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Gratitude in Action!

I was trying to figure out how to thank a friend who has been very helpful the last couple months.  She’s been working hard and really getting a lot accomplished.  But what to do for her?

She recently moved in to a new office and mentioned she wants to decorate her new space.  That’s when a spark of creativity ignited in my mind….

I decided to visit one of my favorite embroidery design sites—Embroidery Online to find something fun to stitch for my friend’s office.

Not having any idea what I wanted, I decided to visit the New Releases section on their homepage.

That’s when the Loop-de-Loop designs caught my attention.  They look like something I would doodle and color if I had the talent!

I had a vague idea what I wanted—stark contrasting colors and maybe even decorative stitching thrown in for even more effect.  And I’d like to decorate with some rick rack!

I used Perfect Embroidery Pro but most digitizing software programs have the same function.

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Open one of the letters from the collection.  Select the entire design.  (Press Ctrl + A).  Right click on the design and select Group.

Eileen's Machine Embroidery Blog

Next click on the Artwork tool.

Eileen's Machine Embroidery Blog

Then click on Rectangle from the dropdown menu.

Eileen's Machine Embroidery Blog

Draw a rectangle around the design as shown.

Eileen's Machine Embroidery Blog

Right click on an empty thread color box at the bottom of your workspace.  Click Add Color.  Another color is added to your workspace.  You can click on the color and change it to any color you wish.  I chose a bright red to make it easier on my eyes to see.  Next click on the rectangle image you drew.  Then right click on color 7 to assign the new color to the rectangle.

Eileen's Machine Embroidery Blog

Select the Letter.  Right click and select Create Outline.

Eileen's Machine Embroidery Blog

A new window appears.

Eileen's Machine Embroidery Blog

Click OK to keep the default settings.

Your design should look similar to the one shown below.

Eileen's Machine Embroidery Blog

If you look very closely in the image above, you’ll notice the outline around the design is a light blue.  I added an arrow to help.  As a matter of preference, I like my artwork to match, (and I like to be able to see it!)  With the outline selected, right click on the color 7 to change the color to red.

Eileen's Machine Embroidery Blog

Notice both artwork designs are red as shown in the color sequence in the image below.

Click on the red color sequence to select the artwork.  Now click on the Combine icon in the top toolbar.

Eileen's Machine Embroidery Blog

With the artwork still selected, click on Texture icon.

Eileen's Machine Embroidery Blog

A window appears with a variety of textures.  I chose number 148.

Eileen's Machine Embroidery Blog

The texture is added to the artwork.  Notice the stitching goes around the letter—it doesn’t stitch on top – which wouldn’t be a very pretty sight!  The reason it works:  we drew the rectangle shape, created an outline around the letter and combined the two elements. By doing these steps you get the decorative stitching in just the right areas.

Eileen's Machine Embroidery Blog

 

For fun, (don’t do these steps, I’m just showing you for illustrative purposes) I clicked undo all the way to the step where I combined the two artwork elements.  Then I added the texture.   Now you see what happens when you don’t combine!  Yikes!  The decorative stitching covers the top of my beautiful letter D. Now, hopefully you see the importance of adding outlines and combining.

Eileen's Machine Embroidery Blog

Save the (proper) design with a unique name and send to the embroidery machine.

Repeat the steps for each letter.

 

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I stitched the design in fun, bright colors – the colors seemed to fit my friend’s personality.  Next, I sewed rick rack along the edge of the embroidery.  The final touch were the buttons at every corner of the design.

Here’s your assignment this week:

As I was sewing the buttons on the embroidery, the recipient walked in to my office and with a look of interest asked what I was up to.  I quickly changed the subject – hoping to distract her with ANYTHING.  The project is a surprise for her, after all!  I felt pretty confident I had changed the subject.. then she started to collect and arrange a couple of the letters.  “What do the letters spell?” she asked.  I got really nervous at that point!

Now I submit the question to you!  What do the letters spell?  A A N D N I

Post your answer and one lucky recipient (with the right answer) will be selected to win a $25 gift card to use on the Designs in Machine Embroidery website!

Whether you add the extra stitching or not – I think you’ll agree these Loop-de-Loop designs from Embroidery Online have endless creative uses!  Need more inspiration?  Be sure to stop by the Designs Plus Newsletter for the Top 5 Things You Can Make by Visiting Embroidery Online.

Eileen's Machine Embroidery Blog

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The winner of last week’s assignment answered the following question:

This week tell me what color do you think I should wear? Let’s take a vote. Tell me if you think deep blue, coral or taupe is the way to go. Post your comments and ONE random winner will be selected to win the Designer Handbags DVD

The winners is:  

Carolyn W: “I think the blue would enhance your coloring. It is such a cool color.”

Upcoming Fun!
Be sure to look for the upcoming behind the scenes blog featuring these letters.  I’ll share my tips and of course my signature foibles I always seem to make!

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95 COMMENTS

  • Erich Campbell

    I’m going to guess Dianna. 🙂 Personalization is classic for embroidery, even framed.

    • Denise Holguin

      Erich,
      At the time I photographed the samples, (I will admit I was short on food in my system) I was convinced the puzzle was difficult– especially with the As listed first. 🙂

      Thanks for visiting the post!

      Denise

    • Colleen Murphy

      Dianna. Very nice.

  • beth daniels

    The word is Dianna. It looks great framed.

  • Jan

    DIANNA

  • Sharon R

    DIANNA?
    That looks so cool, I might have to try something like this for my granddaughter’s room.

    • Denise Holguin

      Sharon,
      You should stitch one for your granddaughter! Maybe even get her input on thread colors.

      Denise

  • Valerie

    Dianna

  • Anne Marie Reilly

    Dianna, what a nice gift!

  • Sharon Grogan

    word is DIANNA

  • HOLLY

    The letters make Dianna. Love the framing and rickrack nice touch, great ideas.

    • Denise Holguin

      Thank you Holly!
      Just don’t look too closely. AFTER I stitched all the white rickrack and was ready to stitch the green, I realized the two rickrack colors were different widths. I almost cried. 😉

      I opted for creative license and using what I have.

      Thanks for visiting the blog!

      Denise

  • Jackie

    It might be Dianna, Dannia, Dainna or Danina

  • Jacque Lindsey

    Dianna

  • Helen Murtagh

    I think it spells Dianna

  • Kathy Petersen

    Dianna

  • Paulette Kellerher

    DIANNA It’s a really great gift.

  • Juanita Wacaster

    Dianna…

  • Juanita Wacaster

    Beautiful!

  • Charlotte Silber

    It spells Dianna, very pretty.

  • Mary Lee

    DIANNA

  • Donna Fecteau

    Dianna.

  • Donna

    Dianna

  • Sue Y

    Dianna! Love the lettering!

  • Kristal

    DIANNA

  • kandy

    I say Dianna one of my friends names. My middle name is DIANE. LOL

    Great job and looks really pretty.

    • Denise Holguin

      Kandy,
      Diane is a shorter name! I should have stitched one for you instead! It’s funny how enormously long a name Dianna felt when I was stitching!

      Denise

  • Deb Adams

    Dianna

  • Belinda Germain

    Dianna in beautiful embroidery!

  • Annette L

    It’s DIANNA

  • Maria Goad

    DIANNA. What a great thank you gift

  • Debbie

    I am hoping it spells Dianna. I would love to get a gift like this. Thank you for all of your ideas.

  • Fay

    Dianna – it immediately jumped out because its my sister’s second name, so its very special to me.

  • Gail Beam

    My guess is Dianna

  • Pam Wolfe

    I too am guessing Dianna. Love the doodle design. Will have to try it too for my art wall.

  • Beal

    My guess is Nadina! No? Then Dianna! 😉

    • Denise Holguin

      Beal,
      I’m rather fond of your first guess!

      You’re giving me new ideas for future blog posts!

      Denise

  • Brenda Melahn

    Dianna

  • Marilyn Koestler

    It has got to be DIANNA!

  • karen

    DIANNA pretty gift for a pretty name

  • Barbara

    Dianna.
    Well done. Great way to decorate with something different.

  • Sally Kane

    Dianna is the name.

  • Bonnie Konkle

    Dianna

  • Joy Teague

    My guess is Dianna. Very pretty.
    She will love them.

  • Shirley Clark

    I guess since there’s a big “D” on the screen, it must be Dianna. It could also spell Nadina. LOL

    • Denise Holguin

      Shirley,
      Nadina! Love that! hahaha!

      Denise

  • Lynn

    Dianna

  • Gillian

    I think Dianna is the answer. Being able to learn from your site is wonderful when I live no where near a teacher!

  • Mary Anne Fox

    Dianna

  • Casie Williams

    I have to go with Dianna. Really wonderful idea!

  • Michelle H

    I have to go with the name Dianna

  • Marty

    Very pretty letters! They spell Dianna.

  • Liz

    Dianna
    Very nice design

  • Sharyn Wentworth

    Dianna–What a great idea. Would be fun to win on my birthday.

  • Cheryl

    Dianna. What a neat idea!

  • Sheila

    Dianna

  • Dale

    Dianna. I think my DGD will like this & maybe I can get her to help.

  • Donna G.

    Dianna. What a cool idea for a gift!

  • Darlene Graham

    Dianna. Beautiful

  • Pam

    Dianna
    Very creative!

  • Mary Ann

    Great idea! I think I will do my granddaughters initials. The name is Dianna. Thanks for all the inspiration you give in these little tutorials. I find them very helpful.

  • Glenda Wilson

    Beautiful! Dianna

  • Kathy

    Dianna, for sure!. Cute idea!

  • Sue

    Dianna!! Beautiful Name, Beautiful Font!

  • JudiC

    DIANNA Lucky girl :o)

  • KAY PESCHKE

    Like others, I saw DIANNA almost immediately. What a great gift for your friend! Personal AND creative! 🙂

  • Phyllis Hiles

    Diana

  • Karen Poole

    Dianna was my first guess but it could be Nandia, you never know nowadays!!

  • Kathleen Carls

    I go along with Dianna. I guessed that before I scrolled down to put my comment in. Thanks for the chance to win.

  • Gwynn McKenzie

    Dianne. A pretty embroidery for a pretty name.

  • Karen

    Dianne,what a great thank you gift.

  • Virginia Frazier

    My answer is Dianna

  • Adeline Brill

    My guess is Dianna.

  • Vicky

    DIANNA

  • Jeanne

    Dianna, a beautiful name almost like the goddess!

  • Alice Cornelson

    Could it be Nandia?

  • Glenda Marsh

    Dianna. A unique gift she’ll enjoy!

  • Jackie B

    Dianna. Even just 1 initial would look great! Very clever and easy use of fonts. Looks very professional and well done. A gift she will cherish always!

  • Angela Brady

    DIANNA

  • Sara Redner

    I’m sure she figured out it spells Dianna. I know she will love the finished project!

  • Donna B

    Dianna
    Beautiful letters!

  • Elise

    Dianna

  • Debe

    Dianna or Dannai (know someone with this name). That is a beautiful gift!

  • Pat Kimball

    Dianna

  • Patty

    DIANNA. What a pretty gift for a friend.

  • Sheila Murphy

    Dianna would be the most important Word to form from this and what a beautiful way to say Thank You!

  • Doreen

    I think Dianna.

  • Clem

    By now we know it is Dianna…love those letters! I just had my kitchen done and I think one of these letters with a possible coffee motif would work well on my blank wall! Love it!

    • Denise Holguin

      No, no Clem! It’s Nadina! 😉

      I told everyone at the office next time I’ll choose a less common name with 14 letters!

  • pearl VanDerMeere

    How was your embroidery frame and how was it done and what products were used? It sure is a lovely piece of work. Great job.

    • Denise Holguin

      Hi Pearl,
      Good questions! I left those details out by mistake!

      I used the Snap Hoop Monster frame to secure the fabric. I’m not fond of struggling with hooping so Snap Hoop / Snap Hoop Monster hoops are my go-to tools.

      Denise

  • Judy

    Dainna

  • Kathryn

    NADIA

  • Deanna

    It’s got to be Dianna. Beautiful work. Makes a great gift.

  • Ruth Hampson

    The letters spell DIANNA. She guessed, didn’t she?