons which prompted me to re-stock our supply of aprons and update the product listing to make it easier to place an order. When ordering, I found out my supplier now offers hot pink. So now the Jr. Chef Aprons come in an array of cute colors: apple green, hot pink, pink, black, royal blue, white and denim. Jr. Chef Aprons fit most 4-9 year olds. With this size of apron, we have 2 different styles: The Embroidered Jr. Chef Apron (pictured top right) and the Appliqued Initial Jr. Chef Apron (pictured top left).

For the smaller tikes, we have the Embroidered Child's Apron, which fits most toddler to preschool ages. You have the option to add embroidered designs to the aprons to fit the personality of the child. There are so many options. If you need help putting together a cute apron for your little chef or crafter, please e-mail me. I'm always glad to help!

A chef apron isn't complete without a chef hat! Right now we have adjustable chef hats available in pink, black, apple green and royal blue. (White is on backorder.)

(Special thanks to our 2 year old, Zoe Grace, for being my little model.)

Water Bottle Give Away!!!

2010-04-05T16:59:00.000-07:00

The beautiful Spring weather makes me want to get outside and get active! As the weather warms up, it's so important that we stay hydrated. I've been trying to drink more water myself and I thought it would be a great time to give away one of our Monogrammed Stainless Steel Water Bottles. I take my water bottle to the gym and use it mostly when on the go. (It fits nicely in my van's cup holder.) It holds 17 ounces of the beverage of your choice and keeps in nice and cool due to the insulation. The really neat thing about these bottles is that they can easily switch to a warm beverage holder for your coffee or tea by switching the lid. Two bottles in one!

Giveaway: Stitches By April is offering one of our readers a free Stainless Steel Monogrammed Water Bottle, personalized for you!! You choose the fabric insert and monogram and we'll make it just for you and ship it to you.

How to Win: Look around StitchesByApril.com and leave a comment letting me know your favorite new Spring product.
Each of the following will give you an extra entry in the giveaway. Please make sure to leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

-Post about this giveaway on your blog, linking back to Notes from Stitches By April.
-Leave a comment on a Non-Giveaway post and let me know which post
-Subscribe to our monthly e-mail newsletter
-Become a Blog follower
-Become a Facebook fan of Stitches By April here or let me know you are already a fan.

The winner will be chosen Tuesday, April 13th at random and we will e-mail you to let you know you won. Winner must respond within 48 hours of the winning e-mail. Thanks so much for reading!

SPRING is Here!

2010-03-27T06:11:00.000-07:00

I love the changes that Spring brings...warmer weather, longer days, singing birds, flowering trees, green grass, tulips and daffodils. Fall and Spring are my favorite times of the year to be outside working in the yard enjoying God's amazing creation! With the change in season comes warm-weather clothes and bright vibrant colors. This season we have many new Spring items with a punch of color to introduce to you. Check out our home page for an overview. Leave a comment and let us know which new Spring product you like most. Wanna save on your Spring shopping? Enter SPRING as your voucher code at checkout and save $5 Off your purchase of $30 or more. Enjoy the coupon now through April 5, 2010. (Picture credit irishviews.com)

Snowed In...Sale

2010-01-30T13:00:00.000-08:00

Here in the Raleigh area, we are experiencing some "significant snow" this weekend, so why not celebrate? Our boys have had a blast sledding down hills and Zoe Grace just wants to eat it. Since we'll be spending most of the weekend indoors, you might be too! Wanna good deal? Save 15% Off your entire order when you enter SNOW as your voucher code at checkout! Sale good now through Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at midnight. (Great opportunity to take advantage of the new Spring stuff I've recently added!)

Black & Brown Totes Back in Stock

2009-12-31T12:50:00.000-08:00

One of our best selling items has been our quilted nylon tote...but our supplier kept selling out of the standard black and brown before we could restock our stash. This week we stocked up and have a good supply of black and brown totes again. (We also have red and pink too!)

These totes are a great size for an everyday bag to carry to the office, or for your magazines and books when you travel, or I use mine every Sunday to take along my Bible, notebook, Zoe Grace's sippy cup and her Bottoms on the Go Bag for church.

Each bag measures 16" wide x 12.5" tall x 4.5"deep, has a zipper closure and 4 metal feet on the bottom. Inside it has a cell phone pocket and zippered pocket. $25 price includes embroidery.

Special Gift Coupon ends Friday!

2009-11-16T08:12:00.000-08:00

Shop, save & enjoy!

Changing Lives and Offering HOPE!

2009-11-16T06:25:00.000-08:00

Millions of women abandoned, betrayed, exploited, trafficked. Sold by their families or decieved by friends with promises of a good job, women are brought to the city already indebted to their boss. They discover they were tricked into a life of prostitution. After leaving the sex work industry, these women come to live in the Starfish shelter. There they enjoy friendship and a family atmosphere. Through regular counseling sessions they begin to heal from their past wounds and purse their future dreams. While in the shelter these women make this beautiful hand-made jewelry that they sell to pay for the cost of running the shelter. 100% of their profit provides for the women in the shelter their housing, medical care, education, vocational training and salaries. The Starfish Project is committed to restoring women with hope, dignity and strength! I have seen their jewelry in person and it is beautiful, quality, very well made jewelry. I hope you'll join me in supporting this cause to help rescue these women from a life of abuse. Visit www.Starfish-Project.com to learn more about this great cause and to see and purchase their jewelry!

Ideas for those on "the LIST"

2009-10-18T11:58:00.000-07:00

Are you a list person? I am! I make lists of all kinds...to do lists, priority lists, grocery lists, packing lists...just to name a few. But just because I make lists, doesn't necessarily mean that I stick to my lists, but the purpose of most of my lists are to help me remember what's important. As you begin to think about the holidays, do you make a list of who you need to buy for and maybe an idea of what to get them? I make one of those lists too! This year many of us will be on a tight budget for the holidays, so let me help you with some practical & personal gift ideas for those on your LIST!

Monogrammed Bag Tags are nice personal little gifts. They come in a variety of colors and are monogrammed/embroidered to your specifications. They can be added to luggage or to any tote bag, diaper bag, purse or backpack. They make a great gift for anyone on YOUR LIST that flies often. And for only $13 each, they are also a great stocking stuffer! These would also make a very cute gift tag on a larger gift that your loved one could reuse.

More ideas to come....

Monogrammed Stainless Steel Water Bottles

2009-10-18T11:20:00.000-07:00

We have been waiting for these water bottles to arrive for months now and they are finally here. We have a 12 oz version and a 17 oz version. There is a stainless steel liner and an acrylic outside so a nice monogrammed insert can be seen. BPA Free! They come with a stainless steel screw-on lid but a plastic hot beverage lid is also available. (Two cups in one! ) Fill with your favorite beverage and go! Take them to the gym, the office, on the road or anywhere...and they also fit in most vehicle cup holders. They make great Teacher Gifts!

Labor Day Sale

2009-09-05T09:25:00.000-07:00

Shop with us at www.StitchesByApril.com and save 10% off your entire order now through September 9th, when you enter LABORDAY as your voucher code at checkout. This sale includes already reduced sale and clearance items.

Milestones in Monogramming

2009-08-13T11:29:00.000-07:00

We are about to reach a milestone...our 1000th order! That may not seem like much to you, but 1000 orders represents 900+ wonderful customers, 38 States and at least 1000 things that have been monogrammed. That's a lot of stitching! Approaching this milestone in monogramming has caused me to be reflective, pull up some statistics and to be thankful.

To give you a little history, this business officially started not too long after our second son was born (he's now 5 1/2 and starting kindergarten in a week or so---sniffle, sniffle). I bought my first embroidery machine...a Brother Pacesetter 8500 off of Ebay! I had always wanted an embroidery machine, but never imagined that having one would cause me to start a little business. A simple website was launched, doing the HTML coding myself, and paying way too much for web hosting. But in February 2006, I launched what is known as www.stitchesbyapril.com today, where my customers could do all their shopping online and place an order with the ease of a key stroke. February 1, 2006 I got my first online order--Order # 001! Now we are at Order #992! Over the years, I've met some wonderful customers, stitches lots of names and initials, made many custom handbags and diaper bags, and learned a plethora of lessons along the way. For those of you who have been a customer for years, THANK YOU SO MUCH! For new friends that just found us, THANK you too! What a blessing from the Lord!

To celebrate our milestone, we'll be giving away a $25 gift certificate to our 1000th order!

New Fonts and Fabrics

2009-07-13T10:46:00.000-07:00

I really do like fonts...I always have! Back when I used to design brochures, I would memorize fonts and would see a font on a billboard or signage and be able to name it. (I know...weird, right!?) So it only makes sense that enjoying fonts has transferred over to this embroidery business. Here are some fun new ones that I have recently added:

I also have a love of fabrics! I love all kinds...modern, contemporary, preppy, classy & traditional. The first four I ordered with our monogrammed travel mugs & coffee sleeves in mind and the last 2 for our monogrammed sippy cups:

[gallery]

New Monogrammed Badge Reels

2009-07-08T18:36:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Kristy, we have a new product to tell you about! Kristy is a nurse anesthetist at a big local hospital here in the Raleigh area. She contact me months back about a cute badge reel that a friend had given her and thought it would be a nice addition to our product line. Most hospital employees have to wear a badge, so why not wear a cute badge holder/reel, right? These also make great gifts for teachers too!

Do you have a product idea for us? Please let us know...we LOVE to hear from our customers!

And we have a winner...

2009-07-07T07:17:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Erin! She won a $15 gift certificate in the random drawing for entering her comment for the "What's Your Favorite?" post. Do you want to win something too? Stay tuned for the next chance to win some our our products.

New Interchangable Stamps!!!

2009-07-06T11:34:00.000-07:00

As of July 1, 2009, all of our PSA Essentials Stamps come with the new Peel & Stick technology!

Watch this video to see how it works! The possibilities are now endless with one stamp body! This is a brand new technology from PSA, so all stamps purchased before July 1, 2009 will not work with the new interchangeable stamp bodies.

We are so excited about these new stamps...you'll find them all on sale now at stithesbyapril.com.

Look What Just Arrived...

2009-06-30T09:33:00.000-07:00

[caption id="attachment_32" align="aligncenter" width="440" caption="Brown Polka Dot Handbag"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_33" align="aligncenter" width="440" caption="Black Polka Dot Handbag"][/caption]

These polka dot bags were a great deal and I love to pass along deals to my customers! I'm visualizing them monogrammed with a classy yellow monogram. (Isn't yellow the "in" color for this Summer?) What do you think? They measure 14" x 11" x 5", so they are a great purse size. Rear zippered pocket, zippered closure, open and zippered pockets on the inside. $20 w/ monogram. I will only have 2 of each color, so e-mail me if you are interested.

[caption id="attachment_35" align="aligncenter" width="440" caption="Aqua/Brown Houndstooth Diaper Bag"][/caption]

We needed some boyish diaper bags to add to our collection and don't you think this is handsome diaper bag? (I think it could be used for a girl too!) This canvas houndstooth diaper bag comes with a bow tie closure, a changing pad, metal feet on the bottom, open and zippered inside pockets and measures 17"wide x 10.5" tall and 7.5" deep. $30.00 with monogram.

What's your favorite?

2009-06-28T12:32:00.000-07:00

I love to hear from my customers! I love to hear your thoughts, opinions and what you are interested in seeing us carry/make. I'm thinking about getting in some new patterns of backpacks for back to school and I'd love to hear which pattern or patterns you like best.

[caption id="attachment_27" align="aligncenter" width="187" caption="Preppy Argyle"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_26" align="aligncenter" width="187" caption="Line Flower"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_24" align="aligncenter" width="187" caption="Fun Flower"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_25" align="aligncenter" width="187" caption="Hippie Chic"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_23" align="aligncenter" width="187" caption="Dots"][/caption]

Yes, they are all monogammable and have a padded back panel & shoulder straps, interior pockets and measure: 13" x 18". These big backpacks will run around $27 plus monogramming cost. Some styles also come in a mini backpack version for pre-schoolers. Please vote on your favorite by leaving a comment! I'll be giving away a $15 gift certificate to a random commenter. Make sure to enter your vote by July 6th.

New Embroidered Market Totes

2009-06-23T11:10:00.000-07:00

We have some new products that I'm excited to introduce to you! One of my new favorites is the market tote. These are one of the most versitile products because they can be used in so many different ways! Here are just a few uses that I've thought of...

as an bin in the van for all the "stuff" that one must cart around

as a beach or pool tote

as a picnic basket

as a sweet gift basket to fill with goodies

as a teacher tote for all the books, notebooks, etc.

as a fashionable toy/book/magazine holder

as a scrapbooking tote...carry all the pages you are working on and tools to your next crop with ease

as laundry basket for each child to put up their own clothes

as a reusable shopping tote/bag...go green!

I'm sure you can help me thing of other uses.

There are 2 little mesh pockets on the inside for extra storage.

And did I mention the are fully collapsable? Yep... they fold down completely flat so it makes them very easy to store.