Embroidery Designs for You

Celebrating the 4th of July, Kassian-style

On july 4th Olivia turned 7. We had a great day that day. I managed to get the day off at the last minute, which rarely happens, and we all celebrated the 4th and Olivia's birthday by going to the Dade County Sparklebration. I don't know if it was supposed to be like a county fair, or just a small 4th celebration, in any event we enjoyed ourselves after the initial shock of rain and lack of entertainment. That is, of course, until we found the LIVE entertainment on stage all day! What a pleasant surprise. We saw the Larkins performance 2 or 3 times throughout the day. We saw the clogger dancers perform, we saw a live statue of liberty, sky divers presenting the american flag, some random performers on stage (some children, some adults) singing songs we all recognized.



The kids REALLY wanted to go on the 'rides' there, but the carnival was extremely lame and the equipment looked older than me and not very safe, so Warren and I distracted them with food and the live entertainment!

beach visit

flowering

I will lift up mine eyes....

We went blueberry picking!

We went blueberry picking today, we got about 9 # and paid about $28 - but the experience was awesome, the kids enjoyed it and the blueberries are excellent!

Photo of my Kids from 2006

This photo was taken during a visit with my folks when they came to Florida in April/May 2006. My parents were taking care of Flat Stanley. ;) As you can see from the photo, my parents brought their RV - so this was taken in the RV.

Aren't my kids adorable? ;)

Chocolate Floral Smock

Here is another girly smock I completed and recently sold here on the web. This one was a beautiful chocolate floral with a plush, white 1" foldover elastic sewn on the hem, just because.....

Denim Daisy Chain Smock

Here is an example of a smock top / dress I make for children. Can be easily suited or adjusted for both boys and girls, although mostly for girls. This particular smock here was made using a high quality mid-weight denim for a nice drape. I stitched a daisy chain on the hem for a nice girly finish. Whatchya think?

Machine Embroidery - General Tips

1. Always test on scrap fabrics first!
2. Watch your machine carefully as it stitches.
3. Trim jump stitches as you go for a nicer final result. If you leave these stitches til the end, you may find your needle getting caught in the jump stitches.
4. Place a layer of fusible web UNDER your fabric BEFORE your tack down stitch. Trim as you trim your fabric. You can iron over your applique upon completion of the stitching and the fusible will bond the applique to the article.
5. Use cut-away stabilizer when using knit fabrics with a water-soluable stablizer on top of the design. This will ensure the stitches will look nice and even and stitches will sink in the knit fabric.
6. Iron a piece of interfacing to the BACK of the design. This makes the design more comfortable to wear and ensures the integrity of the design -- just in case it should get snagged.

Happy stitching!

Embroidery Machine - Applique Tips

1. Place your article (properly hooped and stabilized) in your machine and stitch the first placement stitch. The purpose of this stitch is to show exactly where the design will be when finished.

2. Next, place the applique fabric on top of the placement stitches. You may wish to use some spray adhesive to help hold it in place. Let the machine proceed to the next stitch, the tack down stitch. Carefully remove the hoop from the machine, but DO NOT REMOVE the article of fabric from the hoop. Trim the edges of the fabric closely - be sure you DO NOT cut the stitches! Curved, sharp embroidery scissors work well for this.

3. Return the hoop to the machine for the satin stitch. If you see any fuzzies left behind, this means the fabric was not trimmed close enough to the stitch. Not to worry though, these can be cleaned up later. Just remember, DO NOT CUT THE STITCHES!

good Bible preaching video

5 Surprises in Hell

This video, and many others by Dr. Peter S Ruckman, are a MUST SEE / HEAR!!!!

Enjoy! Click Here to view this awesome video!

A little progress....

I guess the permit has been officially revised. It is ready for review and we are ready to seek 're-bids' (if there is such a word). We'll see what the $$ end result is going to be and what kind of timeframe we are looking at for completion.

Another factor to consider is the upcoming hurricane season which starts in just 2 days, or June 1st. While we are experiencing nothing but dry weather now, no precipitation since who knows when, this can change very soon and we could be in for a wet summer....

I can always hope.

My how time flies.... (or, ode to becoming an AFCH)

Time sure has a way of getting away from you. Here it is May 21, 2007, and so much has happened, and not happened since the last time I posted.

First, we are still in the process of working on this home to get it ready for an assisted living facility. So many 'hoops' to jump through and people to 'please' to get this finalized. It is amazing. We are in the process now of waiting for our new septic permit that has been revised as one of our job bidders told us of some 'flaws' in the original permit. We have waited a week now for the new permit or news of the changes, so far nothing is being done. Pasco County Environmental Services 'hard at work'.

Secondly, my husband and I are still working our 'day' jobs, both of which we do not like that much but we have to pay bills. My husband was without a job from August of 2006 until late-January 2007, the Lord has provided during this entire time without faulter. Praise God. We need to keep reminding ourselves of what God has brought us through and that some way, some how this will all come together for good, as long as it is God's will for this family. I believe it is God's will for this family just by the mere fact we have been tested and endured some tribulations to get as far as we are.

This is what remains to be done:

• revisions of permit for septic system revealed
• new bids for septic changes
• accept bid for septic changes per permit
• septic to be completed
• septic to have final inspection from the PCEHS
• application to State for the license to be an AFCH for up to 4 residents
• business insurance
• go through appropriate processes for getting residents, either private or through State
• quit day jobs once all residents are in place! me probably sooner to be available for first resident, etc.....
• obtain LLC
• live happily ever after!

Elizabeth is 4 on May 7th, 2007

Elizabeth loves the movie "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" so it was quite fitting that she have a Snow White birthday party, complete of course with the Snow White costume that we bought for her a couple of months ago.

happy easter

hope everyone is doing well and having a wonderful weekend! God Bless!

David turns 9 on March 16th, 2007

David loved the Disney movie "Cars" - hence the theme for his 9th birthday. His birthday was shared by his siblings and parents, a quiet little family party. All of his presents were also themed after the movie. Car toys, coloring books, story books, new colors, etc... Isn't the cake adorable?!?

Here is a close up of just the cake. David was so proud. Sometimes I think he enjoys seeing what kind of cake I'll come up with for the party that it overshadows the fact he is getting presents and having his favorite meal, which just happens to be spaghetti! We 'almost' had a party with other friends but those are normally to hard to plan out and get just how you want them.....too many variables and other people's schedules to contend with. We are all happy, even David, that we did what we did this year!

Elizabeth

bubbles

blowing bubbles! This is Elizabeth having fun outside.....boy our lawn needs to be mowed!