Can you believe that July is almost over?  We have the strangest weather here this year.   One day it’s about 100 degrees and the next it barely gets into the 70s.  The month has breezed by filled with gardening (my tomato plants are all dying and I don’t know why), going to the zoo, taking kids to swimming lessons (do other grandma’s do this?) and training a new puppy (sometimes I think he is training me).  I still haven’t finished the quilt for Anna’s nursery (although the room looks pretty cute even without it).  Nor have I finished Lisa’s pillows or the baby-sling for a young girl at church (I am not supposed to make that until the day before the shower anyway, right?).  I have just been too busy having fun with my embroidery.

This week I decided to try some of the brand new Print ‘n’ Stitch Note cards from Designs Magazine.  So I got a couple of sets of the cards and started playing to see what I could do.

Here is the first one that I created.  It really was fun and simple.

If you want to try one similar to mine here are the steps.  If you don’t own Catalog Xpress or Alphabet Xpress you can download trial versions.

1. If you want to print a message inside the card using your PC’s printer  do that before you begin the embroidery.
2. Measure the circle and determine what size you want the design to be. I brought the X-mas mouse from the Starbird’s Christmas Mice into Catalog Xpress, sized him down to 75% and saved him.    If you haven’t purchased the mouse you can use a design from your own collection.  You can recolor the design in Cat Xpress too if you like.
3. Next open Alphabet Xpress and merge the saved mouse onto the screen.
4. Click the text button.  Type Merry Merry Merry and choose the Stonehouse font.  Change the size to .40 inches and apply.
5. Move the text down on the grid so it is about ½” below the design.
6. Click the select button and then go to edit and choose select all. 
7. To the right of the Alignment Icon click the down arrow and choose Horizontal Align Center Selected Objects.
8. Save the design in your format.  Print a template. Then bring it up in your machine.
9. Hoop your 5”X7” hoop with a self-adhesive tear-away stabilizer.  This time I used Amazing Designs Smart Sheets Medium weight self-adhesive. With a straight pin score a rectangle in the center of the hoop about 2” tall by 4” wide.  Tear the rectangle of paper off to expose the adhesive. 
10. There is a set of specially made Placement Kit for these card sets that work really perfect placement.  But I didn’t have these yet when I did this first one so here is what I did: 
    1. Draw a horizontal line across the stabilizer.  Very, very lightly pencil the center on each just at the edge of the card front sides.  Match up with the line on the stabilizer and press to adhere.
    2.  Place your printed design template on the card front where you want the design to be and check to be sure the needle centers match up.  If not move the design in the machine until you are satisfied. 
11.  Remove the template and embroider the design.
12. Remove from the hoop and carefully tear away the stabilizer.
13. Erase any visible pencil markings from the card front.
14. Add other embellishments as desired.  I used my Dalco Crystals and Wand to add a little sparkle to the one above.
15. Cover the embroidery inside with one of the stitch covers. 

Here are a few more ideas for cards made with these sets.  The Hi design is free so you can click here to download it and try it if you like.  The Happy Thanksgiving will be included in the Ann’s Club August Phrases.  We will include the swirl design as well.  The little bird is from the Morango Cute Bird collection that will be available very soon.

If you like to use templates the Placement Kit makes setting the card up a breeze.  The step-by-step instructions are easy to follow and Eileen has created some great video clips that you might want to take a look at.  If you already have the Magna Hoop these little templates and target rulers work with the version for your 5X7 hoop.

This sewable paper crafting is really addictive.  It’s a great way to expand your embroidery creations and use more of those designs we have all collected.  Make a few cards and put them up on Ann’s Gallery. We all love the inspiration we get from seeing what our ME friends have created.

 Take Care,

PS:  Here's that wayward puppy Cosmo.  They let him graduate from puppy school but I am not sure how much he learned.