We go WAY back

This weeks' project brought along with it a sweet reunion from a childhood friend. Becky and I have known each other since we were 2 or 3 years old when we were neighbors in Southern Woods.  Now, she has a babe of her own and was the hostess for a baby shower for her best friend from college.  She saw my blog and took a chance--- I was really happy with the way these came out and I hope she was too!! 

Excited that one lucky little lady will have these waiting for her!

Valentine's Day

A few pics of V-day items:

(Bryson's "I dig you" onesie and bib)

 

Brayden modeling his Tee:

Sibling shirts

I haven't gotten to share the "lil sis"/"big sis" onesies I did for my nieces, Avery and Madelyn.  So, in honor of the recent birth of Miss Madelyn, here are their matching shirts!

     

If you think those are cute, check out the "lil bro"/"big bro" shirts I did for my friend Sarah.  She's due any day with her 2nd little boy and I thought they turned out really cute!! Hoping she'll take pictures of her two babes that I can share!!



I'm loving the font I used for "Holden"--it's the whimsy font and is WAAAAY cuter than I orginally thought!  Also, you can tell the difference, (well, I can tell the difference) in the bigger hoop size I used on the boys shirts. 

New Machine (and advice)

I broke down.  I thought I would/could manage with my 4x4 hoop and my brother SE400.  I love it.  I really do.  I'll keep it forever, I know I will.  I just felt like something was missing...  Well, that something is larger hoop space.  I know I started out saying to not jump into a super fancy, super expensive machine until you know what you want to do with it... I'd like to make an addendum to that statement: find a machine that will offer a larger hoop size than 4x4.  You will QUICKLY find yourself yearning for a larger area to work with.  So here she is:

The Brother PE770.

It doesn't offer the dual embroidery/sewing option, but since I already have my Brother SE400 I figured it can serve as my "sewing" machine, while this can be my Embroidery machine.  The difference the larger hoop space makes is indescribable.  It even offers other size options re: hoops,  but I'm mastering the art of not even hooping things!!  Here's the review of my new machine: http://www.pe770embroiderymachine.com/brother-pe770-reviews/

I also decided to stick with Brother because I've found them to be so user friendly and I'm comfortable with them.  I'm also not ready (or able) to make the plunge into a industrial machine yet.  I think I'll be set now for what I'm wanting to do!

My favorite things so far:

650 stitches per minute (HUGE difference)

larger hoop space

optional accessories of 4x4 and 5x12 hoops.

without feed dogs, smaller opening and less chance of underside of fabric bunching/knotting up

Bibs, bibs, bibs

I’m so thankful for the overwhelming encouragement in my new endeavor!  The last two weeks have been really hectic with new projects right and left (and not to mention studying for the GRE in between!).  Now that I have that awful test over with, I am back to blogging and sewing.  The one thing I had not yet attempted was bibs.  Easy enough right?  Well, I have a great friend living in Paris, (France, not TN J), who found some really cute bib “quotes” she wanted me to recreate for a baby gift for her friend.  The quote, “These fools put my cape on backwards”, is such a cute and a light hearted change of pace for a baby gift.  I just LOVE how they came out.  We also added another quote, “What mess? I’m just saving it for later…).  I have to give my hubby credit for that one!  It’s so fitting though b/c Lindsay admitted to saying this all the time herself!

The next few bibs I did for a couple of the sweetest baby boys, Clayton and Bryson:

 

 Baby Bryson modeling his new V-day bib:

Thanks Brandy for the cute photos of your boys (more to come)!!

Valentine's Day Ideas

I went on a downloading spree today with Valentine's Day as my inspiration! So far, I've found the cutest and cleanest downloads on: Planet Applique.  It's definitely my favorite website right now!  Since I don't have a babe of my own yet,  I'd love to make something for your little one and have a few items ready to be appliqued:

• (4) 12 month old white Carter's long sleeve onesies
• (1) 3 month old white Carter's short sleeve onesie,
• (1) pink 3 month old Carter onesie.
• (4) 3-6 month Gerber white onesies (pre-washed they're now NB-3mo. size)

Here are my newly acquired V-Day designs:

Can be personalized with your Valentines name, of course!  (Tell me that Valentine Tie would not be SOO adorable for a little boy??!!)

I worked on several projects this weekend and as soon as they reach their owners, pics will be posted!

Monogrammed Onesies

This weekends goal was to finish a special order for my newest niece, Madelyn.  We're anxiously awaiting her arrival so I have been equally anxious to finish these cute onesies before she gets here!  As happy as I am with how they turned out, I have to be honest in saying it was quite the learning experience.  This last week, I've had an amazingly positive response to this blog and my "business in training".  Several people have really reached out and given me helpful tips on embroidery, monogramming, machines, and business ideas.  This is how I was introduced to my new best friends: Heat N Bond Lite and Comfort Cover.  I was told the heat n bond would make a huge difference in my appliques and the comfort cover is perfect protection from the stitching that may rub that soft baby skin.  They lived up to their reputation!!

First things first: I got my trusty ruler and blue marking chalk out to set the middle point of this onesie.  

Once I had established the center, I turned the onesie inside out and pinned my stabalizer.  This is a tip I picked up this weekend after almost pulling my hair out trying to hoop this thing!!  These Gerber onesies are SOOOO thin and small if you don't pin the stabalizer, it's almost impossible to hoop!  Also, because of the light fabric, I had to use two layers of mesh stabalizer and tighten my thread tension. 

Once I had pinned as close to the edge as possible, I turned the onesie back right side and hooped it.  I followed the natural lines of the fabric to ensure my hoop was straight and paid close attention to my blue spots.

Next is the "easy" part.  Although, I still stare at my machine while it's working to make sure it doesn't mess up!! (Surely, one day I won't have to do this,  right?!! )  I created my design using the ELS lettering program and just transfered it by USB cable to my machine.  Once it was complete, I cut a squared piece of the "comfort cover", large enough to fit over the back of the design.  I turned my iron onto a medium setting (wool setting), and pressed over the interfacing for about 6 seconds until it was fused to the fabric.

Repeat twice plus one applique =

Can't wait to see these on baby Madelyn!!