Hi <<First Name>>, The art of needlework is one of the earliest forms of creative expression known to mankind.  Starting out as a functional way of creating clothing, over the centuries stitching has evolved, expanded, and exploded into a plethora of applications and techniques.  Yet even today as a civilisation in 2016 we are still discovering, adapting and learning the intricacies of this ancient craft and inventing new ways to further advance the cause of needlework.  This is just one of the reasons needlework is such a dynamic and exciting craft to be a part of - on one hand it is our responsibility to preserve the tradition and pass it to the next generation, on the other it is our privilege to enhance it and stamp the mark of our current generation for others to admire. This is a blockbuster EN so make sure you are comfy as we get set to explore the culture of Japan in both a special style of bead embroidery and Temari, plus our 92-year-old super star Peggy Kimble is back to show you not only is age just a number, it can unlock the door to some of your greatest years of productivity and influence.

Do you have something to share?  We’d love to hear from you!  Email us at:
embroiderynews@inspirationsmagazine.com.au.

                    - T I M E   I S   R U N N I N G   O U T –

             With only 3 weeks to go, if you are quick you can still to book for BATB 2016
      CLASSES AND ACCOMMODATION STILL AVAILABLE!

20 of the world’s best tutors, 62 of the world’s most beautiful needlework projects, 7 of the best days of your life.

No Time To Waste… - Book Today!

> Digital PDF of the catalogue available to download for FREE – Click HERE.
> Printed copies of the BATB 2016 catalogue – Order HERE.
> Registration online and see list of classes and accommodation – Click HERE.

ALREADY REGISTERED?

Reminder - orders for your student requirements are now due.  To place your order click HERE 

BATB 2016 Special Events Calendar Now Available.   To check out all the fun you can get up to after class, click HERE.

Adorning the front cover of issue #91 is the stunning scissor fob ‘Hana’ in all its beaded glory. Yet there is more to this project than you might at first think!

‘Hana’ by Merrilyn Whittle – Inspirations #91

To begin with ‘Hana’ is the work of Merrilyn Whittle who appears in Inspirations for the very first time with issue #91, so it’s a big warm welcome to Merrilyn, congratulations on your debut and it’s so great to have you feature in the magazine.

The other point of significance with this project is rather than being created using standard bead embroidery, it is in fact Japanese style bead embroidery.  To better help us explain the difference between the two, we sought the expertise of Margaret Lee who knows a thing or two about Asian needlework…  

‘Japanese Style Bead Embroidery is based on some of the concepts of traditional Japanese Embroidery. It was the brainchild of Iwao Saito, the founder of the Japanese Embroidery Organisation, Kurenai-Kai. Together with his handpicked embroiderer, Reiko Matsukawa, it was developed into a companion art to Japanese Embroidery. Unlike other styles of bead embroidery, seed beads are used almost exclusively.’

‘While there are no unique stitches as such used, the concepts and techniques on which it is based creates movement and a dimensional outlook in a different perspective from other forms of bead embroidery.  Added to that, an understanding of the use of colour, the creation of different texture from the techniques and meticulous attention to detail in different design situations, distinguishes and makes it unique in its own right within the genre.’

Thank you for the insight Margaret, very helpful.  Margaret herself has also created some wonderful Japanese style bead embroidery pieces, including ‘Beaded Accessories Keeper’ which she is teaching at this year’s Beating Around The Bush, more information for which is below. 

‘Hana’ is the perfect project to try your hand at Japanese style bead embroidery as the project itself is nice and compact (56mm or 2 3/8” square), Merrilyn’s design is based on a pretty cotton flower fabric print so no need to transfer the design, and it incorporates just the right amount of repetition to practise and perfect your technique.  Even if you don’t use the same print as Merrilyn, you can choose your own fabric, buy matching beads and still follow the needlework instructions in the magazine.

CREATING YOUR OWN HANA SCISSOR FOB

‘Hana’ by Merrilyn Whittle is featured in Inspirations issue #91.  Complete with a comprehensive project requirements list, detailed step by step instructions, tips on working hands free and construction guide, printed copies of issue #91 are now available.

> Purchase Issue #91 HERE.

An Inspirations ready to stitch kit for ‘Hana’ is also available for purchase.

Kit includes the pre-printed fabric, all the threads, beads and needles required to re-create the project exactly as it appears in the magazine. > Purchase Inspirations Hana Kit HERE

LOOKING FOR MORE
JAPANESE STYLE BEAD EMBROIDERY?

Don’t miss the opportunity to learn Japanese Style Bead Embroidery with Margaret Lee at Beating Around The Bush 2016 in October, Adelaide Australia.

> Places still available, register today by clicking HERE.

The biennial “Stitch Your Heart Out” needlework challenge is open to ANY SKILL LEVEL, ANY TECHNIQUE, USING ANY MATERIALS and you don't need to attend Beating Around the Bush to enter – it’s for everyone!

Whether it’s your own design or someone else’s and with amazing prizes on offer, this is a needlework challenge for every stitcher and their needle. New or existing projects, there is a category just right for you.

GRAND PRIZE - A full set of magnificent Au Ver à Soie, Soie d’Alger silk threads valued at more than AU$3,500 will be awarded to the overall winner.

This is a wonderful opportunity to share your talents with fellow stitcher’s so don’t be shy – we want to see your work!

ENTER TODAY!  For more information, including how to enter, download the entry form HERE. 

Last week we exhausted the incredibly comprehensive list of suggestions we’d received from the Embroidery News Community and finished pointing Janice in the direction of blanketing fabric that doesn’t contain wool. So this week we introduce a new lot of conversation starters to see who next we can point in the right direction, and it would seem travel is at the forefront of our conversations yet again!

maps of Cambodia & Vietnam courtesy of Koekoek

Liz has Cambodia and Vietnam in her sights and is hoping that someone from the Embroidery News Community can point her in the right direction as she looks to indulge her love of stitching and patchwork while she’s there.

Mary Mack’s Quilted Greek Flag

Colleen, who lives in Louisville Kentucky in the USA, would love ideas on what and where to shop for textiles while she’s in Greece.

Pretty Little Barcelona Cross Stitch

Sue Stasiuk will be travelling from her home town in Burlington, Ontario to Barcelona in Spain in October and is hoping that someone from the Embroidery News Community can point her in the direction of an embroidery store or two!

Do you have something to add to Liz, Colleen or Sue’s travel plans? We’d love you to email us at news@inspirationsstudios.com so we can share your ideas not only with them, but the Embroidery News Community as a whole. 

Email us at news@inspirationsstudios.com.

BACK IN STOCK

The Dandelyne™ Mini-Hoops as featured in issue #91 have been so popular, we sold out!  The good news is, they are now BACK IN STOCK! 

Dandelyne™ Mini Hoops are tiny replicas of the real thing that are just begging for you to stitch something to put inside. It can be as simple or as complex as you like as long as it’s small enough to fit!  The best thing is, they come as either a wearable brooch or can hang from a chain so that you have a perfect, personalised piece of embroidered jewellery.

> Explore our range of Dandelyne Mini Hoops by clicking HERE

SPECIAL REMINDER – MINI HOOPS COMPETITION

To celebrate our discovery of these super cute hoops, Inspirations is running a competition as announced in issue #91.

We want you to discover just how much fun these mini hoops are… so stitch up a design that will fit in one of the Dandelyne hoops and send it in to be in the running to win some fantastic prizes.

Winning entries will be published in Inspirations magazine so don’t forget to keep a list of the threads and stitches that you have used and a copy of your design.  You can pop your entry into a mini-hoop or un-hooped, either way is fine, if you don’t include the hoop just remember to tell us what size hoop your design is intended for.

Send your entries to*: Inspirations Magazine Mini Hoop Competition PO Box 10177 Adelaide Business Hub South Australia 5000 Australia Entries close September 30th 2016. *Please note, entries cannot be returned.

Temari is an ancient Japanese folk craft with a history over a thousand years old, so to say it isn’t new is a huge understatement!  Even in the history of Inspirations it’s been around a while with it first appearing in a significant way back in issue 25 with the project ‘Wild Swan’ by Janet Donnelly. Most recently Temari came to prominence again in Embroidery New issue 37, when one of our most famous contributors to ‘What Are You Stitching’ 92-year-old Peggy Kimble sent in her spectacular Temari Easter eggs and other Temari delights.  To refresh your memory click HERE.

Wild Swan – Inspirations #25

At the time EN 37 went out, we were inundated with emails asking for information about Temari and calls for Peggy to share how she makes her amazing Temari eggs (pictured below).   In response to everyone’s requests, Peggy has graciously compiled the following information:

‘I am glad to hear that folks want to learn about Temari.  I first discovered Temari myself in a needlework shop in Victoria, BC where I came across a little soft back book which was in Japanese and had pictures of Temari on the cover.  I had not heard or seen them before, this would have been about 1992.  I was so enthralled with these wonderful Temari that I made a big batch of them, following the diagrams - the Japanese are so good with their diagrams, and filled two baskets.

Next I found a small book by the same author, again in Japanese so I couldn’t understand a word, but I was thrilled as I had more designs to play with. These were my tutors for a while as there were no books in English!  Then, joy of joys I found the book ‘A Book of Baubles, by Anna Diamond’ She also wrote another book ‘The Temari Book’.

I make the balls with strips of old clothing, or odds and ends of yarn, using the thicker ones and then finishing with thinner yarns.  I then buy the cones of sewing thread (cheaper than spools) or use whatever available.

I decorate with Perle 5 for Temari and for the small eggs I use Perle 8.  I do not use Styrofoam except for the eggs.  For the eggs I rough up the surface a little so that the thread covers the egg. As DMC no longer sell Perle 5 in balls, I use Finca from Spain, it comes in balls and is very slightly thinner but still good.

A great website I visit is "Temarikai" (www.temarikai.com) which is excellent as it tells you all you need to know plus they have patterns and even Yubinuki.  In summary my favourite resources are Barbara Suess book ‘TEMARI TECHNIQUES’ and the website ‘TEMARIKAI’ run by a nice lady, Ginny Thompson.  One word of warning about Teamri - they can be addictive!!!   Best to all, Peggy’

Thank you for sharing all your wonderful experience with us Peggy, now that is what you call priceless!

Coincidently and further to Peggy’s mention of Barbara Suess, it just so happens Inspirations issue 62 featured a fabulous write up about Temari written by none other than Barbara Suess herself.  Barbara shares the history of Temari as well as her experiences and even started an online group for people interested in Temari which is still going strong today HERE.

Issue 62 also features the Barbara Suess project ‘Oliver Twist Temari’ where she shares her secret on how to make this remarkable optical illusion Temari.

Printed copies of issue #62 are still available and can be purchased HERE.

We finish our Temari special with this wonderful story from Peggy Kimble:

‘A young mother, Sara, is home schooling her two children, Isaac and Ireland, and part of their learning was to bring them to our knitting group in Thornbury to learn to knit.  I was making a Temari, and eight-year-old Isaac showed an interested in it so we made a Temari together and he learned how to decorate it.  Both the boys are very bright, know how to knit and come to visit us occasionally.  Here is a photo of Isaac and I and his Temari.’

The Peggy Kimble show continues as this week she has sent in some new projects to amaze us with….

‘Just a little update from Canada.  I have just finished stitching this Royal Persian Blossom crewel embroidery design by Talliaferro, now trying to decide what I shall do with it. -  don't want to frame it. Big decision!

Also here is one of my crewel embroidery designs of a few years ago I thought you might like to share.  Fine twill weave linen and Appletons Crewel wool with a collection of usual crewel embroidery stitches worked with double thread.

Our friends Carla and Nancy have just begun to stitch a Tree of Life design that I made some years ago, these wonderful quilting ladies are venturing into crewel embroidery!  We have all been enjoying summer weather but now autumn begins. Peggy Kimble.’

Peggy you are our hero.  Between the quantity and quality of your needlework and teaching 8-year-old boys to stitch, there is no end to your legacy.  Thank you for mentoring us all on how to live a full and rewarding needlework filled life. 

Now back to our normal program…

Virginia Bieneman has sent in this fabulous version of the extremely popular ‘Modern Crewel’ from Inspirations issue #90:

‘Hello Inspirations, I live in the beautiful Clarence River Valley on the north coast of New South Wales, Australia.  Last year I wrote to you about our annual Arts and Crafts Festival, which has just taken place again in Maclean, a local town, well known for also staging an annual Scottish gathering.

I stitch every week in Maclean with a group of friends under the guidance of our teacher, the lovely and talented Susan Porter. How lucky are we! I thought you might like to see my version of Susan's "Modern Crewel". It is in a different colour way to the kit shown in issue #90.

I won a prize at our Festival for this project and also for my other recently finished project, Anna Scott's "Summers Glow" shown above.  I loved working on both projects. I look forward to your beautiful magazine arriving every few months.  Happy stitching, Virginia.’

Amazing Virginia – both your sensational needlework projects and the fact you have Susan Porter as your local tutor!  Very clever colour way of Modern Crewel BTW, no doubt Susan would have been thrilled to see it, and Anna is going to love seeing ‘Summers Glow’, it has come up just beautifully.

Kits for Modern Crewel are still available for purchase HERE.
Printed copies of Inspirations issue #90 are available for purchase HERE.

Next up is Lois Woollams who always sends in the most divine needlework as seen in EN 13 and 36.  This week Lois treats us again with some of her recent needlework:

‘This little embroidery is about 8” by 6”, DMC threads on Belgium linen for a 6-year-old neighbour of mine who requested a name tag for her bedroom door.  She is a delightful little girl who visits me regularly and her Mum is going to have it framed for her.  Her request was for circles in all colours.

My blue Himalayan poppy is on Belgium linen with silk threads, I am practicing my thread painting with a project of embroideries which will hopefully become an heirloom quilt for my daughter.  I have finished about 20 different blocks which are mostly floral and my skills have improved.  I aspire to the skill standard of Mary Corbet and Catherine Laurençon.’

If you are going to set a standard to achieve, indeed why not aim for the best of the best?  Your ambition is infectious Lois, you are already an outstanding stitcher, and we have no doubt you will achieve your goal of skill similar to that of Mary and Catherine.  You are surely already well on your way! 

Our final pieces for this week come from Paula Banerji in Canada:

‘I am an avid fan of Inspirations and write from Brandon, Manitoba in Canada. This summer I finished two pieces.  One is a thread painting with some gold work of leaves that I collected one fall in Boston with my granddaughter, Naina. 

With the second piece my son doodled a peacock while on the phone and I loved it so much that I enlarged it and rendered it in gold work.

Both projects will eventually go to them!  Thank you for the greatest embroidery magazine and can't wait to see the next one.   Best wishes Paula.’

We say it so often Paula, but it’s so very true in that behind every great piece is a great needle artisan and a great back story.  We love the stories that each of your projects tell and of course the needlework itself is magnificent also.  Congratulations and thank for you sharing.

What Are YOU Stitching?  We’d love to see it… send your photos, a description of the project and a little about yourself including where you live, to news@inspirationsstudios.com.

The World’s Most Beautiful Needlework Book
Released Next Week…

Don’t miss Embroidery News next week as we launch our brand new Inspirations book.  Exquisite and innovative hand stitched pieces presented like never before.  If you think Inspirations the magazine is special, wait until you see our new book!

Beautiful Needlework.  Sold Here.  www.stitchology.com.au

Inspirations issue #92 is coming! 

Billing for our Christmas spectacular issue #92 is underway and despatch to our subscribers will begin soon.  If you normally pay for your subscription via PayPal please ensure your invoice is paid ASAP to avoid delay in receiving your magazine.  If you have a new credit card or your mailing details have changed and have not already notified us, please email us this week at subs@inspirationsmagazine.com.au

Not A Subscriber?  Join Today!

Have the world’s most beautiful needlework magazine delivered right to your door 4 times a year,

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@inspirationsmagazine.com.au

INSPIRATIONS 2016/2017 CALENDAR STARTS THIS MONTH

Be inspired all year around with the World’s Most Beautiful Needlework Calendar.  And it all starts right now in September!

The first project to be featured in our 2016/2017 calendar for the month of September is ‘Gathering Lillies’ by Nettie Morris from Inspirations issue #66.  One of the stand out features of this piece is the extraordinary precision of Nettie's stitches which can be seen on the delightful faces of these two girls gathering arum lilies from the garden.

To celebrate the month of September heralding the start of our calendar, we have added the project ‘Gathering Lilies’ as a digital download making the calendar a very practical inspirational tool indeed.  Now not only can you admire this extraordinary piece, you can stitch it for yourself!

‘Gathering Lilies’ by Nettie Morris More than ninety shades of stranded cotton thread have been used to create this stunning thread painted masterpiece. > To purchase Digital Pattern click HERE.

DON’T HAVE A 2016/2017 INSPIRATIONS CALENDAR YET?

Copies are still available and can be shipped directly to your door anywhere in the world.  To order click HERE.

What: 62 Group of Textile Artists Exhibition | Making Spaces
Where: The Silk Museum | Roe Street Macclesfield, UK
When: to 3 Sep
Details: Click HERE

What: 2016 Buda Contemporary Textiles Exhibition
Where: Buda Historic Home & Garden | 42 Hunter Street Castlemaine, Victoria
When: to 10 Sep
Details: Click HERE

What: Wollongong Group of the NSW Embroiderers’ Guild Exhibition | Through the Eye of the Needle
Where: Wollongong Art Gallery | Burelli Street Wollongong, New South Wales
When: to 11 Sep
Details: Click HERE

What: Slipstitch
Where: Castlemaine Art Galley & Historical Museum | 14 Lyttleton Street Castlemaine, Victoria
When: to 24 Sep
Details: Click HERE

What: Making the Australian Quilt: 1800 to 1950
Where: National Galley of Victoria Australia | Federation Square – Flinders Street & Russell Street Melbourne, Victoria
When: to 6 Nov
Details: Click HERE

What: The Wellington Craft & Quilt Fair
Where: Te Rauparaha Arena | 17 Parumoana Street Porirura, New Zealand
When: 8 to 10 Sep
Details: Click HERE

What: San Francisco School of Needlework & Design | Grand Opening
Where: 360 Post Street #604 San Francisco, California
When: 10 Sep | 11:00 to 6:00
Details: Click HERE

What: The Samford Patchworkers | Quilt Show
Where: Samford Community Hall | School Road Samford, Queensland
When: 10 & 11 Sep
Details: samfordpatchorkers@gmail.com

What: RSN | Stories in Stitch Exhibition
Where: Hampton Court Palace
When: Sep 16 to Mar 17
Details: Click HERE

What: The Embroiderers’ Guild ACT | Annual Exhibition
Where: Albert Hall | Commonwealth Avenue Yarralumla, Australian Capital Territory
When: 16 to 18 Sep
Details: Click HERE

What: The South Coast & Country Quilters Guild | 13th Bi-Annual Quilt Exhibition
Where: Batemans Bay Soldiers Club | 2 Beach Road Batemans Bay, New South Wales
When: 16 to 18 Sep
Details: Click HERE

What: Victoria Pearce – Director of Endangered Heritage in Phillip | Lecture
Where: Albert Hall | Commonwealth Avenue Yarralumla, Australian Capital Territory
When: 17 Sep
Details: Click HERE

What: SAGA Convention | Anchored in SAGA
Where: Embassy Suites | 1700 Coliseum Drive Hampton, Virginia
When: 20 to 25 Sep
Details: Click HERE

What: Annemieke Mein Exhibition | Habitat
Where: The Gallery at Bayside Arts & Cultural Centre | Corner of Wilson & Carpenter Streets Brighton, Victoria
When: 24 Sep to 6 Nov
Details: Click HERE

What: Geelong Fibre Forum
Where: Geelong Grammar School | 50 Biddlecombe Avenue Corio, Victoria
When: 26 Sep to 2 Oct
Details: Click HERE

What: The Embroiderers’ Guild of Tasmania | Biennial Exhibition
Where: Punchbowl Christian Centre | 100 Punchbowl Road Punchbowl, Tasmania
When: 28 Sep to 1 Oct

What: Bodalla Embroiderers Exhibition & Sales Event
Where: Bodalla Memorial Hall | Princess Highway Bodalla
When : 1 to 2 Oct
Details: Marg Downey | 0458 645 252

What: The Brisbane Craft & Quilt Fair
Where: Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre | Merivale & Glenelg Street South Brisbane, Queensland
When: 5 to 9 Oct
Details: Click HERE

What: The Embroiderer’s Guild of Victoria | A Secret Garden
Where: Embroidery House | 170 Wattletree Road Malvern, Victoria
When: 8 to 23 Oct
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
embroiderynews@inspirationsmagazine.com.au

Happy Stitching
The Embroidery News Team