Brand New Patch Embroidery designs are being released today!  Who doesn't love Pizza?  I have been trying a new diet and of course the first thing you want is exactly what you are not supposed to have.  So I consoled myself by digitizing these new patch designs.  Let's take a look at them and dream about our favorite toppings.

You are going to see a recurring theme with these patches.   Usually I can pass up junk food, but the minute I think I can't have it, my brain gets stuck.  So this First Pizza Embroidery Design really shows that when I was working, all I wanted to do was drop everything and call for delivery. Here are a few project ideas for you.

The next design Pizza Crust Embroidery is an homage to bread, which by the way is not on my diet.  I could really go for a deep dish right about now. Check out some cute project ideas below

The next patch design, Rain Pizza Embroidery was my wish that the floodgates of heaven would open and Pizza would appear around me.  It could happen...RIGHT? More cute ideas for you here.

My final design Stolen Heart Pizza Embroidery says it all.  I had to just admit that Pizza is at the top of my list of loves in life.  See just a few ways you can use this patch design.

So while you watch these patches and start to get hungry, let me tell you about what comes in each design download.  You will receive multiple design files for various machines.  If you check out each design, you can click on the graphics and there is a list attached.  Also in the file, there will be a design sheet to follow along with while you stitch the patch, an SVG file in case you want to cut your fabric with an electronic cutter, a paper pattern to use instead and full color instructions. When you are done stitching and the patch is ready you can sew it on your project of choice or add your own fusible adhesive to make the patch iron on ready.

I hope you have enjoyed this post, share what you learn and are generous with what you create.  If you aren't on a diet, eat a slice of PIZZA for me!

Brand New African Sunrise Embroidery Designs are releasing today.  Wow! These have been FUN to stitch! Such beautiful colors and mesmerizing to watch all of the Light fills come together to create Blending. In my part of the world, we are about to move our clocks forward one hour this weekend. That means longer days and hopefully some beautiful sunrises and sunsets.  I believe that has got to be the thing I miss the most when we are in our Winter.  Our daylight is short and when we do get a sunny day, the light is very dim.  I have never been to Africa, but when I think of beautiful sunrises and sunsets, it has to be the image that pops up in my mind.

The Elephant Sunrise Design has blended colors with a Yellow halo surround.  The Elephant is simple and elegant.

The Giraffe Sunrise design holds your gaze with long eye lashes on the giraffe. Can't you just imagine her chewing leaves while she stands in the morning sun?

The Lion Sunrise Embroidery design is a perfect reminder of why they are the king of the African landscape.  He's not smiling, unless he's thinking about his next meal?

The Rhino Sunrise embroidery design is simple yet tough. Just look at that stance.  I would not want to confront this guy anywhere. Maybe he's just enjoying the morning?  Maybe not?

How about doing a wall hanging with all of the designs?

A quilt would be another creative idea. Or how about placemats or table runners? I'm thinking animal prints?  Have I inspired you to start a new project?  I hope you have enjoyed this post, share what you learn and are generous with what you create. Someone will appreciate your hard work.

Just released today is my In The Hoop Alphabet Pennant design. This set is going to provide so many fun projects and there is a backstory to it.  Last year at this time (In fact this exact week), I had plans.  We all know where we were and what we had going on the moment we realized everything had changed with the pandemic. This design has been ready to go for a year but I just didn't feel like it was a good time to put it out yet. My original thought was it would be perfect for retail spaces or classrooms. Since that was in my mind I didn't expand enough to realize it would be perfect for home offices, or kids' bedrooms. Maybe you would like to make signs for medical facilities, retirement centers, thank your local fire department or essential workers at the grocery store. So, a good lesson learned. Sometimes waiting a bit and looking at something in a different time will give you perspective. Let's take a look at what is in the set.

Each one of the pennants will complete in one 5x7 hooping.  Customize them to your space with fabric and thread.  You can use prints, solids, stripes, polka dots, you name it.

The hangers are created by using 5/8 inch grosgrain ribbon.  Just another material that you can change up.  How about a sports theme for a bedroom?  Or dinosaurs?  Maybe princesses?  Unicorns? Once you get started, you may not stop.  This one set could potentially keep you occupied for a while.

Here are all of the Letters, Numbers and Punctuation that come in the Pennant Set.  That is a lot of embroidery design  possibilities!

Here is a finished pennant so you can see the size.  

For a different view next to my hand you can see that they are bright and cheerful.  The text is large enough to see across the room.

Look at all of the different colors I used to make these pennants. If you have remnants in your stash like me, this is a great way too use them up.  Those special life events are still happening even though we are social distancing.  If you create pennants for someone you can celebrate via remote and hang your sign up. Have I got your creative ideas going yet?  I have filmed a tutorial video you can watch below that will take you through the entire process.

I hope you are well in your corner of the world, have enjoyed this post, share what you learn and are generous with what you create. Someone will appreciate your hard work.

When you start doing machine embroidery, you find that there is an infinite supply of alternate stitches and materials to try.  I have written about Mylar projects in the past,( You can see another blog post here. ) and I wanted to revisit it because I have really been having fun this week in my studio.  My first design Pot of Gold is a nod to St. Patrick's day which is right around the corner.

In this design I wanted to see if I could incorporate regular stitching details as well as the fill for Mylar. I thought it would add more dimension and I was pleased with the results.  The handles for the Pot sew first with a satin stitch and an outline for the pot itself.  This tells you where the Mylar will be placed

Then a piece of Mylar is placed over the entire hoop surface.  I used a small amount of adhesive spray to hold it down but you could also use masking tape.  If you are not familiar with Mylar, look for it in the gift wrap section of your store.  It comes in several different colors and will usually reflect the thread color used.  So you can keep one color in your studio and depending on the project thread, you will still have versatility.

All of the Mylar details stich out and then the hoop is removed from the machine.  At this time the Mylar should be easy to tear away because the needle perforates along the edges.  I find that the best way to tear it is toward the design.  This puts pressure on those edges. Any small pieces can be removed with tweezers.

Then you replace the hoop back in your machine so the last details can sew.  The gold in this case is a really cute motif stitch that resembles coins.

That sparkle on the entire design is so satisfying and this picture doesn't do it justice. In person under the light or even in sunlight it is beautiful.  I am always trying new materials and as of yet, metallic thread hasn't won me over.  I am determined to find a brand that I like but each time I do some experimentation, I inevitably have to disassemble my machine because the thread flakes off in my check springs. This causes the sensor to stop my machine from sewing so I have not had great luck in the past with any brand of metallic thread.  I will keep trying and when I find one, I will surely pass it on.  If you have had similar problems with metallic thread, you may want to try Mylar because you will get that sparkle you love without metallic thread issues.

This Pot O Gold embroidery design would be perfect for St. Patrick's day stitched on a towel, pillow or added to a T Shirt

My next new design is really sparkly.  You wouldn't think a design so simple could look dressy but this one definitely does.

I think it is the thread color combination that makes this look like tiny diamonds all over.  I am in love with this Mylar Elephant.

Again, this design will show you exactly where to place the Mylar first.  

Once the fill has completed you will remove the hoop from your machine.  You can see I just used plain silver Mylar for this design.  See how the thread color determines the finished result on this one versus the previous Pot O Gold Design.

Then the Mylar is torn away and instant sparkle. Replace the hoop in your machine.

Then all of the final details stitch out.  Don't you love that check fabric?  

Just a couple of cute project ideas for this design.

I did put the Mylar Elephant design on baby bib to see how it would look and I think it would be absolutely precious but let's talk about care of your garments with Mylar designs. A baby bib does get washed frequently and you can launder your Mylar projects with care. I would advise using a delicate cycle on your machine or hand washing.  Maybe even use a laundry sack for undergarments.  Then hang to dry or machine fluff/dry on low.  If you need to press out a few wrinkles I would always use a press cloth on  the reverse side of the Mylar so it doesn't come into direct contact.  Remember, it is a synthetic material so it will need to be treated like you would any other delicate textile.

So are you inspired to try Mylar with your embroidery?  I think you will really have fun watching the sparkle come to life.   I hope you have enjoyed this post, share what you learn and are generous with what you create. Someone will appreciate your hard work.