A New Tatting Pattern!

 I finally finished a new tatting pattern. Actually some of these patterns were the original tatted quilts I made. The Grandmother's Fan and Garden patterns are not like the basic squares I use in the other 3 patterns or my other tatted quilt patterns. I was never sure about charting them so set them aside while I moved on to the basic block designs.

This pattern is now at my Etsy store. You get all 5 tatting designs plus the directions for the items they are on.

The Fans are on a circular bag. There's a pocket on the outside and a divider inside. The Irish chain is on a drawstring bag. Grandmother's fan is on a tea cozy. The pinwheel is on a pincushion with a pocket. The blockade blocks were made into pins and glued to spiral bound index cards for a journal to keep small motifs and their directions. It's based on art junk journals.

Right now and until the new year all the patterns are on sale !!

BTW, I updated the freebie Dec. pattern. I finally found all the info so the stitches and DMC colors are now listed.

Hey, I'm early again! It's the last freebie of the year!

 

This is very unusual for me to be early. I'm always running late for everything but I thought since I'm sitting here watching NBC's tree lighting and the Graceland special I'd get the design up. All I can say is WOW after hearing John Legend. I also loved Cher and Darlene Love. So good!!!!!

Back to why we're here,the last free pattern of the year! I have a funny story about it. I was all set to sew all the pieces to a tote bag but can't find it now that I moved things around in my sewing/craft room. This happens a lot since I have 2 rooms for my hobbies and move things from one to the other when I start re-arranging things. Thank goodness I had already taken the pic of the finished piece so I can at least get it up and the pattern. Unfortunately I don't have the thread numbers or other info. The leaves are stem stitches and lazy daisy stitches. The flowers are spider web roses. The house is done the same as the other houses.

Dec 20 update- Yay! I found the pattern with all the info. The base was couched with all 6 strands using 2 strands (DMC 310). Do 3 rows. The circle at the top is 6 strands to stem stitch. You could couch it instead. The flowers are 2 strands for the spider web lines and 4 strands to weave (DMC 552). The greenery is 2 strands to stem stitch the stems and fill in with lazy daisy stitches (DMC 702).

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

©Billie Jo Heisler 2023

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.

The new Uppercase 59 came!

 

I LOVE this magazine! It came a few weeks ago but I wanted to wait until I had a chance to read thru it  before I posted about it. I loved issue 58 but this one is even better. 

Go here to see a flip thru of the magazine:

Uppercase 59

It's so great that you can see all the pages so you 'll know what's in the magazine before you buy. Janine does a fabulous job with the magazine and the website. 

BTW, did you know she also publishes Little U, a magazine that focuses on "children's books, surface pattern design, clothing and product design for young folk, and arts and crafts inspired by and/or made for children, this publication inspires and informs professional creatives and families alike". This quote is taken from the web site. For the past month she has donated 100% of sales to UNICEF. Amazing and so generous.

It's Early! Here's the free November Embroidery..

 I thought for once I'd get one of the free embroideries up early instead of being late. BTW, I'm already starting the freebies for next year. It will be different from any of the others I've put up.

Hope you all have a fun and safe Halloween!

Here's the pattern. Follow the photo for flower placement or put them where you want.

I'm 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 5" x 5". This will be cut smaller later but this fits my fav 4" hoop. You can cut the fabric so it will fit in the embroidery hoop you like but make sure the birdhouse has enough room for the embroidery.

2. This step in optional but I like the stability. Now I add a square of Pelon Shape Flex interfacing. This is my favorite to use for all my embroidery designs because it's not stiff and it's easy to embroider thru. I cut the square of it slightly smaller the the entire piece. You can just add it to the center square if you prefer.

Most important!!  If you went ahead and traced the birdhouse do not use steam this can smear your tracing. I've used Pigma pens and had them smear slightly. Note: I never use steam to apply the interfacing and it sticks fine.

3.Using a permanent marker like a Pigma pen or a Pilot Frixon pen, trace the design. You can just trace the house. Use you own judgment for placement of the flowers.

Note that the Frixon pen will disappear when heat is applied. This is great if you made a mistake, just iron the fabric and start again.

4. The house can be appliqued like I did or just stitched with your favorite embroidery stitch.

Trace the house on Heat n Bond by Therm-o-web. This is a product that makes appliqueing small pieces so much easier.

TIP: 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 over the tracing and iron in place.

-Do a small blanket stitch with 1 strand of floss ( I used DMC white) around the entire house.

5.  For the base use 6 strands of floss (I used DMC 310) to make 2 rows of chain stitch.

6.The opening is filled in with straight stitches using 3 strands of floss.

-Then use 2 strands to go around the circle with stem stitch.

-Use 3 strands to make a 3 wrap french knot. (I used DMC 310 for all the stitches)

7. Draw circles where you want the flowers to be. You may want them in a few sizes. The flower centers are 3 strands of floss (I used DMC 90) to make straight stitches to fill in the circles. Add more straight stitches on top to make it padded if you want.

8. Use 6 strands of floss (I used DMC 721) to make 2 wrap French knots around the yellow center.

9. Fill in around the flowers with the greenery. I used 2 strands of floss to make fly stitch branches (I used DMC 904).

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

©Billie Jo Heisler 2023

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.

Found this youtube video for 10 Hand Embroidery Leaves

I was looking for some embroidery inspiration at youtube and came across this video. These are some interesting leaves. Not sure I'd ever use any of them but I'm going to try a few later.

Here's another new pattern at Etsy!!

 

I just listed another new pattern at my Etsy store! It's been included in the Oct. sale I'm having on select patterns.

I'm really catching up on writing directions for designs that have been done and waiting. This is for another crocheted design that holds a penny for luck. At my Etsy store there's patterns for a shamrock and a flower. 

Now I'm working on my new tatting patterns. Since there are 5 patterns for tatting and 5 for the items I put them on it takes a lot longer to write. So far 2 are completely done. 

Hope you'll have a look at the store for my new patterns!

Have you tried Olive & June products?

 

Here's a pic of my polish collection minus the 2 bottles I forgot for the pic. This polish is great and the company fantastic. They really stand behind their products. 

I was using the primer before polish and my nails were growing and looking great. I don't wear them more than 1/4 inch beyond the tip of my finger. But after about a month and a half I started noticing that my nails were getting dry again. Then they started breaking really easy. After doing some reading about the primer I found it was WAY to strong for my nails.

Now I'm having to grow them out again. It looks like I've been biting my nails they are so short. I thought about buying the nail strengthener O&J sells but I had a bottle of Pink Armor so I'm using it.

Finding the Pink Armor made me go thru my collection of nail polish. I have 4 bottles of pale lavender! I'm like, why would I have ever bought that many bottles? Especially since I tend to wear that color in the spring and only on my toes.

Next I found I have 3 bottles of pale yellow. That's a color again for my toes and only in the summer. At least there were only 2 bottles of blue and one was empty enough to be tossed out.

Then there are the 2 bottles of frost white, 2 bottles of plain white, 3 frost peach shades, 6 various pinks, 3 nudes, and one sand color. A black, gold, another white. and a dark blue have been moved to my paints in my craft room. At least they'll get used there. This list doesn't include the 8 O&J bottles.

Ok, I have to admit it now, I'm addicted to buying nail polish. I know some people have a whole lot more but my inventory has made me realize it's time to stop. Now that Walmart is selling Olive & June polish I have to stay out of the nail polish aisle.

I also use O&J's cuticle treatments and remover. I tried their buffer but found it is way to rough on my nails so I use one I got at the Dollar Tree that has a soft buff side. 

Back to why I fully support O&J. I left a 2 star review on the primer and what my experience was using it. They contacted me with a $30 gift card. I used it to try the cuticle kit which I really like. How many companies would do something like that? I bet they'll stop doing that soon since there will be those who lie just to see if they can get free stuff. Sad huh? 

BTW, my fav polish color right now is Pink Goldfish. I wore this all summer and the bottle is 2/3 empty. It is still like when I first opened it. Have you found most polish starts to thicken by the time it's half empty and by only 1/3 left it's time to toss it? I won't be wearing polish for at least a month while the very short nails grow out so it will be interesting to see if it is still usable.

October Free Embroidery!

 

Flowers in Fall colors! Notice that the pattern below has squares around the openings but I didn't embroider them on my house. When I traced the pattern on the fabric I forgot them so decided I liked them without, too. The flowers are loop bullions, but if they are too hard for you substitute clusters of French knots or a stitch you like. Also, another change from the other patterns is that I used pearl cotton instead of floss for the leaves and flowers. Use what you like.

Here's the pattern. Follow this photo for flower placement or put them where you want.

I'm 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 5" x 5". This will be cut smaller later but this fits my fav 4" hoop. You can cut the fabric so it will fit in the embroidery hoop you like but make sure the birdhouse has enough room for the embroidery.

2. This step in optional but I like the stability. Now I add a square of Pelon Shape Flex interfacing. This is my favorite to use for all my embroidery designs because it's not stiff and it's easy to embroider thru. I cut the square of it slightly smaller the the entire piece. You can just add it to the center square if you prefer.

Most important!!  If you went ahead and traced the birdhouse do not use steam this can smear your tracing. I've used Pigma pens and had them smear slightly. Note: I never use steam to apply the interfacing and it sticks fine.

3.Using a permanent marker like a Pigma pen or a Pilot Frixon pen, trace the design. You can just trace the house. Use you own judgment for placement of the flowers.

Note that the Frixon pen will disappear when heat is applied. This is great if you made a mistake, just iron the fabric and start again.

4. The house can be appliqued like I did or just stitched with your favorite embroidery stitch.

Trace the house on Heat n Bond by Therm-o-web. This is a product that makes appliqueing small pieces so much easier.

TIP: 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 over the tracing and iron in place.

-Do a small blanket stitch with 1 strand of floss ( I used DMC white) around the entire house.

5.  For the roof and base use 1/4 " wide black ribbon and 1 strand of floss (I used DMC 310) to make cross stitch X's over the narrow ribbon to hold it in place. Do the peak on the roof and then the straight piece.

Tip: you may want to baste the ribbon first. 

6.The opening is filled in with straight stitches using 3 strands of floss.

-Then use 2 strands to go around the circle with stem stitch.

-Use 3 strands to make a 3 wrap french knot. (I used DMC 310 for all 3 stitches)

7.To make the +, use 3 strands of black floss to make chain stitches.

8. If you decide to add the squares use 1 strand of black floss and do back stitches. 

9. Start with the greenery. I used DMC pearl cotton but you can use floss. Use 1 piece of size 8 pearl cotton (DMC 94) to make feather stitch branches. Make as many and as long as you like.

- Fill in around the greenery with lazy daisy stitches for leaves. You an do the flowers forst and then do the leaves.

10. The flowers are looped bullion stitches. I used DMC pearl cotton size 8 (DMC 90). Make them with 14 - 18 wraps. You want them in different sizes. Fill in around the stems and leaves. 

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

©Billie Jo Heisler 2023

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.

Another New Pattern up at Etsy!

 

This is an updated version of an old pattern I designed in 1997. This new version has a easier dress and pantaloons for the large sheep. I also named them. The 6" is Daisy and the 14" is Poppy. Oh, and Poppy looks cute with a wide ribbon tied in a bow around her waist, too.

Pop over to my Etsy store to read more about this pattern. I'm running a sale over there for 20% off select patterns. I plan on keeping the sale going until Oct.31.

BTW, I'm working on directions for 2 more patterns. One for tatting and ine for crochet. 

Sept. Free Embroidery pattern

 Sorry for the delay. At the end of August it was the DH's birthday and then our anniversary and then getting distracted with gardening. So happy to see Sept. and the end of summer coming. It's been way to hot and around here too dry.

So here's the pattern. Follow this photo for flower placement or put them where you want.

I'm 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 5" x 5". This will be cut smaller later but this fits my fav 4" hoop. You can cut the fabric so it will fit in the embroidery hoop you like but make sure the birdhouse has enough room for the embroidery.

2. This step in optional but I like the stability. Now I add a square of Pelon Shape Flex interfacing. This is my favorite to use for all my embroidery designs because it's not stiff and it's easy to embroider thru. I cut the square of it slightly smaller the the entire piece. You can just add it to the center square if you prefer.

Most important!!  If you went ahead and traced the birdhouse do not use steam this can smear your tracing. I've used Pigma pens and had them smear slightly.

Note: I never use steam to apply the interfacing and it sticks fine.

3.Using a permanent marker like a Pigma pen or a Pilot Frixon pen, trace the design. You can just trace the house and roof. Use you own judgment for placement of the flowers.

Note that the Frixon pen will disappear when heat is applied. This is great if you made a mistake, just iron the fabric and start again.

4. The house and roof can be appliqued like I did or just stitched with your favorite embroidery stitch.

-Trace the house and roof on Heat n Bond by Therm-o-web. This is a product that makes appliqueing small pieces so much easier.

TIP: 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 over the tracings and iron in place.

-Do a small blanket stitch with 1 strand of floss ( I used DMC white) around the entire house and (DMC 310) black around the roof.

5.  For the base use 1 strand of floss (I used DMC 310) to make cross stitch X's over narrow ribbon to hold it in place.

Tip: you may want to baste the ribbon first. 

6.The opening is filled in with straight stitches using 3 strands of floss.

-Then use 2 strands to go around the circle with stem stitch.

-Use 3 strands to make a 3 wrap french knot. (I used DMC 310 for all 3 stitches)

7.To make the X couch 5 strands of black floss with 1 strand of floss.

8. The loop at the top stem stitched with 5 strands of floss (DMC310) black.

9. The lines on the roof are made with stem stitch using 2 strands of floss (DMC white).

10. Start with the greenery.  Use 2 strand of floss (DMC 986) green.

- Make fern stitch branches down over the roof. Make as many and as long as you like.

- The stems for the flowers on top of the roof are back stitched.

- Fill in along the top of the roof where the back stitched stems are with lazy daisy stitches. You can add a few near the bottoms of the stems. See the picture for this.

11. Fill in around the fern stitch greenery with french knots using 3 strands of floss ( I used DMC 605).

You can skip these next flowers and make more of the fern stitch instead.

12. The french knot flowers are made with 3 strands of floss (DMC 601 and DMC 986). Do 2 and 3 wrap knots. I did a pink then a green, and repeated it for 3 of each.

13. The lighter pink flowers are made with lazy daisy stitches using 2 strands of floss (DMC 603). There are a few french knots at the very top of each flowers.

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

©Billie Jo Heisler 2023

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 finally closed my old tripod site

 

 The old Tripod site I've had for decades is now only an index page that has links to here and my Etsy store. I even removed the free patterns. Their ads were covering more and more of the pages so I just finished deleting them all. I do plan of putting them up somewhere again but they could use some work since they are so old. For now you can still find free embroidery patterns here, a new one every month.

The above header was one I used at the old site. All my graphics were red, white, and black with the checks and ribbons you see on this one. I really liked them but I've gotten used to the blue ones I made for here. 

Two New Patterns Up at Etsy Store and on SALE!!!!!

 

This is Emily Jane, a tiny 8" shabby chic rabbit. The pattern also includes the tine cone basket she holds and the felt carrots that go in it. Perfect for sitting in a basket, perched on a shelf, or even sitting among flowers on a wreath.

Fall is coming and that means thinking about "Halloween"! Hazel and Maddy are cute little witch cats sitting (sewn) in felt pumpkins. Use them for pincushions or holiday decor. Hazel, the gray cat, is sewn into a white felt pumpkin that is then sewn to a dotted fabric pumpkin. That pumpkin is then attached to a metal candle stand. The stand is actually upside down so the pumpkin could be sewn to the legs. Any type of holder would work but one for a pillar candle looks best. If you don't want to use a candle stand then look at Maddy, the black cat. She is sewn into an orange felt pumpkin that is attached to the lid of a plastic jar. I filled it with tinsel, tiny pumpkin, and table scatter.

Like the idea of having a kitty pincushion  but not decked out for Halloween? Just change the Halloween items for your choice of fabrics and decoration. Leave off the hat and attach pretty bows to the heads.

They are both at my Etsy store and will be 20% off thru October 31!

Here's the link to the store: 1creativestitches

Wanna see last year's stitch-a-long done?

 It took a while but here is what I did with all of last year's stitch-a-long. The only quilting was stitch in the ditch around each block and by the binding. Beads were added to all the blocks and some buttons were sewn on, too. I did a simple fabric tube to slide a dowel thru to hang it.

I'm getting ready to update the blog, delete the old tripod site, and put up 2 new patterns for sale. Also I was ok'd to sell on Micheal's Makerplace site. I've got the graphics done and a new updated bio wrote, now it's making time to do it all. I'll put links to Makerplace once it's ready.

BTW, I'm finishing up a new crochet lucky penny pattern. It should be done by Sept.

The August Free Embroidery

 

I don't know about you but I'm happy to see August because that means autumn is close and all this super hot weather will be gone. I'm also happy I managed to get an embroidery up on the first of the month. No putting it off even though I'm still dealing with really bad allergies, migraines, and I'm soooo tired.

So here's the pattern. Follow the photo for flower placement or put them where you want.

I'm 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 5" x 5". This will be cut smaller later but this fits my fav 4" hoop. You can cut the fabric so it will fit in the embroidery hoop you like but make sure the birdhouse has enough room for the embroidery.

2. This step in optional but I like the stability. Now I add a square of Pelon Shape Flex interfacing. This is my favorite to use for all my embroidery designs because it's not stiff and it's easy to embroider thru. I cut the square of it slightly smaller the the entire piece. You can just add it to the center square if you prefer.

Most important!!  If you went ahead and traced the birdhouse do not use steam this can smear your tracing. I've used Pigma pens and had them smear slightly.

Note: I never use steam to apply the interfacing and it sticks fine.

3. Using a permanent marker like a Pigma pen or a Pilot Frixon pen, trace the design. You can just trace the house and roof. Use you own judgment for placement of the flowers.

Note that the Frixon pen will disappear when heat is applied. This is great if you made a mistake, just iron the fabric and start again.

4. The house can be appliqued like I did or just stitched with your favorite embroidery stitch.

-Trace the house on Heat n Bond by Therm-o-web. This is a product that makes appliqueing small pieces so much easier. TIP: 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 over the tracings and iron in place.

-Do a small blanket stitch with 1 strand of floss ( I used DMC white) around the entire house

5.  For the roof, divider lines,and base use 1 strand of floss (I used DMC 310) to make cross stitch X's over narrow ribbon to hold it in place.

Tip: you may want to baste the ribbon first. 

6. The openings are filled in with straight stitches using 3 strands of floss.

-Then use 2 strands to go around the circle with stem stitch.

-Use 3 strands to make a 3 wrap french knot. (I used DMC 310 for all 3 stitches)

7. Start with the greenery. Stem stitch the vines with 2 strands of floss ( I used DMC 904). Make as many as you want following the photo.

Tip: Use a Frixon pen to draw the lines to make it easy to stitch and to remove any lines that show.

8. Use 3 strands of floss to make lazy daisy stitches along the vine stems. Notice that there are single petals and others with 3 lazy daisy stitches.

9.Using the same thread as the stem, make lazy daisy stitches for the leaves. Notice that some are stitched to go around the single flower petals. 

- Use 3 strands to make french knots at the base of all the leaves in a V and at the base of the 3 petal flowers.

10. Fill in around the flowers and leaves along the vines with french knots using 2 strands of floss ( I used DMC 727).

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

©Billie Jo Heisler 2023

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.

The July free embroidery

 

I know it's a bit late but that's not unusual for me is it ;)

This one is a bit different since I used silk ribbon for the roses. You can switch it for embroidery floss or pearl cotton.

So here's the pattern. Follow the photo for flower placement or put them where you want.

I'm 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 5" x 5". This will be cut smaller later but this fits my fav 4" hoop. You can cut the fabric so it will fit in the embroidery hoop you like but make sure the birdhouse has enough room for the embroidery.

2. This step in optional but I like the stability. Now I add a square of Pelon Shape Flex interfacing. This is my favorite to use for all my embroidery designs because it's not stiff and it's easy to embroider thru. I cut the square of it slightly smaller the the entire piece. You can just add it to the center square if you prefer.

Most important!!  If you went ahead and traced the birdhouse do not use steam this can smear your tracing. I've used Pigma pens and had them smear slightly.

Note: I never use steam to apply the interfacing and it sticks fine.

3. Using a permanent marker like a Pigma pen or a Pilot Frixon pen, trace the design. You can just trace the house and roof. Use you own judgment for placement of the flowers.

Note that the Frixon pen will disappear when heat is applied. This is great if you made a mistake, just iron the fabric and start again.

4. The house can be appliqued like I did or just stitched with your favorite embroidery stitch.

-Trace the house on Heat n Bond by Therm-o-web. This is a product that makes appliqueing small pieces so much easier. TIP: 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 over the tracings and iron in place.

-Do a small blanket stitch with 1 strand of floss ( I used DMC white) around the entire house

5.  For the roof and base use 1 strand of floss (I used DMC 310) to make cross stitch X's over narrow ribbon to hold it in place.

Tip: you may want to baste the ribbon first. 

6. The opening is filled in with straight stitches using 3 strands of floss.

-Then use 2 strands to go around the circle with stem stitch.

-Use 3 strands to make a 3 wrap french knot. (I used DMC 310 for all 3 stitches)

7. Draw circles where you want the rose to be. The roses are spiderweb stitches. I used thread for the 5 straight stitches. For the ribbon I used YLI 4mm 013. The rose buds are lazy daisy stitches. 

8. Fill in around the flowers with leaves using 3 strands of floss ( I used DMC 987) to couch the stems and to make lazy daisy stitches. 

That's it!

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

©Billie Jo Heisler 2023

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.

It came! Issue 58 and WOW!

 

Last week my first issue of Uppercase came and after spending a week immersed in it I just can't call it a magazine, it's so much more than that. Uppercase really should be called a soft cover book. It's easy to see why the subscription is high though the many of the magazines published by Stampington are similar in price.

I should have taken a picture of what the magazine looks like now that it has lots of tabs and notes in it. So much has inspired me so that I'm ready to get back to art classes and finish the directions for the sweet rabbit girl and the updated sheep girls patterns. I just need to replace the battery in my old desk top.

Here's the link to the Uppercase site in case you want to have a look, Uppercase

If you are looking for some free art classes there are I'm following at youtube. One is Junk Journal July A new video is put up every day for the month. It gives me a chance to make some art without taking the time needed for drawing and painting.The second is a month of tags 31 tags for July  I'm putting them on pages in the junk journal I made.

I still can't believe I won!

Last week I got a BIG surprise, I won an Uppercase magazine creative boost subscription! I entered a contest for it and won! I really needed something good to happen. It was a rough week. We lost my fav chicken, Elinor. She was the last of our original chickens and the only one who laid blue eggs. I'll write more when I get my first issue. Go here Uppercase to find out about the magazine.

I've been really down for months and just can't seem to design much other than my monthly freebie. Lots of free art classes started so I'm watching them but other than still working on Messy May (I'm on day28 at last) I just can't get inspired to do many. Some of it is finding the time without getting interrupted, and that doesn't happen often enough. So anyway I thought I'd share some of the links in case you'd like to have a look:

https://www.workshopweek.co

kaleidoscope taster week

The Free June Embroidery, on time!

 

I'm so happy I managed to get an embroidery up on the first of the month. No putting it off even though I'm still dealing with really bad allergies and I'm soooo tired. Really need the trees to finish blooming.   

So here's the pattern. Follow this photo for flower placement or put them where you want.

I'm 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 5" x 5". This will be cut smaller later but this fits my fav 4" hoop. You can cut the fabric so it will fit in the embroidery hoop you like but make sure the birdhouse has enough room for the embroidery.

2. This step in optional but I like the stability. Now I add a square of Pelon Shape Flex interfacing. This is my favorite to use for all my embroidery designs because it's not stiff and it's easy to embroider thru. I cut the square of it slightly smaller the the entire piece. You can just add it to the center square if you prefer.

Most important!!  If you went ahead and traced the birdhouse do not use steam this can smear your tracing. I've used Pigma pens and had them smear slightly.

Note: I never use steam to apply the interfacing and it sticks fine.

3. Using a permanent marker like a Pigma pen or a Pilot Frixon pen, trace the design. You can just trace the house and roof. Use you own judgment for placement of the flowers.

Note that the Frixon pen will disappear when heat is applied. This is great if you made a mistake, just iron the fabric and start again.

4. The house can be appliqued like I did or just stitched with your favorite embroidery stitch.

-Trace the house on Heat n Bond by Therm-o-web. This is a product that makes appliqueing small pieces so much easier. TIP: 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 over the tracings and iron in place.

-Do a small blanket stitch with 1 strand of floss ( I used DMC white) around the entire house

5.  For the roof and base use 1 strand of floss (I used DMC 310) to make cross stitch X's over narrow ribbon to hold it in place.

Tip: you may want to baste the ribbon first. 

6. The opening is filled in with straight stitches using 3 strands of floss.

-Then use 2 strands to go around the circle with stem stitch.

-Use 3 strands to make a 3 wrap french knot. (I used DMC 310 for all 3 stitches)

7. Start with the wisteria clusters. I used white DMC floss I dyed purple and pink to make french knots using 3 strands. Make as many as you want following the photo.

8. Fill in around the flowers with leaves using 3 strands of floss ( I used DMC 987) to make lazy daisy stitches. An option is to use 2 strands of floss to add some stems to the leaves.

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

 

©Billie Jo Heisler 2023

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 freebie is so late but here it is :)

 I know I planned on getting the freebie for this month up last week but I've been too tired to get on the computer. My allergies and the meds make me really tired but I do have May, June, and July embroidered. 

Follow this photo for flower placement or put them where you want.

I'm 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 5" x 5". This will be cut smaller later but this fits my fav 4" hoop. You can cut the fabric so it will fit in the embroidery hoop you like but make sure the birdhouse has enough room for the embroidery.

2. This step in optional but I like the stability. Now I add a square of Pelon Shape Flex interfacing. This is my favorite to use for all my embroidery designs because it's not stiff and it's easy to embroider thru. I cut the square of it slightly smaller the the entire piece. You can just add it to the center square if you prefer.

Most important!!  If you went ahead and traced the birdhouse do not use steam this can smear your tracing. I've used Pigma pens and had them smear slightly.

Note: I never use steam to apply the interfacing and it sticks fine.

3. Using a permanent marker like a Pigma pen or a Pilot Frixon pen, trace the design. You can just trace the house and roof. Use you own judgment for placement of the flowers.

Note that the Frixon pen will disappear when heat is applied. This is great if you made a mistake, just iron the fabric and start again.

 

4. The house can be appliqued like I did or just stitched with your favorite embroidery stitch.

-Trace the house on Heat n Bond by Therm-o-web. This is a product that makes appliqueing small pieces so much easier. TIP: 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 over the tracings and iron in place.

-Do a small blanket stitch with 1 strand of floss ( I used DMC white) around the entire house

5.  For the roof and base use 1 strand of floss (I used DMC 310) to make cross stitch X's over narrow ribbon to hold it in place.

Tip: you may want to baste the ribbon first. 

6. The opening is filled in with straight stitches using 3 strands of floss.

-Then use 2 strands to go around the circle with stem stitch.

-Use 3 strands to make a 3 wrap french knot. (I used DMC 310 for all 3 stitches)

7. Start with the vines. Use 3 strands of floss ( I used DMC 987) to do feather stitch.Fill in as much as you like. These are not on the tracing pattern.

8. The flowers are stitched with 3 strands of floss to make lazy daisy stitches. Put them in each of the curves of the vines. I used DMC white floss that I dyed pale yellow and pink.

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

©Billie Jo Heisler 2023

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.

April's Free Embroidery

 

Wow, it's April already so here is this month's freebie! Follow this photo for flower placement or put them where you want.

I'm 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 5" x 5". This will be cut smaller later but this fits my fav 4" hoop. You can cut the fabric so it will fit in the embroidery hoop you like but make sure the birdhouse has enough room for the embroidery.

2. This step in optional but I like the stability. Now I add a square of Pelon Shape Flex interfacing. This is my favorite to use for all my embroidery designs because it's not stiff and it's easy to embroider thru. I cut the square of it slightly smaller the the entire piece. You can just add it to the center square if you prefer.

Most important!!  If you went ahead and traced the birdhouse do not use steam this can smear your tracing. I've used Pigma pens and had them smear slightly.

Note: I never use steam to apply the interfacing and it sticks fine.

3. Using a permanent marker like a Pigma pen or a Pilot Frixon pen, trace the design. You can just trace the house and roof.  Note that the Frixon pen will disappear when heat is applied. This is great if you made a mistake, just iron the fabric and start again.

4. The house can be appliqued like I did or just stitched with your favorite embroidery stitch.

-Trace the house on Heat n Bond by Therm-o-web. This is a product that makes appliqueing small pieces so much easier. TIP: 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 over the tracings and iron in place.

-Do a small blanket stitch with 1 strand of floss ( I used DMC white) around the entire house

5. Applique or stitch the roof like you did the house .

6. For the base use 2 strands of floss (I used DMC 310) to couch down 6 strands. Then I used 2 strands to back stitch along the top and bottom. 

7. The opening is filled in with straight stitches using 3 strands of floss.

-Then use 2 strands to go around the circle with stem stitch.

-Use 3 strands to make a 3 wrap french knot. (I used DMC 310 for all 3 stitches)

8. The flowers are stitched with 3 strands of floss (I used DMC 552) to make lazy daisy stitches. Make as many or as few as you want. 

- The centers can be beads or 2 wrap french knots with 2 strands of floss (I used DMC 745).

9. Fill in around the flowers with lazy daisy stitches for leaves using 6 strands of floss (I used DMC 989).

10. Fill in around the flowers and leaves with 2-3 wrap french knots using 3 strands of floss (I used DMC 554).

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

 

©Billie Jo Heisler 2023

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.

Crocheting Real Leaves youtube video

I got this link in an email from Amanda. I've taken some of her art classes but this is SO different. May have to try this with some dried rhododendron leaves. 

Free wish upon a star art class from Ida!

 

I've been taking classes from Ida since 2020 and always look forward to the Wish upon a Star class. Here's the link: https://mailchi.mp/idaandersenlang.com/wuas-2023-spring

Embroider a bunny video

Aren't these so cute! I just had to share them. I have a crazy quilt piece in pinks I started the same time as a blue/green one that this will be added to. I did the fish embroidery from the video I posted a few weeks ago. I'll get the pic up next time. 

And I already have April's free embroidery done so yay!!! I'll get it up next week. I still need a pic of the finished piece.

3D - How to embroider a fish carp and water lily

Another fantastic embroidery video! I've been working on a crazy quilt based on water. The fabrics are blues/greens so it looks watery and in each section there will be fish plants , and shells. Now I have to add a version of these!

March's Free embroidery

 

Here's the freebie for March and I'm not all that late getting it up. Yay for me! This looks kinda tropical to me with the leaves on the roof and large flowers. There are 2 patterns for this one to print. One is for those who will be appliqueing the house and the other has the flowers and leaves.

 Here are the directions:

1. Cut a square of your background fabric 5" x 5". This will be cut smaller later but this fits my fav 4" hoop. You can cut the fabric so it will fit in the embroidery hoop you like but make sure the birdhouse has enough room for the embroidery.

2. This step in optional but I like the stability. Now I add a square of Pelon Shape Flex interfacing. This is my favorite to use for all my embroidery designs because it's not stiff and it's easy to embroider thru. I cut the square of it slightly smaller the the entire piece. You can just add it to the center square if you prefer.

Most important!!  If you went ahead and traced the birdhouse do not use steam this can smear your tracing. I've used Pigma pens and had them smear slightly.

Note: I never use steam to apply the interfacing and it sticks fine.

3. Using a permanent marker like a Pigma pen or a Pilot Frixon pen, trace the design. Use you own judgment for placement of the flowers. Follow the pic or draw them where you want them.

Note that the Frixon pen will disappear when heat is applied. This is great if you made a mistake, just iron the fabric and start again.

4. The house can be appliqued like I did or just stitched with your favorite embroidery stitch.

-Trace the house on Heat n Bond by Therm-o-web. This is a product that makes appliqueing small pieces so much easier. TIP: 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 over the tracings and iron in place.

5.Do a small blanket stitch with 1 strand of floss ( I used DMC white) around the entire house.

6. The opening is filled in with straight stitches using 3 strands of floss.

-Then use 2 strands to go around the circle with stem stitch.

-Use 3 strands to make a 3 wrap french knot. 

- the circle  is 3 strands using stem stitch (I used DMC 310 for all 3 stitches).

7. The roof is made with fly stitch leaves. Use 3 strands of floss ( I used DMC 16). Start with the center leaf, then do the 2 outside one, and finally the last 2 leaves

8. The flower stems are stitched with 3 strands of floss (I used DMC 989) to make stem stitches. Make sure to leave enough room between the stems for the flower petals. I over lapped some of mine but you may not want to.

- outline the leaves with 1 strand of floss doing stem stitch ( I used DMC 906).

9. The flower petals are outlined with 2 strands of floss doing stem stitch ( I used DMC 721).

10. Fill in  the petals with 3 strands of floss doing straight stitch ( I used DMC 722).

11. The center if filled in with french knots using 3 strands of floss (I used DMC 727).

12. The leaves are lazy daisy stitches using 6 strands of floss ( I used DMC 906).

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

©Billie Jo Heisler 2023

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.

Fun tutorial -Dollar Tree DIY Stamp Platform 💚

I'm spending WAY to much time at youtube and came across this video. Never realized I needed something like this till now so went to the tree and bought supplies. I will be making this.

Have to admit that I'm so addicted to watching any vids that have Dollar Tree in the title. I'll even watch people showing off what they just bought there. I know it's a stupid way to spend time but I have found some things to buy I never would have considered.

The March embroidery is almost done!

update: I did make this stamp platform and it's terrific! Oh, and in case you didn't see, the March free pattern is up.

Yay! Finally the free Feb. embroidery

 

Second embroidery freebie 2023

At least it's in Feb. but not sure if I'll get the 3rd embroidery up right away in March. I decided not to do the houses in various colors. Instead I'm using white houses with black roofs now. The pic above shows the yellow house version I started with and the white version. From now on I'll only be doing just the white and black houses. I think it sets off the embroidery better. 

I'm still 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.

Here are the directions:

1. Cut a square of your background fabric 5" x 5". This will be cut smaller later but this fits my fav 4" hoop. You can cut the fabric so it will fit in the embroidery hoop you like but make sure the birdhouse has enough room for the embroidery.

2. This step in optional but I like the stability. Now I add a square of Pelon Shape Flex interfacing. This is my favorite to use for all my embroidery designs because it's not stiff and it's easy to embroider thru. I cut the square of it slightly smaller the the entire piece. You can just add it to the center square if you prefer.

Most important!!  If you went ahead and traced the birdhouse do not use steam this can smear your tracing. I've used Pigma pens and had them smear slightly.

Note: I never use steam to apply the interfacing and it sticks fine.

3. Using a permanent marker like a Pigma pen or a Pilot Frixon pen, trace the design. Use you own judgment for placement of the flowers. Follow the pic or draw them where you want them.

Note that the Frixon pen will disappear when heat is applied. This is great if you made a mistake, just iron the fabric and start again.

4. The house and roof can be appliqued like I did or just stitched with your favorite embroidery stitch.

-Trace the house and roof on Heat n Bond by Therm-o-web. This is a product that makes appliqueing small pieces so much easier. TIP: 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 over the tracings and iron in place.

5.Do a small blanket stitch with 1 strand of floss ( I used DMC white) around the entire house. For the roof use 1 strand of floss (I used DMC 310) to  do a small blanket stitch.

6. The base is done in 6 strands to do a chain stitch (I used DMC 310). Then used 3 strands to couch lines at the top and the bottom of the chain.

7. The opening is filled in with straight stitches using 3 strands of floss.

-Then use 2 strands to go around the circle with stem stitch.

-Use 3 strands to make a 3 wrap french knot. (I used DMC 310 for all 3 stitches)

8. The flower stems are stitched with 3 strands of floss (I used DMC 989) to make stem stitches. Make sure to leave enough room between the stems for the flower petals. I over lapped some of mine but you may not want to.

9. The flower petals are lazy daisy made with 3 strands of floss ( I used DMC 602).

10. Make french knots with 2-3 wraps along the stems here the petals meet (I used DMC 727). 

----Add lazy daisy stitches in green if you want some leaves.

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

©Billie Jo Heisler 2023

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.

Do like mystery podcasts?

 Ok, I'm new to pod casts. I just couldn't find the time to site thru them but when I got an email from iheart radio with  link to one called Bridgewater I was curious. There's a town in my county called that so I had a look. Once I saw it stared Misha Collins, Nathan Fillion (season 1), and Alan Tuduk (season 2)  I decided to listen. It's weirdly fun and I'm enjoying season 2 now with  new episode on Fridays. It's also great that most are only around 30 minutes. I don't have patience for much more than that. My brain starts to wander.

Bridgewater    Here's the link to Grim and Mild where you can find links to listen on various platforms.

BTW, they have other pod casts, too.

Here's the first free embroidery of the year!

 

First embroidery freebie 2023

I know I'm really late but if you've read my last post you know why  (covid ,YIKES!) but no matter because I'm finally ready to post the first embroidery freebie of the year. 

I'm still 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 5" x 5". This will be cut smaller later but this fits my fav 4" hoop. You can cut the fabric so it will fit in the embroidery hoop you like but make sure the birdhouse has enough room for the embroidery.

2. This step in optional but I like the stability. Now I add a square of Pelon Shape Flex interfacing. This is my favorite to use for all my embroidery designs because it's not stiff and it's easy to embroider thru. I cut the square of it slightly smaller the the entire piece. You can just add it to the center square if you prefer.

Most important!!  If you went ahead and traced the birdhouse do not use steam this can smear your tracing. I've used Pigma pens and had them smear slightly.

Note: I never use steam to apply the interfacing and it sticks fine.

3. Using a permanent marker like a Pigma pen or a Pilot Frixon pen, trace the design. You can just trace the house not the circles. Use you own judgment for placement pf the flowers.

Note that the Frixon pen will disappear when heat is applied. This is great if you made a mistake, just iron the fabric and start again.

 

4. The house can be appliqued like I did or just stitched with your favorite embroidery stitch.

-Trace the house on Heat n Bond by Therm-o-web. This is a product that makes appliqueing small pieces so much easier. TIP: 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 over the tracings and iron in place.

-Do a small blanket stitch with 1 strand of floss ( I used DMC 3689) around the entire house

5. For the roof and base use 1 strand of floss (I used DMC 602) to make cross stitch X's over narrow ribbon to hold it in place.

Tip: you may want to baste the ribbon first.

6. The opening is filled in with straight stitches using 3 strands of floss.

-Then use 2 strands to go around the circle with stem stitch.

-Use 3 strands to make a 3 wrap french knot. (I used DMC 414 for all 3 stitches)

7. The flowers are stitched with 3 strands of floss (I used DMC 3755) to make buttonhole wheels.

- The centers can be beads or 3 wrap french knots with 3 strands of floss (I used DMC 745).

8. Fill in around the flowers with lazy daisy stitches for leaves using 6 strands of floss (I used DMC 988).

9. Fill in around the flowers and leaves with 2-3 wrap french knots using 3 strands of floss (I used DMC 890).

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

 

©Billie Jo Heisler 2023

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.

Happy New Year! Yeah, I know I'm late

I have a really good reason for being late, I finally got covid! It was like the worst head and chest cold ever. Just as I was getting over it the dh got it. We took tests that came up positive twice so I guess we can be sure we had it. I've been so careful with still wearing a mask when going out and using hand sanitizer. I went to visit family who assured me my SIL only had bronchitis. She really thought it was bronchitis not covid and never took a test so I'm not sure where I got it.

I did design this year's free embroideries and got the first one done. I just need to get a photo and do the directions. Maybe by next week. I'm back to walking dogs for a friend and that plus my own boys take so much of my time.

Speaking of embroidery I came across this you tube for a leaf that is so different from anything I've seen. Hope you enjoy it!