Project Assortment - Donations

Oh my!!!  It is the end of August already.  Time to start thinking about my holiday projects, but not just yet.

Last week I received a call from a lady wanting to know if I could help with a donation of products for the adjoining county Camp Out for Cancer event being held on September 7th.  Well, I don't keep an inventory of finished items, so it was scramble time.  This is very worthy cause, so how could I refuse?  I hope they will be pleased with the selection.  Now to let her know that I have the items finished and ready for delivery. 

With this last minute dash, I had to set aside my crochet and hand embroidery.  That is OK.  I'm still working on the quality and trying to figure out just what it is I want to make. I suppose it will be later in the year that I will pick this up again.  I have two quilted blankets, still a work in progress, for donation in October that need to be finished, then a few more Thanksgiving and Christmas items to make for stock in the Gallery. 

Here is my donation package for the Camp Out for Cancer event.
 
I've noticed that more and more machine embroidery digitizers have available free standing lace designs for earrings and charms.  Several years ago, the free standing lace quality (in my opinion) was not very good.  From the designs I purchased, some would stay together and others would fall apart, especially the smaller designs.  It was just a waste of my time to continue stitching just to get a couple good pieces.  I am glad the digitizing techniques have improved.  I especially like the designs from Sonia Showalter Designs.  The angel, dragonfly, snowflake, and sea horse earrings are from Sonia's free standing lace jewelry collection.  The heart earrings are from Criswell Embroidery and Design.  I didn't think I would enjoy making jewelry, but these are simply gorgeous.  I'm thinking I should design some with added embellishments and also make sets by adding a necklace.  In one of my earlier blogs, I attached a heart pendant from Sonia Showalter Designs on a ribbon.  I still need to work on that one, as it looked a little bare.  There are a lot of eco-friendly (textile) jewelry creations on the market.  Some of the designs and textile elements are quite lovely when enhanced with beads and other embellishments.

Lace Earrings

Several years ago one of the major Machine Embroidery magazines (wish I could remember which one) included the Marie Osmond Angel design in an issue.  I managed to snag a copy of the magazine and requested the design.  I stitched this one out several times.  The only fault I can see is that the two little holes on the left wing tips are filled and the right ones are open.  I would have to fill in the holes, like darning, in order to attach a hot fix crystal.  Other than that imperfection, this is a beautiful design. 

Marie Osmond Angel Design.

Since this was a donation, I didn't want to purchase any new designs.  Goodness, I have more designs than I will ever use in my lifetime.  Collecting designs has become a habit.  Digitizing techniques are improving and designs are becoming more and more detailed, but I digress.   Rose Cottage Embroidery, designs available through Oregon Patchworks, are always excellent quality.  Don't you just love the different, vibrant colors in the roosters and hen?  Every cook needs a good mop towel for wiping up those spills or drying hands.  The BBQ designs are also from Rose Cottage Embroidery.

Rooster and Hen Mop Towels.  Designs from Rose Cottage Embroidery

BBQ Mop Towels.  Designs from Rose Cottage Embroidery

I am a big fan of the designs from Kreations by Kara.  Kara Sutton does the artwork for many of her design collections.  Absolutely gorgeous!!! Every small detail shows through in the embroidery.  I've posted other pictures of completed projects with her designs.  One of the quilted blankets I'm working on will also include some of her designs.  It is never too early to be thinking of the holidays, so I made some ornaments.  (Actually, I made these ornaments earlier this year, so I did have someing in stock.)  These ornaments are free standing lace and are embellished with Swarovsky crystals.  Since these ornaments are time intensive to stitch out and then attach the crystals, I will be donating three ornaments from the selection below.

Kreations by Kara Story Book Ornaments

Kreations by Kara Storybook Ornaments

Kreations by Kara Storybook Ornaments

Kreations by Kara Storybook Ornament collection.  A close-up to show the detail. 

I couldn't resist and had to include more angels from Sonia Showalter's Angel of Light series. As with Kreations by Kara, Sonia's designs are very detailed.  The final product is perfect.  Sonia takes beautiful pictures of her designs, so to enjoy the beauty, please go to her website and see for yourself.   The angels I chose for this event include the Awareness Angels, the Angel with Heart, and some Christmas Angels. These angels are also embellished with crystals.

Sonia Showalter Awareness Angels and Angel with Heart

Sonia Showalter Angel of the Magi, Angel of Bethlehem, and
Angel of the Shepherds.

Sonia Showalter Christmas Angel.

My donation would not be complete without some lavender sachet pillows.  These designs are from the Embroidery Delight Lavender Delight collection of designs available through the Oregon Patchworks Mall.  My sewing room smells so nice.  Have I mentioned that I like lavender?  I even found some flowers in my garden:  a pink rose, a couple dahlias, snapdragons and a few sprigs of lavender for the bouquet.

Embroidery Delight Lavender Delight design collection.

Well, this is just a sampling of my machine embroidered products.  I do hope they will be a delightful addition to this worthy fundraising event.  I am definitely donated out for this year.  Time to get some sales going.

Until next time....
Jan