Dreams Mini-Quilt

Several years ago I used an embroidered alphabet from Urban Threads Embroidery to create a min-quilt for a friend. We share a dark view of the world and joke that now that we are old ladies (neither claims to be a lady, to be sure) all our dreams are dead. I wanted to make sure she remembered me always so I made her a mini-quilt similar to what you see above.

She asked me to make another one for another friend of hers and I said yes. I used the alphabet to recreate the design because I didn't know where the embroidery file was. I've also changed embroidery machines so an update was needed. I used a different accompanying font but I think it still works. After stitching, rinsing to remove the water soluble stabilizer, and blocking the piece, I trimmed it and layered for quilting. 

I did the quilting with my Juki TL-2010Q. The swirls and lines are all free-motion quilting. Some are better than others. Just like the days in our lives.

Trimmed and ready for binding. 

I had only a fat-eight of this striped fabric but it seemed perfect for this 12" by 12" mini-quilt. I know my life isn't over and my dreams aren't dead. I do joke that I have my dream job because I dream about work almost every night. Too bad I don't get paid for those hours.

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):
Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle
Fiskars Rotary Cutter
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion
Fiskars 8-inch scissors
Juki TL-2010Q

Embroidered Tote

This has been the view of my embroidery table for weeks. So much clutter and so little room for new ideas. The first step in the project was finding my table. 

After a little while, sorting things, storing things, and admitting somethings would never get done, I could again find my desk. I hooped up some stabilizer and a tote bag. 

This design is from Urban Threads. 

The design is called Cattery Border. 

Aren't they cute!

This is great medium-size tote to carry books, groceries, or some yarn and your current project. 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion
Fiskars 8-inch scissors
tote bag

In The Hoop: Roberta Cross Body

I've been working on several in the hoop projects over the last couple weeks. I'm intrigued by the steps and how to incorporate them into an embroidery design. Basically, I'm learning the whys of stitch order and how that relates to bag construction.

I picked up a the Roberta Crossbody Zipper Bag from Designs by Little Bee. The design includes three sizes: 5" x 7", 6" x 10", and 8" x 12". This one is the 8" by 12" bag, which means it is big enough to hold an iPad Mini. The directions are very clear and include loads of photographs. This wasn't my first lined bag made with an in the hoop design, so I had some experience with the technique. I you're wondering why that anchor is stitched onto the stabilizer, it's because I didn't look at the anchor design in detail before starting and wanted to make sure I knew what I was doing before I stitched down the fabric. That's the placement line for the anchor. The stitching after that secures the anchor and does the details.

I added batting to the bag and that may have been a mistake. My machine was less than pleased sewing through all those layers on the final round of stitching. The applique has raw edges and I didn't use a fusible. The edges of the anchor should soften and fray a little with use.

Overall, I'm pleased with the outcome. I learned so much by making this bag. I learned some limitations of my machine (if I want to use batting I won't have the embroidery machine do the final round of stitching) and that I should wait for the hardware to show up before making more (I have placed an order with Strapworks.com for sliders, wire loops, and even some webbing so I don't have to sew the strap.

I'm going to go stitch out the smaller bags to see what else I can learn. Have you found any great in-the-hoop designs you would like to share? I would love to know about them.

Delicate Elephant

Sometimes I get a crazy idea. This time, it was to use some denim I have had for a couple years, a fun embroidery design from Urban Threads, and my own cross-body bag pattern, to make a fun bag.

I picked the colors based on the coordinating print I wanted to use for the lining and strap. The design is the Elephant from the Delicate Ones set from Urban Threads. This four-color design makes a big impact. The denim is a very pale blue; a color better captured in the next photo.

I should time myself making one of these bags. So I can give others an idea how long it takes. This was once I had the lining, outer pocket, and the strap ready to go together. 

This bag is a great size to carry more than your phone but not big enough to carry the kitchen sink. I think this one will make a great gift.

9" and 12" zippers were purchased as matched set from ZipIt Zippers. Seriously, I don't buy zippers from anyone else unless I cannot wait for the quick shipping provided by ZipIt. Great prices and so many color options.

White Elephant

Every year where I work, they have a holiday gift exchange. It is one of those things where everyone buys a gift for about $20, wraps it up, and then the fun begins. Last year, I brought a Squatty Potty as it was a useful and fun gift. I was a little concerned when someone else brought one, too. Then, I realized how in demand the Squatty Potty really was. Much fun was had by all.

My rule for these things is I bring a gift I wouldn't mind taking home. This means that I'm not buying a chia pet, or a Santa on a motorcycle. This year I went with the Cuisinart Knife Set. I have the printed set and love them. I use the smallest knife almost daily. This means that if I end up going home with my own gift I'll call that a win.

I was going to make a box and wrap it up with some plain brown paper, but while I was making the box (from another box) I decided I should just grab my Sharpies and get to doodling.

After the box was taped up it was good enough for gifting.

Also included in that amazing box is an apron with the perfect machine embroidery design. The design is from Urban Threads Embroidery.

If you want to try a gift swap with your group of friends at work or at home, check out one set of rules from the Official White Elephant Rules website.

Kawaii Kitties

In case you don't know, there is a great designer that regularly releases free patterns to make all sorts of wonderful and fun things. If you have a minute, or more, please go check out the great stuff from Choly Knight at Sew Desu Ne.

This little cutie is the Kitty Bean Plush which appeared recently as a free pattern. I made two of them using some scrap fleece I had leftover from other projects.

I am too impatient to hand-finish the tiny faces, so I resized the embroidery designs from Urban Threads collection Kawaii Factory and let the embroidery machine do the work. After several attempts, I managed to get a kitty face I liked.

I liked it so much I stitched it out several times so I could make a collection of Kitty Beans. I see more of these in my future. They are just so cute and cuddly.

Critters!

First, the critters you can cuddle. I made up these fun stuffies using the great designs from Urban Threads. If you want to give a fun little gift and try out in-the-hoop designs this is a great way to get started. They have an easy to follow tutorial and the designs are very reasonably priced. I want several of each in a rainbow of colors.

I often take a 2-mile walk at the end of my work day. The path is well-paved, somewhat shaded, and I can almost always find a critter or three along the way. My last walk was quite filled with creatures. The day was warm, and I wasn't in a hurry. I saw this button buck, who wasn't that interested in me taking his photo.

Frogs seem rather camera shy. This one was practicing not being seen and refused to jump when I squatted down to take the picture. Three or more friends splashed around, though.

This little turtle was just chilling in the ditch. It did duck its head under water when I got close to take the picture.

A park near my house, has plaques that tell you about the local wildlife that can be found in the park, like painted turtles, salamanders, and now even Pokemon. I really like the Bulbasaur.

Embroidered Projects

My Darling Husband handed me a couple bags (months and months ago) and asked me to add some embroidery to make them more interesting.

I have this great Carpe Noctem design from Urban Threads.

I embroidered the two bags with similar color combinations. The background on the smaller gray bag (on the right) was stitched in a fun variegated thread while the one on the left is a gray thread for the background stitching. I did consider holding onto one for myself.

Carpe Noctem

Embroidered Holidays

Today will be a quick and short post. I promise to have more interesting things tosay tomorrow or the next day. And loads of photos, too!

This fun Gingerbread Skeleton design popped up on Urban Threads and my Darling Husband asked for one. While I was doing other things this was stitching away on the machine. I really like his cute little skull. The stuffie, not my husband, though I like him, too.

Day 17 of the 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge.

Winter Friends

It isn't often Darling Husband asks me to make him something. Particularly something completely frivolous. So when he asked for a penguin, I made him one.

The design is Playful Penguin (stuffed) from Urban Threads. Their designs make me so happy. They have a different sale every other week and a new free embroidery design (machine and hand) every two weeks. I buy my machine embroidery almost exclusively from them.

I stitched him up quickly and handed him over to DH. The little penguin was promptly placed on the mantel in the living room near the holiday tree. I should make a smaller one, perhaps in a fun print.

Day 10 of the 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge.

Snarky Embroidery

If you are like me, you do a search for "mean cross stitch" or "foul language embroidery" when you want a quick giggle. Warning, most of what you find won't be safe for work, or children, or sensitive souls. I am not a child, nor sensitive, though I can be childish at times.

A friend of mine recently turned 49 and isn't exactly excited about the prospect. When I tried to wish her a happy birthday, she said "meh" with a shrug. I said "all your dreams are dead" and she cackled. I felt compelled to mark the occasion appropriately by creating something no one else would ever give to her.

I started with these awesome letters from Urban Threads Embroidery called Inked Alphabet. They have so many awesome designs and I love when I can make one of them really shine. I pulled the letters to join with a font within my embroidery design software. I thought this was a good match. I picked really subdued colors for this. I want the work to draw the eye, not the colors. I set the machine to stitching and worked on other things while it churned away embroidering mean words and breaking the thread.

Once it was stitched out, I drew some lines as guides and got quilting. The spiderweb-like effect wasn't really planned. I did want rays shooting out from the D in dreams and I managed that. Overall I'm pleased with the quilting. The quilting was hand guided on my long arm quilting machine frame. The finished size is 10" high by 12" wide.

Not everyone will really get my dark humor; I get that. Someday, you will look back on your life, and I truly hope you look back on the many wonderful things you've done. When I turn 50 I'm going to accept that all my dreams are dead.

In the Mail Monday: Embroidered Love

After I returned from the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, I found the most wonderful package from a friend.

Inside were some cookies (none for you) and this delightful package. I love the hand written note almost as much as the beautiful hand embroidery.

Look at this beauty! The background fabric is re-purposed fabric from a hand-dyed skirt. That makes it even more awesome in my book! Thank you Melissa for this treasure! Now I just have to figure out how to finish it. Because she knows me. She gets my creative drive. I think this little darling will become a wall hanging. But I'm not going to rush it. She's hung on my design wall, to sing her siren song every time I glimpse her shiny scales.

Design is Aquarius - Mermaid by Urban Threads. The hand embroidery design is a very affordable $1.00.

Craft is Art Coloring Contest

Urban Threads recently announced a coloring contest and offered up a free machine (and hand) embroidery design. I wanted to get started quickly, so I picked up this simple tote from a local chain craft store.

The first step was to rip open the side seams and press it flat. This is one of the only times you'll see my seam ripper. I'm not a fan of ripping anything. When I sew this back up it will be so much better than the quality of the stitching it was made with.

Next was to get my fabric stabilized and the embroidery design stitched. This was the first time I used the biggest embroidery hoop I have for my machine. I usually use the medium hoop (6" by 9" hoop). I stitched it out at the largest size, 6.85" by 9.02".

Stitched out and ready to color. Now I just have to find my fabric markers. Or the crayons. Got to be around here somewhere.

I found my big bag of Sharpies and got to work.

I threaded the serger and stitched it back into a tote. This turned out so awesome! I love this piece.

Catnip Fishes!

I know I've talked about Urban Threads before but I just love their designs.

A friend at work is taking on the generous task of cat-sitting for a friend. A two-year long affair where the kitties are moving to her house. I decided that I needed to try to help the kitties with their move and new environs by giving them something fun. This fun design is a stuffie that you can make with a little bit of catnip to make it a fun toy. I used the smaller of the two sizes and was able to make two at a time with my 4"x 4" hoop.

Urban Threads supplies a project tutorial so you don't have to worry one little bit about how it all goes together. I was going to make a pair of fishes. But then I wanted pink fishes.

Then I thought I needed more colors of fishes. I ended up with a dozen little fishes to stuff with a pinch of catnip and a bit of fluff. If we're lucky, we'll get a photo of the kitties and their toys. I think I need to make a bunch more and send them around to all my friends with kitties. They are quick and easy and fun.

Have you found any great in-the-hoop designs?

Embroidered Thank You for a Queen Bee

My Darling Husband asked me to make a thank you gift for a friend.  The somewhat loose request asked for a bag (or something) with a bee embroidery.  Not one to turn down a challenge, I came up with a plan.

I found this tiny bee design from Urban Threads and thought it would really make the zipper tab so much better.

The wide-open pouch design is a free tutorial from Noodle-head.  I've made more than a few of these and I love how easy they are and how great the finished bag can be.  These bags are great for holding your small knitting projects, or a crochet project or even some hand sewing.

Then I picked another great bee design from Urban Threads called Queen Bee.  Urban Threads offers many of their designs as hand embroidery designs.

Stitched up and assembled.  Design stitched on Pfaff Creative Performance with embroidery attachment.  I used fusible fleece for this project so I didn't add quilting.

The lining has a touch of gold in the fabric.

See how awesome that zipper tab turned out?  The final review of the bag was very positive.

I made another one in purple, but the zipper tag isn't as cool.

Have you used Noodle-Head's tutorials?  What about designs from her book Handmade Style?