The Serenity Collection: Obviously this has been a work in progress and my Creative Vision embroidery machine has been pretty busy. I really believe in decorating the whole room and love to incorporate pillows with quilts. Eventually this ensemble will be a 'new home' gift to my eldest son! All three pillows were created using Pfaff's Grand Dream hoop which is large enough to allow only one hooping. Instead of stabilizer I user a remnant piece of fabric for the backing, a lightweight batting (Hobb's thermore or Tuscany silk) and pillow top fabric. I love to embroider directly on fabric/batting because it gives the embroidery an 'embedded/texture' look. However some airy designs loose their stability if I use only batting without a fabric backing. The dense designs are fine with just top and batting but better safe than sorry so I always use a fabric base. With the new hoops I have no trouble hooping top, batting, & backing and I really don't use any clips.
This pair of pillows were created using Pfaff's 'Grand Richeleau' collection. Upper left is beautifully digitized with great dimension. Using cherrywood fabrics for the pillow base I choose not to use the cutwork feature. Upper right I used the cutwork feature and incorporated the focus fabric from the quilt for the flower petals.
This pillow showcases the 'shimmering' embroidery from Pfaff's Grand Dream collection. I embroidered directly on the focus fabric from the quilt. Instead of cording or a ruffle I choose a self border. I simply stitched two inches from edge and covered my stitching with chenille bias tape. What a great, simple look!
Serenity Pillow - Front
This pillow is reversible starting with the cutwork two-sided ruffle created from the Pfaff Grand Treasures collection. The front of this pillow incorporates embroidery from the "Vintage Medallion" collection from Pfaff and the "Heritage" collection from Jenny Haskins. After embroidering the pillow top, we duplicated the flowers and leaves from the embroidery designs into cutwork applique using organza fabric for the stunning 3D look.

Serenity Pillow - Back
Two separate embroidery designs from two different Pfaff collections ("Vintage Medallion" and "Candlewicking") adorn the back of this pillow.
"Serenity Tablerunner"
The embroidered border from Pfaff's Grand Treasures collection nicely frames the mirror image embroidery from Pfaff's Deluxe Needle Effects collection. Crystals add just the right touch of sparkle and elegance!

Nicole's Tablerunner
The inspiration for this tablerunner was a birthday gift for my daughter-in-law. The red inner border is fabric ruching which really gives dimension. We stepped up the embroidery from Pfaff's "Vintage Medallion" collection by incorporating cut work applique for the flowers. Crystals will reflect the candlelight nicely!
Yarn Crouching Collection
The embroidery on the tablerunner is from Pfaff's Yarn Couching collection. The technique allows the use of yarn or thicker threads in place of thread! The matching pillow is actually the free design that comes with the purchase of the Grand Dream Hoop.
4D Family Portrait Software
The framed photograph is a sepia portrait of my mother as a child. I used Pfaff's new 4D family portrait software to scan, digitize and embroider a replica. The fabric frame is from Pfaff's Grand Treasures collection.
Christmas Tree Skirt
This treeskirt was pieced and machine quilted before I embroidered it! A close look shows that the embroidery is done through all three layers and precise positioned with only a 1/4" allowance. This was accomplished using Pfaff's exclusive precise positioning feature. Most people assume the embroidery was first done on a large piece of fabric and then fussy cut to fit! Our competition would have to use that technique; with Pfaff and the Creative Vision it was a snap! The embroider designs are from Pfaff's Deluxe Needleworks Collection.
"Floral Symphony"
This pillow is just exquisite! The front uses our favorite design from Pfaff's new Floral Symphony collection which features the new velvet texturing and the Grand Dream hoop. The fabric from Benartex's "Illusion" collection is the perfect backdrop to showcase this remarkable embroidery. The pillow back uses covered buttons to join the two embroideries: Deluxe Needle Effects and Candlewicking -- both from Pfaff! The two color cutwork embroidered ruffle completes the "WOW."


This pillow is similar to my "Serenity" pillow except the flowers are different pastel shades. This pillow will eventually compliment my bed quilt using the "Illusions" fabric and the "Pottery Wheel" cherrywood collection. Soft and romantic!
Lap Quilt

The lap quilt which used a combination of fabrics from MODA's collection and Buggy Barn's "Iced Mocha," was quilted by QBot. The pillow with self facing uses the Grand Dream embroidery collection while the other pillow is a free design that comes with the Creative Vision. Both were done in one hooping with the Grand Hoop. The vase is a perfect compliment from Younker's. 