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ISSUE 249, AUGUST 28, 2020
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INSPIRATIONS. ALL Stitched Up!
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Hi There,
At Inspirations HQ we often refer to you, our All Stitched Up! readers, as our community or our tribe and whilst that will always be the case, we recently read something that made us think a little differently.

As we were pouring over recent issues of the Australian magazine ‘Country Style’, we came across one of Victoria Carey’s Letters from the Editor. As this was her last letter as editor, she reflected on her journey with the magazine and the people it had allowed her to meet along the way.

The people ranged from farmers right through to prime ministers, and whilst it made for a diverse crowd, the one thing they all had in common was their experiences of life on the Australian land. Victoria spoke of the stories that had been shared and the inspiration she’d gained from those who’d been a part of her journey. She then thanked her readers for keeping her and her team company along the way.
And that’s when we realised, just as Victoria had, that our community and tribe have actually become our friends!
For us, we share with you a passion for all things needle and thread and from that simple, but common denominator, a wealth of knowledge, experiences and stories have been shared.

From stitchers picking up needle and thread for the first time who have questions about where to begin, to the ‘strangers’ we’ve come to know through the many times they’ve had their say or let us know what they’re stitching, right through to the designers who not only willingly share their work through the pages of Inspirations magazine, but also take the time to read this newsletter and then email us in response – we consider each of you a friend.

We can’t thank you enough for keeping us company on our journey and we’re looking forward to continuing to do life with you.

Here’s to friends old and new and those who are yet to join us…
 
Have Your Say
The ‘One or Many’ Conundrum
In All Stitched Up! issue #244 we raised the question of whether you work on a single project or multiple projects at once. The responses we received were numerous, reminding us how varied and wonderful the stitching community is. Of course, there is no right or wrong response and for us it was interesting to see there was also no trend one way or another.
The only consistent thing was how brightly your individuality shone through.
There were a lot of people who fell into the multiple-project camp, however ‘multiple’ was widely interpreted to mean from two to too many to count! How the multiple-project advocates worked on their pieces varied. Both Carol Meadows and Marla Redding put different projects in different locations to work on at specific times. Whether that was in particular rooms, or in bags which went to various stitching groups, it meant that they had a project for every occasion.
Some readers employ a rotation system. Susan Curran has three in a basket which she works on as her mood takes her. When one gets finished, it is replaced by one of the many UFOs or exciting new projects she’s collected. Helen Hooper turns over her currently active UFOs every three months or so. This means that slowly, softly, each one progresses a little bit each time.

Helen also made an excellent point about her love of ‘kitting up’ – collecting all of the threads, fabric and extras needed for a project. We feel that this might be the echo of our hunter/gatherer instinct coming out. The sheer joy of hunting down just the right fabric, gathering up all of the required materials and putting it all together is something that runs very deep in many of us.
A lot of people acknowledged how multiple projects provide them with inspiration and a way to fire up their imagination.
Susan Bottcher describes it as all of her projects ‘calling to her’; while Manda Kent Burns believes that everyone should be proud of their UFOs. She believes they represent the creative process in action, demonstrating the breadth of your imagination. Tricia Barry suggests that switching projects can provide a whole new perspective when facing a creative block, which can happen even with the most inspiring of pieces.
Several readers expressed their passion for the ‘process,’ but this meant different things to different people. Charlotte Manca-Wells felt that loving the process led her to working many projects at once. She enjoys the journey so much that the end product isn’t as important. However, Frances Tornese determined that her love of the process meant that she only works on one project at a time. She too wasn’t as concerned with the finished piece but was focused on the process of that one piece rather than the process of many.

The readers who fell into the single-project camp often felt driven by a nagging guilt if they had more than one project on the go. Both Jerri Jiminez and Bette Kelly used these words. Jerri describes it as ‘the thought [that she should finish a project before starting another] continuously nagging at the back of my mind’, and Bette says that she ‘can feel [an unfinished project] nagging at me, hanging at the edge of my mind waving and wanting the attention back.’
Other single-project stitchers, like Penny Souhadra, felt that having more than one project on the go was too confusing. She, like other single-project stitchers, always had plenty of other projects lined up, but would finish each before starting the next. This is very often a reflection of each person’s personality, history and what works best for them.

Louise Hardy acknowledged that her childhood experience has heavily influenced her.
When Louise was young, she was only allowed to carry one toy with her and had to always be super tidy, which today translates into a need for minimal, simultaneous projects.
Frances Tornese credits the fact she works on one project at a time as the reason she finishes plenty of projects quite quickly, enjoying every stitch along the way. However, the question of finishing is also one of perspective. Jamie Bernstein feels that she gets more done by working multiple projects, and Hazel Long reckons that if she didn’t work on multiple projects, she’d never get things finished. To be fair, she is working on a carpet which is so large, she believes it won’t be finished in her lifetime!

Ultimately, we’re all different. What we can all agree on though is how important it is for our stitching to make us happy.
Whether we’re like Mary Wells, whose three or four projects at a time help her through life’s challenges, or we’re like Mary Moore who solved the dilemma between her love of embroidery and needlepoint by always working one of each, or even like Sharon Kenney who just can’t help but be continually distracted by all of the beautiful projects available, as long as it brings us joy, then it is the right way of doing it.

Helen Hooper’s children were right in reminding her that stitching was meant to be pleasurable, so there is no point in suffering through a project if you’re not having fun. Happiness, according to Jackie Williams, is not achieved by having a set number of projects on the go, but for her joy occurs when she feels she has ‘too many’ in progress because at that point she is surrounded by unlimited possibilities.

A huge thank you to everyone who participated in this fascinating discussion. In summary we’d encourage everyone not to judge yourself against others and don’t wish yourself different. Be who you are and stitch how you wish. Our differences are what makes the world go around.
 
Needlework News
Inspirations Calendar | September Project
Spring! At last! Yes, we do acknowledge that for much of the world, September heralds the start of autumn and the cooler weather, but after a winter in Australia where we’ve literally experienced Antarctic weather fronts in some regions, we hope you’ll allow us just a little celebration.
Whatever September means for you, we’re confident that this month’s calendar project will inspire you. Versailles Chatelaine by Susan O’Connor is an exquisite set of needlework tools adorned with delicate bullion roses and a subtle colour palette which would not be out of place on the walls of a French chateau.
The luxuriousness of this project is emphasised by the use of silk threads and an ivory silk ground fabric, highlighted with delicate floral sprays, worked in shades of pink, blue and soft violet. The project comprises a pinwheel, scissor fob, scissor sheath and needlebook finished off with an elegant monogram to truly personalise your work.
Embrace the change in season and spoil yourself with the Versailles Chatelaine. Originally published exclusively in A Passion for Needlework | Factoria VII, the project is now available to download as a digital pattern.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Versailles Chatelaine
 
 
PRINTED BOOK
A Passion for Needlework | Factoria VII
 
Bohin Needlebooks
Since the middle of the 1800’s, some of the finest needles in the world have been produced at a factory in Saint-Sulpice-Sur-Risle in France.
Bohin began during a period when economic competition from Germany and England was putting strain on the French needle and pin industry. The founder, Benjamin Bohin, soon perfected the manufacture of needles which, to this day, remain some of the best needles in the world.
If you’ve never stitched with a Bohin needle, you won’t have experienced the smoothness, strength and consistency that these needles guarantee. Even better, thanks to the wide range of different needles produced by the company, you can enjoy Bohin quality whatever craft you turn your hand to.
The Bohin Needlebook is the perfect way to start your Bohin collection.
There are 40 needles included, covering everything from crewel to tapestry, with milliner’s needles and darning needles as well.
All of the needles are beautifully presented in a cardboard needlebook with a guide to the size and use of each one. Available in three different colours and adorned with an elegant French design, these needlebooks make the perfect gift for a new stitcher, or the perfect way of ensuring you always have the needle you need in your sewing basket.
Daily Inspirations
There isn’t much in the world that’s guaranteed right now. When things change from one week to the next, sometimes all we want is a little bit of consistent comfort that we can turn to each and every day.
Although we know that many of you love flicking through back issues of Inspirations magazine, and love reading our newsletter All Stitched Up! each week, you might not be aware that we’re also here for you every day on social media.
You can enjoy daily updates on both our Facebook and Instagram feeds, giving you something beautiful, inspiring and gorgeous to look at.
Like/follow our feeds and join us every day as we compile plenty of yummy needlework gorgeousness from all over the world.
Ready to experience a daily burst of Inspirations? We look forward to seeing you on our Facebook page HERE and our Instagram page HERE.
Blending the Old with the New
Knitting has been around for centuries. Digital art is brand new. So, it takes a highly creative artist to bring the two of them together – something Faith Humphrey Hill has achieved in breathtaking style.
(source)
She sketches her portraits on her iPad, then using digital technology, converts them to knitting patterns. Then, she puts the technology away and gets the knitting needles out.

Once she’s knitted her background and blocked it carefully, she goes back to the technology to complete her work.
(source)
The results are a unique blend of the old and the new, with both being just as important in the final piece. What a gorgeous lesson from a truly creative artist. If you would like to read more about Faith you can read a terrific article about her on mymodernmet.com HERE or check out her Instagram page HERE.
 
Featured Project
Stylish Succulents by Renette Kumm
While not all of us are good at gardening, there are probably very few of us however, who don’t admire a beautifully laid out garden with flowers bursting from every bed and perfectly selected plants providing a stunning contrast to one another. But there is a difference between admiring and achieving.
For those of us who don’t have green fingers, succulents can provide the solution. Known for their hardiness, their ability to thrive even in the driest of climates, and their wonderful immunity to neglect, succulents can fill a garden with a riot of colour and some of the most brilliant flowers imaginable without requiring the magical green fingers of an accomplished gardener.
The name ‘succulent’ comes from the Latin ‘sucus’ which means sap or juice.
They store water in their chunky leaves which makes them drought-resistant and tolerant to even the most neglectful custodian who only remembers to water once in a blue moon.
So, not only does this fabulous range of plants represent the hardiest of little characters, they are also incredibly varied in size, shape and, most importantly for those of us with an artistic eye, colour.
This wonderful variety makes succulents the ideal subject for embroidery. Renette Kumm, herself from a country known for its dry climate (South Africa) has been inspired by the huge and varied range of succulents and has translated them into a stunning threadpainted tote.
Appearing for all the world like a bunch of flowers, the colours and tones of this project are all in the leaves of the particular varieties which Renette has chosen to stitch. The eye is drawn to the blues, purples and blue-greens of the central plants, and then sweeps outwards along the greens to whites of the outer varieties.

As well as colour variation, each plant offers slightly different textures, from the sharp pointed leaves in the centre, to the fat, round, bubble-like leaves on the outside of the group.
It is only when you look very closely at the shading Renette has employed that you’ll truly appreciate the vast array of colour which serves to create the effect of Stylish Succulents.

Each leaf has its own tonal range with no two being exactly the same, just as in nature. This provides the stitcher with endless variety and enjoyment, and results in a brilliant piece, all ready for making up.
Although this project would look stunning on the wall of any home, why would you hide it away? Renette has designed Stylish Succulents to be finished as a hardy tote bag, complete with hand quilting and shaped to fit any on-the-go stitching project, trip to the grocery store or, dare we say, visit to the garden centre to buy some more succulents for the garden?
Stylish Succulents from Inspirations issue #107 is a project with a difference. With all of the many flower projects available to stitch, it is wonderful to come across a project with just as much colour but without the same flowers we so often see. And best of all, we guarantee that no gardening experience is required!
Make Your Own Stylish Succulents
Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Stylish Succulents by Renette Kumm is a roomy tote bag with a threadpainted arrangement of colourful succulents using wool threads.
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 107
 
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Stylish Succulents
 
Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Stylish Succulents includes everything* you need to re-create this stunning bag: Fabrics (excluding lining fabric), fusible wadding, embroidery threads and needles.
 
READY-TO-STITCH KIT
Stylish Succulents
 
*Please Note: To cater for flexibility of purchase, instructions are not included with our kits. For step-by-step directions on how to create this project, please refer to the magazine/digital pattern.
Looking for More Tote Bags?
Breath of Spring
Breath of Spring by Béatrice Andreae from Inspirations issue #56 is a sumptuously embroidered bag with large pockets, adorned with vibrant wildflowers and insects.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Breath of Spring
 
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 56
 
Flora
Flora by Kris Richards from Inspirations issue #65 is a charming tote bag with elegant floral embroidery.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Flora
 
Gone Shopping
Gone Shopping by Sharon Venhoek from Inspirations issue #70 is a summery cotton tote featuring fresh blue and white stripes and lush pink bullion roses.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Gone Shopping
 
What Are You Stitching?
We’ve mentioned before how it seems a shame not to take your stitching out and show it off to the world once you’ve finished it. So, we’re thrilled to see how many people do just that by making their finished piece into a bag. Tote bags, evening bags, ballet-shoe bags – the options are endless. Combining the beautiful with the practical is something that makes our hearts just sing.
Louise Hoskins
‘I completed the project, Garnet from Inspirations issue #71 back in 2017. As I had a piece of red velvet fabric in my stash, I decided it would make a perfect bag using white threads.’
‘This put my personal slant on the pattern and, of course, means one less piece of fabric in my stash. I find the bag comes in very handy as an evening bag.’

What a beautiful and unique evening bag, Louise. It is very satisfying using up something from your stash although, if you’re like us, it won’t take long to refill that hole!
Audrey Bruno
‘Since finishing my nursing career, I have had more time to concentrate on my love of embroidery.’
‘This linen bag is my version of the bread bag Pane di Casa by Elisabetta Sforza from Inspirations issue #106.’

It looks just as good as a tote bag, Audrey and in some ways, even more versatile than the original.
Pat Armour
‘Here are two samples of the same design imagined with two different colour ways and with one minor change to turn a flower into a shamrock. I have used crewel wools for both and used the finished pieces to make into quilted bags.’
‘I was asked to do a couple of designs incorporating a treble clef. This is one of the results. I like to use my embroideries for more than cushions and pictures, hence the market bags which will go to friends.’

You have very lucky friends, Pat. I am sure they will all go shopping with pride after receiving one of these fabulous bags.
Kirsty Fulton
You might remember back in All Stitched Up! issue #241 we featured a photo of a treasure trove of stitched pieces which Kirsty found at a charity shop. Not only did Kirsty rescue them, but she’s now turned them into these gorgeous ballet-shoe bags.
‘It was lovely to see my finds featured in the Inspirations newsletter. I thought you might like to see what I have used the three little cross stitch pieces for.’
What a wonderful way for the hard work of stitchers of the past to be loved and appreciated by stitchers of the future.

Have you ever made bags out of a finished embroidery piece? Or are you devoted to turning your home into a wonderful gallery of framed pieces? Are there any other ways you like to display your work? Traditional or quirky, we’d love to see them. Send a picture of your stitching with a bit of information about the project and your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com
 
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You May Have Missed
Tranquil Thoughts
Tranquil Thoughts by Fiona Hibbett from Inspirations issue #107 is a floral heart design using foundation stumpwork techniques.
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 107
 
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Tranquil Thoughts
 
 
READY-TO-STITCH KIT
Tranquil Thoughts
 
Two Hearts
Two Hearts by Jo Butcher from Inspirations issue #85 is two dainty heart designs for you to stitch with ease.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Two Hearts
 
Highland Beauty
Highland Beauty by Jenny Adin-Christie from Inspirations issue #77 is an exquisite fine whitework lavender sachet.
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 77
 
My Fair Lady
My Fair Lady by Glenda Semple from Inspirations issue #54 is a sumptuous special occasion bag.
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 54
 
Heart of Mine
Heart of Mine by Céline Girouard from AS&E issue #95 is a dainty silk keepsake with lattice smocking and silk ribbon embroidery.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Heart of Mine
 
This Week on Social
 
ipnot, a Japanese artist, creates these tiny and super realistic foods with just needle and thread!
 
Kay Dennis’s glorious piece ‘Forest Floor’ is a fungi to stitch!
 
Quote
‘Friendship is the golden thread that ties the heart of all the world.’
~ John Evelyn ~
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
© 2020 Inspirations Studios

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