Routine.

Some of us thrive on it while others of us find it suffocating.

Now that we’re back in the office after Beating Around the Bush, the Inspirations Team are reacquainting ourselves with our normal routine which, for the most part, is dictated by the publishing schedule of our magazines and books and the associated work for each of them.

One of the fascinating things we learnt while we were at Beating Around the Bush were the routines people have for their stitching.

To ensure everyone kept pace with their workshop’s stitching requirements, some people’s routine was to arrive at class early each day and then stitch through many of their designated breaks, while others squeezed in their assigned stitching after the evening’s scheduled social activity.

We heard of one lady who, when at home, deliberately sets aside time to stitch at the beginning of each day to ensure daily life doesn’t get in the way of her passion for needle and thread. While others stitch with any available time they can find at the end of whatever their day has thrown at them, some with a glass of wine in hand!

It made us wonder about your stitching routines and we’d love you to share them with us. Email your routine, no matter how carefully constructed or haphazard to news@inspirationsstudios.com. We look forward to hearing from you.

Until then, enjoy this week’s newsletter as we officially launch Inspirations #100…

DMC captured the imagination of stitchers the world over when they introduced 35 new colours to their stranded cotton range. To mark the occasion these new threads have been available to purchase in an exclusive gold matte collector's tin, stock of which has been consistently selling out.

If you are yet to familiarise yourself with these 35 gorgeous new threads, the tins are now back in stock, but probably not for long…

As a keepsake to celebrate the 100th issue of the world’s most beautiful needlework magazine, we have released an exclusive premium quality enamel pin, inspired by Trish Burr’s issue #100 project ‘Redouté’s Tulips’.

The Tulip is the first pin in a series of designs based on projects from upcoming issues of Inspirations Magazine. Start your collection today.

Time is a gift. Yet in the immediacy of the here and now, it’s all too easy to take it for granted. It’s not until a major event takes place that we suddenly realise the significance of time, as we look back with either regret as to what could have been, or rejoice in all that has been.

25 years of time very well spent and an achievement for all those involved to be extremely proud of. And when we say ‘all involved’ that means all of you reading this – Inspirations is not an island, it’s a lighthouse on the shore of the wonderful world that is needlework. Our community creates the beauty and we light it up to show it off for the world to see.

In 1992 a supplement called ‘Inspirations’ was included in the Australian Smocking & Embroidery Magazine and after three issues, the supplement was such a success it was spun off into its own publication and in 1993 the very first issue of Inspirations Magazine was released. The rest is the stuff of needlework legend.

With so many surprises from issue #100 to unpack over the coming weeks, we’re getting started right now with a little something that is very close to our hearts:

Many of you will be familiar with Fiona Fagan who has played a pivotal role in the success of Inspirations over the years.

We were thrilled therefore, to have Fiona’s daughter Adeline play a starring role in the photos for the project ‘Monet, Hugo et les Poissons d'Or’ (‘Monet, Hugo and the Golden Fish’) in issue #100.

After all the grit, determination and passion Fiona and her family have contributed in helping to preserve and promote Inspirations over the years, it was a perfect tribute for the next generation of the Fagan family to grace the pages of #100.

Printed copies of Inspirations issue #100 are now available to purchase from our website for delivery to your door anywhere in the world.

Join in on the celebration by stitching a project or two (or even more!) from issue #100 with these Ready-To-Stitch kits:

Our team pours a significant amount of effort into each of our publications and it makes it all the more worthwhile when we know they’re so well received.

This week’s What Are You Stitching? celebrates such projects…

Lesley Ball and Linda Clarke

‘I started Home Sweet Home by Carolyn Pearce in September 2017 and have been doing this project along with my sister which has been great fun. My sister, Linda Clarke, stuck to the pattern and followed it precisely.’

‘I know I may never be as good an embroiderer as Carolyn as I have only been embroidering for two years, but I decided not to stress about it, do my own take on her idea and use my garden as inspiration.’

‘My sister and I are now working on the pin cushions and items to go inside the house. Lesley Ball, UK.’

Marie-Anne

‘I'm writing from La Hestre which is a small village in Belgium. Each of us from my embroidery class, which is led by our 88-year-old teacher, have embroidered Carolyn Pearce’s Home Sweet Home.’

‘The pattern was enlarged a little and we have spent the best part of the last year completing the project. Our class meets just twice a month, so we all had to embroider at home to get it completed. We are all fans of Inspirations Magazine. Best regards, Marie-Anne.’

Pat Willoughby

‘A friend had Carolyn’s Home Sweet Home book, so I tracked one down for myself and made the embroidered workbox.’

‘My friends raved over it and said it would make a great 21st gift for granddaughters, so four friends and I got together once a week and all made them!

‘There are 11 houses all together, and I have made five of the eleven. It took us a year, but we had a great time making them. Pat Willoughby.’

Lesley, Linda, Marie-Anne and Pat, Home Sweet Home is a labour of love and you’ve taken on the challenge of such an involved project with both patience and perseverance. The results are breathtaking and we love that no two houses are quite the same.

Kathryn Jakubovic

‘In issue #146 of your newsletter HERE you asked for photo submissions of works in progress, so I’ve plucked up courage to send you some of mine. The projects I’m working on are both Inspirations designs: the Home Sweet Home Workbox by Carolyn Pearce and the Rose Pouch design from Inspirations #98, Spring Delights. I have wanted to make the workbox for several years and having got my hands on a copy of the book and gathered all the stash, I have finally made a start.’

‘I still have to finish constructing the needlebook and emery block accessories, but I have completed the embroidery and enjoyed every single stitch.’

‘I have also started stitching Spring Delights Rose Pouch which I am going to make up as tote bag. I fell in love with this design as soon as I opened the magazine and I have to say this particular issue was very well named. I have been saying ‘so pretty’ to myself every step of the way!’

‘I started off as a cross stitcher and I’m gradually gaining confidence with embroidery largely thanks to your magazine and books. Thank you so very much for all the inspiration and embroidery education you have given me over the last few years.’

Kathryn, you’ve made a fabulous start to both projects and we can’t wait to see each of them finished! If you’d like to follow Kathryn’s stitching, she’s posting her progress on Instagram at @thevoyageofthedrawnthreader

Carolyn Standing Webb

‘I have always wanted to stitch my version of the antique frog purses from the 17th Century and The Frog Prince in Inspirations #98 gave me the shove that I needed to get busy! I found photos of a color variant of a common English frog that I liked and picked my colors from that. I studied photos of the antique purses and made a template so that I could get the pieces of mine to fit together after they were made.’

‘I used a soft, lightly twisted silk thread and a basic lace stitch to work the frog in rows back and forth and round and round. I tried to keep somewhat to the coloring and pattern of the real frog. Some of the edges are thread gimp and others worked over wire. I wrapped wires for the toes and stuffed and wired the legs so that they would keep their shape. The bag is hand stitched of rust silk and I used a lucet to make the drawstring. It makes me smile when I look at it and hope that it does the same for others.’

Carolyn, we love that Victoria Laine’s project inspired you to take the time to research, design and stitch your own ‘Frog Prince’! You’ve done a spectacular job of all the elements that went into creating the final piece.

If this week’s What Are You Stitching? has inspired you to take up needle and thread, the projects featured can be found using the links below.

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

~ John C Maxwell ~

Stay informed of upcoming needlework events taking place all around the world in our new What’s On page on the Inspirations Studios Website HERE.