Embroidery Decor

Wall hangings are definitely a known way to display your embroidery art, but take a look at just how well embroidery can work when arranged with an idea in mind.

Notice that this person left the hand embroidery in the hoops and hung them on the wall.  Being next to a favorite  cup and saucer collection really helps to pull this room together.  Have you thought of hanging your framed embroidery next to your favorite collection.  With little effort you could have your embroidery decor match your collection!  A lovely way to spend a weekend, and have it stay with you for as long as you like!

How To Stitch With Mylar

Found this tutorial video at youtube!  Great little tutorial for learning the basics of Mylar in embroidery stitchout.  Your machine is probably different so keep that in mind as you watch!

Polyester Shines!

To get luster in your embroidery, do you always have to use Rayon embroidery thread?  Absolutely not…there are many great Polyester embroidery threads that offer plenty of sheen.

Many people love Rayon, but sometimes Polyester is a better choice for durability, particularly on kid’s clothes, uniforms, jeans, cushions, and the sorts of projects that are not going to be just something pretty to look at.

You’ll also find that:

* Polyester thread breaks less when stitching at high speeds, stitching denser designs, or stitching on thicker fabrics or base materials such as leather and vinyl.

* Polyester will rarely take on the ‘fuzzy’ look, that Rayon sometimes takes on when stitched on items that must endure heavier wear or more frequent washings.

But what if you really, really, really like Rayon?  Okay, that’s fine, you can still enjoy your Rayon on such projects, but I do suggest picking just one part of the design, even if it’s just an outline for your Rayon choice as that added bit of shine you crave, then do the balance of the design work in Polyester for the durability you need.

Autumn Leaves with Crystals

One of the fastest, and most sophisticated, embroidery designs on the market today, these Fall leaves are designed with crystals in mind.  Whether you use clear crystals to simulate dew, or affix color that compliment your thread choices, these designs are going to blow you away.  Fall is only a couple short months away, get a jump on the season this year!

Cozy Adult Bath Wraps

One of the most refreshing things in the Summer is taking a shower to cool off, but why finish such a joy off with an everyday towel.  Imagine wrapping one of these plush, comfortable and beautiful Minky Wraps around yourself, and take in the luxury.  Pamper your self a bit!  Come on in and take a peek at what you could be snuggling into.  Many styles are available so you can be sure to get one that matches your likes!  Click Here!

Horse Song

What is a horse? A horse has eyes as dainty as a mink. The grace is interrupted merely by a blink. A horse is beauty. What is a horse? A horse is a tree in a storm that never goes down. A horse is a weathered rock that stays around. A horse is ancient. What is a horse? A horse waltzes like breeze over rivers. She curvets and leaps like rain shivers. A horse is a marionette. What is a horse? A horse is determination, that never stops flowing. A horse is fondness, that never stops growing. A horse is poetic power. ~~~Lily Whittaker

You can find the Horse Song set right here!

Rayon vs. Polyester: The Great Debate

To get luster and sheen in your embroidery, do you always have to use Rayon embroidery thread? Absolutely not...there are many super Polyester embroidery threads that offer plenty of sheen.

Don't get me wrong, many people love Rayon, but most times Polyester is a better choice. It's the best choice for durability, particularly on kid's clothes, uniforms, jeans, cushions, and the sorts of projects that are not going to be just something pretty to look at.

You'll also find that:

* Polyester thread breaks less when stitching at high speeds, stitching denser designs, or stitching on thicker fabrics or base materials such as leather and vinyl.

* Polyester will rarely take on the 'fuzzy' look, that Rayon sometimes takes on when stitched on items that must endure heavier wear or more frequent washings.

But what if you really, really, really like Rayon and have a good stash of it? Okay, that's fine, you can still enjoy your Rayon on such projects, but I do suggest picking just one part of the design, even if it's just an outline for your Rayon choice as that added bit of shine you crave, then do the balance of the design work in Polyester for the durability you need. Your high quality polyester threads (notice I said quality, not price) of today have the sheen that rivals yesteryear rayon. I stitch exclusively with polyester. I'm also very particular about the quality of it. I will only carry the threads that I recommend and use. Look HERE to see what those are.

The Right Needle For The Job

So many of us know and understand the differences between a sharp needle and a ball point needle, and when it's appropriate to use them 'in sewing' but it's amazing how many people never apply this same concept to their machine embroidery hobby.

As a result, too many blindly use a sharp needle for embroidery and never know that sometimes, it's the wrong choice. More than likely it's because so many embroidery projects end up being stitched on woven fabrics, and of course then a sharp needle is appropriate...and it's often only after a person embroiders a design on a knit, or stretch fabric, that they notice something 'might be wrong', but even then, not always right away.

So what's lurking on that knit embroidery project that might upset you later? Holes, and possibly even runs. How does this happen? Tiny cuts, caused by the sharp needle as it passes from the top to the bottom of the knit. In fact, a project might even look fantastic for awhile, but as time wears on, it may become evident that a problem exists.

Though this is a very common error, all we have to train ourselves as embroiderers to remember is, that the purposes of needles are the same for sewing AND embroidery, basically a sharp needle is for wovens, and a ballpoint needle is for knits (and of course there are different sizes for different weights of fabric).

It helps to remember by knowing how needles work. Sharps pass through a weave, and while they may still cut a bit, they give a nice clean stitch out that most wovens can take (not all) but knits are different, they require a ballpoint needle that is less likely to cut, and more likely to only pass around the weave, thus less cuts, and less damage (some of which pops up later) when it comes to knit or stretch fabrics.

Nobody whats to put time and effort into a lovely project, only to find out, especially later, that an incorrect needle choice has ultimately ruined the project. Sew be ready, and have some ballpoint needles on hand. You may not need them often, but when you find yourself needing one, you'll smile and think happy thoughts of where you heard this advice!

MQX in Rhode Island

My Splinter's & Threads Booth

I am currently attentending the Rhode Island Machine Quilter's Exposition this week and have been having a BLAST talking to new and old friends about my favorite subject - QUILTING & EMBROIDERY!

Here are a few pictures of some prize-winning quilts from the expo:

Wish you were here!

Quiltmaker.com

Take a peak!

Nancy's Notions Email Ad

Can you see my HUGE grin through the computer????

I'm at Nancy's Notions!!

I'm so excited. My designs are in Nancy's Notions.

Burning, Burning, Burning!!

I sure wish that was calories that we are talking about and while the pounds are still slowly melting, I'm referring to CDs. I'm busy burning, burning cds. I finished my huge order to Nancy's Notions and got word that they received them. That's always good to know. =) Now I have received a request for availability for designs for a future order. How exciting is that? They are going to order more!! Thank you Lord!!

My office is coming along, slowly but surely. I want to make sure that everything has a place and a place for everything (that's the hard part). Please stay organized Gina!!! I have the office to a place where I can resume working. Much better than tripping over boxes but at least I have an area now, not just a path. lol So, time to get busy burning cds for Puyallup. I fly out Tuesday for Seattle and then will drive on over to Puyallup. Looking at the forecast, it looks pretty cold right now, so going to ship some cds so I have room for my coat in my luggage.

Visit : http://www.sewexpo.com/ to see more about the Sewing Expo. Look for me there. =)

I'll fly home on the 7th then leave on the 10th for Dallas Quilt show http://www.quiltersguildofdallas.org/

Come and say HI to me. Can't wait to meet you.

I've Been Published!!

I'm so excited with all the changes in my business. I just received the first magazine I've been published in!! Many thanks to Mary Mann and Debi Urban who each made a quilt and to Kathryn Rister (my mom!!) who quilted mine and Mary's quilts. =)

Beautiful Day

"It's a Beautiful Day"... Wow, to think that it snowed day before yesterday and today was shorts weather.....70 degrees!! Thank you Lord for the beautiful weather. Michael didn't get the call for the second interview today. =( We know that God has something better in store for us. If only we knew what it was. lol Michael has been busy though, stitching out designs to put things together for a trunk show. He's getting good at applique. I can't wait to put the whole quilt together.

New York Beauty

I have always wanted to make a New York beauty block. I think they are SEW intriguing. however I am not good at achieving picture perfect points or doing curved piecing. the traditional way of paper piecing is too tedious for me. I'm too impatient. So, I have developed a way to do it in the embroidery hoop!! I can't wait to do a quilt with these!!!

http://www.splintersandthreads.com/nyb

Simply Floral Applique

I created these designs and was so delighted I had to draft a pattern for it. In fact I ended up offering pre-cut quilt kits for it now too. LOL

http://www.splintersandthreads.com/simply-floral-applique

http://www.splintersandthreads.com/kits

4 Laws in digitizing

http://www.impressionsmag.com/impressions/content_display/embroidery/e3i98782c058bdfe7fd1d694658b88d80c4

My embroidery friends

• Larissa - Piece In The Hoop
• Ashlea - bunny cup
• Reen - embroidery garden
• Deanna - angelic stitches
• Laura - lauras sewing studio
• Karen - designs in stitches
• Larry & Holly - artistic thread works
• margaret - aunty m designs
• Missi - skeldale house
• Stitchery Mall
• Suz - BFC creations
• Teri - sewterific
• Gina Stevens - country church mouse
• Shary - stitched impression
• 
  

I LOVE peacocks

I have always loved colorful butterflies and birds -- peacocks, hummingbirds, blue jays, cardinals and tropical birds. When I was a little girl our neighbors across the road from us had peacocks. I thought they were the coolest things. Mom had several peacock plumes in a vase that mesmerized me by the way the light reflected off the colorful feathers. I have just about finished a unique embroidery design set of peacocks. I love this set and combined my love of crystals with these.