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ISSUE 165, NOVEMBER 23 2018
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INSPIRATIONS. ALL Stitched Up!
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Hi There,
No matter who we speak to, we often find that a conversation about stitching quickly leads to a conversation about community.

When Jenny McWhinney first opened her shop, The Bobbin Tree, in our home town of Adelaide, she was telling us how much of the life within the shop comes from the regular ‘Stitching Together’ classes they hold. Each class provides an opportunity for like-minded people to gather within the store and share their collective passion. They come together to learn from their teacher as well as from those around them and often inspire individuals who happen upon the shop while the class is in progress to take up their own needle and thread and try their hand at something they never believed possible.

Of these sessions, there’s one group that has gone beyond the pleasure of simply stitching together and has formed an incredibly tight knit community. They can often be found sharing a meal together before stitching and rarely arrive at The Bobbin Tree empty handed, their arms laden with baked goods to share, extra produce that’s been grown in their gardens or with a favourite, time-tested recipe.
This community allows them to enjoy each other’s many talents as well as share in the love, laughter, tears, triumphs and burdens of those they stitch alongside. And isn’t that what community’s all about?!
The sense of community that surrounds stitching recently came to mind again when a couple of us from Inspirations had the pleasure of visiting two needlework stores in Sydney, Stitch and The Crewel Gobelin.

Their owners, Tessa from Stitch and Julie from the Crewel Gobelin, shared how many of their customers will call past to share some recently completed work or seek their guidance as they struggle through part of the stitching process that’s unfamiliar or difficult for them. One of the regulars at Stitch, who now feels most at home there, even sought to hold her 90th birthday in store. While we’re sure Tessa hasn’t shifted her focus from needle and thread to event hosting, she was gracious enough to agree to host the celebration and has even collected gifts from customers who won’t be able to make it to share in the special occasion!

Whilst stories such as these aren’t unique to these stores, we left our time with Tessa and Julie reminded about the kinship that is built around needle and thread, and how incredibly grateful we are to work within such a community.

Our hope for each of you is that you’ll find yourself well entrenched in such a community and that the gratitude for what it adds to your life will always be at the forefront of your mind.
 
Celebrating 100 Issues
As we continue to celebrate 100 issues of Inspirations Magazine, we hear from another of our Foundation Members about their journey with Inspirations…
Cathy Lysnes | Canada
‘I am one of the lucky ones who has every issue of Inspirations Magazine and some of their early pamphlets as well. In 1992 I came across two Inspirations pamphlets, one of which was an insert in Australian Smocking and Embroidery Magazine. I assumed that Country Bumpkin was testing the waters for the market for a publication solely about needlework. Regardless, I knew I had lucked onto two great pamphlets and I was hooked! I kept watching for further publications and sure enough, the premier issue, Issue #1 was released in 1993.

At one time there was a glitch in my subscription and I missed Issue #36. It quickly became a collector’s issue and was hard to find. Luckily for me however, some wonderful Australian was selling off copies of past issues and I was able to purchase my missing magazine without paying an outlandish price. I will always have fond thoughts of that person as they helped me complete my collection.
If one never did any of the truly inspirational needlework projects in the magazine, the photography can be admired as true artwork in itself… so says my non-needle working daughter!
There are more interesting pieces to work on than there are days in my life and the magazine has really evolved from a publication about Australian needle workers to an international resource. As the magazine becomes more global, we become exposed to far more interesting and challenging pieces as well as the inspiring stories of needlework artisans whose work is featured in each issue.

I have purged a lot of magazines within my library but will NEVER purge Inspirations! Thank you for publishing the best magazine to be had and keep up the excellent work!’


Cathy, we love your enthusiasm for all things Inspiration and appreciate your support over the last 25 years, and to think it all started with you stumbling across two pamphlets!
 
Have Your Say
In the Southern Hemisphere, spring has finally sprung - well, aside from the odd day here and there that either feels like the middle of summer or the midst of winter - for the most part the days are warmer, longer and somehow more inviting. So much so, they’ve inspired us to do some Spring Cleaning and over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing the conversations we’ve come across under the ‘dust and clutter’ of our Have Your Say files.
Angela Davies
‘I was browsing through your newsletter and started thinking about the how & why I started stitching… in 1994 my house was flooded, and I had to move. I was unable to salvage much and was looking for something to distract me. I spotted a magazine with a free kit attached to its cover for counted cross stitch and that’s what started my passion for needle and thread! I found that concentrating meant that I could put the stresses of being away from home, managing builders and repairs and relax even if just a little bit. This developed into an absorbing hobby and a desire to learn more about stitching. I have gone on to complete various techniques based on the Royal School of Needlework courses and achieved the Foundation Degree in Hand Embroidery with the RSN. I am so glad to have had this opportunity and the pleasures that I and others get from my stitching. It is indeed an absorbing hobby and skill and has ensured that I can put problems into context and deal with them in a more positive way.’

Angela, your passion for needle and thread that stemmed from a difficult time proves that there really is a silver lining in every cloud!
Jo Tucker
‘Needle and thread bring beauty and a connection to others into my life. It always has and always will. It all began for me at my birth through my great-grandmother's crochet, my grandmother's very old treadle Singer sewing machine and my mother with her love of needle and thread in so many ways. Thank you to family and others for adding meaning in my life by a simple needle, many shades of thread and countless beautiful ideas!’

Jo, we love that you have such a rich heritage of needle and thread and that it’s touched your life in so many tangible ways.
Kathleen Weston | USA
‘My stitching story… when I was little, my mother had a small pile of floss. She didn't embroider much, and I have no idea if it was DMC or Anchor, but I coveted that small pile of floss and one day, I opened the drawer where she kept it and stole it all! It ended up under my bed, my very own secret stash, which I'd take out and stroke every couple of days. I had no idea what I'd ever make with it, but I knew I had to possess it. My mother wasn't an indulgent person, but she allowed me to keep it and never chastised me for taking it.’

Kathleen, it’s amazing to think that your journey with needle and thread all began with coveting floss! We think your mother must have been able to see all the possibilities with needle and thread that lay before you which is why she chose not to chastise you.

It’s back to Spring Cleaning for us, so stay tuned next week as we’re bound to uncover more fascinating conversations in the process! Oh, and we hope you enjoyed our collection of Spring photos courtesy of Inspirations photographer Mike Annese who captured them on location at a recent magazine shoot.
 
Needlework News
Inspirations Colouring Book
A few short years ago, colouring books were relegated exclusively to the domain of children. Then an awakening occurred, and the world discovered adults love to colour in too! Perhaps not too dissimilar to learning how to stitch as a child, when you find something you enjoy who says it has to stop when you grow up? Look how much fun we’re all having with our needles and threads as grownups!
If you love to stitch AND colour in, our new book ‘Coloured Stitches’ is for you. Featuring 24 spectacular designs from needlework projects from Inspirations Magazine over the years, now you can colour in what you’ve stitched or vice versa.
The perfect excuse to give yourself permission to pick up some coloured pencils, or a great gift for the kids as a soft introduction to the world of needlework, Coloured Stiches comes with a pack of 10 coloured pencils ready to make the world more beautiful one pencil stroke at a time!
 
WARES
Coloured Stitches | Colouring Book and Pencils
 
Your aTINshen please…
Have you ever found yourself purchasing some candy, baked goods, some trinkets or tchotchkes not because of the items themselves, but because they came in an awesome looking tin? It’s a sure-fire trick retailers use to draw us in – package something up in a metal tin and watch them walk out the door!
 
Recently we purchased a supply of metal tins because… well yes, we got sucked in too and couldn’t resist them! They were going to be used as props in some of our photo shoots, but it turns out we have too many. There’s nothing in them so if you were looking for some cookies, we can’t help there sorry, but if you do want some beautiful vintage-style needlework themed tins, we’ve got some spares we’re selling off!
If you like them, get in quick as we only have a few of each.
 
WARES
Vintage Sewing Tin | Large Round
 
 
WARES
Vintage Sewing Tin | Small Round
 
 
WARES
Vintage Sewing Tin | Rectangular
 
 
Featured Project
Redouté’s Tulips by Trish Burr
Pierre-Joseph Redouté was one of the greats. Marie Antoinette knew it and commissioned him to become an official court artist to the Queen. Even Wikipedia gets it right when they refer to Redouté as a ‘painter and botanist from Belgium, known for his watercolours of roses, lilies and other flowers, and has been called the greatest botanical illustrator of all time.’
It is fitting therefore, that as Trish Burr began her career as an aspiring needlework artist, she would choose the best floral watercolour designs by the best botanical painter as her subject matter to then herself become one of the best threadpainters of our time. Success really does breed success!
This week we’re celebrating the beauty of the project Redouté’s Tulips by Trish Burr from Inspirations issue 100. Trish is known internationally for her threadpainting needlework in which she effortlessly blends colours to create stunning adaptations of Redouté’s paintings and more. Most recently she has also been a pioneer in the Whitework with Colour movement by re-inventing traditional whitework designs and techniques with the addition of colour.
The painting Tulips by Redouté has been perfectly reinterpreted by Trish using lustrous silk threads on a background of white linen. Subtle graduations and flashes of vivid colour are captured as deftly with a needle and thread as they were originally with Redouté’s own paintbrush.

We caught up with Trish for a first-hand account on the back story of this stunning piece from issue 100 and a chat about her love of threadpainting, or as she calls it, needlepainting.
‘As you know I have a love of all things Redouté. My first book was on Redoute’s finest flowers in embroidery and since then, although I have replicated several botanical paintings by other artists, none compare to the master Pierre Joseph Redoute. It seemed a fitting tribute for the magazine’s 100th edition to use one of his paintings and of course it was best reproduced in needlepainting.’

Do you have any tips or advice for anyone stitching this project for themselves?

‘Firstly, work one section at a time, focus on doing this beautifully and don’t be overwhelmed by the enormity of the project as a whole. Stitch the main (background) colours of each element and then add stripes/details on top of this, you will find it much simpler to work in this way. Start and end off each shade of colour as you need it, don’t park your threads to the side, it is confusing, messy and almost impossible to unpick if needed! Use the picture as a guide for placing shades/colours in an area – the instructions are a guide only and sometimes you need to use common sense to see where a shade should go.’
Trish first appeared in Inspirations issue #47 with her project ‘Portraits of Fruit’ and has been a regular contributor ever since, as well as featuring in the first volume of A Passion for Needlework with her hugely popular piece ‘Forest Kingfisher’. We asked Trish to share some of her memories of being a part of the Inspirations family over the years:

‘Having a think back I created my first design for an Inspirations book in 1999 so this year marks nearly 20 years of being a contributor. There have been so many projects over the years I have lost count, but I believe that what “blesses one blesses all”.’
‘I feel we have all been blessed by working together and I am grateful for the many opportunities to be a part of the Inspirations journey.’
‘One of my earliest memories is when my youngest daughter was 3 months old. I was a mature (new) mother and a bit shell shocked so just going through the motions of sleepless nights and trying to keep it all together, when I received a request for a project to be included in the magazine. Despite not having a minute to myself I craved the time out to create so I stole 20 minutes every now and then when the baby was napping to stitch two fruit projects which went on to feature as ‘Portraits of Fruit’ in issue #47.’
‘This was very precious stitching time and I treasured every minute of it – each of those 20 minutes took me away from diapers and feeding and gave me blissful time to myself! I had to give myself a refresher course on long and short stitch at the time as I had forgotten, and it was probably not my finest stitching but still loved it. My youngest daughter Katie is now 17 years old and one of my biggest advisors with my embroidery, she is responsible for the inception of Whitework with colour!’
‘Possibly one of the pinnacle moments was my first trip to Beating Around the Bush when I finally got to meet some of the tutors and long-time contributors who I had admired from afar such as Carolyn Pearce, Jenny McWhinney and Jane Nicholas. I felt very excited, nervous and privileged to be part of this elite “set” – it was like meeting the god’s of the embroidery world!

Inspirations is like my stitching family - I regularly turn to Susan O’Connor for her expert advice and think she deserves a medal for the work she is doing for the global stitching community. It truly is the world’s finest needlework magazine without a doubt.’
Looking back through the projects Trish has contributed to Inspirations over the years, it’s not hard to see why she has become one of our all-time most popular designers. From her trademark botanicals to iconic birds, an embroidered portrait through to her whitework pieces, not only is Trish one of the nicest people you will ever meet and so easy to work with, her seemingly endless talent speaks for itself.
If you’re like us and are and a super-fan of Trish Burr, here are some ways you can see more of her work:
WebsiteFacebook - YouTube

Plus, Trish has a new book coming out in 2019 so stay tuned to All Stitched Up! and we’ll let you know when it’s available.
Tulip Enamel Pin
If you haven’t heard the news, we’re releasing a range of exclusive premium quality enamel pins to collect in celebration of 100 issues.

Over the coming months, a new pin will be released with each issue of the magazine. The first is from issue #100 and is inspired by Trish Burr’s project Redouté’s Tulips. Available exclusively through our website in strictly limited quantities, the Tulip Enamel Pin has nearly sold out, so be quick to avoid disappointment.
 
WARES
Tulip Enamel Pin
 
Make Your Own Redouté’s Tulips
Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Redouté’s Tulips by Trish Burr is a study of magnificent threadpainted tulips based on a botanical watercolour.
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 100
 
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Redouté’s Tulips
 
Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Redouté’s Tulips includes everything you need to re-create these stunning tulips: Fabric (unprinted), embroidery threads and needles.
 
READY-TO-STITCH KIT
Redouté’s Tulips
 
Looking for More Tulips?
Tulip
Tulip by Christine P. Bishop from Inspirations #90 is an exquisite white linen sachet featuring an elegant, single tulip motif filled with delicate Hedebo needlelace and finished with eyelets and satin stitch.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Tulip
 
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 90
 
Simple Pleasures
Simple Pleasures by Maree Moscato from Inspirations #19 is a beautiful table runner featuring a tulip, daffodil, bluebells and violets.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Simple Pleasures
 
Tulipa
Tulipa by Susan O’Connor from Inspirations #69 is a cosy wool embroidered scented heat bag.
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 69
 
What Are You Stitching?
Inspired by the beauty of Trish Burr’s tulips, this week we take a walk through the gardens that have been created by the needles and threads of the Inspirations ‘family’…
Ann Martin | New Zealand
‘Having purchased this kit from Inspirations several years ago, I put it in the too hard basket. Well, having attempted several other Inspirations projects it was time to start this one! Although each project is a learning curve for me, it took no time at all from start to the finished item. I'm now in the process of collecting threads and fabric for many more beautiful Inspirations embroidery projects. Keep up the interesting newsletter, Ann.’
Ann, your version of ‘Lilac and Linen’ from Inspirations Issue #51 is picture perfect and must be a lovely addition to your home décor. We look forward to seeing what’s next from your needle and thread!
Annette Rich | Australia
‘This is a Supper Cloth I embroidered in 1949/50. The fabric is linen with a stamped design on each of the four corners. The fabric is 121cm square and the design was worked using two strands of thread.’
‘I was quite young when I worked this cloth and I’ve never been able to bring myself to use it.’
‘My other piece is more modern in origin as it’s from the late 90’s. It was designed by myself and worked with Edmar threads. I enjoy designing projects using our amazing wildflowers which give me continual delight and inspiration.’
Annette, we love that your stitching journey has taken you from stitching with a stamped design all the way to designing your own pieces
Betty Fikes Pillsbury | USA
‘When I was recovering from ankle surgery, hand stitching saw me through. I created the damask rose with 32mm silk ribbon and the background in silk velvet. Dyed lace, cup chain, crystals, silk ribbon, glass pearls, glass seed beads, glass bugle beads, crystals and crystal findings round out the materials I used. The peonies in the vase I added for the photo had just finished blooming.’
Betty, what picture-perfect flowers you’ve created with needle and thread and we love that stitching was your companion through a difficult time!
Ellen Schellekens Tilburg | Netherlands
‘My whole stitching life I had stitched antique samplers in cross stitch, but after taking a workshop on Crewelwork with Jessica Grimm in Germany, this became my new love! I lived in the USA for 18 months because of my husband’s job and as I wasn’t working, I had lots of time to spend on my hobby - so, I did! I bought a slate frame and a pair of trestles and got started on these flowers.’
‘I printed them from the internet and drew them on a piece of yellow/beige linen. I had a stash of Au Ver à Soie threads and stitched these pieces with just one thread of silk, which was more difficult than using Appleton’s Wool on linen twill, like they usually do in Crewelwork. I really needed my glasses and a bright light, but it was addictive! I worked for three months on each flower for several hours each day using one thread.’
 
Ellen, was there anything better you could have done with your time in the US than indulge your love of needle and thread?! We think not. Your results are simply spectacular, and the time invested in each piece is well worth it.

Do you have something to add to our flower garden? If so, we’d love to see it! Email through what you’ve created with needle and thread along with a few details about your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com
 
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You May Have Missed
Postcards from the Sewing Room…
For those keeping the art of hand writing alive, this week we’re launching a new range of postcards designed especially for stitchers.
These needlework-themed postcards feature 3 different designs with 4 of each included in each pack (12 cards in total), ready to write a little note of thanks, encouragement, or even a love letter if the mood so takes you.
Who in your life would benefit from receiving a postcard from your sewing room? Order your cards today…
 
WARES
Postcards from the Sewing Room
 
Life Cycle of the Swallowtail Butterfly

Life Cycle of the Swallowtail Butterfly by Jane Nicholas is a beautiful stumpwork study depicting the fascinating life cycle of a butterfly.
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 100
 
Kits are available from Jane Nicholas direct via her website HERE.
Fragile Beauty
Fragile Beauty by Trish Burr from Inspirations #82 features superb threadpainted butterflies stitched onto a needlebook and bookmark
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Fragile Beauty
 
Papillon
Papillon by Rosemary Frezza from Inspirations #26 is a collection of six butterflies, elegantly recreated to mimic the popular decoupage paper butterflies of the Victorian and Edwardian eras.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Papillon
 
Butterfly
Butterfly by Catherine Laurençon from Inspirations #85 is a fabulous butterfly threadpainted with vibrant stranded cotton threads.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Butterfly
 
Anise
Anise by Wendy Innes from Inspirations #53 is a stunning stumpwork butterfly picture.
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 53
 
This Week on Facebook
 
Superb embroidery
 
Absolutely striking, don’t you think?
 
Quote
‘Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.’
~ Helen Keller ~
What's On
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.
If you’re holding an event or would like to suggest one to be added, we’d love to hear about it. Email us the details at news@inspirationsstudios.com
INSPIRATIONS
© 2018 Inspirations Studios

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