Anticipating Greatness

So here's the mess I'm dealing with this morning....

The Hulk

I'm super excited about the new printer (especially since my old one was, well,  oooolllld and is very close to going to printer Heaven.)

Old Printer

But it seems like it takes so long to install new hardware! Right?! I printed on the old one until the cartridges were out and I had lost my patience with pulling out jammed papers and shipping labels. I can't print another shipping label until I get this guy installed!!

The new printer, aka the Hulk, is awesome. I think! We got a fantastic deal (thanks Staples!) on it and I'm anticipating greatness (according the the Canon rep!), like dual paper trays, printing from my iPhone, wireless printing, double sided printing, etc.

Here's a funny...when I bought this at Staples last week, the Canon rep happened to be there so we (my boys and I) got special attention and descriptions of each and every printer that I was interested in. When we finally decided on this one, the rep whips out a camera from her pocket and asked if she could take our picture with the new printer. Ummm, sure?

So if you see me representing on the Canon website, just know it wasn't my idea! lol!

The More the Merrier!

My name is Lydia...

...and I'm a fabric hoarder. 

I always feel really bad when a customer asks what fabrics I have to select from. I know they think I'm kidding when I say, "Just tell me what you'd like; I probably have it and if I don't, I can get it."

I know it causes frustration when you don't really know what you're looking for and I don't offer up a selection of fabrics. I'm sorry. I really do mean well, but it's impossible for me to show a sample of every fabric that I have.

That's also why I try really hard to photograph most all of the applique projects so that you will see different examples of fabric selections. See? I really do want to help!

Fortunately, I don't feel the need to buy everything I like. I also don't buy yards and yards of any one item; just 1/4 yards and scraps here and there (especially if it's on sale!) I will say that I had to go to JoAnn Fabrics today and did not buy a single piece of fabric. And that's not the first time I've used self-control! haha!

So without further ado, here's my main, go-to fabric area....

And then I have smaller scrap pockets on the back of the door....

That basket is full of textured fabrics like tulle and minky...

 

Miscellaneous fabrics and fabrics from my grandmother's destash!

Let me share an example of the benefit of fabric hoarding. The other day I had a nice girl contact me to order another one of these:

Y'all. That was made in early 2010. I kind of panicked trying to figure out how in the world I was going to track down that same fabric.

Well, I had it in my stash. Go figure! And now baby sister gets a matching pillow!

Fabric Hoarding = Less Stressed Me + Happy Customer

So let me hear it in the comments...do you think I have too much fabric?!

What do you think?

Although the current turnaround time is always listed on the website, checkout cart, and email order confirmation, I still get many questions as to when an order will be ready. I don't mind answering these questions, but I've been contemplating a way to make it easier and less time consuming for everyone.

I know of several companies who keep a public calendar, but I've always hesitated to do this because I am a private person and also value your privacy. I'm not certain how many of you would like your name on a public document showing that you've placed an order. I would hate to spoil a gift or or surprise!

If I have enough response in favor of it, I'm willing to keep up a public calendar, showing shipping and pick-up dates. The orders would be listed on the calendar by your order number, so it is private, yet easy for you to reference.

As you know, life doesn't always go as planned and I can't guarantee that any posted shipping dates would not shift a couple of days. Sometimes I might get ahead of schedule and sometimes I might be running a few days behind. I would just have a disclaimer that the posted dates are not set in stone! :-)

If you could please take a moment to click on the button below and voice your opinion, it would be greatly appreciated. All forms are kept private. And of course, please feel free to leave a comment on this post of you have any suggestions, concerns, or questions.

Thank you in advance.

EARLY BLACK FRIDAY SALE!

Black Friday on 11/11/11!

 

Ready or not, 'tis the season to begin your Christmas shopping!

I would like to help you complete your checklist early this year,

so we are having an early Black Friday Sale today!

 

New items have been listed and now is the time to stock up on your favorites.

The more you spend, the more you save, so make Layne James Embroidery your "go-to" Christmas present source!

 

Spend $30, receive 11% off your total purchase

Spend $75, receive 22% off your total purchase

Spend $150, receive 33% off your total purchase

 

No discount code is necessary. Sale prices will show in your shopping card upon checkout!
PLEASE NOTE: EMBROIDERY SERVICES AND DIGITIZING SERVICES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE SALE.

 

Remember, we have designs for EVERYONE...

...and EVERY occasion!

Introducing...

I am thrilled to reveal the name of our new clothing line! Little Layne will offer boutique style clothing for both boys and girls. It will start out small with just a few outfits at a time, but the hope is that the selection will become larger as time goes on!

As you recall, there has been a contest in progress during the last month or so for naming the new clothing line. On the day I announced the contest (September 8th!?), Candice Strickland suggested the name "Little Ones Layne" via text and later that day, Brandee Sims submitted "Little Layne" via Facebook! Love, love, love it ...simple, cute, connected to the Layne James Embroidery name, yet such a creative play on words! (Layne = Lane...as in, street!) Brandee wins 50% off the outfit of her choice. Candice wins 25% off the outfit of her choice. Congrats Ladies...contact me for details!

Curious what other names were submitted to me? Below is a list of them.

Southern Stitches

The Wright Look

Lil' LaYnEj'S

Kids Creations

Little Miracles Clothing Line

Little LJ

LJ Kids

Trendy Tots

Labors of Joy

Violets

Purple

Lollipops and Gumdrops

Jazzy James Designs

Lil Layne Joys

Line of Joy

Little Laynie

LJ Clothes by Design

Custom Clothing for your Lads & Jewels

Layne James Junior

LoveJoy

LJE

Polka Dot Pecan

Lily Layne

Customizable Cuties

Layne James Joys

LJ Kids

Dazzling Designs

Kiddish Clothing
Kiddish Klothing

Crafty Clothes

Catchy Kids

Tender Tots and More
Layne James Lil Ones
Layne James Lil Joys
LJ Lil Designs
Layne James Jaunty Line
Lil Jumping Layne James

 

All cute! Thank you for everyone who played along in the contest!

The debut sets (owls) will be listed on the website within the next 24 hours!

 

Christmas sets will be listed within the next 2 weeks!

******

On a personal note, I want to give a HUGE shout out to my husband, family and friends (for tolerating my neurosis during the last month), Ryan Sears (my AWESOME graphic designer and long-time friend), and Mandy Smith (Mandy Smith Studio, my new, truly talented photographer.) Y'all ROCK. Seriously.

Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to comment #7, Shalon Kubish Smith! Email me at Lydia@LayneJames.com to claim your 20% discount code!

LJED has reopened!

Who's ready for a giveaway??

Our first prize will be a 20% off discount code on your next website purchase! 

To enter this giveaway, leave a comment telling me what new item(s) you would like to see LJED carry. At 5pm EST today, I'll draw a random winner!

Good luck!