lucky 13

Who ever said 13 was an unlucky number sure got it wrong today because guess who won the giveaway? That's right, number 13 

Rita who said...

wow! what a sweet giveaway -- the ornaments are really beautiful! the snow angel is my fav, but it's also my grandson's first Christmas, so it would be hard to decide. thank you for this opportunity!

Congratulations Rita! Please email me at [septemberhouse(at)hotmail.com] and let me know which ornament you would like.

I apologize for not getting a tutorial or a printable posted this week. I just could not figure out a way to get around the camera issue. So, once that is back I will be getting a little something ready to post, late as it may be.  I mean really it has been so much fun, maybe I should just keep the party going into "Floss-tober"?

hey hey it's a giveaway

I'm happy and sad to announce this week's Stitch-tember giveaway. Sad because it's the last one which means my month-long party is drawing to a close. Happy because I think this is a pretty good one and I hope you will like it too. 

This week's giveaway is for a SeptemberHouse hand embroidered ornament! Four choices are available: 'Our First Christmas', 'Baby's First Christmas', 'Snow Angel (pink or aqua)' or, I will stitch up a custom monogram ornament from the Winter Wonderland pattern set. The winner chooses, I send it - you know how it goes. All you need to do to enter is leave a comment on this post. A lucky winner will be chosen and announced on Friday. Good Luck!!

last week, last sale

September is winding down but I have one last sale going on this week.
10% off all ornaments! 

There is more to come during this final week. I am trying to figure out how to swing it without my camera. It's having it's sensor cleaned and I won't have it back for a week or so. Hmmm... I may have to get creative. Or my posts may have to get really dull. Either way, I hope you will stick with me, I promise it will be a fun week.

and the winner of the week three giveaway is...

Mary Ann who said...

I'm just a beginner so I would love some new fun stuff...specially the pen and the hoops:)

Congratulations Mary Ann! Watch for an email from me later today. Thanks everyone for participating!

P.S. A big huge thank you to Marci who was kind enough to tell me how to post the random.org graphic!

a how-to for you

I'm back with another little something for you today. I was working on one of the patterns for my new holiday embroidery pattern set and decided to use some fabric appliqués. Then I thought, why not share the ins and outs of that process here with you? So, it's a 2 for 1 deal today - a sneak peek at the new pattern set AND a fun tutorial.

The first thing you need to do is decide what shapes you want to use for your fabric appliqué. I decided to make each of the ornaments in fabric for this example. 

Next you will need some fusible webbing material. Two popular options are Wonder Under and Heat n' Bond. I have used both with good results - just be sure to follow the directions included with them. Both have a smoother, paper surface side and a more textured, glue surface side. The fusible webbing is semi-transparent so it's easy to place it over a pattern and trace the shape you want. It's important to trace the shape in reverse! After you have traced your shape iron the webbing material onto the back of the fabric you are going to use.

After that is done and the fabric has cooled a bit you can cut out your shape(s)

The paper layer will still be on the back of your shape at this point but you can see that the glue layer is bonded onto the fabric. Next you will need to position your appliqués where you want them to be on your base fabric. I always peel off the backing paper first so I don't need to pick them back up again once they are in place.

For this pattern I chose a semi-transparent iron-on stabilizer as my transfer method. Therefore, I have to match up my pattern with my fabric appliqués. This can be a little fiddly but with patience it does work. 

Once everything is placed properly it can be ironed to set your appliqués permanently. The next step is the fun part - adding the embroidery! Once that is complete the stabilizer can be removed.

You don't have to add stitching around the outside of your appliqué but I like the finished look that it gives. And while the instructions that come along with the fusible webbing always say that the finished item is machine washable, I have never had the nerve to do it - I am kind of wimpy that way. I have, however, washed one or two things by hand and I'm happy to report that they stayed put. 

There are other methods for bonding fabrics together such as sprays and glues. You can also find tutorials for sewing fabric appliqués on by hand or by machine which gives beautiful results as well. Whatever method you chose, have fun with it and enjoy the process!

something to get you stitching

It's week three and time for giveaway number three! This week, to go along with the pattern sale I thought I would put together a little starter kit for anyone who is building their stash of embroidery goodies. OR - if you are someone who just loves shiny new things to add to your stash (like me!) - this works for you too.

There are some fun little things included like bright colorful flosses, my favorite transfer pen (it has a very fine line and I, for one, am picky about that), an awesome little pocket guide that illustrates a whole variety of stitches, some wooden hoops and some thread heaven (love that stuff). Chances are some surprises will be included as well but I can't say anything more about that.

I am a day late with this giveaway announcement (sorry, I meant to get this up yesterday!) so I'll wait til Saturday to pick a winner. Just leave a comment to be included. Good Luck!!

have i got a deal for you

It's a pattern sale! 

All patterns are 20% off this week!

It's a great time to try out a SeptemberHouse embroidery pattern. Instant downloads are available in the webstore and you can stop by and see me in Etsyland as well. 

I'll be checking in again before too long with this week's giveaway!

to: you from: me

Guess, what? I've got a little free printable to share with you all today. I'm keeping the birthday theme running for this Stitch-tember goody. This one was inspired by this dilemma:

Since we don't live near family we ship a lot of packages for birthdays and Christmas. I hate sending a bow-less gift BUT sometimes a bow just isn't going to make it over the miles, you know? If it stays on the gift at all it is surely smashed and bashed by the time it makes it arrival. I have been meaning to make a little digital version for some time now and Stitch-tember has inspired me to go ahead and get it done. So I'm sharing it with you today. Just click the link to download the Print-Snip-Ship bows file.

I had to try this out of course and here are some of the results. For the first one I printed one of the pre-colored pages (there are 5 in the file). I printed it onto white cardstock and trimmed it was done.

Then I used the page of blank bows and printed it on to yummy glittery gold paper. You can't see the sparkles as well above but look below!

 Ooohhh shiny!

 Then I tried it out on some origami paper

and some patterned scrapbook paper. Pretty!

So give it a go the next time you need to mail a gift and want to add a little something different to the front of your package. These would even be cute on the outside of the mailing box, wouldn't they? Just be sure to cover with clear packing tape. 

This digital file is several pages long and not all of the bow graphics are shown here. I think you will like what you find!

Please note this printable is for personal use only. Thanks!

it's time to...

Announce a winner for the Embroidered Sampler Magnet giveaway. Although I can not for the life of me figure out how people copy and paste the little box graphic from random.org, that is indeed how winners are chosen. That being said, the winner today is Number 16!

Lee who said... 

How sweet - I adore that lazy daisy! thanks!

******************************************************************************
Congratulations Lee and watch for an email from me in your inbox!

I'll be finishing up a little free printable this weekend and then a new week of Stitch-tember fun begins!

Somewhere in the mix I am also making progress on a new pattern set and enjoying the PERFECT Minnesota weather (70 and sunny?? does it get any better?? - I think not)

Have a great weekend!

an attractive offer

Who is feeling lucky? This week's Stitch-tember Giveaway is for a set of embroidered sampler magnets! There are three color schemes to choose from and each set features 4 different embroidery stitches. All you have to do is leave a comment and I'll pick a winner (well, random.org will pick a winner) on Friday!

stitch-tember sales continue

I am positively charged about this week's sale -

20% off all magnet sets!

You can check out the sets available over at the SeptemberHouse Webstore or the Etsy Shop.

and the winners are...

Happy Friday everyone! I am ready to post the winners of the calendar panel giveaway if you are. Here we go..

# 22 Singtatter who said...

I like the aqua vintage calendar. Thanks for the giveaway!

and #11 Charlotte who said...

How generous. Thanks for this chance to get organised :-)

Congratulations Ladies! watch for an email from me in your inbox! 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

embroidered pendant tutorial just for you

You know these guys, right? They have been a hanging out at SeptemberHouse for a few years and I get asked about them all the time. I thought these embroidered pendants would make a good tutorial to share for the "Stitch-tember" festivities. And yes, I am opting for a birthday theme. My SeptemberHouse birthday is coming up very soon (it will be 4 years - can you believe it?) and September is a huge month for birthdays in my family so we are always knee deep in birthday cake around here. I chose a cake image but you can use whatever you like for your necklace.

Let's get started, shall we?

1. Here's what you will need: one pendant setting available at one of my favorite little Etsy shops, Kailea. She has lots of sizes and shapes to choose from and she is lovely to work with too. Each pendant setting comes with an outer open frame piece, and inner solid circle that supports your fabric and a solid backing piece that covers the fabric on the back side.

You'll also need a small piece of fabric. Just 3 x 3 inches works fine for this project. I also use some iron-on interfacing on the back to give the embroidery a smoother look and to eliminate any glare from the metal piece underneath.

2. Just trace the inner circle from the setting onto your interfacing and cut it out.

3. Next you'll need to iron the interfacing onto the back of your fabric. Next choose a design you want to stitch onto your pendant. I used a birthday cake pattern and guess what? That pattern along with three other tiny birthday cakes are available for download. They can be used for this project or any other personal project requiring a teeny tiny birthday cake image. Click on over to get the free embroidery pattern.

4. Transfer your design using whatever method you like best. I used a water soluble marker and a bright window.

5. Stitch away! I love this part.

6. Using a running stitch, stitch all the way around the circle about a 1/4 away from the interfacing.

7. Trim another 1/4 away from that.

8. Place the inner metal circle over your embroidered circle on the back side.

9. Pull the ends of your floss to cinch your fabric around the metal circle. Double check the front side to make sure it is positioned correctly.

10. Insert this into the open metal frame and turn face down on a table or working surface. Making sure all the fabric is tucked in, carefully add the backing piece to the back side. Turn the metal prongs down to secure (I use needle nose pliers for this). 

To finish it off I snip the floss ends and use a needle to tuck in any bits that can still be seen. You can add any chain you like to complete your necklace. 

I should be sure to say that this is how I have made these embroidered pendants but there may be other methods out there that work just as well or even better. 

Let me know if you have any questions about this project - I'm always happy to help!

If you haven't entered the calendar panel giveaway be sure to stop by and do that before Friday. More exciting Stitch-tember events to come!

cheap dates

And by "cheap" I actually mean "free"

My first in a series of "Stitch-tember" giveaways has me looking ahead - way ahead - into the next year. I know a lot of you are already getting holiday gifts made or at least deciding on some projects for the holidays and let me just say how jealous I am! For those that might like to stitch up a little 2013 calendar for a friend or for themselves I have a giveaway just for you. Well, you and one other person - because two people will be picked for this one. yay!

Just leave a comment on this post to be in the running and on Friday two winners will be chosen. Winners may pick which calendar panel they would like and I'll send it off in the mail to them - it's that easy. If you would like to take a peek at the calendar panels available please stop by the SeptemberHouse webstore or the Etsy shop.

Don't forget - all this week there is free shipping on all panels at SeptemberHouse.

you are invited

...to a month-long celebration at SoSeptember! I'm pleased to announce that today marks the beginning of "Stitch-tember" here on my blog and over in the shops!

I wanted to do something special in this very appropriate month and I certainly did not want to limit the festivities to one day or week. Nope, we are going all out. Each week there will be a sale, a giveaway and some sort of little extra - a tutorial or printable to share.

It's going to be a good time so BYON (bring your own needle) and let's get stitching!

THIS WEEK: take advantage of free shipping on embroidery panels in the SeptemberHouse webstore and on Etsy.