FlossTube Episode 12: Cutting Accurate Pattern Template Shapes Using Freezer Paper Tutorial

Hello stitching friends! A new tutorial has been posted on my FlossTube Channel. This tutorial shows how to accurately cut pattern template shapes using freezer paper. This is a short video for a helpful technique you can use for needlework finishing, wool applique, quilting applique, and other craft projects. You can find it by visiting my YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/BelindaKarlsNace) and I'm posting it below for convenience: I hope you will stop by for this fun, learning video...

Helpful links, mentioned in my video:

Harvest Huswif Pattern PDF: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1250811461/harvest-huswif-brd-114-cross-stitch

Harvest Huswif Pattern Paper: https://www.etsy.com/listing/204869465/harvest-huswif-brd-114-cross-stitch

Tulip Table Runner and Alphabet House Mug Rugs Quilt Pattern PDF: https://www.etsy.com/listing/993465066/tulip-table-runner-and-alphabet-house

Tulip Table Runner and Alphabet House Mug Rugs Quilt Paper: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1232464384/tulip-table-runner-and-alphabet-house

Amazon Store - here you will see essential items I use in my studio, including all the materials used in this tutorial…and other items/materials I share about in my videos: https://www.amazon.com/shop/brdgirl (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)

A comprehensive list of all creative items in my shop (including everything in this tutorial: https://www.amazon.com/shop/brdgirl/list/21CEJ3D770R13

Light Pad

Freezer Paper Sheets

Tim Holtz Small Scissors/Snips

Oliso Mini Project Iron

Wool Pressing Mat

If you like my content and would like to show me a little extra support, you are welcome to buy me a coffee – no pressure, but greatly appreciated!! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/brdgirl

I hope you will stop by for this fun, learning video...

Other news of interest - I have posted the last of the large sunflower project bags and sunflower ruler sleeve sets in my Etsy Shop...and I have a good selection of project bags in progress that will be posted soon! Plus more of my classic cross stitch patterns have been converted to digital PDF format and have been added to the shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueRibbonDesigns

Thank you for visiting with me today - I hope this finishing tutorial will inspire you to work on and/or finish a piece using this technique...and if you do, leave me a comment and share your results with me! Happy stitching, sewing and quilting....

Plenty of Pretty Project Bags

Happy Friday friends! Today, I am stopping by to show you piles of recent project bag finishes. I completed a couple large orders for my zippered project bags this past week (and one piece of needlework finishing, which I'll add to this post)..it is always enjoyable to work with the fabulous fabrics my clients supply for their custom bags...even when they send directional prints and prints with straight lines, it is still fun to play with all the different patterns and styles. I am still taking custom project bag orders on a limited basis (the client supplies their own fabrics) - if this is something you might be interested in, send me an email and I will reply with details (pricing, time frame, fabric amounts, etc.). This batch of photos also includes a bunch of Blackbird Designs bags I created for my Etsy Shop (these sold out immediately, but I do have plans for more real soon!). Here are a few photos of a sampling of my most recent custom project bags...

I have another large pile of bags ready to cut and sew over the next week for my Etsy Shop, along with a few client orders...so, my sewing machine will be humming along.

For now, it is back to organizing the garage and finishing up some yardwork - trying to get everything done outside earlier in the day, because the temperatures here have been brutal! I also have a tutorial video to finish editing today. I'll be back again soon when I have more to share...have a great weekend!

FlossTube Episode Eleven: New Quilt Patterns and Cross Stitch Sneak Peek

Greetings friends...my latest FlossTube video has been posted - I hope you'll come visit with me! I share all the details for my two new quilt patterns - plus I show a sneak peek of a new upcoming cross stitch design. I also share a bunch of needlework finishing, project bags and some quilting...and I talk about my recent classes and class projects.  I look forward to sharing my passion for all things done with needle and thread with you...

You can find my YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/BelindaKarlsNace and I will post the latest video (https://youtu.be/WmqJ6isZQqw) below:

I also filmed a short tutorial video, with my trick for cutting pattern pieces accurately using freezer paper - this technique works great for wool applique, cross stitch finishing and quilting applique - it is a great trick for your creating arsenal. This video will be posted in the next week - I just have to finish editing it. I hope you will find this technique tutorial helpful...

On the home front, we have been doing some home improvement projects - so that is going on behind the scenes, as well. We had our garage flooring done this week and had to remove everything from our garage so they could do the epoxy coating. Once that was complete, we decided while our garage was empty to paint it - I know, not the best time to paint our garage walls, as it has been well over 100 degrees, but we finished it up really late last night. Now we have the task of putting everything back in the garage - I am making my husband become more organized out there...and we are cleaning everything before putting it away. It has been a big job, but the end is in sight and it has been well worth it.

I will be back soon to share my most recent projects (I've been busy in the studio). It has been difficult to find a balance with my new designs, Etsy projects, custom and finishing work, teaching, and my freelance designing...I am incredibly busy, but it is truly a blessing! Thanks for making the time to stop by my blog today...💗

Sunshine and Rainbows

Happy Monday friends! It is a hot and humid evening and I just came inside from letting our dogs run in our backyard  for a bit. I am not feeling my best today, so I opted for a desk day. I have been working on my Etsy Shop and my website. I really would like to have all my Blue Ribbon Designs  patterns/charts available in both printed paper format and digital download PDF format, so I have spent the majority of my day converting patterns and  printing the newest designs for my shop - I am really hoping that over the next couple months, I will have them all available in both formats - it's slow going, but I am getting there. I also took some time to catch up on correspondence, do some accounting, and work on a new design layout. I thought I would pop in and do a quick blog update, before I attempt to do a little sewing. I know, I know, THREE blog posts in one week!...I'm shocked myself...but don't get too used to it, my work piles are overwhelming at the moment, so it may be a bit before I am back again...

Today's post is really a photo show of some of my most recent projects (the ones I can share)…some needlework finishing (not my stitching - just my finishing and some of my designs), some customer sewing and quilting, and a homemade gift or two...basically a selection of photos that show some of the "happy" that has been on my studio tables over the last few weeks. I'll do my best to provide details in the captions, if I have them...

Entwined Hearts by the The Scarlett House

Entwined Hearts by the The Scarlett House

Small Project Bag (my original design)

Cosmetic Bag (my original design)

Large Project Bag and Cosmetic Bag (my original designs)

Scissors and Needle Keep (my original design)

Quilt Retreat Mat (my original design)

Large Project Bag and Small Project Bag (my original designs)

Coasters (my original design)

Pretty Posies Pouch (my original design)
PDF Pattern: https://www.etsy.com/listing/943706179/pretty-posies-pouch-quilt-pattern
Paper Pattern: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1232483326/pretty-posies-pouch-quilt-pattern-paper

Sweet Slice of Liberty (my original design)
PDF Pattern: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1028614966/sweet-slice-of-liberty-brd-121-counted
Paper Pattern: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1232437426/sweet-slice-of-liberty-brd-121-counted

A Star of Top (my original design)
Free pattern on my website: https://blueribbondesigns.com

Roses, Hearts and Chickens by Pinker 'n Punkin Quilting

Prim Winter - Joy by Chickens by Pinker 'n Punkin Quilting
Prim Winter - Home by Pinker 'n Punkin Quilting

My Frosty Friend (my original design)
Free pattern can be found here:
https://blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com/2021/11/my-frosty-friend-2021-cross-stitch.html

Friendship Sampler by Birds of a Feather

My studio has been quite productive and there are some things I can't show you yet. Plus, I have done a bunch of project bags for my Etsy Shop (I won't bore you with a million photos of them)...and if you are looking for one of the limited Large Sunflower Project Bags (for the limited Lady Dot Creates Sunflowers for Ukraine Accessories), there is currently one left at the time of this posting...I could possibly have a few more in the future, but I have used up most of the fabrics.

I did pick up this fabulous fabric from my local quilt shop a week ago - this is Renew by Sweetwater for Moda - seriously, how CUTE are those little rainbows...and I just love the positive, happy message of this fabric line. I don't have a plan for these yet, but one is brewing...

Thanks for visiting with me today - I hope you are feeling inspired! Take a little time to create something just for you...

Building a Life They Love

Greetings friends! It is a quiet Saturday afternoon and I needed a break from chores and a complicated work project, so I decided to stop by for a quick visit. I thought I would pop in and share the machine embroidered pillow I made my mother-in-law and her new husband as a wedding gift (and a few favorite wedding photos). 

It has been a while since I have made time to do some machine embroidery and it was a treat to pull out my embroidery arm and software. I was able to find a digitized design I liked on Etsy, but wanted to add the names of the bride and groom and the wedding date (which I digitized with my software).  This was a larger design and took some time to stitch out, but I was quite pleased with the end results. I created an envelope back pillow and used an 18" pillow form - I also padded and serged the inside of the pillow cover, so it could easily be laundered. It was a rewarding afternoon project! To add a chuckle to this story, when we left for the wedding, I actually forgot the wrapped gift on our dining room table and had to ship it to them after the fact...yep, I was so scattered, I forgot the wedding gift...once we realized it, we were to far from home to go back and get it....so USPS to the rescue.

It was a beautiful outdoor wedding and reception. My husband walked his mother down the aisle and his half-sister was the maid of honor. The bride's sister made her dress and the family did all the decorations. The wedding took place at a lovely farm in eastern Iowa and the happy couple were surrounded by family and friends. They served walking tacos for their reception dinner...and there were delicious cupcakes and soft serve ice cream for dessert. It was a very special day! We are thrilled to have new extended family and made lots of memories...

This past week, I have been busy working on custom client finishing and sewing orders and I'll be back to show some creative photos really soon...

I hope you are enjoying the weekend...make a little time to do something creative!