Things I've Learned About Machine Embroidery

I have to admit I'm still new to machine embroidery. I have an awesome machine that I purchased back in February, but I still haven't figured out all of the ins and outs and what all it can do. I have a great program that I'm also still learning how to use. I absolutely love embroidering and creating things, it's such a great sense of accomplishment when something absolutely adorable comes out of my machine. In all of this, one thing I've learned is the most basic thing that we all learn in Kindergarten:

FOLLOW DIRECTIONS

You would think that it would be a given, especially when you're using a machine that cost a pretty penny...even more so when that pretty penny was your very own.

So, when you're making a super-cute "in-the-hoop" project on your embroidery machine, follow the directions. Don't get ribbons caught in the presser foot. It could be ugly. :-)

They're Back!

When I first started making things, I made fun crayon rolls. A few of them anyway...I never really made very many, but I had planned to make at least a million. Funny how plans change and never really come to fruition! But, at long last, Crayon Rolls are back at Sugar Plum Delights!

I'm making them a little smaller now, because do you really need more than 8 crayons when you're on the go? The process has also been streamlined a bit, so I can crank them out a little quicker, and I love that. They're available with or without personalization, but why not go for it and add a name? These would be excellent party favors for your kids' birthday parties. Each child can have their very own, with their name on it! Have a party theme? Rolls can be made to match! If you have a special request, please email me, and I'll see what I can do.

These three rolls are available now in the shop! I also have another super-cool crayon keeper up my sleeve, but for girls only (sorry guys). I should have that one available within a week or so.

I've been very happily busy with Monogrammed Badge Reels lately, so I haven't had a chance to work on some other new stuff I'm planning, but don't worry, it'll be here soon!

Happy crafting!

Catching Up...

Wow, has it been a week since I've posted? Goodness gracious, sorry to leave you all hanging out there! I've been fairly busy with some custom orders and requests, and have finally finished up most all of it. I think I only have one more thing to complete, then I can take a breather. Whew! And did I take pictures of any of these things to show off to the masses? Of course not! Aside from orders, I've been working on Fall and Holiday craft shows, and figuring out what we might want to consider. I've never been good at planning, and have a tendency to forget things (who me?), so I figure if I get a jump on it and keep the list in the back of my mind, I might be okay.


Imagine this keychain multiplied by 20. That's what's been keeping me (happily) busy! RLAG stands for "Run Like A Girl", a book by Kathy Vick, to be released in 2009.


While I was in the middle of my pile of custom keychains (Thanks Kathy!), my sister-in-law/partner-in-crime Katie has opened up an Etsy shop of her very own, Happy 2 Knit. She's been knitting up a storm, and is really creating some super-cute knitted goodness! You'll find it hard to resist the things in her shop, but make sure you stop by. She will be more than happy to accept custom orders, too.

I think the finger puppets may be my favorite. They're just adorable.

I have a 3-day weekend this weekend, and that is making me very happy. I will, hopefully, finally be able to work on some things I've wanted to do for a while, but just haven't gotten around to yet. Or, I may just stay in my jammies all day and watch silly movies. You just never know what may happen at Sugar Plum Central...

Buttons, Buttons, Buttons...and Ribbon, too

I've gone crazy for covered buttons. Really. I dream about them. I think all day of things I could make with them when I get home. It's official, I'm Button Crazy. The good thing is, I have piles and piles of different size buttons, and I'm pretty sure even more are coming! Yay! So far, as you've seen, I've created the Super-Fun Covered Button Bracelets. I think that might have to be the official name for them. I'm currently waiting on more bracelets to arrive so I can make more of them and offer them at wholesale prices to local shops and boutiques. We're movin' up! I've also made a few Awesome Covered Button Ponytail Holders:Notice anything? This set is made to match the Chocolate and Cream Button Bracelet, also in the shop. These are so easy to make, I can watch TV while making them. What's next in Crazy Button-Land? Headbands, more badge reels, lots more pony-o's, a million more button bracelets, RINGS (that's right, I said rings), and Earrings! And whatever else I might think up.

Another obsession of mine seems to be ribbon. I have a ton of that as well, and collect it like some might collect stamps or matchbooks. I love using it, and have made lots of things with it, including Tag Blankets. Tag Blankets are one of the first things I started making when I first broke out my used sewing machine that I had bought 3 years before I actually used it. I made lots of Tag Blankets, out of adorable flannel fabrics, and they sold well for me, on Etsy and at local craft shows. Recently I received a note from Etsy Admin saying that they had removed my Tag Blanket listings, because they had been contacted by the Taggies company saying that anyone who was selling something similar to their product was in violation of their patent. Now, I love Etsy, and have respect for their policies, so I responded nicely saying I wouldn't post anything resembling a Taggies product again. However, I think Taggies is being ridiculous on this entire issue, and I will never buy any of their products. That's all I'm going to say about this, as it could get ugly. But, I wanted to let you all know why there are no longer Tag Blankets in my shop. If you're interested, please contact me.

Mid Summer Sale Starts Today!

It's the middle of summer...it's hot, it's hot, it's hot. So, what better time to have a sale? Shop from the comfort of your air conditioned home or office (coffee shop?) and check out Sugar Plum Delights' Mid Summer Sale! Save up to $5 on select items now through July 15th!

Don't Miss Out!

Summer Mode

I guess I've been in "Summer Mode" lately...I just haven't been doing too much, it seems! June flew by in an instant, and now here it is, July. I'm sure this month will go just as quickly. I am looking forward to this long July 4th weekend, however. I'm hoping to get caught up with my goodies. My long awaited shipment of fun stuff has still not arrived, but I'm expecting it any day now! In the meantime, I can introduce something new and fun:

Button Bracelets! Isn't it superbly adorable? I just received the supplies yesterday, so I sat right down last night after Pookie's bedtime and made one up. When I ordered the supplies, I didn't realize the buttons were so tiny! But it worked out, and I think it turned out great. What do you think? I'm going to get some more made up as soon as I can, and get them listed in the shop asap. The bracelet measures 7 inches long, and the little buttons are about 1/2 inch in diameter. I'll have to get a pic of it on my wrist, it lays quite nicely!

Who loves Dollar Tree? I know I do..I love to go in there and poke around. I always come out with something. Thanks to a recent tip from my friends at sewforum.com, I found some little cooler lunch bags for, you guessed it, only $1! They're great for embroidering, and perfect for kids..if they get messed up, no biggy, it's only $1 to get another one! So I bought a few of each of the different colors they had - red, green, pink and blue. I finally got around to embroidering one for Pookie, and I think it turned out very nice.

It puckered a little bit, but I can't really expect too much for a buck. Pookie LOVES carrying this thing around. We put her sippy cup in it and took it to Grammy and Pops' this past weekend. I should have jumped on these a bit sooner, as they would have been perfect for kids to take to day camps and VBS and so on. They still might make an appearance in the shop, I haven't fully decided yet.

And last, but certainly not least, I finally produced something I've been wanting to do for a while:

A Fabric Pony-O! The pic here isn't the best, as I did it myself, obviously, but you can still get the idea. It's cute brown and white polka dot fabric with a little white daisy in the middle. These also will be popping up in the shop once I get a few more made (when that elusive shipment comes in). And of course there will be some available that are monogrammed. You knew that one was coming!

Okay, I guess I have been doing a few things here and there, I just feel like I should have more to update! But, as always, stay tuned for more to come! I still have more fun stuff in the works!