Embroidery and Sewing for a cause

Sharing a worthy cause...

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The beautiful thing about any crafting hobby or crafting skill is that you can easily use it to help others.  One that has touched my heart that involves embroidery is Hugs For Kids. I asked Pat of Gransworkroom.com to share about their program Hugs for Kids:

"We decided that everyone needs a smile, especially when in the hospital! Therefore, we have been donating stuffed animals that are embroidered by my friend Jean and myself.  We have linked up with Cardon Hospital and fill every request the nurses give us."

Learn more about their mission at www.gransworkroom.com, Hugs for Kids Project!

More about Gransworkroom and the Embroidery Deduper Software:
If you have ever sat in one of my workshops, you know that my secret to keeping all my files organized (documents, embroidery files and photos) is my favorite duplicate removing software: The Deduper. From March 7-17, 201  the Deduper is being offered at the best price ever.  Learn more about what this software can do for you...

Yay! I have finished working on some behind the scene todos for the upcoming release of a new class on Craftsy, and I will be back to blogging and FB on a regular schedule.

From Screen to Shining Screen... Why does my embroidery software screen look different?

Learn more and get a special offer!

Most digitizing software packages give you the ability to position window panes and to view them. In all software classes, an instructor will here a request for help because a student has lost a window view and wants to get it back.  Or the universal questions of why the grids are bigger or smaller compared to the teacher's screen?  And  the most common question, why don't I have a grid?

Learn how to take your ideas and transform them into beautiful embroidery designs with "Digitizing Machine Embroidery Designs" on Craftsy.com, for all home embroidery digitizing software packages.  

Getting a "window pane view" back on the computer screen is pretty much the same in all the digitizing software packages. There will always be a menu somewhere in the software that will let you select the tools and features you desire whenever you open up your software. The same is true for the grid.

The platform of PE-Design NEXT lets you customize which tools you would like to access quickly and how you wish to arrange your window panes.  The ribbon bar across the top of PE-Design NEXT can be customized to fit digitizing or simple editing needs easily.

I teach several softwares to customers at stores. There is seldom a PE-Design class that doesn't include a student questioning why he or she doesn't have the same options in their quick access menu.

I chose the PE-Design NEXT software to point out the setup because of the Quick Access Tool Bar aka Ribbon. The tools selected are ones I use almost every day. I look for these tools across all my digitizing softwares to have readily available with a click! You may prefer other choices.

Have you checked out all the sewing, embroidery, machine feet, and software videos at CookieSews?
See for yourself!

Have you checked the new layout in Bernina 7? So many tools easily found.  Did you know that Art N Stitch is getting ready for some new wonderful features to be added?  Check the software websites for your brand of software to always stay current on updates and upgrades! See you in class!

Valentine inspires creativity and loving gifts, the ice storm promotes DIY!

Valentine's Day inspires creativity in all "formats" from photos, to cards, scrapbook pages, cupcakes , sewing projects and embroidery.

I have been posting machine embroidery designs on the CookiesCreationsWebsite Facebook Page to all our fans.

As Valentine's Day approaches, I am staring at my Cricut and Brother Scan N Cut and planning my day.

Iced in with no place to go...

Georgia is one big ice palace today with no chance of thaw until Friday morning according to the weather channel. I haven't shopped for the first card so this will definitely be a DIY holiday.  If you are creating some fun projects or need a few ideas join me on Facebook and let's share!

Valentine Memories, what are yours?

What we teach children about holidays and feelings can imprint them forever!

We never know which of the things we share with children will last a lifetime, whether intentionally or not.

Do you have a song from childhood that you learned for Valentine's Day?

I  can't tell you the title of the song or who wrote it, but the words live on ...

Hearts of paper,
hearts of lace,
wherever I go I see hearts everywhere...
On this one I've written,
Oh won't you be mine?
I want you to be my Valentine.

Really sweet when you picture a class of 7 years singing it!

Do you have a favorite kind of candy that stirs happy childhood memories?

For me it is definitely Chocolate Covered Cherries!

Was there a small gift perhaps that made your heart sing?

Maybe your memory is a special gift, like the locket I got in the 4th grade.

Many of us do not think about past memories when it comes to Valentine's Day but if you take a moment you might find that the sweetest gift of the holiday is the memory of a special moment.



 

Home from Craftsy.com... back to virtual chocolate!

The production team was fabulous from beginning to end.  Kristin, my instructional producer, knew to say all the right things whenever there was glitch in the taping.  Michelle, Marshall and Kristin never had a frown cross their faces. Let me add, all three have great smiles.

As soon as the taping was finished, they took a few photos for marketing, and then we packed things up.  I did leave the samples with them in neat organized piles. Those who have worked with me would expect nothing less when it comes to organizing kits.

Everything in the lesson went smoothly.  Followed by a wonderful lunch at “Fuel” which is a tasty restaurant  supplied with locally grown produce that is the talk of the town. 

As much fun as I had in Denver, it is nice to return home.  That means it is time to add more virtual chocolate on the Facebook fan page.  Here is the next "machine embroidery freebie serving" and it will change on Sunday, so don't delay!  The download link is located under the top of the fan page "Cover Photo"!

Almost forgot to mention:

Did you know that February is National Embroidery Month?

Heading over to Facebook to find out what everyone is stitching.  Either share it here or on the CookiesCreationsWebsite Fan Page.

I just finished stitching out three gifts: three baby blankets and a set of hooded baby towels.

Actually, I stitched an extra blanket because I wasn't careful the first time when I hooped on my 655 and didn't notice that the satin trim was positioned to get caught up around the hoop!  And that is why you shouldn't do anything in a rush!  There was no way to save the blanket, so I cut off the mistake and the satin trim and will use the fleece left over for more pajamas for Stella. She is my 8 pound wonder poodle.

Stella is not nearly as excited as I am with this solution. 

Craftsy team work!

Had an amazing day at Craftsy.  Woke up to snow flurries yesterday morning.  Arrived at the studio bright and early.

Here are photos of the fun people working with me. They are wonderful. You can see the enthusiasm in their smiles and glittery eyes!

Kristin set up the iron, and I quickly took the photo. It really looks like she is hard at work pressing fabric...

Kristin - Instructional Producer (VIP)

Michelle - Smiling Production Editor

Marshall - King Videographer

So much techno gathered in one studio plus a high level of energy, professionalism and a little craziness...

Today, I learned how to do a sewing demonstration without a sewing machine, so I will be curious to see how that looks in the new class video when it is finished.

Over lunch I quickly caught up on all my favorite sci-fi shows because everyone at the table watches them, too!  One of the instructors was celebrating a birthday, so chocolate cake was served. Love that!


The day went by very quickly.  I returned to the beautiful Magnolia Hotel  too tired for the cocktail hour but managed to take a power nap and make it downstairs for the nightly cookies and milk!  Chocolate chip cookies, my personal favorite and they were still warm!

All in all, it was a great day!