Be Jolly! (Freebie embroidery pattern!)

 

Woo Hoo! For those who write HTML, you can stop reading now. This was a big deal for me. Probably a MUCH bigger deal than it needed to be, but hey, we (my hubby and I) did it!

 

Coming up with a sweet little pattern was easy. Posting it as a permanent link, well, let's just reiterate how not computer savvy I am.

 

Couple things, before I instruct you to go right over to the right side of your screen and click on the "Be Jolly" image. 1) My hubby takes full credit for uploading the information, upside down. Not a big deal, especially when you are going to print it out anyway. (Some of you are thinking, "But Stefanie isn't your semi-OCD kicking in? The answer is of course, YES. I will change it, just not today. ;0) 2) The pattern is for the embroidered image, what you do after that is your choice. What I wanted to do was use a cute little wooden hoop, with some beautiful ribbon. Sans that, I decided on gluing my piece to heavy crardstock, and adding loads of colorful buttons. (Aleen's craft glue was my friend in this endeavor) You can make little stuffed sachet ornaments or pins, the point is to make it your own and have fun with it. You will notice that there is a string of holly and "Be Merry Be Bright". Feel free to use those too, just remember that in transferring images, the letters need to be in reverse. (Meaning trace the back of the page, not the front. A light box or window is helpful there. :0)

 

It is snowy and beautiful here, and I have my hot pumpkin spice tea and Christmas music playing. I definitely encourage the same!

 

Enjoy your day!

Friends Part One

I was lucky enough to get to go to a friend's house for the day. This has been on the books for a while, and I always look forward to us getting together. Her name is Patti, and we have come to be great friends, after coming out of a "what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger" event. LOVE her. Also she is hysterically funny, charming, and a great cook. Chili, and homemade rolls today. (Of course she knows that I love bread. And leftover Halloween candy.) Everyone needs a Patti in their life. She has a wealth of knowledge on quilting, which is her "sewing drug" of choice. (Speaking of drugs, there is something in those rolls. I. Can't. Stop. Eating.) But she is happy to share her vast array of skills with me as I am with her. Which totally implies that I am vastly skilled myself. (Sewing, or eating her homemade rolls? Hmmm.) Anyway, back on topic...

I know, right? They glisten with butter. OMG.

Oh yes, topic of today was a laminate rain jacket for her daughter. I have some experience with garment sewing, (not my first area of expertise, but I can get through a pattern) and looked forward to working with this fun fabric. It was a matte laminate, which I love. Pink, which her daughter loves.
Patti put the Teflon foot on her Bernina and we were set. We were using the Amy Butler rain jacket pattern, which I must say is possibly not beginner friendly, but perfect for an intermediate sewist. (just an opinion) (lots of terms and lengthy directions) Anywho, we were so close before I had to go. We just have the sleeves and putting the outer with the inner, hem it up, and voila!

 

 

Serious cuteness going on here. :)

 

I also enjoyed going around her sewing studio, taking random pictures of her stuff. You know voyeuristic pictures of sewing goodies?

 

 

A half completed Fritzi bear.

 

 

A stunning quilted mug rug created by our friend Moni, she will be featured here soon. :)

 

 

The sweetest little sewing basket from when she was young, and a wooden spool of grosgrain tape that I covet.

 

 

I am in love with so many of the quilts in this room, but especially this one. This one is for me. :)

 

So that's the day in a nutshell. I had a wonderful time with a great friend, laughing until my sides hurt, drinking enough tea to well, you know, and eating myself silly. Everyone needs a Patti. But get your own, I'm not sure I can share. :0)