Traveling with the Latitude Z

This weekend I got my first opportunity to try out the Latitude Z while traveling.  This was a quick, easy tryout, as Adam and I, along with our son, just took a drive down the coast and stayed in a resort overnight, to celebrate a friend’s birthday.

When I got the Latitude-Z, I noticed that it doesn’t come with a built-in DVD drive.  This surprised me at first, but then I realized that, at about 1/2 inch deep, there just isn’t room for a DVD drive.  To me it is worth the sacrifice to have such a thin and lightweight computer, since all you have to do is plug the external DVD (or BluRay) drive into the side of the computer, and you are all set.  This really came in handy over the weekend - I was able to bring one of my son’s favorite DVDs on the trip with us.  I botted up the computer, plugged in the DVD drive, inserted the movie, and he was all set.  No more hotel room boredom!  Yes, I’ve been able to do this in the past with other notebook computers, but the picture and sound quality on the Latitude-Z are so much better than my past computers - the HD display in particular makes a huge difference.

The Latitude also worked really well for me to stay connected with work.  Despite being out of town for a “pleasure trip,” I did need to look up some information on the fly for a customer.  I connected remotely to my office computer, got the information I needed, and quickly sent an e-mail to the client with the information.  What might have taken an hour (calling another staff member, perhaps having someone drive to the office to look up the information) was accomplished in just a few minutes.  So convenient.  Again, I’ve done this in the past with other notebook computers, but often the display quality on a remote connection is poor, and generally the connection is also pretty slow.  With the Latitude-Z, the display was much better and there was only minimal lag time with the connection.

I also got the chance to play with a few more features.  One of the coolest features I came upon is Dell Capture.  Dell Capture is included software that allows you, through the use of the built-in webcam, to scan documents and business cards directly into the computer.  My first attempts were only partially successful (due to user error rather than the software itself), but after a little practice, I found that I could successfully scan a business card and then export it into Outlook as a contact.  Cool!  I know that there are plenty of card scanners out there, but they always seemed like overkill for  my needs.  This will be perfect for me.

So, all in all, a good weekend - a fun and relaxing time with my family, a little bit of work, and lots of fun playing with the Latitude-Z.

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Sew What? Star of the Month - March 2010

Meet Susana, Sewing Machine Operator

Susana has been with Sew What? for 5 years.

If you could take a vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go, and why?  I would go to the Holy Land (Jerusalem) to learn more about where Jesus walked.

Who is your favorite recording artist?  Marc Anthony.  All romance music, cumbia, and all other kinds.

Do you have a special talent?  I like sewing a lot!  And dancing.

What is your favorite movie or TV show?  I like horror movies, science fiction, and suspense.  Also, I like Spanish soaps.

What is your favorite memory from Sew What?  The day I came for an interview.  If my car hadn’t broken down in the parking lot, I probably wouldn’t have been as memorable, and I wouldn’t have gotten hired.  It’s a good thing they felt sorry for me!

What project have you worked on recently that was interesting or challenging?  We worked on honeycomb swag drapes for a major entertainment industry awards show that required that onesie velcro cuffs be sewn onto the individual swags, in order to rig/attach these drapes to a 35′ h x 80′ w frame. Attaching these cuffs in just the right place allowed for these drapes to hang in a precise location that would allow this bi-parting drape to intertwine and look like a solid drape when it is drawn closed. 

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Alice in Chains Video

You may remember that I posted last week about the Alice in Chains project.  Although I included linkes to several videos in that post, I just found out about another great video from their current tour, so I thought I’d post a brief update.  The video is a great compilation of scenes from the show.

And while I’m at it, here is another great photo!

Design: Mike Baldassari @ Mike-O-Matic Industries www.mike-o-matic.com;  Photo By: “Iron” Mike - SavoiaPhotography.com

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Staying connected with the Latitude-Z

I’ve mentioned before how lucky I have been throughout the years to see the world, often as a result of work-related projects. These days, in addition to traveling for work-related projects, I also find myself on the road to attend a variety of industry functions and speaking engagements (such as when we were recognized by Dell as a “Trailblazing” company).

As the business has grown, I have noticed one difference from my past travels, though - the need for me to stay constantly connected with the office and my clients even when I am halfway across the world. When I travel, I of course have my iPhone, but a notebook computer is now a necessity as well. With it and a wireless internet connection, I can log onto my office desktop computer (via our company network) and do just about everything I would do on a regular day at work - prepare customer quotations and orders, access documents on my office desktop or even on our company network, and so much more - almost as if I was sitting in my office at work rather than in a hotel room 100s or 1,000s of miles away.

My relationship with Dell Computers has been a huge help in this area. Recently they suggested that I try their newest notebook computer, the Latitude-Z, and I am so glad they did - it really is an incredible machine.

When I unpacked all the boxes for the Latitude-Z Package, I was impressed before I even booted up the computer. First, let me say how well it was packaged for shipping. The components were shipped via Fed Ex in several cartons - laptop itself in one box, other components in additional boxes.

Dell really does a good job in packaging the components to ensure that they arrive in good condition, using inner boxes, molded foam, and molded cardboard pieces. Nothing is going to slide around or get damaged in shipping - no way! But on the other hand, it also didn’t seem like there was a bunch of extra unnecessary packaging - just enough to keep everything safe and organized.

But it was my first look at the computer that really threw me for a loop. It is gorgeous - sleek and modern and oh so thin! Pictures really don’t do it justice. The first thing I noticed was the color. It is a beautiful Black Cherry (burgundy/black) color. The next thing to hit me was the size - it is amazingly thin and so lightweight! My previous laptop was about the same size (in terms of screen size, I mean), but it is so much heavier and bulkier. What a difference with the Latitude-Z. But even though it is thin and lightweight, it is still a good working size, at about 15″ x 9 ½”, with a 16″ diagonal screen.

I decided to spend my first excursion on the Latitude-Z exploring all that it had to offer. And it really does have some fun bells and whistles. The first thing I noticed was how great the wireless inductive charging stand is. I have never used charging pads or anything of that nature, so this was new to me. I plugged in the charging stand and set the Latitude-Z on top. The computer fit perfectly on the stand - no need for trial and error to get it in the right position. I booted up the computer, and almost instantly I saw that the computer was charging. It was time to start exploring.

I decided to check out the high definition display by pulling in some photos from the company digital file storage. The photo display was incredible - light years away from my previous laptop. I couldn’t believe the detail in the photographs - just amazing. I then opened a video - even more incredible. The detail is at least as good as (maybe even better than) my HD television. Wow! The sound is also great.

This really is a great notebook, and I am looking forward to putting it through some trials, including my first foray into travelling with it. I’ll keep you posted.

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Alice in Chains Project

In late January, we worked on an interesting project for the 2010 tour of Alice in Chains.  The primary pieces that we made were a series of Single and Double Kabukis. 

The Double Kabuki, at 25′ h x 45′ w, was made out of Silver Poly Silk, and then the 5 Upstage Single Kabukis (all at 22′ h and ranging in width from 10′ w to 44′ w) were of a silver textured satin.  We also made a number of pieces for the stage (drum riser, amp panels and floor light coverlets) out of Black 16oz Commando Cloth lined with Aluminum Mesh, as well as some black masking drapes. 

Design: Mike Baldassari @ Mike-O-Matic Industries www.mike-o-matic.com;  Photo By: “Iron” Mike - SavoiaPhotography.com

Rent What? also provided some pieces, including a Classic Theatre Header (Red) from their Timeless and Traditional Series, along with a number of Borders in Black 15oz Encore, and furnished the 44 piece Solenoid System with controllers (used with the Kabuki Drapes).  Check out the Classic Theatre Header in this photo:

Design: Mike Baldassari @ Mike-O-Matic Industries www.mike-o-matic.com;  Photo By: “Iron” Mike - SavoiaPhotography.com

We were all really proud of how the pieces turned out, but you never know how the client will react.  Well, I am happy to report that the client loved them!  Yesterday, Megan received a thank you letter from Mike Baldassari, Production Designer for Alice in Chains, and it is such a great letter that I have to share a little bit of it: 

Dear Megan,

I’m writing to again say thank you for all of your help, hard work, expertise and most especially your “do whatever it takes” attitude in support of Alice in Chains’ current tour…. I was also impressed with the quality, workmanship and organization of the delivery of the goods that Sew What built.  You have my sincere gratitude for a job very well done, and I look forward to working with you and Sew What on other projects as well in the near future.

Best Regards,

Mike Baldassari

It is so rewarding to get such positive feedback from our clients, and to be able to share it with our employees, especially those who worked so hard on this project.

By the way, if you’d like to see Alice in Chains in action, with some of our drapery providing the backdrop, I found several videos on YouTube.  I think this one highlights (yet again) how perfect silver / gray fabric is for projection, whereas this one shows the drapery in its actual silver color at the start of the video and then shows how it can become almost any color with the proper lighting (you can also see some of the mesh pieces on stage in this video).

Note: Want to see a Kabuki Drape in action?  Check out this video.

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Check out our bags

Recently, a customer sent us a photo of our Sew What? Drapery Bags.  He snapped the pic last week during set up for a major U.S. sporting event.  Wow - take a look at this pile of bags - that is a lot of drapery!

I’ve shown you the Sew What? drapery bags in Qatar, and even as luggage on an airport carousel in Germany, but this pile of bags is the biggest yet! 

We used to pack our custom stage curtains and other soft goods in plain clear vinyl bags, but we found that, while the drapes were protected in transport, the vinyl bags weren’t very practical from a customer’s perspective.  The tops were just tied shut, so there was no easy way to carry them, and they didn’t work well for storing drapery (due to humidity issues). 

So, a few years ago, we did some research and ended up deciding to have these bags made.  They are a durable non-woven polyester (so they “breathe”), which works well for storage, and the drawstring top with locking clip makes the bags easy to pick up.  We pack our drapes in these bags (complimentary), and our customers find them really helpful for transporting and storing the drapes.  They certainly are popular, as the photos prove!

(FYI, we also offer them on their own for sale.)

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Sew What? Star of the Month - Feb. 2010

Meet Guillermina, Sewing Machine Operator

Guillermina has been with Sew What? for four years

If you could take a vacation to any place in the world, where would you go, and why?  I’d go to Africa to help as many malnourished children as I could.

Who is your favorite recording artist?  No one in particular - I like all kinds of music.

No you have a special talent?  No.

What is your favorite movie or TV show?  The news.

What is your favorite memory from Sew What?  When I first started working here.  I was so nervous because I didn’t know how to place a single pin!

What project have you worked on recently that was interesting or challenging?  I had the opportunity to work on a project that used 8,000 yards of powder pink crushed fabric, for drapes that were being expedited to Doha, Qater, to be used at a wedding there.

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January Anniversaries

January seems to be the time for new beginnings.  The holidays are over and the new year has begun.  I guess one of the “new beginnings” at Sew What? includes hiring employees. 

After the slow anniversary month of December, I am happy to report that we have THREE anniversaries in January.

Shane, Account Manager / Creative Director - 5 years

Veronica, Sewing Machine Operator - 4 years

Vicente, Assistant Cutter - 3 years

Happy Anniversary to all!  We are so glad to have you as part of the team.

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Sew What? Star of the Month - Jan. 2010

Meet Gloria, Sewing Machine Operator. 

Gloria has been with Sew What? for two years.

Do you have any children?  Yes, three boys, ages 6, 1 1/2, and 8 months.

Do you have any pets?  What kind?  No pets.

What is your favorite food?  Chiles Rellenos.

What is your hobby?  Shopping!

What is your hometown?  Aguascalientes, Mexico.

What is your favorite sports team?  Chivas (Mexican soccer team)

What project have you worked on recently that was interesting or challenging?  The one project that was both interesting and challenging was the sunglasses printed on clear vinyl.  After that job, I knew I could accomplish anything.  I did it!

(Note:  The project that Gloria is referring to is the Soulja Boy Mixed Media Backdrop that Lynda blogged about in September).

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Happy New Year!

Well, here we are, the first day of 2010.  It has been a challenging year for many of us, given the state of the economy, but I am proud to say that Sew What? has weathered the storm and come out strong.

One of the elements that has really helped Sew What? in this tough economy is the implementation of lean manufacturing principles.  While other companies faced red ink, our ability to become more efficient through lean manufacturing has allowed us to cut costs (without cutting staff) and remain profitable.  The assistance of our lean manufacturing consultant, Angel De Sevilla, and all of the folks at CMTC (California Manufacturing Technology Consulting) has been invaluable.  CMTC really is a terrific resource for small manufacturing businesses like Sew What?

Even more important, in my opinion, is the dedication of the staff here at Sew What?  Everyone here has contributed to the continuing success of the company, from the cutters and sewing machine operators, to the quality control team and project managers, from the Shipping & Receiving Coordinator to the Production Manager and Director of Operations, to the Sales Team, Bookkeeper, Purchasing Agent, Human Resources Manager, Sales Support, and the Sew What? Management team.

Do you remember that old cliche (I think it came out during the Clinton administration) - it takes a village to raise a child?  Well, Sew What? reminds me of that.  The products we produce - custom stage curtains, digitally printed backdrops, exhibit booth drapery - aren’t produced by just one person, or even one department.  It takes the entire team to make this company shine, and I am proud to say that (despite the occasional squabble, as will occur from time to time in any family), we really are a family.

So, from our family to yours, here’s wishing you a Happy and Successful 2010!

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