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ISSUE 297, AUGUST 27, 2021
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INSPIRATIONS. ALL Stitched Up!
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Hi There,
In a recent email update from Stitch who are one of Inspirations’ valued advertisers, the store’s owner Tessa, confessed that ‘Lockdown Lethargy’ had descended on some of her customers.

The Sydney lockdown had just been extended which would directly affect not only Stitch but also many of its local customers and Tessa declared, ‘We are tired and we are over it!’ She recognised that the initial motivation that saw many tidying their cupboards, starting new projects or completing old ones, walking, cooking and gardening was now harder come by.

Tessa reminded us that it’s important to soothe our souls through such challenging times and one of the remedies she suggested was taking the time to not only take a walk, but to appreciate what we’re walking past.

Instantly we recalled a TED Talk from Ingrid Fetell Lee entitled ‘Where Joy Hides and How to Find It’.

Although sometimes used interchangeably with happiness and positivity, joy is most aptly described as an intense momentary experience of positive emotion.
Whilst happiness is measured over time, joy is felt in the moment.
Ingrid unpacked the idea that there is a direct relationship between the physical world and joy and as such the world around us can become a powerful resource in creating healthier, happier lives.

Upon embarking on a quest to understand joy, Ingrid asked multitudes of people where joy comes from and compiled a list of things that are considered universally joyful. Think bubbles, cherry blossoms, fireworks, hot air balloons, ice cream cones with sprinkles, rainbows, swimming pools and tree houses.

From this list, Ingrid went on to define the common elements of the items listed - pattern, pops of bright colour, round things, symmetrical shapes, a sense of abundance and multiplicity, feelings of lightness and elevation were among the commonalities she noticed.

In the wake of her discovery, Ingrid observed something as she walked around – she began spotting little moments of joy everywhere she went! From a vintage yellow car through to a clever piece of street art, she was now noticing moments of joy that had previously been hidden in plain sight.

That got us wondering how often we walk right past moments of joy without ever noticing they’re there. And so, we’ve decided to take the lead of both Tessa and Ingrid as we take the time to appreciate what we’re walking past and become conscious of the small moments of joy that surround us.

Borrowing from the words of Ingrid, we can’t wait to see these small moments of joy add up to more than the sum of their parts over time.
 
Have Your Say
Some ‘I’s to dot and ‘T’s to Cross
While many of our readers write to us in response to a specific article, we also receive correspondence about a general topic, an idea that popped into their head, or simply because they wanted to chat. We love receiving all your emails and endeavour to share as much as we can with the wider community, so this week Have Your Say is a beautiful potpourri of various themes. We don’t like to leave anyone out so we’re making an effort to dot all of the ‘I’s and cross the ‘T’s!
Elizabeth Braun was inspired by several previous articles and letters and wrote on a couple of topics. Over the past months we’ve been talking about storage so, although Elizabeth doesn’t have a big craft room to herself, she does have some nifty storage solutions.
She’s got space for containers, including an oversized repurposed cosmetics organiser which, we have to say, is enviable!
Elizabeth also said she’s happy to admit that most of her orts get gathered up and put straight into the bin. She’s only got so much room to store things.
But it doesn’t mean she’s not thrifty. She made this cute card and box with ‘inchies’, which are tiny squares crafted either by hand or sewing machine. That looks like a perfect way to use up bits and pieces to us.
In All Stitched Up! issue #287 we shared Heather Grover’s clever technique for using up odds and ends that she calls ‘entrapment’. This is a way of making new fabric out of recycled materials. Julie wrote simply to say how much she loved this idea. We’re with you, Julie!

We’re always open to receiving handy tips and tricks on threading needles, and Cathy Lysnes pointed us to the website of Inspirations’ friend, Mary Corbet, who outlines the ‘Fold and Pinch’ method. If you’d like to learn about that method, you can read the full article HERE. Cathy then said that for smaller needles, she uses the Dritz Hummingbird needle threader that works like a charm. She says it is the best threader she has in her stash, and she’s tried many.
The term ‘Fika’ that we discussed in All Stitched Up! issue #290 is Swedish for taking a moment to slow down and appreciate the good things in life, which immediately resonated with Jennifer Davies. When Jennifer’s mother was in the advanced stages of dementia, Jennifer was looking for a project to immerse herself in to get her through the challenging season. She came across an article that talked about words in non-English languages that had meanings much larger than simply ‘happiness’. She decided to make a concertina book to express such words.
More than simply the making, Jennifer gained so much out of the research, designing and contemplation, all of which helped her through the difficult time.
Jennifer’s ‘Fika’ page shows a scene of a pine table, a plate with remaining crumbs and coffee rings on a whitework tablecloth.
The tablecloth had belonged to Jennifer’s grandmother, but it was too stained to use so found a new life in this beautiful project. Jennifer hopes her book can give other readers a real sense of the meaning of ‘Fika’ – a word we could really do with in the English language.

Doris Marie Gerard wanted to share with readers two Dutch Facebook groups that host crochet-alongs. They make traditional crochet sampler rolls in the group. Doris is a member of both groups and really enjoys all the projects, which are unlike anything she has come across before. Also, Doris has the added challenge of having to translate the Dutch language into English using Google Translate.
The patterns are free while the project is ongoing, then once they are completed by the group, you can still purchase the pattern for a very reasonable price. If you’re interested, the groups are called ‘De Haakrol’ and ‘Onze Haakrol’. If anyone gives them a try, we’d love to see pictures of your projects.

And with that, we think we may have caught up… well, for now anyway! We hope that you all enjoy reading the thoughts and advice from your fellow stitchers, it’s our privilege to be a conduit for the wealth of knowledge and experience out there. Please keep sending in your messages; we’ll share them as quickly as we can and, in the meantime, keep stitching, and keep that kettle boiling so it’s ready for our next conversation.
 
Needlework News
Tulip Awls
If you’ve ever seen a long, sharp, pointed tool in the embroidery kit of a friend and wondered what it could possibly be, let us reassure you that it is not a weapon! It is most likely an awl.
Fine Beading Awl – Pink
Awls are ideal if you are creating eyelets, or to make a neat hole in your fabric.
However, they also offer far more versatility than that.
For example, the fine point allows you to make a perfect knot that will sit snugly against a bead. They are also ideal tools for laying your thread flat or ensuring it doesn’t knot when you don’t want it too. Overall, an awl is an essential item.
Fine Beading Awl – Mint Green
We now have a range of fine awls in stock made by the master craftspeople at Tulip, including a beading awl in two different colours, mint green and pink, plus a medium size general purpose craft awl. Tulip awls come with a comfortable cushioned grip and a cover so that the sharp tip doesn’t put holes where you don’t want them - like your needlework bag for instance!
Craft Awl (Medium)
Complete your tool kit by purchasing your Tulip awl today... once you start using this clever tool, you won’t look back.
Clover Embroidery Threader
Are those needles still causing you frustration? Do you feel your stomach sink every time the thread pulls out of the eye and you know you have the thread the needle again?
If this is you, then it’s time to invest in a good needle threader, and the Clover Embroidery Threader is one of the best on the market.
The Clover Embroidery Threader has a comfortable grip that fits perfectly between thumb and forefinger, and rather than flimsy wire, it has a clever loop made of fine, flat metal that pulls the thread through without breaking. This is a threader built to last and an essential part of any stitching tool kit.
End the frustration now and order a few Clover Embroidery Threaders while we still have them, so that you always have one on hand. It will make a good stitching experience even better.
Inspirations Calendar | September Project
Just like the ebb and flow of the oceans tide, and the rising and setting of the sun, the seasons shift and change in an endless cycle. September is a month of great seasonal change. For parts of the world, the leaves are starting to turn, and the colder weather and shorter days are just over the horizon. For others, the morning bird song is that bit brighter, the days are a bit longer and warm weather is starting to seem like a real possibility.
Seasonal change often brings with it the movement of birds, making Little Bird by Chloe Redfern the perfect September project for the Inspirations Calendar. The simple surface embroidery design shows a gorgeous male fairy wren perched on a blossom-covered branch.
This little fellow is worked using a range of stitches to produce a glorious texture, yet still simple enough that it’s suitable for beginners.
Whether you’re anticipating warmer or cooler days, Little Bird from Inspirations issue #103 is sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Little Bird
 
 
PRINTED PATTERN
Little Bird
 
Stitching on Social | August
With so much needlework inspiration to be found online, especially with more people posting at present than ever before, it is easy to lose oneself scrolling through our phones or devices instead of actually stitching. For right now though, how about we focus on some fantastic textile artists we have curated for you, enjoy their work and then hopefully we’ll be all motivated to pick up our own projects afterwards…
@mztstudios: This clever artist, working under the name of Morva’s Studios, creates unique works of art using found materials, textiles and recycled or overlooked objects. It is worth looking through their entire collection.
@monicahenryart: Monica Henry is an artist based in Geelong, Australia. She makes crisp, clean and beautiful wool and textile designs.
@ktmongoven: Katie Mongoven is an artist based in Ohio, USA who creates eye catching mandalas and spirals all worked in embroidery floss. They really are exquisite pieces.
@eletra.in.stitches: Eletra Turnbull makes simple yet lovely embroidered hoop art that expresses her thoughts and feelings as well as capturing the natural world around her.
Don’t forget you can also enjoy our daily social media posts showcasing needlework designs, embroidery artists and other fabulous stitching centric musings. Follow us on Facebook and/or Instagram today.
This Now In…
From wares to kits and all kinds of tricks, if it has recently come back in stock, you’ll discover it below.
 
READY-TO-STITCH KIT
Revival – Crewel Panel | Back in Stock
 
 
Featured Project
Interlude by Di Kirchner
Every one of the talented designers who contribute to Inspirations are masters in their particular skill. Some designers are known for a specific technique, whereas others display a versatility that is nothing less than enviable. It is this versatility and skill that characterises Di Kirchner, a truly talented artist who has been with Inspirations from close to the beginning.
There are so many beautiful techniques to try, but for most of us the idea of mastering them all seems remote.
Yet this is precisely what Di has done. Di first made an impression with her gorgeous smocking designs that appeared in the early days of Australian Smocking & Embroidery magazine.
These were soon accompanied in Inspirations magazine by several must-make baby outfits and accessories, featuring surface embroidery, shadow-work and ribbon work. But then, her glorious crewel designs appeared, and these have since been followed with Hardanger and counted embroidery.
We often ask ourselves if there is anything that this lovely lady can’t do when it comes to needlework design? It seems that she not only perfects the technique but has an uncanny eye for creativity and design as well.
Interlude from Inspirations magazine issue #111 is a perfect example. Following on from some of her incredibly popular crewel designs, this unique cushion offers something different and pushes the boundaries even further.
Although Interlude is undoubtedly situated in the Jacobean tradition, with the bright pomegranate forming the focal point, Di has included a range of other fruits and berries that make Interlude decidedly modern.
The brilliant colours and perfect balance achieved by the inclusion of strawberries, grapes and plump acorns are set off perfectly by the lush foliage and crisp flowers nestled between the leaves and twigs.
The cushion is completed with a striking navy blue ruffle that serves to turn this project from a piece of furniture dressing to a work of art.
Di loves to challenge the embroiderer by using a range of different stitches in her pieces. Interlude will help you to practise raised stem stitch, trellis, woven wheels and long and short stitch. But none of the stitches are impossible and the combination of them provides a delightful mix of open space and dense colour along with a delicious, tactile finish.
Woven Wheel Stitch
If you’ve ever wished that you could try a whole range of embroidery techniques, but were too afraid that you might not succeed, Di Kirchner is a fantastic source of inspiration.

Di has the years of practise and the confidence to work on something new whenever she sees something she loves. And there is no doubt that we are all the beneficiaries of this talent, as it means that we are regularly spoilt by fabulous new and different designs.
Best of all, we never quite know what will come next. We’re all eagerly waiting, and in the meantime, there is the guaranteed pleasure that will come from working Interlude and admiring Di’s unending design talent.
Make Your Own Interlude
Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Interlude by Di Kirchner is a stunning crewel cushion featuring vibrant fruits and acorns.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Interlude
 
Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Interlude includes everything* you need to re-create this wonderful cushion: Fabrics (unprinted), piping cord, zip, cotton tape, sewing thread, embroidery threads and needles.
 
READY-TO-STITCH KIT
Interlude
 
*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. Kit does not include cushion insert.
Looking for More Di Kirchner?
Perfect Palette
Perfect Palette by Di Kirchner from Inspirations issue #82 is an elegant crewelwork cushion with a choice of coloured or monochrome designs.
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 82
 
Delicate Stitches
Delicate Stitches by Di Kirchner from Inspirations issue #106 is a stunning Hardanger mat worked on fine linen.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Delicate Stitches
 
Flora
Flora by Di Kirchner from Australian Smocking & Embroidery issue #61 is a print dress with sashes and contrast smocked panel, neck and sleeve binding and delicate embroidery for sizes 2, 3 and 4 years.
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
AS&E Issue 61
 
Vanity Fair
Vanity Fair by Di Kirchner from Inspirations issue #33 is two irresistible little ribbon embroidery boxes.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Vanity Fair
 
What Are You Stitching?
Not every needlework piece requires traditional embroidery materials. The truth is, there really is no limit to the kinds of materials you can use to create textile art and pieces that are created from a range of items are often called ‘mixed media’ pieces. This week we bring you inspiration from some amazing projects we have received, along with some wonderful stories that accompany them.
Lynette Maton
‘I thought I'd share with you a piece I recently finished that I call ‘Memories from Childhood’. I have no photograph to help me recall this memory but was fortunate enough to find a photo online of a park in New York that my grandfather used to take me to where we'd feed the ducks and swans on the pond.’
‘I remember him always wearing a fedora and a grey sweater, slacks and leather dress shoes. I wore a green wool coat, bobby socks and saddle shoes, which were in vogue at the time.’
‘The challenge for me was to incorporate the memory in my head with the photograph of the park. I completed this piece at the beginning of 2021 and when my father fell ill and was in a hospice I brought it with me to his bedside to share with him.
I hadn't told him about it in advance, but when he saw it, he started nodding in instant recognition and reached out to touch the figures.
I was so fortunate to have been able to share this memory with him before he passed. As I feel strongly that embroidery and art in general is meant to be shared, this piece will be on display in Chicago for the EGA National Seminar in September.’
What a beautiful heart-warming story Lynette. We’re so pleased you were able to re-create your delightful childhood memory and then share it with your father in his final days. Such a compelling testimony to the power of needlework to bring memories and emotions to life in a vivid way. Your project is both a beautiful piece of art and a precious moment captured in time. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
Maria Hofstetter
‘Before COVID-19 we travelled on the Rhine, Germany and we passed the rock of Lorelei. During the lockdown I would just sit in my cosy little room and stitch. And I thought of Lorelei.’
‘As I stitched, I sang the song of Lorelei:
I don’t know what it can mean that I am so sad
A fairy tale from ancient times which I can’t get out of my head
The air is cool and it’s getting dark and the Rhine is flowing peacefully
the mountain’s peak is glittering in evening sunshine.

The most beautiful maiden is sitting up there wonderfully
her golden jewellery is sparkling
she combs her golden hair
she combs it with golden comb and sings a song
which has wondrous tremendous melody.

The sailor in his little ship is seized by a wild woe
he doesn’t see the rocky reefs
he is only looking up into the heights.

I believe the waves will engulf the sailor and the boat in the end.
And that with her singing the Lorelei has done.’
What a fabulous accompaniment to a unique and lovely project, Maria. We hope both the stitching and the singing brought you solace as you remembered fondly your recent trip down the Rhine.
Nina Burnsides
‘I have been using my knowledge of painting to try and achieve depth in my embroidery projects. This is my latest mixed media piece I call the Lady of Spring.’
‘The figure is stumpwork. I used Barbie doll arms again and I made the hair using synthetic doll hair. There is a stumpwork bunny hiding in the grass. Bird and butterfly buttons are added to finish the whole scene.’
Your pieces are becoming more and more creative every time, Nina. You have created a truly mesmerising scene here, drawing us in as we long to go on the enchanting adventure that awaits. Brilliant work, we can’t wait to see what you design next.

Do you love to add all kinds of materials to your projects? Do you see a button or a thread, a feather or a piece of fabric and immediately start dreaming about how you can incorporate it into your work? Or do you prefer to stick with floss, wool or thread?
Whatever it is you like to stitch with, we’d like to see it. Send us photographs of your work with a bit of information about your inspiration and stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com
 
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Angel’s Breath
Angel’s Breath by Taetia McEwen is a pretty lampshade and wreath decorated with a combination of ribbon and velvet flowers.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Angel’s Breath
 
 
READY-TO-STITCH KIT
Angel's Breath
 
Hidden Secrets
Hidden Secrets by Angélique Benseghir-Vergnault from Inspirations issue #61 is a stylish etui that allows you to treat your precious needlework tools with loving care and store them safely.
 
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English Rose
English Rose by Carolyn Pearce from Inspirations issue #73 is a pincushion and tape measure cover lavishly embroidered with a profusion of flowers.
 
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Autumn Harvest
Autumn Harvest by Helen Eriksson from Inspirations issue #71 is a graceful spray of flowers and berries in subtle shades of gold, olive green, brick, terracotta and cream.
 
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Perfect Petals
Perfect Petals by Helen Eriksson from Inspirations issue #94 is a luscious swag of superb silk ribbon roses on a velvet ground.
 
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This Week on Social
 
From the archives ~ 'Dear Heart' by the talented Beth Allen from Inspirations issue #57. ⁠
 
Sweet magpie jewel brooch by Valeria Mayer.⁠
 
Quote
‘The secret to life is finding joy in ordinary things.’
~ Ruth Reichl ~
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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