[Embroidery] Wreath Pillow

I chipped away at my list significantly this weekend. So expect a few more posts in the future. I also put my todo list off to the left (*points*), mostly as a reminder to me and to keep me accountable.

This is what I had the embroidery machine going on for the other day. I didn't end up putting any pipping on it (totally forgot). You'll have to forgive the iphone pictures, natural light did not suit them.I also had originally planned on NOT stuffing these, but putting in a zipper so that they could be cases for the normal pillows. But then I realized that I had packed away the original pillows AND forgotten to measure them. This was not my smoothest planning.

But moving on, here's my finished product:

As previously mentioned: all leftovers. I got the design (OSED 2010 Christmas Collection Vol. 3) when I bought more stabilizer. I used leftover white cotton. And the thread, well I have a lot of that. (I still want that Gutterman thread cabinet from Joann's Black Friday. It doubled in price post sale. 100 spools for 79.99 seems like a great deal. ALAS, I restrained myself hoping it will show up again next year.)

So this was a project that both helped to "clean" my sewing room, but also cost NOTHING. THE BEST KIND OF PROJECT.

I have another pillow project that involved felt (which is cheap) and more scraps coming up. That will have a good bit more info on it than just a picture.

OH, somewhat random note, while on the subject of embroidery...Urban Threads is having a sale through Sunday. 50% off all designs and 30% off their design packs.

Stepping away from the Crafty Ledge

It came to my attention while Black Friday shopping that I have quite a few projects in a state of in-between. Most are started, none are finished. A few are still at the planning state. It makes for a messy sewing room.

A newly started, previously planned project that's using scraps

So despite having a new task added by my grandmother (who wants her name on ALL her glassware now it seems), I made a preemptive new year's resolution:

• No new projects can be started until I finish the existing ones and those that have had supplies bought/plans made. 
• No new fabric can be bought until I finish aforementioned projects.

[Thanksgiving] Embroidered Art!

I took a page from Urban Threads and pretty much made their example/freebie showcase using the Give Thanks design that is free today (AND IT ENDS TODAY!)

I'm fairly certain they test everything on muslin and thus, that's what their fabric is. But mine is burlap. 1/4 of a yard is all you'll need and it is 3.99/yard at Joann's. Cheap Walmart frame, WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER.

OR....Winner Winner TURKEY Dinner. Gobble Gobble!

[Embroidery] Christmas Towels

Time to start thinking about Christmas presents! As a part of my grandmothers' presents, I made them each a set of embroidered towels. Since I plan on actually giving them to them on Thanksgiving when they are here, I figured I could go ahead and post them. 

I love in-process embroidery pictures. 

[Embroidery] Hula Monkey Shirt

My sister/mother gave me 3 12-month sized shirts to embroider for my niece a while back. She turned 1 yesterday. So, yeah, running out of time (if you know how they grow).

This makes 2. The first was the Popsicle shirt. Design is from Lynnie Pinnie.

On another note, I got the camera with every intention of taking pics of the tux/vest combo, and realized my memory card was at work. So, maybe later tonight I'll take a picture?

Embroidered Patches

I have a bit of connundrum sometimes. I LOVE embroidery designs. They are adorable. I think I might actually dislike to actually embroider them. It's gotten better since I first got my machine about a year ago. Initially it had a host of problems and it took buying a new Windows based laptop, reinstalling the software a bunch of times and taking it back and forth to Hancock's Bernina kiosk to get it really going.

I'm now at the point with it that I can pretty much sit back and watch it go from across the room. Or as I mentioned to my mother...I can just listen to it go (except with baby clothes, those might catch and still have to be watched). I've used it enough now that I can recognize the sound of something going wrong. So while I work/play with my Cricut, lately I've been putting it to it's paces, somewhat begrudgingly.

Finished but not cleaned up and still hooped

This weekend I had the NEW Cricut to play with and wanted to get the hang of the Cupcake Wrapper cartridge. So while the Cricut was going, I set up the embroidery machine to make patches.

Back to the sewing machine

Embroidery post 1 of 2 that's coming up. This time it's a new shirt for my niece. She LOVES popsicles. I blame my dad, who babysits her while her mom is at work. So when commissioned to make her a "summer" shirt....

Now to get rid of the hoop burn from the shirt being in the hoop for FOREVER. Next up on the embroidery-for-baby to do list: Hula Monkey. And then I haven't decided what to do on the 3rd shirt.

Little Bit of Everything

Despite actively taking pictures on Saturday night while I worked on things for my mother, who was in town, I have yet to turn that into a post. Ugh, I think I've fallen out of the habit or something. Right now I'm averaging at every other week and I think there needs to be more. At least once a week. NEW GOAL.

EDIT: Ryan at Just a Guy Who Quilts has a notice about a closing sale at Fabric Flair you all might like. Spreading the world. 

Since the last post I've made another kimono-top thing, hemmed mine, tried valiantly to get the bias binding foot to work, tried valiantly to get my bias tape maker to work, made outdoor entertaining stuff for my mother, 2 skirts (soon to be 3), a bow, and 3 more hair pieces. So it's not like I've done nothing and ignored sewing. I guess I just get into a groove and forget to post.

And the sewing party that I mentioned involved VERY little sewing. A friend and I discussed some aspects and there was measuring and fittings, but that was about it. I'll try to get the webcam going one of these days.

I also tried to make an Easter shirt for my niece, but my machine had problems again. So rather than be all "here's how you do something", I'm gonna ask all of you. Here's the problem.

I have a Bernina 440QE with the embroidery module. The software (both Art Link and Art Design) are running on a windows laptop running Windows 7 that is reserved just for the sewing machine. Lately I haven't had any problems and it worked fabulously on the obi from the last post. But when I started it up to work on my neice's shirt, both Art Link and Art Design failed. The design window opened up just fine. I told it to write to the machine (for once I don't have to change a color). EC on PC starts up and the computer is black, the cords are black....but the design hasn't shown up and the embroidery arm hasn't made that "chu chunk" noise it typically makes.

This has happened before, but it was fixed by jiggling cables, which didn't help this time. So far I'm thinking the cables might be the crux of my problems with my machine. But does anyone else have any ideas? I need to get the 2nd obi finished.

In return for you help, I give you the reinstated: SHIBA INU PUPPY CAM. If you recall, I have a Shiba. And for those of you that know me, a neighbor stopped us on our walk the other day and remarked at how well behaved Ichi was because she had stopped and sat right down beside me. LITTLE CON ARTIST I TELL YOU. The actual quote was "best behaved Shiba I've ever seen". I guess I just somehow trained her to be on her best behavior when we're out in public. Now if we could get that going at the house.

At least she doesn't mess with fabric or scissors or pins. And she never tries to eat scraps or string from the floor. She actively avoids it all. I guess I could have a worse dog. But not if you ask my mother I'm sure.

I'll try to post pictures of everything that's been sewn tonight. Meanwhile, under the cut is a bunch of pictures of Ichi as she grew up. I stuck with "shiba puppy cam" ages and a grown up pic. That way you know the cuteness you're about to get yourself into. The puppies should be there until they are 8 weeks old. 

[Embroidery] St. Patrick's Day Kiddie Clothes

Embroidering on kiddie clothes should be considered an art as it's so massively difficult to keep a onesie from getting caught. Last night I kept thinking that my machine was making weird noises...nope...the bottom of the onesie had somehow ended up underneath the hoop and making it pop up due to the snaps. But, nevertheless, I got it done. See!