BLOGS - Ann The Gran Community

This area of our Community contains blogs written by people who love to create things. A blog is a themed online journal that is updated regularly with articles containing new content, called posts. Please feel free to comment on any post that informs or inspires you. If you have a story idea for one of our bloggers, or if you would like to start your own blog in our Community, and take advantage having your message read by over a quarter million readers, please send us an e-mail at blogs@annthegran.com.

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Victorian Valentine Designs with Madeira 18-Spool Thread Kit, Download this free sachet project HERE

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Blogs on AnnTheGran.com

Ann's Sweetest Heart Collection: Perfect for Your Sweetheart

Ann's Sweetest Heart Collection makes it fun and easy to create a variety of special valentines you can't find in any big box store. And, for a limited time, purchase the small , large , or full collections, and get a Valentines Sayings pack absolutely...

Published Fri, Feb 03 2012 1:00 PM by sewblest

Filed under: hearts, valentine, lace
Finish It Beautifully -No Lining Required

I am in the mood for spring to get here. Really, it has been a mild winter so I shouldn't be so anxious but I am. So, what to do but start on an easy springtime project. My daughter loved the pillowcase dresses that the girls had last year. I decided...

Published Fri, Feb 03 2012 11:15 AM by db1921

Filed under: the memory book, embroidery, gift ideas, Designs, Quick Projects, kids, Applique, handmade, easy projects, beginner projects, summer, free designs, girls, children, pillowcase dress, girls clothes
The Avid Embroiderer Presents - Plauen Lace

In the event that you think that bloggers have to be knowledgeable, let me assure you that (at least for myself) they are not. I simply enjoy finding new things to read, respond to and research – and if I feel you might be interested as well, I...

Published Fri, Jan 27 2012 2:50 PM by pat71896

Filed under: digitizing, delicate, handmade, Designs, Germany, Plauen Lace, Adorable Ideas
Embroidery Advisor Presents: Lace Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner so what a better time to talk about Hearts. A lot of us decorate our homes for Valentine’s Day, and what a better way to do that then with some Free Standing Lace Hearts. These beautiful hearts can...

Published Fri, Jan 27 2012 10:16 AM by starbird99

Filed under: free standing lace, Valentine, Valentine's Day, Lace, Love, Heart
Get Organized and Save Money Doing It!

It's just a number on a calendar, but the new year usually brings with it a desire to regroup and reorganize. Tired of looking for designs you know you have but can't locate? It just isn't any fun anymore. With the sheer number of embroidery...

Published Fri, Jan 20 2012 2:00 PM by sewblest

Filed under: Catalog Xpress, cagalog, organizing files, CatalogIt!
The World's Easiest Sewing Machine Cover

Sometime last year I wrote about using a small tabletopper as an easy, casual cover for sewing machines. My sewing room collects dust like crazy and I know it's not good for the machines. Over the last few months, I have thoroughly enjoyed walking...

Published Fri, Jan 20 2012 8:22 AM by SusanMars

Filed under: sewing machine cover, crystlas, tea towel, quick gifts
Embroidery Advisor Presents: Embroider those Winter Blues Away

The first day of winter has officially arrived on the calendar even though it doesn’t look like it outside, at least here in Minnesota. We all know what is coming though in the upcoming months and unfortunately we will be spending many hours indoors...

Published Fri, Jan 13 2012 2:00 PM by starbird99

Filed under: projects, snow, Winter, Scenic, Cabin, Wall Hanging, Church
Finish it Like a Pro - Trimming Tips

Have you ever wondered whether it matters if you first trim the top or the bottom of your machine embroidery work? It’s best to trim the top first, so that when you trim the back, you can gently pull on the bobbin tails to secure the trimmed thread...

Published Fri, Jan 13 2012 10:10 AM by djones247
What the Stabilizer Sellers Won't Tell You

With that title line, I am thinking that there are hundreds and hundreds of things they won't tell you, but I will zoom in on a few of my personal favorites, in no particular order: Those prices - unbelievably, are way overpriced. This one reminds...

Published Fri, Jan 06 2012 2:00 PM by pat71896

Filed under: puckering, stabilizers, blog, wss, Badgemaster, FSL, water soluble stabilizer, costs, Heat Away, free standing lace, Forum, density, satin stitch, adhesive, Ann's Club, Cutaway, remake, stitch count
A Pretty Felt Playhouse -Part 2

Finished! And with a little time to spare. We decided to just button down the sides instead of sewing them. It will make removing it from the table and folding it up for storage a little easier. Kate got to see it during the final fitting since she is...

Published Fri, Jan 06 2012 10:00 AM by db1921

Filed under: lettering, Alphabet Xpress, the memory book, alphabets, lettering software, Crafts, projects, gift ideas, Designs, Gifts, kids, Christmas, Applique, babies, baby gifts, handmade, infants, felt, free designs, girls, children, felt playhouse, playhouse
Thinking Out of the Block: Embroidering on Pieced Fabrics

Perhaps one of the greatest attributes of machine embroidery is its versatility. Embroidery can easily stand alone or, when combined with pieced blocks, become a personalized second-dimension embellishment. The Blocks I fussy-cut four 6.25-inch blocks...

Published Fri, Dec 23 2011 12:00 PM by sewblest

Filed under: embroidery gifts, quilting gifts, quilt embroidery, quilt block, fussy cut, embroidery on pieced blocks
A Pretty Felt Playhouse - Part One

OK. It is the Thursday before Christmas! A few weeks ago my daughter showed me a picture of a playhouse made from felt. It fit over a card table. Very cute and felt is easy to work with. So I planned one for the girls for Christmas. When I showed my drawings...

Published Thu, Dec 22 2011 10:20 AM by db1921

Filed under: the memory book, Crafts, projects, gift ideas, Designs, Quick Projects, Holidays, Gifts, kids, Christmas, Applique, babies, baby gifts, handmade, beginner projects, felt, free designs, girls, children, felt playhouse, playhouse
A Snowman Sweatshirt Jacket

Snowman Sweatshirt Jacket Being a cold natured person, I love making jackets out of sweatshirts. They are warm and comfortable. This is one that would be perfect for the child in your life. (Adults would love it also.) To make the jacket, you will need...

Published Fri, Dec 16 2011 12:00 PM by missih
My Top Three Mistakes That Make You Look Like a Newbie

If there is anything that all embroiderers have in common, it must be pride of workmanship. Not one of us wants to give or display something that does not look like it was made professionally. That is obvious – after all, how much have you invested...

Published Fri, Dec 16 2011 11:00 AM by pat71896

Filed under: embroidery designs, projects, puckering, blog, annthegran stabilizer, Perfect Placement, Amazing Ideas, John Deer, free, density, AnnTheGran, freebie, placement, newbie, alphabets, Designs, Cutaway, bullet proof, stitch count
Going Green - Recycle a T-shirt

A couple of weeks ago, when we were out and about, my oldest granddaughter saw some college girls sporting wide, stretchy headbands with their monograms embroidered on them. Of course, since she thinks that anything the teens do is "way cool"...

Published Fri, Dec 09 2011 1:00 PM by db1921

Filed under: lettering, Alphabet Xpress, the memory book, alphabets, lettering software, projects, going green, gift ideas, Designs, Quick Projects, Gifts, Christmas, t-shirts, handmade, easy projects, beginner projects, headbands, horse, horses

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