Happy Holidays!

eensy-weensy gingerbread house by kikimonkey

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has shared their holiday traditions on our last post! I've decided not to close the thread like I originally planned - please keep contributing your traditions, (blog address optional) and commenters, please keep visiting bloggers who have already commented. If you're curious, my holiday traditions can be found on my blog. I'm so thankful for all of you - believe me when I say that your creativity continually inspires me and your generosity blows me away. I wish you all the best this season!

FYI: Comment Spam Alert: I'm assuming these comment spammers are human because they enter in the "captcha" phrase and have Google/blogger accounts and "blogs." One "blog" is just a collection of links that hawk car insurance - (Susan). Sometimes they go out of their way to say something that seems related to your post, then throw in an unrelated link to a site. They get what they want when you click the link: every click increases their search engine ranking.

So FYI, if you see any odd or spammy comments that include a link, don't click on them!

Holiday Comment Expedition!

Or, as they say in the genius commercial I adore: Happy Chrismahanukkahkwanzaa!

Our group has grown so much over the past couple of years, and I'd love for us all to get to know each other better, so I devised a new holiday edition of our (highly successful) blog expedition!

How to "play":
1. Please leave a comment telling us about your holiday traditions: it can be silly, funny, weird, or serious: however you choose to celebrate the holidays.
2. At the bottom of your comment, include your blog address, (important!) or if you don't have a blog, a link to your Flickr photo stream.
3. Now, look at two people who commented above you and leave a comment on their blogs. (commenter #1 and #2 leaves a comment on my blog:unafloresita.blogspot.com)

I will leave a comment on the blog of everyone who comments on this post (preferably a crafty blog). So every person who leaves a comment here will get 3 new comments on their blog (I'll leave extra comments on commenters #1 and #2)! You're more than welcome to comment on more than 2 peeps - I'm sure everyone appreciates visitors!

Special note to spammers: Don't even think about it. Especially if you're a spammer named Susan and you hawk car insurance. Have a heart, spamming peeps! If not, thimble guy will talk to Santa and you'll have a big ol' lump of spam coal in your stocking.

Does this sound good? Yeah? Then bring on the holiday traditions, people, and let the Holiday Comment Expedition begin!!!!

It's cold outside!

from sewhipbaby

That is, unless you're one of our stitchy friends in the Southern hemisphere... and speaking of, there's a stocking stitchalong at Meet Me at Mike's you should check out:

from edwardandlilly and michelle

There are 2 free embroidery patterns and a stocking pattern, and Pip walks you through everything you need to know to make your stocking. So even if it's not cold outside, curl up with a little stitching this holiday!

Free holiday mitten pattern

Check out this free mitten pattern from oliver + s... I think it's a great idea to craft a mitten a day, and have a little one pick out the fabrics and buttons with you. Very quick and cute, and much less time-intensive than crafting all the mittens at once! Get the pattern.

Gingerbread men ornaments

made of wonderful bits and bobs by cathy gaubert

I bet now you wish you were part of this ornament swap. I know I do. Boo-hoo! :)

Festive dog embroidery

Ok, I may very well be the last person who has discovered this festive dog pattern from Helen Dardik, but please, people, how cute is this?!! There are full instructions to complete your doggie on Helen's blog. My favorite part about this project is it is simple and quick (perfect for last-minute crafting) and even a beginner can make something drop-dead adorable. Just for the record people... this is a dachsund... with reindeer antlers... and ornaments hanging from his festive little head... I'm sorry, I just died from the cuteness.

Need a little help with those stitches? Try these awesome video tutorials from Needle n' Thread (scroll down to see the videos):
Satin Stitch
French knot
Split Stitch
Chain Stitch

Holiday Trees

It's been a long time since I've done my Tuesday mosaics, so here is one in the Holiday Spirit -- here are some lovely trees people have embroidered. Some are traditionals, others are softies. They are largely from the Flickr Embroidery Pool and the Soft Trees Group on flickr. Enjoy!

1. A red felt Christmas tree, 2. Chistmas tree softies, 3. Personalised xmas tree bodysuit, 4. gray felted sweater tree, 5. winter abc's, 6. DSC02211, 7. Embroidered girl, 8. Handmade Christmas tree/embroidery on felt, 9. Christmas Book - Page 3, 10. Day 10 - Little felt trees, 11. Christmas Trees, 12. Family-Tree-on-oven

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

Advent calendar

I just had to show you this advent calendar by nanacompany.

Closeup on the embroidery at the top:

And the beautifully formatted paper numbers she attached (and no, Amy, using paper numbers on this was not "lazy" at all!) :)

A Holiday Etsy Store for You

Etsy Buy Handmade Hope for Jasenn

I wanted to tell you all about something very special going on right now, a wonderful person you may know, Linda Permann, started an Etsy store to raise money for her brother-in-law who is fighting stage IV kidney cancer. I'm not the only who knows how hard it is to make ends meet during the holiday season - and maybe you know firsthand how scary it is to deal with a sick family member and huge, scary hospital bills. That's why I think what she is doing is so lovely - with the help of crafters (and her own crafts) she's donating 100% of the proceeds from her store to Jasenn and his family.

So often we want to do a little something for someone else during the holiday season, but feel weird about giving to strangers or don't know where to start... this is a perfect way to give to a wonderful person and get something in return!

(Sold 12/7/08)

I donated my embroidered menorah to the store, and I would be honored if any of you purchase that or anything else from Linda's store. I would ship my embroidered piece to you, along with a few little goodies from my stash and my sincerest thanks for helping a young family this holiday! There are tons of great things in her shop, be sure to check it out!

Update: You guys are amazing! One day after this post, my menorah was purchased by Alli - thank you! There are still so many great things in the store - please visit!

Birth of a Sampler.......

I loved following the development of such a lovely piece. If you follow the development of Lilyvanilli72's embroidery, you will enjoy the experience. This was a very ambitious project and she really impressed me with it, so I wanted to share it. I love the colors, so much like good sherbet! Delicious!



Lilyvanilli72 has been highlighted before on the blog, but she just continues to show such wonderful things! Be sure to visit Lily's Blog, too. I read that Lily entered this into a contest that we can vote for her. Be sure to go to her blog to get the link to vote!

You're Invited... Free Embroidery Class at Madewell!

I'll be teaching a free embroidery class at the Madewell store in Soho on Thursday, Dec. 4 from 7-9 PM with an awesome designer, Cal Patch. You're all invited! You may have seen those little embroideries above on Craftzine and Craftgossip - we'll show you how to make a mini holiday embroidery of your own. A free mini hoop, denim square, tracing paper, needles and thread will be on hand so you can craft your own mini masterpiece in the store. We'll even have some goodies from Sublime Stitching to take away!

Madewell is an awesome new clothing brand - as part of the event you can get $25 off any denim. There'll also be a DJ and complimentary drinks in case your embroidery suddenly goes south. ;) I know that not all of you live in New York, but please put the word out to anyone who does!

Madewell has a Facebook page you can check for more information, and RSVP. I would LOVE to see and meet you all in person, whether you're a beginner or an old pro, we can all learn from each other!

Madewell is located at: 486 Broadway (at Broome), NY NY (click for a Google map) Please come out and make your own mini embroidery with Cal and I! :)

Embroidering Voices from the Past...........

In my collage work, I like to combine old papers with embroidery and whatever else I can fit under glass. I have had these monopoly cards ( and tons of other game pieces), trying to make them worthy of embroidery. This morning while browsing through them, this little voice came into my head.......heh, heh.........with our economy, perhaps we could use a few more signs?

Holiday Inspiration

From the following lovely Flickrites:
1. Christmas decor, wooden by munchstuff
2. christmas lights holiday hoo no. 2 by gugy
3. fair isle sweater stocking by xoelle
4. Button Tree by creative breathing
5. Gingerbread.Felt.Biscuits.Trio.2 by CozyMemories
6. Felt cookie by rebel muffin

You guys have been inspiring me so much with your holiday creations that I had to catch up with a mosaic. And I still have oodles of stuff in the Embroidery pool I'd like to blog. You blow me away!

This is my grandmother's stitching!

After years of saying "This ain't your gramma's embroidery" I thought it was time to finally come out with, some of my grandmother's embroidery! My father's mother, Hazel Hart, was born in 1896 and lived next door to us from 1979 until the age of 99 and a half. I always loved this funny toaster cozy she embroidered and snapped a picture of it in my mom's kitchen on a recent visit. I'm sure it's a pattern, but I've always wondered if the droll words weren't my grandmother's own (anyone have this vintage design?). She and dad always did have a wonderfully goofy sense of humor.

Carl Was Not Amused

I came across a funny, quirky etsy site that I just had to share with you. First of all, would you bother to embroider toys for your cat to wrestle with? Yeah, that's what I thought.......


Nikolabean has an Etsy site that will keep you giggling during your morning coffee break...check it out.....

Nikola had a very fat cat named Carl whom the vet prescribed "obesity therapy"----Carl was not amused. Nikola, a personal trainer was not to be undone. Knowing that you could trick humans into thinking exercise was fun by using toys, the Bohemian Green Art Queen began making catnip toys.......

Help! Help!....

.......kitty is going to get me.! ....this little bird lays on the floor for kitty to stalk, and you can help save him..........

or not.

Sometimes, Nikolabean makes things for humans, too. They are not filled with catnip, but provide some therapy anyway......

Macho kitty, terminator type on the outside, soft and sweet on the inside, looking for someone to love,----(but no guarantee if the dog finds me).... safe for: young people, immature adults, nice people, old people, crabby people, boys, girls, and pet lovers.......

Be sure to put something in your cart when you visit her lovely etsy store.

Don't Blame Me for Doodling.......

That Aimee Ray always makes me want to draw and doodle and then stitch......Here are some inspirations I spotted on the Doodle Stitching Flickr pages.......the Aimee Ray design above was done by Kaia Studio and posted in Flickr.......

This is done by Maya on Doodle Stitching Flickr pool.

Sweet Dreams by de Sade's Kitten in the Doodle Stitching Pool.

Then there is Savinna's Secret Garden, by Kaia's Studio.

This is called Jamie's Pillow by Roxycreations, also inspired by Aimee Ray.

And I know there are many, many more inspirations in this pool, be sure to check them out, I will be doodling up a storm after looking at all of these!!!

Time to vote!

McCain, by scrappy annie


Obama quilt, by miss glass

Obama seems to be rocking the crafty vote - there are not 1 but 3 crafty Obama groups on Flickr:
Crafters for Obama
The Obama Craft Project
Crafters4Obama

Whoever you craft for, get out and vote!

Free Embroidery Pattern from Craft Pudding

I've been squealing over this free embroidery pattern from the amazing Craft Pudding for weeks. I think it's perfect to hang in an embroidery hoop and create a cozy holiday feeling... get the pattern here.

Halloween garland

from nanaCompany

You guys are really cranking out some wonderful Halloween crafts!

There's a spider in my hoop...

Learn how to make your own Dangly Spider! Brought to you by the talented Jenny Shaw (miss niff, on Flickr).

Cute, Creepy Bunnies

Be sure to score these free creepy bunnies. Perfect for a Halloween trick or treat bag... :)

Fall Challenge Winner and Tea Towels Galore!

Fall is indeed upon us and hopefully everyone is nestled in for lots of crafting. There has been so much going on over at Craftster that I need to step back and take a breath. First, I would love to announce the winner of the Fall Challenge, "What does Fall mean to you". It's Anya Kase! Check out her wonderful Jack-o-Latern!

A special thanks to everyone who entered. You can check out all the entries over on Craftster.
Second, The wonderful Lilyvanili put together a wonderful Tea Towel set swap. Each person had to send out at least three tea towels. I can't believe all the awesome talent! I'm so sad I didn't join. Maybe there will be another round (hint, hint).


1. Eighty Five Percent confusion, 2. Eighty Five Percent Confusion 1, 3. AllieStar, 4. AndreaDenielll, 5. AndreaDenielll1, 6. beckster, 7. beckster1, 8. camelama_clouds, 9. diablita, 10. diablita1, 11. camelama_twiggy, 12. leeska, 13. Megan, 14. Nicole, 15. Nicole1, 16. Lilyvanilli, 17. elvissatx, 18. fiberartsy, 19. fiberartsy1, 20. Jessarama, 21. la la laurrenn, 22. la la laurrenn 1, 23. PerachYafeh1, 24. sixblueirises1, 25. smittenheart, 26. psoupdesigns, 27. psoupdesigns1, 28. SampsonsLynnie, 29. santacruzsugar4, 30. santacruzsugar5, 31. Sewsew-a-gogo, 32. sixblueirises, 33. SugarySweet, 34. SugarySweet1, 35. zombiekilla1, 36. zombiekilla

Halloween Menu Free Pattern

How you decide to do this menu is up to you, but I like to combine vintage graphics with my designs. I have made many, many of these and they always come out different. There are programs that you can buy with vintage postcards to print out. There is one especially designed for Halloween. The Vintage Workshop can be found on-line and they have various subjects of graphics you can print out. These usually also include projects that you can make with patterns and directions.

I used two fabrics fused together with heat and bond and then I did a herringbone stitch to hide/enhance the fused pieces. Under the tutorial section there is a method of transferring patterns to dark fabric. I usually just freehand my patterns with a gold gel pen. If you are careful you can cover all the ink. When I finish this project, I heat and bond it to fiberboard and then frame it under glass. Options are for a wall hanging or pillow. Instead of printing the postcard on paper, you print it on fabric and fuse it or stitch it in place.


This was one of the first ones I made. I printed the postcard on fusible fabric and fused it to the other fabric instead of stitching it. I used two different colors for the menu for interest and added the spiderwebs with a gold thread. With the lighter fabric, you can trace the words with a water soluable pen before fusing the yellow fabric on the black. I stitch through both layers of fabric for extra support since I rarely use a hoop.



I would love to see how you put this together if you make it, so make sure you post it to the Embroidery flickr and tag it with Halloween Menu. I find that most people who have purchased these from me keep them up all year they like them so much.

Spooky Stitching

Love this Halloween stitched house. Unfortunately, the descriptions are not in English, so I can't describe much. I found this in the Flickr pool for Halloween.


These Zombie and Vampire hairclips from "House of Secrets Incorporated" speak to me of unique Halloween attire. Design and photos are by Hilde Heyvacrt according to the Flickr information.

And what is Halloween without treats? Here we have a nice candy corn by sTuDio * Odd in the Halloween Flickr pool.



And we must not forget to "Welcome the Great Pumpkin", who suspiciously looks like the "Head Beagle" with that grin..........



And lets not forget "Batboy" by Tamie Snow of Roxycraft, embroidery pattern available at Pimp Stitch.

Hope you feel inspired!!!