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ISSUE 272, MARCH 5, 2021
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INSPIRATIONS. ALL Stitched Up!
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Hi There,
You know how sometimes you end up down an internet rabbit hole on a never-ending path into the unknown? One thing leads to another and suddenly you’re learning about everything you didn’t need to know about (Peruvian Sweety Drop Miniature Peppers anyone?!), whilst at other times you end up just where you need to be?

Well, that’s where we found ourselves recently. At the end of an internet rabbit hole that was exactly where we were supposed to be.

After writing about regret in All Stitched Up! issue #271 HERE, we found ourselves watching a TED Talk entitled ‘Inside the Mind of a Procrastinator’. During his 14-minute talk, Tim Urban took us on a journey through his own relationship with procrastination, encouraging us to think more about why we procrastinate and what we can do about it.

His journey was both hilarious and insightful, along the way introducing us to the Rational Decision Maker and the Instant Gratification Monkey. Throughout his talk, Tim spoke of the ways in which the Rational Decision Maker in us will make plans to do something productive, but these plans are all too often thwarted when the Instant Gratification Monkey decides we need to do anything other than fulfill those plans, ensuring we only tackle what is easy and fun. Again, enter in-depth research into Peruvian Sweety Drop Miniature Peppers!

Tim then introduced us to The Panic Monster who is the only thing the Instant Gratification Monkey is terrified of. This fear ensures that at just the right time, control is given back to the Rational Decision Maker who will in turn guarantee we’re productive. The trouble is however, The Panic Monster is dormant most of the time and tends to only take on his role when a deadline looms or another scary consequence is imminent.

This ‘system’ of procrastination works perfectly well when there is a deadline as the effects of procrastination are contained in the short term. But what about when there is no deadline? The effects of procrastination are not contained, they extend outward potentially forever and then enters the regret we spoke of last week.

This is something those of us who spend time with needle and thread are all too often familiar with! When a stitching deadline looms - be it a competition, exhibition or a significant occasion we’ve been stitching toward - suddenly our needle and thread seems to move double time for hours on end and no hurdle is too difficult to climb.
But what about when we’re stitching something where there’s only a self-imposed deadline?
Sometimes we can’t find the hours in the day to pick up needle and thread and when we do, it feels as if each stitch is laboured and there’s suddenly a number of problems we can’t possibly overcome. The truth is though, we’re most likely just procrastinating.

Tim’s solution?
Known by Tim as ‘A Life Calendar’, the image above represents each week in a ninety-year life and as Tim so clearly states, ‘That’s not that many boxes, especially since we’ve already used a bunch of those, so I think we all need to take a long, hard look at that calendar and think about what we’re really procrastinating on. We need to stay aware of the Instant Gratification Monkey and because there’s not that many boxes on there, it is a job that should probably start today. Well, maybe not today . . . but you know, sometime soon!’
 
World of Needlework
Mother’s Day
Depending where you are in the world, Mother’s Day may be just a few days away or still a few months hence. For those of us who have ever lived in different countries or have a mother residing overseas, you may have wondered why the date of Mother’s Day is not consistent across the world?
The answer to that question stems from the fact that what we call ‘Mother’s Day’ is in fact not the same celebration the world over.

For example, in the USA and here in Australia, Mother’s Day falls on the second Sunday in May. In the UK, it’s called ‘Mothering Sunday’ and it falls on the 4th Sunday in Lent, which means the actual date changes each year.
Although Mothering Sunday is commonly called Mother’s Day, and most people generally visit their mother, buy her gifts or have some kind of celebration on the day, the original intention of Mothering Sunday was to encourage people to visit their local ‘mother church’ or the church in which they were baptised.

Honouring one’s actual mother was of secondary importance. The day of observance originated in the Middle Ages, but its meaning has changed significantly since and today has become more in line with the international notion of a day honouring motherhood.
So where did this maternal centric version of Mother’s Day originate? It was in fact an idea created by an American woman, Anna Jarvis, in the early 20th Century.
While Anna never married or had children, she tirelessly campaigned for a day to honour women at a time when, she felt, most of the national holidays celebrated men and their achievements.
The holiday soon became popular and was codified as a national day of celebration in 1914.

However, it didn’t take long before the spirit of the day was overtaken by commercial interests as card makers, florists and confectioners realised they could profit from Mother’s Day.
While on one hand Anna was thrilled to have achieved her goal, she was disheartened by the overt commerciality it was attracting and would go on to spend much of her life staunchly defending its original intent.

So how, you may ask, does all this relate to needlework?
Well after learning about its history, we felt that needlework can have an important role in helping celebrate Mother’s Day.
Anna Jarvis wanted a day of celebration where mothers and their children came together to share time and express their love.
Something like a simple handmade gift, worked with love and care, accompanied by a hug and a cup of tea to say ‘I love you’ is more in keeping with Anna’s original vision for a day honouring our Mums, rather than an extravagant spending spree on commercial, mass produced goods.
Whether you celebrate Mother’s Day in March, May or any other time of the year, by employing your needlework skills in a carefully worked gift, you’ll be going a long way towards recapturing what the day was initially meant to be.
All of us know how much love and care goes into a handmade item. Giving one is joyous; receiving one is sublime.
As a Mum it feels so good to be given a bespoke gift created by our child specifically with us in mind, it is both humbling and celebratory all at once.
Needlework is the perfect parcelling of love, fully intact, into a unique and precious gift. We’d like to think that Anna Jarvis would most definitely approve and perhaps on occasion, may even have enjoyed the art of needlework herself.
 
Needlework News
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas
After learning about the true meaning of Mother’s Day in the article above, we wanted to stay true to Anna Jarvis original intention and create a list of simple gift ideas that speak to the idea of showing authentic appreciation for our Mothers.
Whether you’re looking for a gift for your Mum, your wife, or hints to give the family for something you’d like to receive yourself, here are our top 5 needlework gift suggestions:

1/. Relax! by Deborah Love

This delightful, scented sachet is embellished with the prettiest of designs stitched onto white linen in the style of traditional Deerfield embroidery.
Create one yourself to give away or package up a ready-to-stitch kit and the instructions as a fabulous gift so your Mum can enjoy the pleasure of stitching one herself.
 
READY-TO-STITCH KIT
Relax! by Deborah Love
 
 
PRINTED INSTRUCTIONS
Inspirations Issue 108
 
2/. Jo Butcher Mini Cards

UK needlework artisan Jo Butcher is renowned for her stunning designs and now has a range of mini gift cards available that feature reproductions of her original embroideries.
Choose from 5 different collections, each packaged in a gorgeous box featuring 4 individual designs.
 
WARES
Jo Butcher Mini Cards
 
3/. Tulip Needles Gift Set

The Tulip Needle Gift Set is the perfect combination of quality, elegance, and practicality. There is nothing quite like a Tulip needle, made in Japan using traditional needle-making techniques.
Inside the gift pack you will find sewing, milliners, quilting, appliqué and embroidery needles, as well as patchwork pins, each packaged individually in a glass tube with cork stopper.
 
WARES
Tulip Gift Set
 
4/. Remember by Philippa Todd

This elegant poppy can be worn as a brooch, or displayed as a fabulous three-dimensional piece of stitched art.
This project is also suitable to create yourself to give away or again package up a ready-to-stitch kit and the instructions together as a fabulous gift so your Mum can enjoy the pleasure of stitching her own.
 
READY-TO-STITCH KIT
Remember by Philippa Todd
 
 
PRINTED INSTRUCTIONS
Inspirations Issue 109
 
5/. Gorgeous Gardens Gift Pack

An Inspirations Gift Pack is perfect for any needlework fan in your life (including yourself!) and represent amazing value for money.
The Gorgeous Gardens Gift Pack is full of floral themed goodies, ideal for any stitcher who loves the garden, and comes all boxed up ready to wrap and give.
 
WARES
Gorgeous Gardens Gift Pack
 
Home Sweet Home 10th Anniversary | Coming Soon
Every once in a while, a needlework project comes along that is so inspiring, so magnificent, it creates its own movement.

In 2011 Carolyn Pearce released her enchanting book, Home Sweet Home | An Embroidered Workbox which has since become an international phenomenon.
Many times in this very newsletter we have showcased dozens of finished versions of Home Sweet Home from needlework fans the world over, including one guild that created an entire township of the gorgeous cottages.
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of this remarkable publication, we have a very special treat… Carolyn has now expanded and refreshed her original masterpiece.
Whether you already have an existing workbox, or you are yet to experience the wonder of ‘what’s inside the box’ there is something for everyone in Home Sweet Home | 10th Anniversary Edition, including:

• New scissor sheath
• New pinwheel
• Bodkin holder
• Updated lining fabric
• New photography
• Refreshed layout
The final result is a superb blend showcasing both the original with the new, to bring you a Home Sweet Home embroidered workbox like never before.
Home Sweet Home Kits | Expressions of Interest
In anticipation of the release of Home Sweet Home | 10th Anniversary Edition, our kit team has been working around the clock looking at options for releasing Ready-To-Stitch kits for the entire workbox.
To help put this mammoth task in perspective, the workbox itself, along with the lift out tray and all 12 accessories, calls for over 150 line items of requirements from 45 different suppliers sourced from every corner of the globe including North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
With these logistics in mind, we have decided to invite our readers to register their interest in purchasing one of these kits, as it’s unlikely we will have the opportunity to do this again and we don’t want anyone missing out.
If you are interested in buying a Ready-To-Stitch kit for Home Sweet Home, please register below.
Further details including pricing and options are available at the link below or feel free to email us with any questions/suggestions.
Punch Needle Embroidery
Any time is the right time to learn a new needlework technique. One of the hottest stitching techniques right now is punch needle embroidery, so if you’re curious to learn or even if you’re already an expert, we have a new range of products to get you going with this fabulously easy technique.
Punch needle embroidery is closely related to rug hooking and has a long and mysterious history.
Although its origins aren’t fully known, there is evidence of punch needle techniques going back as far as the 15th Century.
Usually worked in yarn, today you can do punch needle embroidery with embroidery floss, perlé cotton or any other non-slippery fibre you can imagine. All you need is a punch needle, some fabric, a pattern, a hoop and a little bit of time.
The technique is worked by punching the specialised needle through the fabric, which results in a little loop on the ‘back’ and a stitch on the ‘front’. We use the terms ‘front’ and ‘back’ loosely here as you can decide which side of the embroidery is going to be the one you display.

It is an incredibly quick technique, especially when you use yarn, which certainly makes it appealing if you need to work up a project in a short space of time.
If you have never done punch needle before, Lucy Davidson’s book, Punch Needle Embroidery for Beginners, is the perfect place to start.
Inside you will find step-by-step instructions for the technique, plenty of troubleshooting advice and 12 fabulous, simple projects for you to get started. Once you’ve worked through the book, you’ll be eager for more.
When you’re ready to take punch needle embroidery to the next level, the book, The Art of Punch Needle Embroidery by Marie Suarez, is ideal. With detailed information about fabrics and threads, different textural possibilities and a series of projects ranging from very easy through to intermediate, this book will take you into expert territory.
Now, you can’t do punch needle embroidery without a punch needle, so to help you on your way we also have in stock fine 1cm punch tools. These are just what you need to create punch needle projects using your existing embroidery threads.

The punch needle comes complete with two threaders and features a comfortable grip and a transparent body.
And just like that we now have another fantastic new technique to add to our repertoire! We can’t wait to see what everyone creates.
New Digital Pattern | Heart’s Desire
While Valentine’s Day has come and gone for another year, it’s not the only special occasion when we communicate our love.
Having recently been exploring our vast catalogue of projects, we re-discovered a gorgeous blanket in Inspirations issue #47, which beautifully demonstrates love for a new baby, a beloved child, or even for a dear relative (the perfect Mother’s Day gift perhaps?!) or friend.
Heart’s Desire by Prue Carvell is a stunning, shell pink blanket adorned with plump bullion roses.
The pink and mauve roses form a stunning heart shape in the centre of this blanket, complete with trailing vines and lush green leaves.
The completed blanket is edged with a cotton print, ensuring that it will be silky smooth against the skin. Worked in thick tapestry wool, this project is super quick to complete so makes an ideal choice for a gift.

Now available for the first time as a digital pattern, purchase your copy by clicking below.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Heart’s Desire
 
This Now In…
From wares to kits and all kinds of tricks, if it has recently come back, or is now in stock you’ll discover it below.
 
READY-TO-STITCH KIT
Redwork Pincushion & Chatelaine | Now in Stock
 
 
Featured Project
Mind Games by Kim Beamish
Have you ever glanced at a cloud and suddenly seen a face looking back at you, clear as day? Or perhaps you’ve spotted a recognisable shape in an apparently random pile of leaves? Why is it that we are so good at seeing patterns, sometimes where patterns don’t even exist?
The human mind, a wondrous thing, is naturally designed to recognise patterns in both animate and inanimate things. In fact, it is so good at it, we are far more likely to recognise patterns than not.
The term ‘pareidolia’ refers to this tendency to see meaningful patterns where none exist.
Although some people might argue that this merely results in ridiculous claims (the face of John Lennon in a piece of toast?), in actual fact, the human tendency to see patterns has had an enormous impact on our civilisation.
Even leaving mathematics and science aside, which are arguably born out of our ability to recognise patterns, the arts simply could not exist without this very human skill. Seeing, appreciating and creating patterns is the basis for most artistic endeavours, and none more so than when an artist works non-figuratively. This is particularly relevant when it comes to needlework.
Although we cannot deny that many people love to stitch figurative subjects, the satisfaction derived from working a non-figurative pattern can be immense.

Hardanger embroidery is a perfect example. Kim Beamish’s latest design in Inspirations issue #109, aptly titled Mind Games, demonstrates just how much the mind and the eye appreciate patterns.
Like all counted techniques, Hardanger embroidery in general, and Mind Games in particular, relies on careful counting and the accurate cutting of threads and placement of stitches.
But as challenging as that may sound, when you realise how finely attuned to pattern the human mind is, it becomes clear that this kind of technique is something we can all excel at.
The patterns in Mind Games can be identified in the symmetry, count, dimensions and fine balance of solid and space which make up this delicate mat.
Worked in a square and utilising a range of traditional Hardanger stitches in perfect white on white, the resulting piece is intensely pleasing on the eye. This is probably because, unlike hunting for a famous face in a slice of toast, the pattern here is clear, uniform and absolutely perfect.

Both whilst working it and whilst subsequently admiring it, the mind can be at rest knowing it has understood all there is to see.
It is unsurprising that working embroidery merely for the joy of the pattern is something so many of us love to do. Just as there is no end to the patterns and connections our exquisite brains will conjure up, even in places they may not exist, there is no end to the satisfaction those brains will experience when a perfect pattern reveals itself.
Make Your Own Mind Games
Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Mind Games by Kim Beamish is a whitework table mat or cushion front worked with Hardanger embroidery.
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 109
 
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Mind Games
 
Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Mind Games includes everything* you need to re-create this appealing mat: Fabric (unprinted), embroidery threads and needle.
 
READY-TO-STITCH KIT
Mind Games
 
*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 Symmetrical Patterns?
Spanish Lace
Spanish Lace by Christine Burton from Inspirations issue #105 is a gorgeous blackwork embroidered cushion with golden highlights.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Spanish Lace
 
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 105
 
Delicate Stitches
Delicate Stitches by Di Kirchner from Inspirations issue #106 is a dainty Hardanger mat worked on fine linen.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Delicate Stitches
 
Stitches from the Heart
Stitches from the Heart by Maria Elide Melani from Inspirations issue #97 is a charming little sachet, in shades of blue and white; the perfect introduction to the technique of Deruta Sfilato, drawn thread work from the heart of Italy.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Stitches from the Heart
 
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 97
 
Queen of Hearts
Queen of Hearts by Kim Beamish from Inspirations issue #86 is an elegant Hardanger mat ideal for beginners.
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 86
 
What Are You Stitching?
Sometimes, we simply want to immerse ourselves in the beauty of the pattern. Non-figurative needlework has been popular for many centuries and remains so today. We don’t always have to embroider a flower or a bird in order to create beauty. Here are a few projects from our readers to show just how gorgeous embroidered patterns can be:
Michelle
‘I wanted to share a project I recently completed for my daughter who requested another ‘doily thing’ to put on her side table in her lounge room. I showed her the cover of the Inspirations Issue #107 featuring Caterina by Maria Rita Faleri and told her I wanted to make this. Her response was ‘Yes please! I love it!’’
‘As her table was bigger than the original design, I adapted it accordingly. I must say, I’m very pleased with the result.’

We bet your daughter was too, Michelle! It’s always nice to get an enthusiastic response when putting forward a suggestion to stitch a project for someone, and no doubt your clever ideas for alternative colourways and size adaptation were well received as well.
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 107
 
Jean Croft
‘Your past features on Hardanger encouraged me to search for some of my pieces. I always thought white on white was a bit boring. Living in North Queensland, Australia, tropical colours are definitely the go!’
‘I've been stitching up a storm as, while still working, my night and weekend commitments have stopped dramatically due to Covid-19 restrictions, and I've returned to all my UFOs and started new projects as well.’
Who says Hardanger always has to be white on white, Jean? Tropical colours work absolutely brilliantly! Well done, we love it.
Laura Jaeger
‘When I was young, I was introduced to cross stitching at summer camp. When I turned 30, a friend gave me a gift bag with Janice Love's Basics and Beyond Hardanger book, some fabric, threads, and a large Hardanger needle. I was instantly entranced and began teaching myself the art of Hardanger.’
‘Now, nearly 10 years later, I am proud to say I've just designed my very first large-scale Hardanger project - a tablecloth fitted for our dining room table.
Overall, I think it took me about 1,000 hours to complete, from researching patterns and testing them, planning the size and fit for the table, and then stitching and cutting.
An oversized canvas bag became my constant commute companion, as each morning I had 50 minutes on the train with the tablecloth half in the bag on my lap as I worked what I could before pulling into Grand Central Terminal in New York City.’
‘This Hardanger project has been my way of meditating during this turbulent and upsetting year. I am so grateful to have been introduced to embroidery and hope to be able to share my passion with others, learning together as we better our skills (and learn new ones!).’

Wow Laura, thank you for sharing your amazing story and congratulations on your fantastic heirloom piece. You should be incredibly proud of your achievement; the end result is absolutely stunning.

Do you love working with patterns? Does your eye get drawn to the neat geometry of non-figurative shapes? Or do you prefer your embroidery subjects to have eyes, petals or clouds?
Whatever it is you love to embroider, we’d love to see it. Send us a photograph of your work with a bit of information about the project and your personal stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com.
 
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You May Have Missed
Aetna’s Bouquet
Aetna’s Bouquet by Helen M. Stevens is a charming silk embroidery celebrating wildflowers from the fenlands of England.
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 109
 
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Aetna’s Bouquet
 
 
READY-TO-STITCH KIT
Aetna’s Bouquet
 
Double Take
Double Take by Helen M. Stevens from Inspirations issue #98 is a charming silk embroidered finch resting on sweet honeysuckle, in two colourways.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Double Take
 
Peas & English Daisies
Peas & English Daisies by Susan O’Connor is a beautiful, embroidered pinwheel with Elizabethan inspired botanicals.
 
PRINTED PATTERN
Peas & English Daisies
 
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Peas & English Daisies
 
Bird of Paradise
Bird of Paradise by Helen M. Stevens from Inspirations issue #43 is a glorious peacock worked in silk and gold threads.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Bird of Paradise
 
Chatelaine
Chatelaine by Susan O’Connor from Inspirations issue #89 is an elegant collection of scissor sheath, needle book and pinwheel.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Chatelaine
 
This Week on Social
 
@oljawell #repost Embroidery as delicate as spring itself. Stitched by Tatyana Sticheva.
 
A striking piece by @taisiya_kovali
 
Quote
‘Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.’
~ Pablo Picasso ~
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
© 2021 Inspirations Studios

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