AnnTheBlogger : christmas

Personal Holiday Greeting from Ann (AnnTheGran) Cobb

atgadmin — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 21:55:00 GMT

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.

Embroidered Greetings Cards

atgadmin — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 15:14:00 GMT

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.

Christmas Tree Skirt from Table Runners

atgadmin — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:19:00 GMT

To take a simple or plain idea and mold it into something personal and unique is always rewarding. Michelle Gauthier created a special Christmas tree skirt to become a focal point for holiday cheer in her home. Without spending a lot she gave of her time and love to bring special smiles to those around her. This is a clever and simple way to make a tree skirt, but if you insist on the Battenburg lace variety, you can find them on my site.

Michelle's Description
I made this skirt out of 3 1/2 table runners that I purchased from the Dollar Store. I chose to use two different colors, but three could be used, or it could all be made from one color. I have to give full credit to AnnTheGran embroidery design contributer Diane Carothers, whose snowman designs inspired me to make something out of them.

Step by Step:
I took the 4 table runners, purchased for one dollar each. I cut them in half so that I could double the tassled ends available to me. I chose to use Christmas red, and cream, and alternated, sewing together along the already finished seams. On the cream pieces, I embroidered the snowman designs by Diane Carothers. Once the embroideries were completed and the pieces were sewn together, I simply turned the top edge under and under a second time to form a pocket to run a fancy cord through.

The purpose of this is a drawstring to pull the top of the piece around the trunk of the tree and gather it to make it look fuller. Once the drawstring was fed through, it was as simple as tying the drawstring around the trunk and straightening the skirt out around the base of the tree.

What Makes This Project Special
I started with something simple and the result was an expensive-looking, original tree skirt that is one-of-a-kind. I am excited to present this easy, attractive and inexpensive idea to the sewing community. I hope that others are able to take my idea and expand on it in ways I haven't yet thought of - and then let me know how you have improved on the idea.

Skill Level
I think that this is a very simple project and might be good for beginner or budding seamstresses. I would also suggest trying applique designs on the panels, as this would be an attractive variation. Even to put padding under the applique would be really cute.

Products
Table Runners
Snowman Designs
Attractive Cord (for drawstring)

Time Invested
The entire project, once embroidery was complete, takes approx. 30 minutes. The embroidery is something you can do while doing other stuff around your house.

Why I Love This Project
My kids love the idea that the tree skirt is special and unique and their friends' families do not have anything like it under their tree. That is what makes it worth the work, I think. Seeing smiling faces at Christmas time is the best! I hope you can all enjoy my idea and make a tree skirt for your home that is uniquely your own.

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?
Michelle used simple $1 runners to inexpensively create an item that can sometimes be quite expensive to buy. Click on the Comments link to tell us about the most creative item you have used to make a decorative project.

The Perfect Gift - Embroidered Wine Bottle Bags

atgadmin — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 08:37:00 GMT

Tuck a bottle of their favorite beverage inside a festive wrap - no wrapping paper required. Trisch Rosema's embroidered gifts of wine got rave reviews even though they were quick and easy. What a lovely hostess gift one of these custom wine bags would make! Or you could do as Trisch did and make a special beverage wrap for everyone on your list.

Trisch’s Description
Easy to make wine bottle bags. These will fit a standard 750ml wine bottle but you can adjust the measurements to fit any size. Make it extra special by embellishing with beads, hot-fix crystals, craft shapes, holly, bells etc – let your imagination run riot!

Step-By-Step Instructions
Below is how to make them out of felt or any other fabric that does not require overlocking. If this doesn't fit what you are doing, leave me a comment here on Ann's Blog and I'll see if I can help.

Measure your wine bottle and determine the size of the red fabric by taking 75 % of the length of the bottle. Do the same for the white, using 25%. Remember to allow for seams and keep the width of the fabric a little looser around the bottle to allow for easy insertion.

Hoop up the red fabric, centered on a large hoop with the bottle length of the fabric running vertically. Embroider the holiday design of your choice. Stitch white fabric to red fabric at top. (Tip: use pinking shears or decorative scissors to finish off the top edge of the white).

Stitch up sides of combined fabrics. Stitch bottom closed (Tip: to remove bulk, stitch a 45degree seam on both sides to make an ‘envelope’ effect and trim away bulk).

Insert bottle of wine. Loop green ribbon around the neck and thread beads to end of green ribbon. Tie securely.

Embellish with additional sparkly stars or include a cute festive cork and personalise with a gift tag.

What makes this project special
Because Christmas is in the heat of summer in the Southern Hemisphere, gifts such as fresh fruit, nuts and wines are top of the list when we’re invited to friends for dinners during the Festive Season. We are so lucky to have some of the finest vineyards in the world here in South Africa, so making a special gift bag is a way of making sure we show our appreciation for the hard work our winemakers have put into their product!

Skill level
No need to be a skilled seamstress. As long as you can stitch straight lines, you can make this bag!

Products
1 piece red fabric 13.2" x 12"

1 piece white fabric 6.2" x 12"

4 pieces green ribbon 15"

2 gold or silver beads

Design of your choice

Cottons colours of your choice

Stabilizer

I used my own embroidery designs. On some of the embroidery I used metallic threads – slowed my machine down a bit and used the right needle to make sure my project sewed out beautifully. I also added a few seed beads here and there. The fabric I chose to use is Fasco, a pure 100% cotton, because of the heat here in South Africa. I would, however, make these out of felt if I lived in the snow because it would give a ‘warmer’ feel to this project.

Time Investment
Rather than making one bag at a time, I spent a weekend embroidering about 30 and then made them up sausage-factory style… stitch all sides, add all tops, insert all ribbons and so on. But if you had to make a single one, I’d say you’re looking at about an hour’s work, depending on the complexity of the embroidery design you’ve used.

Why I love this project
Because every person who received one of these was so overwhelmed at the effort made to give them a simple bottle of wine!

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?
Trisch added sparkling stars to some of her bags to give them extra holiday shine. Do you have a special way to make your holiday embroidery projects sparkle or shine? Click on the Comments link to share your ideas.

Quick Project - Blackwork Placemats

atgadmin — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 09:26:00 GMT

We wanted to create a design collection that you could use to add some classic style to your project whether you are embroidering evening accessories, elegant linens or an heirloom piece. My Blackwork collection is a versatile set of ornamental designs, professionally digitized for beautiful results in any color.

Supplies needed:

Purchased fabric placemats with 1 ½” border and coordinating napkins
Designs of choice from Ann the Gran’s Classical Blackwork Collection
Tear-a-way stabilizer such as Ann’s medium Tear Away with adhesive back
Or if you don’t want any stabilizer left on the back try Ann’s Water Soluble adhesive back.
Embroidery thread

Placemat

Choose the design you would like to embroider (we used design black-02).

In your machine or software bring the design in 3 times and align horizontally with points touching as shown in picture. Save the design in your format. If you do not have a large hoop you can rehoop and sew the design 3 times along a placement line.

If aligned in software print a full size template and pin to the placemat as shown. Otherwise, draw a placement line with a wash away marker or other temporary fabric pencil (be sure to test if delicate fabric was chosen when buying your placemats).

Hoop the stabilizer in a 6” X10” hoop with adhesive side up.

Adhere the placemat to the adhesive using your template or lines as a placement guide. Place the hoop on your machine. Be sure the needle lines up with the center point of your template or placement line. Remove the template.

Embroider the designs and remove the stabilizer.

Napkins

Stitch edging lines in coordinating colors along the outside edges of the napkin if desired. Begin the first stitching line ½” from outer edge of napkin and repeat ¼” towards the center twice.

Choose the design you would like to embroider (we used number black-02b).

In your machine or software bring the design in and rotate 45 degrees. Add a basting stitch if your software has that feature. Save the design in your format.

If rotated in software print a full size template and pin to the napkin corner . Otherwise, draw a placement line with a wash away marker or other temporary fabric pencil (be sure to test if delicate fabric was chosen when buying your napkins).

Hoop the stabilizer in a 4”X4” hoop with adhesive side up.

Adhere the napkin to the adhesive using your template or drawn lines as a placement guide. Place the hoop on your machine. Be sure the needle lines up with the center point and your horizontal and vertical placement lines where you want them. If you added a basting stitch embroider it now and check your alignment. Adjust if necessary.

Embroider the design and remove the stabilizer.

Remember Classical Blackwork is beautiful in any color you choose for your project.

Here are a couple more quick and easy ideas using this collection.

Notes Box

Purchase a box of note cards or photo box with a frame or create a frame for one you have. Our box had an opening of 3”X4”. Rotate the design if necessary and add lettering using the built in fonts on your machine or using lettering software programs such as Amazing Designs Personalize and Stitch. Stitch on whatever fabric you desire using a medium weight stabilizer. Cut the fabric and stabilizer to fit inside your frame and slide in. A cute gift with a personalized touch.

Elegant Hand Towel

Embroider a row of any design you choose along piece of fabric 18” by 6”. Fold under ½” all the way around and press. Fold bottom in another ½”, press and stitch along folded edge. Pin a 17” piece of trim along the bottom and stitch in place. Fold top in another ½” and stitch along to hem. Place on hand towel aligning bottom edge and leaving ½” on each side of towel. Stitch along top edge of embroidered fabric piece to attach to a standard size hand towel. Fold sides to back of towel and stitch in place along top and bottom seams. What an elegant towel.

Send Us Your Creations

Do you have any creations of which you are especially proud? 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?

I used purchased placemats and napkins. What is your favorite purchased item on which to do embroidery? Please use the Comments link below to let us know.