MadCow Creationz was started by me, Martha Sheriff and my daughter, Jenn. Jenn and I have, for many years, enjoyed sewing together and creating things. My mother passed her love of sewing, crafting and art down to me so I considered it just a part of life to sew and craft with my kids. Even my son used to do counted cross stitch.
Because I have a mechanical mind, thinking in 3-d is natural for me. Therefore, I can take things apart and put them back together in my head. Because of this talent, I am able to figure out how to put things together easily. I have made too many things over the years that just didn't go together correctly or easily. Time after time I would say to myself, "now why did they put that together that way?"
I've always wanted to correct this by making my own patterns. For many years I made a living in the embroidery business. My sister and brother-in-law and I started a new business back in the middle '80's. It was just the three of us for several years with some part time help here and there. The business boomed. We learned by doing. By never saying no, we would be forced to figure out how to accomplish a particular job. Usually we figured out the best way to do at the end of the job. Nevertheless, we gained valuable experience along with a great deal of respect in the trade and the design and supply business. Back in 1997, the decision was made to sell the business to Bernina of America. We stayed on in the business because they needed our expertise and knowledge.
Recently I was let go from that business that I helped give life. It was because my brother-in-law and sister had retired from the business a couple of years before. Many people who respected his business ethics and his knowledge kept bugging him to go back into the business. He did. So as soon as that information was made public, I was treated like a red headed step child. Of course they would never admit that that's the reason I was let go because that might lead to a lawsuit. As a matter of fact, they never said why they were letting me go and I didn't ask. I knew I wouldn't be told the truth anyway. And many others were being laid off as well. The difference was that I was let go immediately and others stayed on until the end of the year. I must say, my deal was better, because I got to stay home and get paid through the end of the year. I really liked not working and getting same paycheck. But, alas, this too shall end.
So now I am trying to make a living selling patterns. I also will be doing online classes for the specialized embroidery software Explorations, which I was involved in from day one. I still believe in this software. It is so easy to use and so powerful. It works with any embroidery machine and is very affordable as well.
I have three patterns available right now, with more on the horizon. So many ideas...so much time taken with other things! Working from home is good and bad. I love the solitude since I love being with people I love and I love me best! Sometimes getting motivated is difficult. It's so overwhelming sometimes that I don't know where to start. Other times I am so focused and driven that I get a lot done. I wish I knew what caused that, I'd do it more.
The first pattern I made was the Task-It Basket. I made the original one to have something to put my things in at sewing class. If I didn't have a trash can handy, I used it for that. When I had a trash can, I used it to keep my things rounded up and not falling off the table. Then when other people saw it, they started wanting the pattern. So I knew I had something. It's so versatile, which is where the Task-It Basket name came from...Give it a task, it can do it. It can hold patterns, fat quarters, CD's, DVD's, or books. It can be used for make-up. The great thing about using it for make-up is if you need to take your make-up with you, all you have to do is untie it, fold it over in half, tie it again and you're off. When you get to your desitnation, just untie it, open it and fold it down and retie it. It's very handy. And it makes a great gift.
The second one kind of came about as another necessity (necessity if the mother of invention after all). I had made several Task-It Baskets at one of our retreats and needed a bag to put them in to take them home. So the Task-It Bag was born.
Another pattern came about when I was next to a business at a craft show. She wanted me to design a bag that would carry her nail accessory items so I went home that night and made a prot0type. A few minor changes were made and the Victoria Bag was born.. It can be used for a small purse, for make-up or for just about anything. One of the gals bought the pattern to make little purses for the wedding party girls. They're quick, easy and they'd make great prom purses made out of satin. The pockets on the inside can hold lip stuff, phone, credit cards.
I'm working presently on a new tote bag pattern. It's very stylish, durable and has a lot of pockets inside.
I have a lot of ideas swirling around in the gray matter I like to affectionately call a brain. So keep looking here or at my website where you can purchase patterns or finished items. You can visit me at www.madcowcreationz.com.
---Martha
