Santa brought me a . . .

Heat Press!!

Christmas came a bit early when my husband bought me a heat press.

I've wanted one for a while.

This is my first project - a personalized Santa bag for our grandson, Ethan.

I love how it turned out.

I made the bag from duck (canvas) to last many, many, years.

I'm hoping it brings fun memories for Ethan as he grows up and hopefully lasts for him to use it for his kids :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Another 'Snow' Cute Gift Idea

You can never have too many snowman ideas :)

Here's a cute, quick, inexpensive gift .

I got the small red tub and white bath scrubbie from Dollar Tree.

The body wash (with label removed) is from Target.

I cut the snowman face and the snowflakes from vinyl using my Cricut.

I'm going to wrap it in cellophane, add a bow and cute gift tag for my neighbor.

Snowman Yard Stake Holiday Idea

While standing in line at a Dollar Tree store this summer, I looked over and saw some small solar powered yard lights.

Immediately I thought it looked like a snowman :)

After hanging on to the light all summer and fall, I got it out last week and made this.

I cut a small snowflake and the face from vinyl using my Cricut and applied them to the light.

A scrap of burlap was used for the scarf.

The vase is filled with florist foam soaked in water.

I stuck the light in the center and added fresh holiday greenery all around it.

Set him by a window to absorb sunshine and at night he will light up!

I am very proud to have my Snowman Snowball Fight set in this month's 

Vol 83 Nov/Dec issue of Designs In Machine Embroidery!

This is such a fun set and makes a great gift. It will keep kids busy all winter long.

The faces are machine embroidered. The snowballs are 3D orbs stitched on a sewing machine.

I've included the 'in the hoop' tag and instructions for decorating the bucket with vinyl.

The vinyl face is easy! It's all freehand.

Visit Embroidery Garden for 

'what's new, fun & creative in machine embroidery'

Knitted Ruffle Scarf

I know these scarves have been around awhile, but I just learned how to make one.

I don't knit, but I can crochet. 

A neighbor showed me how to knit one of these recently. 

It was so easy and came out really cute.

It's about 5' long and I used Red Heart Sashay yarn.

There are tons of videos on how to make these.

I need to make a few for Christmas gifts :)

Holiday Machine Embroidery Designs for Gift Giving

Here are just a few of my holiday designs that would be perfect stitched out for gift giving.

Get started early this season with my downloadable machine embroidery designs on Craftsy!

Visit EmbGarden's Craftsy Pattern Store »

The T-Shirt Quilt

It took awhile, but the quilt is finally finished.

I worked on it off and on for close to a year.

It was made using 30 of my oldest son's race shirts.

David is a runner, marathoner and ironman.

Each shirt was washed and cut apart dividing them into fronts & backs.

I rough cut the fronts to around 15"x15" then ironed a lightweight fusible stabilizer (Pellon) to the backsides.

All the shirts were then cut to 14"x14".

The blue sashings were cut to 2 1/2" and I stitched 6 rows of 5 blocks each.

I had a local lady quilt it on a longarm machine.

She did a wonderful job on it.

I cut a continuous strip of binding 2 1/2" wide and machine stitched it around the quilt. I had to stitch it at the kitchen table to support the quilt.

The finished quilt measures approximately 80" wide x 95" long.

My son loved it.

I've very proud of all of his accomplishments!

In the Hoop Snowman Coffee Cozy, Sleeve & Mug Rugs

I've designed a set of new 'In the Hoop' machine embroidery designs.

My love of snowmen continues with a Coffee Cup Cozy, Coffee Sleeve and 2 sizes of Mug Rugs.

They stitch up 'in your hoop' and will make great gifts for teachers, co-works, neighbors . . .

Quilting & snowflakes adorn these designs.

The cup cozy & coffee sleeve secure with an elastic loop & button.

This cute set is for sale on my site HERE

http://www.embroiderygarden.com/shop/in-the-hoop/beverage-and-food/snowman-cup-cozy-and-mat.html

Burlap Flowers Photo Project

As promised, here is my finished photo project using the In the Hoop Burlap Flowers I made.

The wreath was purchased at JoAnns already pre-made. 

I used a 50% off coupon :)

The little black frames were purchased at Dollar Tree.

The frames have holes in the easels on the back side.

I attached the frames, with large safety pins. It was a bit tricky, but they are all secure.

I wanted to be able to remove the frames so I can change out the photos.

 I sized and printed all the photos of our grandson in black & white.

I used 3 of my burlap flowers to embellish my photo wreath.

The flowers are in this set of mine:

Frayed & Layered Flowers

In the Hoop Burlap Flowers

I love experimenting with my designs.

I stitched one of my Frayed & Layered Flowers using burlap instead of cotton fabrics.

I love how it turned out.

I'm working on a family photo project and a few flowers like this will be the perfect addition to it.

My In the Hoop Frayed & Layered Flowers Set 2 can be found on my site here:

http://www.embroiderygarden.com/shop/in-the-hoop/flowers/frayed-layered-flowers-set-2-frag102.html

I will post my finished project in a few days :)

In the Hoop Fall Pins

I've designed a couple of new flameless tealight pin designs.

My Scarecrow and Jack O'Lantern pins are perfect for fall & Halloween.

The designs stitch up 'in your embroidery hoop' and are placed over

small battery operated tealights.

To purchase these machine embroidery files visit my web site by clicking on the links below.

Jack OLantern Pin Design

 Scarecrow Pin Design

Embroidery Garden

Some of my 'In the Hoop' designs available on Craftsy

Fall Vinyl

I bought this distressed frame at Michaels.

After cutting the svg file from black matte vinyl, I adhered it to a piece of heavy cardstock.

I popped it in under the glass and wa - la instant fall.

I plan on changing out the vinyl with the holidays and seasons.

In the Hoop Halloween Flameless Tealight Covers

Just in time for Halloween stitching, I've created a new set of flameless tealight cover designs.

These covers stitch up quick in your hoop.

You can use these as table decorations, party favors, gifts or even treats for some special trick-or-treaters.

When turned on, a soft glow emits.

You can read more and purchase the machine embroidery design files from my site, Embroidery Garden.

http://www.embroiderygarden.com/shop/in-the-hoop/tea-light-battery-operated-covers/halloween-flameless-tealight-covers-set-2.html

While you're there, check out all of my original flameless tealight covers and pin designs.

http://www.embroiderygarden.com/shop/in-the-hoop/tea-light-battery-operated-covers/

Quick, Easy, Cheap Pumpkin Fun

I found these large jar candles at my local grocery store for $1.99.

They had orange and pumpkin scent candles.

I cut the pumpkin face from black gloss vinyl on my Cricut machine.

The pumpkin face svg file was downloaded free from

 http://imagesbyheatherm.wordpress.com/2009/10/12/pumpkin-bag-svg/

It took me about 5 minutes to complete this fun project

B00

Getting Social

Besides my blog, here are a few other places to follow me :)

Embroidery Garden on Facebook

In the Hoop Group on Facebook

Embroidery Garden on Twitter

Embroidery Garden On Etsy

Embroidery Garden On Craftsy (click the Follow Link)

Sign up for my newsletter on my web site Embroidery Garden

In the Hoop Leaves & Dollar Store Crafts

My new 'In the Hoop Fall Leaves' designs were created to be used with 

Texture Magic. 

Texture Magic is a polyester fabric that when steam is applied, it shrinks causing dimension and texture in the fabric project it is being used in.

The leaf below is before steam is applied.

 Look at the dimension created after applying steam to the leaf stitched with Texture Magic.

There are 6 fall leaves in the set. They all stitch up quick!

 Use the finished leaves for a variety of projects.

Make brooches, wreaths, seasonal displays, etc.

I created these 2 projects with my Fall Leaves and things from Dollar Tree.

Each one was under or around $5.00 to make.

Here is what I started with from Dollar Tree. I didn't use everything I bought. I saved some things for other projects :)

Spooning

I took a little time out and made something for me.

The frame is from Michaels. I didn't use the glass.

It's embroidered on linen using Scriptina and Caroline fonts.

The old spoons are glued on with E6000.

It will sit in an easel in my kitchen.



Bird Feeder - Glass Yard Art

I'm in love with my new bird feeder.

It's made from various glass items.

An egg plate, saucer, small pot, light fixture, etc.

The ceramic bird sits atop and adds color.

The bird is glued to the saucer which is glued to the pot. This lifts off to add the bird seed.

It's glued together with a waterproof epoxy.

Homemade Breast Pump Bras

We welcomed our first grandchild about 2 weeks ago.

He's simply precious :)

Our DIL wanted breast pump bras (not the same as a nursing bras). 

The pump bras needed to be ordered, are expensive and comfort is an issue.

She had comfortable bras she wanted to use and asked if I could help. 

I pondered how I could do this and immediately thought to use my embroidery machine. 
I was able to quickly digitize a large eyelet that I used to create openings in the bras to accommodate the pump part.

This is going to work out perfectly and be more cost efficient and comfortable.

Follow me on facebook for more fun and unique designs, ideas and projects involving machine embroidery.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Embroidery-Garden/143334308826

Flag Mats

My new Flag Mats stitch up quick and 'in your hoop'.

This set includes 4 sizes:

*Coaster

*Mug Rug

*Mini Placemat

*Snack Mat

The fronts are quilted and the star motif is stitched on.

You can read more about this set and purchase the files on my site HERE

Patriotic Flameless Tealight Pins

Just in time for summer and the 4th!

I've created an Uncle Sam & Raggy Star pins.

The base of these pins are small battery-operated tealights.

 

My machine embroidery designs are made 'in your hoop'.

These pins are very easy to assemble.

 

You can read more about my pins and purchase my original machine embroidery files on my web site.

Uncle Sam & Raggy Star Flameless Tealight Pins

 



Fairy Gardens

I recently went to a class with my daughter~in~law to learn how to make a Fairy Garden.

The class was at Washington Nursery.

They had a lot of small plants and accessories to use in our gardens.

We purchased large glass jars with lids to build our terrariums in.

They're really easy to make.
Start with a clean jar, add a layer of pea gravel, horticultural charcoal and soiless dirt.
Add plants and little decorations to build a scene.
Add a very small amount of water and pop on the lid.

 

My first fairy garden is simple but sweet.

This one has one small plant, the small gnome reading a book and a few mushrooms.

The other one I made is larger with more plants, rocks, larger gnome and a few more decorations.

If these fairy gardens do well, I've got plans for a large one :)

 





Layered Flowers Using Texture Magic

I've designed a set of machine embroidery flowers that use Texture Magic to give them LOTS of dimension.

There are 6 styles of flowers in this set.

Each style is included in 4 sizes.

Coordinating leaf designs are also included.

 

 

Read more about this set and purchase the files on my web site HERE

 

To achieve the dimesion Texture Magic is used in these flowers.

Texture Magic is a steam-activated shrinking fabric made of polyester. 

It can be purchased on my web site HERE