Cathy Van Daalwyk is the Winner

Well our first winner already won the book from Indygo Junction's Blog Stop Tour. What are the odds of that?

Congratulations Cathy Van Daalwyk, You are the WINNER!

And the Winner Is...

The winner of Eileen's book, "Machine Embroidery in 6 Easy Lessons" is......drum roll please...

AGNES BULLOCK!

Congratulations Agnes. As soon as we hear from you we will ship your autographed copy straight to your door step. 

A special thanks to Designs in Machine Embroidery for asking us to participate in the Blog Stop.

Eileen Roche's Blog Tour Stop Feb 6th

We're an official Blog Stop ~ Feb 6, 2013

Pin-It 2 Win-It & Comment for a FREE autographed copy of Eileen Roche's new book!

How to enter to win:  Complete 1 & 2 below to enter the contest and you may be the lucky one to win "Machine Embroidery in 6 Easy Lessons!"

1. Pin It or Share It on either your Pinterest Page, or Facebook page AND
2. Ask Eileen Roche a question about machine embroidery in the "comments section". 

Contest Deadlines:  Feb 3-Feb 14, 2013.

Anyone new to machine embroidery or need a refresher in embroidery placement, stabilizers or hooping aides?  This is a great reference book for anyone who loves to embroider.

Post a comment for Eileen using "comments" below & don't forget you must Pin-In or Share on your Facebook page in order to qualify.

***Please leave email address or contact info in case you win (if you do not have a google act, then you will show up as anonymous and we won't have any way to contact you.)

Making Purse Straps w/ Hope Yoder

This is my favorite way to make a purse strap. Visit my website at www.HopeYoder.com for more products and ideas.  Sign up for our email newsletter so you never miss Hope's helpful hints.

Cut fabric 4 1/2" wide x desired length

Cut 2 pieces of fusible fleece 1" wide x desired length

• Press fleece to wrong side of each side of the strap. 

• Fold in half wrong sides together so the raw edges meet in the middle.  

• Fold in half again so folded edges are even, and sew down each side using an edge joining foot and a left needle position . 

• Cut into two equal halves and set aside for construction. 

Please feel free to leave a comment, post to your Pinterest page.  I know, you want to know where the purse pattern is to buy, right?  Well, good news...My original purse pattern will be featured in a summer (2013) issue of Designs in Machine Embroidery Magazine which will include all the free directions for making the purse. You will still need to purchase our Nautical Button~Ups Embroidery Collection which can be found here. 

Tom's Shoe Makeover

Wanted to show you our latest project using the Silhouette Cameo machine.  My daughter had an old pair of Tom's shoes and wanted to freshen them some using unique embellishments which is quick and easy, creating a stencil using vinyl and your Cameo.  If you like it, please PinIt or share the link on your Facebook page. Hop on over to my website for more cool stuff www.HopeYoder.com.

Materials Needed:

• Old pair of canvas Tom's shoes (washed and dried)
• Clorox bleach pen
• 12" x 12" square of any color  631 Vinyl (any type of vinyl will do)
• Hydrogen peroxide
• "Grandmother's Tablecloth Background" file from Studio Online Store

Directions:

• Load the file into your Silhouette Studio software and do not resize.  Cut the design from a piece of vinyl that is 12" x 12" or larger, adjusting the cut settings as necessary. 

• Weed the vinyl and cut off the desired section using scissors (no need for transfer tape.) Remove the vinyl from the release paper and apply to the toe of the shoe. It is necessary to cut a few different sections of vinyl instead of trying to get one section to cover the entire toe. 
• Make sure the vinyl is firmly fixed to the shoe by finger pressing in place. This will ensure no bleach will "leak" under the vinyl. 

• ***Test bleach on scrap cotton fabric to see how long you want to leave it on before applying to your shoe. 
• You may want to mask off the part of the shoe that you don't want to bleach using left over vinyl or painters tape. 
• Apply bleach and allow to sit for 2-4 minutes (again, test using cotton fabric the same color as your shoe.) Our Tom's were originally a grey (now faded) and we left the bleach on for about 3 minutes. 
• Go to your sink and carefully remove the vinly and throw it away. 
• Rinse the bleach off under running water for about 2 minutes.

• Neutralize the bleach by dipping the area in equal parts of water and hydrogen peroxide. 
• Allow to complete dry and enjoy. 

Floating Christmas Ornaments ~ Silhouette Cameo Project

 Have a die cutting machine such as the Silhouette Cameo?  Make these cute floating Christmas ornaments by inserting a clear vinyl transparency, vinyl letters, a bow and some fake snow.  It super quick, easy and fun.  Visit www.HopeYoder.com for more ideas. 

Start with the supplies... Get the vinyl transparency cut out here.

Cut any shapes or names you want from Vinyl and apply to the transparency.

Roll it up and insert it into the clear bulb. Add some fake snow and a bow at the top.

Joy Holiday Dish Towel Tutorial

Just finished a new kitchen towel for Christmas.  I have combined our Bizzy Bee Appliqué and our new Button~Ups Mini Stick Friends Embroidery Collections.  Did you know... you can use all of our button cover embroidery collections for things other than buttons!!! They are perfect little designs that fit in small places.

  Wouldn't this make a great apron or hostess gift?

Visit www.HopeYoder.com 

Materials Needed:

• Bee Happy Applique Embroidery CD
• Button~Ups Mini Stick Friends Embroidery CD
• Floriani Heat n Sta Iron On Tear Away Stabilizer
• Plaid Trimmed Dish Towel

Directions:

• Bring all the files into your embroidery software program.
• Change the colors to red, green, black and silver metallic as shown.

• Arrange the JOY letters.
• Add the "Angel" so she is perched on top of the letter "O".

• Add the "JumpRope" design above the letter "J".
• Rotate her a little to the left as shown.

• Add the "IceSkater" design next to the letter "Y".
• Rotate her slightly to the left and move her so she appears to be hanging off the edge of the letter.

• Save the new file and embroider on a kitchen towel using Floriani Heat n Sta Iron on Tear Away stabilizer.