2009 resolutions update...

Okay, while I was on the treadmill last night I was thinking about my goals and resolutions for the year. I started thinking, "what were my resolutions?", "I wonder how far on/off track I am.", so I've copied in the resolutions that I posted at the beginning of the year and I'll give an update next to each - I can't wait to see how I've done...

2009 Family Resolutions:

• Eat at home more [cook more ;D] - Proud to say that we've been a lot better at this and have some yummy new regular meals to show for it.
• Be more active [mountain biking & hiking together] - We have been better at this, but could continue to improve. We've been to the greenway together several times [running/walking/biking].
• Keep a close eye on what buy - We've been very good at this as well and our bank account shows it - yeah us!
• Try to get more sleep [all of us stay up too late] - We've all been better at this. We all stay up late on the weekends, but the weekdays are much earlier [most of the time] then they were before.
• Pick up after ourselves so the house will stay cleaner - We've all been better at this too - it's much easier to do the real house work because there isn't so much picking up to do first.
• Spend more time together as a family - I think this is the only one that hasn't really gotten better overall - probably about the same. With Allie being a teenager, I guess we're lucky that she spends as much time with us as she does :)

My 2009 Resolutions:

• Eat healthier foods and think about what and why I'm eating - Most of the time [more often than last year] :)
  
• Improve my tennis game - I haven't been able to play as much tennis as I would like, but we made it to City Finals, so that must count for something!
• Take Max for a 30 minute walk daily [at least most days] - nope ~ I think I've taken him for 4 walks. I know it's bad, but he's getting old and he has a hard time moving around for a few days after a walk, so I can't make myself take him.
• Keep up with house work better [try to keep main floor company ready at all times] - not perfect, but better.
• Continue to grow my business - I have worked very hard at this and it shows! It is growing even in this hard economy. I've added supplies and additional software to my offerings and it has helped a lot.

Whew! That was a lot better then I thought it would be! I have had a good first half of the year, so I just need to stay on track to make sure that the next half is even better.

I hope you enjoyed this post. I would love it if you left a comment about your new year's resolutions and goals and how they're going so far this year!

I just listed Embird Font Engine @ AKDesigns Boutique. Here's some basic information for those that didn't know Embird had a Font Engine or didn't know about Embird Embroidery Software. ENJOY!

Font Engine 5.0

Plug-in for Embird 2003 and above [Must have Embird Basic 2003 or newer to use this plug-in]

Embird Font Engine is a tool for conversion of text made with TrueType or OpenType font into an embroidery design. There are many adjustable lettering parameters such as size, density, fill and outline modes as well as characters layout and deformations in Font Engine. When finished, lettering is compiled into stitches and put into Embird Editor for final adjustment and save in desired embroidery format. Font Engine is accessible also from Studio's interactive lettering. When used from Studio, Font Engine produces text in a vector (outline) form that can be further edited in Studio.




Please note: Font Engine does not include any font. It is a conversion program. Our other product, Embird Alphabets, is a lettering system totally different to Font Engine. Alphabets are predigitized embroidery fonts.




Font Engine produces lettering in a large size scale, from about 5 milimeters (1/5") up to 30 cm (12"). There is no separate installation file for Font Engine. Evaluation version is included in every installation of Embird. However, you will have to purchase and register Font Engine separatelly from the main Embird program, otherwise only several characters are available in every font. After purchase and insertion of registration password, evaluation version turns into full version. No additional download or installation needed. Use "Editor -> Insert -> Font Engine Text" command to access Font Engine.

Basic Functions listed below:


Select TrueType or OpenType font and type the text you want to convert into embroidery. Adjust size and other parameters of text in Properties tab.

Font Engine can produce plain fill, auto column (satin stitch) and motif fills and sample, satin and applique outlines for text.

Use Fill Exterior function to invert filled areas of text.

Pattern, Wave, Gradient and other effects like contour or circular fill can be applied to plain fill of text.

Font Engine allows user to place text on line, ellipse and other baselines and also to deform it with use of an envelope.

Characters may have single stitch, sample, satin stitch or applique outline.

Each character in a text can be moved, rotated, skewed and scaled separately to create unique lettering effects. Use Symmetry options for easier adjustment of envelope. Many predefined envelopes are included.

Auto Column (satin stitches) fill of text produces lettering looking almost as if it was digitized by a human digitizer. Font Engine uses large base of digitizers knowledge and an artificial intelligence to convert fonts into satin stitches.


Satin stitches lettering of large size should be used with Pattern option on, to avoid too long stitches and to add texture to a large stitched areas.

Have fun shopping!

need to convert documents to PDF files?

I've been meaning to post this link for a while...If you don't have Adobe Acrobat [and don't want to spend the money on it] just to convert documents to PDF files, you can download PrimoPDF for free! It's a great little program that's so easy to use. I use it to make all of my PDF files.

You just create your document, then "print" [choose PrimoPDF as your printer], they have a very friendly little menu that walks you through the file settings and where you want the file to be saved. So easy...so free!

Have a great day!

Authorized Reseller for Monogram Wizard Plus

AKDesigns Boutique is now an authorized reseller for Monogram Wizard Plus!

CLICK HERE to see all of the Monogram Wizard Plus products on our website! Plus, all links are PINK below to easily find the specific product that you need.

This is very exciting for a couple of reasons ~ 1) They have just added a very cool "Extended Features Pack" that allows you to use my designs in Monogram Wizard Plus [yeah - it's no longer a stand alone program!!], and 2) many of you already use and love Monogram Wizard Plus, so I can offer you the Extended Features Pack and the Alpha Paks at a discounted price!

Below is a list of products that includes a link to read a little more about each product and my discounted price.

• Monogram Wizard Plus - $249.00
  Monogram Wizard Plus includes some of the classic monogram fonts that are sometimes hard to find. Here's a link to all the fonts/monograms included in MWPlus
• Extended Features Pack - $79.99
  • Features Include:
    • Click & Drag - gives the user the ability to click the screen and
      "drag" their design elements to a desired location.
    • Flip Horizontal - this feature allows the user to horizontally
      flip any motif or character, in order to achieve all new results.
    • Flip Vertical - this feature allows the users to vertically flip
      all characters and motifs.
    • Rotate - all new rotate feature allows you to rotate all existing
      motifs and alphabets, to create a whole new look.
    • Color Sort - the color sort feature offers the user the option to choose how
      letters consisting of 2 or more colors will sew, making sewing the designs an even
      easier process.
    • Import - this feature will allow users to import external Embroidery (DST, EXP, SEW, JEF, PES) files, giving them the ability to use designs not included in the Monogram Wizard Plus.
• Alpha Paks [each Pak sold separately] - CLICK HERE to see them all - $39.99
  

Bundle Package Specials

Package #1 - $279.00

• Monogram Wizard Plus
• Extended Features Pack
  

Package #2 - $279.00

• Monogram Wizard Plus
• 2 Alpha Paks
  

Package #3 - $329.99

• Monogram Wizard Plus
• Extended Features Pack
• 2 Alpha Paks
  

Package #4 - $145.00 [for those that already have Monogram Wizard Plus]

• Extended Features Pack
• 2 Alpha Paks
  

Have fun shopping!

6 Free Ribbon Templates...

I just posted free 6 ribbon template designs on my yahoo group. These templates are part of my #357 & #359 Zebra Filled Font Sets.If you stitch on ribbon [or would like to] you will LOVE these templates! These templates will make it so easy for you to personalize your ribbon like the example below.Ribbon Templates

#357_1RibbonTemp - is a template for 1 1.5" ribbon in a 4x4 hoop

#357_2RibbonTemp4x4 - is a template for 2 1.5" ribbon in a 4x4 hoop

#357_4RibbonTemp5x7 - is a template for 4 1.5" ribbon in a 5x7 hoop

#359_1RibbonTemp - is a template for 1 7/8" ribbon in a 4x4 hoop

#359_4RibbonTemp4x4 - is a template for 4 7/8" ribbon in a 4x4 hoop

#359_7RibbonTemp5x7 - is a template for 7 7/8" ribbon in a 5x7 hoop

Download them FREE today!

• If you're a member of my yahoo group, just Click Here to download [or go directly to the group and login and download]
• If you're not a member of my yahoo group, just Click Here to join the group, then click on "Files", then "Free Embroidery Designs", then download any of the free designs that interest you ~ Have Fun!

Please Note: Free designs are only posted for 6 months. If this post is older than 6 months, the design will no longer be posted for free, but you can still purchase it @ AKDesigns Boutique.



Have fun stitching!

summer vacation...

Whew! Getting back in the swing of things after a week and a half vacation is tough! We had a great time though, so it's all worth it! I've included a few pics below ~ I hope you enjoy!










Have a great day!

35% OFF All Machine Embroidery Designs...

I just started a sale @ AKDesignsBoutique.com ~ 35% off all machine embroidery designs!

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AKDesignsBoutique.com - don't forget that you can immediately download after purchase ~ perfect for those middle of the night projects!




35% off all embroidery designs ~ use discount code FAMILY35 during checkout process (sale is valid until 7/20)




Just remember, if you are ordering supplies and designs, place 2 separate orders or your designs won't be available for immediate download.


Have fun shopping!