Let's Talk About Terry---Terrycloth, that is!

(Baby Bibs and Burps are now available at AnnTheGran.com.  Click here , also click here to vew other new blanks on special)   Just recently we’ve had two customers call us to let us know they were unhappy with our baby items.  They said they “fell apart” and t... [More]

A Free Calculator and Reverse Engineering a Design in AlphabetXpress

I have never been certain why Microsoft does not place a calculator on a computer screen. There are a number of them on the Internet, and I have one that I like for several reasons. For one, I can turn off or on the keyboard. With the keyboard off, I can just use my computer numeers. You can find it... [More]

Thread Doll with Tote - No Batteries Required!

       Make a HoneyBea Thread Doll set for your little Honey – No Batteries Required! When I was little, I loved the Betsy McCall paper doll in the back of McCall’s magazine, and I even cut out paper dolls from the pages of my Mother’s Sears Roebuck catalog.... [More]

Increasing Computer Speed - - - Leather and Lace and Alpha Xpress

I am a big fan of free computer software. Some of it is worth free and some of it is quite valuable. One that I like, and have found to be praised by many computer professionals is CCleaner by Piriform.com.  This one has a very nice Pedigree - - If you are not using this software, you may wa... [More]

Threads from Africa- 30% off till Feb 9th

Thread colors and names inspired by African Savanah  From The COLORFUL world of African Folklore Embroidery we bring you a complete selection of multi-colored hand dyed variegated threads from House of Embroidery, South Africa.  Our exquisite hand-dyed threads are suitable for all types... [More]

Mural Painting- The Ndebele women-Creative Inspiration- Enter to win 4 African Folklore Embroidery kits

Mural Painting- The Ndebele women-Creative Inspiration- Enter to win 4 African Folklore Embroidery kits  While there are many tribes in Africa, the magnificent beadwork, doll- making and wall mural painting of the Ndebele tribe are a constant source of inspiration. The houses of the Ndebele... [More]

Embroidering Knits: Hooping is the Key

Embroidery on knits can be tricky, but the real secret is in the hooping.To get great results on knits, you must stabilize this stretchy fabric. You probably know that the text book rule for fabrics that stretch is to use a cutaway stabilizer.This should be followed, except in rare instances. If it ... [More]

World Wide Web, a Freebie and Hankies for Brides with Alpha Xpress

 You know that WWW stands for World Wide Web. Typing in WWW tells your browser that you are connecting to a Web server. However, as the Internet and related-technology evolved, prefixes became mostly unnecessary. But we are creatures of habit and many Websites use both WWW and non-WWW addresse... [More]

Back From the Workshop

Hello, Granners! It has been a while since I've been able to write to you, and I'm sorry about that. For the last year or so we've been working hard on some new products. But while products are under development I can't really tell you much about what we're doing.... [More]

A Freebie and Tip #4 Alpha Xpress Customizes Words

Some days I cannot find my keys, or my glasses or whatever I really need. Too often, I cannot find a file I need and that presents a lot of problems for me. I am always on a schedule and get frustrated with delays!  This small application is really worth its weight in gold and then some. Check... [More]

Make Patches and Emblems from Scratch

There are times when attaching a patch or emblem is a lot easier than trying to apply embroidery directly to a difficult item. Other times, it’s helpful to be able to change or remove the embroidered identification easily.  For these times, it’s nice to know how to make emblems... [More]

Keeping It Simple - Show and Tell

I hope your holidays were full of fun with family and friends.   I listened to people make their New Year's resolutions   the other night.  Some were new but many were the same old ones they make every year and find so difficult to keep.  So, we talked with the girl... [More]

Quick Coasters in the hoop- Designs Included

Quick Coasters in the hoop- Designs Included Ever need something right now!  Well last year one of the charity craft bazaars in my mom's neighbourhood needed lots of little things to fill in.  So we made a bunch of these in one night.  In sets of 4 of these quick coasters, tied i... [More]

Keeping It Simple - A Beautiful Lace Snowflake and Easy Turtles too.

Well, the Christmas music is playing everywhere, most of the shopping is done but the sewing pile still looms, at least at my house.  I have at least four more gifts to make before Christmas Day.  November and December have been busier than usually with things unplanned but just part of li... [More]

Create Timeless Keepsakes with Shadow Work - by Machine!

Shadow Work by Machine is a technique invented, perfected and patented by designer Suzanne Hinshaw. Patented designs created Suzanne are the only genuine, legitimate designs for shadow work by machine. That's fine - because her designs are timeless and elegant and are totally goof-proof. I promi... [More]

Contour Clock Apron

     Individual characters (letters, numbers and punctuation marks) from my alph [More]

Wrap up some Sweet Treats!

Seasons Greetings Everyone! If you happened to catch my blog around Halloween, you  may remember that I used the cutest designs from Amazing Designs---little candy corn characters dressed up for Halloween.  It was the “Sweet Halloween I” collection.  Well I had so much ... [More]
Free Taskbar Calendar and Catalog Xpress Tip #3, Resize

Free Taskbar Calendar and Catalog Xpress Tip #3, Resize

This is absolutely my favorite computer clock and it includes a calendar!!!  I am not happy with a calendar that is on my desktop because it seems like it is always in the way.  In the Taskbar (lower right hand corner of most screens) is perfect because it shows me the day of the week, date and hour and minutes.  Download it here. 

I can arrange the information anyway I like.  As a rule, I leave a program at its default settings.  There is a good reason for that – it is because if I make a lot of changes, then for any reason the software does not work, I can get a fresh copy from the Internet and use it immediately as is.  If it does not look right to me, and I have to figure out all the settings that I used 2 years ago, it is a headache for me.  I like to keep it simple – just like Diane Brown always shows us.  Her blog is one of the best I have ever seen for just that reason, she does not make my life complicated, she keeps it simple!

A left click gives this month’s calendar, but the right click is even more feature filled.

TClockEx

Select “TClockEx Properties…

 

 

Then select “Format Elements” for your specific view options.

 

 

As promised, here is the next episode of “Tips on Using Catalog Xpress.”

You can look at tips number 1 and 2 by selecting the links.

1. Keep notes on issues (your input) - Notes

2. Search by the usual information AND by Notes Search

3. Resize designs

4. Convert the format

5. Recolor designs

6. Categorize designs in multiple subjects (place a design of girl in garden watching a butterfly in multiple categories)

7. Allow background colors (view your designs against project color)

8. Arrange designs in multiple methods (Name, Type, Number of Stitches, Colors, Dimensions)

9. Print the entire catalog of designs in 3D (as small or large as I like)

10. Work with Alpha Xpress to create wonderful projects.

 

Resizing a design is one of the most often requested information in the Forum.   We find a design but it won’t fit on our specific project. 

I will resize a bunny, and I do make note of several issues.

 

Notice that there are 15,180 stitches; 8 colors; and the size is 2.45 by 3.87.”  I will be making some notes (by selecting “Tools,” and “Design Notes”) about what I am doing, such as change information and the project I was working on for this resizing.

Keep the bunny selected, and press the “resize” button. 

 

You can see the options available.  I am going to increase the size to 200% of the current size.  When I keep the “Preserve aspect ratio” button selected, it will make a larger replica of my design.

 

I select my format, and a specific new name (to help me remember what I did) and I am ready to do a “discovery” sew. 

 

Notice that the new design has 44,243 stitches and the size is proportionate to the original at a 200% rate.  (I will skip the math.)

When I have done my ‘discovery’ sew on a similar fabric, I will see if the computer has done a good job of adjusting the stitching.

A few cautionary pieces of information:

  • A programmer has written this software to make the change.  They might have an idea of embroidery (or not. . . ) and adjusting the stitching, outlining and other issues of embroidery design can be tricky.
  • Not all resizing software will change the number of stitches.  Some may just adjust the spacing.
  • Never resize a resized design.  No matter who programmed the software, I promise it will go crazy!  (Been there, done that. . .)  For an additional change, start with the original design.  If you find that the 200% is too big, then return to the original to make adjustments.
  • Make sure you trust the software, and AnnTheGran was the original and oldest software for these types of adjustments.

If you are considering selling your embroidery, don't forget that I have a spreadsheet that will be your guide for determining how much to charge.  The proceeds go to Autism needs and research.

Comments (3) -

Drawing and designing is usually limited to those who have talent, I am not included in that group. However


It seems like it was very recent when we were learning computers, the Internet and cell phones. I am


If you have been online more than 1 week, you probably have a lot of "Favorites" or "Bookmarks"


Please login to comment