Crafter’s Collection - The Grand Tour
By Serena Smith | July 3, 2009
A NEW Crafter’s Collection from OESD - The Grand Tour!
These are cool cats on the go go go! No bored sightseers on some 2-day packaged tour here; our spirited feline friends are seasoned world travelers wending their elegant ways through the Grand Tour with style and insouciance.
Whether visiting the cafes of Paris or shopping fashionable Carnaby Street, on an exuberant scooter ride, a sassy, energetic grape-stomping spree, or the grand romance of a gondola ride, these gallant and fearless travelers know how to have a grand time everywhere they go. When it comes to finding projects for these chic & cheeky charmers, all the world’s a stage!
They’d be great on a fresh, fun bedroom set, from pillows to cushions, message boards to lampshades. Stitch them on travel bags, blankets, and towels for the complete travel set. Use them to create cute vignettes on sweatshirts or t-shirts, and what could be more natural than travelers on a photo book, journey notebook, or scrapbook cover? It’s time to start traveling again! Begin your vacation adventures right here, with the Grand Tour - just grab your bags and don’t forget the camera!
Package contains: USB Design stick, Thread Color Chart, Thread Shopping List
Multi-format USB stick includes the following formats: art, pes, pcs, dst, hus, jef, xxx, sew, exp
See the Benartex 10″ fabric squares that coordinate with this collection of embroidery designs here!
Topics: Embroidery Designs, New Items | No Comments »
Registration Open for Latte Quilt Online Class!!!
By Serena Smith | June 30, 2009
I’m so excited to announce that I am starting another Latte Quilt online class in September 2009!! For those of you who missed out of the first class in February, now is the time to participate in the second class! This will probably be the last time I will be teaching this quilt in an online class, so if you want to take it, sign up today!
See full details on class registration here!!!
The Latte Quilt is a classic embroidered quilt pattern that is a timeless heirloom with its elegant embroidery and decorative stitches. A combination of cotton and satin fabrics, this quilt introduces you to a host of fun and unique techniques that will thrill you to pieces!
Although Kerrie Hay provides instructions in her book, the Latte Quilt, for completing the project, it’s always easier and more fun to stitch the quilt in a class full of eager stitchers and someone leading you through it step-by-step. In completing the quilt through this online class, you can work at your own pace through each block. This will be a hands-on online class, taking you step-by-step through each and every area of creating the quilt, from starting to pick out fabrics to completing the quilting, binding and label!
You are probably sitting there reading this, thinking, “How can a hands-on detailed class such as this be taught over the Internet?” Good question! With the great advances in technology and the Internet, written directions, clear photos and informative videos can travel through the phone lines or air waves (depending on your type of Internet connection! :)) from my sewing room to your computer screen!
Read the online class notes below for details on class schedules, supply lists, class notes & pricing, kits available and even a quilt introduction video you can download! You can also see full details on my class schedule page.
This class will start in September 2009, so please register before August 22nd! You need to have your fabrics, threads and supplies by the first of September, as we will jump right in and get started on the first block! Know of someone who would be interesting in participating in this class? Forward this email to them or let me know and I will send them details.
If you would like to participate in this class, please open and read the online class notes below and follow the instructions for online registration. I look forward to “visiting” with you every month on this exciting quilt journey!
As always, drop me an email (info@embtreasures.com)! I love hearing from you!
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Giveaway winner
By Serena Smith | June 29, 2009
The winner for a bottle of Mary Ellen’s Best Press is VickiT!!! Congratulations!!!
Check back in July for another fun giveaway!!
Topics: Giveaways | 1 Comment »
Creative Expressions Issue 23
By Serena Smith | June 26, 2009
Creative Expressions is a quarterly magazine and is a must for anyone who loves creativity, sewing, embroidery and quilting. This magazine captivates and inspires all who read it, with 84 pages full of luscious photography, easy-to-follow directions and inspirational ideas. Plus, there is a bonus pattern sheet in every issue of Creative Expressions.
World-renowned machine embroiderer, Jenny Haskins whose creativity and passion for beautiful colors, along with her philosophy on life “that it is never too late to be what you could have been”, is reflected in every glorious page. This luxuriously produced magazine attracts both the novice and the expert sewer, quiltmaker or embroiderer around the world.
In this issue:
Robyn’s Renaissance Quilt Part 1
Garden for Bella Quilt
For the Love of Lace Tablecloth
Amber Ambience Pillows
Delicate Detailed Butterfly Necklaces
Plus many other creative ideas for you to enjoy!!
Note from Serena: Another great issue from Jenny Haskins! So many creative projects to fill your creative sewing time!
Order yours today and start creating!!!
Topics: Misc., Uncategorized | No Comments »
Pin Those Corners!
By Serena Smith | June 24, 2009
Yes, it happens. You are embroidering a design and suddenly you discover that the extra fabric extending past the hoop is getting caught in the stitches. The larger the piece of fabric on which you are stitching the design, the easier it is for that fabric to get caught in the needle.
See how easy that fabric can slip into the path of the needle?
To help prevent extra fabric from slipping in between the needle and the design, try pinning back the corners or excess fabric close to the hoop. Keep in mind that it is easy for corners or pieces of the fabric to get caught underneath the hoop as it is stitching as well as on top. The hoop is constantly moving as the design is stitching and the fabric works its way underneath or on top of the hoop. Pinning those corners back with a straight pin can easily hold the extra fabric out of the way!
Pinned and out of the way!
Topics: Embroidery, Helpful Lessons | 2 Comments »
Monday Giveaway: Mary Ellen’s Best Press
By Serena Smith | June 22, 2009
Monday giveaway fun is back! Check back every fourth Monday of the month for some fun giveaway prizes that you could win!
Mary Ellen’s Best Press is an absolute dream solution to regular starch! An $8 value!!
Make ironing as pleasant as possible! No more mixing starch with water or environmentally-unfriendly aerosol cans that get clogged. ‘Best Press The Clear Starch Alternative’ is a clear and fragrant miracle starch that doesn’t clog, flake, or leave a residue - even on dark fabrics.
Also it relaxes stubborn wrinkles, makes ironing easier, and makes fabrics soil-resistant. The clear, non-aerosol spray bottle lets you see how much is left.
In Lavender Fields Scent.
16.9 fl. oz.
–To be entered in this giveaway, just leave a comment on this post with your name.
–Post a link to this giveaway on your blog and leave a second comment with the blog post url and you will be entered twice in the giveaway.
–Comments will be open until next Monday, June 29 and the winner announced that same day.
–This giveaway is only available to US residents.
–You must leave an email address in the comments or link back to a blog so I can contact you if you win. If your name is selected and there is no way to contact you, another name will be chosen.
–You have one week to claim your prize. If the prize is not claimed, another name will be chosen.
This giveaway has ended!! Check back on the 4th Monday in July for another fantastic giveaway!!
Topics: Giveaways | 35 Comments »
Hot Stuff Potholder - GREAT tutorial!
By Serena Smith | June 12, 2009
I admit, stitching potholders is not on the top of my list of sewing projects, but from time to time, I do create a few. Many times I start with two pieces of cotton, stitch a design on one side, quilt it, cut it down to size and then bind it. Or I like to do holiday themed ones without embroidery (Yikes! I can’t believe I actually said I did something WITHOUT embroidery!) like fun prints for 4th of July, fall, winter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and spring.
Urban Threads has a great quick and easy potholder tutorial with details how to stitch the design, cut the pattern and bind the edges! Take a peek and let me know what you create!
Photo & tutorial copyright belongs to www.urbanthreads.com
Topics: Links, Links for Projects | 1 Comment »
Why would you ever purchase a lesser quality fabric?
By Serena Smith | June 10, 2009
Quality fabric is a must in your quilting and embroidery projects! It will stitch better, be easier to handle and cut and wear much longer than cheap, inexpensive, quality-lacking fabrics. But is there ever a time or project to use cheap fabric that lacks the quality you desire in your quilts?
In my opinion, yes. It’s rare that I use a lesser quality fabric, but in some cases I do think there is a place for it. In almost all of my projects I use quality fabrics, whether it’s a small wall hanging or a large quilt. If I am spending my time in cutting, stitching and finishing it, I want it to last and be the best that I can make it.
I do make two exceptions where I may use a lesser quality fabric: costumes and craft projects.
Costumes - For kid’s or even adult costumes that will be worn once or twice, if I find something in a lesser quality fabric that will work for what I need it for, many times I will use it. In my mind, it is a costume. It will be worn once or quite possibly twice, then tossed or given away. Most of the costumes that are created (unless it’s for a professional production) are ones that are put together to hold in place for that event.
Craft projects - Some craft projects that are more crafty in nature than garments, quilts or wall hangings, I may use a fabric that lacks the quality I like to use in my quilting projects. For example, with my Sunday School class kids, I cut up strips of fabric to glue onto paper to create objects and I really don’t care what that quality of fabric is (although any scraps work great for this!). The fabric is going to be cut up and glued to paper for a paper craft project. Or I may be draping fabric for a lesson or play I’m producing and that fabric is just there to see. It’s not going to be worn and washed repeatedly.
If it’s a project that will not be used repeatedly, washed over and over again, worn as a garment other than a costume or used for wall hanging or quilt, I will consider using a lesser quality fabric. I admit that I am picky and selective in my fabrics. I like the way quality fabric feels, stitches, washes and so forth. When I’m stitching something and putting time into it, I do the best that I am able to do and use quality fabrics to create it. But in certain cases, there is a place for using a lower end piece of fabric.
But keep in mind that even though a fabric lacking quality can be used, for those things that are important to you be sure to stick with quality pieces that will give you a beautiful finished result!
Topics: Fabric Tips, Helpful Lessons, New Items | 2 Comments »
Latte Quilt: Kashan Braid block
By Serena Smith | June 1, 2009
The Kashan Braid block from the embroidered Latte Quilt is one of my favorites! The cream and tan colors combined with scrolls, flowers and the heart shape gives this block an air of elegance.
I am teaching another Latte Quilt online class starting in September, so if you missed out on the first one, now is the time to sign up! Details for the second class in addition to registration information will be uploaded this week, so don’t miss it!
Topics: Embroidery, Links, Online Classes | 1 Comment »
Exclusive Embroidery Collection by Sue Box for Janome
By Serena Smith | May 12, 2009
Introducing a unique collection of machine embroidery designs from Sue Box Creations!
Jewels, ornaments, butterflies, elephants and lace make this stunning collection from Sue Box a collection you can’t miss! This collection comes with designs specifically designed for borders and outlines plus many free standing 3D lace designs.
This is a collection that Sue Box designed exclusively for Janome Sewing Machine Company and now is releasing to everyone. Because this was a Janome exclusive, all of the designs on the cd are only available in JEF format. Janome Memory Craft Embroidery machines supported are: Memory Craft 11000, MC 10000 series, MC300E, MC350E, MC9500 and MC 9700.
Please note that if you have embroidery software that will read the JEF format, you can convert the designs from JEF to your desired format.
Topics: Misc., Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
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