You can easily create a custom logo for any club, organization or business with Compositions project based embroidery design software.
In the example above I simply combined the deer head from my "It's a Sporting life" collection with the standard lettering which is included in the product. I then went back and curved the lettering on the top. It was simple and quick and I could have also created a smaller verion for the left chestjust as easily. Try it, it is quick and fun. To see how the lettering function works in depth go to the demo at www.kenparsonsdesigns.com

For those of you in warmer climates sometimes the typical holiday imagery can seem somewhat out of place. So why not create holiday designs that reflect your surroundings. I created the tropical holiday design above by combining some shells from my "Seaside Memories collection with ribbons from my "Dress Up Your Designs"collection (which I changed from blue to red). I then finished it off with the lettering. Try different variations and combining other typical holiday imagery with tropical designs to create modern holiday designs with a Carribean flair.

I'm sure that all of you have run into a situation where you are just about to start a new project maybe on leather or silk and you hestitate because you are not sure exactly what density to use or what needle point or size or even what backing will work best. When you are trying something new or embroidering on a very delicate or expensive fabric it is very tempting not to start and poll a host of other embroiderers first, and even then if you ask 10 people you might just get 10 different answers.
Compositions embroidery software has made any embroidery project foolproof from the start. When you choose to start a new project you are prompted to first input the type of fabric upon which you will be embroidering and based upon that fabric it suggests a needle point and size, the bacing choice or choices and if necessary topping. It also prompts you to choose a machine format and based upon that format it will set up the appropriate hoops and the color palette on the bottom of the screen with the thread brand your manufacturer recommends. If you are using Ken Parsons Designs it will automatically adjust the density pull compensation and underlay so that every design will sew perfectly every time. To see a full demo of all of these features go to www.kenparsonsdesigns.com

I used the circle template in Compositions project based embroidery design software to create a wreath out of the Hibiscus design from my "Fabulous Florals" collection and added to that the bow from my "Dress Up Your designs collection and finished it off with the lettering "Mele Kalikimaka" Merry Christmas in Hawaiian to create this uniquely Hawaiian holiday wreath. I changed the colors of the bow from blue to green to give the palette a more holiday feel. Try out some other designs, it is amazingly simple to create a wreath for in any theme and any occasion. To see all of the designs in these collections or to view the demo that explains how the circle template works, along with all of the other features go to www.kenparsonsdesigns.com

Before you pack your bags and head out for your favorite escape from the chill of Winter, why not take a little piece of the tropics with you. In the example above I combined two hibiscus flowers from my "Fabulous Florals" collection and paired them with two palm fronds from my "Taste of the Tropics" collection to create this tropically inspired pareo, perfect for beach or poolside. See the entire collections at www.kenparsonsdesigns.com

Using my "Create A Crest" collection of designs you can create any type of crest imaginable. In the design above I combined the basic chevron crest with the crown border. I then added the banner below and using the convex envelope shaped lettering typed the word embroidery and sized it to fit the banner. I then finished it off with the needle and thread from that collection and the star design that comes as a standard design in Compositions project based embroidery design software. To see all of the designs in the collection go to www.kenparsonsdesigns.com

I created the simple Thanksgiving table runner above by combining the cornocopia, pumpkin and peppers from my "Perfect Produce" collection with the lettering Happy Thanksgiving using the Bellagio font which comes standard in Compositions project based embroidery design software. The design was divided into five different hoopings so that it could be sewn out on a machine with a 5"x8" hoop. A table runner is a great way to add a little bit of holiday decor to your dining room without having to go to great expense and can be very quickly and easily be embellished. To see all of he designs in my "Perfect Produce" collection go to www.kenparsonsdesigns.com

Pillows are one of the easiest items to sew and to embroider. A pillow consists of two square pieces of fabric connected on one side by a zipper and on the other three sides by a straight seam. They are also incredible easy to design embroidery for because they are square. Just about any design looks good on a pillow. In the design above I used the Fleur De Lis from my "Create A Crest" collection for each of the four hoopings in the corners. I then added the flourish from my "Dress Up Your Designs" and added a reversed copy next to it to fill in the areas between the Fleur de lis' and then finished off the pillow with the star and laurel wreath also from my "Create A Crest" collection. The pillow required a total of 10 hoopings. If you wish you could also substitute the star for your own monogram. This project makes a great house warming gift or for a host of other occasions. To see all of the designs in these collections go to www.kenparsonsdesigns.com

In the example above I combined the grapes and the grape bunch from my "Fresh From the Grove" collection and added to them the grape vine from my "Dress Up Your Designs" collection. To create more interest and rhythm I alternated the orientation by reversing every other design. I finshed off the ends with the small double grape design. I set this up as a single hooping to be sewn in a border frame, however it could easily be divided up for multiple hoopings. If I chose to sew it out in multiple hoopings I would have used the automatic baste function which I would use to make sure all of my hoopings were properly aligned.To see all of the designs or to see how the automatic baste function works go to www.kenparsonsdesigns.com You can also download a free copy to try out for 30 days from either www.annthegran.com or www.embroidery.com

You can take a stock design and by re-sizing, rotating, and reversing it, make it appropriate for just about every placement on every garment. In the design above I took a single design from my "Dress Up Your Designs" collection and used it to bring focus to the uneven hemline of the jacket. By placing the design on the two side flounces created by the drape of the jacket, we give them greater importance by drawing your eye to that area of the outfit. Embroidery can be made all the more integral to the design of the overall garment by using it to emphasize the important design elements. You can see the entire collection of designs at www.kenparsonsdesigns.com

I wanted to share with you some of the embroidery applications the brand Juicy Couture is currently offering. There are a ton of multi-media designs which run all the way through the line from baby's bibs to sweats. They are employing laser cut appliques combined with standard embroidery, screenprinting and rhinestones. These designs offer great inspiration for those of you that want to try something new and trendy.

I created the round poker table cover by assembling and repeating three designs from my "It's a Boy's Life" collection. I used the chips in the center and then alternated the dice and aces around the outside perimeter. This is a great way to carry out the poker theme on your kitchen or game table and protect your table at the same time. You can see all of the designs in this colection at www.kenparsonsdesigns.com

This towel border design was created by assembling various birds from my "Backyard Birds" collection. Just about any group of designs can be combined to create a border, you merely need to choose related designs and arrange them in a pleasing pattern. Try creating a design with design motifs which you wouldn't ordinarily choose, you might find that working with unfamiliar design themes helps to unlock unknown and unexpected creativity.

When you are creating a border design, it is important that when you repeat the elements you take into consideration the rhythm that you are creating. Try flipping the pieces vertically or horizontally to see if they make better design sense. Also try changing the order that you place them to see if they might create a better flow. Once you are done stand back and look at your finished design as a whole and make sure that there isn't something you have overlooked that could enhance what you already have created. In the design above I combined two designs from my border collection entitled "Dress Up Your Designs" with a design from my "Fantastic Flora" collection. To see all of the designs in these collections go to www.kenparsonsdesigns.com

To create this harvest wreath design, I started by using my "digitize column stitch" tool in Compositions project based embroidery design software, to create the various organic shapes in different shades of green and then combined them together to create my basic wreath shape. I then added the bow from my "Dress Up Yout Designs" collection and then added the fruit from my 'Fresh From The Grove" collection. This same basic wreath shape can be used over and over again in different colors and with different elements to create a unique wreath for any occasion. To see a demo of Compositions or to see all of my designs go to www.kenparsonsdesigns.com

In the two designs above, I tried to illustrate how easily you can change the personality of a stock design by choosing the appropriate borders or accents to undeline the effect you are trying to acheive. In the top design I tried for a contry feel that would fit well in a rustic kitchen.In the second design I was trying for a French feel, which I accented by using the fleur de Lis' from my "Create a Crest" colectionalong with the words "the rooster" in French on the banner. If you can narrow down the images which will recount a particular feeling, culture or era you can easily recreate it. Try to think of a look that has imprssed you in the past. Break it down to its components and you can easily reporduce the mood in your own creation. See all of my designs at www.kenparsonsdesigns.com