Machine Embroidery Wedding Favors

by | Jun 8, 2013 | Blog

Machine Embroidery Wedding Favors

Hi Friends,
I’m here but don’t expect to see too much of me this summer.  It is a whirlwind of busy!!!  So much has happened since my last post and I will get to that in a moment.  For now though, let me show you some wedding favors I’m making that are a current work in progress.

These are little Hershey nugget wraps I’ve made for a wedding reception.  I’m making 100 of them!  It is a simple and quick in-the-hoop project done on white felt.  I’ve used wisteria purple thread which is one of their wedding colors.  The designs come from one of my favorite places, Embroidery Garden.

Well, since I last wrote a post, Emily graduated from high school.  That was a big day.  It was also the day that the horrible tornadoes went through Oklahoma City which is where Katie is stationed.  During the middle of that afternoon we started getting phone calls asking about Katie.  What a blessing she had two days off and was with us, safe and sound, for Emily’s graduation.  Katie reported that some of the destruction was as near as 1/2 mile from the base.  That tragedy is something that has weighed heavy on my heart so please know if you are in the area and affected, I am still praying every day for you.  I think I was saddened most about the children.  I don’t know what to say other than, I’m so sorry.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Following graduation we celebrated Katie’s 20th birthday, followed immediately by Emily’s 18th birthday.  Follow that by our 25th wedding anniversary!  I love my sweet husband so much!!!

We went out for a special dinner and he gave me a silver bracelet.  25th is the silver anniversary!
Mike and I also went to Michigan for three days since I last wrote.  It was so beautiful and green there.  It is very brown where I live, high desert region.

Finally, I’ve spent two full days at the University of New Mexico with Emily at her orientation where she will go to school next year.  She is so excited and I’m excited for her!  I loved my days in college and it brought back a lot of good memories.  Mike and I were college sweethearts!

As I said at the beginning, don’t expect to see me too much here, but know I’ll stop in when I get a chance.  Know that I’m around and I’m thinking of each of you.

Love and blessings to you all,
Nancy

Sewing, Sewing, Sewing

by | Apr 30, 2013 | Blog

Sewing, Sewing, Sewing…

Humming the tune of “Rawhide” in my head.  Sewing, Sewing, Sewing, the bias tape keeps growing, da da da da de da Rawhide!

I’m sewing the bias tape on the 20 boy scout neckerchiefs.  Each neckerchief takes a full package, 4 yards.  That’s 80 yards I’m stitching on.  I’m on my 6th neckerchief right now.  Just needed a break!

Have you seen a presser foot like this?  It is a “binding foot” and it hold the bias tape open and in place and the fabric fits in a little slot that feeds it right down the middle of the tape.  Sure makes it easier to sew as there is no pinning required and it catches the bias tape neatly on both sides.

So I keep plugging away singing my little diddy.  Actually, I’m listening to podcasts as I sew.  Have you ever heard of Daily Audio Bible or Merry Ministries?  Those are two great ones to listen to, and they are free!
Hugs and blessings,
Nancy
ps.  Want to know a little secret?  I have produced some podcasts myself.  Back in 2010 I made several podcasts that you can find on iTunes.  My podcast was titled “Making Our Home a Haven.”  In my very own home, I have always strived to make it a haven.  I don’t always succeed, but I do always strive for it.  🙂

Machine Embroidery – Boy Scout Neckerchiefs

by | Apr 26, 2013 | Blog

Machine Embroidery – Boy Scout Neckerchiefs

Hi Dear Friends,
Whew, the neckerchief design for the boy scouts is done!  This is my second digitizing design I’ve completed and I’m thrilled at the results.  Remember what it started out looking like below?  It is a map of the hiking trek that the boys will be taking this summer at the Philmont National Scout Ranch.

More was added in the detail and we went to three colors.  I’m making the neckerchiefs as well.  I’ve used broadcloth to stitch them on.  The stabilizer is Floriani’s fusible wash away.  It certainly makes for a smooth surface to stitch on.  For the final step I’m stitching on 1/4″ bias tape.  That’s what gives it the nice candy stripe effect as the neckerchief twists up at the ends.

Here is my son Timothy, our youngest.  He is such a character and was goofing off for the camera below.  He really has a great sense of humor and loves to tease his sisters, and his parents too!  I’m very proud of him and all he does in boy scouts.  He is a good young man.  Timothy is a Life scout and will become an Eagle scout this summer.  He and Mike have been involved in scouting since Tim was six years old.  He will turn 16 in July.  Golly I’m feeling old.  My babies are all growing up!

Now I’m working on making 20 of these neckerchiefs for everyone.  It’s keeping me busy for a few days!

Anyone want to hike 71 miles up, down and around a couple mountains? 🙂

Embroidery Blessings!!
Nancy

Machine Embroidery Gym Bags and Cheer Skirts

by | Apr 6, 2013 | Blog

Machine Embroidery Gym Bags and Cheer Skirts

Dear Friends,
This has been a busy week following Easter.  Even so, I finished sewing names on cheer skirts and gym bags for a team.  They asked me to specifically sew over the pleats which I was very hesitant to do.  That is what they wanted.  Needless to say, when the girls have them on, the skirt flairs out so my concerns were aleviated and all looked well.

This is our beagle, Cindy.  I set up a folding table in Katie’s old room to have extra room for doing the skirts.  Cindy follows me everywhere, so as I worked, she was right there with me in the room, shoring soundly!  She too, was tired from a busy week 🙂  I do have to say, the bed she’s on had been made, but that little ornery girl pushes all the covers off to the side and makes a mess of them and the pillows.  Funny girl 🙂

With the money I’ve made doing embroidery, I splurged on this that I have been wanting for a long time!  It is a medium Wacom Intuos 5.  I’ve never used a graphics tablet before, but as I learn to digitize embroidery, I’ve felt this will be a huge time saver and it has been recommended by many to me.  Our son’s boy scout troop wants me to design their neckerchiefs for their big camping trip this summer.  That set me over the top in “needing” one.

So as I play with my new toy, I leave you with…

Machine Embroidery – St. Patrick’s Day Applique Shamrock and More!

by | Feb 28, 2013 | Blog

Machine Embroidery – St. Patrick’s Day Applique Shamrock and More!

Hi Friends,
I’m having a little St. Patrick’s Day fun in doing this machine embroidery applique shamrock.  All designs from Needle Little Embroidery.  I did this on a tote bag from the Dollar Tree!  The applique fabric is glitter fabric from Hobby Lobby.  It comes in cuts 8 1/2″ x 11 1/2″ and is found by the cut felt.  $1.47 for the piece minus my 40% coupon.  It is a cotton fabric that has glitter bonded to the surface of it and it embroiders quite nicely.  I think it would be perfect material for an applique Christmas tree or tags on Christmas presents.  With its shine it would make some great Christmas ornaments, or how about Easter tree ornaments made with pastel glittered sheets.  I’m really thinking I will go back and pick up some more of this fun fabric in other colors!

Next it was onto making two St. Patrick’s day coasters.  You will never guess what these are stitched on……
Here it is!  Grip Prints rubberized shelf liner from Contact.  I got this at Target.  It stitched beautifully on it.

The final simple secret…Adhesive backed cork board, found in the scrapbook section of your craft store.  This makes a perfect coaster.  Note:  I stitched the blanket stitch around the designs when they were finished.

Happy Embroidering,
Nancy

Creative Machine Embroidery – Getting Ready for Valentine’s Day

by | Jan 8, 2013 | Blog

Creative Machine Embroidery – Getting Ready for Valentine’s Day

Dear Friends,
I was so happy when Michelle from Needle Little Embroidery contacted me about stitching some of her designs into finished projects!  I’ve been wanting to stitch designs from more designers as I’m wanting to learn the art of digitizing myself.  She started out by sending me these two lovely embroidery designs for Valentine’s day.

Heart of Love is shown above.  It is done in all white thread stitched on a polyester organza.  I’ve been using one of my favorite items, mylar, to add a little more shine to it.


Above you can see the Heart of Love stitched in three colors of pink.

Here the Amore’ Heart is stitched in three colors of peach with the silver mylar.  The mylar was floated on top.  When the heart finished stitching out I stopped the machine and tore away the excess mylar from both the outside as well as the inside of the heart.  Then I finished stitching the design.

And Amore’ Heart in all white, no mylar.

Of the four I did, the Heart of Love stitched in all white with the silver mylar is my favorite.  Our daughter Katie is getting married this summer and we plan to use these sweet bags in her wedding or reception.  They are beautiful.I have to say just a couple more things.  Michelle at Needle Little Embroidery http://needlelittleembroidery.com/ is the nicest lady to work with.  Also, I am thrilled that she has included a basting stitch for these designs.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wished for that on other designs.  It just holds everything perfectly in place with no shifting.  If you don’t want the basting stitch, just advance to the next thread color and bypass it.

Blessings to you all,
Nancy

Cheer Leading Hoodies

by | Nov 2, 2012 | Blog

 

Here are the finished hoodies for the cheer team.  Take a look at the front.
And now……
Take a look at the back!

Such a fun zebra applique to add to the back of the jackets!  This applique happens to be called Landon and is from Planet Applique.  There really was no puckering of the fabric.  I just wish I would have smoothed it out more before snapping the picture.

Enjoy!  The cheer team loves their hoodies.

Blessings,
Nancy

Beginning Branding

by | Oct 26, 2012 | Blog

 

 

Business cards have arrived!  I even splurged on a pen with my info on it!  This is just the beginning with the branding.  I looked today for a sage green/celery green shirt as I’m working on an embroidery design that has Embroidery It written on it.  I LOVE the color celery green.  It is such a color from nature, a beautiful God-given color.  Celery green must not be in style for fall.  Nothing.  Nada.  I settled for a white shirt to embroider on, but I’ll keep looking for the celery green one.
Blessings!
Nancy

The Cheerleading Skirts that Started this Business

by | Oct 18, 2012 | Blog

 

Give me a “G”!  G!
Give me an “O”!  O!
What’s that spell?  GO!
Go Embroidery It!  Yeah!!!

Dear Friends,

Here they are, the first products of my business.  The embroidered cheer skirts that I can’t stop talking about.  I think they turned out super cute.  The size and style of font was picked by the customer and I think it looks great.  The girls are considering me to applique on their sweaters and make embroidered hair ribbons as well.  Fun!

I just had to take a minute and show you.  I used a nice cut-away stabilizer behind the lettering that is soft and won’t scratch.  It did a great job as there was no puckering or pulling with the stitching.

Thanks cheer team for the business and an extra special thank you for helping me get my business started.

Blessings,

Nancy

Business Cards Ordered

by | Oct 17, 2012 | Blog

Today I got my business cards ordered from Vista Print.  I just ordered their basic free cards that you only pay for the shipping and handling.  You get 250 that way.  Vista Print is smart.  As you go to check out they offer you all kinds of other business items that have your design and contact information on it.  Two of the things they offered me were a t-shirt and a tote.  Thing is though, I should EMBROIDER a t-shirt and tote bag.  After all I AM Embroidery It!  (Smiles)  I did get suckered into a pen with Embroidery It and my website on it.  Cute!

Finally, after you place your order and make your payment, Vista Print says I “qualify” for reduced price items.  I can get an additional 250 business cards for only $3.99 and I could get additional pens at a lower price but I only had 10 minutes to take advantage of this special offer that I qualify for.  I took them up on the additional business cards.  $4 for 250 business cards was a good deal and there was no increase on my shipping and handling.  Vista Print is smart!

I hope you are enjoying following me on my new business journey.

Blessings,
Nancy

Embroidery It

by | Oct 16, 2012 | Blog

Hi Friends,

So now I am going to move forward.  I’m going to order my business cards and get my business presented to the world.

I finished four of the cheerleading skirts this afternoon and the cheer team is also interested in some embroidered hair ribbons that I have been working on.

So despite the trouble with the whole domain thing, I have a website and I have a business.  I have a start!  I pray the good Lord blesses this business and that in some way I can use it to bless and encourage others.

Thanks for reading.

Nancy

My First Job

by | Oct 15, 2012 | Blog

It’s an exciting day today.  I got paid for my first job!  My first real embroidery job! I was given the cheerleading skirts and they picked out the font and size and gave me the specific details as to spelling of the names and where they wanted the names placed.  This may not sound like much to you, but it is to me.  It is the beginning and the start of what I hope to be, dream to be a wonderful business!!!!

Embroidery It Disclosure Statement

by | Oct 13, 2012 | Blog

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. I write for my own purposes. However, this blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.

Welcome to Embroidery It

by | Oct 13, 2012 | Blog

 

 

Hi Friends,

This is me in the picture.  I’m Nancy Jacobs and I’m pleased and proud to announce that my new business, Embroidery It, is launching!  Owning my own business has been a dream of mine for many years and now my dream is turning into a reality. 

I oh so enjoy machine embroidery!  I can’t say that enough.  I have just gone wild with it and if it stands still long enough and a needle can pierce it, look out.  It will be embroidered on!  Embroidery for me is pure fun.  It has been through a series of events that now I want to share my passion with you.   My tagline is “Embroidery It provides creative personalization and unique gifts all with a needle and thread.” 

Let me tell you a little about myself.  First and foremost I am a follower of Jesus.  I consider saying that I am a Christian to not be enough as I’m more than just a believer, I do my absolute best to truly live and follow the teachings of our Savior.  I am married to my best friend, Mike, for over 24 years now.  We have three beautiful teenage children.  The oldest two are girls and our youngest is our son.  Our oldest is out of the house now and is in the Air Force.   It is because of the children getting older and now leaving the nest that I have the time to pursue my passion of owning and running my own business and following my dream of being an entrepreneur.

You might also enjoy knowing that I relish all things involving homemaking, well not always cleaning, but I find delight in cooking, gardening, and all forms of crafting as well as the basics of running a household.  In fact, another passion of mine is helping young women learn about God’s view on homemaking in order that their marriages become strong and so they can see God’s plan for their lives. So that is a bit about me and who I am. 

Embroidery It is getting itself off the ground.  It is having a few business snafu’s which I’m working out.  But hey!  That is part of being a business owner and getting past the learning curve, right?

I have been, and still am, working on getting my blog/website set up. I’ve also started a Facebook page which you can find HERE.   It is so exciting! I’ve also been designing my own business cards.

For my first official job I have a team of cheerleading skirts in which I am personalizing with the girls names.  I will post a picture of them next week.  In the mean time, say a quick prayer that I get the business and website bugs worked out. 

Thanks for visiting my site and I look forward to sharing my embroidery with you.

With hugs and blessings,

Nancy