You wouldn't know it, but I am the owner of an embroidery machine. I think that I burned myself out on embroidery - it seemed like there was only so much you could do with the machine. I've read the internet sites and the magazines that try to help you 'think outside the hoop" as the book puts it, but there hasn't been a source that emcomapssed it all until I got ahold of the book Machine Embroidery Wild & Wacky.

This book is full of inspirations and tips on working with a variety of fabrics, meduims other than fiber (such as metal, paper, plastic, and wood), and tons of unusual products to make your designs 'pop' (such as Angelina, foam, and unusual threads). In addition to all of this, there's over 20 projects using various techniques - in the hoop quilting, foam frames, and embelished zippers. There's lots of information jam packed into this 128 page book!

However, this book isn't just full of inspiations either, it comes with it's own set of designs and projects. The CD-Rom specific instructions include 28 projects such as a bookworm bookmark, pendants, pet collars, and an in the hoop teddy bear.