Aimee Ray's Blog, page 11

my new Christmas book!! and some Free patterns!

I'm so excited to share my newest embroidery book with you!! The Christmas Collection transfer pack contains over 100 iron on embroidery transfers for you to stitch and enjoy this holiday season.

There are so many fun and beautiful designs for you to play with, from cute little motifs to full page, detailed art pieces. Here are a few of my favorites:



I'm super in love with this book, but unfortunately, there was a bit of an error with the printing, and the transfer designs with text were not reversed. 

For example, if you iron on this 12 Days of Christmas design onto fabric, the text will be backwards! (oh no!) While this is disappointing (not least of all to me) they can still be traced, scanned or photocopied and transferred using a light tracing method, carbon paper, or my new favorite, Sticky Fabric-Solvy (you can find a tutorial on that amazing stuff right here!)
My publisher has also made the corrected, reversed designs available for free download here: www.sterlingpublishing.com/corrections
With these PDF files, you can make a laser print or photocopy of the design which will serve as an iron on transfer. (More on that technique, right here!) Or have a digital version all ready to print and use one of the techniques mentioned above. (don't forget to reverse it back first!) AND, you can download these files for free even if you don't own the book! Merry Early Christmas!!
I hope you'll check out this book and find some designs to stitch and love in time for Christmas this year. You can find some signed copies in my Etsy shop: www.littledear.etsy.com
Happy Holiday Stitching!xo aimee

Cute and Easy Iron on plush

I have a super cute, fun and easy project for you today!You can sew your own plush toy using any of my Printable Party PDF downloads from www.littledearprintshop.etsy.com. These are quick and make great last minute gifts! Especially if they match the decorations, it's like having a souvenir to remember an extra special party.
I'm using my Woodland Animals set 1 raccoon today, you can find that set right here! The PDF file includes 3 different sizes so you can create all different kinds of printable decorations, and even plush toys. 
You will also need:1 iron on transfer sheet8x10 inches of white fabric8x10 inches of a matching patterned fabric (or more white)plenty of stuffingscissorssewing machine
Start by printing out the largest raccoon from the PDF file on the transfer sheet and iron it onto the white fabric according to the package directions. (I always cut away the extra transfer paper from around the image before ironing since the blank space can sometimes leave a yellowish color behind.)

Cut out the raccoon leaving 1 inch of fabric all around the edge. Place the raccoon fabric face down onto the second fabric (for the back,) trace and cut out a piece the same size and shape.  

Pin the two pieces together right sides facing and mark a pencil line 1/2 inch out around the outside of the raccoon. This is the sewing line. Sew the pieces together on the line, leaving around 3 inches open at the bottom.

Before you turn it right side out, cut small slits around the edge outside the stitch line about every 1/2 inch. Be careful not to cut through the stitches! This will help the seams look smooth after it's turned. Turn the raccoon right side out. 

Stuff him firmly with stuffing, using a pencil or knitting needle to push it into the ears and tail.

Tuck the edges of fabric in around the opening and stitch it closed using the hidden stitch which will be barely noticeable when you've finished:
Start with a knot on the inside of the seam. Bring the needle out and across the opening, then in and along the inside of one edge. Now come back out, straight across the seam, and back in and along the inside on the other edge. Keep stitching along the opening, when you've closed it up, tie a knot close to the seam.

Tada! All done. These little pillow toys will bring a smile to anyone's face. I want to stitch up one of each woodland animal now! You can also use the smaller file sizes to make little pillow ornaments!

I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial and that you'll try it out and make some of your own!You can find all of my Woodland Animal printables as well as Farm Animals, Mythical Creatures, Sea Creatures and lots more (all of which will work great for this project!) at www.littledearprintshop.etsy.comxo Aimee

free chipmunk embroidery pattern

Who's ready for Fall?? I'm looking forward to chilly weather, crunch leaves and acorn hunting! Acorns have already started falling from the trees in my neighborhood and I've seen the cutest tiny chipmunk in my yard a couple of times. So I'm bringing you this sweet pattern in honor of my favorite season!(I posted this guy once before but I thought he needed an update. :)

This little guy is quick and super easy to stitch up, besides some tiny Satin Stitches on his face, I used only my favorite line work stitch, the Split Stitch:
Start with a tiny stitch, come backup from the under side, "splitting" the stitch with your needle, pull the floss all the way through and continue Split Stitches along the pattern line.
If you want to try the same colors I used, they are DMC 352, 754, 433, and 435, but this would look great stitched up in any of your favorite colors!


Super cute! You can frame this right in a little embroidery hoop, make a pillow ornament, use it in a quilt or larger project, or whatever you'd like. Here's the pattern:

Happy Fall! xo Aimee

Tribal Party Printables

I've been having so much fun creating and photographing these new party printables from www.littledearprintshop.etsy.com!
Feathers and Arrows, and Mountain Adventure sets are perfect for your next tribal or bohemian themed birthday party or baby shower. Of course they make beautiful garlands, but with 3 different file sizes included, there is so much more you can create with these printable party sets!

These headbands are perfect party wear and so easy to make, just gather a few feathers or arrows and glue them onto a strip of craft paper to fit around each guest's head.



Available in Blue or Pink color ways, Feathers and Arrows sets mix and match great together! I love how versatile these are, you can choose to make vertical or horizontal garlands, plus all kinds of wall and table decor, place cards, cupcake toppers, signs and more.

This Mountain Adventure printable PDF is super fun to use as well. Simply print, cut and curl the flat mountain, tree and teepee pieces into cones and glue the backs for unique garlands, table top displays or just easy, moveable dioramas for imaginative play! Add a few fluffy clouds and you have a perfect day for a nature adventure.


 Stringing printable paper garlands is super easy, just grab a large needle, some string or embroidery floss (which I seem to have a ton of) and poke holes right through the paper. 
 Card stock or heavy photo paper always works best for these to ensure a lovely finished product, I've been using Office Depot matte professional photo paper and it works perfectly.


I'll leave you with this picture of my little bohemian cutie model for today! I hope you'll enjoy some fun printable party decor for your next celebration.You can find these sets and lots more at www.littledearprintshop.etsy.com
xo aimee

Feathers and Arrows

I've been working on an all new collection of Tribal/Bohemian style printable party decorations for my new Etsy shop at www.littledearprintshop.etsy.com! I love these feathers and arrows sets and I want to hang them up all over my house. I'm working on a fun tutorial with some ideas on how you can use them that I'll be posting soon! Find these and lots more party printables and nature inspired artwork at www.littledearprintshop.etsy.com
xo Aimee

little dear prints

Hey guys! I'm so happy to announce the opening of my new shop, little dear prints!!All of my printable art and party decor has a brand new home. You can find all the printable garlands you love, most now with 3 different file sizes for lots more party decor options! Use the large ones for posters and signs, medium for garlands and place cards, and small for cupcake toppers and finger puppets! Your next theme party will be a hit, and so much fun to prepare for.

You'll also find my collection of original artwork, available as printable PDF downloads, or Mailed Prints! I'm so thrilled to be able to offer this to you. These are some of my all time favorite designs and so special to me. Each with it's own story to tell, they are perfect for woodland decor, nursery or child's room. Explore little dear prints and read more about my designs here!www.littledearprintshop.etsy.com 
I hope you'll come visit my new shop and give me a follow! I have lots of new items planned for the coming months that you won't want to miss.
xo aimee

mini hoop charm embroidery kits

I am SO excited to show you my newest embroidery kits available at little dear!!
These adorable miniature embroidery hoop charms are so quick and fun to stitch up. Choose from Fox and Nest or Bunny and Bee kits. They make perfect gifts for crafty friends!As always, my kits have top quality materials including color printed fabric so no transferring is required! Just thread your needle and follow the lines. Detailed, easy to follow instructions guarantee that you will create a lovely finished product. Even if you've never embroidered anything before, you will be all set to create something wonderful! 

When you're finished, you can wear them by adding your own pendant chains or pin backs, make ornaments or magnets, or use them as needle minders. I've had so much fun designing and packaging these sweeties up for you, I hope you'll love them too!!Find all the kits here, at www.littledear.etsy.com
xo Aimee

Free Embroidery Patterns

Looking for some free embroidery patterns? Look no further! Here are links to all the free patterns you'll find on this blog. :)



Od Magic Needlework Quote



Life Mandala



Circus
Spring Garden Sampler 



Solar Eclipse



Winter Holiday Motifs



Woodland Christmas Tree



Spooky Holiday Motifs



Easter/ Spring Motifs



St Patrick's Day Motifs



Hanging Heart Valentine



Merry and Bright hoop



Sashiko Placemats



Make Tea, Not War



Chinese New Year Dragon



I Play With Dolls



Grandfather Mushroom



Penny Farthing Bicycle



Swan Princess



Winged Unicorn



Ribbons and Trophies

free embroidery patterns

Hello happy stitchers! I've been going through old projects and patterns lately and I thought I would do a little repost on these two which are still some of my favorites!

They appear in my book, Doodle Stitching, The Motif Collection (which came out in 2010) and my publisher, Lark Crafts, made them available for free download on their website. You can grab the Circus pattern HERE, and the Spring pattern RIGHT HERE. 
I hope you'll enjoy them!xo aimee

Needlework Quote pattern

Happy Friday! Here is a lovely new FREE embroidery pattern for you! 
"A woman with needlework in her hands is generally assumed to have no other thoughts in her head, and can safely harbor any number of improprieties."
This is one of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite books, Od Magic by Patricia A. McKillip. When I read it, I knew it needed to be embroidered. There is a labyrinth in the story, so I designed the pattern as a labyrinth shape. 

I stitched the words with a Split Stitch, and the flowers with Satin Stitches and French Knots. I used sea green satin for this one, which is so hard to photograph well but looks so lovely in person! If you've never embroidered on satin before, give it a try sometime on an extra special project.


Here is the pattern file (click to enlarge) It fits nicely into a 9 inch embroidery hoop. I hope you enjoy stitching it up and as always, please drop me a photo or tag on IG @aimee_littledear when it's finished!
xo Aimee