Dear Friends, Happy October! How time has flown as we now enter into the fourth quarter of the year. I’d like to share with you an update or review of 2018 and my word of the year “Ease”. When “Ease” was placed on my heart, I never knew what it would entail. At the beginning of the year, when I chose “ease” as my word, here is what I wrote
In thinking what EASE means to me, in my mind, ease doesn’t mean easy. Instead, ease means being a little gentler and kinder to myself. It means giving my cares to God and letting Him do His work in me. Ease means love. It means slowing down and seeing beauty. It means enjoying the moment, being present in the moment and giving thanks. Ease means saying no sometimes as well as the opposite in saying yes and acceptance. It means releasing; releasing the Bee club, releasing myself from addiction to sugar and releasing excess weight, releasing myself from clutter and releasing anxiety. Ease also means love; loving myself, loving my family and loving all who are in my life – which includes you. And finally it means to do all these things with out anxiety, guilt or anger. Ease has me rewriting my goals and plans for 2018.
I have truly been trying to appreciate each and every day. Our oldest daughter will say, “I have to get XYZ finished, not having it finished is causing me so much stress.” I’m sure she has picked that up from me. How I wish I would have taught her, yes, you do need to finish XYZ, but it shouldn’t cause you all the stress. It is the journey, the day-to-day we need to appreciate. The day-to-day is our life and every day holds value and goodness and although this sounds cliche, we need to ‘enjoy the journey.’ And enjoying the journey is what I’ve been trying to do.
I last updated you on April 3 and you can read that blog post here. You can see below what I had planned for the spring and summer and in red is what was actually accomplished or how I want to move forward.
I’ve lost 16 pounds – 14 more to go – I’ve lost another 8 pounds, 6 to go. I have found that eating sugar just doesn’t make me feel well. I crave it and then regret eating it afterwards because of how I feel.
Get out of the house more and be around those who share similar interests – I’ve enjoyed my monthly sewing club, see the mini quilt above. I took a Jelly Roll Rug class – Fun! I’ve attended the monthly local women’s business group when I could.
Continue exercise 3 times a week minimum – Most weeks.
Continue eating healthy – I do well for about a few weeks and then fall off the wagon, then do well for a few weeks and repeat.
Continue studying autophagy and try some occasional short-term fasting – I have tried fasting until 6:00 PM maybe 6 or 7 times. Then at 6:00 have a good sized healthy meal. I actually feel pretty good when I do this and a crazy thing is I’ve found I sleep really well on the nights that I do this. I continue to experiment with this, fasting until different times of the day.
Continue reading – I’m finished with my good books and need some more recommendations I don’t think I’ve read a single book since I last wrote this. I read a lot, just haven’t been reading books lately.
Spend regular time outdoors – the yard needs lots of attention now that winter is coming to an end. – Yes, but not as much as I would have liked.
Continue monthly applique classes at the sewing store – scheduled – Yes, unless I was out of town.
Attend Michigan Embroiderers Spring event – scheduled – Yes and that was so much fun!! And I will be speaking at the Spring 2019 event!!!
Attend a Kimberbell event – scheduled – It was cancelled.
Trip to Phoenix to see my in-laws – scheduled – Yes!
Weekend trip to Mackinac Island here in Michigan for our anniversary – scheduled – Yes! Such a wonderful trip and if any of you ever get the chance to go to northern Michigan I highly recommend it!
Host a dinner in our home everyone who went to the Holy Lands with us – scheduled – Yes, done!
Plan birthdays for my children – one in May, June and July – Yes, Done!
For my Embroidery It business
Blog more here – I’m feeling a calling to do more writing on this blog – I haven’t blogged as much yet I still feel compelled to blog more.
Continued monthly sew-alongs – Yes!
Continued free weekly alphabet letters – Yes!
Plan the Embroidery It Birthday Party – Embroidery It turns 4 on June 20th – Nope…Sigh. There was too much going on at that time. I considered postponing it but even that didn’t happen. I created several designs for it and I’m thinking I’ll just hang on to them until next June. I’ll be ahead of the game.
Plan to have new designs out every couple of weeks – For the most part.
Continued caring for my family and my mom’s needs – Yes
Other things that happened since April that were not originally scheduled have been:
Christy Wright was in Grand Rapids and I attended her Business Boutique conference
Restarted Weight Watchers
Bathroom remodel
Drove mom to Kansas City for my Niece’s graduation
Attended an Anita Goodesign event
Our oldest daughter Katie became engaged – Wedding July 2019
Had various family members visit
Two short trips – one to Kentucky and another to Hershey, PA with one day to Washington DC
Moved two of the kids back to college
It has been a lot, and I’m trying to enjoy each moment and each day. It’s the journey friends. It’s life and I’ve only been given one, so I better use it the best I can.
Now in moving forward, here is what’s on the docket.
Lose those last 6 pounds
Continue to get out of the house monthly for a sewing or embroidery event or class – I have a great local store and I found an amazing fabric/sewing store in Lansing, MI which is only an hour drive.
Continue to exercise 3 times a week minimum and walk daily
Continue to do my best to eat healthy
Try to get outdoors every day to either walk or spend time in the garden while the weather is nice
Host an Oktoberfest party for hubby’s co-workers
Become a certified barbecue judge – Random I know, but hubby wants to do this, especially when he retires so I’m going to get certified with him so we can do this together.
Attend the Michigan embroiderers Fall event
Continue playing handbells at church
Hosting Thanksgiving at our house for my brother and his family.
Hosting Christmas at our house with my in-laws visiting.
Continue caring for my mom’s needs.
Plans for Embroidery It this year
Blog twice a week
Continue sew-alongs but increase to 2 times monthly (one new design, one past design)
Continue YouTube videos
Free weekly alphabet letters
A new design every couple of weeks
A Christmas embroidery event
Future plans for Embroidery It
Write a book – I’d like to compile all the sew-alongs into a book. I have no idea how to do that but I can learn.
Friends, this is my wrap up over the last several months. As we enter into the last three months of the year, I plan to both finish strong and continue to embrace “ease” while enjoying the journey.
It is always a fun time as we begin a new alphabet set. The letter A is free and ready for you to instantly download from the front page or home page of the website. Just click HERE and scroll down to the bottom of the page.
This embroidery design is a combination free standing lace and applique design. It fits in your 4 x 4 hoop and uses 2 colors of thread. One for the background and one for the borders. It is good to have bobbin thread that matches the top thread.
The original intent was these would be used as Christmas ornaments, but they can be used on tags for packages as well as identifiers on items like a backpack. Attach one to your sewing/embroidery machine when you go to your club meetings. Just imagine other colors to match birthday parties and other holidays.
The designs will remain free for one week and will then be placed for sale of only $1.50 in the Embroidery It store.
If you haven’t yet, sign up for the newsletter to receive notifications as each new letter arrives. Most weeks, the letter is changed on Wednesdays, but occasionally the schedule dictates a change so I don’t want anyone missing out.
Make it a great day everyone and enjoy the new alphabet!
I am just beyond excited. Embroidery It is growing and has launched a brand new store for your shopping pleasure.
Up till now, Embroidery It designs could only be found on Etsy and Zibbet. Starting today, you can purchase your designs directly from Embroidery It. It is through your continued support and encouragement, I’ve been able to take my business to this next level.
You may visit the store by going to the Embroidery It home page and entering through the big green Enter the Store button.
To celebrate, between now and February 17th, any purchases made through the store will receive a this free Embroidery Hoop Pocket Set, 4 designs in 2 sizes each. These designs are created to help keep you organized as each one has a front pocket and is framed in a wooden embroidery hoop.
While you are there, I would appreciate any feedback. If you see anything that seems “off” or needs to be changed, just hit reply to this e-mail newsletter and let me know. I value your input and opinion.
The Embroidery Hoop Pocket set is ONLY available as a free gift for purchases of ANY amount directly from the new Embroidery It shop. This is not available for Etsy or Zibbet purchases. Offer expires midnight February 17th Eastern Time.
This design set will be e-mailed to you within 48 hours of purchase.
Embroidery It will remain on Etsy and Zibbet but future links will go directly to the new store.
Friends, I cannot thank you enough for all your support, kindness and friendship that has helped me grow Embroidery It.
This is such a sweet freestanding lace alphabet set. I found it fun to get back into free standing lace for a change. The size of the letters is nice as they make a sweet tag or even a tree ornament.
My favorite thing was to add rhinestones for some extra bling!
I’m going to warn you right now…I’m on a rhinestone kick and you will be seeing me add rhinestones to more of my designs throughout 2018. Love them!
There is no placement for the rhinestones. Just add as many or few as you like.
The rhinestones shown here are 3 mm “hot fix” rhinestones. That is what I just happened to have on hand. I used clear drying fabric glue as I feel trying to heat set the rhinestones would cause the polyester embroidery thread to melt. FYI, I think a 5 mm rhinestone would look even prettier.
You can get rhinestones at any craft store and I have also purchased from “Rhinestone Genie” and “Heat Transfer Warehouse” with good results/good customer service.
As an FYI, I stitched the letters on two layers of water soluble stabilizer. Then I didn’t over-rinse the stabilizer out. I wanted to maintain a bit of the stiffness.
You can find the Modern Script freestanding lace alphabet set HERE in Etsy and HERE in Zibbet.
I hope you are waking up to a beautiful day. For my Florida and southern state friends, oh gosh, please know my family and I are lifting you up in prayer. I’ve shared before that our home was affected by hurricane Charley back in 2004 when we lived in the Sarasota/Bradenton area of Florida. It didn’t have near the severity that you are dealing with, but I remember watching the water rise in the living room and pour in through the ceiling light fixtures and the door frame of one of the bedrooms. Buckets were strategically placed all around to catch the water. Stay strong. And for my Texas friends, I hope you are finding your way into a new routine and getting your repairs taken care of.
On another note, I want to let you all know the Embroidery It sew along is tomorrow at 2:00 PM Eastern Time zone.
This is geared to the new embroiderer, but EVERYONE is welcome. So if you are new to machine embroidery and would like to try a simple project where you can learn how to applique and make an in-the-hoop project, here is your chance to embroider right along with me and ask any questions as we go along. All you will need are a couple pieces of felt and two small scraps of fabric.
The design is free for newsletter subscribers but just through the month of September. Just sign up here on this website and I will be sending you a link to the design as well as a supply list.
The apple was August’s design. If you missed it, you can get it HERE in Etsy or HERE in Zibbet. All monthly designs will have a similar feel to them so you can make a fun coordinated collection perfect for gift giving.
Please share your finished coasters on Facebook and Pintrest and use the hashtag #EmbroideryItSewAlong
This way we can all find you and see your finished work!
One more thing, I would truly appreciate you letting your embroidery friends know about this so they can join in and learn about Embroidery It. ~ Thank you!!
If you recall, from this post HERE, I’ve been learning how to make Kombucha. It has become a summer project for me to learn about and follow the process and you can google kombucha to learn more about it. Essentially, it is fermented tea that is very low in alcohol, yet plentiful in probiotics and B vitamins and is said to be very healthy for us.
I’ve created a design set for all you kombucha lovers. These are great stitched on a koozie to go around the kombucha bottle or stitched on a t-shirt or apron. For anyone who enjoys kombucha, stitch up some related items, add a bottle or two and it makes a great gift basket.
Yes, I’ve gone a little overboard trying different fruit flavors.
And because this is a process that can change with each batch, kombucha brewers keep a notebook of all the details for each batch. This design can be used to decorate the brewer’s notebook.
There are 3 designs total in the set and all fit in your 4 x 4 hoop.
And if you haven’t tried Kombucha yet, grab a bottle at your local grocery store, it is located in with the refrigerated produce. Let me know what you think as I think blueberry is wonderful!
I’m so excited to share with you that an in the hoop, applique embroidery sew-along is coming Tuesday August 8th! This will be a monthly sew-along on the second Tuesday of every month. This Wednesday’s newsletter will have all the details so be sure to sign up and get notified. Also I appreciate you sharing this with your embroidery friends and letting them know so they may join in too!
Here is a short video that tells just a bit more about what to expect.
I can’t wait to stitch with you!!
Also, here is the link for more information about the Embroidery Bee club mentioned in the video.
I realized I hadn’t shared with you last month’s Embroidery Bee designs that are now available for all.
The candy holder is the Christmas Lollipop Holder Set.
And the alphabet is the Bird Monogram Alphabet Set.
If you remember, throughout 2017 the in-the-hoop project will always be some type of candy holder along with a full alphabet set and all Embroidery Bee designs are made in your 4 x 4 hoop with the occasional exception that a bonus design might be thrown in that requires a larger hoop.
Get a head start with your Christmas gift giving. The Christmas Lollipop Holder Set is a set of three designs Make a basket full to set by the door for guests, Tuck them in Christmas stockings, or place them on the Christmas table. They stitch up quickly and easily using just felt. Make them for your child or grand child’s Sunday school or classroom friends and get lots of Oh’s and Ah’s from everyone.
This beautiful and delicate alphabet is perfect for an heirloom dress or linen napkins on the table. Stunning! It is made with four thread colors, but for an elegant look, just advance through the design without changing the colors.
Consider the beauty of tone-on-tone matching the thread to the fabric.
Friends, if you haven’t yet, give some thought to joining the Embroidery Bee Club. As said earlier, each month you will receive a full alphabet set and a candy holder at the cost of only $5 a month which is a savings over the regular price. The designs will arrive on the 1st of every month in your inbox. It is easy, simple and fun!
Immediately upon joining, so your sewing machine doesn’t have to wait to happily hum, you receive this fun Bee Bold candy wrapper design.
Creative Country Happenings
I’m reading and learning how to make Kombucha. Have you ever heard of that? It is basically a fermented tea which is supposed to be full of probiotics and nutrients. Bottles of kombucha may be purchased at health food stores or maybe even at your local grocery store, Costco also carries it, but they are costly little buggers so I’m going to do it on my kitchen counter. If you’ve tried it, what are your favorite flavors. I want to add fruit to mine but not sure what to start with.
Welcome to the final day of the Embroidery It Birthday Party.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support, kindness and generosity. I truly appreciate each and every one of you. It is through you that my dreams, goals and visions are coming true. I sincerely thank you.
As we wrap up the birthday party, it is Sunday, a day of rest. I hope you will use these inspirational teacup coasters as a gentle reminder to enjoy each day and all life has to offer with its many blessings.
Make a set of 4 or 8 coasters for yourself, or they make a lovely gift bundled up and added with some tea, a teacup and a homemade muffin or small box of chocolates. Give as a hostess gift, housewarming, get well, birthday, retirement gift and the list goes on. There are 8 designs in the set.
These are stitched on felt and made in your 4 x 4 hoop.
You will find the Inspirational Teacup Coasters HERE in Etsy
So happy to have you here today on Day 6 of the Embroidery It Birthday Party
Today’s Birthday Party Special is a good ol’ fashioned Gumball Machine.
It is made using your 5 x 7 hoop and is stitched on felt and clear vinyl.
For the clear vinyl, you will find that at your local fabric store or Walmart carries it too in their fabric department. You will find it in the section where they sell tablecloth fabric. Just get the thin cheep stuff and you only need 4 inches wide so get 1/8 of a yard.
The candy goes in and out the dispenser opening at the bottom of the design. I know what you are thinking….the candy will fall out. Nope, it doesn’t. You pinch it a bit to get the candy to come out.
Here in the photo I’ve filled them with Skittles, but you could use M & M’s or other small candy or small gumballs.
Also in the photo, I’ve stitched it with both red felt on the back as well as clear vinyl on the back. It just depends on the look you want.
The hanger is optional.
This really is a quick and easy design and only uses two thread colors.
Oh I so hope you are enjoying the birthday party. Today is day 5 and what a sweet design set it is.
Mason jars are just adorable and can be used for so many things. Here is an alphabet set that fits a wide mouth mason jar.
Fill the jar with colorful candies, or a stack of cookies and give to someone special. If you don’t want sweets, fill it with pretty spools of thread for your sewing friends. You could even roll up a small sewing project like a fabric panel and give as a gift in the jar. Just embroider their initial for the top and it is ready for gift giving.
Welcome to Day 4 of the Embroidery It Birthday Party!! Woot Woot!!
You’ve been asking for this and here it is as today’s party special……
Banner Numbers and Ampersand to go with the free banner letters.
This will be a fun addition to the banners you are making.
For those of you new to Embroidery It, a new letter is offered free on the main page each week.
Just scroll down to the bottom of the page to instantly download it. After one week, the letters are then placed for sale in the Embroidery It Zibbet store. You may find all previously released letters HERE.
Friends, if you haven’t yet, just subscribe to the weekly newsletter. It is a nice reminder that the new alphabet letter has been released. Also, a couple times a year, newsletter only subscribers get a little som’in – som’in. Just say’in. 🙂
Welcome to Day 3 of the Embroidery It Birthday Party!!!
You know, any time you have a party or something special you write yourself notes and create lists. Now you can always have pen and paper at hand.
3 Designs in the set. They are stitched on vinyl and made in your 5 x 7 hoop. You will find vinyl at your local fabric store and it may be called marine vinyl.
The notepad holders hold the 3″ sticky back notepads such as Post-it Notes.
A magnet on the back lets you stick it to your refrigerator or inside a locker.
These make adorable gifts or make a special one just for you!
Welcome to the Embroidery It Birthday Party!!! It’s Birthday Week. Woot Woot!!! Come on into the party. So glad to have you here. The music is playing and everyone is here so grab a slice of cake and some punch and lets have some fun Seriously everyone, I wouldn’t be here without you all and my heart is just bursting with gladness as I’m just so grateful to each and every one of you for your support of my little business. My family and I truly thank you.
Friends this is exciting and will be a week of fun. Each day this week you will get a newsletter showcasing a new design/set available for only $1.25 for 24 hours. You will NOT see these designs at these prices ever again so grab them when you see them. Sprinkled throughout the week will be some free goodies as well.
3 designs in this set of full size Birthday Candy Bar Wrappers. Make them in your 5 x 7 hoop. Perfect for giving to guests, tucking in treat bags or including in your gift to the birthday boy or girl.
Also Friends, If you missed last year’s birthday party, the Big Birthday Bundle which includes all 21 of last year’s designs is 50% off this week only through June 25th.
The Embroidery It Birthday Party Begins tomorrow! You won’t want to miss a single day of the fun. New designs daily. Freebies sprinkled throughout the week. Daily specials. It is going to be a week of fun, fun, fun!!
Be sure to sign up for the newsletter to keep in the loop on all the exciting activities. Link is just to the right.
Thank you for letting your embroidery friends know about Embroidery It so they can have fun too!
Your embroidery machines will be happily humming with great new designs.
There is a lot of excitement going on around here as Embroidery It is getting ready to turn 3 next week and that means it is PARTY TIME and YOU are invited!!
Here is what you can expect…..Each day of the week new designs/sets are going to be released and will be only $1.25 for 24 hours. That will be a big savings to the regular price. Then after 24 hours, the next design/set will be released. Fun free embroidery designs will be sprinkled throughout the week you won’t want to miss. A newsletter will be sent each day with the new designs so be sure you are on the newsletter list! There is a full week of great designs lined up ready just for you to give you some fun summer stitching. Or for those of you down under, some fun winter stitching. 🙂
So sign up for the newsletter in the link on the right and get ready for the fun to begin, Monday, June 19.
I want to make sure you see the free alphabet and to remind you that the letter changes weekly. Be sure to grab it each week for FREE! After that, the letters do go up for sale in the Embroidery It Zibbet Shop. Today the letter “I” has been released. You may get it HERE.
Offering you the free letters is my way of saying “Thank You” for visiting and your support. I appreciate each of you so much!
Also, just a small head’s up. Remember last year’s Birthday Party? Embroidery It turns 3 in just one month! I’m working on a little some’in-some’in just for you that you won’t want to miss.
I woke up to this beautiful morning. Don’t let the sunshine fool you, it is only 40 degrees outside! Perfect for wrapping up in a quilt and enjoying my morning coffee outside. Still, the tulips and daffodils are blooming and the trees are budding and leafing out. Glorious!
In celebration of spring, last month’s Embroidery Bee designs have been released to all. Here is the Organza Flower Alphabet Set.
Add some sweet decorations to wreaths. Tie a flower onto your sewing machine handle with your initial. Attach to the zipper of a backpack and more.
The center is free standing lace. The petals are intended to have a fabric such as organza, or other sheer and shiny fabric. Mylar is another great option for shine and sparkle.
Hang several in the window and let the sun catch and reflect from them.
The hanger is the first color stop. Use the design as an applique on a child’s shirt by just advancing past the first thread color. Then add a bow for the finishing touch.
As with all Embroidery Bee designs you can make these in your 4 x 4 hoop.
The Organza Flower Alphabet set may be found in Etsy and in Zibbet.
Friends, I hope wherever you are, that you are having a beautiful day too. Do something creative. Make something fun. Do something to make it a great day.
And if you are not a member of the Embroidery Bee club yet and to get designs similar to this one, just click the button below.
I don’t think I’ve read a single book since I last wrote this. I read a lot, just haven’t been reading books lately.
