Don't try this at home!

I have images on the computer I'd love to transfer and then embroider.  I'm looking for easy ways to do that.

I've been neglecting my dishes, so instead of doing those I tried out a couple transfer methods tonight.  One didn't work at all and the other didn't work very well.  The first was the Acetone Toner Transfer Method.  I reversed an Urban Threads image by scanning it, a lucky clover one and printed it out with my laser printer.  Then I taped it to a 100% cotton floursack towel.  Then your supposed to get a cotton ball wet with nail polish remover and go over it, followed by the back of a spoon.  (for complete instructions send me a message with your email and I'll send it to you).  Well, this didn't work at all!  My nail polish remover says it has acetone in it, but maybe not enough.

The second method I used was the light box transfer method.  I found a clear plastic box, turned it on its side and put a floor lamp sideways on the floor into the box, sans shade.  I don't have a table lamp.  Then I put down my image, not reversed, and traced it with Crayola fine point washable markers on the floursack towel.  Well, the markers bled quite a bit.  (fabric on top of paper on top of clear box)  I should have taped everything down too.  I didn't like how it turned out so its on top of the washer.  I will see if the colors really do wash out!

So now I'm pretty frustrated.  I really want to try Transfer-Eze, when I have a spare $15 or so.  Here is the link to the tutorial: http://zuill.us/andreablog/2010/01/29/transfer-eze-a-new-product-for-embroiderers/ Here is a place you can buy it:  http://www.originalcreationsquiltshop.com/shop/TransferEze.htm

So for now I'm sticking to iron-on transfers.  :(

Does anyone know any other methods that work for you?

New Embroidery Books and a Finished Coffee Pot

I got two new embroidery books in the mail today.  Yay!  The first one is "Doodle Stitching" by Aimee Ray which is full of cool project ideas, tips, and encouragement to make your own designs.  Nice!  The second one is "Embroidered Effects" by Jenny Hart.  This one is heavier on the tips, has project ideas, and all-around general encouragement to do your own thing.  Plus iron-on transfers!  Sweet!  They both have stitch diagrams as well.  Aimee Ray has a new book, but it's not coming out until October.  I'll probably get that one too.  Here they are on my kitchen table.

I've been getting really jazzed up about embroidery.  I read most of the two books this afternoon.  I finished the coffee/tea pot tonight.  I think it looks like a fancy coffee pot.  My brother thinks it looks like a teapot.  What do you think?  I guess it doesn't matter.  I used a split stitch on the handle, spout and top knob of the coffee pot.  I haven't used that much before this project.  I only know about 5 stitches anyway that I have no trouble doing, satin, stem, split, back, cross, fern.  I can make those little stars too. So much fun!  OK, here is the coffee pot, finished.  It is all in shades of pink:  hot pink, med. light pink, and very light pink for the steam coming out of the pot.