Oh Santa, Please Add This To My Wish List

What every gal needs is Trash Ties for the hair! Leave it to Heather Bailey to come up with something different. We absolutely love her new collection "Nicey Jane" and I guess this could thought of as an accessory for that garment someone might make from her fabric - for those in the younger age group. I just thought you might get a chuckle out of this one. Check out this link for instructions on how to use these. Might be that extra "special" item you were looking for as a stocking stuffer.

Holiday Dove Tea Towel Design

Bird Brain Designs has a new free pattern to download of a Christmas Dove redwork design, perfect for a special holiday gift. It's a pdf so easy to use for digitizing in the Bernina software or transfer to fabric if you need a small handwork project. In the software it would probably take from 5-8 minutes to sew out. Oh! - here is the link.

Enjoy!

Patty's Bunny Hill Blocks

Patty Young is having a ball digitizing the free monthly blocks from Bunny Hill. She's working on the borders now as you can see in the image below. She's being very creative in how she is pulling parts of the blocks in for the border. Wonderful job Patty!!

The following shots are 2 of the monthly blocks I thought you might like to see. Patty is really getting into digitizing and creating her own designs. Totally different look than by hand applique - all the decorative stitches you can use from the software, not to mention the outline and fill stitches. Sometimes makes it hard to choose which one to use!!

Great job Patty!!

Webinar Reminder for Monday, Dec 7th

Reminder to sign up for the Bernina webinar we are hosting this coming Monday at 10am. Join us at Strawberry Patches for the latest webinar on the subject of Corel Draw Essentials in the Bernina embroidery V6 software. Webinar will last 1 hour then time for discussions afterwards.

Here's a Cute Free Shrug Pattern

Here's another cute pattern to make a snuggly shrug (say that three times quickly won't you) out of the yummy minky fabrics! The pattern is here and comes in sizes 8-28 so there's a size for everyone! Oh and it's FREE!!

If garment sewing would be a new experience for you this is a perfect beginner project- no darts, just three pieces plus the band around the edges and that's it. Probably have it made in about an hour - no fooling.

It's Here!!

Yes, I did the happy dance when I got home last night. You see my large hoop for the 830 had been delivered. Yes! I have been anxious to receive this so I could start experimenting with stitching a whole quilt block in a single hooping. The embroidery area size in this hoop is 10" wide by 15.5" tall. Wow! I love my mega hoop also but this big Daddy is going to be awesome for sure.

I've got some ideas for classes next year for those of us that have this large hoop - so let the testing begin!

Speaking of classes - if you weren't at Bernina Club last month you may not be aware that we're going to be offering a Bernina program for increasing your comfort level with the BERNINA embroidery software in 2010. Right now the dates look like the 3rd Saturday each month, beginning in February. So watch for more news on this in the Strawberry Patches newsletter. We're also going to be doing a block of the month program that will allow you learn new techniques and try new feet with each block - sure to help you become even more familiar with your favorite Bernina sewing machine! So some new, good classes coming in 2010.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Christmas Towels

Aren't these the cutest towels? No, I didn't make them but sure could have! Isn't that how it goes. Anyway, these can be found here for purchase if you are so inclined. I think they are darling and love the festive colors. Oh, would you look at that - a lime green towel. I love it!!
Anyway, with your software you could create a design like this using your backstitch outline stitch and the little pompoms we have at the store in several color choices. These would stitch up pretty quickly. The little postcard cutie designs I did from Bunny Hill take from 5-8 minutes to complete and that's using DMC and Maderia cotton threads with my machine slowed down a bit - and these remind me of the designs on the towels above. I've got two more blocks to stitch and the top will be completed.
Have a terrific Tuesday!!