Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from Sher's Creative Space!

Wishing all my friends out there a wonderful Christmas. Enjoy this time with friends and family. And do eat dessert, after all, it's Christmas!

Most importantly, love one another, and be safe.

Christmas Tutorials for Last Minute Gift Ideas

For my new readers, you may not know that there are some really fun and fast tutorials all organized, nice and neat on a Pinterest board. The little baking mix bags would make a great hostess gift. The wine glass shades take just minutes. You can add festive touches to any room!

Here's a little tip about the wine glass lamps....I painted the stems with enamel paint, then washed it off after Christmas! You have to do it within a few days of painting, and you can't bake the glasses or you'll never get it off. Also, it's important to use flameless tealight candles in them. And if you ever wondered if the "flickering flameless" tealights look real, check out the video at the bottom of that page.

Here are the links to the tutorials pictured above.

Wine Glass Lamps

Baking Mix Gift Bags

Hobby Horse Candy Cane Holders

Lollipop Ornaments

Tutorial Board at Pinterest

Little Spike and My New Images

As many of you have probably already noticed, I have fresh new images to represent my embroidery business and my PDF pattern business. What made it most difficult is that I wanted to tie in the two different businesses with very similar images. My social media sites such as Google Plus, Facebook,  Instagram, Pinterest, and this blog represent both of my businesses. So, how to make them each work alone, and together has been a challenge for me. I have it figured out! 

What ties it all together are two different elements, colors and Little Spike (the dog). 

Yes, the dog has a name! This past January I lost my little Yorkie due to serious medical reasons. I'm getting closer and closer to being ready for another one. All I know for sure is I would love another small dog, fluffy, and we will get him or her from a local rescue or the humane society. So when referring to my future dog, I call him Little Spike. On another note, this dog in my logo also resembles my sweet Bubba that passed away. So, adding Little Spike to my logo has a very special meaning to me.

Let me know what you think about my new images!

How About Creating A New Christmas Tradition This Year!

Our family is big on Christmas traditions and has always been. Now that we have a granddaughter, I thought it would be fun to start some new ones that she will always remember. Last year we started the tradition of opening our gifts while skyping with our daughter who lives 2,000 miles away. It was so much fun, I wonder why we never thought of it before. After the gift opening, and before we say goodbye, we all have a toast to celebrate the upcoming year. Those of us who don't drink, have a glass of sparkling wine.

We also have traditions the we are still carrying on from years ago, but this year I'm adding another tradition for Christmas Eve. We are going to have a hot cocoa bar. The cocoa will be cooking in the slow cooker. The house will smell fabulous! I have a beautiful wooden tray that I got from my mother. I'll place a red napkin inside along with colorful (battery operated) lights wrapped with a piece of evergreen garland cut to fit the inside edges. I'll use mason jars to hold things such as candy canes, marshmallows, rolled wafers, and chocolate chips. And we must not forget the Christmas sprinkles! This tray will be in our bay window, in the dining room, where our granddaughter can reach it herself. Many years down the road, she will always remember the hot cocoa bar at Nana's on Christmas Eve. I'll share a picture after the holidays.

Have you thought about starting a new Christmas tradition? They don't have to be elaborate or expensive, just something that will be memorable and fun. If you need some ideas, a lot can be found right here.

In The Hoop is Ready!

It has been several months in the making, but it's finally ready! Most of you were requesting the mug rug patterns to be In The Hoop, so we started there first. The most popular of the bunch are ready and waiting to be stitched up. They've all been tested, and retested. There are a lot more things to convert over to digital embroidery files, but it all takes time. There will also be individual designs and some fun little vinyl projects. Some are ready to go, just need to get them photographed and listed.

You can find the new line right HERE!

Machine Applique - Adjusting the Size of Your Applique Templates

One of the questions I get asked a lot is if my mug rug patterns can be made smaller or bigger for place mats and other things. Just because I put these appliques on a mug rug doesn’t mean that you have to make a mug rug. For me, they are the perfect size to use for decoration either on a wall, bookshelf, or in a china hutch. Since most people use them for decoration, maybe they’d like a bigger display for their wall or for a quilt. In any case, it’s very easy to adjust the size of the appliques.

Machine Applique - Tips and Tricks - Part 2

Last week we focused on supplies that will make your machine applique life easier. Today I’m going to share some of the tips and techniques that I’ve learned through the years. If you missed last week’s article, you can find it HERE. So, let’s begin on the next article. 

Machine Applique - Tools and Tips to Make the Job Easier - Part 1

By far, the biggest sellers in my pattern shops are my applique templates and mug rug patterns. Judging by the feedback I get from my customers, most of them use the machine applique method. I’ll admit, it’s my favorite way as well. When I first started designing them I used the hand applique technique, but once I discovered how fast these go together when using the sewing machine, I changed my method quickly! I’ve learned a lot during my four or so years of designing mug rugs. I’ve always known how to machine applique, but I’ve learned a lot of tricks and tips along the way that will give excellent results.

More "Selfish" Sewing in 2017

It’s hard to believe another year has passed. Has anyone made any resolutions for 2017 yet? I’m not big on them but early this year I did decide to make more time for personal sewing for myself, and my family. Success! I made travel bags, cosmetic bags, laptop sleeves, table runners, tree skirts, wallets, and more. I made them for myself and my loved ones. I’ll be doing that again this year as well. For me it seems like since my business is sewing related, the “magic” and excitement of creating things tends to get a little lost. I still love to design and create patterns, but sometimes I just like to get online and choose a pattern from another designer and make something for me or someone else. Sometimes I like to be a follower and not an instructor.

Above is a sampling of just a few things I made for myself and loved ones. What do I have in the plans for this year? Some more Christmas presents and “just because” gifts for my people and myself. You might have already noticed (in the lower right photo) that I made a catnip stuffed toy for my cat Punkie!

As for business, I have a lot of plans for there too. I have a book that I’m hoping will be ready to publish by late summer. It’s been two years in the making, but I’m such a perfectionist, I keep tweaking. There are also more blog tutorials in the works. And don’t forget that long list of mug rug ideas people are sending me. I’m working on those as well. If I haven’t gotten to your idea yet, hang in there, I’ll get to it!

Whatever your plans for next year are, I wish you the very best in every aspect of your life. Bring on 2017!

New mug rug patterns to inspire you!

http://www.sherscreativespace.com/store/c24/Other.html

Chicago - Take a Break and Enjoy the Season!

For many people December is absolutely crazy. I am one of those people. Between my business, occasionally filling in at the animal clinic, and the holidays, I'm swamped! In my older age I've discovered that sometimes you have to put the smartphone away, step away from the fabric (if you work with it like me), and concentrate on having fun and creating memories with those you love.

I did exactly that this past weekend. It all began Friday when my granddaughter spent the night. We had so much fun baking and doing a craft project, one that is suitable for a three year old of course. The next morning we got up bright and early and hopped on the South Shore Train to Chicago! Of course we picked up mommy at the Portage stop, then off we went!

Our first stop was Winter Wonderfest on Navy Pier. It is the ultimate place to take kids of all ages. There was so much to do and quite surprisingly, the lines weren't that long for the children's rides. Our favorite part, and actually the part that cost nothing at all, unless you count our trip into the Disney Store, was walking down Michigan Avenue and seeing the holiday lights. Chicago is such a beautiful City. It's especially nice since it's so easy to get to with the train station just a hop, skip, and a jump away!

For a more local holiday treat, a trip to the Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets is always fun. It's always so congested in the summer when people come from all over to shop the most beautiful outlet center in the states. But in the winter, it's nice and peaceful, and most of the out of towners don't know about a cute little coffee shop across the street called Lakeshore Coffee. You will never find a better panini anywhere. And of course lots of great coffee and teas. They have lots of fun, holiday specials, and warm drinks. And the atmosphere is so sweet!

So, isn't it time you took a break and spent some time just enjoying yourself and your loved ones?

Merry Christmas!!!