NEW Forever Free Design!

A new forever free embroidery design is on the website. This mini zipper bag embroidery file is four inch hoop friendly too. You can find it HERE.

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There's a free machine embroidery design in every issue (unless I'm running a sale). You'll also find links to free sewing tutorials and articles too. The newsletter goes out once a week. 

Sher's Creative Space Website

Well, I've done it. I've launched my website. I had one a while back that I wasn't quite happy with so I deleted it. I've been struggling with where to begin and how I want my homepage to look. I decided to just do it! I want a "main hub" that is professional looking. Now that I'm back to pattern designing for publishing companies, they always link back to me. I wanted people to find a website and not a blog.

There is still a lot I want to do with it, but in due time. I plan to have a shop for patterns and applique templates where people can buy directly from me. I also plan on working on my press page by showing past publications (kind of like a portfolio). All this takes time and I must prioritize. Right now that means I need to create, list to my shops, and submit to books and magazines.

I've also been working on upgrading my pattern layouts. It will take a long time to convert them all over so I figure I'll start with the most popular patterns, then move on down the line. Might even do just one or two a week. And did you  notice my new kitty cat? 

So stop by and let me know what you think. I will be happy to hear any tips and ideas you may have for me as well.


Website: Sher's Creative Space

It's A Gingerbread Christmas!

Since I mentioned that I've been on a major creative streak a couple of my friends have asked me to share some pictures. We'll you asked, and now I shall show!

Remember last year that I came up with the idea to have a Sweet Shop Theme for my dining room? It was cute too. The tree was decorated with nothing but candy and cookie ornaments. Surrounding my tree was a lot of peppermint and other sweets, real and fake. Last year I came up with all the ornaments which are on my blog as free tutorials (link at the top). I also designed the tree skirt and the stockings. 

I took it a step further this year with the addition of the gingerbread girl recipe holder, new ornaments, napkin rings, a tree topper, and a garland. 

So I can't wait to see my dining room this year! And of course I'll post pictures!

You can make all these items yourself because all these patterns are available at my Etsy Shop, Website, and Craftsy Pattern Shop.

On Creative Overload!

I've been on creative overload for the past couple weeks and I can't stop!

I found some old contracts (from publishing companies) from my designing days, and as I was reading them, I noticed that I had signed allowing them first rights. That means that I still own ALL rights to my patterns that I created for them. I'm just giving them the right to publish my project before I publish it anywhere else. So I'll be creating those items and releasing them in the future. I did get one finished earlier today and released it. It's the cute little gingerbread recipe holder you see above. It was in a Christmas book that was published in 2003.

I'm also mid-stream on another pattern that will be listed later this week. I also took some time to sew for myself when I made Ollie the Owl from my friend Heather's pattern (post below).

And it doesn't stop there. I've created a couple new graphic sets the past couple weeks. Just over the last few days I listed a whole bunch of Premade Etsy Banner, Avatar, and Graphic Sets which will be customized for my customer. That's something new for my shop.

So tomorrow it's back to work and my creativity must come to a slow-down. But I'm not going to stop!

Craft & Sewing Tip - Don't Rush!

It's probably one of the first things we learn but it's also the mistake we make most often. The photo above shows what can happen when we rush. I remember the moment exactly.

I thought I'd quickly finish up some bags while waiting for our homemade pizzas to bake. Yes, mine was healthy. Anyway, all I had to do was add the embellishments after they were completed. It was the final step. I grabbed my paint and didn't shake it very well, I didn't have much time, because I was in a hurry. I also didn't take the time to test the paint on some scrap fabric before applying it on my little bags. BIG MISTAKE! Had I waited until after dinner when I wasn't so rushed, I would not have ended up with the face you see on the ghost to the left. Needless to say, I had to make another bag, with another hand appliqued ghost later that evening. So my rush to finish the job quickly actually took about an extra hour and a half.

Have you ever flubbed like that because you were trying to SAVE time?

Witch grouping in the image above can be be found in my "Halloween & Fall Graphic/Clipart Set" that is available at my Website, Etsy Shop, and Teacher's Notebook Shop. Links at the right.

I Love Color!

While shopping for fabric lately I've noticed an area where I've change in my old age. Although there have been many changes in my tastes, one of my biggest changes is my use of color. I used to be a soft, muted tone kind of girl. Lately, while fabric shopping and designing, I've noticed that I've become a "Big Bold Color" kind of girl. And I like it!

Above is just a small representation of the fabrics that I've purchased recently. I went crazy at JoAnn's 99 cent fat quarter sale a couple months ago as you can see in the photo above. Yesterday I came home with the four fabrics also shown. I was so drawn to them. I bought two yards of each. I think I'm going to make some little zipper bags out of them. I love making quick little projects and I plan on making some things to put away for Christmas, as well as designing some new patterns.

My question to you is.....what kind of things would you make from fun and colorful fabrics?

Palette and floss images in the photo above are from my "Crafting Fun" and "Painting Party" Graphic and Clipart Kits which can be found at my Etsy Shop, Clipart Shop, and Website.

Baby Raccoons

Are these little guys too cute for words or what? A few days ago we got in a turkey vulture that was injured. Whenever we get something in that I've not seen before, I grab my camera and get some pictures. I thought, I'd share the picture of the vulture with you, and I will, at another time. But when I went back there to get it's picture, the baby raccoons were in the cage above. Anyone who has ever rehabbed baby raccoons will tell you, they want your attention and they want it now! So I took their picture too, and that is the picture I'm sharing with you today, even though I have quite a few pictures of baby raccoons.

These guys are too funny. We keep the younger ones in large crates in the back. If you are standing too close, they will try to grab your pant leg. As you walk past them you see all these little arms poking through trying to reach everything and anything. It appears as though they are crowded in a small space, but not to worry, the space is huge, they like to crowd together. God forbid, one should get more attention than another!

The guys in the picture are almost ready to release back to nature. Our mommy jobs will be over.

As for the turkey vulture, I'll show you that one a little later. The post also involves an abandoned water park.

The owl and branch in the scrap page below are from my Owls Rule Clipart/Graphic Set which is available at my Etsy Shop, or by instant download at my Website.

FREEBIE - Foldover Gift Cards

It's time for another blog freebie! I thought it would be a great way to introduce my new line of printables to my Etsy shop and my website. Many of you have already purchased my planners and lists, which have been there since I first opened my shop and website.

These are my foldover gift cards. They come two on a sheet, are blank on the inside, and are the smaller size for attaching to a gift or to hang from a gift bag. They measure 3 1/4 x 4 inches when folded. They are just big enough to slip a shopping gift card inside. I give you both PDF & JPEG files. The JPEG makes it super easy to adjust the size as needed if so desired.

I thought the handmade theme would be perfect for my blogging friends since most of you are crafty. And who doesn't love pets? I also included the envelope template.

All you have to do is download to your computer, print, and cut out. I even give you cutting guides. I did find that the easiest thing to do was to fold the sheet in half along the left edge of the card, then cut along the edges with a rotary cutter or Exacto knife. Enjoy!

You can pick your files at 4-Shared or at my website.

Yay for Summer!

Summer is definitely here. We've been in the 90's and the sun is shining. We have the pool open, lots of flowers are in full bloom, and it just feels like summer!

I'm also still on that mad creative streak. Since my pattern shops have been doing so well I've been doing a lot of pattern designing the past few months. After I bought my computer, I came to discover that my graphic shops have been terribly neglected. I've been having so much fun on my new (speedy fast) computer designing graphic and clipart sets. In the past few days I've added six new sets to my shops.

I even freshened up my blog topper using images from my two new sets, Crafting Fun, and Painting Party. Both sets can be found at my website (instant downloads), and at my Etsy shop.

I hope you like the picture above. It was taken from flowers in our yard. That particular flower bush (or whatever you call it) blooms more flowers every year.

Top Sellers & Top Secret

 Since I haven't been blogging so much that must mean I'm locked away in my new craft room creating. That's exactly what I've been doing! As you can see in the photo above, Punkie is supervising the situation just as she always does.

 I'm excited to announce two new patterns. My most recent is this sewing machine cover. It's a cute way hide the sewing machine when not in use. It's available on Etsy, but it's also available on my website and at Craftsy they have instant downloads. No waiting for the files to be emailed.

 Another exciting thing is that my Hanging File Folder Organizer has been on Craftsy's 20 Top Seller List for sewing patterns the past two weeks. The past few days it's been fluctuating between number 9 and number 11. I think people really like the instant downloads there.

Now on to the "Top Secret" part of my post. It was so fun to spend today in my craft room doing personal things. I made a few little surprises for some special people in my life. They all read my blog daily so I can't share right now. I'll post some pics later.

Next "Top Secret" item are two new patterns I've recently completed. I can't show them because the photos and manuscripts have been submitted to magazines. Until (and if) they are published, I must keep them under tight wraps. 

So that's what I've been up to. What about you?

Applique Templates

I'm really excited to add a new section to my Etsy shop! I'm now selling applique templates. I got the idea when I was designing my "Mom Cave" quilt for my sewing room, which I'll show you in a future post. Stitching the detail on those little scraps of fabric is so addicting. I've got a nice selection to start but look for lots more in the future because I have a basket full of them that just need to be stitched. I started with my graphic and clipart kits, then added PDF patterns, and I figure these tie it all together nicely.

If you want to take a peek, you can click on the link above or in my menu at the top of this page.

Hope you are all having a great weekend!

Someday Has Arrived!

This post is for all my fellow seamstresses. I know you all buy fabric because you plan on doing something with it "someday." While you are making these purchases your supply is getting bigger, and bigger, and bigger. But, when you are about to make a new project that requires more than a few scraps, what do you do? You walk right past your already purchased fabric and head out for some new fabric for the project. Come on, admit it! I know you all do it! Well, I'm here to tell you that my "someday" has finally arrived for my biggest "someday" purchase.

What you are look at is about 25 yards of good quality decorator fabric. Back when I worked at JoAnn's we would get awesome discounts. Our everyday discount was 15% off of everything including coupons, sale prices, and clearance items. About five times a year they would have double discount day and we would get 30% off of everything! Double discount day is always during the best sales of the year.

Anyway, this fabric was already 50% off (one of their killer sales), minus my 30% double discount and I got a bargain! I loved all three of these colors together and knew that someday I'd use it. Of course I didn't stop at the fabric, you see decorator trims too.

I've already designed the curtains from the striped fabric, which will be embellished with a buttoned valance. I also see a wall organizer, covered boxes, and whatever else I can think of. These will be good projects to work on while I'm putting my room together. Of course, I'm still sewing on the dining room table for now.

So, how big is your "someday" fabric stash?

Sewing machine used on the photo is from my "The Sewing Room Graphic/Clipart Kit" that can be purchased from my Etsy shop here, or as an instant download from my website here.

FREE Gift! Celebrating Love!

Today we celebrated my incredibly awesome husband's birthday, next week we celebrate our wedding anniversary, and in one month, Valentine's Day! What better time to offer my blog friends a free graphic mini-kit? I created an add on to go with my "Love Is In The Air" graphic/clipart kit. It's my free gift to you in the celebration of LOVE! There are many ways to use these images. You can use them for your digital scrapbooking, card making, and crafting. If you don't do any of that, you can use them for your address labels. Just enjoy them!

You can pick them up on the freebie page at my website HERE, or at 4-Shared HERE.

BUSY!

Along with holiday stuff I decided to finish up my website so I can get it launched. I'll still be busy but at least that task won't be hanging over my head. Man was it a lot of work! If you want to check it out you can click the link at the bottom of this post or you can access it in the menu above. The reason I wanted to create a website was so that I could have instant downloads. I love Etsy and will stay there too, but I wanted to offer this as well.

I'd appreciate any feedback also. And I've looked it over a gazillion times but if you happen to see any broken links or errors, please let me know.

During all this I've been a bad blogger. I've neglected my blog so bad. But I think I'm finally at a point now where I can create that "balance" that I love so much. And I can't wait for Christmas so I can get my new sewing machine and I can make some potholders for myself! I know I can make them with my old sewing machine but I can't wait to experemint with my new one. I'm also going to try all the cool embroidery stitches! I feel like a kid getting a new toy!!!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season! I'm off to visit some blogs now.

Here's the site:
http://www.sherscreativespace.com

Photo Above: Just one of my favorite Christmas decorations that I made years ago. I used to put candy in it when the kids were little but now I put my napkin rings and spreaders inside.