Monday, June 23, 2014

Blast from the (Lizzie*Kate) past!

I began Lizzie*Kate in 1996. It was supposed to be a hobby...a little extra income while being a stay-at-home mom to 2 busy daughters. And then things took off at our first summer needlework market. What a surprise and a great blessing this business has been! This pic is in front of the old Lizzie*Kate office doorway...otherwise known as the basement!


Here's my original logo - I haven't updated it (perhaps I should?). It was a quick pencil sketch that I filled in with a handy marker. I meant to refine it a bit, but ran out of time, or perhaps forgot in the hustle to get to my first market.


Since then, my daughters (Sarah "Lizzie" and Ali "Kate") have turned into lovely young women, my husband Alan has joined me full time in the biz, and it seems we've all gotten almost 20 years older. Strange how that happens...


Back in the 1996, my very first design was Hats Off to Halloween. I took 20 designs to my first market and this one was the top seller. Originally, I was hand stenciling the custom frames to go with this one - what was I thinking? I was thankful to hand that responsibility off a few months later to a great frame company.

Anyway, I was looking for a great Halloween saying for a new Halloween chartpak this fall. The "Hats Off to Halloween" phrase kept popping into my head. I found my self sketching ideas, and realized I could, indeed, use this phrase again...almost 18 years later!

A lot of things have changed since the original Hats Off to Halloween. The speckled Heatherfield fabric (which everyone loved) was sadly discontinued. The frame company is no longer in business. Even the copper-y cover paper is no longer available! Alas, nothing stays the same....


So here's quite a different "take" on this fun Halloween sentiment! It's brighter than the original and has lots of spunk! We decided to include an addtional "bonus" project...a little "one night" stitching wonder!

We're also offering a new (optional) funky geometric button pack. Look closely and you can see the 3 square buttons on the big designs - 2 on hats, and one on the letter "N".

Hats Off 2 will be available in your favorite needlework shops by the middle of July. We're still waiting for the publishing (and then we'll be busy sacking), and can't wait til those gorgeous little button packs from Just Another Button Company arrive in the mail.

More quick Halloween fun is coming soon, so get your spooky stitching groove on. It's Hats Off to Halloween!












13 comments:

  1. I have always loved your designs....and just started the flip its for this year's halloween project....guess I better stitch faster, so I can also do this lovely piece! BTW...love the original logo..why change perfection?

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  2. Love the new design. What a way to celebrate your business. I love your logo, I would not change a thing.

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  3. Congratulations! A logo is very good! Do not change it!

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  4. My 20-something daughter and I love your designs. Hats Off to Halloween original looks just as fresh today. We'll continue stitching your designs as long as you continue to churn them out!

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  5. You have always been my favorite designer and I have the stash to prove it...:) Why change a winning game...keep your great logo!!

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  6. Okay, so I'm definitely buying this one! I love how you've added the turquoise color to your Halloween offerings. I do remember the Heatherfield. I stitched a lot of things with it too. I can't wait to see what other Halloweenie things you've got!

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  7. Congratulations for all your amazing designs over all these years! I always look forward to seeing your new releases your love of your work shows.....

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  8. I love your blast from the past!! I hope you do more! I love your logo!! I hope you won't change it!!

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  9. Love your designs! Amazing work! Any place to purchase the original? I would love to stitch it!

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  10. Congratulations! I love your designs and the original logo is perfect! :)

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  11. Regarding the original #1 Hats Off to Halloween design...it is still available. It's not out of print. Hats Off 2 is just a NEW design - same saying.

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  12. Can you tell us the stitch count of the extra pattern included, the be very scary one?

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  13. Don't change your logo, it is perfect just the way it is! I have just recently found you guys, within the last few years, and I think the first designs you put out are just as gorgeous as the new ones.

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