For some time at our house we have been somewhat involved in recycling stuff.  A while back I actually got into the habit of bringing my reusable bags shopping.  But these totes that I have collected over the years (mostly at quilt and sewing shows) are almost all made of light tan canvas.  Although they were great for fat quarters, embroidery CDs and thread they don’t hold much when it comes to groceries and household supplies (come to think of it they were never big enough for the loads of fabric I bought at those shows either).   And these bags are now, after just a couple of months, stained, frayed and ugly.  I thought I heard the clerk actually groan the other day and I still needed 3 plastic bags in addition to what I brought. That was it – if I am “Going Green” I am going to do so in style.

Here is my first effort at a Designer Green Bag.

I’ve gotten lots of comments and everyone in my family wants them.  And they don’t want just one.  No, they want four or five or six – what have I gotten myself into?

 And to be sure I am not alone. A friend made some great green bags and has found that everyone we know wants them.  So, she has decided to use up her rather extensive stash of fabrics and scraps, collected over the years, for a good cause.  She makes the bags and sells them at a great price giving all the money to the Peanut Allergy Research Foundation.  It is amazing how many children suffer from this life-threatening allergy.  These little ones have to learn at a very, very young age to say “no” to ANY snack offered, eat somewhere away from their friends, and be wary of every new place to stay out of danger. And the diligent mothers are reading every label – just “made in the same factory in which nuts are processed” means it can’t be consumed at their house.  Communication is currently the only key to keeping these children safe.

She has saved the day and has made bags for me already.  Since I do not have enough time to make all the bags requested of me I have ordered more bags from my friend in support of her cause.

You can use any large tote pattern you really like.  To download instructions for mine click here.

 To make a designer bag all you need is:

 fabrics

rotary cutter

24” quilter’s ruler

sewing thread,

embroidery thread

tear-away stabilizer

A great embroidery design (I used a rooster from the Amazing Designs Rooster Jumbo Collection)

Or Alphabet Xpress or your Favorite Ann’s Alphabet

Here is a link to the free pattern my friend, Marilyn, uses.

 http://u-handbag.typepad.com/uhandblog/2007/04/one_of_the_medi.html

If you like it better just add the designer embroidery pocket from my instructions.

I think I'll monogram the next ones for my girls using Alphabet Xpress.

 Making and using Designer Green bags helps the environment, recycles fabric we may not otherwise use and gets the attention of others.  Making them for a charitable purpose helps us help others as well.  Hmm, who’d have thought!

 Take care,

DB

Note 1:  If you make one (but I bet ya can’t make just one) share it with us by posting it to our gallery.  We would love to see what you do.

 Note 2:  To learn more about peanut allergy research visit this site:  http://www.foodallergy.org/research.html

    PS: Here is what my youngest granddaughter has to say about crawling:

 “Nobody else is doing it!  I have decided that this crawling thing is way overrated.  Yeah, I am getting closer everyday, but I just can’t get the hang of it.  Backwards, forwards, knees, hands, coordination – who needs it?  I usually end up like this.”

“Besides, I don’t see anyone else crawling around like the dog on their hands and knees.  Mom, dad and sister like to walk on those stick like things they call legs.  If it is good enough for them, it is good enough for me.  Forget crawling, I’m gonna try that walking thing!  Let’s see, I guess I have to stand first.”

“Well, that was easy enough.  Now on to the walking!  Of course this could look easier than it actually is – OHHH!”

“Well, maybe I should give that crawling thing one more shot.”

 “Hmmmm…should have known.”

 Footnote:  This dialog is written as interpreted by her mother who is the only one who can.

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.

Now, what is all this about green paper?  This was my initial thought when I first heard the term KIWI paper.  Oh, its paper and you can supposedly embroider on it.  We've all done that before but it is so hard to find really fun designs that don’t ruin the paper. 

OK, I’ll admit that I was skeptical.  But as an embroidery fanatic I often use designs in my other crafting and as I have said before my favorite thing is to see what all I can do with my embroidery stuff.  So, I ordered a few pieces of this KIWI paper – just to see.

Here’s what I did first:

Now, Anna is my second granddaughter and I am soooo far behind in scrapbooking her pictures that it is beyond ridiculous.  For the KIWI paper the challenge was will this paper really work with ANY embroidery design?  So, I picked something fun.  I loved the way it stitched out.  And it really was easy.  Just hoop the Amazing Designs self adhesive stabilizer (or use temporary adhesive spray with your stabilizer).  Then place the KIWI paper on the top of the adhesive and embroider the design.  The monkey and banana came from Amazing Designs Collection Monkey Around.  I used Alphabet Xpress for the title (but of course you could easily use Ann’s Alphabets if you prefer those).

Next I tried this card.  The design is a free one I got from Deegee some time ago.  She said it was OK to share it with you so if you want to try it click here. 

This was so much fun I had to do something else.  Here’s my other granddaughter Emma on July 4^th.  I am so very lucky that they live close by and I get to see them often.  The designs are from Annthegran's Americana Festival collection.  I didn't have enough forthought to order any white paper so I just turned some of the scraps from Anna's page over and used the backside.  It worked out great.  A little celebration glitter and another page is done.  Yippee!

This picture reminds me of the funny story of the week (and believe me, with Emma there is one every week).  While we were waiting for the parade on the 4^th she asked “Meesy, what are taxes?”  Now how do you explain that to a three year old?  So, I just said that it was the part of our money that we give to the people in charge to do things like build roads and bridges and schools.  The money is used for things that everyone can share.  “Oh.” she said, “Just like City Hall.”  (And that’s another story for another time.) 

Anyway, I can think of lots of things to do with this KIWI paper.  I bet you can think up even more but here is my list:

-         Make designer note cards and monogrammed stationary sets for all my friends like this: 

-         Frame a set of embroidered daisies for the baby’s room or make embroidered frames for her precious pictures.

-         Make fun inserts for those acrylic insulated coffee cups something like this:

 (photo and inspiration for cups courtesy of Nancy at Keeping You in Stitches)

-         Or for in the sippy cups for gifts like this:

-         And then there are luggage and backpack tags, birthday invitations, place cards, napkin wraps, album fronts, checkbook covers, party favors and ……

Here is what I have learned about KIWI paper

-         It is GREAT for embroidery and not with just the outline designs.

-         It folds, prints and cuts like regular paper.

-         I can stamp it, paint it, emboss it and use it in my inkjet printer as well (and use the backside).

-         The manufacturer says is acid free, biodegradable and basically waterproof.

-         And it comes in lots of prints as well as solid colors. 

It gets my thumbs up.  Try it when you get a chance.  And I think you'll have just as much fun as I did.   

Take care,

DB

Just a note:  It's a good idea to change the needle after any projects using adhesives whether sticky paper or spray. 

Hello, all ME blog readers.  I got to know many of you at this year’s Community Circle in Orlando. If you were there and don't remember me, there's a picture of me on our About Us page. I also post from time to time in the forums under my username db1921 and I created the coffee cup wrap project on which many of you have commented.

I had such a great time in Orlando, discussing all the different software programs, machine features and embroidery samples. It had been quite awhile since I had come out from behind the scenes of product development and marketing to visit with other ME addicts. Since then I have been reading your posts and decided it is time to join the fun.  I’ll be honest, there is a whole list of blogs that I read from time to time but I have never actually blogged.

I love Cathy’s new sewing room and Judy’s roll holder is now on the top of my wish list.  But, unless Better Homes and Gardens picks mine for their next makeover you WILL NOT be seeing pictures of it any time soon. Is anyone else one of those who moves from craft to craft at lightning speed and somehow always leaves a path of destruction behind?

My favorite thing to do is see “what else” I can do with it.  I do this with everything from my grandmother’s old sugar scoop to my photo software.  But this time let’s share what else we can do with Alphabet Xpress.

Here’s a quick way to make big lettering for alphabet quilts personalized stationary, towels or whatever else you can come up with. Click below to view a video tutorial with instructions for creating great large letters in Alphabet Xpress (if you have Windows Media Player, click here for a larger version that plays on your computer). Then download the Alphabet Xpress trial and try it for yourself.  Just remember to create your widest letter first as that may dictate what you can do in your largest hoop. My alphabet quilt is in the works. When I get it done I will post it.  If anyone else gets one done first I want to see it.

Annthegran’s Jumbo Alphabet is great too.  I have used these to frame the letters for a baby’s nursery and create framed décor for above the fireplace. I even made the word JOY, cut it out and glued it onto a set of old stacked boxes at Christmas last year.  But the holiday items are packed away on the top shelf in the back of the storage room so I'll have to post those later if anyone wants to see.

Oh, by the way, that old sugar scoop works great in the ice bucket.