A milestone can be described as ‘a significant stage or event in the development of something.’

Often the milestones we celebrate are age or number specific – 1st, 18th and 21st Birthdays, 10th, 25th and 50th Anniversaries and we’re not sure if you’ve noticed, but All Stitched Up! has reached a little milestone of its own – our 200th issue and this week we’re celebrating!

Whilst planning the celebration we found ourselves talking about past issues, our current newsletter format and some ideas of what we might unpack in future editions and then we realised – isn’t that the focus of so many of our milestone celebrations?!

Although life gets busy and taking the time out to celebrate anything can be a challenge, it always seems easier to celebrate milestones that have tangible stages or numbers attached to them. But what about the things in life that aren’t so clearly delineated? Do we think about taking the time to celebrate those?

One such ‘event’ that came to mind was our needlework. Do we ever really stop and celebrate our milestones along the way? If you’re anything like us, most likely not, but we’ve come to realise that the progress and achievements we make with needle and thread are indeed worthy of milestone celebrations!

So, next time you have needle and thread in hand, make sure you take the time to celebrate the milestones you’re achieving. The milestone may be as simple as sourcing all the requirements for a specific project or completing the often-tedious task of transferring the design onto the fabric. Or it may be that you choose to celebrate the more significant milestones such as completing a particular component of an elaborate project or laying that final stitch.

Whatever it is, we hope you’ll take the time to celebrate and thank you for joining us in our milestone 200th issue of All Stitched Up!

Today Au Ver à Soie is owned and managed by fifth generation brother and sister team Marc and Nathalie, who do an incredible job servicing the needlework industry the world over. Inspirations has been a recipient of their amazing generosity over many years through their support of our magazine and sponsorship of our events.

Perfect for first time Au Ver à Soie users, inside you’ll find 5 different types of threads in an assortment of gorgeous colours to help you discover the textural beauty of this product.

An exquisite assortment of 6 x Soie Perlée threads in coordinating pastel hues presented on wooden spools – are they threads to use, or have on display as part of your sewing room décor? Decisions, decisions…

Pack of 6 x Soie Perlée threads, this time in a range of bright vibrant colours reflective of summer, so striking and so bold you can’t help but feel happy just looking at them.

An irresistible collection of sparkle and delight, 6 x Metallise Tressé threads in silver, black, white, bronze, copper and gold to give you the ultimate experience in the finest of metallic threads.

Whether you buy 1 or all 4 threads packs, once you’ve experienced the quality and beauty of these threads, you’ll be hooked!

Chloe Redfern’s project ‘Little Bird’ depicting a little blue fairy wren would have to be one of the sweetest projects in Inspirations issue #103. This adorable little creature, with his rotund belly and cheekily erect tail is a study in texture, colour and simplicity.

When we first saw it, we were immediately reminded of a colouring book and it made us think about the recent craze of colouring books for grownups and what relationship it has with stitching.

Let’s take Chloe’s Little Bird. This project requires you to essentially colour in a beautiful line drawing using only five easy stitches to add texture and bring the little chap to life.

Little Bird also uses a delightfully simple palette of colours in easy to source DMC cotton.

Next time you’re browsing in a bookshop or wandering through the newsagent and you see someone picking up an adult colouring book, we know you’ll be wanting to tap them on the shoulder and tell them that there is a better way to achieve peace, mindfulness and creativity.

Perhaps all you need to do is casually pick up a copy of Inspirations, open it to Chloe’s blue fairy wren and subtly edge closer. You never know… it might just be enough to make them realise that we’ve been enjoying what those colouring books purport to do for us, for many, many years.

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Little Bird by Chloe Redfern is a delightful superb fairy wren to frame in a hoop.

Step 2 – How About A Hoop?

If you are planning on stitching the project ‘Little Bird’ you’ll need a 15cm (6”) hoop and if you don’t already have one, we’ve got premium quality hoops available to purchase from our website.

As mentioned in the article above, colouring books for grown-ups has become quite the thing in recent years and we even have our own for you to enjoy.

Coloured Stitches features 24 spectacular designs from needlework projects that have appeared in Inspirations Magazine over the years. It’s a great way of combining a love for stitching and colouring and is 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 all ready for you to make the world more beautiful one pencil stroke at a time!

Bluebirds by Susan O'Connor from Inspirations issue #39 is a superb cushion with lush embroidery on pure white damask.

The Nestlings by Bev Tully from Inspirations issue #76 is a captivating lifelike study of a family of superb fairy wrens.

Hummingbird by Gary Clarke from Inspirations issue #83 is a unique organza embroidery of a dainty hummingbird.

Little Bits by Barbara Jackson from Inspirations issue #78 is a set of dainty sewing accessories featuring a sweet little bird.

One of the many things we love about the Featured Project ‘Little Bird’ is that it’s displayed in a hoop. There’s a certain charm about hooped embroideries and as we searched our What Are You Stitching? files we found some projects that share this same charm…

Diane, your version of Octoberfest is as every bit as gorgeous as Mary’s original! We love the autumnal colours and symmetry of design.

Elaine, the metal threads add a layer of elegance to the design and your stitching is botanic perfect!

‘I was especially happy with the wings as they were the first time I have tried out chain stitch. It is the stitch just perfect for the effect of translucent wings! This project took a while but was ideal to do just a little at a time, and if you can keep smiling no matter how long a project takes to make, then you keep coming back for more!’

Sharlene, we understand why your Weather Bee kept you smiling the whole while. The sense of whimsy and character you’ve stitched into him is captivating and brought a smile to our faces as soon as he arrived!

‘My needlework journey started many years ago. I have a special love of combining patchwork and embroidery and have been a subscriber from the start of Inspirations Magazine and have completed many projects since that time. I also have many kits stashed away waiting to be started, but I’m sure that I’m not unusual in that respect! Please keep putting out wonderful needlework to inspire us all.’

‘Just thought I would send you a couple of photos of my needlework. The first is a nearly completed Shades of Christmas by Trish Burr - hopefully this will be on my wall for Christmas. The second is my recently started Les Amaryllis by Catherine Laurençon. I am very spoilt to have the very lovely Ana Mallah helping me with this at Bustles and Bows in Warrandyte, Victoria.’

Sue, we appreciate you being part of the Inspirations ‘family’ from the very beginning. Bustle and Bows is an inspiring location to stitch and your progress to date is picture perfect! We look forward to seeing the finished results.

Have your needles and threads stitched something with a sense of charm about it? Hooped or unhooped we’d love to see it! Email photos of what you’ve stitched along with a few details about your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com

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

Prism by Natalie Dupuis is a sparkling brooch with a burst of coloured silks worked in Italian shading over silver passing thread.

Ribbons and Rainbows by Jennifer Clouston from Inspirations issue #94 is a crazy patch evening purse worked on a rainbow of silk fabrics.

Ribbons and Rainbows by Susan O’Connor from Inspirations issue #53 is a fantastic rainbow-coloured felted handbag.

A bunch of fresh, green grapes, complete with a grape leaf by Julie Kniedl from Botanica.

Four luscious red cherries with a bright green leaf by Julie Kniedl from Botanica.

Vintage by Judy Stephenson from Inspirations issue #41 is an exquisite bag showcasing traditional Casalguidi embroidery.

Cherry Ripe by Nikki Delport-Wepener from Inspirations issue #81 is a magnificent botanical study of ripe cherries created with dimensional stitches and ribbons.

~ Nelson Mandela ~

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.