If you are like me, you are in the thick of Christmas planning and decorating. I’ve got a sweet Candy Cane Holder just for you. It comes in time to make a basket full to give to friends, neighbors, and to decorate the tree.
Here is the thing. I think it is cute, but my mind is drawing a blank as to come up with a name that fits it. So far, all I’ve got is “Candy Cane Holder.” This design deserves a better name than this. So I’m throwing it out there to all of you.
What would you name this embroidery design?
If you receive my newsletter, just hit “reply” to the newsletter and send me the name you think fits. You can also e-mail me here
nancyjacobs(at)embroideryit(dot)com
I will make my decision by noon Eastern time on Friday December 11th. For the person who’s name idea I select, you will get ANY item of your choice from the Embroidery It Etsy Shop. Plus you will get bragging rights to say you named this design!!
If I receive several of the same names, the winner will be selected by whoever sends it to me first and I will look at the e-mail time stamp.
For now though, you can get this design over in the Etsy store by clicking HERE.
Thank you so much for requesting more of the candy holders. I’m pleased to let you know that the Christmas Candy Holder set has now been released and is available in the Etsy shop.
This is the PERFECT time for you to use that Embroidery glitter fabric or other fun fabric you have in your stash. Glittery fabric absolutely sparkles on the Christmas tree. Burlap is so popular right now and these ornaments work well with that as well. Also think about stitching on some beads or buttons. How sweet would that be!
These candy holder designs can be used as Christmas ornaments, attached to a package, place settings at the table, hung on doorknobs or hung on garland that spirals up the staircase. Let your imagination go!
A pine tree, wreath and bell are the three designs in the set and all are made in your 4 x 4 hoop. Step-by-step instructions included with many color photos.
Hop on over today and you can whip up a bunch this afternoon for your Christmas decorating.
And because I know many of you will be asking, I got my glitter fabric from BFC-Stash.
Blessings,
Nancy
life is good and precious so be creative daily and live life beautifully
This year for Thanksgiving we are getting to spend it with my brother and his family, my mother and two of our three children. We have so much to be thankful for. Big things, little things, there is goodness and so many blessings all around if we just open our eyes to see it.
Today I’d like to share with you my list of top 10 things I’m thankful for.
10. Living in the Midwest. This is home to me and I am so thankful that my husband’s job has brought us back to the Midwest where life is just a little slower, a little less flashy and beauty that takes my breath away.
9. Our military and emergency personnel who keep us safe and who give so much of themselves to all in need.
8. My health. Any issues I have I am able to live and deal with but generally speaking I am in good health and for that I am truly thankful.
7. Our home, car, hot water, food on the table and all the many tangible blessings and that includes my embroidery machine.
6. My ability to create in all areas of my life. Machine embroidery, crafts, cooking and decorating our home are all ways I can express my creativity and I’m thankful to be able to do so.
5. My business Embroidery It. Let me share that I have wanted my own business for years. Seriously years! The closest I ever came to having my own business before Embroidery It was I belonged to a party plan company for three years. Even though I could schedule my own hours, it was still their business and not truly my own. I longed for my own creative business and I was so scared when I took the leap and went forward with Embroidery It. It may be small, but it is 100% mine and I’m thankful for it each and every day.
4. I’m thankful for YOU. Oh my goodness you are some wonderful people. And dear friends, you are helping me with #7. #6 and #5 on my list so “thank you so much.”
3. Our extended families and our church family.
2. My husband and children and our little old beagle.
1. I am so thankful that Jesus died on the cross for all believers and that he forgives all our weaknesses so that we may have everlasting life with Him.
Wishing each of you a very Happy Thanksgiving today.
Love,
Nancy
ps. In-the-hoop embroidery design is from Embroidery Library
I finished the garden flag I had been working on for my dear brother and Sister-in-law. I embroidered the design onto ogsnaburg fabric which you can find at the store located with the utility fabrics. Then I stitched on the ribbon stripes and finally backed it with duck cloth. When turned right side out I did a bit of topstitching around the edge as well. I didn’t use a pattern, just kind of winged the design myself using an existing garden flag for the approximate size. For the finishing touch I added a bow out of the same ribbon that was made the stripes. I think I need a bit of bow making practice. 🙂
This was the first one I made and have now made a couple more since using burlap which was fun to stitch on. In hindsight, I wish I would have bought some purple Kansas State wildcat fabric to create the monogram letter R. Maybe I will just have to make them another one next year.
The small font was built into my machine but the applique letter “R” is from 8 Claws and a Paw.
I’m getting ready to spend some time with family over Thanksgiving and I won’t be seeing them over Christmas so I need to have their gifts ready yesterday! I really should have done these a few weeks ago.
I got a couple of blank totes at a place called The Christmas Tree Shoppe in Shelby Township while I was there teaching at the Michigan Embroiderers Fall Fest. The Christmas Tree Shoppe reminds me of a store I’m more familiar with called Big Lots. Do you know that one? A friend of mine used to call it Big Lots of Junk. HA! Seriously though, both of those places are fun to poke around in and the prices are pretty unbeatable.
The picture at the top of the post is for my sweet Sister-in-law. Then the second picture shows a tote bag I made for mom. I was using the camera feature on my 10 needle to center the design. It still got a bit off center. I’ll need to try it again to see if the camera really is off or if it was user error. I’m betting it was the latter.
The fonts, frame and flower design were all built into my machine. Like I said, I wanted to do something Q-U-I-C-K!
Are any of you working on Christmas gifts? Handmade is best you know!
Gender reveal candy bar wrapper is perfect for gender reveal parties, birth announcements, baby showers, hospital visitor gifts, and more. Use in place of the congratulatory cigar.
These adorable wraps are made in one 5 x 7 hooping and are stitched on soft felt and are filled with a regular size Hershey candy bar.
Just a reminder here to watch your inbox tomorrow for the Embroidery It newsletter. It will contain the links to the free Halloween Lollipop Holder designs. The links will not be posted here on the website.
These two designs are so much fun and super easy to make. They are done in the 4 x 4 hoop, stitched on felt, and the designs come with photo instructions. You can whip up a bunch in very little time.
Thank you all for sharing about Embroidery It with your friends.
If you haven’t yet, be sure you get signed up for the newsletter here. In next week’s newsletter, October 21st, there will be a special link for you to get the two free Halloween lollipop holders.
These make great treats for a special someone or are perfect as a party favor.
These sweet in-the-hoop designs are made entirely in the 4 x 4 hoop and are stitched on felt.
I want to share with you Embroidery It’s newest designs called Ornament Overlays.
If you have a group of people you want to give a small gift to this Christmas, then look no further. These make perfect gifts for your Sunday School class, Bunco group, quilt guild and so much more. If you are hosting a Christmas party they make great party favors for your guests.
They are made entirely in the 4 x 4 hoop and require just a dot of tacky glue to hold in place on the ornament.
I used both glass and plastic ornaments and also used several sizes. Fun, easy and cute!
I’m working to grow my business here and am asking you for help. Would you please share this website with your embroidery lovin’ friends through word-of-mouth, social media or you could even fly a blimp with Embroidery It plastered on it. 🙂
To receive these designs you will need to be a subscriber to my newsletter. Then in the October 21st newsletter, there will be a special link directing you to these designs. It will only be offered in the newsletter as a way for me to say thank you to all of you who subscribe.
I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate each and every one of you!!!!
Fall is just around the corner here. In fact the other morning I woke up to 44 degree temperatures and I’ve seen the first of the leaves starting to turn. I love the colors of fall but I don’t necessarily like what comes after fall. We get way too much snow up here.
Anyway, in being inspired by the cooler temperatures I created a fun in-the-hoop fall gift box set. In the hoop projects are some of my favorite when doing machine embroidery and I hope you enjoy them too.
These sweet little gift boxes are just the right size to hold a few pieces of candy, a bar of homemade soap, a piece of jewelry or other small gift.
They require a 5 x 7 hoop to make them and there are 4 different designs in this set. All you need is a piece of felt and a piece of fabric, both about 5 1/2″ square and a little ribbon or yarn. You can find the set HERE in the Embroidery It Etsy store.
And if you want more, there is a Spring Set which can be found HERE.
Just want to write a quick note here that the oversized monogram letter B is available for only $1.00 until Wednesday. It will then go to it’s regular price as it is replaced with the letter C.
The oversized letters come in three sizes to fit the 6 x 10 hoop and larger. There is a regular size set with three sizes to fit the 5 x 7 and 4 x 4 hoops. Exact sizes are on the website home page or on the Etsy shop item description.
I placed the bobbin in the picture so you can get a good idea of the size.
These oversized monograms are a fun way to personalize a variety of items around the house. Monogrammed pillows make for great Christmas and wedding gifts.
Since I’ve been back from Kansas I’ve spent a little time playing with my new embroidery machine. I also took a class on it yesterday. I’m still pinching myself each time I go into my sewing room. Dreams really do come true friends!
So in addition to the oversized monograms that I’ve been creating, I’ve also been just playing around and trying out the different features of the machine. Here what I did was combine a design with built in lettering and worked on lining it all up and centering it.
One of the things I’m doing is I’m making some garden flags as Christmas gifts. I’m doing the embroidery on burlap as that is so popular these days. I used a tear away stabilizer on the back. The large split letter is from 8 Claws and a Paw and the smaller letters are built into my embroidery machine.
Burlap appliques quite nice. In the top two photos, burlap was hooped.
Now this next design was stitched onto osnaburg fabric. You can find this fabric in with the utility fabrics at your local JoAnn’s. I LOVE osnaburg. It is a natural cotton and I use it in a lot of projects, particularly when I make rag quilts. Anyway, I learned something about my machine. Here I am using the 8 x 14 hoop. I have hooped the osnaburg as well as the tear away stabilizer. Osnaburg is lighter weight in comparison to the burlap. I just could not get a tight enough hooping that I had a problem with puckering. Next time I should try using the screw driver to tighten the hoop and also I think that with using the large hoop that it might be wise to use an adhesive to attach the fabric to the stabilizer.
There is a learning curve to this machine for sure!
What is on your embroidery machine these days? I’d love to hear!
It was a sad day for me as I had to say good bye to my dear friend Laura. I’m leaving on vacation and when I return she will be gone and getting settled in the great southwest state of Arizona. Laura is both my neighbor and also my gym buddy. Knowing we would meet at the gym is what would help keep me motivated to get up and go. I hate exercise.
Having lived in Arizona, twice, I know how southwest décor is very popular down there so I made a couple of hand towels with chili peppers to help her feel like she is fitting in. 🙂
I took some twine and tied it in a bow for an added embellishment and stitched it in place.
Just outside my window, mama robin has a big belly full of eggs!
Spring is working it’s way up to Michigan! It is up to 60 degrees today and the birds have been chirping all day long. Beautiful new life is showing itself all around and I couldn’t be happier! Today is such a nice day for sure.
It is a Baby Clothes Closet Organizer. This design is just in time being the perfect gift for the new mom or mom-to-be. It will help keep her closet organized by separating the baby clothing into the appropriate sizes. No more searching for clothes that fit her growing baby.
The design can be done in pink or blue colors if she knows the gender or stitch it in the colors to match her nursery. It is a gift any new mama will greatly appreciate.
This contains 7 designs. Newborn, 3 Months, 6 Months, 9 Months, 12 Months, 18 Months and 24 Months. It fits closet rods up to 1 3/8″ diameter. It is all done in the 4 x 4 hoop.
Happy Spring everyone!!
Be creative daily and live life beautifully,
Nancy
What a difference just one week makes with my kitchen skin herbs. Makes me smile. I love spring!
Happy Mother’s Day and The Sewing Machine Accessory Bible Book Review
Dear Friends,
Happy Mother’s Day to all you sweet moms. We put in thousands upon thousands of hours raising our babies and I must say, we deserve a special day in which to receive a bit of pampering. I hope you are all being treated like queens and getting the royal treatment. Despite all the sacrifices we do for our children, what a blessing it is to be a mom. I am so grateful for my three.
This morning Mike and I walked to a favorite breakfast place and shared an order of biscuits and gravy along with a great cup of coffee. The walk is just over 5 miles round trip so I certainly got my exercise in. I love going for walks with my hubby so this is a treat to spend time together just the two of us.
The beautiful roses are from my son Timothy. They smell so good. Timothy knows I LOVE flowers!
Mike has driven with him up to Santa Fe for his rugby game. I’m staying home and resting this afternoon. Sore throat is there but much better today. Several of you e-mailed me that you were praying. Thank you! Prayers answered!!!!
Emily came up with this clever gift. She gave me $20 in a jar in $1 bills. I just cannot lose those 20 stinkin’ pounds. The scale is stuck like gon my current weight. Yes, I could try harder, but I really LIKE food!
For each pound I lose, I am to move one dollar to the other jar. The jar with the money in it says “pounds to go” The currently empty jar says “pounds lost”. When I have lost all 20 pounds I am to spend the $20 on myself. I love this! This is real motivation now as I can’t let her down and a bonus for me when the weight is off! The jar on the left better not stay empty for long.
And from my Air Force girl Katie, I received the best gift, a phone call with lots of love. Love is all this mama really needs.
Now from Mike, he did get some direction as to what I would like. He got me this book, The Sewing Machine Accessory Bible by Wendy Gardiner and Lorna Knight as well as a couple of specialty sewing feet I had asked for. I thought you might like to take a little look into the book.
The bias binding foot you see in the picture is what I used on all those boy scout neckerchiefs.
One of the specialty feet Mike got me was an adjustable binding foot for larger size bindings.
The other specialty sewing foot Mike got me was a cording foot which you can see above.
Mike and I have always been do-it-yourself kind of people when it comes to many things. We have gutted a house, done electrical work, plumbing, tiling and much more. One of the things we say is why pay when we can do it ourselves and also that it is best to have the right tool for the job. That is the way it is with these specialty feet. They do a great job for the technique the are made for. It makes life a whole lot simpler to have the right tool for the job. Plus, doing specialty items in sewing is just plain fun!
Let me give you just a brief overview about the book.
First off, the book is such a pretty book to look through.
Chapter 1 is the Essential Kit
Chapter 2 is Basic Feet
Chapter 3 is Specialty Fabric and Technique Feet
Chapter 4 is Pretty Edges
Chapter 5 is Fancy Stitching and finally
Chapter 6 is Buyer’s Guide
With each foot, it first talks about what the sewing foot looks like. Then it goes into how the foot works. Then there is an “ideas file” which shows other effects you can get from each foot.
I really like this book and should go over to Amazon and give it a 5 star rating as honestly, it is just well done. It will certainly remain on my shelf as a reference that I know I will look at again and again.
Finally, to finish off my day, after Mike and Tim get home we will be going to church this evening. Thankfully our church as numerous options as to when we can attend so when our schedule is thrown off, like with the rugby game today. Then I’m sure we will be eating out tonight and I won’t be cooking. My favorite food when we go out…..Sushi! Yum!! {Yes I could cook myself. There are times when we do make exceptions to the DIY attitude we have!}
Happy Mother’s Day and love and blessings to you all,
Nancy
Hi Friends,
It was time to give my blog a new look. Actually I got to playing with it because right beside me my embroidery machine is humming away with those boy scout neckerchiefs I mentioned in my previous post. I don’t like to stray too far while it does it’s thing, so I’ve had a chance to play with my blog.
The hand towels are from Anita Goodesign and it is from the Spring Curls collection. These are more designs that just make me smile. The towels were from Wally World and I used a water soluble stabilizer on both the top and bottom.
At our house, it is bursting with signs of spring! I’ve got most of the garden in now. There should be no more freezes now till fall. Mama robin has built her nest in the back yard. I’ve enjoyed watching her. We will have new baby birds very soon. My peach and plum trees already have small green fruit and the grape vines look like they will be loaded. On a sad note, my cherry tree froze. Not even a single leaf on it. I hope next year it comes back in full. Last year I froze 20 pints of cherries and was looking forward to more this season. Oh well, I will be thankful for the produce I do manage to harvest from my little yard. The red bud tree and forsythia bushes have been so pretty.
Hi Friends,
This past week was spring break for my children and boy did we have fun. Mike and Tim went on a boy scout camping trip and Emily and I drove to Oklahoma City to visit Katie in the Air Force.
Two beautiful sisters, Emily and Katie. Oh how mama loves you both!
This was my first time to visit her there! She gave us a tour of the base and her dorm room (tiny dorm room). She has her own bedroom with sink, but shares a bathroom and kitchen with another girl. In her kitchen I saw she had one of my tea towels. (I was wondering where it had gone to!) Of course she can have it. I’m delighted she liked something I had made and wants to use it! Here it is…
It is just a tea towel with a fabric strip sewn onto the bottom to add more color. Then for the butterfly, I used colors to match the fabric. The interesting part of this design is that between the butterfly and the diamond, a wing needle was used with white thread to add a beautiful dramatic effect.
Just look how wide the needle is. As the needle punches through the fabric, it pushes the fabric and creates a little hole. Can you see it in the picture above? It gives is a richness with the texture it creates. The hole is created by the needle going through the same spot numerous times. One thing is that you do need to do is manually turn the handwheel of your machine to make certain the needle passes through the throat plate easily.
Just a note, if using a wing needle, be sure to do it on a cotton fabric. If you use it on a fabric with polyester or other man made material, the fabric will have a tendency to spring back into place and the little hole will fill in and not be noticeable.
Also it is wise to use an embroidery design especially made for using a wing sewing needle. This design is from Sew Inspired by Bonnie.
So we are back home now. This morning we are home and the sun is shining. The leaves on the trees are the most beautiful spring green and the robins, finches and other birds are singing. Spring always has been and always will be my favorite season.
The sun is shining and it is a beautiful day but it it is COLD! I hope the weather is decent where you are.
Valentine’s Day is approaching quickly. I chose this design to stitch for my girls on t-shirts to give to them along with a little chocolate.
The design is from Designs By Sick. I used mylar behind the hearts for that extra Valentine sparkle. The t-shirts were only $3.96 from Walmart. They are full length t-shirts. I just have them folded up in the picture. I want my sweet girls to know that I will ALWAYS love them 4 ever!
Hugs and Blessings to you dear readers. Just you being here and reading is a Valentine’s day gift from you to me.
Nancy
This is soap! It really is! What a fun, novel gift to give someone.
But how did you do that Nancy? I’m so glad you asked. Look closely at the picture below for the secret ingredient.
Tulle! This fine mesh netting is the perfect medium to stitch the design on. You can see, it is almost clear!
Start by hooping water soluble stabilizer and tulle together. Choose a design created with a running stitch. The butterfly above is from Anita Goodesign. I used variegated thread. When the design finishes stitching out, cut closely to the design to cut away most of the tulle and water-soluble stabilizer. Then rinse out the stabilizer and the design remains on the tulle. A solid filled design or a design with satin stitching will not work well for this as it will get lost in the holes of the tulle.
Carefully lay the design on the soap. Wet a washcloth or paper towel and lay on the design. This will soften the soap. Lightly press the design into the soap. Note: Choose a soap that doesn’t have an embedded print on it. Many national brand soaps such as Ivory have their name stamped into the soap. You want a flat soap surface. This one happens to be a bar of Jergens. It does have Jergens stamped on the other side of the soap. I’m using the back side of it to place the embroidery.
Another note: The soap is for decorative purposes only. It is not meant to be used or, of course, the stitching will wash off.
This design comes from Anita Goodesign’s cd A Quilt for All Seasons – Spring
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