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ISSUE 331, 20 MAY, 2022
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INSPIRATIONS. ALL Stitched Up!
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Hi There,
As we penned the final words of our Welcome in All Stitched Up! issue #330, an email arrived from James Clear titled ‘Moving from Two Minutes to Mastery’. The arrival of his email couldn’t have been timelier.

Having just unpacked James’ thoughts on gateway habits where he encouraged us to make a habit as easy as possible to start, knowing how to move on to mastery sounded like a logical next step!

James’ email opened with the questions he most often receives after telling people about his approach to habits, some of which we’d also found ourselves asking.

‘Am I supposed to stick with a small habit forever? It makes sense to start with something tiny, but how do I know when to scale up?’

As with many things in life, beginning a new habit often brings with it an air of excitement, but over time can start to feel routine and boring. This, James believes, is one of the first indicators that it’s time to graduate the habit to the next level.
You scale up when what was previously challenging is now the new normal.
James suggests two ways in which we can scale up. The first is sticking with the same gateway habit, but increasing the intensity or volume in small, incremental improvements. The other is finding a new detail within our gateway habit to get interested in.

In our case with needle and thread, this means we can either continue to add to the number of stitches we lay each time we thread our needles, or work towards focusing on a new stitch or technique within the project before us.

James likes to term it ‘The Goldilocks Rule’ whereby we should be operating in a zone that’s not too easy and not too hard, but just right. The metric for this is that we’re excited enough that we’re no longer bored but finding what’s before us easy enough that we’ll be able to tackle it 98% of the time, or that we have ‘just enough ‘winning’ to experience satisfaction and just enough ‘wanting’ to experience desire’.

The good news is that if we jump ahead of ourselves and find we’ve moved from ‘just right’ to ‘too hard’, causing us to fall off course, we simply need to return to our gateway habit and start the path towards mastery once more.

Perhaps easier said than done, but what could be simpler?!
 
Have Your Say
Ebb & Flow, Motion & Action all Wrapped Up in Lace
Over recent weeks we’ve talked a lot about contrasts. Ebb and flow; motion and action – these are all things that happen in life at various times. Our articles have prompted several of you to write in with stories about your own experiences of these different seasons that affect all of us at different times.
Linda Andersson shared with us that her life is currently in the middle of a ‘flow’ period as she moves into a new phase. For a while now, she has been considering moving into a senior living community. A number of changes in her life, including some health issues, led her to make the decision to move. Although she was a little reticent, she remembered her 24-year-old self who used to say that one day, when she was independently wealthy, she would have a cook and a chauffeur.
‘Well, that is available to me now and I don’t have to be independently wealthy!’
With the decision made, a bit of apprehension set in along with a lot of excitement for the change. But then came a serious consideration – what to do with Linda’s voluminous and varied stitching stash!? The move means there will no longer be a craft/stash room available.
But Linda, in a wonderfully philosophical way, prefers not to refer to it as ‘downsizing’. Rather, she is ‘releasing her resources to the universe’. Her stitching group got first refusal, then it went to the Friends of the Library, the local school, the local community centre and even the YMCA Gardening group!

The ‘release’ has brought new friends and new opportunities and has added to the happy change of circumstances.
In relation to our thoughts on Motion v Action, which we wrote about in All Stitched Up! issue #327, Ann Baseden admitted that she finds the motion part of a project more enjoyable than the action. In fact, sometimes she never actually gets around to the action! When Ann was a weaver, she would love planning, finding the right yarns, calculating how much she would need etc. However, when it came to the actual weaving, she’d get bored with the repetition and often abandoned the project after a short while. Eventually she gave up the craft.
Now, she loves collecting varied stash items that complement each other. She keeps them together, adding to them whenever she wishes. When the time comes to create something, she’ll take out a batch and spend ages just looking at it. Sometimes, inspiration takes hold and she’ll create something. Other times, she puts everything back into its bag and lets it wait until another time.
Jenny’s ‘Crazy Birds’
Jenny Robson found the article on Motion v Action brought back happy memories of her dad. His favourite comment to her when she was dithering over a decision was:
‘Going around in circles and getting nowhere fast.’
At a recent workshop, Jenny couldn’t decide how to use the technique she was learning – shadow embroidery – to address the theme of ‘birds’ that she was focussing on. She remembered her Dad’s advice and decided to just go for it. The result was ‘Crazy Birds’, which she’s really pleased with.
Across All Stitched Up! issue #324 and #326 we wrote about different kinds of lace. We received some wonderful feedback on that series. Ann wanted to remind everyone that Irish crochet lace isn’t the only kind of lace produced in that country. Carrickmacross, which could be described as needlelace as it uses needle and thread, is actually appliquéd muslin on net. There is also Limerick lace, which is worked with a tambour hook on net, although there is also a version made with a needle.

Kay Dennis wanted to alert us to a group in the UK whose purpose is to keep the art of tatting going. They’re called The Ring of Tatters and they have all sorts of resources available online as well as groups and demonstrations.

Pam Hawes also wanted to share a recommendation for anyone who might be in Western Australia or planning on visiting in the future. There is a lace museum at Wave Rock that she says is worth the visit as it is filled with drawers and drawers of historical lace dating back as far as the 1500’s.
Finally, Frances Tornese wrote telling us that she is a bobbin lace maker as well as an embroiderer and she always has a piece of lace in progress on her lace pillow. Here is a picture of her latest piece that she’s making for her granddaughter. We think you’ll all agree that it is simply exquisite.

Whether you are in the midst of an ebb or a flow, or whether you’re in motion or in action, we’re glad that you always have your needlework to accompany you and a little bit of inspiration from All Stitched Up! and our wonderful, generous community.
 
Featured Project
Dream a Little Dream by Taetia McEwen
Read the title of Taetia McEwen’s latest project from Inspirations issue #114 and what happens? We bet that for quite a few of you, you start humming the opening bars to the famous song of the same name and a smile will come to your face.
The tune of the song ‘Dream a Little Dream of Me’ is so well known that it is instantly recognisable just from the opening bars.
The song has been recorded so many times, it is easy to forget just how long ago it was first written and performed.
In fact, Dream a Little Dream of Me was first recorded in 1931 by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra and it instantly became a hit. Since that day, more than 60 other versions have been recorded. It has been sung by Louis Armstrong, Doris Day, The Mamas & the Papas and even Robbie Williams.
Of all of the recordings, the one that reached the highest in the charts was the version by The Mamas & the Papas from 1968. This is the version that many people will remember with Mama Cass whistling as the music fades out.
With so many recordings, most of us will have a favourite or one that starts playing in our heads as soon as the song is mentioned. This certainly happened for us when we first laid eyes on Taetia’s gorgeous, embroidered lamp.
Taetia McEwen is an artist and an embroiderer who has an incredible talent for creating stunning, whimsical designs. Dream a Little Dream is the latest in a series of bedside table lamps she has designed that are just as perfect for a child’s bedroom as they are for a cosy reading nook.

Like her other, similar projects, Dream a Little Dream is filled with exquisite details.
You could spend hours delighting at the expressions on the faces of the frogs or at the merry poses of the tiny insects dancing to the music.
Taetia employs a range of fibres and stitches to create the scene and includes various techniques such as appliqué, ribbon embroidery and surface stitching to bring you as much joy in the making as there is in the finished product.
If you know a child who needs a night-light to bring them some comfort, this project is perfect. The happy scene, adorable characters and bright colours are so beautifully set off by the soft light that any child would be captivated. They’ll be serenaded to sleep each night by the merry band of frogs, endlessly playing the wonderful song that has been so popular for over 90 years.
Make Your Own Dream a Little Dream
Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Dream a Little Dream by Taetia McEwen is an enchanting lampshade with characters dancing to the music of a frog band.
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 114
 
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Dream a Little Dream
 
Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Dream a Little Dream includes everything* you need to re-create this enchanting lampshade: Fabrics (unprinted), felts, fusible webbing, black pins, buttons, charms, peacock feather, nylon thread, sewing threads, embroidery threads, ribbons, beads, sequins and needles.
 
READY-TO-STITCH KIT
Dream a Little Dream
 
*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 lampshade and base.
Looking for More Taetia McEwen Lampshades?
Starlight
Starlight by Taetia McEwen from the Handpicked Range is an enchanting lampshade with garden friends wishing on the first star.
 
PRINTED PATTERN
Starlight
 
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Starlight
 
Sunbeams
Sunbeams by Taetia McEwen from Inspirations issue #107 is a captivating fairytale garden adorning a lampshade, created using raised and surface embroidery.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Sunbeams
 
Needlework News
New Book | Bonnie the Cow & Friends
There aren’t too many children who can resist a giant, cuddly soft toy that they can throw their arms around and hug. Saying that, there are quite a few adults we know who love them too!
Bonnie the Cow & Friends is the latest book by Claire Gelder filled with 20 loveable crochet animals and birds made with chunky yarn so they are all large enough to really love.
You can make Bonnie herself who can be accompanied by her calf, Isla. Or perhaps you might prefer Finlay Dog or Elsie Cat or even the adorable Maisie Hedgehog.
Whichever project you choose, you’re guaranteed to fall in love with these fabulous toys.
The hardest thing is going to be saying goodbye to them when you give them to the person you crocheted them for!
Chunky yarn means these toys are made with a large hook so they are suitable for every crocheter. It also means they work up quickly, so you’ll be able to hug your new companion in no time.

We now have copies of Bonnie the Cow & Friends ready for you to start creating the perfect gift for a child, a grandchild or even yourself.
Sudberry House Display Boxes
If you’re after a way of mounting your embroidery that is beautiful and practical at the same time, then you need look no further than Sudberry House Display Boxes. We have them in two sizes and three colours, and all are ideal for your precious needlework projects.
For larger projects, the Sudberry House Square Oak Box in Natural has a 6” x 6” aperture in the lid, all ready for mounting.
For those tiny or delicate projects, the Sudberry House Mini Boxes are ideal. With an adorably tiny 1.5” x 1.5” visible design area, you can choose from Mahogany or Whitewash.
New Digital Patterns | Inspirations #37
Inspirations issue #37 was filled with must-do projects in a range of techniques. Although this magazine was published many years ago, we’ve now digitised all of the projects from this popular issue, with the last four just arriving in our Digital Pattern library now.
Winged Desire by Wendy Innes is a stunning stumpwork study featuring a beautiful sweet pea and a glorious fluffy bumblebee in mid-flight.
Tiny Tots by Julie Graue is a set of embroidered T-shirts with a little girl or a little boy appliquéd on the front. You could make one or the other or make them as a pair for a beloved child.
Bliss by Kris Richards is a gorgeous heat cushion scented with lavender and adorned with bullion roses and embroidered ribbons. Made from ivory damask, this is a luxurious project to stitch and enjoy.
Finally, A Bonnie Wee Bag by Judy Stephenson is a little bag made from crisp linen and stitched with a Scottish thistle using raised embroidery techniques.

All these projects are now available to purchase and download from our website. While you’re there, you can also browse the other projects from issue #37, along with everything else in our ever-expanding digital pattern library.
Embroidered Fossils
There is an abundance of beautiful, embroidered gardens and natural scenes on display on the internet, and we love seeing how textile artists use their needles to capture nature in the confines of a hoop. But Rachel Crisp has done something a little different, dropping a fossil right in the middle of her stunning, textured embroidery scenes.
Each ‘garden’ features a cornucopia of vegetation created from a wide variety of fibres, stitches and techniques. But right in the middle of each one, as if emerging from the growth around it, is a dinosaur bone or fossil, worked in perfect, pale satin stitch.
Each tiny work of art is like a mini-archaeological dig, allowing you to discover the mysteries that lie beneath the ground.

If you would like to read more about Rachel and her work, you can do so HERE, or follow her on Instagram.
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
Squarely Check | Back in Stock
 
 
WARES
Barley Twist Stiletto | Back in Stock
 
 
Featured Project
Ivy by Margaret Light
‘A pincushion needs to be practical as well as decorative.’ These are the words that Margaret Light shared with us when she was asked about Ivy, her stunning pincushion from The Design Collective | Pincushions. With this directive in mind, she set about creating a project that could usefully hold pins but was still absolutely gorgeous to look at.
Margaret Light’s crewel embroidery designs are unfailingly beautiful whether they are large and complex or small and delicate like Ivy.
She selects the perfect botanic subjects and then stitches them with skill, capturing the colour and shading of the subject in an unrivalled way.
Margaret selected the common ivy as the main feature for this project, but in Margaret’s style, it was always going to be something special. Rather than just showing the leaves she sought to include the entire life cycle of this well-known plant in a tiny, delicate space.
Ivy is a square pincushion with a perfectly round space in the middle to place your pins. Surrounding this area is the ivy. The deep green of the leaves and stems stand proud, but also on show are the blossoms that are often overlooked when this plant grows in abundance, as well as the deep purple fruit hanging in clusters from the vine.
The design of Ivy shows perfect symmetry that is both pleasing to the eye and offers beautiful balance to the entire piece. Two of the corners are filled with tiny flowers and buds whilst the other two shelter sprigs of berries.
The whole piece is then delicately quilted, and this can be seen to perfection in the centre circle that is outlined in decorative French knots.

Like all of the projects in this book, you will get as much pleasure in the construction as you do in the stitching. The elegantly square shape of Ivy results in a sturdy pincushion that will look gorgeous in any sewing room.
Sometimes you stitch for the sheer beauty of the project; other times because you want the practical use out of the finished piece. With Ivy you get to enjoy both.
Make Your Own Ivy
Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Ivy by Margaret Light is a beautiful square pincushion featuring trailing stems of ivy with flowers and berries.
 
PRINTED BOOK
The Design Collective | Pincushions
 
Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Ivy includes everything* you need to re-create this stunning pincushion: Fabric (unprinted), wool felt, wadding, template plastic, white sewing thread, embroidery threads and needles.
 
READY-TO-STITCH KIT
Ivy
 
*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.
Looking for More Ivy?
The Holly and the Ivy
The Holly and the Ivy by Margaret Light from Inspirations issue #112 is a festive linen table runner with a central design of holly and ivy encircled with gold braid.
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 112
 
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
The Holly and the Ivy
 
Christmas Bouquet
Christmas Bouquet by Julie Kniedl from Inspirations issue #88 is a fabulous glass bauble adorned with winter rose, holly and ivy.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Christmas Bouquet
 
What Are You Stitching?
Goldwork and metal thread embroidery result in a kind of sparkle and shine that no other embroidery technique offers. There are stitches that are quite unique and specific techniques to learn but for those needleworkers who master it, goldwork is both satisfying and rewarding. If you’ve never tried metal thread embroidery before, here are some varied projects to whet your appetite.
Sonia Santini
‘I design hand-embroidered jewellery. I love to create all kinds of floral subjects as well as portraits of people or animals with my needle. In my creations I always try to combine different techniques, including crochet, goldwork and threadpainting.’
‘This is a necklace I made that was inspired by the Lombard Temple Cividale of Friuli (VIII century). It won the Bergamasco prize for originality and creativity in the use of multiple techniques.’
What an exquisite project, Sonia. The range of techniques and materials is stunning and it is well deserving of the prize. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
Leslie Mehard Brady
‘This goldwork pear was my first experience with an online embroidery class (purchased from the Royal School of Needlework, London).’
‘I was motivated by my desire to continue learning during Covid and because I enjoy this challenging embroidery technique! It is being framed for a dear friend, who happens to be Betsy Morgan’s sister.’
This is a fabulous project, Leslie. You’ve mastered so many goldwork techniques in this lovely design. Congratulations on a fantastic finish.

Do you enjoy working with metal threads? Do you love the sparkle of gold and the shine of silver? Or do you prefer working with softer fibres?
Whatever it is you like to stitch, we want to see it. Send us a picture of your work with a bit of information about the project and your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com
 
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You May Have Missed
Florence Broadhurst Carry Cases
These Florence Broadhurst Carry Cases are beautifully spacious with a lid that zips securely so nothing will fall out. Perfect to fit all your threads, tools and patterns, but not so large that they become cumbersome, they are available in two stunning colours.
Bush Beauties
Bush Beauties by Melissa Horton is two spectacular hooped studies of the colourfully crested Major Mitchell’s cockatoo and the elegant lyrebird.
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 114
 
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Bush Beauties
 
 
READY-TO-STITCH KIT
Bush Beauties: Lyrebird
 
 
READY-TO-STITCH KIT
Bush Beauties: Cockatoo
 
The Early Bird
The Early Bird by Jenny McWhinney from Inspirations issue #75 is a practical peg bag, adorned with friendly redwork birds.
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 75
 
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
The Early Bird
 
Little Bird
Little Bird by Chloe Redfern from Inspirations issue #103 is a delightful, superb fairy wren to frame in a hoop.
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 103
 
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Little Bird
 
 
PRINTED PATTERN
Little Bird
 
Birds of a Feather
Birds of a Feather by Rosemary Frezza from Inspirations issue #70 is a dainty tray cloth embroidered with sweet little birds.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Birds of a Feather
 
Spring Song
Spring Song by Taetia McEwen from Inspirations issue #112 is a delightful spring scene of delicately shaded flowers, a dainty bird and a nest with three blue eggs.
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 112
 
 
READY-TO-STITCH KIT
Spring Song
 
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Spring Song
 
This Week on Social
 
Heidi Iverson's colourful collection of vintage thread winders!
 
Goldwork design by @selvadehilo inspired by goldsmith pieces from her country, Columbia.
 
Quote
‘Mastery is a product of consistently going beyond our limits.’

~ Stewart Emery ~

What's On
Stay informed of upcoming needlework events taking place all around the world in our 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
© 2022 Inspirations Studios

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