The Memory Book

Keeping It Simple - Elegant Wedding Shower Decorations

2013-05-24T16:00:00Z

My best friend's daughter is getting married. And I was going to give a shower at my home in April. The colors were ivory and pale gold with touches of red. It was the nearing the end of March and although there was still plenty of time I had been thinking about how to decorate. Then came this unexpected late season snow:

With the original plans for the next couple of days cancelled I decided to get ahead of the game for once. I had not done any shopping for supplies but looked around to see what I could come up with here at home. The result of the first day was this mantel:

and this entry décor:

I grabbed an old gold frame and a piece of linen and, in my Pacesetter Lettering software typed up a design using the verse on her invitation. A left over piece of the linen and another frame that I had became the framed name. The candle is an old jar that lost its lid, wrapped with lace and ribbon. I took a pin out of the girls dress up trunk to finish it off.

Next came the Love banner. It was made from this old hot roll basket wrap that was stained:

I just cut it as needed to make a pocket at the top for the ribbon and embroidered the letters which you can download at the end of the blog.

These turned out OK. Stuck in the house with time left in the day, why not keep going? So, I decided to see what I could do with the entryway cabinet. My friend had the pictures on facebook from an earlier photo shoot. I hung them on a ribbon and glued some pearl beads to the top sides of some mini close pins I found in the craft room.

I created the heart design (this design is at the end of the blog too) and put it in a frame that wasn't currently being used.

A gold recipe book that I won as a door prize but had never used, another linen scrap and an L embroidery design created the personalized book. I handed the cards out later and everyone who came to the shower brought them back with them completed.

Later I added some flowers, my grandmother's crystal and a few pearl strands to set it all off. I made runners from an old gold tablecloth and topped them with some old lace runners that were in the linen closet.

Still snowed-in the next day I made some embroidered love birds and a stippled heart which I will share another time. There were 45 women at the shower and we had a great time. The bride-to-be asked if she could take the hand-made decorations and use them again in the church foyer.

Click here to download the LOVE letters.

Click here to download the framed heart design.

I hope that by now you are enjoying spring days but are still finding time to create your own embroidered décor whatever the occasion.

Take care,

Keeping It Simple - Embroidered Door Stop for Spring

2013-04-26T15:00:00Z

While out one day a few weeks ago my mother and I saw some really cute little door stop decorations done in an Easter theme. I love the fresh spring air flowing through the house but I always have to use a door stop to keep my front door from swinging shut. In the past I have used a fabric covered brick, a rubber stopper, and other items. This, I thought, is a great idea. Today I decided I should make a doorstop of my own. Although I loved the little bunnies on the ones we saw I decided to make mine with little dragonflies. It is quite a bit different in design but I think it turned out just fine for a fun, crafty door stop. Here is what mine looks like:

Here is what you need:

Two rectangles of utility cotton fabric 12" wide X 13" tall

Two accent rectangles of cotton print 12" wide X 6" tall

Two 12" lengths of 1" rick rack

One 10" length of 1" rick rack

One square white or solid color cotton for appliqué

Cut away stabilizer

Embroidery design not more than 4" x 4" (Here's the one we used)

Embroidery appliqué shape (Click to download the narrow candlewick circle and the satin circle)

Lapel Stick or other temporary adhesive

Embroidery appliqué snips

Embroidery thread

Sewing thread

Craft stuffing.

Heavy 8" zip lock bag filled with 3 cups sand or cat litter and taped with packing tape

Here is what you do:

1. Lay one 12" x 6" accent rectangle face up on your work surface. Align the rick rack along the top edge as shown in image. Sew through the middle.

2. Fold to the back and press. Repeat step one and two for the other accent rectangle.

3. Lay one 12" X13" rectangle face up on the work surface. Lay one accent rectangle face up on top aligning the raw edges at the bottom. Pin and sew along the top edge of the fabric just below the rick rack. Repeat for other pieces.

4. Lay one completed rectangle face up on the work surface with the layers at the bottom. Find the center of the top edge, measure down 5" and mark. Set aside.

5. Hoop some soft cut away stabilizer. Using your lapel stick center and adhere the 5" square on top. (Alternatively you can hoop a larger piece of fabric along with your stabilizer and cut it to 5" after you do your embroidery.) Embroider the design of your choice. (The design I used can be found here.)

6. Remove from the hoop. Cut the stabilizer to the same 5" square as the fabric square.

7. Hoop soft cut away stabilizer in a 5x7 hoop. Mark the center. Align the mark on your large rectangle with the one on your stabilizer. Use the label stick to adhere the fabric in the hoop around the edges away from the embroidery area.

8. Embroidery the first color of the candlewick circle appliqué or the satin circle appliqué . (The candlewick appliqué is very narrow so if you do not have the appliqué snips to trim really closely you might want to use the satin circle appliqué.) Remove the hoop from the machine and place on flat work surface. Use the Lapel Stick to put a little adhesive on the edges of backside of the 5" fabric square. Place on top of the circle run in your hoop making sure it is centered and fits inside the circle.

9. Embroider the second color of the appliqué ( I used white for all three thread colors so it would be sure to match my fabric.) Remove the hoop from the machine and place on flat work surface. Using appliqué snips trim closely around the outside of the circle.

10. Embroider the last color of the appliqué. Remove the hoop from the machine. Cut away the excess stabilizer on the backside.

11. Place one fabric rectangle layer face up on the work surface. Place the other rectangle face down aligning all edges. Fold the 10" length of rick rack to make a loop. At the top center tuck the loop in between the layers and let the raw edges stick out about 1/4" at the top. Pin. Using a 1/2" seam sew around edge leaving a 5 inch opening at the bottom for turning.

12. While still inside out pull out one bottom corner to a point aligning bottom and side seam. Measure in 1" and draw a line. Sew along the line. Repeat for the other three corners. Your project should look something like a gunny sack.

13. Turn right side out. Poke the corners out. Stuff pretty full with the craft stuffing. Slide the bag of sand inside and add additional stuffing if needed. Sew the opening closed.

When the door is closed it sits against the wall and protects it from the door knob that often hits the wall when the door is swung open. So, if you know someone who has a door that swings freely and won't stay open this little project may be just what you need. It is an easy project that could be made to match any décor.

Take care,

Keeping It Simple - Burlap Wreath for Spring

2013-03-22T16:00:00Z

We had our first really nice day here today in what seems like forever. And tomorrow is supposed to be even better. Maybe those 8 foot piles of pushed snow will finally melt. So, with spring in the air the mood struck to create some new things for the front porch. Since I have no car right now I went into my sewing room in search of something that would provide the feeling of spring. There was a pile of burlap sitting on my cutting table that had been there since Christmas. It was originally going to be a tree skirt but we ended up using something else for that project. Burlap is "in" so I began with that and a couple of fat quarters of pink gingham. I had a couple of very old Christmas wreaths that we did not use any longer so I took those apart and used the grapevine portion for the wreath. I wanted it to be quick and easy so I could enjoy some time outdoors in the afternoon. Here is how the wreath turned out:

Here is what you need:

One twelve inch grapevine wreath.

2 1/2 yards of 1 inch ribbon

1/3 yard of burlap

1 fat quarter or various scraps of cotton

Coordinating embroidery thread (Use the same color in the bobbin as in the needle for this project.)

Light weight tear away stabilizer

Daisy and heart outline designs (Download them here)

Monogram Letter (I made mine in Designer's Gallery MasterWorks 3 using the Bean Stitch Appliqué Font but you could most likely use the outline portion of this font in Alphabet Xpress.)

lace scraps

Hot glue gun and glue

Lapel stick or temporary adhesive (optional)

Here is what you do:

1. Wrap ribbon as desired around your grapevine wreath and hot glue in place.

2. Embroider 3 of each of the large and medium size of the daisies. For each: hoop the lightweight, tear away stabilizer and burlap. (or hoop just the stabilizer and adhere squares of the burlap on top.) Embroidery the daisy outline.

3. Remove from the hoop. Carefully remove the stabilizer. Cut roughly around each daisy outline creating raw edges.

4. Embroider 3 the small size of the daisies. For each: hoop the lightweight, tear away stabilizer and burlap. (or hoop just the stabilizer and adhere squares of the burlap on top.) Embroidery the small daisy outline.

5. Using the lapel stick adhere the corners of a small square of your fabric over the center of the daisy outline. Embroider the center.

6. Remove from the hoop. Carefully remove the stabilizer. Cut roughly around the center and then around the daisy outline creating raw edges.

7. Glue the daisy centers together with the smallest on top and largest on bottom, making 3 daisies. Glue onto your wreath as desired.

8. Embroider the heart outlines. Hoop the lightweight, tear away stabilizer and burlap. (or hoop just the stabilizer and adhere squares of the burlap on top.) Embroidery the first heart outline.

9. Using the lapel stick adhere the corners of a square of your fabric over the heart outline. Embroider the center heart

10 Remove from the hoop. Carefully remove the stabilizer. Cut roughly around the center heart and then around the burlap heart outline creating raw edges.

11. Cut a piece of ribbon or lace to fit your heart and glue in place. Glue the heart to the wreath as desired.

12. Embroidery a monogram letter that is almost 4" tall. I layered the stabilizer, pink gingham, and then burlap on top for the one I made. Cut out leaving raw edges. Glue ribbon to back and to the top of the wreath.

This could make a cute decoration for one of those burlap bridal showers that are so popular right now. Or even a baby shower decoration with the baby's name on the heart. If you create other uses for the outline daisies or heart please post them in Annthegran's gallery so we can all share your inspiration.

I hope to add a burlap welcome banner for my long planter and pot wrap to complete my spring porch. What do you have planned to celebrate the coming of spring? Whatever it is make it fun.

Take care,

Keeping It Simple - Gone Fishing In-the-hoop

2013-02-15T19:30:00Z

Our third granddaughter is not a sit in the corner type. She is always in motion. On top of that being the third little girl in her family we are always struggling with gift ideas. The other two are not hard on things so they have lots of little girl toys. At two though she loves Elmo and his fish- Dorothy. So we decided to make her a fishing game. These in-the-hoop fish are very easy to make, using scraps of cotton and batting. Then we had to have a pond to fish from so we made one that would double for storage as well. We will be happy to share our fish design for the 5X7 hoop at the end of the blog.

Here is our finished pond of fish:

Here is what you need for each fish:

Fish design (fits in the 5x7 hoop) See below to download.

Embroidery thread

Craft glue

Lapel Stick

Small 1/4 flat washers (they really measured 5/8" in diameter and were pretty thin)

Pinking shears

Here is what you do:

The fish

1. Hoop the batting in your 5x7 hoop. Slide on and embroider the first color of the fish design.

2. Center the washer inside the mouth area. Important Note: Since not all machines are created equal; on the first fish; sew the first color again after placement of the washer and WATCH IT VERY CAREFULLY to be sure your foot and needle are clearing the washer all the way around.

3. Remove the hoop from the machine.Using the lapel stick at the corners; adhere one fabric square to the bottom and one to the top of the batting. Make sure all of the stitching is covered and that both fabrics are face out.

4. Carefully slide the hoop back on the machine and sew the rest of the design. Remove from the hoop and pink around the fish. That's it. Make enough to fill your pond.

Download the fish deisgn here.

The Pond

For the pond rectangles the size I wanted for the pond. Then I cut again in a slightly abstract pond shape. Then I used a long 1/4" ribbon.

1. Lay one abstract shape face up on the table.

2. Fold the ribbon so that one "half" is several inches longer than the other. Pin the fold at the top of the abstract rectangle and lay the lengths are down on the fabric. Pin at the fold.

3. Lay the second abstract rectangle face down on top. Match and pin edges through all fabric. Make sure the ribbon is inside the sandwich and not near the edges.

4. Sew around the shape leaving a 3 - 4" opening along one upper side for turning. Turn right side out. Sew the opening closed.

Put your fish in the pond and play. When done fold the pond around the fish and tie.

For the hook I just used ribbon and a hand-drawn hook making sure it was large enough to sew around once the magnet was inserted.

1.Cut two hooks from cotton and two from thin batting.

2. Layer one fabric face down. Then one batting, then glue the magnet as desired. Next another batting layer and then the second fabric face up. Insert the ribbon end into the middle top and sew around the whole thing being mindful of the magnet. Then I sewed on each side of the magnet to be sure it stayed in place. Pink around the hook beign careful not to cut the ribbon off.

Our granddaughter is two and she (as well as her older sisters) has had a lot of fun playing this game.

For an educational twist you could use Alphabet Xpress to add numbers or letters to the fish. I wish I would have thought of this before I made the game.

Here are some other fast Kid friendly gift ideas:

Embroidered book slings

Button snakes

Valentine Cookies In-the-hoop

T-shirt headbands

Until next time, have fun with your embroidery.

Take care,

Keeping it Simple - Easy treat bags for Valentine's Day

2013-01-25T19:00:00Z

I love hearts so Valentine's Day is one of my favorite days of the year. And it is right around the corner you know. Since it is snowing and super cold out today I decided to get a head start on the day for love. My granddaughter has already told me several times recently what her favorite treat is. And my daughter mentioned the other day that she needed more snack bags so I decided to make some fun treat bags that could double as reusable snack bags. I decided to make a flapped fold over style bag since the Velcro on the others I made sometimes seems to get stuff stuck to it in washer. These will hold the treats in and keep them fresh with a flap and a fold-over top. Here are the first of my finished treat bags for Valentine's day:

You can download the design below.

To make these here is what you need:

Two rectangles of fabric measuring 18" X 7"

Embroidery design of your choice

Design template (you can print one from Alpha Xpress or Catalog Xpress or ELS)

Cut away stabilizer

Embroidery thread

Lapel Stick temporary adhesive

sewing thread

Here is what you do:

Embroider the design (You can download the blurred hearts here)

1. Lay the outer rectangle face down and fold in half to 7" X9" with the fold at the bottom. Fold the top edge down 2". Now decide where to place your design template and pin it in place through the top layer of fabric.

2. Hoop the stabilizer. Use the Lapel Stick around outside edges of the embroidery area and center the design template and fabric in the hoop.

3. Place the hoop on your machine and check the needle placement. Remove the template and embroider the design. (Note: These hearts have 3 thread colors that i embroidered all the same color>)

4. Remove from the hoop. Cut away the excess stabilizer.

Sew the treat bag

1. Place the lining fabric right side up on the table with one short end at the top. Place the outer fabric face down on top with the top of the embroidered design upside down. Sew along the top short edge. Turn so wrong sides are together and press the seam.

2. Place back on the table with outer fabric on top. Fold the seamed edge down 2".

3. Now reach under and fold the lining so that the other raw edge is about 2" above the upper fold. Lining right sides should be together.

4. Now fold the raw edge of the outer fabric up to meet with the raw edge of the lining. Pin sides. Sew both sides using 1/2" seam.

5. Reach in and turn right side out. Fold raw edges in about 1/2" and press. Top stitch the open edge closed.

6. Fold the flap down and turn the folded top over it. Your treat bag is ready to be filled with treats and bring smiles all around.

I hope you have fun making these simple little bags with the blurred heart . I am going to try a few more using rip-stop nylon for the lining. There are lots of heart designs on Annthegran.

And if you need some other quick ideas to show your love you might like one of these:

Embroidered Candy Bar Wraps

Heart Cookies for Kids

Lollipop Covers

Or use the blurred heart and make a E-reader case for someone special.

These photo blocks would be a great gift as well for any Grandma. Use the JOY or create LUV in Alphabet Xpress.

Whatever you do enjoy the day - it only comes around once a year.

Take care,

Keeping It Simple: Soothing Boo Bags aka Rice Heat Therapy Bags

2012-11-15T22:54:00Z

Today's blog started out on my stocking stuffer list but I was just in the mood to try one after finding an old package of rice in the back of the pantry this week. So, I went ahead and made a couple with washable covers in the theme of Halloween. Rice therapy bags can be heated in the microwave and are great for relieving aches and pains. I made one for my daughter and the other for my brother. They both loved them so I thought I would share them with you this week. Here is the first one I made along with the instructions. You can download the design below.

What you need:

For the rice bag:

Two 100% cotton rectangles cut 8" X 10 1/2"

About 2 pounds of rice (It sounds like a lot but it really isn't)

Cotton thread

A few drops of essential oil (this is optional and you do not need much. I used peppermint for one and orange for the other since that is what I had.)

What you do for the rice bag:

1. With right sides together and using a 1/2" seam sew the bag leaving about a 3" opening on one side.

2. Turn right side out.

3. Sprinkle the rice with just a few drops of scented oil if desired and shake or stir it up.

4. Using a funnel, fill the bag with the rice. Sew the opening closed. Set aside.

For the washable cover:

One rectangle base fabric for the appliqué cut 16" X 10 1/4"

One strip accent fabric cut 16" X 21/2"

One strip accent fabric cut 16" X 6 1/2"

One white scrap for the ghost around 4" X 5"

Boo bag design (you can download it here)

Printed template of the design (Catalog Xpress and Alphabet Xpress both let you print templates)

Cut away stabilizer

Embroidery thread

Heat N Bond lite (optional but nice if it will be washed a lot)

Lapel stick or other temporary adhesive

sewing thread

What you do for the washable cover:

1. If using the Heat N Bond lite apply it to the back of the small white rectangle scrap according to the manufacturer's directions. Remove the paper backing and set aside.

2. Lay the 16" X 10 1/4" rectangle face up vertically. Position the boo bag design on the lower half and pin in place.

3. Put a little label stick (or temporary adhesive) on the sides and hoop with the stabilizer. (Since I knew the foot would not go to the outer edges of the hoop I put a couple of pins in too to hold my fabric. You could cut the fabric larger and then re-cut after embroidering if you prefer.)

4. Center the needle and remove the template. Embroider the first color. Place the white fabric rectangle face up over the shape. Embroider the second color. Carefully remove the hoop and lay on a flat surface. Trim closely around the outside of the appliqué shape stitching here are some little clippers that are great for this). Slide the hoop back on the machine and embroider the rest of the design.

5. Cut away the excess stabilizer and press the appliqué.

6. With right sides together pin the 16" X 2 1/2" strip to the embroidered rectangle making sure that the design will end up where you want it. Using a scant 1/2" seam sew these together then zig zag the raw edges. Repeat to add the 16" X 6 1/2" strip. Press the seams downward.

7. With right sides together fold so that the rectangle looks like a pillowcase. Sew the bottom and long side to create the cover.

8. Fold the open edge down, wrong sides together, about 1/2" and press. Fold down again, wrong sides together, until it just covers the raw edges of its original seam. Remove the sewing bed on your machine and slide the open bag over the cuff bed. Topstitch close to the edge all the way around.

9. Turn the bag right side out and press. Slide the rice bag inside and add a tag telling the receiver to heat the inner bag for 1-3 minutes in the microwave. All finished and ready to go.

You can make these any size you want. The one for my brother is longer since I know he will want to wrap it around his neck and shoulder area.

I think that I will make some smaller ones for the girls to use as foot warmers too. Pocket warmers might be another good idea for stocking stuffers. What a way to use up some of those scraps!

Here are a couple of other blogs with Halloween designs for some additonal quick projects:

Pumpkin masks with free designs

Ruffles, spiders and ghosts

Easy Tutus and black cats

Quick fall decorating

Happy Halloween.

Take care,

Keeping It Simple - Embroidered Book Slings

2012-09-14T15:00:00Z

Do your kids love to read? Ours do, but keeping track of the library books can be a challenge. And while our daughter was reorganizing their schoolroom area she wanted a reading nook and a place to keep those library books. Here is what we came up with:

The original idea came from this site and there are complete instructions there for the original size along with details for mounting the hardware. We did not have space for a long one and wanted to add embroidery. Ours measure only 20" each.

Here is what you need to make a set of two shorter ones:

two sets of double rod brackets from the hardware store

Four 20" dowel rod sections to fit the brackets in diameter

Four 20" X 20" inch coordinating cotton fabric squares

Medium weight cut away stabilizer

Embroidery designs as desired (you can download the ones we used below)

embroidery thread

sewing thread

Here is what you do:

1. Print the templates for the embroidery designs using Alphabet Xpress Or Catalog Xpress

2. Lay one fabric square face up. Measure down about 7 inches from the top and arrange the templates as desired. (We wanted a fun, casual look so we put them every which way.)

3. Hoop with stabilizer. Remove the template. Embroider the first letter. Repeat for each letter on the READ sling using the 4" X4" hoop. Remove excess stabilizer and press if needed.

4. Lay the embroidered square right side up on a flat surface. Place another square face down on top. Align raw edges and pin. Using a 1/2" seam sew around leaving a 4" opening for turning. Trim the corners. Turn right side out and press making sure that the raw edges of the opening are pressed to the inside.

5. Lay back on table face down with top of the embroidered words towards the top edge. Fold down about 2". Sew 1/8" from open edge to create a pocket for the dowel rod.

6. Repeat for the bottom edge.

7. Mount the hardware, insert the dowels into the pockets and mount. Do it all again for the second sling and you have a great place for books.

The girl's reading nook looks like this so far. Just needs some curtains and a rug to finish it off. And more library books of course.

Click here to download the PES files for the Love to and READ. I only have PES for these but if you take them into Alphabet Xpress and resave them in most home formats if you need another one for your machine.

If you missed the flapped edged pillows there is a tutorial here. The girls love these for silent reading time.

Take care,

Keeping It Simple - Create A Fabric Background and Embroider Some JOY

2012-09-13T12:26:00Z

Have you ever just had an idea that kept calling out to you? This is one of those projects. More than a year ago I found this pile of blocks in the clearance section of a local department store. The packages had been broken open and a couple of the lettered blocks were missing. Someone had thrown them all in a basket and priced it at almost nothing and I just had to buy them. Surely, I could make something with all those blocks. I took them home and put them away in my sewing room closet where they have sat until last week. When I opened the closet they just seemed to call out to be used. An idea that almost instantly popped into my head was a Christmas photo display. My oldest granddaughter was here when I was selecting pictures and when I mentioned what I was doing she said "Let's surprise my mommy." So, this quick and easy J O Y photo display is for her mother:

Here is what you need:

Ink Jet Fabric sheets

Wooden Blocks

Lettering Designs to fit your blocks (Download the J O Y lettering below)

Pictures sized to fit your blocks (We used Paint Shop Pro)

Cutaway stabilizer

Lapel stick or other temporary adhesive

Mod Podge (Matt finish)

Rotary Cutter, mat and ruler

Embroidery thread

Here is what you do:

1. Crop and re-size your pictures to fit your blocks or slightly larger. I just used Paint Shop Pro to do this. It is very affordable and easy to use for basic editing. I also changed them to black and white. For the lettered blocks background I did the same thing using a picture of a tree that I had taken in the spring. Take the picture into Paint Shop Pro. Change it to gray scale or Black and White film. Crop to the area you want to see on your block. Resize the image to slightly larger than your block face and save it as a new image.

2. Print the photos and background pictures on printable fabric sheets and follow the directions for setting the image on the fabric. Roughly cut the pictures out. The background pictures become custom fabric for your embroidereed lettering.

3. Print a template of the letters. Hoop the cutaway stabilizer. Align the lettering template on top of the fabric picture and center in the hoop. Using the temporary adhesive, adhere the edges of the backside of the fabric picture so that it is secure on top of the stabilizer.

4. Embroider the letter. Cut away the excess stabilizer. Repeat for the remaining embroidered letters.

5. Make a template for the area on the face of the block that you want to cover. Center the picture under the template and trace.

6. Cut each out and lay on the block fronts to see your final layout.

6. Cover the block face with Mod Podge and press the pictures in place smoothing as you go. Let dry a few minutes then evenly cover the pictures with Mod Podge. For the embroidered blocks we just brushed the Mod Podge on top of the fabric around the letters and left the embroidery uncovered. (On the couple of places it got on the edges of the letters it did dry clear and cannot be seen though.) Let the blocks dry completely. Stack and show your display or wrap and smile because you have one Christmas gift ready to go!

You can download the J O Y designs here.

This set was done to go with Andrea's Christmas décor but a block display like this would make a great addition to you décor for any time of the year. I have lots of blocks left and am looking for some fun pictures to do a larger display with L O V E blocks at the bottom. You can create these larger, pattern-filled letters in Alphabet Xpress or ELS-1 Embroidery Lettering software. My blocks are 3 1/2" square and I did the letters at 2".

Here is another fun photo sewing project done using printable fabric. Any new mother would be sure to love one of these.

If you make either of these or anything else that has been calling out to you be sure to post what you have done in the Gallery. There are lots of Annthegran readers who would love to see what you have done.

Take care,

Keeping It Simple - Is it a Snake or a Caterpillar?

2012-08-24T16:00:00Z

Now, here is a fun idea, complete with designs to make it, that would make a great stocking stuffer or busy bag learning toy for any preschooler on your list. My daughter was looking for ideas one day and came across one of these cute little guys that had been made with colored felt squares. When she showed it to me I just had to take it a step further and create a bunch of embroidery designs to make one for our preschooler. Now the original idea she saw was called a button snake, designed to practice buttoning skills. Our preschooler, however, dislikes snakes and so she wanted to make a button caterpillar instead. She told me what shapes she wanted to make and I created simple bean stitch designs with the buttonhole in the middle. She helped me stitch them out and is very proud of her new activity. Here is the first set we made:

You can download the designs here to make one of your own. There is not much to the tutorial and this really is an hour long project.

What you need:

A bunch of felt scraps that can be hooped in a 4x4 hoop.

A 17" ribbon

A 1" button

Embroidery and sewing threads

Buttonhole designs

What you do:

To make the ribbon snake:

1. Fold one end of the ribbon over about 3/4" twice and sew a little square around the edges of the folded ribbon so it is flat and will not unravel and hold the button.

2. Fold the other end in 3/4" and then make a 4" loop. Sew the 3/4" square the same way as the first end leaving the loop open. This keeps the caterpillar together while threading but makes it easy to remove them when done.

3. Sew the button on the opposite end from the loop.

Embroider a bunch of the shapes with the buttonholes in the center:

1. We had lots of felt scraps from making this playhouse. We just hooped them in tightly in the 4x4 hoop without any stabilizer since these designs are so simple.

2. Use the same color thread in the bobbin as on the top. Anna helped embroider the designs.

3. Pink around the embroidered designs and cut the buttonholes open.

Here is our finished caterpillar (or snake if you prefer):

Make a little bag for holding these cuties and you have a nice stocking stuffer or travel toy that can be used over and over again. And I know our girls are enjoying the ones we made.

Here a couple more quick and easy project that would make a good stocking stuffers or craft fair items:

Felt cookies - In-the-hoop

Felt coasters - In-the-hoop

Take care,

Keeping It Simple - Pillows with Flapped Edges

2012-07-27T18:00:00Z

Our girls love to read. So much that our daughter is making a special reading nook out of a closet in her schoolroom area. The seven year old, who always wants to add her thoughts to a project brought me a picture. The pillow had these different, flapped edges and she asked if hers could have them on hers. "I guess so," I said, tentatively. I had never made these before but they didn't look too hard. Here is the first pillow with the flapped edges:

What you need:

20"X20" pillow form

21"X21" fabric square for front

two fabric rectangles 21"X14" each for back

four coordinating fabric strips 21" X 4" each for flapped edges

Embroidery design as Desired

Sewing and embroidery thread

tear away stabilizer

Lapel Stick or other temporary adhesive (optional)

What you do:

1. Embroider the front as desired. She just wanted her initial in the corner and since they will be thrown around on the floor and washed really often I thought that just might be a good idea. (Alphabet Xpress has a variety of fonts available and there are lots of Alphabets to choose from here if you prefer those.)

2. Make the flap edges. With right sides together, fold the long strips lengthwise. Sew the short ends using a 1/2" seam. Turn so right sides are out. Press. Repeat for all four strips. Set aside.

3. Hem the opening edges. On the long edge of the fabric rectangle, fold in 1/2" and press. Fold over again 1/2" and press. Hem along the open edge. Repeat for the second rectangle. Set aside.

4. Lay the 21"X21" rectangle face up on the table. Center and align the raw edges of a flap strip on each side. Pin in place. There should be a 1/2" square of the front showing at each corner. Sew using a 1/4" seam folding the short edges of the flaps out of the way at the corners as you go.

5. Lay the square back on the table face up. Pull the corners of the flap edges up. Roll and pin so they stay out of the way. Lay a rectangle face down on top aligning the raw edges of the long side with one side of the square. Pin in place. Sew a 1/2" seam. Repeat for the other side using the second rectangle.

6. Lay the square back on the table. Smooth the two rectangles so that they are flat and the hemmed edges overlap in the middle. Pin along the top and bottom. Sew through all layers of the raw edges, top and bottom using 1/2" seam. Now you have sewn all the way around and have an overlapped opening in the back of the pillow. Turn right side out carefully since there are still pins in the corners. Remove the pins.

7. Insert the pillow form through the center opening in the back.

This one is ready for a reading session. Two more to go. These are really fast and easy.

If you have any small scraps left over make some bookmarks. The kids will love them. Here are the book slings the also go in their reading nook. These fabric boxes are great for storing books or other kid related stuff in the area.

Take care,

Keeping It Simple - Quick and Easy Monogrammed Kindle Cozy

2012-06-29T16:00:00Z

My friend received one of the new smaller Kindles for Mother's Day. She loves crafty things but has little time right now and she just couldn't bring herself to pay the price for the one she liked. As you know I have lots and lots of scraps in my sewing room just waiting for little projects like this. I told her to email me the measurements and I would see what I could do. Here is the finished case:

Here is what you need:

Note: This is for the new smaller Kindle. At the bottom are the fabric requirements for the original one.

One rectangles of cotton fabric 13" X 5 1/2" for the outside.

One rectangle of cotton fabric 7" X 5 1/2" for the outside.

One rectangle prequilted fabric 13" X 5 1/2" for the lining

One rectangle prequilted fabric 7" X 5 1/2" for the lining

three inch length of 1/4" wide elastic

One large button

Sewing thread

Initial that is about 1 1/2" high ( I made mine in Alphabet Xpress using the Precious Font)

Cut away stabilizer

Lapel stick or other temporary adhesive

Embroidery thread

Here is what you do:

0. This is optional but is what I did. Layer the two 13" X7" pieces and cut the top two corners at an angle using a choice from your quilting ruler so that both sides are the same. If you prefer a square top flap you can omit this step. If you want a curved top use a CD and trace the edge and cut it.

1. Lay both outer pieces face up, with bottom edges aligned on your workspace. Fold the longer piece down about 5" and center your design here. (In Alphabet Xpress you can print a template to use.) If using a template pin it in place through the top layer of the folded fabric. Open the fabric flat.

2. Hoop your cut away stabilizer. Center your fabric with the template and use the lapel stick to adhere it to the stabilizer. Slide the hoop onto your machine and make sure the needle is over the center of the template. Remove the template and embroider your design. Remove from the hoop and cut away the excess stabilizer.

3. Place the embroidered rectangle face up with the embroider at the top on your workspace. Fold the elastic in half. Center and align raw edges along the top edge and pin. Sew in place about 1/8" from the edge with several passes to secure.

4. Place the embroidered rectangle face up with the embroidery at the top on your workspace. Layer the 7" X 5 1/2" outer fabric rectangle face down aligning the bottom edges. Mark this piece on each side 1/4" from the top edge. Using 1/4"seam sew around the edge beginning and ending at these marks. Repeat this step for the lining rectangles.

5. With right sides together pin the flap of the outer fabric to the flap of the lining. Fold the 1/4" that you did not sew earlier on the pocket out of the way. Using a 1/4 seam sew the flaps together beginning and ending where the pocket seams begin and end. (do not sew over the previous stitching.)

6. Trim all corners. Turn flap right side out. Push corners out.

7. Turn outer pocket right side out. Tuck the lining pocket inside the outer pocket. Fold in the 1/4" edges and top stitch just across the pocket top edge. (This was the hardest part of the whole project) Then topstitch about 1/4" around the outer edge of the flap.

8. Measure up about 1" from the bottom and center your button. Sew in place being careful not to sew through the pocket.

Click here to download a pdf file of these instructions.

The little cozy is really easy to make and provides the perfect protection while traveling around in a purse or backpack. And it can be personalized to match the personality of the one you are making it for. My granddaughter wants one in hot pink - with a horse on it of course. An I might put a pretty ribbon strap on hers since she rarely carries a purse.

If you have a regular Kindle here are the fabric measurements:

For the long rectangles 14 1/2" X 6 1/4"

For the short rectangles 8 1/2" X 6 1/4"

This would be a great little case for lots of things that go inside a purse, so try it even if you do not have a Kindle to sew for. If you like making purses and bags try here are some other tutorials you might enjoy.

Designer Grocery Bags

Reusable Snack Bags

Totes made from placemats

Really big all-purpose tote

A quick wristlet

A little pocket with strap (great for keepin pacifiers clean and close, storing the camera lense and much more)

Have fun sewing and take care,

Keeping It Simple - Keeping Track of the Camera Lens Cover (and more)

2012-06-01T19:00:00Z

My daughters and I love to take pictures. With digital cameras we take lots and lots. However with three little ones almost always in tow one big problem I now encounter is keeping track of the lens cover. And Andrea is always looking for hers, digging in the diaper bag or checking all the tabletops throughout the house. So, one day we decided we needed to solve the problem. First we thought about putting a little pocket on the strap covers we already have on the camera straps. But that would require ripping out a seam and I really hate that part of sewing. So, I decided to make the lens cover a separate pouch that could be attached to the strap. I tried to coordinate the first one with my strap cover the best I could with the scraps I had. Here is what I came up with:

Here is all you need:

Two fabric rectangles 4" x 11"

One fabric rectangle 2 1/2" x 7"

One rectangle iron-on interfacing 7" x 11"

Two Velcro strips (both sides) cut in 2" lengths

sewing thread

Cutaway or tear away stabilizer

Small design (download the tiny flower below)

Embroidery thread

Here is what you do:

1. Iron the interfacing to the wrong side of one 4" X 11" rectangle. set aside

2. Make the loop to attach the pouch to your camera strap. Set aside.

a. With right sides together sew a 1/4" seam down the long side of the 2 1/2' x 7" rectangle.

b. Press the seam open and then turn the tube right side out. (Fasturn tube system is a great little tool set for your sewing room.) Press so the seam is in the middle.

c. Push the ends in and sew them closed. Position one piece of Velcro at one end and sew in place. Turn the strip over and position the other piece of the Velcor strip at the other end. Sew in place.

3. Embroider the design.

a. Print a template if you have software. (Catalog Express and Alphabet Express both have this feature.) Lay the rectangle that does not have the interface on it face up. Measure up 2 1/2" from the bottom short edge and center your template horizontally at this point.

b. Hoop the stabilizer. Center template in hoop and adhere edges using the Lapel Stick. (I really like these little adhesive sticks. I adhere the fabric in the hoop outside of the area where the design will embroider out. This way my needle is not gummed up while sewing. No fabric is wasted by having to cut the piece larger to hoop it. And the adhesive holds well but is temporary. Great little tool.)

c. Place the hoop on the machine. Check that the template is centered under the needle. Remove the template and embroider the design.

d. Remove the hoop. Tear or cut away the excess stabilizer.

4. Attach the loop.

a. Lay the embroidered rectangle face up with the design at the bottom. Measure down 5" from the top. Center the loop horizontally and pin.

b. Attach the loop by sewing a little rectangle in the middle.

5. Attach the Velcro closure.

a. Lay both rectangles face up. Make sure the embroidery is at the bottom. Measure 1 1/2" from top edge of embroidered rectangle. Center a Velcro strip horizontally. Sew around the edges of the Velcro.

b. Measure up 1 1/2" from the bottom of the other rectangle. Center a Velcro strip horizontally. Sew around the edges of the Velcro.

6. Close the loop so that it will be out of the way. Flip one rectangle on top of the other making sure that the Velcro strips are at opposite ends and right sides are together. Pin around raw edges. Sew, leaving a 3" opening in one side about an inch from the bottom and using 1/4" seam.

7. Turn right side out. Press making sure raw edges of the opening are turned in.

8. Place on a table, flip so embroidered side is down and at the top. Fold bottom edge up 3 1/4" and pin sides.

9. Top stitch about 1/8" all the way around the outer edge of the folded rectangle making a pocket. You should be able to see both Velcro pieces on one side. The other side should have the design and loop.

10. Insert the lens cap in the pocket and fold the top down. Attach to your camera strap and your lens cap has a place to go when not protecting the lens.

You can download the tiny flower here.

Initials would be great on these if you make them as gifts. Ann's Alphabets would look great embroider on the front.

These little pockets would make a great gift for any photography hobbyist. New mothers might like one too. It makes a wonderful pacifier holder that can be attached to the strap of the diaper bag or purse and eliminate searching as well as keep those binks a little cleaner.

The camera strap tutorial is here.

For another useful and easy project read this blog

Or go to the gallery and browse pictures (many have links to the tutorials) for some fun ideas.

Take care,

Keeping It Simple -Quick Wrap Up for Mom

2012-05-04T22:00:00Z

If your Mother is like mine she really, truly doesn't want anything for Mother's Day. And we kids all go together once a year and get mom and dad something they really want. This year it was a new floor for her big, country kitchen. That is supposed to be their present for all the year and she gets upset if we buy her more gifts. But I still want to remember her on Mother's Day and let her know how much I care. So something little is all I need. A mug filled with candy and a gift card to her favorite lunch spot is what I decided on. But to make the mug special I created a special wrap for it to keep her coffee warm. Here is her mug:

What you need to make a mug wrap :

Note: my mug was 4 1/2" tall with a diameter of 3 1/8" and measured 9" around from handle edge to handle edge. So, first measure the height and then measure from handle to handle. Add 1" to each measurement to get your rectangle size.

Two rectangles of cotton (mine were 5 1/2" X 10")

One rectangle thin batting 1" smaller (mine was 4 1/2" X9")

One rectangle for embroidery measuring 6" X 7"

small 2" square of fabric for the appliqué heart if using the LOVE design.

Two pieces of thin elastic 5" each

Two 5/8" buttons

Heat N Bond Lite 4'X4" square and 2" X2" square

Tear Away stabilizer

Embroidery snips

Embroidery Designs (you can download my LOVE one here)

What you do:

1. Hoop the stabilizer and the 6"X7" rectangle. Embroider the first color of the design.

2. Iron a small square of Heat N Bond lite to the 2" fabric square according to the package directions.

3. Embroider the first run of the heart. place the fabric square face up on top of the heart. Embroider the second run of the heart.

4. Remove the hoop from the machine and place on a flat table. Using the snips clip closely around the outside of the heart stitching. Place the hoop back on the machine and embroider the third run of the heart appliqué.

5. Remove the design from the hoop. Using a rotary cutter and centering the design cut down to a 4"X4" square. Remove the stabilizer from the backside.

6. Apply 4"X4" Heat N Bond Lite square according to the package directions. Set aside.

7. Lay one 5 1/2" X 10" rectangle face up on a flat surface. Loop the elastic and pin, with raw edges together so that it will fit through the mug handle close to the top. Repeat again close to the bottom of the inside of the handle.

8. Lay the other 5 1/2" X 10" rectangle face down on top. Align the raw edges and pin. Sew 1/2" seam around leaving a 3" opening at the bottom for turning.

9. Clip the corners, turn right side out and press.

10. Roll the batting and insert into the rectangle. Work it around into the corners and so that it is flat.

11. Topstitch all the way around.

12. Position the embroidered square as desired and press. Using a decorative stitch sew around the edges of the square.

13. Fold the wrap in half and mark the button location. Sew the buttons on.

Wrap around your mug, fill with candy kisses and a gift card and you are done. This would make a fun gift any time you want to make someone's day. Or maybe even centerpieces for a luncheon or casual dinner using recycled mugs and leftover test sewouts.

There are many more projects here that are quick and easy. Check out a few of these for starters:

Thanks so much for being part of the Annthegran community. Have fun with embroidery.

Take care,

Keeping It Simple - Aprons & Lots of Pockets

2012-04-22T18:40:00Z

It is just time. I need an apron - one with pockets. I am always wondering where I laid things regardless of whether I am sewing, gardening or scrapbooking. Even when I am cooking I lay the pot holders down and am always looking for them. And when I clean I am forever picking up little horses or other items left behind when little ones are over. So, today I decided I to make an apron or two. Here is the first one made out of an old denim skirt and leftover Easter fabric (from several years ago).

What you need:

Base fabric:

Two rectangles fabric 22"wide X 15"tall

One rectangle 22"wide X9 "tall

Contrasting fabric

One rectangle 22"wide X 12"tall

two strips 18" wide X 4"tall

one strip 22" wide X 4" tall

sewing thread

Design of choice (You can download the one I used at the bottom of this blog)

tear away stabilizer or cut away stabilizer

embroidery thread

What you do

1. Place the 22"x9" rectangle on the table face up. Measure down 3" on one side and mark. Draw a line from the top of the opposite corner to the mark. Cut along this line.

2. With wrong sides together fold 1/4"and press the top edge. Fold 1/4" and press again. Sew along open edge. Set aside.

3. Place the 22"X12" rectangle on the table face up. Measure down 3" on one side and mark. Draw a line from the top of the opposite corner to the mark. Cut along this line.

4. With wrong sides together fold 1/4"and press the top edge. Fold 1/4" and press again. Sew along open edge. Set aside.

5. Embroider the design on the base fabric strip that began as 22"X9".

-Determine placement for your design (printing a template from Catalog Xpress is helpful for this).

- Hoop the tear away or cut away stabilizer and fabric centering your placement as desired. Embroider the design. Set aside.

6. Lay one 22"X15" rectangle face up on the table. Position the rectangle that began as 22"X12" face up on top aligning the bottom edge. Pin in place. Measure in 6 1/2" from each side and sew creating pockets. Remove any pins.

7. Position the embroidered rectangle, face up, on top aligning the bottom edge. Pin in place. Sew a line down the middle. Measure 6 1/2" from each side and sew again creating pockets. Remove any pins.

8. Lay the second 22"X15" rectangle face down on top aligning all sides. Pin sides and bottom. Sew sides and bottom using 1/2" seam . Remove pins. Turn right side out and press.

9. Sew the strips together at the short sides to create a long strip. With wrong sides together fold short ends in 1/4" and press. Fold in 1/4" again and press. Sew along open edge.

10. With wrong sides together fold sides in 1/2" all along and press. With wrong sides together fold the strip in half lengthwise and press. Pin if desired.

11. Using 1/8" seam sew the strips closed across ends and down the sides to the seam where you sewed them together to create the ties. Leave the 22" section open.

12. Inset the top of the apron into the opening and pin in place. sew 1/8" from open edge making sure you catch the fabric edges of the waistband on both sides as you sew.

These were fun to make and didn't take any time at all.

You can download the little butterfly flower design here.

Happy Spring!

Take care,

Keeping It Simple Storage Cubes Big and Little - Part 3

2012-03-16T20:10:00Z

Tired of boxes yet? I'm not. I am hooked for sure. This one is VERY simple. I made a bunch of these little ones in no time at all. Some for me and some for the girls schoolroom. But this is the last one, Here is my smallest storage cube:

What you need:

One 15" square of fabric for the outside

One 15" square of fabric for the lining

Two 15" squares of Décor weight fusible interfacing

A square quilter's ruler

Sewing thread

What you do:

1. Iron the squares of interfacing onto the wrong side of your fabric squares.

2. Fold one 15" square in half and then in quarters so that raw edges are aligned.

3. Cut a 4 1/2" square out of the open corner.

4. You should have what looks like a big plus sign.

5. Repeat for the other square.

6. Take one plus sign and fold, with right sides together, opposite corners of the plus sign to each other like below picture.

Pin along outer edges and sew 1/4" seam.

7. Open and repeat in the opposite direction.

The box should look like this:

8. Repeat for the lining. Turn the lining so it is right side out.9.

9. With right sides together, put your lining box inside your outer box.

Note: By "right sides together" I mean your exterior box will be inside out and the lining box will be right side out.

Pin together at the corner seams, making sure the seam allowances are facing opposite directions. This allows you to butt the seams together for easy sewing. Sew around the raw edge using 1/4" seam leaving an opening in the center of one side for turning. Turn your box right side out and press the open edge in even with the rest. Top stitch around to top of the box using a 1/8" seam.

You can stop here or you can press the corner seams together and sew down the sides like we did in the Big cube and Medium cube.

Finished. A small box perfect for scraps or a thousand other things.

Now this one appeared to waste fabric because I had to cut out those squares but I just created another, even smaller box to use them up using the medium box method. it was small so I didn't need to sew down the sides to make it stand square. The squares would have made quick coasters too but I was in the box making mode.

I hope you have as much fun making these cute little cubes as I have had. Be careful, with or without embroidery, they really are addictive.

Take care,