Hi <<First Name>>,

Last week we explored the idea that when it comes to stitching, the needlework techniques one chooses may be an indicator of their personality traits.  This hypothesis stirred up a lot of chatter with fun questions being asked like ‘what do you think my needlework says about me?’.  If we take this notion a step further, we can ask a similar only much broader question like, what type of person does stitching attract?  When considering other pursuits of passion, for example motor sports, cake decorating or perhaps classical music, we can conjure up ideas of stereotypes typically associated with these endeavours. Therefore how does one describe a stereotypical needlework enthusiast? In our experience we find stitchers to be calm, thoughtful, generous, sensitive and above all passionate about their art form.  True we may be a little biased, but we haven’t meet too many angry stitchers… after all needlework eases the mind and soothes the soul so for the most part, it makes for a pretty terrific bunch of people to hang around! Share your needlework journey with us at news@inspirationsstudios.com

The current issue of Inspirations Magazine includes a review of the delightful new book ‘Embroidered Home’ by Kelly Fletcher.  Here’s some extracts from the review:

‘If you are looking for fun ways to add a little embroidery to your life then this is the perfect book for you. Full of fresh, modern designs worked with simple stitches and appealing colours, it offers a fabulous collection of ideas for embellishing a variety of homewares.’

‘Given the simplicity of these delightful designs this book would make
a perfect gift for someone beginning their stitching journey plus it also offers a wealth of ideas for those looking for engaging projects that are quick to stitch.’

You can check out the full review, on page 11 of Inspirations #93, plus we now have stock of this new book available on our website.

> Embroidered Home - Available In Print HERE

NEW DIGIAL PATTERNS NOW AVAILABLE

‘The Grey Bird’ by Marie Suarez from Inspirations #63 is an elegant cushion with enchanting bird embroidery.		‘Splendour’ by Angela Dower from Inspirations #64 is a stunning cushion with silk ribbon flowers and Celtic knot border.
> Grey Bird – Available HERE		> Splendour - Available HERE

PHEASANT BY JENNY ADIN-CHRISTIE

All of us at the Inspirations office are privileged to see dozens of amazing needlework projects cross our desks each year.  Everyone in our team has their favourites, and there is a wide range of opinions.  However, there is one sure way to tell if a project is a stand out – that’s when everyone from the Inspirations editorial team start stitching the same project and that is exactly what happened with ‘Pheasant’ by Jenny Adin-Christie.

‘Pheasant’ has been such a popular design at both Beating Around The Bush 2016 and within the Inspirations office, it just HAD to be included in issue #93.

Inspired by the intricately detailed mosaics found in ancient Roman ruins, this superb study of a male, ring-necked pheasant is stitched with a range of colourful metal and silk threads, beads and paillettes.

If you are not familiar with Jenny’s work, she is one of the most talented needlework artisans of the modern era, with her projects and classes in such high demand, any opportunity to see her teach or admire her work, is a must.

Jenny Teaching at Beating Around The Bush 2016

Jenny Teaching at BATH in the UK

‘Pheasant’ is a real feast for the needlework senses, it incorporates a clever use of materials and a wide range of interesting techniques including extensive use of couching, that are all combined in one compact, charming design.

One of the reasons ‘Pheasant’ is such a joy to stitch is that you can work on it section by section and there are so many different little things to do within the design, it creates this amazing fusion of goldwork, metal thread and silk embroidery all at once.

While the project calls for the usual raft of exotic materials that Jenny likes to use including specially dyed threads, thanks to the modest scale of the ‘Pheasant’, it is both relatively cost effect and time friendly compared to some of her other masterpieces.

Once again Jenny has razzled and dazzled us with her outstanding design talents and impeccable stitching skills.  To find out just how popular this project has been at the Inspirations office, check out ‘What Are You Stitching’ below for some cameo appearances by our team.  In the meantime, here’s a little limerick to practise while you’re stitching your own Pheasant:

‘I am not the pheasant plucker,
I'm the pheasant plucker's mate.
I am only plucking pheasants
Because the pheasant plucker's late!’

MAKE YOUR OWN PHEASANT

Join the ‘Pheasant’ stitching craze and find out for yourself what all the fuss is about.

‘Pheasant’ by Jenny Adin-Christie from Inspirations #93 is a glorious use of metal thread techniques in a design inspired by Roman mosaics.

Step 1 – Purchase Inspirations Issue #93

Issue #93 includes all the instructions you need, along with requirements list and full size pattern sheet.

> Inspirations #93 - Available In Print HERE

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The ‘Pheasant’ Ready-To-Stitch Inspirations Kit includes everything you need to make your glistening masterpiece – fabric and felt with pre-printed designs, fusible webbing, metallic mesh ribbon, beads, sequins, paillettes, sewing threads, embroidery threads and needle.

> Pheasant - Ready To Stitch Kit Available HERE*
*Please note due to the popularity of this kit, this item is currently on back order.  Limited quantities are expected to arrive in 4 weeks, order today to ensure you don’t miss out.

GETTING YOUR JENNY ADIN-CHRISTIE FIX

Looking for more Jenny Adin-Christie?   Who isn’t!  Check out these other gorgeous projects:

‘SNOWDROP’ by Jenny Adin-Christie from Inspiration #76 perfectly captures the ethereal beauty of the true European snowdrop in this delightful embroidery.

> Snowdrop – Inspirations #76 In Print Available HERE
> Snowdrop – Digital Pattern Available HERE

‘BUTTERCUP’ by Jenny Adin-Christie from Inspirations #84 is a delicate whitework button brooch, embellished with pearls and sequins.

> Buttercup – Inspirations #84 In Print Available HERE

Issue #84 also includes a fascinating interview with Jenny about her amazing career to date from graduating with distinction at the RSN and then becoming a RSN tutor herself, through to being commissioned to create bespoke couture pieces for Alexander McQueen, working on Kate Middleton’s wedding dress and a monogrammed baby blanket as a gift for the arrival of Prince George.

FOR EVEN MORE JENNY ADIN-CHRISTIE…

Check out her website HERE

GOLDWORK GOES HIGH TECH

Goldwork is a fabulous needlework technique, not just to add a bit of bling and razzamatazz into your life, but for the pleasure of working with the different textures and associated stitches that make up metal thread embroidery.

One Inspirations and BATB regular who is a master in the art of all things Goldwork is Alison Cole and she is now offering you the opportunity to take her ‘Cyber Classes’ and join her online as she shares all her tips and secrets of Goldwork.

Cyber Classes for both the ‘Rosa Viola Butterfly’ and ‘Emerald Dragonfly’ projects are now open for registration, so check out Alison’s website for further information and why not register for a class today and experience the ease of taking needlework lessons in the comfort of your own home.

> For Cyber Class details - click HERE
> To visit Alison’s website – click HERE

TRIP OF A LIFETIME…

Marie Elena from Mexico made a call to the Inspirations office one day and told us how she was planning a trip to Sydney Australia and asked us what stores we recommend when she visits ‘Down Under’

We provided a few suggestions and several weeks later, Julie Milne the owner of amazing needlework store ‘The Crewel Gobelin’ in Sydney sent us this lovely email:

The minute Marie Elena walked through the doors to our store she stated to cry, she was so overcome. She has been dreaming of coming to Australia for 15 years and has collected Inspirations Magazine all that time. She was a gorgeous lady and it was so nice to see her excitement at being able to kit projects going back to Issue #8.  She has left Australia with very full suitcases!

We were so thrilled to hear Marie had such a great time – it’s not really surprising though as Julie and her team at the Crewel Gobelin run one of the best needlework stores in Australia and are absolutely a go-to option for all your day to day and hard to find needlework supplies.

A great supporter of local designers and their products, the Crewel Gobelin stock products and projects from Yvette Stanton, Alison Snepp, Gumnut Yarns, Colour Streams, Mogear Mohair, Designatus and much more. 

So if you are ever in Sydney Australia you simply MUST call in and say hi, Julie and the team would love to see you, and if time permits take part in one of the wonderful classes that they run.  Until then check out their website HERE and/or follow them on Facebook page HERE.  With international shipping available and a full range of threads and an extensive offering of linens, The Crewel Gobelin really is a one stop shop for all your needlework needs.

As promised, this week’s ‘What Are You Stitching?’ has a couple of cameo appearances from the Inspirations editorial team who’ve been busy whiling away the hours outside of the office with a little Jenny Adin-Christie ‘mosaic magic’!

We begin with one of our editors, Ellaine, who shares her Pheasant journey to date and closes with a little tip for those of you creating some mosaic magic of your own.

‘Two things I love about Jenny Adin-Christie's pheasant: the mosaic-inspired design and the fabulous range of special threads and materials used - coloured metal threads, silk-wrapped purls, silk gimp, and tiny paillettes and beads. Some of the threads and techniques were new to me, adding to the appeal of the project, as I enjoy the challenge of trying something new. I jumped at the chance to be in Jenny's class at BATB 2016 and begin my own pheasant.

I like to take my time and didn't progress very far in class. Happily, the instructions Jenny supplied for Inspirations, as for any of her kits, have the detail needed to confidently work through the project on your own. When I get into my 'pheasant groove', I am easily able to take up my stitching and continue to work through the piece, one captivating step at a time. A tip: when making loops with the silk-wrapped purls for feathers across the back, it is okay to be firm with the purls! Ellaine Bronsert.’

Ellaine, you’ve made a confident start to Jenny’s project and we look forward to seeing the finished result once you’ve gotten your pheasant groove on!

From one editor to the Inspirations Editor-In-Chief herself, Susan O’Connor . . .

‘I loved this beautiful little bird from the first moment I saw it so I purchased a kit from Jenny at Beating Around the Bush 2016. I have never done metal thread embroidery like this before but this project was such a delight to stitch that I finished it quite quickly.

I love the colours and the clever ways that Jenny has used the unique threads to create such wonderful effects. My pheasant is finished, framed and ready for display.’

As always Susan, your stitching is meticulous, but we’ve come to expect nothing less from you.

Now, you didn’t hear it from us, but a little birdy told us that Susan may just have another feathered friend from Jenny Adin-Christie to share with us, so I guess you’ll have to stay tuned to Embroidery News for Susan’s next cameo in ‘What Are You Stitching?’!

From the Inspirations team, to one of our Beating Around the Bush students, Susannah Whitney, who must have stitched up a storm after attending Jenny’s class as her pheasant was finished within weeks of spending time with Jenny!

‘I thought you might like to see my finished Pheasant Mosaic, from Jenny Adin-Christie's class at Beating Around the Bush. Jenny is an amazing teacher, and made the complicated metal thread work seem easy. This was my first BATB, but won't be my last! Cheers, Susannah.’

Susannah, your pheasant looks as if it’s come straight out of the pages of Inspirations Magazine itself and we can’t wait to see what you’ll stitch with us at BATB in 2018!

We close this week’s What Are You Stitching? with Chris Evans who, like Alison Cole, loves to incorporate a little gold in her stitching . . .

‘I started stitching 33 years ago after the birth of a beautiful granddaughter. I started with cross stitch and then self-taught Blackwork, Redwork and Hardanger. I enjoy all techniques and think every one is my favourite! I recently attended a workshop run by the RSN at Hampton Court on Goldwork and loved it.

My fingers have been busy stitching a couple of gold work pieces. The first being Strawberry Flower designed and sold as a kit by the wonderful Kathleen Laurel Sage, with the Seahorses being from the same artist as well. I have to say I was very pleased with them. Kind regards, Chris Evans (from South Wales, whilst holidaying in Costa de la Silencio, Tenerife).

Chris, you have the right to be most pleased with your two most gorgeously golden pieces! They are a credit to both the designer, the RSN and yourself. We look forward to what stitching your next stay on Tenerife inspires.
 
What stitching do you have to share with the Embroidery News Community? Whatever it may be, we’d love to see it! Please email your photos and details of your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com.

JOIN THE FAMILY…

Become part of the Inspirations family by subscribing to the magazine... we’d love to have you join us!

SUBSCRIBE TO INSPIRATIONS MAGAZINE

PRINT | For a print subscription fill in our secure online form with your details HERE.

DIGITAL | Digital subscriptions can be purchase through Zinio direct HERE or through the Inspirations APP which can be downloaded via the iTunes and Google Play stores, by searching ‘Inspirations Magazine’.

CALL US - If you have any questions regarding an Inspirations subscription or just want to have a chat, we’d love to hear from you.  You can call us from anywhere in the world on +61 8 8293 8600 anytime and if we’re not in, leave a message and we’ll get back to you.  For anyone within Australia, call us on 08 8293 8600.

Otherwise email us anytime at subs@inspirationsstudios.com

Printed copies of the book ‘Sweet Memories’ by Brenda Karon Shade  are now available for purchase through our website.  An adorable girls quilt, cushion and matching doll featuring pretty pastels and dainty details, accentuated by the miniature dresses that embellish each square of the quilt.

> ‘Sweet Memories’ – Book Available In Print HERE

In Inspirations issue #91 we reviewed the enchanting book ‘The Embroidered Garden’ by Kazuko Aoki and it turns out many of you liked it as much as we did!  So now you can purchase Kazuko’s book from us direct.

Kazuko is a devoted gardener and in this book, she combines her love for her garden with her passion for embroidery.

> ‘The Embroidered Garden’ – Book Available In Print HERE

What: Undressed | A Brief History of Underwear
Where: Room 40 | Victoria & Albert Museum
When: to 12 Mar
Details: Click HERE

What: 2017 Scarf Festival | Galaxies – A Textile Journey to Infinity & Beyond
Where: The National Wool Museum | 26 Moorabool Street Geelong, Victoria
When: Entries Close 30 Apr
Details: Click HERE

What: Jeanie Baker’s Circle Exhibition
Where: Royal Botanic Gardens | Domain House | Dallas Brooks Drive South Yarra Victoria
When: to 14 May
Details: edserve@rbg.vic.gov.au

What: The Language of Flowers | The Embroiderers’ Guild of SA Museum Team Exhibition
Where: 16 Hughes Street Mile End, South Australia
When: to 30 Jun
Details: Click HERE    

What: RSN | Stories in Stitch Exhibition
Where: Hampton Court Palace
When: to Aug
Details: Click HERE

What: The Spring Knitting & Stitching Show
Where: Olympia London | Hammersmith Road, London
When: 2 to 5 Mar
Details: Click HERE

What: The Embroiderers’ Guild of Victoria, South Western Branch | Seasons of Stitching Exhibition
Where: Masonic Centre | Kepler Street Warrnambool, Victoria
When: 3 to 5 Mar | 10:00 to 4:00
Details: egvsouthwestern@gmail.com

What: London Calling – Quilts at the Library | An Exhibition by London Quilters
Where: Swiss Cottage Library | 88 Avenue Road London
When : 6 Mar to 15 Apr
Details: Click HERE

What: Fibres West 2017
Where: Cloverdale Exhibition Park Grounds | 6050 176th Street Surrey, British Columbia
When: 17 & 18 Mar
Details: Click HERE

What: Embroiderers Guild of Victoria - Castlemaine Branch | Colour Magic Exhibition
Where: The Mount Alexander Golf Club | Wimble Street Castlemaine, Victoria
When: 18 to 22 Mar
Details: Click HERE

What: Grampians Texture
Where: Grampians | Victoria, Australia
When: 18 to 23 Mar
Details: Click HERE 

Send us details about events, exhibitions and celebrations happening in your place of stitch and we’ll include them in Embroidery News. Contact us at
news@inspirationsstudios.com

Happy Stitching
The Embroidery News Team