Machine Embroidery with Mylar and Free Standing Lace

by | Jan 2, 2013 | Blog

Machine Embroidery with Mylar and Free Standing Lace

Dear Friends,
Remember the snowflakes I was making for the children at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT?  Well, today I want to share with you what I did to create them.
First I started off with a great free standing lace machine embroidery file from Lindee G. Embroidery.
These designs are all done with ONE color thread.  I used a slight off white.  The secret to the color and bling  is this!  Mylar tissue wrap.
Now you know my secret.  And an even better secret I’m going to share with you is this…
I got it at the Dollar Tree.  There are three sheets of mylar tissue in each package and each package is only $1.  Can’t beat that!
As the design stitches out, on water soluble stabilizer, it starts in the center which is where I placed the mylar.  Just keep an eye on your machine and stop it as it gets ready to stitch the outer row of hearts.  Cut the thread and remove the hoop from the machine, but don’t unhoop the stabilizer.  Gently tear the mylar to remove the excess.  I also removed the mylar from the center star area.  It tears easily but still, you don’t want to pull your stitches.
Then just put the hoop back on the machine and continue stitching the remainder of the design.
HERE is a link back to the post that gives the address where you can send your snowflakes.
My prayers continue to be with the families who lost their loved ones in this tragic event.  My heart breaks as I think of you and your struggles.  I hope you somehow know I care.
With love and blessings to my sweet embroidery family readers,
Nancy

Christmas Machine Embroidery with Free Standing Lace

by | Dec 31, 2012 | Blog

 

Happy New Year’s Eve Friends!
Remember  my Christmas gift?  The OESD Cd’s?  Well here is what I have been busy with.
Even though these got stitched after Christmas it is still nice to have them on my tree.
These are pretty machine embroidery free standing lace designs with applique.  The red fabric I used to applique with is red velvet!  Beautiful red velvet!  To stitch them out I used water soluble stabilizer on both the top and bottom.
The water soluble stabilizer on the bottom was hooped then I floated the velvet and top water soluble stabilizer.
Then I bought a yard of the pearls to make the hangers.
I am partial to free standing lace designs that have applique.  The applique gives the designs a unique look because you could use any color or design of fabric.  I love the velvet, both the look and the feel of it.
Hope you enjoy the last of my Christmas designs, at least for a while.
Warm winter blessings from my house to yours.
Nancy

Machine Embroidery Designs – Free Snowflake Pattern for Sandy Hook Elementary

by | Dec 28, 2012 | Blog

 

The tragedy in Newtown, CT has been on my heart as I’m sure it has been on yours. One of the children who passed away used to live in my town here in New Mexico.  I’m joining in on the Snowflakes for Sandy Hook Elementary movement to help welcome the children back to school.  Below is a quote from the North Canton Patch.

“Snowflakes for Sandy Hook” is one of several nationwide assistance movements spearheaded by the Connecticut PTSA on behalf of the Sandy Hook Elementary PTA. The National PTA joined in, sending out emails inviting PTA members across the U.S. to start crafting.
“When school resumes for Sandy Hook, it will be in a new building. Parent-volunteers are working to ensure that the students are welcomed back by a winter wonderland with the entire school decorated with as many unique snowflakes as possible,” the National PTA posted on its website.

Many crafters are making snowflakes from various media.  A number of machine embroidery designers have offered free snowflake patterns for enthusiasts like myself to stitch out.  I personally chose this free design offered by Lindee G. Embroidery.   I thought the design with the hearts in it truly spoke to me.


I love the music by Donna Cori Gibson.  Here she sings the Chaplet of Divine Mercy or the 3:00pm prayer.  Jesus is our rock even in times of sorrow such as this.  Jesus I trust in you.

If you would like to make snowflakes for Sandy Hook Elementary, you are asked to get them in the mail by Jan. 12th.  The address is below.

Want to make snowflakes for Sandy Hook Elementary students? If so, have them in the mail by Jan. 12 addressed to: Connecticut PTSA, 60 Connolly Parkway, Building 12, Suite 103, Hamden, CT 06514

In a near future post I will talk more about the snowflakes and how I made them.
Warm winter blessings from my house to yours,
~Nancy

Merry Embroidery Christmas to Me

by | Dec 27, 2012 | Blog

 

I hope each of you had a beautiful and joyous Christmas this year.  Our sweet Katie could not come home for Christmas, she is in the Air Force, but she comes home TOMORROW!  It is only for a few days but I am so grateful for even a few precious moments.

This year my sweet in-laws gave me the CD’s you see above.  They are from OESD (Oklahoma Embroidery Supplies Designs) and I LOVE their designs.  My machine has been busy humming away.  I’m particularly fond of the ornaments and free-standing lace designs.
I know it is after Christmas, but I will show you soon what I’ve been working on.

Blessings,
Nancy

Merry Christmas from Embroidery It

by | Dec 25, 2012 | Blog

Merry Christmas from Embroidery It

Dear Friends,
I want to wish each of you a very Merry and Blessed Christmas.  Like the wise men, may we too follow the star, follow the light, live in the light that leads us to our Lord and Savior.
With Love,
Nancy

PS.  I stitched out this Christmas ornament on navy blue velour which was placed on top of super heavyweight craft stabilizer.  This design is in a series called “Story Ornaments” and it is from Kreations by Kara.

Machine Embroidery Free Standing Lace Angel

by | Dec 21, 2012 | Blog

Machine Embroidery Free Standing Lace Angel

Good Morning Friends,
I want to show you another angel I made using Sonia Showalter Designs, Angel of Christmas Ornament, for my sweet friend Vicki.  Vicki and I are sewing buddies and we get together at least a couple times a month with our machines to sew.  She does machine embroidery as well.

As with the others, this is a free-standing lace design.  On this ornament, I glued little red rhinestones to the holly berries and to the hanging ribbon.  It added some nice bling to the look.

Enjoy and it is almost CHRISTmas.  What a wonderful day to Rejoice!

Despite the sad tragedies that have occurred here in the United States, as well as tragedies occurring around the world, we have much to be thankful for.  I am eternally thankful that our Lord came as a baby here on earth so that my sins, our sins, would be forgiven.  Even in sadness, God has a plan and we need to lean on that with hope that we will someday see our savior.  For those of you in the midst of suffering, you are saying this is easier said than done Nancy.  I know that to be true.  For some of you who are suffering, you may have to take things minute by minute just to get through.  For you I pray for God’s gracious peace to fall upon your heart and may you feel the comfort of his angel’s wings carrying you forward.

With much love,
Nancy

Machine Embroidery Free Standing Lace Angels

by | Dec 19, 2012 | Blog

Machine Embroidery Free Standing Lace Angels

I fell head over heals for these beautiful free-standing lace angels from Sonia Showalter Designs.  Sonia does some amazing work with her designs.

I made these angels for the ladies I craft with.  Each has their initial in the angel’s gown.  Every week the ladies and I get together to knit, crochet or do other hand work such as hand quilting.  All are Christian women and it is a special time in my week to spend time with them and it gets my creative juices flowing.  They are angels in my life.  (We also manage to solve all the world’s problems as we chatter and create!)

The designs are free-standing lace in which I hooped water-soluble stabilizer.  I washed the stabilizer out only enough to remove it from the small openings, but not so much that I let the designs go limp.  Some stabilizer remains to give stiffness to the angels.  I glued a piece of ribbon to the back side of the design, tied on a bow and finished by gluing a small red rhinestone to the bow.

I slipped each one into their Christmas card.
The angels can be used as a Christmas ornament or even a bookmark.
If you get a chance, send me a comment and let me know what you created as Christmas gifts this year.  Also, if you have a blog in which you show your machine embroidery, I’d love to see what you are working on.
Christmas Blessings,
Nancy

Machine Embroidered Christmas Handtowels

by | Dec 13, 2012 | Blog

Machine Embroidered Christmas Handtowels

Dear Friends,
I’ve been working on some sweet hand towels to give as Christmas gifts.  I am bundling one candy cane towel with one Santa sled.  I think they turned out sweet as can be.
The towels are from Costco.  The designs are from Anita Goodesign.  I used metallic silver thread for the top and white for the bobbin and just as with the Thanksgiving towels, I hooped water-soluble stabilizer in the hoop, floated the towel on top and topped the towel again with water-soluble stabilizer to keep the stitches up and showing.

I think these are the perfect Christmas gift for many on my list.
With love and Christmas Blessings,
Nancy