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ISSUE 169, DECEMBER 21 2018
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INSPIRATIONS. ALL Stitched Up!
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Hi There,
As this is our final issue of All Stitched Up! for 2018, we took a moment to pause and reflect on the year that lies behind us.

2018 was a big year at Inspirations! We published another four issues of the magazine, sourced and assembled over 1,800 Ready-to-Stitch Kits, updated the Inspirations Index to include Issues 1-100, released our second book in The Passion Series - A Passion for Needlework | Factoria VII, produced ‘Botanica’ which celebrates the work of Julie Kniedl (due for official release in Feb ’19), hosted our 10th International Needlework Convention - Beating Around the Bush and created 48 issues of this newsletter. No wonder some of us are feeling are a little weary!

Besides marking these professional achievements, we also took a moment to ask ourselves, ‘How are we going?’.
In order to answer that question, we realised we had to know the destination we were headed, as any path we took over the last 12 months would have led us somewhere but was it the ‘rightwhere’?!
In the very first All Stitched Up! for 2018 HERE, we encouraged you to choose three words that have personal meaning to you that you would use as guideposts over the coming year, words that would help shepherd you towards the lasting results you wanted to experience this year and that’s how some of us chose to answer, ‘How are we going?’.

We thought about our words and whether we’d been consistent in our approach to implementing them and determined if in fact they’d led us to a new destination. No matter our answer to, ‘How are we going?’, we were grateful for the progress we’d made, appreciative of the 10 days that are left in 2018 to take a few more steps forward with some of our words and thankful for the clean slate in 2019 that would allow us to refocus our attention on three words, whether they be the same as 2018’s or new ones that would set forth a new course for the upcoming new year.

What about you, how are you going? No matter your answer to that question, we hope you’re grateful for the year that lies behind you, are looking forward to the festive season that lies before you and eagerly anticipating all the possibilities that await in 2019!

We look forward to returning with All Stitched Up! #170 that will see us welcome in 2019 on 25th January. Until then, we hope you’ll find many an hour amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season to indulge your love of needle and thread.
 
Your Attention Please!
Inspirations Christmas Break
Christmas in Australia means lots of sun, lazy days stitching by the pool and taking time off to spend with the family. Everyone at Inspirations Studios will be away from the office as of Friday 21st Dec returning Tuesday 8th Jan. During this time if you email or call us, please note we’ll get back to you as soon as possible upon our return.
For online orders, digital patterns/books can be purchased and downloaded at any time, however for products that need shipping, we’ll start processing orders again the week of Jan 8th and despatch them from our Mailing House ASAP thereafter.
New Issue of Inspirations Magazine
To kick off 2019 in style, subscribers will begin receiving the new issue of Inspirations Magazine #101 middle-to-late January, with the digital issue released January 31st.
The official release date for Inspirations #101 is February 14th, at which time it will be available in stores and newsstands.
Newsletter Returning Jan 25th
All Stitched Up! will be taking a break during the holidays, but check your inbox or our website on January 25th for issue #170 which will be the first one for 2019.
169 and Counting…
That’s how many Inspirations newsletters are now on our website for your reading pleasure. So, if you’ve missed any of our weekly newsletters or are just looking for something to read during the Christmas/New Year break, visit the News section of our website.
Not only will you find all 169 newsletters, you can also browse through hundreds of individual segments from various issues that have been grouped together for your ease of reference HERE.
Celebrating 100 Issues
This week it’s Shirley Luttrell’s journey with stitching and Inspirations that’s helping us celebrate 100 issues of the magazine...

‘My first stitching experience was at six years old when I was allowed to use the big sharp needle threaded with twine to sew closed the bags of harvested wheat on our farm. Primary school sewing classes taught simple articles such as a pin wheel or knitting bag that were hand-sewn and decorated with straight, whipping, stem and chain stitches. Marriage led to baby clothes highlighted with small embroidered designs, cushions and household items all the while teaching myself more stitches.
Then one day at the newsagency I struck gold – a new magazine called Inspirations! After two or three purchased issues, I became a subscriber and am now the proud owner of every issue published to date.
When I retired from paid work, I joined both a church-based craft group and a more serious learning group with friends. While ideas were gained for embroidered motifs - lots of bullions on baby singlets and hand towels or a simple needlebook pattern from the first group who raised funds for Ronald McDonald House and the Royal Flying Doctor Service - the second group was where Inspirations was the source. We made designs as per the original pattern and sometimes sections of a design were adapted for smaller projects. We tried many different techniques and the A-Z Series became essentials in our kits.

Through the years, the arrival of each copy of Inspirations has been eagerly awaited. I make a cuppa and sit down to browse, read, relax and generally delight in that issues’ treasures of design, techniques and increasing knowledge. One cold weekend was ideally suited for sitting down with, at that time, all 96 copies of Inspirations at hand and looking through them from issue #01. What an astounding publishing effort they represent! I am so glad I bought the first of the series and that I have every single one since. I was surprised at just how many featured projects I had attempted and just how many more are of interest - oh, that I could live so long!


Not only have the magazines provided inspiration for many projects but also relaxation and joy - a journey with beauty and imagination.
Whether one’s spirit is soaring or lying in a miserable heap, it is possible to lose oneself in stitching or browsing as I did over that weekend and regain life balance.
So, to everyone who has been responsible for this publication, down through the years, a very big thank you!’

Shirley, it’s all of us at Inspirations that owe you thanks. We appreciate your support over 100 issues of the magazine and thank you for taking the time to share your journey with us. The team at Inspirations have always poured a significant amount of effort into everything we produce, and it makes it all the more worthwhile when we know our publications are so well received, so hearing your incredibly kind words was most appreciated - thank you Shirley!
 
Have Your Say
We were hoping to finish our Spring Cleaning before Summer arrived and yet here we are with just one issue of All Stitched Up! left for 2018 and more conversations to share than we can possibly fit into a single newsletter! That aside, read on as we share the next instalment of what the Inspirations Community have had to say…
Robyne Leaney
‘On a recent holiday to Croatia, I stumbled upon the 2018 European Year of Cultural Heritage Celebration that celebrates the traditional handwork in the quiet village of Pučišća on the island of Brač. What amazing good fortune for me! A lovely young lady - Darka - took time out from her stitching, acted as my interpreter and showed me what everyone was making, including ladies in regionally specific traditional clothing and someone crocheting with four hooks!’
Robyne, what good fortune indeed! Not only was your visit to Pučišća perfectly timed to indulge your love of needle and thread, but the generosity of Darka to give of her time was more than you could have hoped for.
Rebecca Fletcher
‘Thank you for putting out your informative and inspiring newsletter. After enjoying your newsletter for free, I subscribed to the magazine a few months ago. I look forward to receiving them both. You always supply wonderful historical and cultural information which greatly enhances the patterns.’
‘After first reading about chatelaines in issue #51 of the newsletter HERE, I then recognized the chatelaines that were depicted in a book of Albrecht Durer’s woodcuts. I’m sending you the pictures just for fun, because I thought you might enjoy seeing them. The two images are of The Birth of Mary and The Visitation.’
Rebecca, what an incredibly keen eye to spot the chatelaines in the woodcuts of Albrecht Durer! We appreciate you sharing them with us and for your support in subscribing to the magazine.

We look forward to unpacking more of your conversations when we return in 2019, and in the meantime if you have something you’d like add, please email news@inspirationsstudios.com, we look forward to hearing what you have to say!
 
Needlework News
Boring Walls in 2019?
If you’re yet to order the 2019 Inspirations Calendar, there’s a good chance the walls in your house will be very boring in the year ahead.
Turn your boring wall into a needlework masterpiece that changes every month. Save your walls with the world’s most beautiful needlework calendar while there’s still time…
 
WARES
2019 Inspirations Calendar
 
Inspirations Calendar – January Project
There is a strong possibility many of us will be singing the following song in about 10 days’ time:

'Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and days of auld lang syne?'


Instead of trying to remember the lyrics to Auld Lang Syne this New Year’s Eve, sneak off and put up your 2019 Inspirations Calendar instead!
The first project for 2019 is La Fauvette by Catherine Laurençon from Inspirations #97. This gorgeous threadpainting of a European warbler amongst reeds and grasses is beautifully stitched with twenty-two shades of stranded cotton thread onto linen.

La Fauvette is the perfect way to get your 2019 off to a serene and calm beginning. The project is also available to purchase as a digital pattern.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
La Fauvette
 
New Digital Pattern
To help us all get in the Christmas spirit, this week we’ve released the project Glad Tidings by Carolyn Pearce from Inspirations #36 as a digital pattern.
This sophisticated patchwork stocking with luscious embroidery and shimmering beads, is sure to bestow grandeur to any mantle or Christmas tree.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Glad Tidings
 
 
Featured Project
Mistletoe Bell by Julie Kniedl
Selecting which project appears on the front cover of each issue of Inspirations Magazine is quite the process. Trying to find that perfect shot of just the right project to aptly convey the theme for the issue is often more luck than science. It’s an alchemy to which the formula is seemingly always changing and can end up requiring a re-shoot or two and countless hours of work by our graphic designer, Lynton, to ensure it looks like the world’s most beautiful.
So, you can imagine the pressure and expectations that were riding on the cover selection of issue 100.
How can one image do justice by representing all 100 issues and encapsulate 25 years of the world’s most beautiful needlework? Oh, and by the way, it needs to convey Christmas as well!
To our surprise it ended up being easier than we had feared and the secret lays in its simplicity.
Mistletoe Bell by Julie Kniedl is fashioned from silk threads, wire and wooden beads. It uses only 3 stitches, wrapping, 9 beads, 4 different threads and 4 round crimpers.
The result is a delightful three-dimensional sprig of mistletoe featuring fresh green leaves and ivory berries. Shown on the cover tied around the neck of a brass and timber bell, it would equally be at home hung in a doorway, used as a tree decoration or placed on top a gift box.
Inspired by the simple elegance of Julie’s mistletoe, our photography and styling team had the idea of creating a stripped back monochromatic Christmas table setting accentuated with a traditional Italian Panettone cake.
A series of stunning photographs ensued that beautifully captured Julie’s imaginative and creative needlework together with the essence of Christmas, which in turn allowed us to unanimously agree on selecting the perfect image to become the cover of issue #100.
Special shout out to Susan O’Connor for the 14 hand drawn illustrations included in the magazine article to ensure everyone can easily follow the instructions on how to re-create the Mistletoe Bell. Is there no end to Susan’s talent; she appears to be as adept in her use of coloured pencils as she is with her needle and thread?!
Make Your Own Mistletoe Bell
Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Mistletoe Bell by Julie Kniedl is an elegant three-dimensional mistletoe decoration for Christmas.
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 100
 
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Mistletoe Bell
 
Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Mistletoe Bell includes everything you need to re-create this stunning decoration: Fabric (unprinted), wire, silk ribbon, embroidery threads, beads, crimpers and needles.
 
READY-TO-STITCH KIT
Mistletoe Bell
 
And now we have a very special announcement for you…
Brand New Book Celebrating Julie Kniedl
Many of you within the Inspirations community will be very familiar with Julie Kniedl’s work, which has featured at regular intervals in Inspirations Magazine and books in recent years. You may also be aware that Julie is no longer with us, having passed away unexpectedly last year leaving behind her incredibly supportive husband, Peter.
As a team, we are extremely honoured and proud to announce the release of our brand-new book, Botanica | The Three-Dimensional Embroidery of Julie Kniedl, which is a celebration of Julie’s remarkable legacy.
This book takes you on a journey unlike anything you have experienced before and teaches you how to stitch nature in such incredible realism, you can hardly tell the art from the original.
As the book progresses through the various techniques of three-dimensional embroidery, the 12 projects help introduce a new concept or element to discover.
Some of the projects you will be familiar with (Julie’s cauliflower and succulent spool for example) most however, are brand new and have never been published before, including a stunning pear, bright red cherries, golden wattle and the pinnacle of her achievement, a coastal banksia.
You’ll be hearing a LOT more about this book in coming months, but for now if you’d like to be one of the very first to receive Botanica, you can order today and we’ll ship it to you as soon as we’re back in the office during the week of January 8th.
Looking for More Christmas Projects
Seasons Greetings
Season’s Greetings by Ana Mallah from Inspirations #96 is four enchanting Christmas decorations.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Season's Greetings
 
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 96
 
 
READY-TO-STITCH KIT
Season's Greetings | Snowflake
 
 
READY-TO-STITCH KIT
Season's Greetings | Poinsettia
 
 
READY-TO-STITCH KIT
Season's Greetings | Christmas Tree
 
Noël
Noël by Barbara Kershaw from Inspirations #96 is a superb whitework Christmas stocking with Schwalm embroidery.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Noël
 
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 96
 
 
READY-TO-STITCH KIT
Noël
 
Winter's Song
Winter’s Song by Trish Burr from Inspirations #88 is a pretty little threadpainted robin, resting on a sprig of holly, lightly dusted with snow.
 
READY-TO-STITCH KIT
Winter's Song
 
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Winter's Song
 
Double Delight
Double Delight by Jennifer Kennedy from Inspirations #92 is two delightful stockings stitched with pulled thread techniques and embellished with pearl beads and woven satin ribbons.
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 92
 
 
READY-TO-STITCH KIT
Double Delight
 
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Double Delight
 
What Are You Stitching?
At Inspirations we’re beyond busy organising our celebrations for the Christmas and New Year’s Seasons that are all but upon us! Following this theme, this week we’re looking at the stitching of the Inspirations Community that’s been produced with their own celebrations in mind…
Christmas
‘When I first retired from paid work, I found the life of 'housewife' taking over - too much time cleaning, cooking and running errands. I wasn't keeping up with reading or stitching! So, I made a ‘Needlework Appointment’ with myself every afternoon at 4pm and put it in my phone.’
‘Now I get an alert at 3:55pm every day and am getting so much more needlework done. This is my latest project, Christmas Ornaments from a 1980's kit I had in my stash. Bonnie Pappin.’
Bonnie, it looks like your Needlework Appointment has served you well as not only have you been working your way through your needlework stash, but you’ve completed the ornaments in time for Christmas!
New Baby
‘My mother taught me knitting and basic embroidery stitches such as Lazy Daisy, Stem Stitch and Cross Stitch when I was just six. I was fascinated with how a needle and different coloured threads could create a picture. Whilst she wasn’t a great needle woman due to not having the time to progress very far, she taught me enough to instil a lifelong passion for all types of needlework.’
‘As I wasn’t allowed to pursue needlework at a further education establishment, I purchased magazines such as Woman’s Weekly which expanded my knowledge of needle and thread. I added Crochet, Counted Cross Stitch and Dress Making to my interests, as well as intricate knitting patterns.’
‘I practiced all kinds of embroidery stitches after purchasing a Reader’s Digest needlework book, although I still have a long list of techniques waiting to be learned! I discovered smocking, then came across the early Inspirations Magazines which were a revelation to me and I’ve been hooked ever since! I have used Jenny McWhinney’s wonderful story of Monet and Archie to create a cot blanket for my granddaughter. Susan Tigwell.’
Susan, what a lovely way to put a life’s worth of stitching practice to good use! Your granddaughter must love snuggling up with Monet and Archie and sharing in their adventures.
Thanksgiving
Celebrating a season of thanks, Rhonda Dort’s stitching added a personal touch to her Thanksgiving celebrations…
Rhonda, we love that you took the time to add such a personal touch to a special time of the year. No doubt those who celebrated with you gave thanks for the time and talent you poured into your festive stitching!
Wedding
Inspired by Laura Zukaite’s knitted dress that appeared in Vogue Knitting in Fall 2011, Barbara Bellalta elaborated on the design and created a Wedding Dress for her daughter Esmée…
Barbara, what an incredible labour of love! Esmée’s wedding would have been all the more special for the thought and effort that was poured into creating a piece of wearable art for her significant day.
If you’re celebrating something with stitch, we’d love to share in the celebration! Email photos of what you’ve created with needle and thread along with a few details about your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com
 
Subscribe to Inspirations Magazine
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You May Have Missed
Pomegranate & Rose
Pomegranate & Rose by Anna Scott is a superb silk and goldwork design of flowing stems laden with fruit and flowers.
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 100
 
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Pomegranate & Rose
 
Late Harvest
Late Harvest by Anna Scott from Inspirations #95 is a crewel embroidered bag perfect for a bottle of wine or a portable lamp.
 
READY-TO-STITCH KIT
Late Harvest
 
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 95
 
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Late Harvest
 
Tranquility
Tranquility by Anna Scott from Inspirations #40 is an exquisite raised embroidery.
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 40
 
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Tranquility
 
First Day
First Day by Anna Scott from Inspirations #67 is a gorgeous stumpwork study of a ‘partridge in a pear tree’.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
First Day
 
Meadow Bloom
Meadow Bloom by Anna Scott from Inspirations #87 is a crewel cushion with pretty co-ordinating print fabric.
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 87
 
This Week on Facebook
 
Beautiful little mouse
 
Classic Trish Burr
 
Quote
‘Progress is not inevitable. It’s up to us to create it.’
~ Unknown ~
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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