December 2007 - Posts

• AnnTheGran is Getting a Facelift!

  Dear Friend, 2008 is going to be quite a year for me, and I hope it will be for you as well. My big news is that AnnTheGran is getting a complete facelift! No, I don't mean me -- I like myself the way I am (well, most days anyway) -- I mean my site! You see, as we've grown, some of my site's users have run into issues getting around on the site, especially as we've added new services and products over the years to keep up with your requests and try to offset some of the costs of running the site. I certainly share some of that frustration, but there's a good reason for it. We started off as just a group of ladies sharing designs; the original site was never meant to do all the fancy things it does now. Well, after compiling all your comments together, my team has spent a very long time and a ton of effort developing an absolutely incredible new web site, of which I am so very proud. I'm going to give you a few sneak peeks now and over the next few weeks, as we prepare for the official launch of the new site in February. Click on any of the images in this post for some enlarged screen shots of what we have in store for you. You're going to be able to "do some really cool stuff", as my grandkids might say. First of all, the layout and navigation is going to be ever-so-much better and cleaner, and you'll be able to get around the site much more easily. If you're a shopper, the shopping experience is improving by a factor of about a million, as our new structure will allow us to offer you one-click access to all our most popular products and much better and more frequent bargains. What I'm most excited about is our new Community section. I love it because it brings us around full circle to where we began, which is as the best place on the Internet to share the results of our creativity with others. With a simple mouse click, even the most basic computer user will be able to upload tips, projects, videos, design files -- pretty much anything really -- to share with our entire community. The most popular ones will even make it to the AnnTheGran.com home page, the busiest place in the embroidery universe! How's that for bragging rights on your latest project! Some of our best features of all will be reserved for my biggest supporters, our Ann's Club members. We'll be adding additional benefits to all of the great things Club members already receive, with so many treats that I don't think anyone will be able to resist getting onto "the inside track" with us. So stay tuned to this space over the next little while as I tell you about my new site and all the fun you are going to have on it. At the same time, please keep sending me your creations while we wait for the new site to go up, and I will keep posting them. If you're not sure how to do that, click here for info. Happy New Year! All the best to you and yours in 2008! Ann (AnnTheGran) Cobb   Posted Dec 31 2007, 12:52 AM by atgadmin with 5 comment(s) Filed under: ann cobb, community, happy new year

• Personal Holiday Greeting from Ann (AnnTheGran) Cobb

  In December, 1996, AnnTheGran's Design Exchange had been online for 2 months, and it was all very, very new. Our small community had shared a hundred or so designs and I sent the Christmas greeting you see on your right, created around my greatest blessings at the time. AnnTheGran, my Internet nickname and persona that grew out of those early days, is celebrating her 12th Christmas this year, and you can see on the left just how much those blessings have grown. In the intervening years, I've traveled the country, and the world, meeting many of you and sharing our wonderful embroidery hobby. The travel hasn't always been about being AnnTheGran -- Bill and I both love to travel for pleasure -- but it seems that, everywhere I go, embroidery somehow ends up playing a role. For that, I have all of you to thank. As we all gather with our families and friends for the holiday season to share our stories and experiences with those in our lives who are important to us, I thought you might enjoy seeing some of the stories that I've been sharing with those in my life, and some of the places that you, my embroidery friends in the AnnTheGran community, have afforded me the opportunity to visit. I've heard from many of you that you thought I'd disappeared -- some even thought I'd kicked the bucket! -- but I can assure you that rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated! In fact, I'm going to be announcing very shortly an opportunity where I can re-connect in person to those of you who've been so supportive to me over the years. I'm looking forward to a very special year in 2008. Scattered around this post, you'll find a few pictures that reflect experiences that you have helped me enjoy; experiences that have influenced my growth as a person, even as they may have been fuelling stories of my disappearance! In 2002 Bill and I flew to Australia for an embroidery seminar; guess which picture is from Australia! Last year, I was lucky enough to be able to meet many of you during a visit to Holland; look for the photo with the background signs in Dutch. There is also one of Bill and myself meeting a future Iditarod champ in Denali, Alaska, this past September. Everywhere I went, I have considered myself an ambassador not only for embroidery but for the idea that a little creativity and a few of the right tools can make a real difference in someone's day, and maybe even in someone's life. The last project I've posted for this year speaks to that sentiment. As you enjoy time with your loved ones and count your blessings, I hope you'll take a moment to have a look at this story of how some very charitable souls are using their creative talents to make a real difference in the world. You can view the project and the story behind it by clicking here. It is with a full and grateful heart, then, that Bill and I wish all of you, who created AnnTheGran and have kept her going for so many years, the most wonderful (belated) Hanukkah, the merriest Christmas, the most fulfilling Kwanzaa, the happiest of holidays and a healthy and prosperous 2008. I can't wait to see what new adventures the coming year will bring. Posted Dec 23 2007, 12:55 AM by atgadmin with 1 comment(s) Filed under: ann cobb, community, christmas, holiday greeting

• Charity Project - Star Bunting with Polar Fleece Blanket

  Every child is precious but sometimes the families of certain little ones face unique challenges. The charity FHCS (Faith Hope & Charity Stitches) has a very special way of sharing their love of sewing and embrodiery. The tiny buntings and quilts they make are a wonderful gift to those babies, keeping them warm all winter long. Karen Munro and the FHCS show us how they serve others, making a difference in the world around them. Karen's Description This project is a star bunting, with matching polar fleece blanket, - made from a commercial pattern ~ 9965 Simplicity ~ and embellished with embroidery designs from Ann The Gran. Using polar fleece that we buy on sale - we cut out the pattern and stitch it up. We make as many of these as possible as soon as it gets cold and continue making them through early spring. Step-by-step Description Choose pattern pieces - smooth them out and lay them onto the polar fleeces fabric. Cut two pieces for the hooded top, one piece for the tassel, two fronts and one back. We also often cut a polar fleece piece of the same color to make into a blanket to match the bunting. The pattern calls for a 14 inch zipper but we buy them as inexpensively as possible and that often means buying longer ones and cutting them to size. The zipper is the first sewing operation. Leave the zipper it's full length until after installation. right sides tog. stitch front to back - keeping that long zipper tail free. Zig-zag or serge zipper tail to prevent unraveling. Stitch hood pieces tog. with tassel inserted into seam allowance. Turn back raw edge of hood facing and encase elastic to gently gather hood around babies little face. Stitch hood to body. Choose a baby-themed embroidery pattern and work the embroidery to front of bunting and a copy to that little blanket to match. What Makes This Project Special We have cold winters here in northern Ohio and the babies we send these buntings to often do not have parents that can afford store bought snow suits in newborn sizes. I personally have made these as gifts to grand children but for the charity we make as many as we can and send them along to babies all winter. The babies don't know we made them and the parents or care takers are grateful for the gifts. The thought of helping a young mom keep her child safely warm ~ warms my heart! Skill Level The bunting itself is fairly easy - the instructions for a hooded jacket could be used as easily using buttons or snaps instead of a zipper. This makes the project even easier. I think most sewing enthusiasts that can operate an embroidery machine would find this very easy. Products I used the "baby keys" embroidery found at Ann The Gran, polar fleece, standard threads to stitch, my serger,1/4 inch elastic in the hood, a standard 14 inch nylon zipper, colored threads for the embroidery, wash away - or soluble stabilizer for the embroidery work. I sew out embroidery on a little Brother sewing machine that serves me well.This project is just one of several from our charity group. We use embroidery on blankets, quilts, burial layettes and all sorts of items for the babies and children. Time Investment Because this is usually a group effort - cutting, stitching , embroidery work - I can only guess that in two hours it could be completed. Why I Love This Project The softness and detail attained quickly by adding the embroidery to the polar fleece. Knowing that an infant in Northern Ohio will be cuddled up snuggly this winter and looking cute at the same time - now that's precious! Send Us Your Creations Do you have any creations that go with a great story? If so, I'd love to hear about them, and see them! If I choose to post your project, you'll get a free $25 gift certificate to use in the AnnTheGran.com online store. Click here for details on how to submit your creation. What Would You Do? I know that many of our readers love to share their craft toward the service for others. What do you with your love of creating to help those less fortunate? Click on the Comments link to share your story. Posted Dec 20 2007, 12:57 AM by atgadmin with no comments Filed under: children, embroidery designs, gift idea, embroidery thread, babies, charity project, polar fleece, star bunting, water soluble stabilizer

• Embroidered Shirt to Honor a Veteran’s Commitment

  Each of our veterans is a true hero who has made a commitment to serve in times of war or peace. Our veterans deserve the full measure of our respect. This project was submitted by Sue Ellen Parker. Sue Ellen used her creative talents to show her loved one and others how proud she was of their dedication and the sacrifices they have made. Sue Ellen's Description I decorated a sweatshirt for myself and a shirt for my husband for when we went to Washington, D.C. for the 25th anniversary of the Viet Nam Memorial. My husband co-founded the Tan Son Nhut Association for anyone who was stationed at or passed through the Saigon airport during the war. He was quite surprised by the designs I embroidered and the old patches I sewed on the shirt. When he wore the shirt, he met other veterans who served during the Tet Offensive in 1968. It was quite a conversation piece for him! Step-by-step Once I had the shirt and sweatshirt, I looked online for various patriotic designs: flags, eagles, etc. I chose the location to place them. Since sleeves are impossible for me to work on as a "newby," that's where I placed the old patches. What Makes This Project Special? It was for my husband. He does everything for everyone and never expects anything in return. It was fun surprising him. Skill Level Since I'm new to this craft, I'd say a beginner could complete it with patience. Products I used embroidery (40-wt.) polyester thread, iron on stabilizer (it's easier for me to use) and shirts we already had. Time Investment I worked on and off for about a week and a half about two to three hours a night. Why I Love This Project Because my husband needed to know I was proud of him as an Air Force veteran who had been in Viet Nam. It was something all the vets I spoke to around Veterans' Day needed to hear. Send Us Your Creations Do you have any creations that go with a great story? If so, we'd love to hear about them, and see them! If we choose to post your project, you'll get a free $25 gift certificate to use in the AnnTheGran.com online store. Click here for details on how to submit your creation. What Would You Do? As a novice embroiderer Sue Ellen avoided embroidering on the sleeves of her garments. Do you have a special technique for embroidering on hard-to-sew areas like sleeves? Click on the Comments link to share your technique. Posted Dec 12 2007, 01:03 AM by atgadmin with 1 comment(s) Filed under: iron-on stabilizer, sweatshirt, polyester thread, veteran, flag designs, patriotic designs

• Embroidered Greetings Cards

  Our international trend continues this week with a project from Jean Isley in England. Growing up during WW2, Jean did a lot of knitting and hand embroidery at a very young age. Her love of crafting carried over into her adult life and early this year she received an embroidery machine as a Golden Wedding anniversary gift. Already it is considered to be one of her most treasured presents and she is sharing her gift with others in both traditional and unique ways. Recently she took inspiration from some very old silk cards and has made some very special greeting cards for the most treasured people in her life. I'm honored that she is now sharing her story with our community. Jean's Description I am an English 'Crafter' very, very appreciative of your free embroidery designs. Using your free designs, I am busy making Christmas Greeting Cards to give to Members of our Carpet Bowls club. To date, I have made in excess of 30 cards - some in the form of postcards, some traditional cards. Step by Step: Download and convert design zip files to JEF format & Janome hoop sizes (or whatever format you need for your machine). Transfer to embroidery card ready for stitching design. To be 'frugal' with top and backing materials I like to use the B hoop and position designs to enable 4 designs to be stitched. I prefer to use muslin with stitch and tear stabilizer. When making 'envelope' cards in the style of WW1 sweetheart cards I use nylon to simulate silk with see through backing. POSTCARDS: Templates of postcard back on computer - some plain reverse, some with designs on reverse. Stitched design is stuck on to this ready to accommodate the cut-out front. Various embellishments can be added to card for desired effect or before sticking to back, if preferred, front can be embossed. TRADITIONAL CARDS: Made as above with an extra piece of card fixed to left-hand edge and folded back to form an opening card. What Makes This Project Special Making greetings cards has become a passion. I make cards 'in the style of' WW1 silk cards send home by the troops to loved ones back home. Very time consuming but everyone who sees them falls in love with them, so I consider it to be time well spent. Skill Level: When the software has been mastered the possibilities are endless. I'm sure most computer literate people would be able to master the techniques. Products I use a Janome 300E Embroidery machine with Digitizer Pro software. Also necessary for the project is a computer and printer, embroidery designs, thread, compact flash discs, embosser and all the usual glues, peel-offs, embellishments etc. for card making. Time Investment: Quite time consuming. Obviously an elaborate stitched design takes much longer than a simple one. Assembly of the card can take up to 1 hour, thinking time takes longer in some cases more than others!! Why I Love This Project My husband bought my machine for a Golden Wedding Anniversary gift in April, 2007. Before that time I had done nothing like this at all. As a very small child, during WW2, I always had craft projects, mostly making knitted socks, gloves, and dolls dressed in uniforms to sell for the war effort. I even remember embroidering tablecloths on flour sacks (I have no idea where or how my mother was able to acquire the materials when everything was dependent on coupons). When a friend come across some WW1 silk cards that had belonged to her Grandmother, I thought they were beautiful and wondered how I could make cards remotely like them. The embroidery machine enables me to do this, but they take even more time to make & are left for very special occasions. Send Us Your Creations Do you have any creations that go with a great story? If so, we'd love to hear about them, and see them! If we choose to post your project, you'll get a free $25 gift certificate to use in the AnnTheGran.com online store. Click here for details on how to submit your creation. What Would You Do? Jean received her embroidery machine as a present for a very special anniversary. Click on the Comments link to share with us when and why you received your first embroidery machine. Posted Dec 06 2007, 10:14 AM by atgadmin with no comments Filed under: catalog xpress, gift idea, christmas, stabilizer, digitizing software, crystals, wedding anniversary, greeting cards