While I probably would rather have been stitching, I’ve spent the weekend trying to update the Evening Star Designs website! www.eveningstardesigns.citymax.com
We’ve got some new things in, I’ve updated our “What’s on Sale” page: http://www.eveningstardesigns.citymax.com/Crazy_Quilting_Supplies_on_Sale_at_ESD.html which is a good place to check when you visit the site - as it’s always changing!
I’ve was just thinking the other day, that very soon (oh boy!) our 2009 Challenge entries should be trickling in. No sooner had I started to think about it than I received two emails with questions about just that!
How are all of our Challengers doing? I can’t tell you how excited I am to see your entries! For those of you who are new, we’re having two Challenges this year! 1. Grandmother’s Flower Garden, and 2. Under the Sea
The two choices (that nearly tied in popularity) most favored by our customers this Spring. That makes it doubly exciting! I just can’t wait to see the new entries, and I’m sure everyone else feels the same. Don’t worry you’ve still got time! I hope you’ve been enjoying the process as you go - we have so many talented and creative customers out there. We’re all breathless with anticipation!
Remember that both Challenges are also contests! Read more about them here: http://www.eveningstardesigns.citymax.com/ESD_2009_Challenge_Contest.html
If any of you need to contact me, remember I’ve got a new email just for questions of this kind: carolynatesd@hotmail.com
As many of you already know, we will be ending our Newbies program at the end of September this year - it just never took off the way I had hoped. We’re still honoring our discounts and $5.00 off coupons through the 30th.
Gee, did any of you forget your Newbie number????? A little birdie mentioned it on our Guest book: http://www.eveningstardesigns.citymax.com/Crazy_Quilters_Guest_Book_at_Evening_Star_Designs.html the other day (though I already knew you all had this problem!)
Not to worry! Check out the Newbies page again - you can simply enter the word “Newbie” in the box - we actually have a list, and will check to see if you’re on it etc. You can read more about it on the Newbies page: http://www.eveningstardesigns.citymax.com/Crazy_Quilt_Newbies_at_Evening_Star_Designs.html
I hope all of you who are eligible will decide to use your coupons and discounts before we end the program!
We just received three great new books I think you will really enjoy! 1. Three Dimenional Embroidery Stitches by Pat Trott - Just Right 2. Embroidered Alphabets by Di Van Niekerk - great!, and 3. A-Z of Silk Ribbon Flowers by Ann Cox - this one is a true wow! (and note: it’s on sale for 20% off - an excellent savings for a book just out and this cool!
Visit our Must-Have books page to read more about them: http://www.eveningstardesigns.citymax.com/Crazy_Quilting_Books_CQ_Stitches_Silk_Ribbon_Piece.html
I spent all day yesterday trying to provide some guidance on how to order Silkies on our wonderful Silkies page: http://www.eveningstardesigns.citymax.com/ESD_Modern_Cigarette_Silks_Custom_Printed.html
The more I wrote, the more I realized that I was getting too technical and the more I tried, the more I fell into the “too-much-information” zone. I’ve put a simpler version on that page you can click to read. I hope it helps make things more clear. If not, you can always write me, or give us a call during the early part of the day M-F EST.
Have you all visited the Silkies page to check out our great new Silkies by Kinuko Y. Craft? http://www.eveningstardesigns.citymax.com/Gallery_of_Silkies_by_Kinuko_Y_Craft.html Kinuko is a world-famous artist and illustrator, and I have managed to obtain a license to produce these Silkies from some of her wonderful paintings - all chosen with you in mind!
Silkies are a great way to begin a project, and now with Christmas zooming in, you might find just the inspiration you need from one of Kinuko’s Silkies, or one of the other great Silkies (Flower Fairies, and ESD Silkies (Victorian Illustrations for the most part).
I’m getting ready to add another group of images of Antique Christmas Cards - these are terrific. They would be so easy to make into Christmas Ornaments! That way you could give a unique card, and have it be a gift as well!
I haven’t got these up yet, but hope to have them up by mid-week. I may also attempt to put together a mini-kit for using them to make ornaments - so keep your eyes open!
I have been struggling to put together a small book of Christmas Ornament Patterns for a while. I’m hoping I can get it out very soon, and will let you know as soon as I can!
I thought I’d remind you of a couple of new features on the website:
1. Add a note to your order: This button is just above the last button down the left side (blue rectangles). When you place an order, add this item (it’s free) then you can write us a note that will show up on your order. I had to do it this way, because there was no provision for this on my web builder. 2. Ask Carolyn: Again, my great assistant, Jo Ann is not a sewer (though an excellent assistant!) Any time you have questions about products, or anything I can help you with, write to me at carolynatesd@hotmail.com and I’ll do my best to get back to you asap!
Our September Crazy Quilters Club package should be going out right on time during the next week (hooray!) I’m hoping with a little luck we can maintain our schedule!
Have you been wondering? Yes, we’ve been having some trouble with our telephones.
First of all, you should all know that Evening Star Designs is a business in my home - we do not have a store. We’re always busy, and while I have two assistants, I tend to be swamped all the time! - (seems like I never get to sew or do as much designing as I’d like to!)
Our toll free number rings in over my home number. We do this to keep our overhead as low as possible! Our regular number: 919-342-3183 has a nice message now - I updated it fairly recently when I realized there was a problem! Unfortunately, when you call the toll-free number: 877-889-7012 the message tells you that you’ll be leaving a message for the regular number (above). I’m not sure how to override this function, but I’ll work on it. (at least you’ll know you’re reaching us!)
Last but not least, I thought I’d mention our great ESD Discount Collections again! I was calling them Grab-Bags - but that made them sound too much like a bunch of old stuff nobody wanted. Not so! We don’t have anything like that! Everything is great - when you order one of these packages, you get great things at an excellent savings!
Need Christmas materials? Making a project for a special gift? Just order a Discount Collection in one of our suggested colors, or in a color group of your own choosing. We’ve been getting great notes from customers saying how much they like these packages - I’m sure you will too! http://www.eveningstardesigns.citymax.com/Discount_Collections_Crazy_Quilting.html
P.S. Join our Clubs - They ARE GREAT!!!
Hugs to all! Carolyn Evening Star Designs www.eveningstardesigns.citymax.com esdorders@hotmail.com carolynatesd@hotmail.com 919-342-3183, or toll free: 877-889-7012
Evening Star Designs, 6140 Wolverhampton Drive, Raleigh, NC 27603
