Author: MaddieAutumn

How to : Create a Custom Tool Roll

Categories D.I.Y.sLeave a Comment on How to : Create a Custom Tool Roll

With Father’s day approaching I thought it would be fun to create a sewing tutorial for a custom tool roll. Yes, there are several options to purchase but just because a gift is handmade does not mean it is “cheap”. If anything it is often more expensive in this mass merchant society. Why not practice your sewing skills while creating the perfect one of a kind gift for the tool lover in your life. Most tool rolls off the shelf are not as practical as they could be, slots are either too big or too small and rarely roll up without excessive bulk.

Continue reading ➞ How to : Create a Custom Tool Roll

PACAS Socks Review

Categories Apparel Reviews, life tips, Review1 Comment on PACAS Socks Review

Alpacas are one of the softest and cutest animals out there. Their fur makes exquisite high quality products too so when I learned that there was a brand that made socks from alpaca fur I knew I wanted to try them. Not only is their fluff soft but it also has insulating superpowers to keep cool in the summer and warm in the winter. While I did read reviews and some people were unamused that the socks are not 100% alpaca made, it is still the main ingredient. I believe in transparency though and believe that the company should in fact make the percentages public on the website so people are not misled. It is smart marketing though as they are not technically promising all alpaca either so I get the reasoning. 

Continue reading ➞ PACAS Socks Review

Water Soluble  Embroidery | No Fabric Needed

Categories embroideryLeave a Comment on Water Soluble  Embroidery | No Fabric Needed

When it comes to embroidery it is assumed that fabric is involved. The mere definition of embroidery is to embellish a cloth. While it may seem possible when thinking in the scope of patch projects they too are usually created on a fabric base. Upon starting my journey with the Brother PE550d machine I noticed that a couple ofthe designs in the guides contained designs that were as “free” designs. In other words the base is water soluble and thus will disappear after it is created.  

Continue reading ➞ Water Soluble  Embroidery | No Fabric Needed

Hold On Review | Plant Based Sustainable Compost Bags 

Categories D.I.Y.s, Lifestyle Product ReviewsLeave a Comment on Hold On Review | Plant Based Sustainable Compost Bags 

Currently we are in the era where more and more people are becoming sustainable conscious. From paper straws to plant based alternatives it can be hard to trust in alternatives to the traditional plastic products. Trash bags and sandwich bags are perhaps the most used plastic products in the average household. 

Continue reading ➞ Hold On Review | Plant Based Sustainable Compost Bags 

Keep Thread from Unraveling | Embroidery Tips

Categories embroidery1 Comment on Keep Thread from Unraveling | Embroidery Tips

Pulling out a spool of embroidery thread that is not sufficiently stored can create a jumbled up mess. Although there are spools with locking bases most variety packs do not come with them. Specifically with this variety pack I did not want to invest in the larger spools (the ones that lock) as I did not know what colors I would be using the most. Thus, having a locking base is a luxury.

Continue reading ➞ Keep Thread from Unraveling | Embroidery Tips

How to: Tag Crochet Items for Small Businesses

Categories D.I.Y.sLeave a Comment on How to: Tag Crochet Items for Small Businesses

Selling handmade items can be extremely daunting especially when it comes to presenting your items to potential buyers. Making the items is the fun part which is why tagging if usually an afterthought. However, it is part of the item that is initially judged before a customer decides whether or not to purchase.  For you, it can make or break a sale. The appearance of a nice tag can create the feeling of a more established brand thus elevating your company to outsiders. A proper tag makes people grasp a better understanding of your brand and can create a sense of trust. 

Continue reading ➞ How to: Tag Crochet Items for Small Businesses

 Bearly Art Precision Glue  VS  Advanced Scotch Tape Gun 

Categories UncategorizedLeave a Comment on  Bearly Art Precision Glue  VS  Advanced Scotch Tape Gun 

 For this face-off I am comparing the Bearly Art precision glue and the Scotch advanced tape gun for card making. Yes, these products can be used for various projects but they are both heavily marketed for paper crafts. While I have done videos in the past on the advanced tape gun and raved about it, it does have some drawbacks too. This trial was the second time using the Bearly Art precision glue, the first time was an emergency puzzle patch which worked well. There is nothing worse than pulling out puzzle pieces and the piece splits between the top and bottom layer.  

Continue reading ➞  Bearly Art Precision Glue  VS  Advanced Scotch Tape Gun 

My First Time | Machine Embroidery Patches

Categories embroideryLeave a Comment on My First Time | Machine Embroidery Patches

When looking at machines one of the things I expected to learn how to sell was patches. That was of course before knowing anything about patches and the process honestly seemed pretty intimidating. Plus there are not many tutorials out there for creating machine embroidery patches. There are the patches that you have the border for and ones that free float. Due to the complexity of a bordered patch I decided it would be more useful to try a free float. What I mean by free float is simply that the patch is made on an alternate material that will be trimmed to size. For this type of patch I used felt since it is a webbed fiber meaning it will not fray when it is cut. Perhaps in the future I will try my hand at creating a bordered patch that is not 100% file form created to test further, but for now I hope you enjoy this first time video and find it helpful for your own projects.

Continue reading ➞ My First Time | Machine Embroidery Patches

Bob’s Rain Coat | Procreate Time-lapse

Categories D.I.Y.sLeave a Comment on Bob’s Rain Coat | Procreate Time-lapse

In this blistery drizzly season, I thought it would be fun to show the process of creating the latest Bob sticker. For those that do not know already, Bob is my support hippo and the logo for my small business Custom Little Beasties. The plan is to add these stickers to orders for purchase as well as include random ones with purchases. Currently Bob has three outfits: a King, anAstronaut and the Duckie Rain Coat. He really brings me joy so I hope that this little doodle brings a smile to your face as well. In the video below is the speed up process I used in Procreate to create his rainy day look. If you enjoyed this time-lapse drawing, please let me know. Also, what other outfits should I create for Bob ?

Continue reading ➞ Bob’s Rain Coat | Procreate Time-lapse

Embroidery Machine Bobbin Tension | PE550D

Categories embroideryLeave a Comment on Embroidery Machine Bobbin Tension | PE550D

Yet another thing I wish I knew prior to starting embroidery is that ability to adjust the machine’s tension. Embroidery machines have two different tensions to set and each one will vary from machine to machine. For instance, just because I have my tensions set to a certain number does not mean it will have the same effect for another machine. My biggest piece of advice when it comes to adjusting the tension is to take a deep breath, grab a relaxing tea or cocoa, take out a notebook and realize that it will take awhile. 

Continue reading ➞ Embroidery Machine Bobbin Tension | PE550D