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Embroidery Owl

I just opened an Etsy shop featuring designs for embroidery machines.  I’ll also be adding some sewing patterns and some handmade goods in the coming weeks, so take a look here.  When I had an embroidery business I was frustrated with the lack of clean and simple designs on the market so I started coming up with my own.  

So here’s a little freebie for those of you with embroidery machines.  My five-year-old is the head of my design team.  I took the little owl drawing that she made and turned it into an embroidery design.   This is for a 4×4 hoop with a stitch count of 4437.  If you need a different format, just e-mail me and I’ll be happy to send it to you.

owl-drawing.pes

owl-drawing.dst

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Ghost Garland

Just a quick Halloween decoration.  Since the world seems to be falling apart, we’re trying to save money around here (and gas and water since we live in Atlanta), so here’s an easy and free ghost garland.  This is a craft blog, after all.

Just print out the files below on white card stock, cut with an x-acto knife and hang with monofilament.  I’ve changed the eyes around on these files so that  they won’t all three be the same.  Try hanging this from a doorway or fireplace mantel.

ghost-b

ghost-o1

ghost-o2

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Etsy Finds Friday

Camper Vessel (ceramic, isn’t that cool?) from Paige Russell Design, $85.

15-Month 2008-2009 Calendar from Jessica Gonacha, $25.

Multi-Colored Girl’s Sweater Skirt, size 6-8, $40 from handmade pretties.

Mini Matryoshka Dolls in Pouch, $16 from dolittle design.

Hand Printed Cotton Ribbon, $10 for 100cm (39″), from LeiLiLaLoo.

Hand Screen Printed Fabric, $26.50 for 50 cm (about 20″), from hollabee.

Vintage Cosmetic Bags, $15.50 from Robyn Ruth.

Olive Swamp Grass Sheer Jersey Top, $30 from Circular Accessories.

Organic Homegrown Cotton Blanket, $35 from Green Thread Shop.

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Triple Apple Muffins

Fall food is the best.  Here’s a recipe full of fall flavor that I’ve been tweaking for a few weeks.  Makes 24 regular-sized muffins.  I think golden raisins and walnuts would be a great addition.  I think I might try this in a loaf pan too.

Preheat oven to 375.  Mix in a large bowl and then set aside:

  • 2 small apples, diced
  • 1 cup unsweetened apple sauce
  • 1/4 cup apple juice
  • 1 cup oat bran
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup molasses

In a separate bowl, mix:

  • 1 cup wheat flour
  • 1 cup unbleached white flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Blend wet and dry ingredients together.  Scoop into greased or lined muffin pans and bake for 15-20 minutes at 375 degrees, or until toothpick comes out clean.  Enjoy!

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Machine Appliqué Designs

I turned the squirrel into a machine appliqué design and was thinking of selling some of these designs on Etsy.  I’m just not sure what kind of demand there is for machine embroidery designs.  I just know that when I started my embroidery business I was not satisfied with what was on the market, so I started creating my own.  Now that I have Adobe Illustrator, this process is much simpler.

Anyway, here’s a photo of the squirrel with my all-time favorite Japanese fabric, My Folklore by Lecien, which just doesn’t seem to be available anywhere.  I bought some fat quarters of the series here.

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