3D Puff Embroidery

Have you tried 3d Puff Embroidery? I absolutely love this embroidery technique. Puff embroidery involves using a specially designed embroidery file to stitch/embroider over a thin foam which causes a raised or 3d effect.

In this example I used a 3d Puff Font called Varsity. You can get it here. It’s from Creative Appliques.

The font is stitched over this 3d Foam which is also made specifically for embroidery. I just love the dimension it adds to any design. I used my Ricoma EM1010 to stitch the examples above, but you can easily use a single needle machine as well.

Check out the video below for all of the instructions and details.

Sublimation Projects of the Week

When I first bought my Sawgrass sublimation printer, I knew I wanted to make quick and easy gifts for friends and family. I try to continually look for fun things to sublimate. I make them throughout the year and tuck them into a little bin. When a birthday, anniversary or just a special day for any occasion rolls around, I can easily look into the bin of sublimation goodies and I’ve got the perfect gift. Let’s take a look at my most recent creations.

I wanted to create a fall bib that could be worn for the season, rather than a Halloween bib that is limited to a much shorter time period. This image was exactly what I was looking for. I love non-traditional holiday colors, like this blue. The bib blank is a great size for toddlers.

Next up, I created another fun sublimation project utilizing this burlap-like wine bag (you can grab one and save 15% off your order by using code 9PSR5). I found this FUN “in case of emergency design” HERE. This will be a great project for holiday hostess and co-worker gifts.

If you’d like to see the step by step tutorials for either of these projects, just click the tutorial below.

Embroidery for Beginners – Hot Pad

Hot Pads are one of my most favorite things to embroider. They are inexpensive, they are quick and they are easy to embroider on both a single and multi needle machine.

If you have an Esty or online store, hot pads can be a very profitable item to sell. I picked up a set of two hot pads at my local Dollar Tree at 2/$1. You can easily sell a set for $10-12.

In the video below, I will show you just how easy these are to stitch out on both a single needle embroidery machine and a multi needle. They are equally doable. I used my Janome 500E single needle embroidery machine. It’s really an amazing single needle option with an embroidery field of up to 7.9 x 11″. I also highly recommend the Brother 800 or 1900 machines for your first embroidery machine. They both embroidery up to 5 x 7, however, the 1900 machine can also work as a regular sewing machine, so it’s sort of a two for one for about the same price. Of course, I love and use my Ricoma EM1010 muti-needle for hot pads as well. If you’re interested in the Ricoma, using the affiliate link above will save you on your purchase of any Ricoma machine.

Using the Mighty Hoops whenever possible is not only a time saver, but it makes hooping so easy! Use code NEVERSTOPMAKING to save on hoops for your machine to order Mighty Hoops this code only works on phone orders. Call 262-257-0930.

So, let’s get started with this very beginner friendly project. I’ve got step by step video tutorial instructions for you using both a single and a multi-needle machine. Let’s get started.

Hippity, Hoppidy Easter’s on it’s Way

I found the cutest bunny tote bags at Target. in the Bullseye “Dollar Spot” section. They were only $3 each. I grabbed a couple thinking that the would be perfect to fill with books and candy for Ave and Evie for Easter.

Of course, my first thought was personalization. I used Chroma Luxe software to digitze two simple names. I love that you can use any True Type font on your computer and Chroma will turn it into an embroidery file.

I decided to add a couple of snap tabs just to add a little fun and color. I found the snap tab files at Crashing Waves Designs. She’s got so many cute files.

While I used the Ricoma EM1010 Multi-Needle Embroidery Machine to stitch out my designs, you could also use a single needle machine. If you don’t have an embroidery machine, you could easily do something similar with iron on/heat transfer vinyl.

Here’s the step by step tutorial including digitizing in Chroma.

Customized Apple Watch Band

It’s a week before Christmas! Can you even believe it? I’ve got a quick and easy gift idea for your Apple Watch wearing friends. How about a totally customized watch band? I made this one in about ten minutes using my Sublimation Printer and these watch band blanks. I know I say it everytime, but wouldn’t this be a great stocking stuffer, too!

I had so many ideas running through my head. Favorite sports team, logo, leopard, buffalo plaid, holiday, team/school colors, holiday themes and so many more! Here are just a few “mock ups” I made.

What would you put on your watch band? Leave me a comment and let me know.

Here is a tutorial for this quick and easy project:

Wooden Name Tags with the Glowforge

I was so excited to make name tags for my son and daughter-in-law. They recently moved out of town and this will be their very first Christmas to not be here for the holidays. I wanted to make sure they get to experience a big part of our holidays, which is the stocking. In my opinion, it’s the most fun part of Christmas morning. We always open the stockings first.

Even though I bought them new stockings with initials, I wanted to add some customized tags. The Glowforge makes it so super easy to create one-of-a-kind customized pieces. It really only took a few minutes to create the file and a little over 3 minutes to cut. Pretty crazy, right? If you’ve been thinking about a Glowforge, I say go fo it! I love that I can make personalized gifts out of leather, acrylic wood and so much more! If you use this link you will save $100 on the Basic, $250 on the Plus and $500 on the Pro!

What would you like to make if you have a Glowforge? Leave me a comment.

I made a tutorial for for these cute tags, you knew I would!

*Disclaimer:  Some links above are affiliate links.  By clicking on these links I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.   Some products may have been provided to me by vendors.  All opinions and reviews are strictly my own.

How to Sublimate a Glass Cutting Board

Are you looking for gift ideas for the holidays? I’ve got one that I hope you’re going to love!

I am back with another Sublimation tutorial. Today, we are making glass cutting boards. I found these to be so fun. I can think of a ton of ways to utilize this fun project. How about putting your favorite team logo and then using it as a cheese/serving tray at your next football gathering? Photos, of course, make great gifts for grandparents as well as moms and dads. Another fun idea would be to add your favorite family recipe and then give them to various family members. You could also add a favorite quote, holiday meme, favorite characters, movie scenes, inspirational quotes and the list goes on and on. However you choose to use them, I am sure they will be greatly appreciated.

I used my Sawgrass SG500 sublimation printer and my 15 x 15 heat press with the pretreated glass cutting boards that are perfect for sublimation (hint: use code 9PSR5 to save 15% on the cutting boards).

Want to see how easy it is to create this fun addition to any kitchen? Let’s get started:

*Disclaimer:  Some links above are affiliate links.  By clicking on these links I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.   Some products may have been provided to me by vendors.  All opinions and reviews are strictly my own.

Animal Print Key Chains… I mean c’mon :)

I was so happy when Parker on the Porch gave me the OK to make a video featuring her fun animal print key chains. I mean, Leopard is the signature pattern of this crazy 2020 year.

Leopard is everywhere.

They are each made on the embroidery machine. I used my Ricoma EM1010 Multi-Needle Machine (link saves you $100), but you can make them on a single-needle machine as well.

I sent this one to my leopard-loving friend, Teri. She loved leopard before leopard was on every display at the mall.

I kept the Zebra keychain, but I love the tiger print, too! Don’t you think they would make the perfect stocking stuffer?

If you want to learn how to make these adorable In the Hoop Key Chains, click the tutorial below.

*Disclaimer:  Some links above are affiliate links.  By clicking on these links I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.   Some products may have been provided to me by vendors.  All opinions and reviews are strictly my own.

How to Embroider a Beanie

Now this is fun!!

Oh the weather outside is frightful… and my beanie is so delightful. Since we’ve no place to go, let us SEW, let us SEW, let us SEW!

It is official, the summer season has left northern Indiana and the Fall is on it’s way out as well. Winter is around the corner, which means lots of hats, gloves and warmer clothes in my neck of the woods.

Today, I’m going to show you how to create a very easy Embroidered Beanie. I picked up several of these beanies as soon as I received my embroidery machine, however, for some reason I was afraid to give them a try. They are so simple to add embroidery and customize. I used my 8 in 1 Hoop and my Ricoma multi-needle machine (save $100 with this link) to add my logo to this beanie in a matter of minutes!

Want to learn how? Follow my step by step tutorial

*Disclaimer:  Some links above are affiliate links.  By clicking on these links I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.   Some products may have been provided to me by vendors.  All opinions and reviews are strictly my own.

Drawstring Pouch

I am back with another beginner-friendly sewing project. This drawstring bag is a great staple pattern to have in your sewing arsenal. It is so versatile.

This pattern can be adapted to any size you need. It is great to be used as a reuseable gift bag, candy bag, gym bag even a mask bag. I keep one in my car to keep clean masks in and another for dirty masks.

Find out how to create this multi-purpose bag in my step by step tutorial here: