Giveaway time! and a note!

Small other note, people seem to be having a hard time finding where to comment.. if you go to the bottom of this post you will see a line that says. ~ Posted by Maddie X comments~. If you click on the word COMMENTS you to can leave a comment! I am trying to figure out how to make that bolder.. but fear messing up the whole blog.. but if you click there for now you can also play along!
Please note, due to the massively good point made by some who have written to me personally that it is the rush-rush holiday season I am showing mercy... just leave your name and addy in the comments and your name will be put in the hat for the drawing for the Cath Kidston kitchen organizer...mind you if you also include a story I might just throw in a little more ~blog~ love for you if you win!

Woo hoo!.. I could not be more thrilled to bring you this fun and easy to stitch collection and better yet to celebrate the new collection with a Cath Kidston Giveaway! So here is the full news, Chef Weights- "the cookbook weight that gives you back your hands in the kitchen" are now on sale in my Big Cartel store. So give a little love to your favorite chef in the form of the easy to stitch out Chef Weights. Chef Weights hold open even the most stubborn cookbook with ease and style. With three different phrases to choose from ( Kiss the cook, Good cooks never lack friends , Bon Appetit!) there is sure to be something just right for every cook on your holiday list.

The Chef Weights stitch out in a 5x7 or large frame and come in PES 6 format that everyone should be able to convert. The weighted filling is polly-pellets that are easy to find and make the

Don't forget like always we have included custom hang-tags made just for the Chef Weights. Print them on mid-weight kraft card stock for an especially charming presentation.

Ok.... now to the giveaway!.. since that is really why you are here anyway huh? So here is the deal... In the top photo you can see that I have a very snazzy Cath Kidston magnetized kitchen notes organizer to give away. I happen to have one of these right on the front of my fridge and it's a fun a colorful addition to my kitchen and I hope that you will love it as much as I do! So.. here is what you have to do to win it! Bwhahahahah..


Starting today I will be taking submissions in the form of comments left on my blog... And you must answer this question... ~What was your most memorable meal?~ and please.. if you leave an anonymous post please leave contact information so if you win I can get in touch with you! This is going to be fast.. I will pick a name on Wednesday night and announce on Thursday Morning! Please also note.. if you win the contest and you live out of the country I will send you a Chef Weights collection via-email instead of the Cath Kidston Kitchen notes since the cost of international postage would not make it worth while to send. Good luck to everyone!    We now have a winner...  Read the post from Thursday to see who is is!

Letting your fabric do the talking!

Sometimes you just run into a fabric that can do all the talking on it's own.. no need for embroidery ( yes I know.. horrors!).. but of late I have found some of the best pet fabrics to make into Good Dog! Leash Caddy's for some of the favorite pets in my life. Such a quick gift and so appreciated by those who need to walk their dogs in public! And ~how~ cute is this fabric!.... it's by Timeless Treasures but does not seem to be a current offering. But good news they have many other adorable dog fabrics that would be perfect for your own Good Dog!

I have a whole other group of these bags getting ready to go over to the local pet boutique.. they are selling well for pet-lover stocking stuffers!

Lovies being born every day!

I never fail to be amazed at how fabric effects the way the Lovies look. From sassy to totally sweet the fabric is the key. These Lovie sisters and their babies come in firmly in the sweet category. These were a custom order* and I could not have had a better time making them. They are unstuffed and waiting to go to their new home where they will be sewn up with love and grace and given to a couple of darling girls.

Each mama doll takes just a bit more than 10x10 piece of fabric or 1 layer of a quilting layer cake and the babies can be turned out by the handful from lots of scraps of different fabrics. You can find all the Lovies here ... and if you need one just for the holidays remember that the Christmas Eve Lovie and her babies are on sale now through the end of the month.

* If you are interested in a custom order please feel free to contact me. The above order was made from a favorite dress that had been outgrown by the little girls. Custom orders begin at $50 for a mother /baby pair.

And if you have read down this far... thank you! and for being so sweet you will be first with the scoop!.. Next week we will be having a Holiday/new collection celebration giveaway here at Fresh thread and I want you to not miss out. SO check back over the weekend as I get things set up.. anybody in love with Cath Kidston design will want to be here! :-)

Handmade Holiday Goodness

Like many I am doing my best to take back the winter holidays from that of the crass and commercial and make it something more simple and lovely. Perhaps A bit less showy and hopefully a bit less stressful. So in that spirit I have once again taken the Handmade Holiday Pledge. I pledge to make our buy all handmade gifts for the holidays and request that others do the same for me. I know that many others have made the same pledge and for all of us I have created two sheets of printable gift tags that proclaim to the world that you have indeed taken the the Handmade Holiday Pledge and that your gift is part of the movement.

The tag is available in the featured retro blue/green color combination and in a fetching lavender and green. They are yours for the taking. Do remember for these to look their best print them on light weight card stock and use your the photo printing feature on your printer for the best results. The tags print 6 to a sheet and then all you have to do it cut them out and punch a whole for a bit of twine to use as a tie-on.

Please also notice that the general theme of the tags is Winter so they can be used for many different holidays since I did not want to leave anyone out!

So much more than a towel

Anyone with an embroidery machine knows that towels are a simple go to gift... but honestly... after a time there is only so far you can go with putting an embroidery on a towel and saying that it's the best you can do. So why not kick it up a notch with this tutorial from Make it Do

All it takes is some deco-fabric and some jumbo rick-rack and you have something very special indeed!

Little Elf take 2!

Just back from a quick trip to the North Pole... Little elf comes back in PES version 6 for those who need it! :)

Sew Much Cuteness

Sew how do you like this?? I like it SEW very much I can't even begin to put words to it. The pattern is now mine and it can be yours too if you just pop over to to visit SEWLOLA

The pattern is a very reasonable $8 and the instructions are crisp and clear. I am thinking of using some patent leather vinyl in black for the shoe part.. how cute will that be???? For a very cool twist how about some Ed Hardy goth-ish fabric for the leg part??? Or... skin toned fabric and an embroidered ankle tatoo!! Oh the possibilities!!! Of course you could do it exactly like this and be happy forever.. don't you think?

A Little Something Extra

Ever need a little gift... a trifle.. just a little something to show your thanks or to round out some other gift giving? Well this Little Elf Tie-On Charm might just be the answer. Created for my daughter who keeps losing her USB stick in the bottom of her back pack, this handy little fellow is fun to have around and makes a sweet little something to give as a gift. In fact...he is my gift to you this holiday season!

Use it as a USB charm, or tie it on the zipper of a hoodie. Tie it onto a holiday package or just hang it on the the tree, this little guy is ready to do it all! If you want to sell these or use them as gifts I have included a printable PDF card file as pictured above. And of course instructions are available.. click here~

Have fun with this design and thank you for stopping by!

p.s. is it just me.... or does the camera angle in the bottom shot make the elf look a bit like Jay Leno???

Christmas Eve Lovie

Can you imagine the look in the eyes of your favorite little girl as she opens up this special Christmas Eve package? Lovie and her babies are all decked out and ready for the holidays. With a sprig of holly in her hair Lovie is ready to attend any holiday function the little girls in your life might be attending.

Perfect as a quiet toy to keep little ones amused during a long holiday church services or as a special Christmas Eve gift to help that long night pass a little quicker. Think about doing Lovie and her babies in fabrics to match that special Christmas dress or make her totally sparkle with some of this years great fabrics that are shot through with gold and silver threads! I am doing Lovie and her babies in the same fabric that I am making Christmas Pj's out of for some special little girls in my life! and I suspect she would be just charming done in velvet or very hip in deep purple suede for the teen in your life. ( hint- if you do Lovie for a teen .. pop an I-Tunes card into the baby pocket!.. it will be sure to be just what they wanted!)

Christmas Eve Lovie is at her first week introductory price for the next seven days.. after that she goes up to full price. You can find her here at my Big Cartel store.

Fresh Thoughts Thursday

Looking for a new way to merchandise embroidered socks? Try making Sushi with them! Yes.. Sushi.. Catch the wave of all things Japanese and roll your socks up into little bundles that look just like Sushi. Right now Japanese motifs and cultural icons are very hot with the teen set.. so roll up some socks and wrap them topped off with some inexpensive wooden chopsticks! This elevates what could just be " a pair of socks" into a really cute and worthy gift!

Here I have used some wool felt to wrap up these wonderful cashmere socks that I monogramed. A yummy gift indeed!

Totally simple

Need something very simple and yet also very classy? Use the Cocktails at 7 coaster template ( included with each collection) and insert a monogram of your choice. For this one I used a loose weave linen and a deep eggplant colored thread for a very sophisticated look... great for men to don't like anything to "girly".

Sew hectic!

I feel the frantic stampede of the holidays right behind me but did carve out a bit of time to do a little sewing for myself! I am really trying to get to know my new sewing machine and the only real way to do that is to get in their and mess around! So first project was a cover for my new baby. Nothing fancy but I do admit I toyed with the idea of a fully fitted cover.. but since I am trying to get projects done and not get lost in obsessive details I decided on a elastic drawstring end for the embroidery unit and a fitted end for the thread cage end. All and all it all went well and fits my baby just right and meets the need of keeping my kitties out from under the cover where they oh-so love to hide!


For the next project please forgive the wreck that is my studio.. we have just torn out the flooring ( new flooring soon as I can pick it) and are putting in new french doors and curtains... the place looks like it has just been ransacked by sewing pixies! and the photo.. well lets just say that after 5 photography is not in my talents!... but here it is... my second project on my new machine was a 3/4 length wool cape with velvet lined hood. The wool called my name one day while at the fabric store... it's coco colored with deep chocolate roses.. perfect for going out at night! I monogramed the inside of the hood and am now working on a purse to go with it!

In other "Fresh' news... oh boy people!.. I never knew that there was such a need for in-the-hoop coasters.. but I guess with the current Mad-Men style trend something retro like Cocktails at 7 is the perfect gift for a bunch of people on everybody's list!.. I am filling orders as fast as I can and I think everyone will be happy to know that my new website with instant download will be ready pretty soon!.. I know I sure will! So.. all that to say.. please be patient.. I am sending as fast as I can :)

Please Join Me for .. Cocktails at 7

Can you believe it, the holiday season is already here! I just received my first holiday party invitation of the year and that means it's time to get sewing on hostess gifts! But this year I am ready! Cocktails at 7 is the first installment in the Charmed I'm Sure, In the Hoop Coaster Collection and it's my go-to gift for the adults on my holiday lists!

With two great sizes these coasters are do-able by anybody with an embroidery machine. The Grande-size is a bit under 5x5 and makes a full sized impression with 4 iconic cocktail images quilted into the front of the coaster. The Demi-size is included for you folks who often get left behind! Sized for the 4x4 hoop these demi-coasters will be sure to steal your heart while leaving your wallet firmly in place! Using the same iconic cocktail designs as their full sized version quilting is scaled just right for these petite coasters.

Both sets are easy to run and do not require any color changes making them fast! Requiring only 2 - 5x5 fabric charms ( or bolt fabric cut to the same dimension) and 1 5x5 square of thin needle punched batting these are very economical to make at less than 50 cents a coaster! The large size stitches start to finish in about four minutes and the demi size stitches in three!

Finishing them does not take but a blink of an eye. For those who enjoy hand sewing a simple whip stitch does the job. Those "allergic" to handwork will be thrilled to know that a small dab of fabric glue will also do the job.

As always with all Fresh Thread designs we include printable gift tag files for your creations. Created in a To./ From. format these are tags that will work for both personal gift giving and for use as a product hang tag for those who will want to make the coasters for craft fair sales. Of course full instructions are included!

Sew out all four designs for a wonderful hostess gift, or do all you need in one quilted motif for your next wine club dinner or for this holiday's newest trend.. the Martini Party! All 4 designs are included in both sizes as well as a blank coaster template that will take you as far as your imagination can carry you! Hint: How about a monogram letter for a new married couple! The options are endless! You can find this collection at my Big Cartel shop... just click here!

The collection begins shipping via- email on Saturday N0vember 7th. First week introductory pricing is just $10.00!

Showing off my drawers

Did you ever guess that I am the sort that would flash her "drawers" in public?.. well I guess I am ;-) In a fit of organization I am making my way through my studio organizing it bit by bit. All the drawers are getting cleaned out and before I restock them they are each getting a nifty new drawer liner as inspiration to keep things a bit more tidy! I am using my rather mammoth collection of scrap booking paper for the job. While just a little thing.. I can't tell you how much it tickles me to open the drawers and still be surprised by the sweet or sassy print inside each one. They are all done in a different paper so it's quite fun!

What are YOU doing to make your sewing or crafting space more organized or fun to use?

Holiday Hoop-La

Well.. it's started... it's the week after Halloween and that is when I kick it up into full gear for the coming holidays. So much to do.. but also a desperate desire to make it an enjoyable time with family and friends. To that end, simple gifts are high on my embroidery list.

A quick stop in the Target Hot-Spot netted some great gifting potential! For $1 each, fingerless gloves in sizes for the young.. the fingerless style makes these super easy to embroider and to make it even easier get yourself one of Cookie's Sock Easy Embroidery Helpers I can't say enough about this item, it's not just for socks!.. and with the fingerless style of these gloves.. you can embroider in areas that were not even possible before!

In the bottom of that pile is a pot holder and mitt set.. also from the Target Hot-Spot. Ready for a monogram and perfect for a quick hostess gift!

Check back in very soon for a custom made pillow box design just perfect for little gloves and mittens of all sorts!