Ch-Ch-Changes Part 2

Today I would like to tell you about the changes that are occurring in my  business, ChiliQuiltes. As of the January, my focus has changed and I hope you will share with me the excitement that I feel as I venture out into new territory.

First, ChiliQuiltes, my first business venture, will be the overall umbrella for two other smaller ventures. First, I would like to introduce TAKE IT PERSONALLY, a custom embroidery business that will be a joint partnership with my husband. We will be doing custom embroidery ( for shirts, wedding accessories,baby items, hats, towels, graduation and other special event or holiday gifts, etc.) both locally and online.

Secondly, I would like to reintroduce you to my other smaller venture,NECKS 2 NOTHING. Necks2Nothing is a pet accessory business which includes unique dog bandanas (personalized), as well as personalized leads, collars, T-Shirts with your dog’s picture and personalized with embroidery, as well personalized crate covers  and beds.

What about ChiliQuiltes? What’s up with this part of the business? Well, I will be doing my teaching under this name. I will continue to teach my business blogging,  Designs within the Lines (certified through Pam Clark), and a brand new class, Artsy Fartsy, which is an introduction at art quilting and surface design techniques.  I also hope to begin giving tips for beginning longarm quilters to help them as they begin their love affair with machine quilting. BTW, I will be teaching at Quilting With Machines again this year. The two class that I will be presenting are Artsy Fartsy and Business Blogging.

In the upcoming days, I will be adding a cart and paypal capabilities to this site with further information about products and policies. In the mean time, if you have questions, please contact me at chiliquiltes@gmail.com.

Again, I hope you will join me and be a part of my new adventures. I would love to become a customer but just having your support will be a thrill, believe me! Happy Monday!

Easter and Embroidery and Bandanas, Oh My!

Art Quilt Designed by Marion

I wanted to share with you some of my latest embroidery, Easter creations ,a sneak peek at my latest dog bandana designs (I will be putting the doggie “stuff “ on my Necks2Nothing site later today) and,as you can see above, an art quilt that I designed (my first attempt !).

First, the Easter cuties that I am selling. The lacey items can be used for placecards with plastic eggs, hold chocolate eggs or the “real thing”. They also could be used for napkin rings on your holiday table. The pencil toppers are just fun…the little guys or girls in your family will have putting them on their pencils as they do homework or draw.Finally, the Easter Bunny and Chick can hold a chocolate bar, gift cards, or any type of small bagged candies (there is a pocket on the back). Cute, right?! I am also able to do a monogrammed candy holder with any letter, a graduation candy holder with the year of graduation and a thankyou candy holder. These would make great little gifts with the candy bars OR with a gift card for graduation, Mother’s Day or as a thank you for any occasion. Oh, and I almost forgot…I made 2 more custom labels for my customers and wanted to share those with you, too…I love doing these little labels as they add a special touch to the quilt.

 Now, just a brief word about the new bandana designs. These will give your pet a sophisticated look for Easter, Mother’s Day or any other formal occasion 🙂 Of course, the models wearing them add additional flair!

 Happy Spring and more to post later!

Art Quilt Designed by Marion

Latest Teaching Opportunities & Labels

I am really excited! I have recently received contracts to teach at the 2011 Houston International Quilt Market and Quilting with Machines, 2011. I will be teaching business blogging at the Houston Venue on Oct. 31 and I don’t have exact dates for the other venue but know it will be between Oct 5-8 and will be teaching business blogging and beginning longarm quilting. Yippee Skippee!

I tried a different type of label for a customer two weeks ago and as she REALLY liked it and showed it to several people, I thought I would share it with you. The quilt was for an infant (boy) and had wonderful brightly colored kitties in several of the blocks. The backing was also brightly colored kitties. I found I had a cute CD of embroidery motifs of adorable line art style kittens, so I incorporated one of those (in the color scheme of the backing) with the inscription for the label. The finished product is very cute and added an additional element to the quilt. The picture of the label is below.

If you are in the market for holiday bandanas for your dog or cat, check out my newest styles on my Necks2Nothing blog  at mcarmickle.tumblr.com

 Quilt Label

…they are pretty cool 🙂

Keeping Busy

Last week was my first craftshow…I had been a craft show virgin until this one so it was very interesting to me. I sold several of my Next2Nothing pet bandanas and also took many special orders, so it was a fun experience.

I am now working on my infant and child monogrammed items. I am doing birth announcements, bibs, diaper and backpack bag tags, baby bottle leashes, paci and paci wipes monogrammed bags…too much fun!

I also have quilts to do, so again, thanks be to God, I am not bored! I have to get everything finished in early December as we will be traveling to Florida to do Very Mickey Christmas at DisneyWorld and then on to the Keys.

More Information on Necks2Nothing Pet Bandanas

Today I would like to share some pictures that may give you an idea of the sizes that are available in the pet bandanas. As you view the pictures, notice that there is a ruler that indicates that the large is about 7″ ” wide and about 6″ long. The medium is about 6″ wide and about 5.5″ long and the small is about 5.5″ wide and 5.5″ long. I can adjust sizes, trims, etc and I have many fabrics available for college teams and holidays. I also can monogram initials and, if your pet is involved in an activity, monogram that on the bandana as well.

Quilts and Folks

Today I would like to share a quilt that I recently completed, a new product and brag on my community ed students.  I also want to tell you about Over the Top Quilting.

First, I would like to brag on Doug, a student in my class. He has just uploaded his first posts, along with several images, and I have to say, I am impressed. I can hardly wait to see the other students’ work…they are really an exceptional group of individuals.

Secondly, I HAVE to tell you about a quilt that I finished this week that was actually for ME! I never have the opportunity to do quilts for me so this was a real treat. The pattern is by the lovely ladies at Las Colchas, a quilt shop located in a historic home near downtown San Antonio. It is basically a bunkhouse with a twist…I think when you see the pictures, you will understand what I mean. with the 6.5 inch “logs” , it is a quick quilt to make and, with cool fabric, a joy to piece. I chose to use a new pantograph to quilt this quilt.  I am pointing it out because I think it would be great for tailored quilts,  quilts for the men in your life or for baby quilts. It is called Dutch and has a lovely open look to it. Oh, and I don’t want to forget Swirl Meanderings, the panto that I used on the image of the red, white and blue quilt…I think it is perfect for a man’s quilt or baby quilt, too. BTW, the beautiful quilt was made by Liz of Texas as a QOV…it is beautifully pieced.

I am adding a new product to my “stock”. You will notice that I now have embroidered greeting cards that are very affordable; I will have the price list on my pricing page. The designs that I have currently are birthday (2), thank you, congratulations, new baby, anniversary and many more. The designs are from

Finally, I have to mention a fun class that I attended in Austin with the two sisters who own Over the Top quilting. Susan Rubino and her sister, Chris, are adorable and VERY talented. If you live in the Austin area and are looking for longarmers, look no further than these two ladies who not only do custom and edge to edge, but also do a fantastic job with art quilts.

Yippee Skippee!

Yipee Skippee!

At long last, my computer glitches are resolved, the wonderful rush of business during the holidays is lonag ago complete, my husband’s relapse with Meniere’s is back under control and I can finally get back to visiting with all of you. I have several things to share with you, so I will just “bullet” each one to expedite all the things I want to say :

• First, please take a look at the Machine Quilters Expo website! This fabulous machine quilting conference will begin April 12 and will provide not only fabulous quilts but also wonderful classes, including mine, LOL! The conference is held in Providence, RI and has a long history of providing wonderful learning opportunities for all levels of experitise and machines. I will be teaching Blog Cabin Blocks, a course on business blogging as well as Putting the You in YouTube. This course will discuss how to create YouTube videos to promote your business.
• I have added THREE really cute items to my embroidery business. You will see pictures of these on the site today. They include a quilted and monogrammed bag tag, doggie bandanas and an adorable portable tea or sweetner caddie to keep with you in your purse or tote. The patterns were designed by DigiStitches and are really darling.
• I added pictures of one of the art quilts that I completed for a customer during the holidays. I am so proud of how this worked out…it is so much fun to create designs “from the front” of the machine. Also, the precious puppy modeling is my dog niece, Mattie, of Asheville, NC. Attie is modeling a doggie bandana in a cowboy novelty print which slides over her dog collar. Very spiffy! These can be monogrammed, of course!
• Another item that I am showing is an order that I did for Veronyka’s, a lovely salon here in San Antonio. Please notice that one of the items is basically plastic and it embroidered beautifully.
• If you live in the San Antonio area, I will be teaching a business blogging course for the North East Independent School District Community Education beginning on Feb. 17 for three class sessions. If you have your own business or just want to learn the basics of blogging, please join us by registering for the class on the NEISD website, clicking on Community Education.
• The baby quilt is my tip for today…simply take a cute panel, add borders, and, if you have monogramming or lettering on your machine, add some cute embellishments. In this case, I added “mommy’s girl” and  a “k” on the pajamas hanging on the close line. I also added some free motion designs, including a dragon fly. Fast, Easy and Fun…all the elements you need for a gift!
• A picture of the personalized quilt labels that I will do for your quilt is part of the blog today, too.

I think that I have shared all my news. Hope that the New Year has been kind so far and that you are well. I continue to be thankful for all of my blessings, especially in light of the recent horrific earthquake in Haiti and all those who have suffered job lose as our economy struggles to improve.

New Monogramming Item at ChiliQuiltes

I wanted to share a new set of blanks that have been added to our inventory at ChiliQuiltes. As it is getting close to high school graduations, many clients are looking for unique gifts that will be useful to that new graduate as they head to college. To meet that need,  I have decided to add adult towel wraps and slippers. This is a great gift for that daughter, granddaugther, niece, etc that is going to be sharing a dorm room or an apartment with another student. The items shown are for a granddaughter of a client and the granddaughter’s dorm mate as a high school graduation gift. We are continuing to carry monogrammed luggage tags as well koozies, lunch bags, jewelry bags, etc.

Adult Ladies Towel Wrap

Adult Towel Warp

Luggage Tags and Koozies Arrive!

New Koozies Available at Chiliquiltes

Colored Luggage Tags with Wrapping on Strap for Protection

First, a quick hello to Leann and Robyn, the new friends that I made at the Houston Quilt Festival. I will be checking in with you in the near future. I thoroughly  enjoyed hearing not only about life in Australia, but also life in North Texas!Thanks for your comments on an earlier post.

My blank luggage tags and koozies have arrived and I had to share them with you. I LOVE the colors of the luggage tags and I think that those who receive them will find that they will be a big help when they are trying to identify their bags at the airport!Even the black tags will stand out with bright monogramming; I think anyone would be happy to receive one, regardless of their age or gender.

The koozies are also VERY cute and the camouflage variety will be a big hit with a “hard to buy for” guy on your Christmas list.  Dots are still a fashion item, so I think the lime dots and pink dots would be happily received by anyone on a Christmas list as well.

I hope to add some pet products to our product line, too. I am currently investigating leashes and collars as well as bandannas for your favorite canine or feline.

If it sounds like I am having way too much fun finding this item, I have to admit that I am enjoying it! The best part is that I believe that folks who will receive them will enjoy them, too.

Another Word On Luggage Tags

I received a nice comment this week about the luggage tags as gift ideas for the holidays, small shower gifts (wedding), graduations, etc. I wanted to give you an update on the colors of luggage tags that I will be receiving in my shipment. The tags are not only available in black, (see posting for 10/07/08), but also red, orange, lime green, hot pink, aqua, and yellow.

The other cute gift idea that I will be receiving this week are koozies. The ones that I have ordered are black with pink dots, black with lime green dots and camouflage.

All of these items can be mongrammed with initials or with cute phrases. Again, both items would provide a great and inexpensive gift for any occasion.