It's hard to believe our little company is FIVE YEARS OLD this year! Back in 2007, The Crackerjack Shack looked a lot different than it does today. I was designing and sewing boutique children's clothing, and didn't do hardly any logos at all. Then, the request came from a customer (one that's still with us, by the way...) to do some corporate logo wear - and the rest as they say is HISTORY! Today we have a brick-and-mortar store with 7 employees and state of the art equipment. We have all kinds of exciting things on the horizon for 2012, so stay tuned.

As many of you know, the cotton market has been volatile the past year....to say the least! Cotton prices have been at an all-time high, which has made the cost for apparel rise as well. Fortunately, we are finally seeing those high prices subside a bit. We still have a long way to go, but at least pricing is moving in the right direction.

As most of you in the corporate world know, spring is the busiest season for the decorated apparel industry. With the upcoming changes in the weather, and with spring/summer company events already on the agenda, it's no wonder that everyone scrambles to get all their promotional items in place. Spring is also the time when deadlines are often missed and quality is reduced because of the speed at which decorators must complete their projects.

As we have prepared for the launch of our new site, I've asked myself time and time again what you might want to know about the decorated apparel industry. As I survey our customer base, I have to say, different things are important to different clients. We have a sign hanging in our shop that reads "Price, Quality, Speed - Pick Two." It's meant as a tongue-in-cheek joke, but at the same time, it depicts the 3 most important things to our customers - and truth be known - we really do try our best to deliver all three.

I heard not long ago that Heather Ross is taking a break from designing, which may mean that the Far, Far Away collection may be her last collection for a while. Anybody have more info on this? Man, I'm going to miss her!!!

I turned 40 last year, so I thought it was time for an update in my routine makeup. I really like the convenience of mineral makeup, and the idea of it being more natural really appealed to me. I had a friend who tried Sheer Cover, and she sent me a link where I could get a starter kit for free if I just paid shipping. I got it, and then it got me! LOL

I found a buyer for all my overstock Free Spirit fabrics, so as of noon tomorrow, they will be gone. We're making room for the new fabrics from Michael Miller, Amy Butler, and Henry Glass.

I don't know about you, but I'm so ready for spring. It's been dreary as ever here, so any day the sun shines...it's a good day! There are so many projects I'm dying to start for the happier weather. New skirts, a new purse, a pair of one-of-a-kind jeans, and even some draperies for my dining room.

OK, I admit it....I'm a fabric junkie! LOL

I don't know about you, but every year at about this time, I start to think of all the Christmas projects I'm not going to get finished. I start planning around Labor Day, and no matter how much time I spend in my studio, there just never seems to be enough time. So, I'm perplexed over the same dilemma as last year....do I donate my Christmas fabric to someone else, or do I store away the project for yet another year? This year, I think I'm going to go the donation route.

Things you might not think of to be thankful for...

*creativity

*friendly cashiers (we'll be wishing for these on Black Friday! LOL)

*fun colors

*computerized sewing machines (of course!)

*automatic car washes

*pretty nail polish

*evening stars

*really fresh fruit (yesterday's surprise delivery of home grown pomegranates from my friend in California come to mind....)

*the smell of Cheerios on your baby's breath

*a really fast Internet connection

*thread that doesn't break

*clean floors (...only because cleaning them is one chore I really detest....)

Today is my 40th birthday, and I am amazed at the number of people who ask me if it bothers me. Heavens, NO, it doesn't bother me. I'm alive, I'm healthy, I've got a great family, I'm surrounded by friends...who could ask for more?

Thank you, Lord, for 40 wonderful years...looking forward to 40 MORE!!