Graduation

Graduation is just around the corner. Whether you'll be shopping for high school or college grads Monogram Chick has great preppy gifts sure to please all.

For the girl going off to school a cosmetic bag set stitched in school colors is perfect, you could even add a matching shower wrap to cover up in those "hall bathrooms" we all loved from freshman year! One of my favorite gifts (and one that I still have) was a monogrammed beach towel. Not nearly as fun and funky as these but it served me well on many spring break trips to the beach! Not sure what to get the grad? How about a monogrammed travel mug? What college student doesn't know the necessity of Starbucks? Give them a great travel mug with a coffee gift card enclosed inside.

For those graduating college and moving into their first place on their own a personalized address stamp is a great way to say "you made it!" You could adorn their luggage for those job interviews with luggage tags. They are simple, yet so necessary!

The gift certificate goes to....

Extraordinarymommy! Thank you to everyone that entered--it was great to learn new people and add some blogs to my daily reads. A special thank you to Preppy Mama! Not only did you send a bunch of great people my way, the winner came via your blog so, you win too! Both Extraordinarymommy and Preppy Mama will receive a $15 MonogramChick gift certificate.

I plan to offer freebies regularly. Check back and enter often!
Thanks to all who particiatped, I look forward to the next "Friday Freebie".

**I used a random number generator to determine the winner.

Freebie Friday!--It's not too late. Winner not drawn until Monday.

What a fun way to end the week! Post a message below and one lucky person will be selected on Monday to receive a $15 gift certificate to MonogramChick. If you're a blogger, post this giveaway on your blog and if the person who wins was referred from your blog, YOU get a $15 gc too! Just a little way to say Thank You and Welcome Spring!

So don't forget, if you found this giveaway from another blog be sure to mention the site along with your name and email!

Good luck everyone and Happy Spring!

~Sarah
ps--Bloggers, feel free to grab the pic below to add to your blogs.

More than Monograms

Today we played a little--with our decal maker!

If you see my driving around town, you'll recognize me from my chicks and web address.

Do you have an online business that you'd like to promote?

Email me for details on getting your custom car decal.

We've Re-Hatched!

The time has finally come! After many, many hours of hard work our newly redesigned site is chirping along! I invite you to stop by and take a look around. I've added many new products and will be adding more in the coming days, and we've kept some of our best sellers including our Baby Bib, Burp and Blanket gift sets!

As a special treat for my readers, I am offering a COMPLIMENTARY MONOGRAM CAR DECAL with every $50 order placed this week! When placing your order simply enter "HATCH" into the Special Instructions field and I'll email you with personalization details for your decal. Offer expires April 27th.

Sneak Peek

As the site has been under serious construction, I have been busy adding new products. One that I am super excited about is our Personalized Monogram Address Stamps. This is the perfect, preppy solution to those not-so-adorable peel and stick labels. Check out all of the designs at www.monogramchick.com but here is a sampling of some of my favs!

It's Almost Time....

www.MonogramChick.com is about to re-hatch with a new design and many new exciting products. Stay tuned, the change is just around the corner (and so are the freebies!)

Preppy Baby

I love doing baby gifts! Half of the time I have no idea who these sweet little babies are, or to whom they belong but I love to think of what he or she may look like and what excitement their mommies and daddies are feeling as I work to create a special gift for each one of them.

My new favorite applique design is the double circle. I think this is so preppy and fun. The best part being that any mix of fun, funky or traditional fabrics look great on the bibs, burp cloths and blankets!

Here are some that I've done in the last few days which all have names embroidered in the center, but this design suits a fabulous monogram to the T!

Blue and White Preppy Circle Applique

Pink and Green Preppy Circle Applique

Blue and Chocolate Preppy Circle Applique

Cowboy and Red Preppy Circle Applique

Change is in the Air!

I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve, I am filled with anticipation and excitement! Within the next 2 weeks MonogramChick.com will have a new look! Check back often and let me know what you think of the changes! Also, stay tuned to the blog, I will be offering something special you won't want to miss as a re-Grand Opening celebration.

The site is still taking orders but we are basking in the southern sun as we enjoy a spring break in the south. Before we know it we'll be back to the chilly Midwest and stitching your orders with excitement for spring. All orders placed March 13th through March 22nd will ship the week of March 24th.

Hippity Hop

Peter Cottontail. This little shirt reminds me of the precious Beatrix Potter series about the curious little rabbit. What a perfect little tee for spring. I love Easter and what it stands for. Rebirth & Life. I am certain that I will be reminded of the rebirth and life that is all around as the snow begins to melt and the trees begin to bloom. What better way to usher in the season than with this little cotton tail embroidered on a t-shirt for your little one? Available in long and short sleeved as well as a wide array of color choices. Email me today to snag one for your curious little rabbit!

Sunshine and Sand

Since I am dreaming of sunshine and sand, I thought I'd highlight another coastal necessity. These paisley beach towels will make you the hippest chick on the beach. Add either your name or monogram to the towel so no one will "mistakenly" walk off with your preppy paisley towel.

Let's Head to the Beach!

This bag makes me want to don my flip flops and sarong!

What a better way to carry all of your beachy needs than with this flip flop tote? It is the perfect size for a towel, bottle of water, a great chick lit selection, and your ipod.

Even if you are still in the duldrums of winter (like me) carry this bag to the gym to get you motivated for swim suit season! It is also one of my top selling bridesmaid gifts.

The Preppy Bridesmaid

The great thing about getting married are all of the fun details that go along with the wedding! One of those details is the bridesmaid gift. These 100% cotton waffle weave cosmetic bags make great gifts. Give as a stand alone gift or fill with jewlery to be worn during the wedding or a spa gift certificate to get ensure your maids' fingers and toes are in tip top shape for your day.

Embelish the bags with names or monograms that coordinate with your wedding colors and you've picked a personal gift to give each of the girls who will help to make "your big day" special. Each bag is 8x7 and easily fits cosmetics, tolietries, ipod accessories, the options are endless!

Recent Projects 1

Here is a peek at what I have been working on today!

Appliqued Burp Cloths--whale and dino packaged and ready to be mailed.

Lime Seersucker Lunchbox with Curlz font

Blue lamb lovie. Frankie written in Child's Play

Light blue footed sleeper ($32) with circle monogram (email for ordering details)
Light blue and white pin dot 100% soft knit cotton blanket. Monogrammed at the corner.
Embroidered Bib and Burp set with Cade dot font
Cherries appliqued bib with name in Amelie font.

Rules of Monogramming

Monogram (noun) sign of identity usually formed of the combined initials of a name.

According to Webster, a monogram is a sign of identity. What better way is there to identify yourself? I am often asked about the appropriate order of a person’s or couple’s initials when creating a monogram. With this post I hope to shed some light on traditional and modern monograms.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries the rules for monogramming were simple. Sarah Riching Woodall would easily recognize her monogram as

The earliest female monograms had the first name initial on the left, middle name initial on the right and last name initial larger in the center. This monogram is still used most often today. As monograms began to cross gender lines the traditional male monogram emerged as having the letters of equal size in order of first initial, middle initial, and last initial. This monogram is still used today by both males and females. The monogram for Steven Niles Woodall would read

As times have changed so have the traditional monogramming rules. It is quite common to see a “joint monogram” for couples. The join monogram for Sarah & Niles Woodall would read.

Typically, the female’s first initial is on the left, the male’s first initial is on the right and their last name initial is larger in the center. Another common, more modern monogram is the Block Monogram in which the first initial and middle initial are stacked on top of each other to the left of a larger last name initial. Of course, the block monogram can also be used as a joint monogram as well with either all lowercase or all uppercase letters.

It is also quite common to embroider names. The name can be in a countless number of fonts, adorned by a variety of different designs, the creativity is endless!

Welcome!

I am so excited to have this blog up and running! Let me take a few words to introduce myself for those of you that don't know me....

After spending four years in the classroom as a seventh grade science teacher, I longed to change careers. Using my innate love for all things “crafty” and a new nephew as inspiration I began making burp cloths with fancy little fabrics, cute ribbons and finished them off with classic monograms. Soon, I was traveling around the southeast searching for the cutest fabrics, most unique ribbons and highest quality burp cloths.
Before I knew it, business began chirping along and in a few short months Monogram Chick hatched! I am so proud of Monogram Chick and what it has become and am excited to see what it will be. I strive to create an expanded selection of unique personalized items using the highest quality components so that each customer receives a uniquely personalized item.

With this blog I plan to highlight new items and give you gift giving ideas to make you the hit of the next baby shower, wedding shower or birthday party!

Please check back often for updates and ideas...and definately share this link with all of your friends!