Author of the book ‘Joyful | The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness’, Ingrid Fetell Lee has become somewhat of an authority on the topic of joy, how we experience it and what we can do to incorporate it into our everyday.

After writing about how busy had snuck back up on us in All Stitched Up! issue #290, a recent essay Ingrid wrote entitled ‘The Secret to Finding More Joy in Less Time’ piqued our interest.

Ingrid unpacked the joy she was experiencing on a twice-weekly basis as she, her husband and young son spend an hour harvesting produce that is part of their subscription to a local Community Supported Agriculture. After paying a subscription for the growing season, they get a box containing a sample of fresh produce, which in their case, they get to harvest themselves.

It is but two hours out of their week, yet the abundance of joy that’s arisen from their subscription far outweighs the time invested. After considering the affect it’s had, Ingrid realised a fundamental truth about joy; ‘not all moments are created equal (and whilst) time clicks away in steady increments of seconds, minutes and hours, the way we remember it is much more variable.’

As our brains don’t just count the moments we experience, but rather try to make sense of them, some are assigned a greater importance, and therefore a greater share of our memory. That is why when we look back, we tend to view significant moments in what could be described as a highlights reel.

As a result, Ingrid challenges the idea that in order to experience more joy we need to be mindful and present in every moment because as she so aptly questioned, ‘Is it really possible to be mindful of every minute?’. But rather, we should accept that some moments matter more than others and to those we ensure mindful and present are how we approach them.

Much of our joy comes from our time with needle and thread and although there will be weeks when we will devote but a few of the 168 hours available to this pursuit, we were encouraged by Ingrid’s musings as we realised that if we ensure we’re mindful of each push and pull of needle and thread through fabric, our highlights reel will always be filled with the joy of needlework.

The ideas we received from everyone regarding orts and stories about what our readers do with them have been amazing. Is there no end to the creativity of our community?

She wraps them around her first three fingers to create a donut shape. She then couches it down on to Christmas fabric using red or green thread, adds beads, sequins and lots of other sparkly bits, and hey presto! she’s made a unique little wreath ready for the front of a Christmas card. As Beth admits, it might not be sleek but it is super cute and all the little thready bits that stick out add to that gorgeous homemade charm.

Ann Baseden always loved being involved with her Guild’s fundraising venture. The Dorset Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers would put together bags, each containing a piece of fabric and then a whole mix of leftover yarns, fibres, beads, buttons, ribbons or anything else which fitted with the bag’s colour scheme.

They’d sell these ‘bags of inspiration’ for around £4 each and have made over £2,500 for the Guild over the years.

It is incredible how seeing a collection of things can spark the imagination and bring forth some wonderfully creative ideas, as you can see below where Ann has shared some photos of projects she has made using the contents of her ‘bags of inspiration’. And best of all, nothing ever had to go to waste.

This gorgeous pincushion was made by Adèle Davis who used orts for the French knots. Although they were fiddly, she was pleased to see the ort jar starting to empty out – so much so, she’s actually made this pincushion three times now!

Finally, regular contributor to All Stitched Up! Peggy Kimble (who is 98 years young!) makes Temari from waste fabric cut into strips. She finds the fabric balls a lot easier to work with as the interiors don’t crush like the styrofoam ones. Although they are a bit heavier, they are sturdier and Peggy gets to make good use of scrap fabric.

Keep the ideas for using up orts and scraps coming! We love to get inspiration from all of the clever, thrifty stitchers out there who can’t bear to see lovely leftovers going to waste.

Further to recent conversations about the Bayeux Tapestry, Anne Bollen wrote in with her experience. Anne’s husband had traced his ancestry back to Count Eustace de Boulogne who was one of the few people actually named on the Tapestry. Count Eustace had accompanied William when the latter invaded England. When Anne and her husband visited the Tapestry for the second time, they asked Chantal James whether she could prepare an embroidery kit of the particular section of Tapestry where Count Eustace was named.

Anne has so far done the outline stitching on the kit and hopes to get it completed one day to hang on the wall of her husband’s study.

Dawn Beck wanted to bring another tapestry to our attention which, in her view, is as important as the Bayeux Tapestry if not as well known. It is the Quaker Tapestry that lives in Kendal in the UK.

The designers even created a Quaker stitch especially for the project, which was completed by many Quaker volunteers from all over the world. You can learn more about this wonderful piece at the official website HERE.

Finally, several readers wrote to us about boxes, in particular the four-legged table shadow boxes that were mentioned in All Stitched Up! issue #287. Stephanie Murphy kindly shared with us that they are very easy to make yourself. In most hardware stores you can purchase little wooden pegs, beads or squares that you can glue to a frame to make ‘feet’. By adding a bit of cork or felt to the bottom of the feet, you can ensure that they don’t scratch, and you’ve got a perfect shadow box.

Patty Quinowski also suggested looking for small end tables that are usually about 12-16 inches (30-40cms) square. A frame can then be glued to the tabletop to create an easy homemade box table. Or if you are lucky enough to be like Lynda, you can ask your handy woodworking husband to create a box for an embroidery to go into, just like the one below!

Thank you again for the fantastic emails this week. We could almost fill an entire newsletter with all the great feedback, stories and suggestions we receive from you. It makes us feel very loved.

If you’re looking for a new technique to try, then Yvette Stanton’s latest book is just what you need. Yvette, who is a whitework specialist, has produced a book introducing everyone to the fine art of Frisian whitework. This is a counted technique deriving from Friesland in the Netherlands that has echoes of Hardanger to it, but arguably offers more variety in terms of stitches and patterns.

Frisian Whitework is usually worked in white thread on white linen, however the technique often uses hints of colour for highlight with some projects worked entirely in bold coloured thread. Unlike Hardanger, this technique is worked over multiples of three rather than four threads, and it also includes a much wider variety of stitches.

There are clear step by step instructions so you can master all of the stitches required, and ten gorgeous projects ranging from the very small, just perfect to start out, through to large projects that you can really get your teeth into. The book also has three pattern sheets and a detailed index.

It’s time to take your counted embroidery to new heights with Frisian whitework. Complete your collection of Yvette’s gorgeous and detailed books and purchase your copy today.

When we announced the arrival of a fabulous range of mini felt kits by Corinne Lapierre, we were thrilled to see how popular they were – no doubt thanks to their cuteness factor and how easy they are to complete.

One question we did get asked is whether they were suitable for children to do. The answer is a definite yes! These are perfect kits for busy little hands, as they only require simple stitches and the instructions are clear and easy to follow. Children will love the little gingerbread man, the cute robin redbreast or the adorable penguin and will enjoy constructing these projects from the high-quality wool felt and other materials that are all included.

So whether you are looking for a way to keep the children occupied, or something for yourself to make as a gift, these kits are just the thing.

This week is the official launch of the next fantastic issue of Inspirations magazine, issue #111, which is filled with must-do projects from some of your favourite designers. You’ll be charmed and delighted when you see what is in this magazine, but if you’re anything like us, you simply won’t know which project to start with.

Brenda Sortwell has produced a glorious crewel ensemble in rich autumnal colours called Revival, a keepsake box with a matching needle box and scissor holder.

The Hedgerow is a truly breathtaking stumpwork picture by Kay Dennis that bursts from the fabric in an amazing way. And Natural Wonder is a simple, yet stunning cushion by Maria Rita Faleri worked in Catherine de’ Medici Embroidery on a coarse linen with fabulous handmade corner tassels.

On the cover of Inspirations issue #111 you’ll find the cutest little zippered purses looking for all the world like delicious macarons and worked in fabulous beadwork by Merrilyn Whittle.

Needlework artist Di Kirchner returns with her brilliant crewel cushion entitled Interlude, which bursts with colour and texture. And Taetia McEwen is also back with Angel’s Breath, a matching lampshade and picture worked in subtle shades of peach and gold and showcasing a range of techniques including ribbon embroidery and beads.

For something a little different, Pat Olski has designed a couple of clever stitching accessories using Dorset buttons and cross stitch.

And finally in celebration of the release of Betsy Morgan’s new book Willing Hands 2, we’re thrilled to bring you one of her very last projects, the Shaker Spool Box, which includes Betsy’s clever and characteristic construction techniques coupled with a brightly coloured cross stitch design and several tiny surprises.

Plus Inspirations issue #111 also features a host of fabulous articles such us an interview with textile and needlework artist Carol-Lyn Jackson from fadedlaundry.com and a look at the stunning work of Russian embroidery artist Marina Knyazeva. Learn all about the Alanakar Project, a spectacular multicultural needlework and textile exhibition, enjoy our in-depth book reviews and Ansie van der Walt brings a thought-provoking piece on the power of imperfection in Loose Threads.

With a little something for everyone, this issue is guaranteed to keep you happily stitching for weeks to come.

We know it can be difficult to source materials for all the fantastic projects we publish, which is why we do all of the running around for you and produce Ready-to-Stitch kits with all of the materials you need.

With the release of issue #111, we now have kits sitting on our shelves waiting to be opened and stitched.

Take the stress of kitting up off your To-Do List and order your kit today… perhaps the hardest decision is choosing which of the eight fabulous projects in the magazine you could possibly leave off your order?!

With postal service and shipping delays aplenty throughout the world right now, for those of us who prefer to skip all that and use a digital pattern, the projects featured in Inspirations issue #111 are now available digitally.

Having whetted your appetite by showcasing the projects from issue #111 above, indulge your instant gratification desires and purchase your digital patterns today.

What a difference a year makes! For many people, the last 12 months have been long and tumultuous, which is why it seems all the more important for everyone to get out their needle and thread on 30th July and celebrate World Embroidery Day.

World Embroidery Day has been recognised for 10 years now, inaugurated in 2011 in Sweden. Since then, the day has been marked all over the world by stitchers in different countries finding new and innovative ways to honour their favourite craft.

For the past few years, Kelly Fletcher has released a free embroidery pattern especially for World Embroidery Day so that everyone has a project to try whether they are a beginner or seasoned stitcher. This year is no different. Kelly has produced a bright, cheery pomegranate motif, surrounded by leaves, which can be worked in whatever colours or stitches you’d like and you can download it HERE for free.

We had hoped that everyone would be able to get together with friends to celebrate the day this year, but we realise that there are still places in the world where it isn’t possible to gather together in groups. So, whether you can stitch with friends face-to-face, online, or whether you must simply commune alone with your needle and thread, 30th July is the day for acknowledging how much we love our craft.

How are you celebrating World Embroidery Day this year? Have you got anything special planned? Are you starting a special project or picking up a forgotten UFO? Have you designed a special project? Or are you simply using the day to remind yourself how much you love to embroider? We’d love to hear about your plans at news@inspirationsstudios.com

In previous generations, mending clothes was an essential thing to do, as at times it simply wasn’t possible to buy new clothes when the old ones wore out. However, the emphasis seemed to be on making the repairs invisible, so no-one would know that a hole had been repaired or a patch had been added.

As people are becoming more conscious of their purchases and environmental footprint, mending is coming back into vogue. However, it is going one step further and is now becoming something to show off or be proud of. Visible mending is the order of the day.

Using the traditional Japanese technique of Boro, anything can be repaired from shirts to jeans, with the patches becoming a feature rather than something to hide. This technique is so easy, anyone can master it, saving all sorts of garments from landfill.

If you’d like to read about the technique and learn a few basics, check out the full article HERE.

From wares to kits and all kinds of tricks, if it has recently come back in stock, you’ll discover it below.

Most stitchers will be familiar with the technique of blackwork. Blackwork was purportedly brought to England from Spain during Tudor times, however, there is evidence of it being practiced even before then. What is known is that the rich patterns worked predominantly in black thread on a white or natural background, became a popular form of decoration for clothing and textiles.

But what about redwork? Logic tells us that redwork would be needlework done in red thread – and logic would be correct. But from where does it originate? All of the histories tell us that redwork is a relatively recent invention, first emerging at the end of the 19th Century and the early part of the 20th Century in America.

It apparently derived its name from Turkey Red cotton embroidery thread that was both inexpensive and colourfast and so became a popular thread to use on white fabric.

In her newly released book, A Fine Tradition, Margaret Light has created several projects that bring together the simple beauty of redwork with the intricate patterns of 16th and 17th Century crewel and blackwork designs.

The first of these projects is the Redwork Pincushion & Chatelaine. Using a range of silks and wools in deep red and combining them with natural linen and a matching wool felt, this collection of stitching accessories is both practical and striking.

Margaret has chosen a selection of motifs borrowed from a range of early German, English and Italian pattern books. You’ll recognise the Tudor rose, the pomegranate and a range of trellis patterns, all highlighted with beads and paillettes.

Included in the collection is a sturdy pincushion, and a chatelaine with scissor keep and holder, as well as a thimble pod and strawberry emery. The collection utilises a range of surface stitches to both delight and challenge even the most accomplished of stitchers, keeping everyone satisfied.

The second project, entitled Redwork Sachet is a stunning mini-cushion that is perfect as a page weight or pincushion.

The pattern on this project is gorgeous, with curling tendrils and flowers emerging from each corner of the sachet and worked in fine broder spécial no. 16 in a rich burgundy red.

Monochromatic embroidery is a pleasure to work as there aren’t endless colour changes to think about.

The final results are also stunning to look at as the patterns and designs can be truly appreciated to the full, unencumbered by lots of colours and shading.

Margaret’s skilful bringing together of the historical patterns and more modern style work perfectly in these two projects, both of which complement each other in an ideal way.

Once you’ve completed one, you’re sure to get hooked and want to re-create the other to complete this stunning collection.

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Redwork Pincushion & Chatelaine by Margaret Light from the book A Fine Tradition is a barrel pincushion and chatelaine comprising scissor sheath and fob, thimble pod and strawberry emery.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Redwork Pincushion & Chatelaine includes everything* you need to re-create these delightful accessories: Fabrics (unprinted), wool felt, interfacing, batting, wadding, linen tape, button, sewing threads, template plastic, thin card, metal washer, emery powder, embroidery threads and needles.

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Redwork Sachet by Margaret Light from the book A Fine Tradition is a stylish sachet with symmetrical design showcasing an elegant use of simple stitches influenced by early blackwork.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Redwork Sachet includes everything* you need to re-create this elegant sachet: Fabrics (unprinted), pompom edging, sewing thread, embroidery threads and needles.

*Please Note: To cater for flexibility of purchase, instructions are not included with our kits. For step-by-step directions on how to create these projects, please refer to the book.

The Early Bird by Jenny McWhinney from Inspirations issue #75 is a practical peg bag, adorned with friendly redwork birds.

Garnet by Anna Scott from Inspirations issue #71 is an elegant bag adorned with striking dark red flowers and leaves.

Waratah by Jennifer Kennedy from Inspirations issue #80 is a charming redwork pinwheel or ornament worked in easy stitches.

Rouge Bouquet by Margaret Light from Inspirations issue #66 is a striking redwork pillow.

Can you believe it? The one technique we haven’t talked about for a while is surface embroidery! Surface embroidery is our bread and butter and something which almost all of us enjoy doing. It is so versatile, but one of the things that lends itself perfectly to the surface technique is writing. Whether you want to embroider a poem, a saying or something sentimental, surface stitches are the way to do it. Check out these examples from our readers:

‘This piece has been stitched with silk thread on linen. I stitched it because shamefully, I couldn’t remember all the words of this classic Australian song. Now I won’t forget!’

Don’t worry Lois, no doubt there are plenty of Australian’s who don’t remember all the lyrics to Waltzing Matilda, especially not every verse! What a beautiful way to ensure you don’t forget them again though, this piece is both a splendid work of art as well as a sensational memory prompter. Reading it makes us want to burst into chorus!

PS – for anyone not familiar with this famous Australian folk song, you can enjoy a version of it by Slim Dusty HERE.

‘A few years back we had an exhibition at our local RSL for Remembrance Day. Our challenge was to create something in A4 size representing our view of the day. I used Jo Butcher’s Poppies and the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’.’

It’s a lovely and poignant piece, Roslyn. You’ve fulfilled the requirements of the challenge perfectly and created a piece to be admired. Well done.

‘I just finished what I call my grief recovery piece. My dad passed away in December 2018 and I stitched this verse and the left-hand bird while sitting with my Mom. They enjoyed 72 years of marriage and while she remembered very little, she did remember every detail of their 72nd anniversary celebration that they had just 7 weeks before Daddy died.’

‘We always loved watching the chickadees out of her side window when we visited so I thought it was a fitting pattern. She passed away in October 2020 after a long battle with dementia and I finished off her side of the sampler recently. The pattern is from Spring Wreath by Jessica Long Embroidery.’

We’re so sorry for your loss, Sandie. What a wonderful way to remember your Dad and honour both of your parents and their long life together. It’s a beautiful piece, thank you for sharing both your story and your needlework.

Have you ever stitched a poem? Perhaps you’ve stitched a verse or a saying or sentiment? Or maybe you’ve never thought of stitching words before? Whatever it is you like to stitch, we’d like to see it. Send a picture of your work and some information about the project and your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com

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Good for the Goose by Betsy Morgan from the book Willing Hands 2 is a sturdy, three-sided box inspired by migrating Canada geese.

Can't See the Forest by Betsy Morgan from Inspirations issue #96 is a superb sewing box with matching scissor fob.

Gilly Flower by Betsy Morgan from Inspirations issue #79 is a delightful hexagonal trinket box.

The Tooth Fairy by Betsy Morgan from Inspirations issue #99 is two adorable, counted work boxes for special tooth fairy deliveries.

~ Ingrid Fetell Lee ~

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.