1st post of 2015!

We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Years! 2014 was a wonderful year for us. There were a lot of changes and first for us last year. We went to our first trade show, had our designs picked up by a distributor (Hoffman Distribution) and moved. Here's hoping 2015 will be a banner year!

Here's what has been going on so far this year. While my wonderful mother-in-law has been busy packing up the spring buddy kits (see pics above), we have been busy designing & picking out colors for our summer buddy line (see pics below). The summer line will be released at the Nashville show in February.

2014 St. Charles Show

 This St. Charles show will be out first cash and carry show! We are located in room 418. It took about 8 hours from Ohio to get here. We actually ended up arriving an hour early because we forgot about the time change. Luckily, the hotel let us check-in early.

 

Our front window with Coffee Sampler & Yummy Treats on display.

 

This being our first show of this kind, we weren't quite sure what to bring. It's definitely a learning experience. First thing we noticed were all the beautiful banners other exhibitors had hanging off the railings outside their rooms. After a quick trip to Walmart to get some burlap, paint and ribbon, viola, we have a banner for less than $10. We are making a list as we set up of items we need to bring for the next show.

 

Spring/Easter designs on display.

Dragons & Geometric designs on display.

 Fall designs on display.

It has been a learning experience for sure. Time to go home and gear up for the Nashville show.

Getting Ready for the St. Charles Show

 

Larry cheesing it up for the camera while cutting threads for Candy Corn Buddy kits. This is the first in the line of a buddy kits.

 

Buttons for Coffee Sampler kit, Yummy Treats, and Sunflowers patterns.

 I spent at least 8 hours doing nothing but cutting fabric for the Coffee Sampler Kit. This was a show exclusive kit but is now available to everyone.

Cut threads for the Coffee Sampler Kit. The Coffee Sampler kit includes: 28 count Tea-Dyed Monaco, threads, handmade coffee bean button, needle and instructions. Pattern uses specialty stitches but instructions are given. They are packaged in an adorable coffee cup. Makes an adorable gift. We still have many of these kits left but once there gone there gone.

2014 TNNA Indianapolis Summer Show

We'll we just got back from our very first TNNA show in Indianapolis this past weekend. It was great to experience a convention center type show and meet some of the shop owners in person.

We were unsure about what to expect: Would we have enough to fill a table? What do we need to bring? Looks like we could have used a little more space after all. The table top was pretty full.

Make sure you have your badges at all times :)

Selfies at the show!

Rejoice pattern is now available!

A beautiful cross with purple sash that portrays the true meaning of Easter! Embellished with beads and Mill Hill Treasure.

Stitch Count: 49 x 49

Threads: DMC & Gentle Art

Stitched on 14ct Cream Perforated Paper from Wichelt Imports

My 30th Birthday!

Well today is my 30th Birthday! I actually ended up celebrating it early since schedules didn't want to corporate.

 

My wonderful father and mother-in-law know how obsessed with Disney I am and got me a birthday themed water globe and a 37 character charm bracelet. 

My mom surprised me a few days early with a delicious cake. Cake is diet food right?

 

Larry had to work on my birthday but he did get me a beautiful ring with our Anniversary stone in it. 

 This is turning out to be a great year for Flowers 2 Flowers as well. We joined the TNNA this year and plan on attending a trade show sometime this year.

Overall turning 30 really wasn't that bad!

Hamilton Beach Breakfast

One of the things I wanted for Christmas was a Hamilton Beach breakfast sandwich maker. My aunt got one of these marvelous inventions a while back and said the sandwiches were way better than fast food. Ever since then I have really wanted to try one. (She is also the reason I had to have a Keurig maker :) Plus it's so stinking cute! I love small space savers! Anyway I used it for the first time the other day and it is awesome!

   Watch instructional video here.

Is that cool or what!
Here's what I have found out by trial and error. When using bagels the regular ones (Lender's is what we used) they are just a little bit too big so I took a large mouthed drinking cup and used it as a cookie cutter to trim the edges down. Now it's the right size. If you want an egg on your bagel sandwich, I found the top plate to be too short. In order to get the egg cooked thoroughly with the bagel you end up burning the top of the bagel. Instead use the bottom plate (it's a little taller) to fry the egg and half the bagel and you just get a nicely toasted bagel with no burns. Once finished with that half, set aside and fix the other half with the meat, cheese then just put the two halves together for a bagel breakfast sandwich.

I love sausage, but in the spirit of sticking to New Years resolutions to try and eat healthier, we have been using, whole wheat breads, Canadian Bacon (only 20 calories & .5 grams of fat per slice), fat free cheese, an egg, and I have been putting baby spinach on mine for an extra nutritional boost.