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January 13, 2008


"COMING ATTRACTIONS"

Not a Football Fanatic?  Coming soon - a Souper Day of Fun for You!

Platinum Embroidery is going to stir things up for you. So stay tuned and keep an eye on this space...we are making our game plan now!


NEW "Winter Wonderland" Designs

Mittens, warm socks, winter sports, snowmen - all these things are in the newest collection from Platinum Embroidery - "Winter Wonderland".

A Baker's Dozen of fun, wintry designs, and a Snowman alphabet to enhance your projects - a perfect excuse to stay inside where it is cozy and warm and stitch away!  This great collection including the alphabet is now available at a very special introductory price.  But that won't last long - don't miss it!

Be sure to take a closer look at the wonderful Baby Rag Quilt Lyn made with the Snowman Alphabet.  That beautiful baby isn't a prop - it is her own first grandson!  Isn't he adorable?  We have all asked, and no - she will not share him - even with us! 

Platinum Embroidery Yahoo Group

Most of you already know that we are a group of designers/digitizers who have joined together to provide sampler collections of the finest quality designs for your stitching enjoyment, and to introduce you to digitizers who are dedicated to their craft. But, did you also know we like to provide education and help?

Platinum Embroidery designs are crafted to be a pleasure to stitch. Careful planning results in designs with the fewest possible jump stitches and color changes, the right style and amount of underlay to prevent distortion, and stitch choices that make the artwork come to life. Every design is meticulously test-stitched to be sure each part embroiders perfectly and that the stitches work together to create a design that is as much a joy to stitch as it is to see.
 
We also feel that education is a very important part of our craft, and we encourage you to ask questions and we hope we can provide the answers you need to further expand your knowledge of embroidery.
 
The only advertising on this group will be from the Platinum Embroidery Designers, both the newest from Platinum Embroidery, and designs on our personal web sites.

"Come and join us!"


TEST Sews...

TEST SEWS...learn what works on what, and give a little back in the process.

WHY do a test sew on like fabric?

It is important to test sew with matching fabric, stabilizer and thread to what you will be using to make sure your test is valid for the garment you will be finishing.  They don't call it a test or trial run if you are working with different things. 

YES you will be using a bit of stabilizer, thread and such....but, in the long run it will save you the cost of your garment as well.
 
Some ideas of test fabric to be easily reused
  • A terry baby bib to mimic towels
  • A knit baby bib to mimic t-shirts
  • Fleece blankets, Fleece Scarves
  • T-shirts from rummage
  • Denim from rummage
  • Muslin
  • Calico prints
What can you do with all those test sews?

Test sew on baby bibs, blankets and more and donate them to a shelter. Purchase inexpensive "used" shirts, jeans, towels and such from Rummage sales or Goodwill to test on. Keep a good selection of the types of fabrics you use most often.  If they work well, they can be cut into squares and assembled into quilts or blankets for the homeless or shelters.

T-shirts make great test parts and can be added to quilts as well.  Back that fabric with cotton for a fun "shirt" quilt. The used towels are great to sew into a draw string bag...adding a wash cloth, soap, toothbrush, comb and toothpaste, and sent to the homeless shelter for use as needed.  Even if it is not perfect, or the towel brand new, it is greatly appreciated by those who have nothing. Fleece blankets or fleece fabrics are great to keep around.  They can be cut into scarves, or kept as blankets and donated. Colorful squares of different fabrics sewn together with a blanket or towel backing make perfect nap mats for a nursery school or day care center.  They LOVE getting the ABC's and such.  They don't need the FULL alphabet, but it is fun to do it once you get started.



RECIPE
LENTIL SOUP - compliments of Lyn Christian (A Design by Lyn)

From the Silver Palate Cookbook

Makes 6 to 8 portions.

  • 1/4 lb. slab bacon
  • 2 cups finely chopped yellow onion
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and finely chopped
  • 3 large garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
  • 7 cups chicken stock
  • 1 tsp. dried thyme
  • 1/4 tsp. celery seeds
  • 2 bay leaves
  • salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
  • 1-1/2 cups brown lentils


Directions:
1. Finely cube the bacon and sauté in a soup pot over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and reserve.
2. Add onions, carrots and garlic and sauté in the bacon fat over low heat, covered, until tender and golden, about 25 minutes.
3. Add the chicken stock, thyme, celery seeds, bay leaves, a grinding of black pepper (no salt until later) and the lentils. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cover. Simmer until lentils are very tender, about 40 minutes.
4. Discard bay leaves and pureé half of the soup in a food processor fitted with a steel blade (or force through the medium disk of a food mill) and return pureéd soup to the pot.
5. Taste and correct seasoning, adding salt if necessary. Stir in the reserved crisp bacon and simmer briefly before serving.


 

USEFUL TIPS AND LINKS
  • When downloading design zips, rename them using the name of the site as you download them or right after.  That way you will always know where those designs came from so you can return for more.  A good habit to get into is to place a folder where you want it called TODAY or something you like.  Put all downloads there until you rename and file them. 
  • If you have a thread rack on the wall, and some of your cones are too large and keep falling off.  Try adding a simple soda straw cut in thirds over the top of the dowel and that makes a longer more stable post for the thread.

Check out the link below for a wonderful handy program called CONVERT. It is a free download and something that you might find yourself using frequently.
PRIVACY POLICY - TERMS AND CONDITIONS - UNSUBSCRIBE