Ashley Potts

Austin, Tx

A little more about Ashley . . .

What kind of creative projects are your favorite?

I love all sorts DIY…as long as it’s colorful and makes me smile. I lean towards home improvement at the moment as we remodel our 1975 generic home into a fun, colorful space!

When is your most productive time for creating?

It seems to hit me at the inappropriate times..I rearrange rooms before work and always start painting projects at night when the kid goes to bed!

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What is your favorite storage tip for your creative supplies?
I love old cracker, sugar and flour containers – the metal kind from my grandmothers. They are colorful AND have special memories associated, so it’s a double whammy!

Tell me more about your home dec projects. How often do you move your furniture, art and accessories around in your home?

I move furniture, artwork and accessories around every week! Why not, if it doesn’t work..I move it again. It’s a never ending process ’round here.

When you are in your creative mood, do you listen to music, watch tv or do you prefer a quiet spot? If it is music, what types do you listen to? If watching tv, what kinds of shows?

I always have TV on in the background..the usuals are HGTV and the cooking channel. I judge the people remodeling and wonder what I would do in their shoes and when listening to the cooking shows I wonder what it would be like to actually cook!!

Laced Running Stitch: Hand Embroidery Tutorial

The Laced Running Stitch is an easy stitch, but looks like you did a lot of work. Start with a Running Stitch, then lace another thread through those stitches.

Embroidery: Whipped Running Stitch (Cordonnet Stitch)

I did the whipped running stitch with one solid thread and one variegated thread. I love the way the variegated thread adds visual interest to embroidery.

Double Running Stitch Embroidery

The double running stitch is a great hand embroidery stitch for working long lines. It is also called a Holbein stitch or Assisi stitch.

How to Make DIY Canopy Weights for Pop Up Tent

I ordered a pop-up canopy to use at outdoor art shows. Works great – glad we did a trial run set up before the first show! One of the reasons…

How to Make Continuous Bias Binding Tape: Two Ways

You don't need to buy fancy bias tape makers in all of the specific sizes - make it any size you want! It's easy with glass head pins and an…

Fashion Forward, 300 Years of Fashion

I had the amazing experience of visiting the Fashion Forward, 3 Centuries of Fashion exhibit while in Paris recently. Garments and sets are beautiful!

Running Stitch Embroidery: Instructions and YouTube

Here is my embroidery sampler #3 - the running stitch, one of the most basic embroidery stitches. Try to make even stitches, matching length top and bottom.

Seed Stitch Embroidery Tutorial

Seed Stitch is next for my 100-stitch embroidery sampler. Seed stitch is similar size stitches in random directions to fill in a space. Couldn't put it down!

Quilts of Valor – Honor Veterans with Quilts

The Quilts of Valor Foundation is dedicated to wrapping every veteran "touched by war" in a warm comforting quilt. My brother was honored on the 4th of July.

10 Resources for Free Hand Embroidery Patterns!

I've found some blogs and websites that offer free embroidery patterns! Patterns for whatever mood strikes. All designs are free!

Best Fabric Storage Ideas to Organize Your Sewing Room

Ready for your MSM (Master of Stash Management) degree? Check out this collection of fabric storage ideas to make the best use of your studio space.

Easy Bags to Sew

A bag has simple seams, can be made from just one or two fabrics, and is achievable in a relatively short period of time - if you select the right…

Best Tools for Hand Embroidery

Tools for hand embroidery are not complicated, but you want the best quality you can afford. The best scissors, needles, threaders, hoops and books are here.

Best Threads for Hand Embroidery: Floss and Thread Guide

The thread you choose for hand embroidery can change the look of your project. Matte or shiny? Thick or thin? smooth or nubby? Cotton, silk, wool or metallic?

Couching Stitch Tutorial: Tips and Video

This is the perfect embroidery stitch to showcase a thread as the decorative thread stays entirely on top of your work, held in place with a working thread.

How to Make Quilted Fabric Postcards Tutorial

Art postcards are fun to make! Use Timtex or a heavy fusible interfacing for the core. Add background fabric and design elements with fusible web. Mail it!

How to do the Split Stitch Embroidery: Hand Embroidery Tutorial

With Split Stitch, you split your thread with the point of the needle in the middle of each stitch. The overlap adds texture to the hand embroidered line.

How to Stem Stitch Embroidery; Tutorial with Video

If you follow your line and take small, consistent stitches, tight curves appear smooth with Stem Stitch. You can achieve sharp corners, too.