Sometimes it is time to work, and sometimes it is time to play. If you like games as I do, you are going to find this one a challenge, and absolutely free!

An individual with too much time on their hands - This game was contributed by Sporcle user: davidr - has given us this opportunity to determine if you can name the top 100 words used in the english language.

I suppose that it was done with a computer program of some type, and I think it just may be accurate. I managed to do 41 words in the 12 minutes available. I am planning to try again in a few days to see if I can better that number.

Take a minute to have some fun! While you are at it, check out my “ PC Tips and Tricks” ebook. It has REAL freebies, not 30 day tests, and tips and tricks that you will NOT find in other books. I also have the data analysis for those of you who are considering or are already in the embroidery business. It is “ How Much To Charge for Embroidery,” and I know that you will be able to determine if you are charging accurately for your work.

My newsletter contribution will be coming up shortly, so watch for more great (and new) tips for you to use.

Best wishes to you and yours, Pat

Birdhouse Cottage Crafts has an innovative new Gift Wrap embroidery project that is so easy to make! Designed to hold a CD or three Fat Quarters, it makes an ideal gift for your quilting friends, and non-quilters too! Choose between a quilted design or quilted feathers pattern. Attach a ribbon at the bottom and feed it through to tie on the top, then add your own decoration and bling.

The adorable new Christmas Village collection includes charming freestanding boutique stores and a church. Make up the whole village or choose your favorite store. Each design set come with full color photo instructions and designs for the 5×7″ hoop, including a label on the back of each building for your name and the year you created your village.

Get 25% discount off all designs from SewAZ Embroidery during November 2009, plus the lovely new Winter Flower Fairy is free with orders of $10 or more during November!

What better way to bring the outdoors indoors than with this festive Falling Leaves Hanger from Threads That Bind Us. Once finished, this hangie measures 7 1/2″ x 25″. There are 9 designs included in the set - 3 block designs each in two hoop sizes plus 3 extra leaf designs. Full instructions are included along with a supply list, fabric cutting chart, number charts and assembly instructions.

Also see Larisa’s new CoRnY Friends Candy Holder for another fun project, made in just 15 minutes!

Carolyn Duncan’s latest 4D ExpressDesign Wizard 2 DVD explains how to make designs using the Express Trace Option and is suitable for both Pfaff & Husqvarna versions of 4D Embroidery Extra/4D Design Creator Module.

Make a Boo-tiful Halloween Mini-Quilt! This fun project tutorial from A Bit of Stitch comes with six applique designs, the quilt layout pattern, a curved corner template and step-by-step instructions to show you how to make the quilt. Also included are lots of helpful hints and tips. Create your own layout to make placemats or a table runner for boo-tiful Halloween decor! This is a great project for beginning quilters!

Carolyn Keber’s latest tutorial, Creating Stipple Designs with Embird Studio v5, takes you through creating your own stippling using the Freehand Tool. By the end of the lesson you will be confidently creating your own stipple designs to use for quilting, home decoration and on garments. You will be thrilled at how simple it is to create a stippling pattern which can be used over and over again, re-sized and changed to suit any project.

Included with this lesson is a beautiful posy design, an image file to use for your stippling practice, plus 3 free bonus stippling files.

SewAZ Embroidery’s new Monster Bash Tote & Play set is a must have project for Halloween and would make a great table centerpiece with the freestanding party goers and lots of scrummy candy scattered around. Or it could be trick or treat bag with the addition of an extra hook and loop at the bottom of the opening. Use glow in the dark thread for the lettering and all the white designs!

Also see the October Sale & Free Flower Fairy offer at SewAZ!

The new Trendy Trash Tote Tutorial from Too Cute Embroidery shows how easy these projects are to make and fun to personalize. Drive in style while keeping your car tidy. Line with eco-friendly vinyl or use disposable bags. Hang from your shifter (gear stick) or from the headrest to keep what you need handy. The kids can use one for day to day essentials, and for long trips pack snacks, drinks, anything they’ll need to keep them happy.

The new in-the-hoop Advent Calendar set from Threads That Bind Us includes two great Christmas projects for children. One allows you to stitch on a ready made placemat or item of your choice and the other is a hanging version with sewn pockets using fabrics from your stash. The set includes the advent designs in two hoop sizes, plus an Applique Santa, two Christmas phrases, and a 9 page PDF file with all the instructions you need to make these two fun calendar projects.