Hey, it's December and here's the last freebie

 

Wow!, I don't know about you but I'm SOOOOO glad to see the end of this year. It's been another bad one for us with one thing breaking after another. I'm still deciding whether to do a monthly series next year or not. I have the designs drawn but finding time is as always stressful. I do have all 12 of this years designs sewn together and basted with batting and backing. Just have to make time for some quilting. I'm wasting too much time with games instead of working. It's my way of dealing with stress. Oh, and eating too much. Hope you liked this year's free patterns!

If you want to do other free embroidery designs you'll find one for each month.

Here are the directions for December's freebie. 

1. Cut a square of your background fabric 4 1/4" x 4 1/4". If you aren't adding borders like I did you should cut the fabric larger so it will fit in your embroidery hoop.

2. Using a permanent fine tip marker like a Pigma pen, trace the designs. You can also skip the grass lines and just stitch them where you want them. The leaves can be marked with a dot at the tip and at the stem.

3. Add the lace and ribbon across the bottom. I just basted them in place. You can sew the pieces down however you like. I'm going to add beads instead of just sewing the fabric in place so I'm leaving the basting stitches until then.

4. Add the borders following the directions in the freebie posted in February. The borders cover the bottom of the lace. If you don't want this either use narrow lace or add it after you add the borders.

5. Next is the appliqued bird. You can embroider it if you don't want to deal with small pieces of fabric. I used my favorite Heat n Bond by Therm-o-web to attach the pieces. Then I did a blanket stitch with 2 strands of floss (I used DMC 603).

6. Do a running stitch with 2 strands of floss on the heart wing and chest. (I used DMC 598).

7. Outline the wings with 3 strands of floss using a stem stitch. (I used DMC 597).

8. The body is done with 4 strands of floss to do a backstitch.(I used DMC 603). Use 3 strands to weave in and out of the back stitches. (I used DMC 601).

9. The eye is a 2 wrap French knot using 3 strands. (I used DMC 310).

10. The tail is made with 2 strands of floss to do the chain stitches. (I used DMC 601 and 598).

11. The nest is made with 3 strands of floss to make straight stitches. (I used DMC 725). The dots can be french knots or beads.

12. The dangles in the corner are couched. I used 3 strands of DMC 725 for the lines, 2 strands of DMC 601 for the X's, and 3 strands of DMC 597 for the French knots. Use beads if you prefer.

Right click the pattern to save it to your hard drive. 

©Billie Jo Heisler 2022

All rights reserved

 Disclaimer:

I drew this design by hand then used a software program to edit it.

Please consider the drawing copyrighted. You have my permission to print copies of the drawing in any size for your own use but not to share or sell. If you want to share the pattern please link to the blog pages.

The embroidery design is my own. I have not knowingly copied anyone else's work.

Here's the November Free Embroidery! and a chat...

 

It's been a crazy time yet again. The fridge broke in the summer and because it was so old no one but one guy wanted to work on it. He couldn't fix it so we had to get a new one. Now it's the old freezer. Since we couldn't wait this time we bought a small chest freezer. AND if that wasn't bad enough the DH found out his old Jeep will take about $3,000 to fix to pass inspection. I'm so worried that my old Pontiac Vibe won't pass either. It goes in next week. Guess this is proof hanging on to old appliances and cars may not be a good thing unless you know how to fix them.

Oh well, let's move on and here's the new embroidery.

If you want to do other free embroidery designs you'll find one for each month.

Here are the directions for November's freebie. 

1. Cut a square of your background fabric 4 1/4" x 4 1/4". If you aren't adding borders like I did you should cut the fabric larger so it will fit in your embroidery hoop.

2. Using a permanent fine tip marker like a Pigma pen, trace the designs. You can also skip the grass lines and just stitch them where you want them. The leaves can be marked with a dot at the tip and at the stem.

3. Add the fabric corner triangles and rectangle. I just basted them in place. Since the fabric was solid I put a piece of dotted ribbon over the rectangle. You can sew the pieces down however you like. I'm going to add beads instead of just sewing the fabric in place so I'm leaving the basting stitches until then.

4. Add the borders following the directions in the freebie posted in February.

5. Next are the stems and leaves. I used 3 strands of floss to do the stem in stem stitch. The leaves are small lazy daisy stitches using 3 strands of floss. (I used DMC 701 for both).

6. For the grass line use 2 strands and chain stitch along the line. The grass is made with 1 strand of floss to do straight stitches. (I used DMC 704 for both).

7.The flowers are made with 6 strands of floss to do buttonhole stitch in circles (I used DMC 725).

8. You can do French knots for the dots or use seed beads for the knots on the leaves. I used 3 strands of floss (I used DMC 725).

9. Optional: add clusters of buttons or beads on the triangles.

Right click the pattern to save it to your hard drive. 

©Billie Jo Heisler 2022

All rights reserved

 Disclaimer:

I drew this design by hand then used a software program to edit it.

Please consider the drawing copyrighted. You have my permission to print copies of the drawing in any size for your own use but not to share or sell. If you want to share the pattern please link to the blog pages.

The embroidery design is my own. I have not knowingly copied anyone else's work.

October Free Embroidery

 Sorry this is late but at least I am getting it up. It's been busy and I just kept putting it off. There have been a lot of free art classes lately, too. I make the time to watch them but don't have time to do any of the art. Very frustrating! Lifebook2023 taster sessions are going on till the 9th. Hopefully Tam will extend them another week so I might be able to do a few classes.

If you want to do other free embroidery designs you'll find one for each month.

Here are the directions for October's freebie. 

1. Cut a square of your background fabric 4 1/4" x 4 1/4". If you aren't adding borders like I did you should cut the fabric larger so it will fit in your embroidery hoop.

2. Using a permanent fine tip marker like a Pigma pen, trace the designs. For the flowers skip the dots. You can also skip the grass lines and just stitch them where you want them. The leaves can be marked with a dot at the tip and at the stem.

3. Add the corner triangles. I did a blanket stitch along the edges that won't be covered with the borders.

4. Add the borders following the directions in the freebie posted in February.

5. Starting with the stems use 2 strands of floss (I used DMC 702) to back stitch on the lines. You can also substitute stem stitch.

6. Next are the leaves. I used 2 strands of floss to do small lazy daisy stitches (I used DMC 702).

7. For the grass use 2 strands to back stitch or straight stitch each blade (I used DMC 704).

8.The rose are made with 2 strands of floss (I used DMC 601) to make the spokes. Use all 6 strands to weave.

9. You can do French knots for the dots or use seed beads like I am

10. Optional: add clusters of buttons or beads on the triangles.

Right click the pattern to save it to your hard drive. 

©Billie Jo Heisler 2022

All rights reserved

 Disclaimer:

I drew this design by hand then used a software program to edit it.

Please consider the drawing copyrighted. You have my permission to print copies of the drawing in any size for your own use but not to share or sell. If you want to share the pattern please link to the blog pages.

The embroidery design is my own. I have not knowingly copied anyone else's work.

September Free Embroidery early!!!!

 

Hey, I'm a day  early! The DHs bd and our anniversary is this week and we'll be celebrating tomorrow since he'll be working on the weekend. I have all of the embroideries done (finally), now comes putting them all together so I can get a pic for Dec.

If you want to do other free embroidery designs you'll find one for each month.

Here are the directions for September's freebie. 

1. Cut a square of your background fabric 4 1/4" x 4 1/4". If you aren't adding borders like I did you should cut the fabric larger so it will fit in your embroidery hoop.

2. Using a permanent fine tip marker like a Pigma pen, trace the designs. For the flowers skip the lines and dots in the petals. You can also skip the grass lines and just stitch them where you want them. Don't draw the lace lines unless you plan on embroidering on them.

3. Add ribbon, lace, or a piece of fabric along the top edge. I'll be adding  beads after the blocks ae sewn togther.

4. Add the borders following the directions in the freebie posted in February.

5. Starting with the base of the flowers use 2 strands of floss (I used DMC 702) to fill in each section with lazy daisy stitches. It will take at least 4.

6. Next are the flower petals. I used 2 strands of floss to back stitch along the drawn lines (I used DMC 603).

7. Fill in the flower petals following the diagram. Do 1 French knot at the top of each petal with 2 strands of floss (I used DMC 604) and did 2 wraps.

- Use the same floss for the long straight stitches following the photo for placement.

8.The stems and leaf curls are made with 2 strands of floss (I used DMC 702). Stitch on the traced lines doing a back stitch.

9. At the bottom make the grass with 2 strands of floss (I used DMC 702) for straight stitches. Add as much as you like.

Right click the pattern to save it to your hard drive. 

©Billie Jo Heisler 2022

All rights reserved

 Disclaimer:

I drew this design by hand then used a software program to edit it.

Please consider the drawing copyrighted. You have my permission to print copies of the drawing in any size for your own use but not to share or sell. If you want to share the pattern please link to the blog pages.

The embroidery design is my own. I have not knowingly copied anyone else's work.

If you are an unlucky person you gotta see this movie--

 

I'm an unlucky person. I'm the one you see stepping on a snow pile only to find there's an ice cold puddle under the snow. I'm the one whose paper checks stick in the reader machines. I'm the one who locked herself out of a car and the house multiple times. There's a lot more but why depress you. So the reason for all this is the movie in the pic above. It's on apple+, which I got for free for 4 months since I bought a new iphone. Had to since I was using my brother's hand me down and it was becoming obsolete. I've come to terms with having bad luck so when I saw this movie being advertised I knew I had to watch it. I loved it so much I'll be watching it again.

The latest bit of bad luck is all the poison ivy I've got. It's so bad I was ready to go to the dr. but then I remembered at the moment I don't really have a dr. I keep forgetting to find one. So instead I used LOTS of lotions to dry it out and stop the itch. From my toes to one side of my neck there are patches. Some are scratched up bad because I'm scratching them in my sleep. First it was my neck, then my legs, and now I'm trying not to scratch up my arms. Where did all this come from? The dogs and cats.  I'm no longer holding or hugging them, and I yell at them a lot to stay away from my legs. If it wasn't so warm I'd be in long pants. Because I even have some on both hands I wear gloves when I fix food or need to carry the kitten. The ivy is growing everywhere in the woods so the furry kids run thru it and brush it on me. The DH has a small patch on one arms and after seeing how bad I have it he's now being careful, too. Oh well, I'm off to put another coat of calamine on. Did you know it comes in clear, not just the pink stuff?

New menber of the family.......maybe

 

This little kitty showed up a few days ago so it looks like for the first time we have 2 cats. Jingles doesn't seem to mind so far but after his health scare we don't want any stress to make it come back. The dogs of course think this is a new playmate but the kitty is probably only 7-9 weeks old and is WAY too small to deal with 2 crazy cocker spaniels. It's so small we're not sure if it a boy or girl yet. I'm going to put a sign up about finding it where the drive turns to the main road just in case it's a missing kitten. Would really hate to keep it if it belongs to someone else.

The DH wants to call it Oscar but I think it's a girl and want to call it Emmy, short from Emmaline. I'll post whatever happens.

August Freebie and a chat------

 And here it goes again........ another problem appliance. This time it's the starters on the gas stove. I mean what's next? Oh yeah it was the facet on the basement sink leaking for days and no one noticed. I'm beginning to think I shouldn't touch stuff just in case I break it. Then there were the 3 times my car was almost hit. It was like I look and no one is around then a car comes going WAY too fast for the road and I'm screaming and moving as fast as I can to get out of the way. 

It's been just too crazy this year. I got a Fitbit so I can work on all the anxiety I'm getting from life. There are videos to listen too to help get calm. It's also helping me keep track of exercising and how little sleep I get.

So let's just move on and I'll list the freebie.

If you want to do other free embroidery designs you'll find one for each month.

Here are the directions for August's freebie. 

1. Cut a square of your background fabric 4 1/4" x 4 1/4". If you aren't adding borders like I did you should cut the fabric larger so it will fit in your embroidery hoop.

2. Using a permanent fine tip marker like a Pigma pen, trace the designs. For the flowers just make a dot for the french knots on the end. Only mark the tips. You can also skip the leaves and just stitch them where you want them.

3. Add ribbon, lace, or a piece of fabric on the right side. Notice that my ribbon is pinned in place. I'm still deciding what I'll do on it, I may just add beads and not the embroidery.

4. Add the borders following the directions in the freebie posted in February.

5. Starting with the stems use 2 strands of floss (I used DMC 701) to stem stitch along each stem line.

6. Next I did the leaves, though you can do them later. I used 4 strands of floss to do chain stitches in 2 shades of green floss (I used DMC 701 and 703). Make as many leaves as you want.

7. Fill in the flower ovals with french knots make with 3 strands of floss (I used DMC 807) and did 3 wraps.

- Use 2 strands of floss (I used DMC 598) to make lazy daisy stitches at the bottom of the ovals. Do 2 -3 rows following the photo for placement.

8. At the bottom make the X's with 3 strands of floss (I used DMC 807).

Right click the pattern to save it to your hard drive. 

©Billie Jo Heisler 2022

All rights reserved

 Disclaimer:

I drew this design by hand then used a software program to edit it.

Please consider the drawing copyrighted. You have my permission to print copies of the drawing in any size for your own use but not to share or sell. If you want to share the pattern please link to the blog pages.

The embroidery design is my own. I have not knowingly copied anyone else's work.

July's late but still free embroidery

 

This embroidery has a big empty space. I'll be adding a charm there with some beads. I'm also planning on putting beads in the center of each flower. I may add some beads along the edge of the triangles. I'm using pink and green fabrics but this embroidery done in blue would look like forget-me-nots. You can also add more flowers and leaves.

If you want to do other free embroidery designs you'll find one for each month.

Here are the directions for July's freebie. 

1. Cut a square of your background fabric 4 1/4" x 4 1/4". If you aren't adding borders like I did you should cut the fabric larger so it will fit in your embroidery hoop.

2. Using a permanent fine tip marker like a Pigma pen, trace the design. Don't draw the lines for the flowers, just make a dot for the french knots on the end. Notice that the french knots are marked on the pattern. Add them where you want or use seed beads. Since the flowers and the leaves are made with lazy daisy stitches you may want to skip marking the leaves and just use the photo for placement.

3.  Pin the triangle pieces of fabric to the white background fabric following pattern for placement. I used my favorite Heat n Bond by Therm-o-web to attach the triangles. Then I did a blanket stitch with 3 strands of floss (I used DMC 601).

4. Add the borders following the directions in the freebie posted in February.

5. Starting with the vines use 3 strands of floss (I used DMC 704) to stem stitch along the lines.

- For the curls use 2 strands of the same floss to do tiny back stitches.

6. Make the flowers with 4 strands of floss (I used DMC 603 and 604) and do lazy daisy stitches.

- For the center use yellow floss or seed beads. For french knots use 3 strands of floss doing 3 wraps. I plan on using beads. 

7. The leaves are made with 4 strands of floss (I used DMC 703) for the lazy daisy stitches. I used long anchor stitches at the tips. Add more if you want.

8. Add french knots around the flowers using 3 strands of floss (I used DMC 601). Use beads of you prefer.

Right click the pattern to save it to your hard drive. 

©Billie Jo Heisler 2022

All rights reserved

 Disclaimer:

I drew this design by hand then used a software program to edit it.

Please consider the drawing copyrighted. You have my permission to print copies of the drawing in any size for your own use but not to share or sell. If you want to share the pattern please link to the blog pages.

The embroidery design is my own. I have not knowingly copied anyone else's work.

I'm late but I've got a really good reason...

 and here it is, the puppy ate the cord for my laptop. Sounds like the old school lie of the dog ate my homework doesn't it?  It was down to 35 percent before I realized that it wasn't charging. How the little guy didn't zap himself I don't know. I have an old Lenovo running win7, it was the DHs so he insisted on finding an original cord. I now know I should have bought one of those chargers I see on HSN all the time so I wouldn't have had to wait for the one I found on ebay to come.

I've had it for about 2 weeks but more stuff got in the way. The fridge broke and I couldn't find a repair person to come out for 3 weeks. I finally found a guy but he seems lost about fixing it. We are ready to give up and buy a new one. If he does fix it then we'll have a full size extra instead of the mini fridge I've been using.

Then there's the problem with the 1 year 2 months old  washer that has decided it will only work correctly in one setting. Of course it's not covered in the warranty so I'm making due. I hated the thing after we bought it but it was on floor model sale and not returnable. Get this, we paid $650 for it and now the repair guy wants $450 to repair/replace the computer board.

Oh, and I can't forget the UTI, though I wish I could. While dealing with all of this some friends went on vacation and I had agreed to watch their dogs before life decided to ____ on me. (You fill it in.)  Luc ky for me the meds worked so I could walk the dogs 6 times a day along with feeding them 2 times a day. Talk about extreme anxiety and panic attacks.

So anyway all of this is why I'm very late with July's free embroidery. I'll be posting it next. I thought I'd put it in another post so if you print the directions you don't have all this to deal with.

As always I have too many projects going and I'm taking too many art classes so of course not much gets finished. I do have the August freebie embroidered but have to do the pattern. Fingers and toes crossed nothing else goes wrong. Jeeze louise did I just jinx myself?

Some Free Classes You May Like

 

I'm always taking free art classes but never get around to posting my results. I used to take lots of photos of whatever I was making but now I find I just don't think about it. The above painting was from an Effy Wild class. Far from perfect but it was fun. She often is part of free art classes.

This is mixed media from a class by Christa Forrest. Her work is so amazing. I usually just watch and don't make anything. She joins in various art summits and also hosts free classes. Christa has Fantastic Faces 3 on June 25 and 26. 

This one is from a Jenny Manno Tuesday youtube video. She has a lot of fun ones and a facebook group I belong to. Sadly she won't be doing free videos soon. She's going to do them just for her Patreon site.

So you say, hey what about some free links? Here they are:

All you who embroidery there's a summit going on right now. I meant to post about this last week - Embroidery Summit 2022

Yay Kalidescope 2022 is starting on the 27th. This is the taster week. The full pay-for classes begin in August. These classes last year were responsible for me really getting into art and supplies.

On June 19 Another Women Unleashed Summit is starting. There are some art classes and some spiritual ones. 

I'll try to keep up with posting interesting links when I first find them. 

June's Free Embroidery Pattern

 I honestly plan on posting more often and then I get busy working thru all the email newsletters I get, all the online classes I try to take, and then there's the games. I can't help but wonder if I was the kind of person who once they started something they finish it, just how much would I have accomplished over the years since I began designing. Oh well, it's a case of coulda, woulda, shoulda, so why stress over it.

Enough of all that cause here's something I have finished, June's freebie!

We have so many dandelions that have gone to seed in the yard that when I mow all I do is sneeze and cough. That's why I chose this embroidery for June. It seemed so appropriate. 

BTW, I found some tiny bottles at Dollar Tree and I'm going to put some of the seed fluff in them. I have some charms with WISH that I'll tie around the top and probably add some beads and ribbon, too. Cute gifts for the little kids in my life. Maybe you'd like to make some for the kids in your life.

If you want to do other free embroidery designs you'll find one for each month.

Here are the directions for June's freebie. 

1. Cut a square of your background fabric 4 1/4" x 4 1/4". If you aren't adding borders like I did you should cut the fabric larger so it will fit in your embroidery hoop.

2. Using a permanent fine tip marker like a Pigma pen, trace the design. Don't draw the lines for the fluff, just make a dot for the french knots on the end. Same for the lazy daisy stitches. Only mark the tips. You can also skip the grass and just stitch them where you want them.

3. Add the borders following the directions in the freebie posted in February

4. Starting with the stems use 3 strands of floss (I used DMC 702) to stem stitch along each stem line.

5. Next I did the grass, though you can do it later. I used 3 strands of floss to do back stitches (I used DMC 704). Make as much grass as you want.

6. Fill in the flower circles with french knots make with 3 strands of floss (I used DMC 725) and did 3 wraps.

- Use 2 strands of floss (I used DMC 702) to make lazy daisy stitches at the bottom of the circles.

7. The fluff is made with 1 strand of floss (I used DMC 415) for long straight stitches and 2 strands for the french knots. For the knots I did some with 2 wrap and some with 3.

8. The laced border starts with a running stitch using 3 strands of floss (I used DMC 702).

-Working up and down lace 6 strands of floss thru the running stitches (I used DMC 598).

Right click the pattern to save it to your hard drive.

©Billie Jo Heisler 2022

All rights reserved

 Disclaimer:

I drew this design by hand then used a software program to edit it.

Please consider the drawing copyrighted. You have my permission to print copies of the drawing in any size for your own use but not to share or sell. If you want to share the pattern please link to the blog pages.

The embroidery design is my own. I have not knowingly copied anyone else's work.

May's Free Embroidery and Jingles is a bit better

 

It's been a crazy couple of weeks. First it was Jingles getting sick and now it's the new puppy the DH went to Canada for.

First I'll talk about Jings. He's on 3 meds, one is to make sure he's eating. Well he is, way too much and is now over weight. He's also having trouble using his litterbox. He goes in but instead of turning around to pee, he's peeing out the front. I have a large tray with pee towel pads down to catch the overflow. I've pushed him in and turned him around but it's just not sinking in. It may be the other drugs he's on. They make him kinda dopey. He even left a stranger pet him yesterday which is VERY unusual for him.

Now the new puppy. He's 9 weeks old and is an English cocker spaniel like Micah but black with a white spot on his chest. The DH named him Tinker. It's a name he's been wanting to use since Dillon. I wanted to call him Cory because he's colored like our first cocker that was named Cory and I like that name. The DH didn't want to 're-use' a name so he finally got his Tinker who we all know will be called Tinker Bell. More about him later since I really need to get moving on posting this freebie while I can get some time.

Here's my favorite embroidery so far. I hope you'll like it, too. Oh, by the way, since May is my birthday month all the pdfs of my patterns are on sale at my Etsy store. They will be 20 % off all month long.

If you want to do the other free embroidery design you'll find one for each month. Check passed posts.

Here are the directions for May's freebie. 

1. Cut a square of your background fabric 4 1/4" x 4 1/4". If you aren't adding borders like I did you should cut the fabric larger so it will fit in your embroidery hoop.

2. Using a permanent fine tip marker like a Pigma pen, trace the design.

3. Pin the triangle pieces of fabric to the white background fabric following pattern for placement. I used my favorite Heat n Bond by Therm-o-web to attach the triangles. Then I did a blanket stitch with 3 strands of floss (I used DMC 598).

4. Add the borders following the directions in the freebie posted in February.

5. Cut out the heart wing and the bird's chest piece. Again I used Heat n Bond by Therm-o-web to attach them. Do a blanket stitch around them with 2 strands of floss (DMC 598).

- Next comes a running stitch just inside the blanket stitch using 3 strands of floss (DMC 3810).

-Use 3 strands of floss (DMC white) to backstitch next to the running stitch on the chest and heart.

- Use the same thread to make a long straight stitch and 3 french knots in both halves of the heart.

- Stem stitch the tail using 2 strands of floss (DMC 3810).

-Use the same thread to back stitch the bird's body.

- The beak is back stitch using 2 strands of floss (DMC 725).

- The eye is made with 4 strands of black floss to make a french knot.

6. The branch is couched. I used 12 strands of floss for the thick area and 6 for the thinner branches. I used 3 strands for the couching stitches (DMC 632).

7. The flowers are lazy daisy stitches made with 3 strands of floss (DMC 603).

- Leaves are also lazy daisy (DMC 704).  Follow the pattern for where to make them or add as many flowers and leaves as you want.

- The center are french knots or beads. I'm going to use beads. They will be added after sewing the quilt together.

Right click the pattern to save it to your hard drive. You'll need to print a pattern for tracing and one for cutting out the triangles, chest piece, and the heart.

©Billie Jo Heisler 2022

All rights reserved

 Disclaimer: I drew this design by hand then used a software program to edit it.

Please consider the drawing copyrighted. You have my permission to print copies of the drawing in any size for your own use but not to share or sell. If you want to share the pattern please link to the blog pages.

The embroidery design is my own. I have not knowingly copied anyone else's work.

Not much time to spend on internet right now

 

This is my cat, Jingles and he's the reason I'm both too tired to spend much time online and do any sewing. The sweet boy has a bladder infection and almost died last week. So far he's doing well but now that we've done some research on the illness it's a 50-50 chance whether it won't come back. We're almost up to $3,000. Easy to see why pet health insurance is becoming more popular.

Love your furry babies because you never know what may happen. After losing Kaley in 2020 and Dillon last year, I'm just not ready for another pet death or people for that matter. Too many family and friends passed in the past 2 years, too.

BTW, the DH went and bought a puppy without telling me. Not a surprise I wanted. He's planning on getting him this weekend but that will depend on getting into Canada. He can't get a real answer to whether or not he needs a passport. He filled everything out for one but it won't be here in time.

The free embroidery for April

 

Yay!!! I'm finally on schedule so this is April's embroidery. I really like how I used ribbon on this embroidery but you can always switch it out for other trims or even embroidery stitches.

Something I didn't include in the first free embroidery was that I'm using a white leaf pattern on white cotton fabric. I found that it's not the easiest fabric to trace a pattern on. I talk more about it on last month's freebie post.

Here are the directions for April's freebie. 

1. Cut a square of your background fabric 4 1/4" x 4 1/4". If you aren't adding borders like I did you should cut the fabric larger so it will fit in your embroidery hoop.

2. Using a permanent fine tip marker like a Micron Pigma pen, trace the design.

3. Baste pieces of ribbon to the fabric following pattern for placement. I used 1/4" and 1/8 inch wide ribbon. I do the embroidery later.

4. Add the borders following the directions in the freebie posted in February.

5. Starting with the ribbon make the cross stitches with all 6 strands of floss (I used DMC 597).

-I'm going to use beads where you see the tiny dots. They will be added after sewing the quilt together. You can use french knots instead.

6. Next do the centers of the flowers. Stem stitch around the oval lines using 3 strands of floss (I used DMC 725).

- In the center of the oval make 3 small cross stitches, side-by-side using the same floss. You can substitute french knots or beads.

7. The petals are back stitched with 3 strands of floss (I used DMC 601).

- The lines are along straight stitch using 3 strands of floss (I used DMC 603).

8. The stems are couched with 6 strands of floss )I used DMC 704) for the base and 3 for the couching. Couch at each spot where you will be adding leaves. At the bottom where there are no leaves continue spacing the couching as if you were still making them.

- The leaves are made with lazy daisy stitches using the same thread. Follow the pattern and your couching places for where to make them.

9. Next I did the grass. I used 3 strands of floss to do straight stitches (I used DMC 703). Make as much grass as you want. For this embroidery I used short straight stitches but last month I made the grass going up. You can always substitute them.

Note: All the dots can be beads or french knots. I didn't do them yet since I plan on adding beads. I'll also be adding beads and french knots on the ribbon.

Right click the pattern to save it to your hard drive. You'll need to print a pattern for tracing.

 

©Billie Jo Heisler 2022

All rights reserved

 Disclaimer:

I drew this design by hand then used a software program to edit it.

Please consider the drawing copyrighted. You have my permission to print copies of the drawing in any size for your own use but not to share or sell. If you want to share the pattern please link to the blog pages.

The embroidery design is my own. I have not knowingly copied anyone else's work.

Here's free embroidery number 3

 

Finally this is March's embroidery. When March comes around I tend to think of St. Pat's Day so this clover seemed right for this month's freebie. I'm still filled with anxiety over what's happening in the world and I hope this embroidery helps you a bit with any stress you may be having by taking some time for yourself.

Something I didn't include in the first free embroidery was that I'm using a white pattern on white cotton fabric. I found that it's not the easiest fabric to trace a pattern on. A brighter day would have been better when I traced the pattern on a window. I just made a light box with some strip lights I bought 2 years ago to make a box for taking pictures but hadn't used. This is a LOT better than using a window. I always planned on buying a light pad but could never decide which to buy so this is a good way to make one with items I already had. I even had the piece of acrylic glass. I was going to cut out tatting shuttles, but again never got around to it.

Here are the directions for "March's" freebie. 

1. Cut a square of your background fabric 4 1/4" x 4 1/4". If you aren't adding borders like I did you should cut the fabric larger so it will fit in your embroidery hoop.

2. Using a permanent marker like a Pigma pen, trace the design.

3. Sew pieces of lace or fabric to the corners of the fabric following the pattern for placement.

4. Add the borders following the directions in the freebie posted in February.

5. Starting with the clover stems use 3 strands of floss (I used DMC 703) to stem stitch along each stem line.

6. For the clovers use the same thread as the stems but use all 6 strands of floss to make 2 lazy daisy stitches for each leaf.

7. Next I did the grass, though you can do it later. I used 3 strands of the same floss to do straight stitches (I used DMC 703). Make as much grass as you want.

8. The flowers are made with 4 strands of floss (I used DMC 604) to make the layers of lazy daisy stitches. Start at the bottom and work up.

-at the base of the flower use 4 strands of floss ( I used DMC 703) to make 2 lazy daisy stitches.

9. All the dots can be beads or french knots. I didn't do them yet since I plan on adding beads. I'll also be adding beads and french knots on the lace.

 Right click the pattern to save it to your hard drive. You'll need to print a pattern for tracing.

©Billie Jo Heisler 2022

All rights reserved

 Disclaimer:

I drew this design by hand then used a software program to edit it.

Please consider the drawing copyrighted. You have my permission to print copies of the drawing in any size for your own use but not to share or sell. If you want to share the pattern please link to the blog pages.

The embroidery design is my own. I have not knowingly copied anyone else's work.

 

Second free embroidery finally

 

This is actually February's embroidery. I was all ready to put it up a week ago but the war in Ukraine happened and I just felt like it was too frivolous to even think about it. Now after reading how other artists are saying we need our art and crafts to help with dealing with all this emotional stress. I do hope it does help you a bit with any stress you may be having.

As someone who has dealt with anxiety and panic attacks since I was a small child I know how creating something can cause the mind to focus and forget about other things. Sometimes reading will help too, but right now for me, I find my mind tends to wander unless it's a book I'm really interested in. That's why more and more I'm turning to my art. I know I should be working on new patterns but I just can't make decisions when I'm stressed. I've been working on 3 new doll patterns since last year but I just can't make a decision about the clothing fabrics. At least when I'm following an art tutorial I just follow the directions, so much easier. Kinda like when you follow my patterns. :)

Something I didn't include in the first free embroidery was that I'm using a white pattern on white cotton fabric. I found that it's not the easiest fabric to trace a pattern on.

Here are the directions for "February's" freebie. 

1. Cut a square of your background fabric 4 1/4" x 4 1/4". If you aren't adding borders like I did you should cut the fabric larger so it will fit in your embroidery hoop.

2. Using a permanent marker like a Pigma pen, trace the design.

3. Sew a piece of lace or fabric to the bottom of the fabric. I sewed 2 layers of lace.

4. Add the borders following the directions in the freebie posted in February.

5. The hearts and tail can be appliqued like I did or just stitched with your favorite embroidery stitch.

-Trace the 3 hearts and the 3 tail pieces on Heat n Bond by Therm-o-web. This is a product that makes appliqueing small pieces so much easier. TIP: Don't hold the iron on for more than just a few seconds or you will also melt the other side.

-Once it cools peel off the paper.

-Lay the fabric pieces over the tracings and iron in place.

-Do a small blanket stitch with 2 strands of floss. For the 2 hanging hearts I used DMC 604, for the wing heart I used DMC 727, and for the tail I used DMC white.

6. The heart dangle lines are back stitched with 3 strands of floss ( I used DMC 704).

-Since the heart fabric didn't have much of a pattern I added 3 french knots on the left one (I used DMC 727, 3 strands) and a lazy daisy flower on the other ( I used DMC 727, 3 strands).

- the dots can be french knots or beads.

7. The bird's body is stem stitched with 2 strands of DMC 310 black.

- the legs are back stitched

- the beak is straight stitched

-the eye is a 3 wrap french knot or a bead

- inside the chest area make a running stitch with 2 strands of floss ( I used DMC 604)

- on the neck lines do a back stitch using 2 strands of floss (I used DMC 604)

- between the lines do a running stitch with 2 strands of floss (I used DMC 727)

- on the wings do a running stitch at the ends of the blanket stitch using 2 strands of floss (I used DMC 604).

- I used a solid fabric for the heart so I added some lazy daisy flowers and french knots. The 5 lazy daisys for each flower and the french knots are made with 4 strands of floss (I used DMC 604 and 704).

- the tail only has a few 3 wrap french knots using 3 strands of floss (I used DMC 604). Tip: add more flowers here if you used a solid fabric like I did for the heart wing.

8. All the dots can be beads or french knots. I didn't do them yet since I plan on adding beads. I'll also be adding beads and french knots on the lace.

 Right click the pattern to save it to your hard drive. You'll need to print a pattern for tracing.

 

©Billie Jo Heisler 2022

All rights reserved

 Disclaimer:

I drew this design by hand then used a software program to edit it.

Please consider the drawing copyrighted. You have my permission to print copies of the drawing in any size for your own use but not to share or sell. If you want to share the pattern please link to the blog pages.

The embroidery design is my own. I have not knowingly copied anyone else's work.

First Free Embroidery of the Year-

 

YAY!!! I finally got one finished and here it is ------ Let's just say this is January's free embroidery even though it's February.

I know I'm really late but if you've read my past posts you know why but no matter because I'm finally ready to post the first embroidery freebie of the year. BTW, I hope you enjoyed the wrist pincushion pattern I posted at the beginning of the month.
I thought I'd go back to giving you some directions for the embroideries. You will need to know basic stitches and there are a LOT of youtube videos that can teach you any you don't.

1. Cut a square of your background fabric 4 1/4" x 4 1/4". If you aren't adding borders like I did you should cut the fabric larger so it will fit in your embroidery hoop.

2. Using a permant marker like a Pigma pen, trace the design.

3. Add the borders following these directions. Note that you will add these borders to all 12 of the designs. I plan on using a variety of matching fabrics, though I may end up changing this multi floral fabric for another. This is the way I'm adding fabric borders to all my embroidered squares this year. Use your fav quilt border if you don't want to use this one.

I cut the border strips from quilters quarters/fat quarters. I wanted the finished borders to be 1" wide so I added 1/2" for the seam allowances. I didn't cut the border into pieces, instead I sewed it to the square then cut it. Follow these directions and diagrams to make them like I do.
NOTE:I add the borders before I embroider but after I trace the design!

-- Cut a piece of fabric 1 1/2" wide. Match the edge to the TOP of the square and sew across.

Cut off the excess and press open.

-- Repeat for one of the sides. I go clock-wise.

-- Repeat for the bottom.

--Finish with the remaining side.

Make sure to press it and then check to make sure the borders are all even.

4. The petals can be appliqued like I did or just stitched with your favorite embroidery stitch.
-Trace 8 petals on Heat n Bond by Therm-o-web. This is a product that makes appliqueing small pieces so much easier. TIP: Don't hold the iron on for just a few seconds or you will also melt the other side.
-Once it cools peel off the paper.
-Lay the fabric petals over the tracings and iron in place.
-Do a small blanket stitch with 2 strands of floss ( I used DMC 603) around each petal.
-With 4 strands of the same floss do a chain stitch around the inner circle.
- For the "peeking" petals do a stem stitch and a long straight stitch with 3 strands of the same floss.

5. For the flower center use 3 strands of floss (I used DMC 727) to do a stem stitch next to the chain stitch.
- Fill in the circle with as many french knots as you like. I used 6 strands to make 2 wrap french knots.
- Repeat the knots at the tip of each long straight stitch in the small flower petals.

6. The outside line of the leaves is stem stitched with 3 strands of floss (I used DMC 703).
- The dots can be beads or 3 wrap french knots with the same floss.

7. The small series of lines in the corners are back stitched using 3 strands of the same flosses used for the flower.

8. The dots can be beads or french knots. I didn't do them yet since I plan on adding beads. I will probably add beads on the flower, too.

Here's the pattern for the embroidery:

 Right click the pattern to save it to your hard drive. You'll need to print a pattern for tracing.

 
©Billie Jo Heisler 2022
All rights reserved

 Disclaimer:
I drew this design by hand then used a software program to edit it.
Please consider the drawing copyrighted. You have my permission to print copies of the drawing in any size for your own use but not to share or sell. If you want to share the pattern please link to the blog pages.
The embroidery design is my own. I have not knowingly copied anyone else's work.
 

Yay! It's not covid

 My test came back negative!!!! Now it looks like I've been sick with a sinus infection. I can believe it since my allergies have been SO bad. I hate to take meds but it really looks like I'm going to have to try some different kinds till I find one that works best.

I'm looking forward to another free art summit (march 2 - 14). Here's the link: 2022-loving-healing-creating-summit  Oh, and Ida Andersen Lang  is having a free class starting on the 28th. I've signed up for both so I'm hoping that I'll feel good enough to take them. I haven't taken much time to make any art since I'm trying to embroider this year's freebies so I'm really looking forward to the classes. This year I decided to design all 12 freebies so I can get them made right away instead of doing one a month. I'm going shopping tomorrow to look for fabric to border the squares.

I need to start posting pics of my work. In fact I need to start taking photos again. Just another thing I got out of the habit of.

oh no, I lost track of time. I wanted to post on 2-22-22 or 22-2-22 if you say it that way. Hope you had  a great day and the flu has stayed away for you and yours.

Too sick to stitch

 Yeah, I know, I bitched last year about wearing masks to avoid covid along with getting all your shots (which I did) and what did I do? I went in my local library and didn't pull up my mask. Three days later I came down with covid, well at least that's what I think I have. My DH took me to CVS yesterday to get tested, so now we wait. So far, fingers crossed, he won't get it. It's definitely not so bad I need to go to the hospital but I am soooooo tired. I'm sure some of what I'm dealing with is my regular allergy crap. So be careful out there cause you never know where that germ is lurking.

I have so much embroidery to do but just can't wrap my brain around any of it. I have been crocheting some boot cuffs but even that isn't going well. I have to use a lot of safety pin to mark the stitches because I keep making mistakes. I have 2 new doll patterns for spring started but again I just can't get past sitting and looking at my supplies.

So it looks like the schedule I set up for myself at the end of the year has gone down the drain for now.  By the time I feel well enough to work again I'll be behind as usual :(

I'm off to curl up with a blanket, a hot cup of tea, and my cat. Will post again soon.

Free Pincushion Pattern

 I guess you were expecting a free embroidery pattern, but though I have all 12 designs drawn and traced I haven't started stitching yet.

I needed a wrist pincushion so I turned it into a pattern to share. I know there are other versions of this style but here's mine.

Material List -

For the band you may need longer or shorter pieces to fit your wrist- You can substitute wide ribbon for the band (so much easier)
9" x 7" piece of cotton fabric and of thin batting or interfacing
4" x 4 1/2" pieces of red felt and white felt
matching sewing thread
3 fun buttons
embroidery floss or pearl cotton
1" x 1/2" piece of velcro or other closure
small amount of polyester filling or wool roving

1. Cut out the 2 hearts from the felt.
2. Lay one felt heart on top of the other. Use all 6 strands of floss to sew the hearts together using a blanket stitch or running stitch. Make sure to leave an opening for stuffing.
3. Stuff the heart firmly. Continue stitching the opening closed.
4. Cut 3 circles from cotton fabric.
5. Sew a gathering stitch close to the edge and pull tightly to make a yo-yo. Shape and flatten it. Repeat for the other 2 circles.
6. Follow the picture for where I placed the yo-yos or put them where you want. Sew them in place and add a button to each center.
7. Now make the wrist band. My band is 8 1/2" but you may need it longer or shorter. I wanted it to go over shirt and sweater sleeves. Measure your wrist and add about 2" and 1/2" for the seam allowances.
8. Fold the fabric in half and lay the strip of batting on top. Sew leaving an opening for turning.
9. Turn right side out. Press and sew opening closed.
10. Sew the velcro to the ends. Make sure one piece is on the top and one on the bottom. Option: add a fun button the top end.
11. Fold the band in half to find the center. Pin the heart pincushion there and hand sew in place.

All done!

Here's a heart pattern to use but you can cut one any size you want.

Life's been busy and I'm really working on my habit of procrastination. Have you heard about choosing a word for the year? The various art groups I follow do this so I thought I'd choose procrastination but I now see it should be focus since this is what I need to do to stop all the putting off things.

I did really well last month. That's when I made the pincushion. In fact I started designing more of them with the intent to do a year of free ones but changed my mind after I got the ideas for some embroidery. I'll be starting one in a few days. Right now I dealing with some really bad allergies and mostly resting. Look for one to be listed by the end of the month.

Why I'm Not posting for a while---

 I know I'm way late putting up a freebie but I just can't get my brain thinking about new designs. You see I lost 2 of my cousins, sisters, at Christmas. They wouldn't get flu shots even though they both had illnesses that made them more likely to get really ill and it caught up with them. They almost lost their Mom and aunt, who had their shots but also had underlying illnesses, last summer so you'd think they get over their fear of the shots but no. So I lost 2 women I grew up with and I'm sad but also super mad. Until I deal with it all I think I'll be blocked. I took a free art retreat last week called 'Women Unleashed' and it helped me accept the anger but now I have to release it to move on. 

I hope to get back by Feb.

Please get your covid shots and wear a mask. Please be considerate about other people and have compassion for everyone. Please be kind.