Generations Machine Embroidery Software

Dear Friends,

I have been doing a lot of research on embroidery software.  When I say a lot, I mean I've been looking at the different brands and attending an occasional class for just over a year as I decided which was the best brand for me.  I've made the plunge!  I decided on the Generations Embroidery Software.

 

Let me back up a bit here.  I've fallen in love with machine embroidery.  It is the best thing since sliced bread I tell ya.  As I have continued with it, more and more I have toyed around with the idea of creating my own designs.  I hesitated though for so long.  One reason I hesitated was the cost.  Another was the learning curve and besides there are so many great designs out there already.  Yet, I strongly desire to create my own designs.  I have ideas floating around in my head I just want to stitch out.

 

I found a very limited free program that at least gave me the ability to add lettering to my projects and it gave me a taste of designing.  All that did was whet my appetite for learning more.

 

I knew though, that whatever software I decided on I would need to have support.  The classes I took at my local sewing shop had brought in an outside instructor from their software company.  I wouldn't find support at my local shop.  I needed to look online.  I asked in my various sewing/embroidery groups that I belong.  Everyone had an opinion and everyone seemed to be happy with what they had chosen.  How was I to ever decide?

 

A number of software manufactures have tutorials up on YouTube.  I started watching those to see if I would find one that would speak to me as being relatively easy to learn and something that I could produce high quality designs with.  I'm sorry to say, but some embroidery designs leave a lot to be desired and I would have hated having wasted good money on them.  (that is another blog post)  If I'm going to design something, I want to be proud of it.

 

I discovered Generations software and people were raving that it was very user-friendly.  Intuitive is another word often used.  There is plenty of support out there for Generations software both from the company and from other online classes. 

 

After much decision making, I have decided to take the plunge.  Are you ready to jump in with me and follow my journey here?  My software is being shipped and I'm excited to receive it.  I'll give you an update about it as soon as I can.

Oh and one more reason I'm doing this...I'm facing the empty nest syndrome.  I know I will be needing something for "ME" soon.  Actually I need it now!  Our oldest, Katie, left last May and entered into the Air Force.  Emily leaves next year for college.  Finally our youngest, Timothy, is currently a sophomore in high school.  They are not my "little" babies any longer.  I know I need something to really keep my mind focused on and learning something new and challenging myself is it.  Even with still having two at home, being that they are teenagers, they honestly aren't at home very much with work and school.  I've got to tell you, I LOVE it when their friends are all here and the house is full of kids who I can cook for and love on. 

 

Blessings and happy embroidering!

Nancy

Offering My Services to Test Your Machine Embroidery Designs

Dear Friends,

If any of you are machine embroidery designers and are in need of someone to test stitch your designs, I'd be happy to do so for you.  Along with that I'd put up a blog post showing my stitch-out and a link back to your website.

To be completely honest, my New Year's resolution is to learn how to digitize and I am wanting to study how different designers put their designs together, underlays, fill stitches etc.  I would NEVER copy your work in any way.  I have some creative designs floating around in my head that are just begging to be stitched out but I have to learn the ropes first.  Any blog posts written about the designs I test would only be posted if the design stitched out flawlessly and would include what material I stitched it on as well as what stabilizer or any specific techniques I used and again would be linked back to your website.  This would be a win-win for both of us!

My only limitation is that my machine is a Brother Innovis 1250D.  It is a combination sewing/embroidery machine.  This means that my maximum hoop size is 5 x 7 and the format my machine reads is PES.

Please feel free to e-mail me at basketmaster_nancy(at)yahoo(dot)com. I would enjoy working with you and getting to know you!  Thank you.

Blessings,
~Nancy

Cheer Leading Hoodies

 

Here are the finished hoodies for the cheer team.  Take a look at the front.

 

And now......

 

Take a look at the back!

 

Such a fun zebra applique to add to the back of the jackets!  This applique happens to be called Landon and is from Planet Applique.  There really was no puckering of the fabric.  I just wish I would have smoothed it out more before snapping the picture.

 

Enjoy!  The cheer team loves their hoodies.

Blessings,
Nancy

Beginning Branding



Business cards have arrived!  I even splurged on a pen with my info on it!  This is just the beginning with the branding.  I looked today for a sage green/celery green shirt as I'm working on an embroidery design that has Embroidery It written on it.  I LOVE the color celery green.  It is such a color from nature, a beautiful God given color.  Celery green must not be in style for fall.  Nothing.  Nada.  I settled for a white shirt to embroider on, but I'll keep looking for the celery green one.
Blessings!
Nancy

The Cheerleading Skirts that Started this Business

 

Give me a "G"!  G!

Give me an "O"!  O!

What's that spell?  GO!

Go Embroidery It!  Yeah!!!

Dear Friends,

Here they are, the first products of my business.  The embroidered cheer skirts that I can't stop talking about.  I think they turned out super cute.  The size and style of font was picked by the customer and I think it looks great.  The girls are considering me to applique on their sweaters and make embroidered hair ribbons as well.  Fun!

I just had to take a minute and show you.  I used a nice cut-away stabilizer behind the lettering that is soft and won't scratch.  It did a great job as there was no puckering or pulling with the stitching.

Thanks cheer team for the business and an extra special thank you for helping me get my business started.

Blessings,

Nancy

Business Cards Ordered

Today I got my business cards ordered from Vista Print.  I just ordered their basic free cards that you only pay for the shipping and handling.  You get 250 that way.  Vista Print is smart.  As you go to check out they offer you all kinds of other business items that have your design and contact information on it.  Two of the things they offered me were a t-shirt and a tote.  Thing is though, I should EMBROIDER a t-shirt and tote bag.  After all I AM Embroidery It!  (Smiles)  I did get suckered into a pen with Embroidery It and my website on it.  Cute! 

Finally, after you place your order and make your payment, Vista Print says I "qualify" for reduced price items.  I can get an additional 250 business cards for only $3.99 and I could get additional pens at a lower price but I only had 10 minutes to take advantage of this special offer that I qualify for.  I took them up on the additional business cards.  $4 for 250 business cards was a good deal and there was no increase on my shipping and handling.  Vista Print is smart!

I hope you are enjoying following me on my new business journey.

Blessings,
Nancy

Embroidery It

Hi Friends,

Boy oh boy have I been having a dickens of a time getting this website/blog up and running.  I bought the domain name, Embroidery It, several days ago, but the website, hosted by Google, wouldn't bring it up.  If you typed in www.embroideryit.com, it would keep coming up as a 404 error.  I've been on the phone with GoDaddy and they say it is a problem with Google.  I have tried to notify Google, but alas, I've not been very successful.  Google doesn't want to talk or read emails from real people.  So the best I've been able to achieve is now when you type in www.embroideryit.com it comes up as www.embroideryit.blogspot.com.  I have seriously worked for hours on this.  At least I'm no longer getting the 404 error.  I even considered attempting to get another domain, but gosh, I really liked the name Embroidery It.  Anyone else out there have a 404 error problem like this?

So now I am going to move forward.  I'm going to order my business cards and get my business presented to the world.

I finished four of the cheerleading skirts this afternoon and the cheer team is also interested in some embroidered hair ribbons that I have been working on.

So despite the trouble with the whole domain thing, I have a website and I have a business.  I have a start!  I pray the good Lord blesses this business and that in some way I can use it to bless and encourage others. 

Thanks for reading.

Nancy

My First Job!

It's an exciting day today.  I got paid for my first job!  My first real embroidery job! I was given the cheerleading skirts and they picked out the font and size and gave me the specific details as to spelling of the names and where they wanted the names placed.  This may not sound like much to you, but it is to me.  It is the beginning and the start of what I hope to be, dream to be a wonderful business!!!!

Welcome to Embroidery It

Hi Friends,
This is me in the picture.  I'm Nancy Jacobs and I'm pleased and proud to announce that my new business, Embroidery It, is launching!  Owning my own business has been a dream of mine for many years and now my dream is turning into a reality. 

I oh so enjoy machine embroidery!  I can't say that enough.  I have just gone wild with it and if it stands still long enough and a needle can pierce it, look out.  It will be embroidered on!  Embroidery for me is pure fun.  It has been through a series of events that now I want to share my passion with you.   My tagline is "Embroidery It provides creative personalization and unique gifts all with a needle and thread." 

Let me tell you a little about myself.  First and foremost I am a follower of Jesus.  I consider saying that I am a Christian to not be enough as I'm more than just a believer, I do my absolute best to truly live and follow the teachings of our Savior.  I am married to my best friend, Mike, for over 24 years now.  We have three beautiful teenage children.  The oldest two are girls and our youngest is our son.  Our oldest is out of the house now and is in the Air Force.  It is because of the children getting older and now leaving the nest that I have the time to pursue my passion of owning and running my own business and following my dream of being an entrepreneur.

You might also enjoy knowing that I relish all things involving homemaking, well not always cleaning, but I find delight in cooking, gardening, and all forms of crafting as well as the basics of running a household.  In fact, another passion of mine is helping young women learn about God's view on homemaking in order that their marriages become strong and so they can see God's plan for their lives.  Finally, I'm an independent Scentsy consultant.  That is a home party business that sells what would be called a flameless candle which melts wonderfully smelling wax.  If you are ever interested in anything Scentsy, you can visit my website HERE.   So that is a bit about me and who I am. 

Embroidery It is getting itself off the ground.  It is having a few business snafu's which I'm working out.  But hey!  That is part of being a business owner and getting past the learning curve, right?

I have been, and still am, working on getting my blog/website set up. I've also started a Facebook page which you can find HERE. My new Etsy store can be found HERE. It is so exciting! I've also been designing my own business cards.

For my first official job I have a team of cheerleading skirts in which I am personalizing with the girls names.  I will post a picture of them next week.  In the mean time, say a quick prayer that I get the business and website bugs worked out.  If I can help you out with any embroidery, please send me an e-mail to basketmaster_nancy(at)yahoo(dot)com and I'll get right back to you.

Thanks for visiting my site and I look forward to sharing my embroidery with you.
With hugs and blessings,
Nancy

Disclosure Statement

Disclosure:

This policy is valid from 13 October 2012.

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact me:  Nancy Jacobs at basketmaster_nancy(at)yahoo(dot)com.

Any personal or private information sent to me by email will never be disclosed or published without expressed permission.

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. I write for my own purposes. However, this blog may accept forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.

Any compensation received will never influence the content, topics or posts made in this blog. All advertising will be identified as paid advertisements.

The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely mine.  I don’t claim to be an expert on any certain topics or products or service areas.  I am only sharing my own experience with various products and services.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider.