Hi <<First Name>>, We know it’s been said before and often, right here at EN, but when something is so good and wonderful, you just want to talk about it and share it with everyone A LOT! There is something very special and extraordinary about the global needlework community.  Now don’t read that as just a throwaway, feel-good line, consider how your own experiences can validate that statement. How often do you marvel at the brilliant work of a fellow stitcher, how many times have you received encouragement and hope from the stories of other needleworkers, and how frequent is the feeling of joy and peace that the needle and thread brings to you and your household? In the crazy hustle and bustle of year end activities and the festive season, don’t forget to take a moment and reflect on how much we have to be thankful for, and how we are all part of one great big needlework family. Now for our town crier update:   ‘Hear Ye! Hear Ye!  Be ye rejoicin yet? 2 weeks till Christmas, so if you’re not full of festive joy by now, quick grab a needle and get stitchin… tis the only cure!’ Share your needlework journey with us by emailing news@inspirationsstudios.com

> Purchase your copy of the Inspirations 2017 Wall Calendar HERE.

A Simple Life – Louise Spriggs

There is a fine art in designing a project that is both simple and striking at the same time.  Often when one sets out to create something simple, it can result in it becoming bland or uninteresting, yet for the talented among us, they have a unique ability to craft complexity out of simplicity.

Louise Spriggs is one such designer who over many years has marvelled Inspirations readers with her very clever simple, yet striking designs.

This week we bring you ‘A Simple Life’ from Inspirations issue #92 which is an aptly named pair of cushions by Louise.

These contemporary cushions feature elegant, arching stems of fragrant lavender, worked along the lower edge of beautiful natural linen.

Now this is where Louise wheels out the clever to make the simple, striking.  The first example is the white colourway of the design, where she uses only two different stitching techniques and one colour thread combined in a clever arrangement of bullion knots in a pattern for the lavender flowers and straight stem stitch for the stem.

Then using shades of antique violet and khaki, Louise uses the same pattern of bullion knots, but this time blends and intertwines the coloured cottons to create an incredibly life-like rendition.

To finish off, the cushions are piped around the outer edge and close with a zip at the back.

There you have it, one cushion uses a single thread and two stitches, the other uses 6 threads and two stitches, it doesn’t get much simpler than that, yet the end result is simply…. striking!

MAKE YOUR OWN ‘A SIMPLE LIFE’ CUSHIONS

Step 1/. – Purchase Inspirations Issue #92

‘A Simple Life’ by Louise Spriggs is featured in Inspirations issue #92.  Complete with a comprehensive project requirements list, detailed instructions, step-by-step diagrams for creating the lavender heads, as well as full construction details and design templates included on the pattern sheet, everything you need to know is included.

> Printed copies of issue #92 are now available to order HERE.

Step 2/. – Purchase A Simple Life Kits

Kit comes in either White or Purple colour options and contains everything you need to re-create the cushions as shown in the magazine with the finished size measuring 30cm x 53cm wide (12" x 21").

Ready To Stitch Kit contains: fabric, interfacing, piping cord, zip, embroidery threads and needles.

MORE KITS ARRIVING SOON – After selling out of both colourways in the first weeks of release, ‘A Simple Life’ kits will be back in stock soon.  Stock for the white cushion will be available next week, with the purple coming early in the New Year.  Limited quantities available, so place your order now to ensure you don’t miss out.

> Purchase ‘Welcome Home’ WHITE Kit HERE.
> Purchase ‘Welcome Home’ PURPLE Kit HERE.

LOOKING FOR MORE LOUISE SPRIGGS?

Get a double dose of your Louise Spriggs fix, with this issue of Inspirations magazine that features not 1 but 2 of Louise’s projects:

‘A Pinch Of Spice’ plus ‘Spice Up Your Life’ - Issue #83

Starring on the front cover of issue #83 is ‘A Pinch Of Spice’ a wonderfully vibrant felt brooch.  This exotic flower motif design also features on the project ‘Spice Up Your Life’, a richly coloured tablet cover, both incorporating Louise’s signature ‘simple but stunning’ design architecture.

> Purchase Printed Copies Of Issue #83 HERE

‘Bird Baby Hat’ - Issue #68

This super cute and super quick bonus project which comes with issue #68, measures 5cm (2”) in diameter making it the perfect embellishment for any children’s wear.

> Purchase Printed Copies Of Issue #68 with ‘Bird Baby Hat’ HERE

‘Circa’ - Issue #74

Another simple but stunning cushion from Louise with modern motifs and an elegant colour scheme of natural and black.

> Purchase Printed Copies Of Issue #74 featuring ‘Circa’ HERE
> Purchase Digital Download of ‘Circa’ HERE

If you are scrambling for a last-minute Christmas stitched gift idea, this week we’ve added a couple of smaller projects as digital downloads just for you!

‘Collector’s Item’ by Margaret Lee

The ‘Collector’s Item’ range by Margaret Lee from issue #21 is a set of glorious bathroom linen adorned with colourful pansies and sunflowers. The set includes hand towels, a cosmetic purse and face washer.

> Purchase Digital Download of ‘Collector’s Item’ HERE

‘Good Tidings’ by Jenny Brown

‘Good Tidings’ from issue #24 by Jenny Brown is two quick and easy Christmas cards to give with love.

> Purchase Digital Download of ‘Good Tidings’ HERE

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

This week in What Are You Stitching it’s all about popular!  We have some extremely popular projects and some very popular regular contributors who are back with more amazing needlework.

Up first is Lesley Ball from Lincolnshire in England who has sent in her adaptation of one of the most popular projects we featured this year ‘Modern Crewel' by Susan Porter from issue #90:

‘Hello there, I hope you like my ‘Modern Crewel’ cushion, I have just finished it after getting all the threads I wanted from Clarence River in Australia, they were brilliant!  I had great fun stitching it and putting it all together!  Thank you so much for a beautiful magazine, my friends are buying me another subscription to Inspirations for Christmas because I love it so much!  Lesley’

How great does that look as a cushion Lesley?  Superb job with your needlework and the creativity to produce such a wonderful finished product.

If you are yet to join the ‘Modern Crewel’ craze, the good news is we still have kits available.

> Purchase your Modern Crewel kit HERE
> Purchase Printed Copies Of Issue #90 with ‘Modern Crewel’ HERE

Another very popular project over the past several years has been the ‘Forest Kingfisher’ by Trish Burr, and up next is June Felt from Queensland, Australia with her completed Kingfisher and more…

‘Hello, here is a photo of the Trish Burr project I finished, the design was drawn onto the material for me so I just had to stitch it.  The instructions were very helpful and I so enjoyed doing it I have been inspired to do more bird embroideries since, including ‘Winters Song’ also by Trish Burr from issue #88.

My story of embroidery starts with my mother teaching me as a young girl resulting in me being awarded the Clarks Embroidery Shield by my high school in New Zealand for the embroidery on a frock I had made for myself.

I did various table cloths and things like that that we put into our glory boxes (those were the days) and of course have always done little trims on my girl’s dresses over the years.

After retiring as a teacher of stone carving, I found Inspirations Magazine issue 18 in our newsagent back in 1998.   I fell in Love with the project man’s best friend “Fido” and made several of these little dogs for family and friends and from then on I was hooked.

I have made countless items from Inspirations most of which have been given as gifts.  I always try to make something useful. I am now 86 years’ young kept alive and active with family, and the Craft Group at our Church.  I do most of my work at night under the watchful eye of my husband who keeps me on track by watching that the birds or butterflies or flowers really look alive.    Thank you for your magazine and for starting me on a new track of interest and achievement. Life is good and God is good. 

Thank you for taking the time to share both your needlework and your story with us June, what a treat!  Your Kingfisher is marvellous, it has come up so well and your husband is doing a great job ensuring everything is lifelike, it’s all so beautiful.  Also, we love your collection of bird ornaments, what a treasure!

DID YOU KNOW?

‘Forest Kingfisher’ by Trish Burr as stitched by June above, has only ever been released as a single purchase printed pattern, UNTIL RECENTLY.  ‘Forest Kingfisher’ is in fact one of the 12 glorious project projects featured in our new book Inspirations ‘A Passion For Needlework’ 

So if you are interested in making your own Forrest Kingfisher, the book includes our usual award winning step by step instructions and lift out pattern sheets.

> Purchase ‘Inspirations - A Passion For Needlework’ HERE.

Now we have some new projects from a very popular regular contributor Kathleen Klein from Michigan, USA:

'Earth'                                                                'Water'

Hello from a snowy Michigan!  After I finished the 'Season' series I started and have now completed a new series I called ‘The Elements’.  It includes 'Fire' ; 'Wind' ; 'Earth' and 'Water'.  

'Fire'                                                                     'Wind'

Each piece is a crazy quilt block incorporating a mixture of techniques such as silk shibori, Brazilian embroidery stitches, beaded Russian leaves, and lots of bling!  Regards, Kathleen

Wonderful artistic pieces Kathleen, you put so much attention to detail and storytelling in each piece, you and your projects really are remarkable. 

For our final project this week we have another very popular regular contributor returning, Peggy Kimble from Canada.  Seemingly nothing can stop this needlework dynamo, who is celebrating her 94th birthday this month!

Back in Embroidery News #61 Peggy shared with us the project ‘Persian Blooms’ which at the time she had just completed (picture above).  Here is an update from Peggy as to what she did with this piece next:

Thought you might like to see what I have done with PB.  I bought a used piece of furniture ( I think it was meant to be a planter ). Painted it blue, made the embroidery piece into a thin pad, used velcro to attach it and now I have a decorated storage box.

All good wishes to you all at Inspirations.  Peggy Kimble

Peggy it seems that every time you share with us something that you have completed or been working on, we get even more impressed and amazed at your talent and prolific life’s work.  Your decorated Persian Blooms storage box is magnificent.  Such a clever execution and it looks so contemporary, I’m sure everyone reading EN would like one!  Congratulations on turning 94, we look forward to many more updates from you in the coming weeks and months.

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

Not A Subscriber?  Join Today!

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

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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

POPULAR CAROLYN PEARCE PROJECTS

The collection of Carolyn Pearce’s work featured in Inspirations Magazines and Books over the years is prolific. With well over 20 projects appearing in the magazine alone, not to mention the hugely successful project books ‘Home Sweet Home’, ‘Patchwork Bear’ and ‘Embroidered Village Bag’, there is no shortage of glorious projects to choose from.  Here are a few favourites you might like…

Sweet Hearts – Issue #42

These two sweet little bears are made from the softest ivory wool blanketing, each gently embellished with dainty floral embroidery and finished with a satin neck bow.

> Purchase Digital Download of ‘Sweet Hearts’ HERE

Home Sweet Home – An Embroidered Workbox

This charming English cottage, beautifully decorated with a garden of stitches, opens to reveal 9 gorgeous accessories and includes storage for all your notions.

> Purchase Printed Copies Of The HSH Book HERE

The Embroidered Patchwork Bear

Delight in this richly illustrated single project book, combining the crafts of embroidery, patchwork and bear making.

> Purchase Printed Copies Of The Patchwork Bear Book HERE

English Rose - Issue #76

Precious possessions deserve a special resting place, and few places are more special than this exquisite thimble holder.  A bouquet of soft pink ribbon roses is worked on the lid of the holder, and a sparkling gold lattice decorates the sides.

> Purchase Printed Copies of issue #76 featuring ‘English Rose’ HERE
> Purchase Digital Download of ‘English Rose’ HERE

Gentle Thoughts – Issue #66

Delightful pansy embellished needlecase, stitched onto wool and cashmere velour with a multitude of silk, wool, cotton, rayon and metallic threads.

> Purchase Digital Download of ‘Gentle Thoughts’ HERE
> For more digital patterns by Carolyn Pearce, click HERE.

DECEMBER CALENDAR PROJECT - NOW AVAILABLE

If you haven’t yet, it’s now time to turn the page on your Inspirations 2016/2017 Calendar to December.

The project featured for the month of December is ‘Waratah’ by Jennifer Kennedy from Inspirations issue #80, a charming redwork pinwheel or ornament worked in easy stitches.

‘Waratah’ features the spectacular bloom of the native Australian shrub Waratah at the centre of this charming redwork pinwheel. Including instructions for making a twisted cord and a full left and right alphabet, the pinwheel can easily be made into a Christmas ornament and the reverse of the project embellished.

The Inspirations calendar is not just beautiful needlework eye candy, the instructions for each project featured are also available for purchase.

Inspirations issue #80 Print                              Digital Download ‘Waratah’

MAKE YOUR OWN ‘WARATAH’

To coincide with Waratah’s being featured as the project for December, the digital pattern has now been added to our website.

> Purchase Printed Copies of Issue 80 featuring Waratah HERE
> Purchase Digital Pattern for Waratah HERE

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

COPIES OF THE CALENDAR STILL AVAILABLE

Be inspired all year around with the World’s Most Beautiful Needlework Calendar.  Purchase one today and have it shipped directly to your door anywhere in the world. 

> To order your copy, click HERE.

What: Opus Anglicanum | Masterpieces of English Medieval Embroidery
Where: Room 38 | Victoria & Albert Museum
When: to 5 Feb
Details: Click HERE

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

What: RSN | Stories in Stitch Exhibition
Where: Hampton Court Palace
When: to 31 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
embroiderynews@inspirationsmagazine.com.au

Happy Stitching
The Embroidery News Team