After the launch of O, Tannenbaum in Inspirations issue #108, we were swapping emails with Trish Burr regarding the hustle and bustle the project has created within the Inspirations community.

In light of its success, Trish took a walk down memory lane, sharing with us the memories she has of the first project she had published in Inspirations magazine.

‘Inspirations contacted me to ask for a project. At 44, I was an older mother and not getting much sleep or coping very well but I was just yearning for some creativity and time out from nappies and feeding, so I said yes! My other daughter, who was 11 at the time, used to take over mothering for half an hour while I quickly got down to stitching. The project was Portraits of Fruit from issue #47. Probably not my best work but I loved doing it.’

Whilst we’re certainly not suggesting Inspirations was the key to success in Trish’s career with needle and thread, we love that on the other side of her - albeit reluctant - yes, countless hours of stitching joy have been afforded to stitchers the world over.

In light of Trish’s season in life, we have no doubt that a no would have been the easier option at the time, but we applaud the fact she said yes and then worked it out. It goes to show that when we offer the opportunities before us a ‘now yes’, rather than a ‘when I… yes’, life will often fill our hands with more than we can hold or imagine.

What is waiting for you on the other side of your yes? It may just be exceedingly, abundantly, above and beyond anything you could ever think or imagine!

Email news@inspirationsstudios.com and let us know how you’re living on the other side of yes, we can’t wait to hear where it takes you.

By Nancy Williams

Last week we admitted to each other how big our stashes were. We then spent a bit of time thinking about how we could reuse and reinvigorate our threads. This week we’re going to move on to yarn and to fabric, the latter of which seems to fill every drawer, corner, spare box and shelf!

Whether dressmaking fabrics, linens, quilting fabrics, aida or any other kind of fabric to sew, piece or embroider upon, it’s probably fair to say we have a lot of it.

Dressmaking/Quilting Fabrics

Many of us are multi-talented. We don’t just embroider, we also sew, quilt and construct using various fabrics. If you are anything like me, you don’t like to throw offcuts away. You never know, they might just come in handy!

My offcuts often get thrown into a box (OK, that’s a crate as well) with all the best intentions to do something with them at some point.

This advice came from a quilter who suggested that you use a quilting square to cut regular sizes, taking off all the thin ends and stringy bits and pieces. That way, you don’t experience that sinking feeling of picking up a perfect piece of patterned fabric only to find it has a hole cut out of the middle or just isn’t big enough to do anything with. Decide the smallest size of square or rectangle you’re willing to keep and throw anything smaller away.

It is also a good idea, especially for larger pieces, to attach a swing tag to them with the dimensions written on it. That way you can easily see whether the piece is going to be large enough for a project without having to unfold it each time.

Once your offcuts are tidy, you can sort them into colour, pattern or material – whatever works with your own crafting habits.

And even if you don’t have the exact ground fabric, perhaps you could work your project on something from your stash. We were very inspired by Jeannette Roberts (All Stitched Up! issue #259) who worked a Hazel Blomkamp project on an old piece of denim from her husband’s jeans!

As a cross stitcher and counted embroiderer, I have drawers filled with linen and aida. I do try to go through my drawers before I head out to purchase more fabric for a project, but I have to admit, sometimes that inspiration just isn’t there.

As a lover of coloured linen, heading down the path of dying fabric really appeals. However, you don’t have to go to the trouble and mess of dying with commercial dyes. Just as we mentioned last week with threads, tea dying can produce wonderful results.

I have also done a workshop where we were let loose with fabric paint and had a go at painting our own ground fabrics. It didn’t take long before an uninspiring piece of white aida suddenly became something amazing and I could mentally run through all of the thousands of cross stitch patterns I have (I wish I was exaggerating!), working out which one would look fabulous on my hand-painted background.

Yarns

Finally, a quick word on yarns. Just as we quilt and sew, a lot of us also knit and crochet and for many of us, our yarn stash rivals our embroidery and fabric stashes. I am going to say it one more time – crates – which will give you an idea of how much I have. I also have UFOs which I have lost interest in, as well as old, knitted garments I’ve adopted or found at charity shops, made from gorgeous yarn in a hideous style.

I’m going to suggest three ideas for yarn, but I know you will have many more.

Firstly, UFOs and pre-knitted garments. They are actually very easy to unravel so you can reuse the yarn. If the item hasn’t been completed, just take it off the needles and pull. If you’ve never done this before, it is incredibly cathartic! Wind the thread into a skein or a ball. It might be all crinkly, but a gentle wash, soak and dry will sort that out in no time.

The same goes for deconstructing garments. You will need to pull it apart first, removing sleeves and collars and undoing seams. But then, unravel, wind, wash and voila! All ready to use again.

Another idea which I loved has to do with bits of yarn.

By choosing yarns of the same ply and material, you can make your own unique ‘yarn cake’ with various odds and ends and knit or crochet something amazing from it.

Finally, going through your stash then matching the yarn you have with a pattern you love is a great idea. I sometimes buy yarn for a particular pattern, other times, just because I adore the yarn. I’ve learnt the best way to maintain inspiration is to attach the pattern to the yarn as soon as I get it. That way I can go to the crate and there is everything I need, without me having to remember what I bought it for in the first place!

For yarns I purchased on impulse, I go through my pattern collection, or, if that doesn’t bring up anything, I spend a bit of time on ravelry.com and find a pattern I love which works with that yarn. Once again, I attach it.

Over the past couple of weeks we’ve talked about reusing, reinvigorating and reinspiring. Now we’d love to hear your ideas!

What do you do to fall back in love with your stash? How do you get yourself inspired? And what wonderful techniques have you come up with to reuse what you already have? We can’t wait to hear from you… actually, I can’t wait to hear from you as I think I need as much help as I can get! Email us at news@inspirationsstudios.com

It’s raining tape measures! Like the proverbial London buses, a few weeks ago we had zero tape measures in stock and now, just in time for Christmas, we have a whole range to choose from.

These adorable Bohin tape measures don’t just look great, they are super practical as well.

Not only do they offer a silky smooth retractable mechanism, they have centimetres on one side, inches on the other plus come with a handy clip so you can attach them to your handbag, to a zipper, to your chatelaine or to your craft bag.

Now, you really can have a handy tape measure to match each outfit or to suit every occasion!

When most people think of smocking, they think of pleaters, pleats and full-space rows. However, smocking doesn’t always require a pleater.

If you’ve never tried counterchange smocking, then the project Carousel by Di Kirchner from AS&E issue #63 is the perfect place to start.

Worked on cheery red and white gingham, with beaded flowers and smart red mini-piping accents, it can be completed in no time using just the gingham check to create the smocked panel.

Once you’ve experienced the ease of counterchange smocking, you’re guaranteed to be hooked. And the lucky recipient of this bright, fresh dress will be encouraging you to do more.

Luckily, Carousel is now available as a digital pattern so you can download it and get started straight away – no pleater required!

Tulip needles are some of the best needles on the market. Precision sharp, strong, beautifully made and exquisitely presented, it is little wonder that whenever we get them in, they sell out almost immediately.

With Christmas on the horizon, now would be the perfect time for our new shipment to arrive and voila!, we’re pleased to announce Tulip needles are indeed back in stock.

All the essentials and all your favourites are in, including chenille needles, tapestry needles, embroidery (crewel) needles and milliner’s needles, as well as the Tulip glass-head pins which really are second to none.

If you’re struggling to decide which needles you need, or if you are on the hunt for the perfect gift for a stitching friend or (perhaps more importantly) for yourself, then we have a treat for you.

Introducing the Tulip Gift Set. Inside each set you will find a box each of sewing needles, appliqué needles, embroidery needles, quilting needles and milliner’s needles, as well as Tulip’s famous patchwork pins.

The set is presented in a gift box, so gorgeous you won’t even need to wrap it. Available in limited numbers, place your order today to avoid disappointment.

Most of us are familiar with Google Earth. For the first time in history, we are able to look at any place on earth from above, all from the comfort of our own homes. The pictures are mysterious, beautiful but oddly pallid, as if the colour has drained from the world.

Textile artist Victoria Rose Richards was fascinated by this birds’ eye view, however in her mind landscapes should contain colour, brilliance and texture. As such, she has created a series of Google Earth style embroideries, inspired by the Devonshire countryside, which show the world in all of its colourful beauty.

As wonderful as technology is, we would argue that it can’t ever really beat the subtlety of needle and thread, as Victoria Rose Richards’ work demonstrates so exquisitely.

If you’d like to see more of Victoria’s work, you can visit her Instagram page @chromato_mania. You can also read more about her and view her amazing work HERE.

Anyone with an interest in art will have come across representations of the pomegranate in various designs and techniques. It appears in painting, sculpture and embroidery, and is written into poetry and song.

This ancient fruit has been a lasting symbol throughout history, being revered in cultures as diverse as Ancient Greek, Chinese, Jacobean Britain and, of course, Persian.

It features heavily in the local cuisine, but also appears throughout the literature, culture and history of the country. From the many references in ancient poetry through to the many girls’ names in Iran which are a derivative of the Persian name for the fruit, the pomegranate is a fundamental part of the culture and identity of the Iranian people.

While the symbol was adopted across the world to represent life, love and rebirth, it’s predominance in Zoroastrianism, the ancient monotheistic religion of Iran, continues to inform many rituals practiced in the country and by the diaspora still to this day.

Fortunately, pomegranates now grow in many parts of the world, which means the tart, wonderful flavour can be experienced by everyone, and the deep symbolism can be appreciated regardless of one’s background.

In a nod to the origins of the fruit, she has captured the jewel-like tones of the pomegranate perfectly, reflecting the rich reds, pinks and oranges in the delicate blossoms and shimmering leaves of her sinuous pomegranate branch.

The whole design is then brought to brilliant life by the inclusion of a diaphanous dragonfly, its attention captured by the open fruit shimmering with ruby red seeds. The seeds, created from a mass of closely sewn glass beads, seem to burst out of the side of the pomegranate and provide the perfect balance with the golden highlights of the visiting dragonfly.

Like many traditional stumpwork pieces, Anna’s project is filled with a range of different stitches and a combination of raised and surface elements. She has made subtle use of metal threads to highlight elements of the piece and to add that touch of sparkle which is guaranteed to catch the light – surrounding the stem of the plant, winding its way down the body of the dragonfly and criss-crossing its glorious pale blue wings.

With the combination of colours, stitches and motifs, it is not difficult to read the symbolism of the pomegranate itself in Persian Bounty. In all cultures, but particularly in the Iranian culture, the fruit speaks of life and rebirth, which brings with it joy, hope and renewal.

Perhaps it isn’t going too far to say that this project and the message it brings is exactly what we need right now. But at the least, we can guarantee that the pleasure you will gain in working Persian Bounty will bring a smile to your face and joy to the heart of anyone who sees it.

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Persian Bounty by Anna Scott is a beautiful pomegranate study using a variety of stumpwork techniques.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Persian Bounty includes everything* you need to re-create this delightful study: Fabrics (unprinted), wool felt, fusible webbing, wire, embroidery threads, beads and needle.

*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.

Pomegranate by Margaret Lee from Inspirations issue #106 is an exquisite, embroidered study in random stitch embroidery.

Pomegranate & Rose by Anna Scott from Inspirations issue #100 is a superb silk and goldwork design of flowing stems laden with fruit and flowers.

Tudor Rose & Pomegranate by Cynthia Jackson from the Handpicked Collection features superb goldwork embroidery showcasing a compelling variety of techniques and metal threads.

The Golden Pomegranate by Margaret Cobleigh from Inspirations issue #61 is a stunning pomegranate, beautifully represented in this richly ornamented goldwork study.

It seems very fitting this week that we’ve been talking about stumpwork, because a scan through our ‘What Are You Stitching?’ cupboard has made us realise just how many of you love doing it! We’re so impressed with the variety of projects and styles you’ve sent us… here are a few stumpwork pieces that caught our eye.

‘A few years back I was fortunate enough to attend a class at a convention with Susan O’Connor here in Southern California. It was my first stumpwork class, and I have loved the technique ever since.’

‘This project is ‘Loves Me’ from Inspirations issue # 70, which I completed as a gift for my brother and his wife to celebrate their marriage. I loved it so much, I did another one for my niece and her fiancé. My second attempt includes a few of my own touches with a new colour and letter stitching.’

‘I especially love to give hand-stitched gifts to my family and friends. Sometimes I prick myself with the needle while stitching my gifts and as hard as I try to prevent it, there’s sometimes a wee spot of blood to soak out. My sister tells me that’s my love literally flowing into my work!’

What a beautiful thought and a beautiful finish, Denise. We’re sure both couples would have been honoured to receive your magnificent embroideries.

‘Since finishing my nursing career, I have had more time to concentrate on my love of embroidery. The basket of native flowers, ‘Old Friends’ was a kit I purchased many years ago from Inspirations, and I managed to complete it for our last exhibition.’

You should be very proud of finishing this detailed project, Audrey. We’re sure it would have received many admiring comments at the exhibition.

‘I started this Peter Rabbit embroidery nearly three years ago. I had not gotten too far when there seemed to be Peter Rabbit embroideries everywhere in various techniques. So, he got ‘consigned’ to the UFO box!’

‘Shortly after this my sight deteriorated until I had to give up doing detailed embroidery last September. After several months of treatment and two operations my sight improved.

Being impatient to see if I could do stumpwork again, two days after the operation I dug out Peter and started to do some of the background to give my eye a test. Over a couple of weeks, I was able to stitch for longer and do more delicate needlelace. Success! What an amazing surgeon I had.’

What an inspiring story, Lee. We’re so glad you persisted and Peter stands as testament to your determination and your wonderful surgeon too!

‘About five years ago at a Kay Dennis workshop, it was decided that an A-Z of insects would be a good project. It then took just over two years to complete.’

‘I used cream silk for the background fabric and, working from an oval template, I cut each one out and mounted it onto a piece of green silk. It was only after they were all mounted that I realised how large a frame would be required, and the amount of wall space I would need on which to hang it!’

‘With this in mind, I took all the insects off the background silk and, using mount-board cut to the size of some Perspex drawers, I cut ovals out of green paper and sandwiched them together with the insects. Five drawers and 26 insects later and I have a brilliant bug hotel.’

What an incredible project and a truly unique way of displaying it, Carol. It really is worthy of being in a museum.

Do you love stumpwork or any kind of three-dimensional embroidery? Or are you much happier working on a flat surface? Perhaps you can’t decide between the two, so you work a bit of both?

Whatever style of embroidery you love, we want to see it. Send us pictures of your work along with a bit of information about your stitching journey and the project itself to news@inspirationsstudios.com

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Castle Keep by Victoria Laine is a miniature castle portrayed using counted thread and goldwork techniques.

Sweete Bag by Victoria Laine from Inspirations issue #99 is a stunning Elizabethan sweet bag featuring flower and bird motifs.

Delicate Touch by Victoria Laine from Inspirations issue #86 is a blackwork strawberry given dimension with shading techniques.

Black Beauty by Victoria Laine from Inspirations issue #95 is an elegant rose in shaded blackwork.

~ Unknown ~

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.