In All Stitched Up! issue #303, Clare pointed us in the direction of an article written by David Robson entitled ‘How to Escape the Productivity Trap’.

The article pointed out the often-forgotten fact that ‘we have a finite amount of time, yet we still strive to accomplish infinite goals’. David’s commentary then sought to answer the question, ‘why do we put this pressure on ourselves, and how can we stop?’

If you’re yet to read it, it’s a fascinating commentary that walks us through the idea that the average life span has but 4,000 weeks and whilst we seek to make the most of each of these weeks with the very best of intentions, this yearning often leads to feelings of anxiousness and stress. Usually moving us further away from the happiness and fulfillment we originally set out to find.

David quotes psychology writer Oliver Burkeman, author of ‘Four Thousand Weeks’ throughout the article who recognises that we innately miss the natural rhythms that were once used to govern our time and activities. Whilst he recognises that these are now much harder to enlist as we find ourselves governed by the clock, we can make small changes that will lead us in the right direction.

Oliver believes we’d do far better if we accepted ‘our limited capacity to achieve all that we would like in life’. He suggests the remedy for escaping the productivity trap many of us find ourselves caught in can be as simple as slowing down, limiting the number of goals we pursue at any one time and/or creating a ‘have done list’ that helps to reframe our thinking to what we’ve achieved from the ‘all we’re yet to get done’ we often focus on.

Whilst we must admit that slowing down and focusing on a limited number of goals feels difficult to implement immediately, a ‘have done list’ is absolutely something we can do.

We think it might just be worth the effort as we seek to move from the often stressful trap of productivity to a more blissful sense of achievement and fulfillment.

In many cases, if you find someone who loves stitching, you’ll also discover that they love reading as well. Perhaps it is the fact that both needlework and books bring a sense of peace, both require focus and concentration and both spark imagination, creativity and joy. And in the same way we love receiving recommendations for new needlework designers or new projects, getting book recommendations is equally as good.

A couple of readers have already recommended The Coat Route by Meg Lukens Noonan and it has now been endorsed by two further readers. Jenny Capper read it a few years ago and highly recommends it. She said it has so much information about the history of the garment industry, it should be a must-read for anyone interested in textiles. Margaret Mathers also sang its praises. She found the story enthralling and was fascinated by the descriptions of how the fine wool was gathered, how the coat itself was made, even how the buttons were produced.

It sounds like this is a book we should all read!

Jillian Farrer mentioned another book which she was reminded of when reading our article about Dorset Buttons in All Stitched Up! issue #299. In ‘Burning Bright’ by Tracey Chevalier, the main characters are a family who move from Dorset to London in the 1790s. Both the mother and the daughter make money by making buttons! Apparently, Tracey Chevalier has done a lot of research and has included descriptions of all of the different styles of buttons, so this sounds like it might be an excellent read as well.

Recently we asked for favourite designers you love to stitch, and a couple of readers wrote in enthusiastically to share. We love hearing about your favourites as we too derive such joy whenever our designers send in their new projects for upcoming publications. We do sometimes wonder how we were lucky enough to get the best job in the world…

Mendie Cannon simply loves Hazel Blomkamp’s work, both the Jacobean designs and Hazel’s animals. Mendie stitched Maureen the Owl from Hazel’s book Crewel Creatures, although she included her own touch by adding some Brazilian embroidery to it. Her completed Maureen won a blue ribbon at her local state fair as well! She’s now working on Roger the Rhinoceros and can’t wait until the next Hazel Blomkamp book comes out.

Margaret Jessel’s favourite designer is Jenny McWhinney. She loves Jenny’s adorable, precise and humorous drawings and has thoroughly enjoyed stitching the characters over the years. Her absolute favourite is Monet the Mouse, although she loves Jenny’s clowns too.

There were a few reminders about how many men are involved in the world of stitching as well this week. Geraldine Melrose wrote to us from Zimbabwe where she had been watching the TV series The Great British Sewing Bee. She was surprised and pleased to see that some of the competitors were men who stitched as a hobby. It’s great that not only do they do it for fun, but they’re willing to get out there on TV to do it too!

The combination of men and sewing was something Lena Napier was thinking about as well. She was inspired to write in after reading that many sewing machines were sold by men (usually to women!). Lena’s Uncle Ken used to work for Singer Sewing machines and he even spent time living in Singapore while he worked for the company. Although Lena never really took to sewing when she was at school, some 50 years later she bought a very old Singer machine that brings back memories of her Uncle Ken.

We close Have Your Say this week with a couple of your thoughts. Whilst hunting around for ideas for her next project, Elsa Gresham came across this little joke:

And Sheila Southwell shared that each night before she goes to sleep, she tries to think of something that has given her pleasure during the day. More often than not, it is something connected to embroidery.

What a wonderful way to fall asleep.

Many of us know Elisabetta Sforza for her exquisite range of embroidered monograms that have appeared in several books. She has an eye for colour and an ability to draw together a variety of surface stitches to produce delicate and intricate designs like no other.

We thought this project was so special, we had to publish it as one of our select, Handpicked series.

Elisabetta’s most recent book ‘A Sea to Stitch’ introduced a full set of nautical themed monogrammed letters featuring shells, starfish and ocean motifs in a rich array of colours. Each monogram brought with it the scent of the sea.

Our new Handpicked project ‘Gifts from the Sea’ follows this tradition, employing a similar colour scheme and capturing the same atmosphere, but focusing solely on a dreamy ocean scene.

The vivid blues of the water are perfectly framed by curling trees and a golden beach littered with shells and starfish. Each element is worked in a different stitch, beautifully emulating the varying textures that you would find in real life.

Gifts from the Sea is then constructed as a handy drawstring bag – just perfect for taking your latest project with you on a summer holiday or weekend beach getaway.

The bright colours on the crisp linen background make this a striking project, and the delightful range of stitches ensures that you’ll enjoy every step in the process of this elegant design.

And even if you’re headed into winter and the thought of a beach holiday seems like a distant memory, one look at Gifts from the Sea will transport you right back to the sound of lapping waves and crying gulls, and the warm sun on your sandy skin.

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Gifts from the Sea by Elisabetta Sforza from our Handpicked Range is a delightful drawstring sachet with pretty seaside scene.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Gifts From the Sea includes everything* you need to re-create this pretty bag: Fabric (unprinted), embroidery threads, sewing thread, seashells 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 this project, please refer to the digital/printed pattern.

Sea View by Jo Butcher from Inspirations issue #107 is a peaceful meadow scene of grasses and flowers overlooking the ocean.

On the Beach by Judy Wilford from the book A Passion for Needlework is a stunning beach scene fashioned from layers of coloured fabric and embellished with dainty stitches, gold beads and tiny, perfect seashells.

Sometimes we discover accessories which are good enough to eat, or at least they look that way. But we wouldn’t suggest taking a bite out of these little cuties, despite the fact that they look exactly like tasty macarons!

This must-have stitching accessory from Clover, shaped like a tiny French delicacy, is in fact a needle holder containing a strong magnet so your needles and pins will cling to it like glue.

No more putting down that needle and forgetting where it is, and even better, the cream filling is actually a sharpening cushion. All you have to do is insert the needle carefully into the cushion and it will sharpen and clean the needle for smooth, perfect stitching.

The Clover Needle Holder and Sharpener is available in two colours – pistachio and raspberry. Clover have done it again, releasing the perfect tool to make your stitching life even easier.

While it’s true that you can find fabric to stitch on pretty much anywhere, even from your husband’s wardrobe, top quality linen is something that you just can’t beat.

It is a joy to stitch on and gives your projects a professional feel like few other fabrics can. Especially when it comes to counted needlework. For the amount of time you’re going to give to your project, you want to use the best fabric available.

Here at Inspirations Studios we are now stocking high quality Graziano linen available in 38ct to 45ct – perfect for surface embroidery. We also have Permin linen in 32ct for the counted thread lovers out there, and our all-purpose cotton/linen blend in Sand.

Our fabric collection now also includes Libeco Linen in Winter White. This 30ct linen is ideal for any kind of counted stitching and would work perfectly with Christine P. Bishop’s fantastic Colours of Christmas project that you’ll discover in our latest issue of Inspirations #112.

With most of our linens available in lengths of 50cm multiples (approx. 20”), just let us know on the website how many lengths you need, and we’ll send them to you in a single piece for you to cut at home.

With Christmas just around the corner, many of us are starting to think about festive projects and projects to stitch during the festive season.

So, what better time to release our new issue of Inspirations magazine, #112, which is now making its way to subscribers’ mailboxes, and to stores soon thereafter.

Margaret Light has spoiled us with a beautiful table runner called The Holly and the Ivy featuring glittering gold thread.

Di Kirchner’s Christmas ornament, Buon Natale, is a perfect example of fine Reticella, set off with silver and pearls. And Christine P. Bishop’s Colours of Christmas is a crisp biscornu and pincushion finished in brilliant reds and greens that elegantly whisper ‘Christmas’.

Taetia McEwen’s Spring Song is a glorious, threadpainted picture of a little bird, surrounded by flowers, watching over its delicate nest. For lovers of stumpwork, Alison Cole has designed Invermay Wildflowers featuring flora from Australia.

Merrilyn Whittle has contributed Rose and Honeybee, a sparkling beaded needlebook and scissor fob adorned with bees and flowers. And Natalie Dupuis of Canada has created Bright Butterfly, a subtle and beautiful bag combining Japanese kogin embroidery with goldwork.

We know that you can never get enough of Di Kirchner, so this issue features a second of her fabulous projects – an Elizabethan Sweet Bag called Seeing Red stitched in redwork. There is also a feature about Di so you can read about her incredible journey and how she got to where she is today with her magnificent embroidery.

If all that isn’t enough, Inspirations magazine isn’t just about projects. The feature articles in issue #112 include one about Pierre Fouche who is an incredible artist and lacemaker, another about the exquisite world of Moroccan knotted buttons; and a third about a breathtaking bedspread that has taken its owner on a journey around the world.

And of course, you won’t want to miss Ansie van der Walt’s closing words in Loose Threads this time titled ‘Breathe in – Stitch out’.

‘Buon Natale’ is Italian for Good Christmas and we hope that’s exactly what’s in store for you as you enjoy 8 stunning new projects and our feature articles in Inspirations issue #112.

‘Keep Calm and Carry On Stitching’ is a popular needlework mantra derived from the 1939 World War II British motivational campaign.

In 2021 that same mantra is as relevant today as always, yet getting the supplies we need to Carry On Stitching is becoming increasingly difficult.

Thankfully, the tenacious Inspirations Kit Department continues to fight the good fight of sourcing materials from the world over, to keep supply of our Ready-to-Stitch kits as plentiful as possible. This includes all the projects from issue #112.

If you are interested in stitching any of the amazing designs from Inspirations #112, click the link below to see the availability of each kit.

Don’t forget to order early to avoid disappointment and to give yourself the time you need for your Christmas stitching.

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 #112 are now available digitally.

During the Tokyo Olympics, you may have seen coverage of British diver Tom Daley, sitting by the side of the pool with his yarn and needles.

Tom has since become a darling of the crafting community for his knitting skills, almost as much as he became a household name for his gold medal winning diving performance.

Tom took up knitting as a way to help him through the uncertainty over the past year in his journey to the delayed Tokyo Olympics. Gaining skills through YouTube videos and plenty of practise, he is proud of his achievements both with his sport and with his craft.

If you haven’t seen Tom either hard at work with his knitting needles or doing breathtaking acrobatics in the pool, you can read more about him HERE and follow him on Instagram.

‘The most important aspect of a good pincushion is the stuffing…’ This is the advice of designer, Victoria Laine, when asked about her lovely contribution to our brand-new book The Design Collective | Pincushions.

Sweet Strawberry is a beautiful pincushion worked in needlepoint and employing a stunning colour palette ranging from subtle pink through to deep burgundy.

It features a central strawberry motif with two little flowers sporting golden centres. The background is a wonderful chequerboard pattern in pink and yellow and the whole design is surrounded by a fabulous border that cleverly throws the light in different directions creating a fantastic, variegated effect.

As a technique, there is much more to needlepoint than just tent stitch or half cross stitch worked on canvas. Although tent stitch is used, the countless variety of stitches available in needlepoint is amazing. Victoria has limited this design to just a few stitches, making this project perfect for someone starting out with this technique.

By combining the tent stitch background with Florentine embroidery in the strawberry, Victoria has produced the optical illusion that the strawberry is actually sitting proud of its background, ripe and ready to pick.

Victoria recommends working the piece on a slate frame to give the perfect tension and to help ensure your stitches are even without any distortion of the fabric.

Once you’ve completed the design, then you can attend to the important task identified by Victoria – the stuffing.

Sweet Strawberry will be a lovely addition to your stitching kit and may just be a perfect introduction to needlepoint if you’re yet to employ the technique in your stitching journey. Once you’ve tried out this technique, you’re sure to be looking for more.

As you explore the world of needlepoint further, you’ll always have this beautiful accessory to remind you of just how enjoyable it is.

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Sweet Strawberry by Victoria Laine from the book The Design Collective | Pincushions features a colourful strawberry motif and background in counted thread embroidery with metal thread highlights.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Sweet Strawberry includes everything* you need to re-create this pretty pincushion: Fabrics (unprinted), pink sewing thread, fibre-fill, 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 this project, please refer to the book.

Festive Fruit by Denise Forsyth from Inspirations issue #96 is a collection of fabulous strawberries made from linen textured with pulled thread embroidery.

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

The Elizabethan period is one of the most popular periods of history, not least for the life of Queen Elizabeth I herself. However, for our community, the Elizabethan period is popular for a more important reason, namely, the style of embroidery that came out of it. Featuring intricate foliage, strawberries, fauna and patterns, the style remains as popular today as it was 500 years ago.

What a fantastically practical way to use a gorgeous piece of embroidery, we love it! Anne originally wrote to us in French so we hope our translation reads true!

You’ve done a magnificent job of this challenging project, Anu. Thank you for sharing your stitching with us, it’s a beautiful piece you have created and Susan herself will be so thrilled to see what you have achieved.

‘I also like traditions, so recently I designed and embroidered the traditional floral emblem of England from the 15th century, the Tudor rose.’

We’re so pleased to hear that you’ve been inspired by both Jane’s and our publications Éva and thrilled you can get them in Hungary. This is a lovely design you have created that has been superbly stitched. Well done.

‘Last year a group of us from the Nittany Valley Chapter of EGA, USA, signed on to a group correspondence course from EGA called English Summer by Cheryl Sharp. The photo is of my work.’

Good on you Roberta for finding the courage to share your work with us. Your piece has been beautifully stitched, not only do we love it, we’re also very appreciative to be able to share it with the rest of the needlework community. And who knows… your bravery might just inspire others to send in their work, so we can all celebrate each other’s achievements.

Do you enjoy the Elizabethan style? Or do you prefer Jacobean? Perhaps a period named for an English Monarch isn’t your thing at all and you like Art Deco or even modernist designs? Whatever period you prefer, we’d love to see it. Send us a picture of your work and a bit of information about the project and your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com

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Tree of Life by Margaret Light from the book A Fine Tradition is a sumptuous crewel wall hanging masterfully combining colour and stitch.

Tree of Life by Alison Cole from Inspirations issue #105 is a superb goldwork embroidery showcasing a compelling variety of techniques and metal threads.

Modern Crewel by Susan Porter from Inspirations issue #90 is an elegant crewel embroidery worked with glorious, over-dyed threads.

Aurora by Christine Burton from Inspirations issue #97 is a timeless crewel design on a handy, zipped pouch.

Garden of Earthly Delights by Margaret Light from Inspirations issue #62 is a wonderful design of colourful parrots amidst stems of exotic foliage, flowers and berries, echoing the lavish style of the Jacobean period.

~ Mary Kay Ash ~

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.