Today I have a special treat for you. I’d like to introduce you to Debbie. She is a beautiful sewer and embroiderer and she blogs over at Granny Deb Designs. Debbie made my Valentine Treat Bags the other day and has a sweet blog post written about them which you can read HERE. Take a moment to hop over to her blog and see her creative work. She has beautiful quilts, totes and embroidery items in her Etsy shop also named Granny Deb Designs. You will love her work!
If you would like to make some Valentine Treat Bags like Debbie did, you can find the designs HERE.
Photo Credit Granny Deb Designs
Thank you Deb for sharing about Embroidery It on your blog. If you are a blogger and would like to collaborate with Embroidery It, just leave a comment here or reply to any newsletter.
We are already through January. 1/12 of the way through the year! At the end of each month it is a good time to look back and to reflect. I hope in your reflection time you find you have made progress towards some of your creative goals.
Looking back at my schedule of creative plans is something I enjoy doing. It lets me see how far I’ve come and what I still need to do.
Take a moment to reflect back as well as to look forward. What worked for you last month? What didn’t? Did you enjoy your creative time? Use that knowledge in moving forward. What creative plans do you have for this month? How will they be fit into your calendar? How will you most enjoy your creative time?
For me, two things that really worked were scheduling creative time on the calendar and daily journaling. I journaled 23 out of 31 days and it became a great way to process thoughts which in turn helped my productivity immensely. Because of such good results, you better believe I plan to continue scheduling and journaling.
Here are some of the creative things I made during January.
I embroidered two shirts for Mike’s birthday. Both designs came from Designs by Sick.
A Valentine Treat Bag for Emily with her sorority letters. My own creation.
I have also found a new quilt shop here in Grand Rapids!!!!! Yippee!!!! It was total eye candy. I am hoping to take a class that will be in April which will be a lot of fun.
Another thing I did here in January which relates to creativity is I joined a local group of business women entrepreneurs that meet monthly. It’s nice to get out of the house and share ideas with others in person. It’s easy for me to stay at home–too much so I need to make a real point of getting out of the house more. I came home from the January meeting fresh and inspired and look forward to our next meeting.
If you would like to look back and refresh yourself on any of the A New Year, A Creative New You posts, you can find them here:
You have been asking for larger feeding tube pads and I’ve listened. My large feeding tube pads are still made in the 4 x 4 hoop. I worked hand-in-hand with a mother whose daughter requires a feeding tube. Feeding pads protect delicate skin and can help prevent granulation.
Quickly and easily, you may now create a stack of super soft and absorbent pads in a snap for a loved one.
This design has been carefully created to be the perfect size and shape and to be fun and fashionable.
Light stitching is used for comfort. Gauze and tape can also be a skin irritant so these pads are the convenient alternative to gauze dressings.
Step-by-step instructions included. Made in your 4 x 4 hoop. Finished design is 3 7/8”.
I’ve shown it here with two snaps, but if you think that is kind of overkill, just use one snap. The plastic snaps are found at your local fabric store. You may need to look for them where they sell infant items such as supplies to make homemade diapers.
If you would like the smaller feeding tube pad, you may find it HERE.
And if you are looking for the Flower Feeding Tube Pad, you may find it HERE.
Many of you know, I worked as a registered nurse for many years. To be able to create something on my embroidery machine that has health benefits has brought me such joy to think that in some small way this business is blessing others. For that I am truly thankful.
In-the-hoop projects are FUN and EASY! It is great to have a finished project ready for gift giving.
Today I want to share with you the 4 Flap Gift Box Spring Set. Just fill with candy, jewelry, or how about a small bar of handmade soap. Any small treat is perfect for these. Set has four designs.
It has a Heart for Valentine’s Day,
A Shamrock for St. Patrick’s Day,
Happy Easter,
and 4 You (for anytime).
These sweet gift boxes require a 5 x 7 hoop. Step-by-step instructions are included.
Just a quick note to remind you to grab the Let’s Celebrate Pennant Banner U this week while it is free. Just scroll down to the bottom of the home page to download.
While you are here, don’t forget to sign up for the newsletter to get embroidery inspiration and be informed of all the new releases.
I’m typing this on a very cold and blustery morning. Snow covers the ground and I keep replenishing the bird seed in the feeder for all the hungry creatures. Even the squirrels come to nibble on the ground what the birds drop. Precious sight to see the bright red of the cardinals against the snow.
While my home is decorated for Valentine’s day, it is time to start thinking ahead as the next holiday is St. Patrick’s Day. With St. Patrick’s Day, we know spring will be just around the corner.
To get us ready for St. Patrick’s Day, the Banner Shamrock will add lively color to our home. Pair it with some banner alphabet letters to make a welcoming sign. It is made to be the perfect size to go with the letters.
An important thing to note…The buttonholes are the last color to stitch in the design. This means it is easy to eliminate them as you don’t have to stitch them. By doing this, you can use this shamrock design as an applique on a shirt, tote bag or towels!
There are two designs in this set. One where the shamrock stem points left and the other right so choose which works best for your project.
Stay warm friends and have some fun stitching some green for a change.
Just a heads up that you have through Tuesday to grab the letter T for free this week. It is currently at the bottom of the home page and will soon be replaced. Requires a 5 x 7 hoop.
Think of all the fun things you can monogram. Think of all the LARGE things you can no monogram!
Be sure you get the Oversized and Regular sized letter O this week while it is available at the introductory price. The Oversized letter O fits the 6 x 10 hoop and larger while the Regular sized fits the 5 x 7 hoop and smaller.
I so wish we could get together and stitch. Since we are scattered around the planet, I created a video stitching one of the Valentine Treat Bags. It is the closest thing to a little virtual embroidery party I can come up with.
These treat bags are made in the 5 x 7 hoop and require 2 hoopings. You hoop once to make the back of the bag and then a second time to make the front. No additional sewing required.
Here is the video and I hope you will stitch right along with me.
Someday Friends, maybe we will get to meet in person and stitch together.
If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab the embroidery letter S by Tuesday as it is free this week. Just scroll down to the bottom of the home page to grab it.
In our beginning machine embroidery series, today’s video is on how to make a free standing lace design. If you have never tried free standing lace, take a look at this video and you will see just how easy it is. In the video you will see the Bee My Valentine bookmark as well as an alphabet set I’m getting ready to release called Lil Charmers.
You can click right here on the video to play and if you double click it will make the video full screen.
Be sure to read in the description for the sizes in each. Both come in three sizes. The Oversized requires a 6 x 10 hoop or larger and the Regular sized takes a 5 x 7 hoop or smaller.
Just a quick reminder that the Oversized and Regular sized letter M is intro priced this week in the Embroidery It Etsy store. Each comes in 3 sizes. The Oversized fits the 6 x 10 hoop and larger while the regular sized fits the 5 x 7 hoop and smaller. I place the bobbin in the photo just to give you an idea of its actual size.
Please see the Etsy description for exact sizes. They can be found here:
I haven’t done a YouTube video is some time and one of my plans for this year is to create more beginner videos on how to do Machine Embroidery.
In today’s video I go through the “Happy Valentine’s Day Sweetheart” candy cane holder step-by-step. For those of you who are new to machine embroidery I want you to know this is easy-peasy and to give it a try!
Just click on the picture above and see for yourself. Double click on the picture to make it full screen and hit Esc. to go back to the original size.
Today is the most important of all the days in this series. It is about enjoying and appreciating every moment that is given to us. It is our final day in the series and I am throwing colorful virtual confetti! Thank you so much for being with me this week. If you missed a day, you can find it here. Day 1Day 2Day 3Day 4Day 5
As mentioned back on day 1 it is easy to get so involved in the “needs” of everyone and everything pulling us in so many directions that we lose focus on beauty and appreciating and enjoying our creative time.
Here is a list of ways you can keep the enjoyment of the creative process alive and well.
Begin each day with a statement of gratitude. “Thank you God for this beautiful day.” “Today is going to be a great day.” What we place in our minds first thing sets the tone for how our day will be. It may be cold and raining outside but if we wake up and say, “this is a beautiful day,” our mind will find things throughout the day that are beautiful.
Write 3 things down each day that you appreciate. Of course you appreciate your family and your home, but look for the little things in life like seeing that perfect six pointed snowflake, the creaminess and sweetness of your morning coffee, or the crisp look of your freshly made bed. This little exercise takes only a minute and will train your brain to see beauty even in our darkest days.
Keep your creative calendar that we have been making handy and schedule in specific creative time for yourself. During this time the focus is only on you and enjoying the creative moment.
Look for little 15 to 20 minute pockets of time in which you can be creative. Take along some knitting or hand embroidery to the doctor’s office to work on while you are in the waiting room. Those little pockets of time really add up and it is surprising how many projects can be completed by just working on them in short chunks.
Limit the negative thoughts that come into your head. Turn off the doom and gloom news. You can get all the important information just be scanning the headlines of news on your computer. You can do that in 2 minutes vs 30 minutes of news on the TV.
Learn to focus and not multi-task. Learn to really give your attention to one thing at a time and not be distracted to the e-mail and text messaging bells and beeps.
Take a walk outdoors. Even if it is just to the end of your driveway and back. Deep breaths of fresh air and a simple change of scenery can do wonders for our soul.
Find the enjoyment and creativity in all things. Appreciate the beauty of a freshly dusted shelf and add to it something seasonal. Enjoy the process of cooking a healthy meal and the beauty of the food we eat. Find ways to infuse creativity into work outside the home, even if the only way you can is by wearing a special necklace or setting a plant on your desk.
Finally, Smile.
I hope you have enjoyed this series and that it helps bring to you a very beautiful and creative 2016.
Welcome to day 5 of 6. Thank you so much for joining me this past week and if you have missed any of the previous days you can find them here. Day 1 Day 2Day3Day 4
You know most often I finish my blog posts and my newsletters with the phrase “be creative daily and live life beautifully.” That is a motto I try to live my life by. I seriously do. I feel that the good Lord has blessed us all with the gift of creativity though at times we may not be able to see that in ourselves.
There are days when we just don’t feel like being creative? It is normal and it is ok. You know God scheduled in a day of rest too.
Today I’m going to offer a few simple solutions for you to keep in the back of your mind if you are feeling less than creative.
Look at yourself and your life. Perhaps you are tired and do need that time of rest. When my father passed away this past November I lost interest in creating. I needed to give myself some down time.
Look at your surroundings. Does your creative space need a fresh facelift? It is easy to get too many things out of place that crowd us. Soon all we see is our creative clutter and clutter is hard on our eyes and spirits.
Turn on some of your favorite music, tv show or podcast so that you have some company while you create.
Speaking of company, join a guild or take a class. Invite a friend or two over to sew and craft with you.
Change it up. I find myself being the least motivated to create is when I am bored. Try a different embroidery technique, or do something different all together like painting or jewelry making. Even going into the kitchen and trying a new recipe and jazzing it up by putting it on a special plate can be just the thing to get out of a creative rut. Look for the beauty in the small things like good food and the special plate.
Spend some time looking at new inspiration in magazines or on Pinterest.
Share your projects that you’ve made in your Facebook or Yahoo groups. Having others give comments on them is extremely motivating.
Most importantly though, if you have lost your creative mojo is that you do take that time of rest. Don’t force yourself. Do what we did on day one of this series, we reflected. Reflect on what is going on in your life. You need the understanding of this so that you can make the necessary changes to move forward.
Tomorrow we finish up the series of A New Year, A Creative New You.
Today is a tough assignment. One of the things we haven’t looked at yet, and needs to be addressed, are the current projects we have going on that are unfinished. If you need to catch up or are just joining us, you can find the previous days here. Day 1Day 2Day 3
With your notebook in hand, list the projects you have not completed.
Next, give them a completion date and add them to your calendar. Or…are they really going to be finished? Is it something you’ve lost interest in? Consider donating or giving away the unfinished item. Consider throwing it away.
It can be difficult to move forward when we have a pile of unfinished work staring at us. Please friends consider this. If you have unfinished projects and you know they won’t be done in the next 4 months, put them in a tub and put them away and out of your sight. Put them in the basement or under a bed.
Unfinished projects can give us guilt. Guilt that we spent money and time on them but did not finish them. It is time to move past these feelings. Appreciate the fact that even though the project is unfinished, it brought you enjoyment at the time and perhaps you learned something in the process. Perhaps you started the project with a friends and you got to enjoy their company at the time. These are all good things that came out of the project and the fact that the project doesn’t get completed doesn’t take away from these things.
So today’s assignment is to list those unfinished projects. Then either schedule their completion, put them away, or get rid of them. This is unbelievably freeing to not look at unfinished projects.
We are now on the back half of getting prepared for a creative 2016. Like I said earlier, this is a tough assignment. You can do it!
Thank you for joining me here again today. You can find the previous days here for review. Day 1Day 2
Today we are going to get into the meat of things. We will need our list we created yesterday as well as our calendar or monthly planner as we will be transferring and scheduling our list.
This is one of the most important days. Before beginning, look back to what you reflected upon and wrote down back on day one. Look at what was and was not working for you. You need to consider this reflection about yourself as you schedule into your planner.
Before we begin, if you have events you know about for the year, go ahead and fill them into your calendar. These would be things like taking a vacation. Or perhaps you are going to be a new grandma and you plan to help your daughter out for a couple of weeks. Another thing to write in is if you have a busy project with a deadline that will consume your time. Write those items in your calendar first. Those are expected and planned times that will keep us from creating and we all have them. We just need to be aware of them so we can plan around.
Now lets continue by looking at our list and determining what events need to be done in what month. This may feel like it is similar to yesterday, but yesterday was all about list making and this is about the actual scheduling. If someone has a birthday in June then perhaps we will want to make their gift in May. As an example, my daughter’s birthday is June 1st. So in my calendar in May I would write Emily’s birthday. If I know what I want to make her, I’d go ahead and write that down now too.
Finally we need to look specifically at Christmas time as that is an especially busy time of year. I know for myself that December is ALWAYS the busiest month of the year and yet it is the one month I yearn to slow and savor. It seems we can never quite do enough for this time of year, but we can do some planning which will help. If we spread our Christmas creating throughout the year by making a couple of projects each month then by the time Christmas arrives we are ahead of the game. Write those projects in our calendars now.
Throughout the year, as we think of projects such as, Sue would like this for her birthday, write the project down in the notebook and calendar and be specific about it. Take a quick phone picture if possible to keep a record of it.
An added bonus in knowing what we are going to make ahead of time is that now we can watch the sales throughout the year to get any needed items to finish the project.
This finishes Day 3. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.
Welcome back! Thank you for joining me for Day 2. If you need to look back, here is Day 1.
Yesterday we spent time looking at our past to what was holding us back. That gives us the framework we need to move forward from where we currently are to where we would like to be. So in looking where we want to go, we are going to look forward through this year. Get your notebook with some pretty pens and lets make some plans!
Making plans is exciting. Seeing things written on paper give us direction and what tell us the next steps to take. When things are written down, the clutter is out of our heads and we can think of other things, and that alone improves the creative process.
For today, write each month at the top of its own separate page in your notebook. Under each month write down events you would like to make something special for. Use the following list as a guide for holidays and events. You are important too so be sure to include yourself on this list. Don’t forget to make something special for you and your home this year.
As an example, in my notebook I would write at the top January. In January there are two events I want to make something for. Mike’s Birthday and Vicki’s Birthday are this month so I would write those two events under January. On the next page I would write February and under February I’d write that I want to make a potholder for our quilt guild’s annual Valentine pot holder swap, I also want to make a little something for each of my two girls for Valentine’s day as well as a Valentine kitchen towel for myself. And so on.
Use this list as a guideline to get started.
Birthdays
Family
Friends
Coworkers
Other______________
Holidays
Christmas
Valentine’s Day
Easter
4th of July
Halloween
Thanksgiving
Father’s Day/Mother’s Day
Other______________
People and Groups
Coworkers
Sunday School Class
Study Group
Embroidery Club
Quilt/Sewing Guild
Bunco Group
Bridge Group
Red Hat Society
Golfing Friends
Neighbors
Children’s Teachers
Other____________
Events
Church/School Fundraiser
Last Day of School
Travel/Vacation
New Baby
Housewarming
Graduation
Other____________
If you already know what you are going to make for people or events, go ahead and write those details down. If not, now you have a list and you can keep your eyes open throughout the year for projects you would like to make.
Get your calendars ready for tomorrow as we will begin scheduling some creative time that is planned and unhurried and that we can fully enjoy.
Thank you so much for joining me here. Today we begin our series, A New Year, A Creative New You.
This series is about enjoying the moment and enjoying the process of being creative. For many of us this enjoying and appreciating our creative time has been lost and pushed out of our lives where we are rushing to finish projects and not really taking the time to smell the roses along the way. It is about slowing and being thankful.
As with most things in life, before we can move forward we need to take the time to look back and on what we have learned, good or bad. We need a starting point.
So today is a day of reflection. You will want your notebook today and open it up to a fresh page. Take time to really think about these questions. Ponder them throughout your day and write your answers in your notebook adding to those answers as new thoughts come to you.
So the first question is, In looking back throughout the years, when did you feel most creative in which you enjoyed and got lost in the process of making something? Write about it. Write about where you were and what was happening in your life at the time. Write about what it was that you were making.
Now think back to just this past year. How did things go this past year? Write about it now. Write about those things you did that worked for you this past year. Because if it ain’t broke it don’t need fixin’ and you will want to keep on with those good actions. We all have things in our lives that are working and it is important to acknowledge the good.
What in this past year didn’t work or would you like to change. Write those thoughts down so they are not repeated.
Once we have evaluated these things, it gives us our starting point to direct us to move forward which is just the direction we will be heading in the next few days. Continue adding to these lists as ideas come into your head about what did and did not work well this past year.
This finishes our task for day one. We will continue using our notebook tomorrow.
