Dessert Pin Cushion

I really liked this pincushion because it looks so real. The pattern is here.

That fabric cherry on top is so realistic and love the Princess pins. Now the search is on for the perfect 4" bowl as the base. I know we had this fabric at the shop but not sure we still do it looks like frosting with the sprinkles. I'm sure the embroidery software would make short work of the frosting applique work. I'm sure Pam G would have that part whipped out in a heartbeat!

Now tell me when you look at these pies that you aren't waiting for the black birds to come busting out!! Go here for the details. These look like the base is a little larger bowl than the pincushion at the top of this post. I can see the red and blue pincushion made out of the wool too! The apple one on the right looks ready for embroidery as well for the applique areas.  Both of these are nifty gift ideas for a friend who also enjoys doing handwork or sewing!

Yesterday, towards the end of the Software Sampler afternoon I showed those that were left a neat tool that is in VISTA called the snipping tool. Well, from those still there we found one or two that didn't have this tool. Margo found out her husband's pc was also missing this tool so she did some research and found a couple of links sent me last night. The first link is the tool for the XP operating system and the other lis how to turn it on in VISTA if it doesn't show under Accessories.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/tabletpc/experiencepack/overview.mspx

http://www.pcworld.com/article/137099/activate_vistas_snipping_tool.html

Look out March, here we come!!

Software Sampler

Tomorrow, 2/27 is our first Bernina software sampler class at Strawberry Patches.

We will start with watching the webinar for this class, then following the handout we will work through the exercise to create our own project. To finish we have kits available to sew it out in class. So bring your laptops to class to work through the exercises. Then bring your embroidery machine to be able to embroidery the project. These are completed in the hoop and I made 2 of these pretty quickly!

I would just bring a dark colored thread to sew with - I actually used a different color for the letters and a different color for the rest of the stitching.

You will leave with a dvd containing the video of instructions, the instructions, the bitmap used in the digitizing and the finished design. That's a pretty good bargain!

See you Saturday.

Guess Who!!

I was in Starbucks yesterday when I suddenly realized I desperately needed to pass some gas. The music was really, really loud, so I timed my releases with the beat. After a couple of songs, I started to feel better.

I finished my Latte and then noticed that everybody was staring at me. Then I suddenly remembered that I was listening to my iPod.

Lipsie the Pocket Girl

This is Ms Lipsie, the pocket girl. Thought this was cute and definitely see embroidery in her future. Click here to download the instructions.

Bernina e-News

How often do you visit the Bernina USA web site to see what's new? Do you wish that Bernina would come to you with the news? Well, it's possible. All you have to do is sign up under the e-News heading at their web site. I've marked the spot below by a red circle.

Below shows the eNews that I just received. So sign up today and keep up with the latest news on your Bernina, projects and other sewing related news.

You could do this

Isn't this the cutest pillow? Well, it's an applique font embroidery design. If you don't have software this is the way you can use different font styles in your embroidery machine. Each letter has been digitized and turned into an embroidery design for you. So to spell the name you want to use you would sew the first letter, followed by the second letter, and so one until you have the name you want.

Now if you have the software you can still purchase the design collection or you can create the applique letters using your Bernina software. You can draw your own letters or use a font that you may already have on your computer or find a font on the internet to treat like this.

I like the way they used the pieced fabrics to frame the name. You can see the designs here.

I do have a computer basics class coming up if you or you know someone that needs some directions on the basics how do I use my computer to buy embroidery designs online, how do I save them to my computer so I can find them again, how to unzip files, etc. The date is February 23rd 6:30pm.

New Bernina Embroidered Quilt

Remember the new designs I announced on this post? Well last week we received information of a quilt that one of the Bernina educators has designed using these designs. I've placed my order for the designs so I can put this one together. It's not terribly large - about 60" square. It was designed for creating on the 830 machine but once I receive the designs I'll be able to see if it's going to work for other Bernina models.  It's created using V6 of the Bernina embroidery software, including the quilt design feature. So hopefully I'll have some good news soon on another beautiful quilt design.
I've been doing home work most of today. Working on the upcoming classes for the Software Sampler classes that we'll be offering this year, starting on Saturday, February 27th from 1-4 pm. These classes focus on features available in V6 of the Bernina embroidery software. Each month will be about a 30 minute video showing how to use the software to create the embroidery design for the project. Then we will have the printed instructions to follow to complete our own version of the featured embroidery design. Once that's completed we'll have time to work on the project. Sometimes the project will include some materials that we will have to order to have on hand for the class and other times you may need to bring a few items for constructing the project. So hoping that many of you will be joining me on the 4th Saturday now for our Software Sampler classes. This is an educational program designed by Bernina USA.
The last class I've worked on today is for Bears in the Garden, my quilt entry in our recent quilt show.My gosh, it seems that it has been eons since I last worked on completing that quilt. It was fun playing with the different fill stitches and then sewing them out. Anyway my goal is to have a software class on this feature in the software and then teach a quilt class to teach those that don't have the software how to create this quilt using their embroidery machines.  I need to clone myself so one of me could sleep while the other works away.

We've Only Begun Stitcher's Garden

As of yesterday we have completed our round of classes for Month 1 of this terrific machine mastery project. We first saw this at Quilt Market last October in Houston and felt that it would be perfect for our Bernina customers to become more familiar with the fantastic features on their machines, many of which are Bernina exclusives. Then to also expand on machine accessories that can be added to further make you appreciate your fabulous machines!

We've had Bernina models from a 230 up to the 830 in class and each is able to select a decorative stitch for each applique section from those available on their Bernina. It's the perfect class to really bond with your Bernina sewing machine. If you missed the first month but would be interested in joining us we have spots in 2 sessions to fit your schedule - Saturday pm plus a Tuesday evening class. We look forward to seeing you each Month in your selected class time. It's a sit and sew class so you do need to bring your machine with you. A kit is available for each month.

Win this Bernina Sewing Chair

I wanted to make this picture huge but it really got too blurry. Anyway, click here to go to the Bernina website and enter to win this super sewing chair. Love the color! With all those knobs you could really adjust the settings on this chair to fit you like a glove. Deadline is March 1, 2010 so don't delay.

Happy Valentine's Day

Aren't these the cutest heart drawings? Thanks to Margo for sharing this site. These are free pdf images you can download and have fun playing with in your Bernina embroidery software. Click here to go to the site where you can download each one individually.

BUNNYHILL

The second pattern for Bunnyhill's 2010 free pattern block of the month is posted. This year it's a collection of darling snowman designs. I think it will be hard to beat the popularity she gained with the 2009 free one but I'm sure this will be enjoyed by lots of us. Those patterns were just the cutest and we eagerly awaited the unveiling of the newest block.

Are you doing these by hand or are you using your embroidery software to stitch block using your embroidery machine?

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU...

Had a customer in the BSR class today that had her machine for 2 years and had never used the BSR on her machine. When was the last time you "BSR'D"?

Do you have a favorite of the 3 small feet that attach? I think mine is the open toe attachment. I used the BSR on the 830 this am to do some embellishment stitching on some applique. I used it in quilting around the heart in the mystery quilt. I did finish the quilt and it rests on the back of my Husbands chair, where he knows it's there. I still need to sew the quilt block on it but I had to move on to other things and now those other things are done so I need to get that done before I lose it! I used the BSR on the wildflowers applique quilt - remember that one? I think we all did that one. I think Bob won a ribbon on that one in the Quilt Show - know he entered it for judging the same year I entered mine just for display. I used it to quilt around the flowers, and actually used it to add dimension stitching on leaves and flower parts. With the clear or smokey monofilament thread you can really do some fun thread work on your projects. I'll tell you if you haven't tried the smokey color choice do yourself a favor and try it - it's totally amazing what you can use that one and it just blends in so well.

MYSTERY QUILT PHOTOS

sI'm so bad - I have these photos that you all sent me and I got behind and didn't post.

Debbie Yadon, Me and Mom. In case we haven't told you, Deb is nearly a realtive - I think it goes like this. She was related to the man my sister in law was married to before she married my brother. So it's the thing about we're all connected in degrees. Not nearly as interesting as the Senator Brown from Massachusets being like a 10th cousin to President Obama =), but similar. We're fresh eyed because we've just gotten setup and haven't even started sewing yet.

Here is Mary's completed top. I know, Mary wasn't in class. That's because she had shingles in the eye - hope I got that right. So of course she was not feeling like being in class. I sent her the instructions after class and she was able to put it together at home. I really like the fabrics and colors that she selected. Shades of purple, how could you go wrong!

Show the group having a good time. I can't remember if this was before lunch.

Here is Mom and Patty Young focusing on one of the construction steps.

Here's a shot of the some at the triming phase of one of the steps.

Here's our Jill. Jill really was not ostrasized but arrived a little late so this was the only spot  available. Jill has a party even when she's the only one there. She is such a special person and we enjoy having her as our newest teacher at Strawberry Patches. I enjoyed being able to chat with her and everyone else during the class that day!

I think this was Shelly's block. She sat next to Patty so I hope I remembered correctly.

I thought I had taken a picture of us in our tiaras but couldn't find it after all. But we all got to wear 2010 tiaras after we came back from our pizza luncheon.

SAY IT LIKE IT IS

Well, isn't that special!! My husband and I already have seats at the Bakersfield Conference in October. This is the first one that we've attended and the line up of speakers should prove to be a full day of good speakers and world news. I keep telling him you can't complain unless your willing to roll up your sleeves and get involved so we'll see.

Back to embroidery - Loralie designs has a new free design. When I looked at their folder of free designs I saw a few more that appeared new to me so check them out here.

ORGAN needles - have I said lately how much I like these needles for embroidery? If you're not using them you should buy a package of needles and try them out. I use the titanium needles and they really do last longer than the regular needles.

I almost forgot about this. Maybe if I put it in print I won't forget again. I received a Christmas card from a vendor at work in December and in it they had included this small gift. The gift was a cell phone holder that you put together. Well, it's something that we can do as an embroidery project! I drew the pattern and when I went to scan it realized the software for capturing scans to my laptop had disappeared. I'll have try this with version 6 and see if it works any better.

Enjoy your week end and hope you don't have too much wagered on the game tomorrow. I split a square with 5 other gals so our outlay was minimal.

OESD SALE

OESD had a sale that ended Jan 31st but I just checked and was happy to see that some of the design collections I wanted to order are still available. If you haven't seen this click here and you can see what's available. They are only $30 each - cd, artista memory card or memory stick. Not all choices for each collection but 3 of the ones I wanted are still available. That's a pretty good savings! SO CHECK IT OUT!!

I'm HERE!!!

Wow, January was packed full of fun things. We're trying to get the Software Sampler going at the shop and well, Bernina just isn't cooperating. We'll get it worked out though. Hopefully you were able to attend our bi-annual quilt show for the Bakersfield CottonPatch Quilters. I'm not sure yet what the attendance was but Saturday was pretty darn busy! We had about 188 quilts this year, which was down a few from the previous show but that still is a lot of quilts. I tell you, there are a lot of very talented quilt makers in this town. Wow! Everytime I walked down the isles I saw a quilt or two that I hadn't noticed before. This year we had a photographer record each quilt and sold them on a dvd for $7. I just finally had a chance to watch mine last night and it was pretty good, and especially for that price. Again, I saw pictures of quilts that I did not remember seeing at the show. I saw him photographing the quilts so unless we had fairies come in and swap out the quilts they had to have been there!!
I finally entered a quilt that I created for judging in this years show. I was soo surprised to see a blue ribbon pinned to my quilt Friday while getting the show setup! Wow!! I am so excited because this quilt was started as a project for a software class at the shop. And then it turned out earning a ribbon, just amazing. Anyway, the original intend was a software class to explore using the pattern outline function of our awesome Bernina embroidery software. I realize that not everyone has the software so will have to get busy and package the embroidery designs for those folks to purchase. I could go on and on about the software and this function but guess I'd better save some of that for the class. Can you believe that the quilt judge even complimented me on the stitches I used on the quilt!
So now January is gone and we're about at the end of February and Valentine's Day will be here before we now it. Better get something special for your Sweetie!
My sister is moving back from Ohio in May so it will be nice to have a sister close. She sews too but embroidery is totally new for her so we'll see how we can get her going. She works from home as a medical transcriptionist for a hospital in Michigan. We were talking on skype Monday night and she was telling me about some of her ghost experiences in her house. It was built in the 1920's so imagine there might be 1 or 2 around. Her house is one of those Sears catalog houses you may have heard about that were out during those times. She's had enough cold weather and they are putting the house up for sale and moving out. So she's moving in May and the hubby is staying there to get the house sold.