January 2010: Letter from Lindee
OK, so its the new year and we’re supposed to make all sorts of resolutions. Two that I should make are to be more faithful at posting new content and to get back in shape after a year lapse–especially because I have a big class reunion coming up in June. But I’m not gonna do that…
In case you’re wondering where I’ve been, I’ve really had my nose to the grindstone working on 3 huge projects:
- Learning Generations digitizing software to teach classes and create designs
- Writing a comprehensive Learn to Digitize course actually using software consumers would use (I love Punto, but let’s face it, how many consumers use it?)
- Learning Filemaker Pro well enough to pass the certification test before a new version comes out.
In addition to the above, I have also been teaching free weekly webinars at embroidery.com with co-host James Lyman, another experienced professional digitizer. Each week we look at various digitizing topics—often submitted by attendees—and actually work live right in Generations. Boy has that pressured me into learning this program! Of course, you do not have to be a Generations user to attend and you can easily transfer many of the techniques to whatever software you are using. Our class is growing every week and often only half the class has Generations so come join us! You can even hide out in the back and we won’t pick on you.
Also, in order to learn a digitizing program, you actually have to create designs in it. To that end, I’ve created 6 sets of embroidery elements for Generations as Building Blocks. I love the Building Block concept. I can create pieces that work together and then build my own combinations by dragging and dropping into the work area. Apply a little imagination, a bit of creativity, and a touch of the Super Align tool and you can make your own designs without ever digitizing a stitch! (Note: You will have to have Generations in order to use these designs; you cannot even open them in any other program.)
Why Generations? It works with all machines out there yet it is not tied to any one of them. It’s easy to use and in the ball park cost-wise as similar programs without auto-digitizing features. Auto-digitizing gives you the power to create designs quickly and easily but you’ll want to do way more than that! Read my story about why Generations. (Yes, I finally finished that post I started over a month ago!)
What About Filemaker?
OK, so I’ve been using Filemaker since 1987—7 years longer than I’ve been digitizing. I have this philosophy (at least people accuse me of this) that no project is complete without a database. While I’m not truly a “real developer” as in the sense of building databases for a living, I love this product and use it for business and fun. Certification has just been one of those things on my bucket list for several years.
Over Christmas, we drove to Columbus, OH from Tucson, AZ, just shy of 4300 miles round trip and I had about 60 hours of car time to kill (I’ve learned from past experience it is quite hard to digitize in a moving vehicle). I spent most of that working my way through the first 9 of 12 modules in the Filemaker Training Series and making modifications to several projects. My reward for finishing the Learn to Digitize Units is play time with Filemaker.
So trying to work on those projects have left little time for expanding the website. If only I could figure out how to clone myself…
Other News
The shopping cart is now updated to permit international orders! Most products in the shop are downloadable with the notable exception of the Learn to Digitize series and any accessories. If you live in Australia and surrounding areas, please order shippable products from EchidnaClub. You’ll get them faster and at your current exchange rates (I do dollar for dollar with Echidna).
New Products in the Shop This Month
- Learn to Digitize Unit 1 Bundle Special (includes Unit 1 and Anatomy of a Design)
- Learn Digitize Unit 1
- bb004 Elegant Scrolls Building Blocks for Generations
- bb005 Frames and Borders Building Blocks for Generations
- bb006 Delicate Roses Building Blocks for Generations
- Tension Minder with digital readout for optimizing thread tensions; a must for multi-needle machines. Special introductory price!
- Thread Tension Gauge for verifying bobbin tensions. Special intro price 1/3 off!
- A PDF catalog is now available and features links to the products in the shop making it really easy to order.
Related Posts
Notice: The copyright of the article January 2010: Letter from Lindee is owned by Lindee Goodall. Permission to republish January 2010: Letter from Lindee in print or online must be granted by the author in writing. Here are articles I have written that you can freely use as long as you retain my bio info.
