New Designs - Arch Animals!

We have 4 brand new arch animal designs - Elephant, Giraffe, Rhino, and Hippo. 

We think the arch legs gives a funky yet innocent look to these animals.  What about you?  I can see them in soft pastels for baby items...or in bold prints for a more modern look. 

I have included pictures of the designs stitched out as well as unstiched with a monogram idea. 

Hope you enjoy!

Feedback GIVEAWAY!

I need your help!

I have been working on a set of new athletic tail designs and need to make some decisions. I keep going back and forth...back and forth...so I thought I would ask YOU! 

Here are some pictures to illustrate the options:

#1: Redwork Stitch "Brother" and NO border



#2: Redwork Stitch "Brother" with Satin Stitch border



#3: Redwork Stitch "Brother" with Redwork Stitch border



#4: Fill Stitch "Brother with Satin Stitch border (note: VERY large stitch count!)




I plan on offering the designs with several "types" of brothers (big, middle, little, etc.).



I also plan on offering a "Sister" set. 




Here are the questions:

1) Which of the above options is your favorite?  (you can just answer with #1, #2, etc.)
2) What other athletic tail designs would you like to see? Touchdown? Homerun?
3) Would you be interested in purchasing an individual name with athletic tail? For example, Brandon or Samantha...etc. 
4) Any other athletic tail ideas or comments you would like to share? 

Now to the GIVEAWAY rules!
•PRIZE: a FREE single applique design of your choice!
•TO ENTER: Answer the above questions either by commenting on this blog or by answering the questions on my FB page:
•GIVEAWAY CLOSES: Thursday, 6/21 at midnight EST
•NUMBER OF WINNERS: 1 winner per 10 comments!
•OTHER STUFF: One entry per e-mail address/FB profile is permitted. The winners will be selected using random.org and announced on Friday, 6/22.

Thanks for your help!

How to Add Magnets to Raggy Numbers or Raggy Alphabet

I had so much fun making the Raggy Alphabet and I hope you guys have enjoyed them too!  But what really added to the fun was watching my boys enjoy them!  Because the raggy letters stitch so fast, my oldest sat on a stool and watched me make almost every letter.  I had to finish a few after he went to bed...and he snuck down the stairs 30 minutes after we put him down and wanted to know what letter I was working on.  He was thrilled to wake up to the finished alphabet the next morning. 

I decided to try something a little bit different with the numbers...I added magnets!  There are plenty of ways to go about doing this...but I thought I would share my process.

I first stitched the placement stitch.  You can see the "8" placement stitch in the picture below.  Then I used a little bit of spray adhesive on the back of the magnets.  I wanted to make sure they stayed in place during the stitching process.  Ideally, I wanted to place a magnet at the top and at the bottom of each letter...but I also wanted to make sure the needle had enough room to clear the magnet when stitching...so I sometimes placed the magnet off center in order to have more stitching room.  It is very important that your magnet not come in contact with the needle...so make sure you leave enough room and I would recommend staying close during the stitching process. 



After the magnets were just where I wanted them...with spray adhesive keeping them still...I added the fabric to the top and bottom of the hoop.  Then I started up the machine and kept a very close eye on the process.  When the needle got close to the magnet, the presser foot would raise up on top of the magnet.  The stitching sounded different, but it worked just fine.  As soon as the needle would pass the magnet area, the presser foot would snap back down to be flat on the fabric and would go back to its steady noise that we are all familiar with! 



I should have used flatter magnets...but this it what I had around the house and it worked. 

The numbers have been back and forth in our house...from the fridge to my magnetic office desk to the floor...they are still enjoying them!

Hope you enjoy them too!

Pinned It & Did It!: Teacher Thank You Gifts

Up next in our new Pinned It & Did It series inspired by Pinterest? Teacher Thank You Gifts!

Because of our move, both of our boys ended pre-school a month early.  With all of the craziness surrounding the move...I needed a quick but cute thank you gift.  I saw this idea on Pinterest and thought it would be perfect for the teachers for summertime!



Here are my completed gifts...



I found the cups at Cost Plus World Market and I filled them with single serve lemonade packets as well as some Lindt Chocolate Truffles. 

Our tag said "Thank You for quenching my thirst for learning!"  A little corny I admit...but it got the job done and I think the teachers will enjoy them.



Here is my big boy on his last day of school. 



They threw him a going away party...it was so sweet.  It brought my first tears of the moving experience.  His class made him a tote bag and they each drew a picture on it and all of the parents helped their kids make cards to say good bye/we will miss you. 

I have "pinned" lots of summertime activities...can't wait to try some of them soon. :)

Raggy Alphabet

I hope you will love this alphabet set as much as I do...or as much as my boys do!



The letters pictured above are double sided.



When you order this design you will receive a detailed tutorial.



The alphabet may also be stitched as a standard raggy applique letters on shirts or other blank items.



The possibilities are endless with these letters! I stitched out all 26 letters in a couple of hours.



The raggy stitch is quick and efficient.



My boys have had a blast playing with their new alphabet letters.



They have spelled words, put them in order from A-Z, and I find them carrying them around the house and identifying objects that start with that letter.



CUTE, EDUCATIONAL, & FUN!!!



You can find out more about this alphabet by clicking here.

Raggy Number Set COMING SOON!