Learning to use a lightbox

Last Saturday DD#1, Amy, and I spent about 8 hours photographing, choosing just the perfect photo, and doing the color front page for the model for "My Heart's Garden". Whew. We learned alot, and I think we are going to work on photographing it again this coming Saturday. We finally got the setting the way we liked, but the lighting was just not perfect. I want to try it again.

I made a very homemade, what supplies I had on hand, type of lightbox. I used a see through plastic container instead of mounting white paper on a cardboard box, and I am pleased how it left no shadows. But I used two regular lightbulbs along with my natural daylight Dazor, and tried every setting on the camera. I think I will try it with the Dazor and two flourescent lights and see what kind of effects we get. This has sure been a learning experience. The next go-round should not take quite so long!

The Beginning...

Welcome to my Lacey Thread Designs blog. I plan on talking about the designs when they are actually published, and in the meantime, sharing with you the process of becoming a full fledged company. It has been quite a learning time for me, having to deal with software with which I am unfamiliar, state laws and local ordinances with which I am totally ignorant about, having to find a web site server that doesn't charge an arm and a leg, having to decide on a layout template that will nicely service all, or most, of my designs.

I have had to learn about drawing stitch diagrams, and dealing with a slightly unstable design software. I have learned that one must do about 10 backups of every little change in a design, and then back it up again by creating a JPEG or PDF. Because, if something can go wrong, it will.

I have learned to buy way more thread than I think I need for a project, like 3 or 4 times the amount I think I will need, because invariably, it will not be enough, and the next time the thread is ordered, it will always be a different dye lot. I have learned to rip out stitches to blend in the new dye lot. and then rip again to blend some more. Take my word for it. It will ALWAYS require more thread than you think, especially, ESPECIALLY, if you are using an overdyed thread!!!!


I have learned that one can start a design business on a shoe string, but it is very difficult. It would be so much easier to find the easy and expensive solution to whatever I need to do. But I am learning that even though it takes me four times as long to get done what needs to be done, it CAN be done with very little start up money. I am going to have to break down and invest in a couple of things. Like a website server. And printing.


I am learning that this is what I love. I have discovered that perhaps my life's journey will not be working for someone else 40 h0urs a week for the rest of my working life. At least I hope not. I long to have the time to invest in this full time.


This will be an interesting journey. Hope you come along for the ride!!!