CQJP 2013 - Block 5 and catch up

It is so hard to believe that it's now December and Christmas is only a couple of weeks away.  School has only a week to go and their closed for the Summer, well, what shall I do in the meantime?, loads in fact.  First off I want to finish my 6th Block for CQJP, I have finally completed no 5, and here she is.
Block 5 without the Ornament:

When you add this ornament, 

5 Gold rings becomes more clear.

So we now have the first 5 blocks completed, 

in fact 1 and 2/3 panels are now complete.

Now working on Block 6 - 6 geese a laying.....

I have also finished my cracker for the Southern Cross Crazies Xmas cracker swap.

Plus I've also done some other embroidery, but I can't show them right now, but stay tuned, January will reveal all.....to give you a hint, there are Australian Animals, Flowers and sea life involved.

Also been cleaning up, as I am getting a studio too soon.... hope to be in by Christmas..... The new carport is up, and the garage is now tidied ready for the partition wall to go in, then the wall into the spare room gets 'holey' and were in.....

Don't forget to download the app if you have an iPhone-iPad-iPod.... yes we're working on the Android......
Also don't forget to leave feedback on the app and here - all welcomed.

Arlene

Embroidery App - Customer reviews needed

Hello everyone,

Thank you to the 380+ wonderful iPhone/iPad/iPod owners who have downloaded our app.

We would really love to have some customer reviews done on our app, so they appear in the iTunes store when people come to download it.

I have a 3D Butterfly kit to giveaway to one lucky reviewer, please leave a comment below to say you have left a review within the app, on the 6th December (AEST) I will draw a lucky number using the ' random number generator' and post the kit to anywhere in the world.

Thank you all for your support.

Arlene

(AEST) - Australian Eastern Summer Time

Re Release of the FREE 3D Butterfly Tutorial

Jump on over to the FREE TUTORIAL page tab to download free the instructions to make this lovely 3D butterfly.  It's the same one that's FREE in the App.

Next week I will add the other FREE tutorial from the APP, the iPhone case.

Enjoy.

Arlene

Winner - Introducing Embroidery App

The winners of our giveaway are:

Barbara, who would love the Blue Butterfly and Judy Cooper Textile.   Congrat's Barbara and Judy, if you both would contact me I will organise your gifts.

Thanks everyone for entering. I hope you all have got the App downloaded now and busy stitching away.

If you haven't don't forget the link to the app is on the left side.

Arlene

Classes on Joggles

Hi All,

Just a reminder that two of my classes are coming up on Joggles.

On November 7th: Two styles of Christmas Boot in the one class, plus a miniature version in a Christmas Ornament and a lovely Christmas Holly brooch.

Jump on across to Joggles and book in, there is still time.

While your there you might want to also book into my Beetle class. He's scheduled to run on December 3rd, just in time for Christmas. Would make a lovely gift on a trinket box or bowl.

Whilst your on Joggles site, you can browse though my other classes and put them on your wish list, or make a selection of wonderful stuff that Barbara sells on her site.

Don't forget there is only a couple of days left to enter in my giveaway for the Release of 'Arlene's Crafts Embroidery App'.

Arlene

Introducing - Arlene's Crafts Embroidery App and BIG Release Giveaway

After months of work, stress and testing, we can finally say we've done it. So without further a-do, let me introduce to you - Arlene's Crafts Embroidery App.

Please follow the link (on left - our Logo) to the iTunes store to download our FREE App for iPhone, iPad, Mini iPad and iPod. (We're working on the Android version now).

Thank you to our testers for your feedback, it has been greatly appreciated. Also especially to my wonderful son Chris who has made this possible. Without his patience and technical know how it would not of happen so soon.

And now drum roll please....... a BIG Giveaway for the Release of the App, your choice of one of the kits for the projects from the App.

For Apple users: All you have to do is download the App, follow the link (on left - our Logo) to the iTunes store, visit my Etsy store (tab on top right) or  link in app. Come back here and leave a comment below with your choice of kit and what you like best about the App.

For Android users and everyone else:  follow the link (on left - our Logo)  and check out the write up on the App, visit my Etsy store (tap on top right) come back here and leave a comment below with your choice of kit, and what you'd like to see in an Android version of the app that is possibly not available in the Apple version.

Blue Gecko Embroidery Kit

I will draw a random winner from both types of users on October 31st (my Birthday month too), Yes that's TWO prizes. The two lucky winners will also receive a print out copy of the instructions for the kit of their choice (not currently available).

Also if you like our page on Facebook (Link on right also) leave a second comment that you are now following and you get another chance in the draw.

That's it, so get spreading the word please - remember it's FREEEEEEEE .....

Arlene

App update and stitching catchup

Re the App.... Watch this space over the next two or three days, something exciting is about to happen....

In the mean time I have been catching up on some stitching...

DYOB Stumpwork: Susan's blocks
Can't remember what her theme was, but I gave the block a very "Australian' theme with the idea of the Kookaburra sit's in the ole gum tree.......

 One of my fibre friends gave me this Kookaburra button, and he was just perfect for the block.

Some more close-ups:

  

We have the Townsville Stitches and Craft Show up here last weekend, and whilst I was there manning our exhibits I got to finishing my block 4 of the Twelve days of Christmas. This first picture show's with the removable ornament, (which all blocks will have). 

 

 This is the Ornament removed from the block. A 3D 'Cally' Bird landing on a branch.

 Here is the block without the orny.

 Most of the braids, beads and embellishments came from one of the shops at the show, Zenozam.  They had so much stuff, just so cool. Make sure you visit their shop.  These lovely blue flowers were on their stand, they sold out of them.

 The flower beads above the bird was from their shop too.  Here is a close up of the 'Cally' Bird.

I have also finished a couple of our Fibres challenge pieces. Here is my iPad cover which was made from two 6 x 4 inch pieces of fabric.

This will eventually be one of the new projects in the first update of the app.
There were a few other items, but I forgot to take pictures of them.

Come back in a couple of days and there will be very exciting news and a giveaway, so click on the side to receive an email when I post.....

Arlene

Crafty Blogger Nomination - Can you nominate me please!!!

When I started blogging back in 2007 I did not realize how it would change the way I communicate with my fellow stitching friends. I now share what I am working on along with promoting my classes, my Embroidery App and upcoming updates and whatever is happening in my stitching online or local community.  I have made some wonderful friends through blogging and some I have actually met, and a small few that I see regularly.

I would like my blog to be nominated in the Crafty Blogger competition, to do this I need you my friends to nominate me.  If you enter your own blog (which you can) I will promote if it's stitching related.





As fellow bloggers you know that writing regularly and having content that people want to read is rewarding, especially when comments are left that encourage you to do more.

During the nomination phase, they'll ask you to tell them your favorite blogs in any of these eight categories:

Sewing
Quilting
Knitting & Crochet
Cake Decorating
Photography
Embroidery
Fine Art
Food & Cooking

But that’s not all. They’ll offer three Craftsy Blogger Awards in each of the categories above, to recognize the top blogs in each specialty:

Best Tutorials
Best Photography
Best Craftsy Instructor’s Blog

That's it.  You can nominate as many blogs as you like, I would like mine to be one of them.

So Pretty please jump on over and nominate me.

Thanking you in advance.

Arlene

2014 Townsville show Arts and Crafts Schedule - Now available for download

The 2014 Townsville Show Arts and Crafts Schedule is now available for download.  click on the link on the right here and that will take you to their blog.  You can also follow them on their facebook page.

Arlene

Projects in the APP

We are getting so close...... to releasing....

In preparation for the release of our new APP, we are publishing the "Templates' for each of the projects here on the blog.  So everyone will be able to download the template at least.  You of course will need further info, all of which is in the app. iPhone and iPad users will have the advantage. Yes iPad users will be able to download and use the app, in fact it works wonderfully on my mini iPad, and even more so on the iPad2.

Here are the Projects that will be released in Version 1.1 of the APP.  Go to the 'App Template' page for downloads.

FREE projects that come with the APP are:

3D Butterfly

 iPhone Case

 In-APP purchase projects:

Gecko:

 

Gold Poinsettia Box:

(Accessories not included)

 

 Goldwork Beetle:

Kits will soon be available for all these projects. A link on this blog will take you to my Etsy Shop where you will be able to choose your kits, or the odd supply item, threads, wire, fabric etc.

Updates to the APP will happen regularly adding more stitches, more FREE projects and more In-APP purchase projects. Of course the updates will also fix any bugs or issues that need to be fixed according to feedback.

We do understand that there are a lot of other 'smartphone' users out there, and we will develop one for these phones next year. Some might understand how much work has gone into developing just this app, which has taken us (son and I) by the time it's released 6 months of almost constant work, involving the coding (thank heavens for little boys), making the projects or adapting projects to suit a iPhone format, setting up a shop, business, Apple development account etc. We have had to make up new job lists as we moved along, as new 'jobs' turned up daily as we developed it.

Just gotta do the testing now, ironing out a few more bugs and then wait on our hands for Apple to do their stuff, then they can release it.  Still hoping for an early October release.

Arlene

New screen shots of the APP - not long now...

Well it won't be long now, here are some of the latest updated screen shots of the APP.  What do you think? 
This first one is the list on the entry page

 What some of the FREE advance stitches are

 Example of Detached Chain stitch

 One of the two free projects

 Entry screen to the Gallery

 What you see in the Gallery

We hope to still release early to mid October, just a few tweets to do, especially getting it to fit properly on an iPhone 5, and getting some of the links to work right.

Arlene

Winner - Blog tour giveaway - Iphone testing

Occasionally it is good to be first, the winner is Josie:

Josie's comment was first and here it is: My iPhone would love to have your app!!! I love your work and appreciate your generosity! Thanks! Josie

Josie, would you mind emailing me your address and I will send in the post on Wednesday for you.

Thanks everyone for your comments, the app will be out soon.... watch this space.....

Arlene

Autunm classes announced on Joggles

Classes for the Autumn Season.

Victorian Christmas Boot - November 7th

 This class has the added bonus of two different sorts of boot, one Crazy Patch and the other traditional colours and one fabric and one piece. The second book has stumpwork candles and silk ribbon wreath with bow.

 The other two bonus's with this class is the template for a Christmas ornament for your tree and the stumpwork Holly is a removable brooch.

The other class for the fall is my Beetle, yes again, he has now run non stop for 2 years, that's just amazing. Thank you to everyone who has already taken the class.

Arlene

"Blog Tour" and Embroidery APP Update - With Giveaway

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Welcome to all you wonderful Blog tour people, and all those in Blogger land.

For those regular readers of mine you know my son and I are developing a FREE Embroidery APP.  We have had great progress over the last couple of months with it almost to a testing stage (actually we are just waiting on Apple).  It will initially be for IPhone first off, but we are developing it for Ipad and android devices straight after.  Here are some snap shots from the simulator of our progress, please let us know what you think.

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This is our opening screen, still not so sure about the 'bookcase', and the plain white tabs, still developing this but the tabs work and that's the main thing.

 

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The tabs show the four main sections of the app, the stitches, Free projects, paid projects (not in yet) and the Gallery.  You touch the stitches tab and it takes you to the stitches index.

 

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It has taken my son a few months of 'coding' to get to this stage, with my contibution being all the embroidery, photographs, and of course doing the 'duplicate' coding. I have learnt so much about 'coding' I feel almost confident on adding a page myself, maybe not.....!!

Next step is to touch the arrow and it takes you to the next screen, which gives you instructions on how to do the stitch.

 

 

Each page is swiped from right to left or back to left and right.  When you are finished you just touch the 'back' tab at the top left of the screen. It will take you back to the list of stitches and then you hit the 'Arlene's Crafts' Tab in the same spot and it takes you back to the 'Bookcase'.

 

From the Bookcase we can travel into the 'Gallery'. This is some of my work and up coming 'paid and free' projects.   

We will be adding information regarding each project and if it's Free or paid.  

Touch on one to enlarge it.

Again you hit the 'Arlene's Crafts' Tab to take you back to the bookcase.

 

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The 'Free Projects' tab is for any Free projects that we put on the app, which we will update regularly.  On the initial release we will have the 3D butterfly as a free project.

Again you just touch the arrow and it will take you into the project.

 

 It will give you step by step instructions.  The text at the bottom of each photograph scrolls to allow more instruction to be there.  Each page is numbered and we hope to add links to this section so if you need to review a stitch, it will take you there.

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I am still deciding on what "Paid' projects to put in, but my beetle just might be one of them.

So what do you think?  Do you like it so far, would you like to help us test it.  Initially it will only be for IPhone users, but we hope by the end of the year to have on Ipad's and Android devises.

To celebrate this great achievement so far and the promotion of the 'Blog Tour' I have a gift pack of goodies to give away, and will post to anywhere in the world. The pack contains 2 fat quarters in blue, 100% cotton, 1 skein of DMC Perle 5 #809 blue thread, 1 m roll 9mm Francheville Blue polyester ribbon, 1 skein DMC Variegated Broder cotton #113, 2 blue/white frangipani button, 2 large and 2 small blue buttons, and 4 assorted silver charms.

So to join in, leave a comment with your name, and if you want to help me test this app (not a condition of entry). Entry will be open until end of the 'Blog Tour' which is 31st August.

Arlene

Creative Crafting Blog Tour - want to join in.....???

This Summer we will be boarding The Crafty Bus and taking readers on a magical mystery tour of everything creative!

What does this have to do with me I hear you say! Well …

A bus tour needs stops! And we don’t just have bus stops, we have BLOG STOPS!

Join us as a stop for this event and lay on something special for your guests when they arrive. You will know which day we are all coming so don’t worry we won’t turn up and catch you in your pj’s! If you are super keen you can even schedule your post ready to welcome everyone without you even having to be there.

It is up to you what you do,

• A giveaway
• A competition
• A project
• An interesting feature
• A funny story

Don’t forget that the more interesting your item is, the more likely the visitors are to return to your blog over and over again.

So have a think and look out for more information on how to grab your stop spot!

If you would like your blog to be one of our stops email us at thecrystallady@creative-crafting.com  

Please put BLOG TOURS in the subject box so that we can spot it easily.

Your email MUST include a link to your blog so that we can check content. It would also be useful if you could give us an idea of ideas you have for your visitors when they stop by one the day.

We will review your blog and then send you further instructions for taking part.

See you soon!