Today, we released the 15th annual installment of our year motif series! I thought it would be fun to take a look back-- yes, more nostalgia! Someone suggested I do a weekly post on an older set-- it's a great idea-- let me know in the comments if you would like to read about it.
I LOVE holidays-- can you guess? It's what I love to stitch and decorate for. In 2007, we had just completed the BIG move from San Francisco to Boston-- I was all settled in for winter, and it occurred to me New Year's Day was an occasion I'd really never designed for... and a new series was born!
It's amazing to me to go back and take a look at the first year-- so simple! Then, because designs always sell better with a great project idea, I tried all of these luscious accessories. Above we had a checkbook cover-- do any of you remember back in the day when you wrote paper checks-- heehee!
Then we had a large wall calendar-- the inspiration for this was those dish towel calendars? I haven't seen that in a while, either.
Looks great doesn't it? This series proudly hung in my front hall for three or four years, before it's demise....
And then, this is the desk calendar-- so cute! I used some test stitch outs, and filled in with novelty fabrics to make the picture for each month-- clever, huh! I've never enjoyed turning a calendar page as much.
These three items were made every year, for quite a few years...
Every year I saw some way it could be improved-- this year, apparently I decided it needed VINES! haha. Looks hairy to me now.
The wall calendar always needed a new 4x4 design-- that was all the creativity that went into it-- the rest was a total drudge of creating all of the months, and the piece was rehooped fifteen times! I tried a different color on this and learned white always photographs best.
The second year, I added the journal cover. I always like the idea of keeping a journal-- I'm sad to say, I still have all of these, and not a page has been filled. I was probably sewing with that time, though.
So 2010 was a big design change when I added the ribbon through the numbers. This is the first design that now looks good to me, through the lens of time. Thank God I finally got it right--or, third time's the charm.
2011... did you know, that the same arrangement of dates-- that is, the year starts on a Tuesday and is a leap year... occurs again in 2036? So yes, I am holding on to all of my stitched calendars... so recyclable!
2012...
So the years rolled by, and finally it came time to admit as much as I loved making these things, they really weren't selling. Was it just too much work for all of you? Had we fully moved into calendars on the phone? Automatic payments instead of paper checks? Change is hard for me-- but 2012 was the last year for my beloved wall and desk calendars.
I produced a lot more journals these years-- so fun to try different fabric combinations-- and truthfully it wasn't a big money maker for San Francisco Stitch Co.-- but I used them as lovely gifts at Christmas time!
Another big design change for 2014-- the checkered bar!
The checkbook idea lingered for a couple more years-- they were easy to make-- but I finally realized I was the only one carrying one. Back in the day, whenever I had to write a check-- I certainly got some lovely comments from people I owed money to.
I kept going... for one thing, I almost had the full set of digits-- at that point, I would only have to cut and paste them in each year! 2015 was a lovely year...
So nothing had changed for a while and as easy as it was to set this up each year, I was bored-- and you were bored! It wasn't even worth continuing. So in 2019, I totally redid the flowers to a shocking orange on a blue grunge...
Worst year ever! haha.
In 2020, I made the ITH mug rug-- who doesn't love a mug rug-- and changed the colors back-- finally a hit!
I still persevere with my journal covers-- I do have a rock solid minimum of you who make this-- and who knows, maybe next year will be the year I write on a page or 2...
So now, it's 2022! Never before, have so many digits been able to be cut and pasted into a design!
This won't happen again until 2122, or 2222-- I hope to be blissfully resting in heaven by then-- my days of trying to figure out what sells, over!
But until then, the question remains... will you all collectively love my jean version-- or absolutely need an updated mug rug for next year? FLIP OR FLOP this year? It's time to find out--
But one thing is for sure-- this design is certainly my FOLLY, and I hope to create it for many years to come... thank you sew much for being here with me!
2022 Update: We're happy to say "2022" made a comeback last year in terms of sales... thank you all sew much for loving this design-- otherwise I would just have to continue making it for myself!
xox
Carol
LOVE the recycling on denim - Would make lovely mug rugs for Christmas gifts....Sadly, I don't know many who journal, but it's also a good idea for those who work on projects to keep track of everything, as opposed to in your mind!! XOXO
ReplyDeleteI know, I keep looking a Lori Holt's Bee in my Bonnet Project Planner for $55 and thinking mine is prettier!!!
DeleteYes, it is!!!
DeleteI don't journal and haven't written checks in years - I'm a software professional, so I moved to online banking early on :-), so I don't have these designs. But I have been purchasing designs from you since at least 2008 (maybe 2006?) The earliest I have are the '12 gifts of Christmas' which was a collection back then and does include the 2009 checkbook cover; and I also have some I have titled 'Christmas applique', which was the first design I ever bought for machine embroidery applique. That's when I learned how easy it was! Now you have me completely hooked on machine cross stitch :-) Thanks for a sweet trip down memory lane, and it's time for me to get off the computer and go sew!
ReplyDeleteSo great to hear from you! Christmas Applique was released in 2006 on our eBay store! So you have a good memory, too. Sending lots of love your way--- you'll be happy to know I have been using online banking myself for quite some time-- LOL.
DeleteI love the denim and the idea of recycling old jeans.
ReplyDeleteI never throw a pair of jeans out-- in fact, Mr. SFO has complained as I've tried to "retire" some of his prematurely!! LOL Try in with embroidery-- it is SO STABLE-- you will never get a pucker!
DeleteWow!! I can't believe I don't have every year...wonder what happened, as I love these designs. I may see if I can find the past ones. Thanks for the ones I do have.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't believe it if you didn't have every year, in every variation! xoxo
DeleteI have made the journal covers, most do not appreciate the work that goes into them. the smart phone takes care of taking notes I'm told. but I do like mine,
ReplyDeleteI STILL USE my CHECKBOOK covers! keep making them! I have a few checks that I still use, and I keep track of my bank deposits in the check register, so I still use them.
I would be very interested in purchasing the number sets so I could cut and paste them in things that I design for others that require a date, or their age in embroidery. I have the built in numbers on my machine, but yours are so much nicer. both embroidered and cross stitch!
LOVE that flip calendar.....don't think I was "into" you at that time or I would have bought that. would buy it now if it was available.
my thoughts on what sells, at least for me, is small projects, like a coffee table square, a square to put on a table top, seasonal table toppers, and are we getting the finishing kit for the under the sea project sometime soon?
It's nice to know I have an "unknown" soul mate out there who appreciates checkbooks and calendars still! I've had a few requests to put all of the "numbers" out there-- may get to it, but not till after Christmas. x0x0
ReplyDeleteSF, I have 2009 to 2022. Did not know you existed 2008. I have a problem now. I drowned my laptop. In October. Just bought a new one. Used old computer till now. I did save on external drive designs. But I may have lost a few. Not sure yet. Thank you to all Embroiders that have HISTORY. But some don't. I will have to live with that. Last time I saved maybe during the Summer. I must be more careful. Thanks, Carmen
ReplyDelete