In her recently published book, Flourish | The Extraordinary Journey into Finding Your Best Self, Antonia Case takes the reader ‘on a riveting journey in search of what matters most’.

Seeking guidance from ancient philosophers and modern-day psychologists, Antonia set out to discover what it is that makes life meaningful and what it means to flourish. The book spans her journey of some 15 years as she travelled the world in search of meaning. Condensed into twenty chapters by geographic location, Flourish documents what Antonia discovered through her own experiences as well as the wisdom she gleaned from others as she travelled and read her way across the globe.

The book depicts vignettes of her journey through which her greatest lessons in flourishing were learnt. Of all those shared throughout the book, the one that resonated with us the most was the power of creativity to bring meaning to one’s life.

Whilst in Paris, Antonia enrolled in fashion school where she was able to engage in designing and crafting, not to be, become or have anything, but simply because she wanted to use her hands. Her desire was to ‘craft something out of nothing’.

Whilst regaling us with her adventure of ‘clutching a human-sized mannequin on the Paris Metro’ on her way to school, Antonia quotes author and educator Ellen Dissanayake who writes on the activity of making, and why so many of us have an inexplicable need to make things.

Dissanayake believes that the urge to make is genetically hardwired from generations past. Whilst arts may sometimes be considered to have no function in modern society, many anthropologists go to great lengths to point out ‘how in earlier or simpler societies the arts were inextricably involved in everyday life, embodying the norms of the group, articulating its deepest values’.

She believes that making ‘is a way to shape our everyday, mundane reality and transform it into something special’. Dissanayake considers that there is an inherent pleasure and meaning to be found in the act of making.

In fact, Dissanayake goes as far as to say that ‘a society that devalues making, and making important things special, forfeits a critical component of its members’ birthright.’

With these thoughts in mind, Antonia nurtures her need to create ‘solely for the frivolity of making’, all whilst encouraging the reader to find value in the art of making. We love that through Antonia’s experience and Dissanayake’s words, our innate need for needle and thread was validated in such an articulate and meaningful way.

And so, we’re off to pick up needle and thread once again as we seek to make a meaningful life through the simple act of laying stitch upon stitch, and we hope you are too.

Giovanna Garzoni is a name you may have never heard before, but thanks to Margaret Light and her latest book ‘A Fine Tradition 2’, that is about to change.

This was a significant moment in history as female painters at that time were rare and someone with the talent of Giovanna even more so. In fact, she is credited as one of the first women to work in the still life genre.

Having discovered the work of Giovanna Garzoni and her remarkable still life paintings, Margaret drew inspiration for what would become her own homage to Giovanna in the form of luscious red strawberries spilling out from a blue and white bowl, stitched on a striped fabric.

Strawberry Still Life from A Fine Tradition 2 is a texturally rich piece achieved through the use of silk perlé threads worked using corded detached blanket stitch to create wonderful needlelace elements.

Needlelace is akin to creating small pieces of your own fabric, which for this design are then used to form the outer skin of the strawberries.

Some of the berries feature felt padding to add dimensional interest, as does the bowl itself, which is an appliqué element worked onto silk broadcloth, a very finely woven fabric.

Special mention for the strawberry sepals (or calyces) that are formed by stitching needlewoven bars that are only attached to the ground fabric at one end, allowing you to shape and bend the sepal into any position you like, then tack in place. Clever!

It is also worth noting that the fabric featuring the lovely neutral stripes adds yet another layer of interest, although it can be problematic to source.

All in all, this is a wonderful celebration of a historic trail blazer married with a modern-day needlework artisan who has created a stunning piece that is a pleasure to behold.

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Strawberry Still Life by Margaret Light is an embellished blue and white bowl overflowing with strawberries worked with needlelace.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Strawberry Still Life includes everything* you need to re-create this luscious still life: Fabrics (inc. with pre-printed design), wool felts, sewing threads, embroidery threads and needles.

Strawberry Fayre by Carolyn Pearce from Inspirations issue #95 is a fabulous heart-shaped necessaire with pretty surface embroidery.

Cornflower & Strawberry by Susan O’Connor from the book Flowers for Elizabeth is a pretty pinwheel with blue cornflowers paired with luscious red berries and white blossoms.

It’s always fun to find a tool that is pretending to be one thing, but in reality is something else. We’ve seen a pincushion disguised as lipstick, a pinwheel that is actually a tape measure and now we have a thimble that sharpens pencils!

Clover are renowned for producing quality products and it’s also great to see that they’re not taking themselves too seriously with this novel yet well-crafted tool.

A bit of research indicates that Clover are no longer manufacturing this item, so we only have available what’s in stock meaning it’s probably a good idea to order your thimble pencil sharpener today, as once they’re gone, they’re gone!

Our range of Inspirations Gift Packs are little bundles of joy for any embroiderer, each including a unique mix of books, magazines, kits and stitching accessories all in one neat gift pack.

Each with a different theme, such as Forever Flowers, Animals Abound or Put a Pin In It, there’s bound to be something to tickle your fancy.

If you are looking to get organised and tick off some birthday gifts or even an early Christmas present or two, now is a great time to shop our Gift Pack range.

July’s featured project in the Inspirations 2023 Wall Calendar is Margaret Light’s exquisite Iznik Tile.

Vibrant tulips, carnations and hyacinths escape from a decorative waisted vase, creating a beautifully eye-catching project.

If you are interested in creating your own Iznik Tile, this project is being released for the very first time as an individual Digital Pattern for you to purchase and download as a PDF file.

Did you know that this time just one year ago the current issue of Inspirations magazine was #114? As you look back through the projects from #114, does it feel like it was only yesterday or a lifetime ago? It’s funny how sometimes it can even feel like both at the same time!

With things moving so fast these days, we thought it would be nice to take a moment to revisit what we were doing 12 months ago and enjoy having our memories jogged about issue #114.

We’re talking Kim Beamish’s stunning Victorian Hearts, Anna Scott’s friendly Little Brown Hen, the Lyrebird by Melissa Horton and more.

As you’re working through all the ‘oh I remember that one!’ moments, it so happens we even have a few kits still available from this issue.

Printed copies of the magazine are still available as well in case you missed this fabulous issue and, as always, you can download the digital pattern for each project as well.

All the links you need are below and thanks for reminiscing with us!

We have a special announcement for Stitching on Social this month. For anyone interested in our retail store The Bobbin Tree by Inspirations, we now have dedicated Facebook and Instagram pages for you to check out.

Whilst nothing beats coming into the store in person, we will keep you up to date with some of our goings on, so be sure to follow us!

Now, back to our regular program…

Here are some of our favourite ‘stitching on social’ accounts that we found in the past month that we thought you might like to enjoy with us!

@bryonyrosejennings: Bryony Rose Jennings from Portsmouth, UK creates enchanting animal sculptures that are each full of character. All stitched together from fabric scraps.

@lizziemontgomerydesign: So many shades of purple! Crochet throw by Lizzie Montgomery using Scheepjes Catona cotton.

@amandamccavour: Large-scale machine embroidered installations created by the talented Amanda McCavour. Maybe you’re lucky enough to live near one of her next exhibitions!

@sitch_and_bone: If you like beads, stumpwork and insects, we think you’ll love Rachel Gooden’s account. Many more marvellous critters where this one came from.

Don’t forget to follow Inspirations on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest to receive your daily dose of the world’s most beautiful needlework from all over the world wide web.

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

Earlier in this issue and over the past few weeks, we’ve been indulging in many of the sights, sounds, and delights of Margaret Light’s latest book A Fine Tradition 2.

Inspired by her international travels and interest in history, art and architecture, A Fine Tradition 2 is a celebration of culture, design and, of course, the finest of embroidery.

Inside you will find some epic needlework pieces befitting a worldwide adventure, but right now we want to help you discover a hidden gem.

For those of you who already have the book, turn to page 42. You may have flicked past this gorgeous project on the way to some of the larger designs, which is not surprising, as the Pomegranate Needlefold is in fact the smallest project in the book.

You can read all about the inspiration behind why Margaret chose the pomegranate as the hero motif for this project on page 43, but for now we want to highlight some of the wonderful nuances in this piece that you may not have noticed.

To begin with, we want to actually bring your attention to the fact this project is in the book! With everything you need to know contained in just six pages plus construction, it can be easy to miss, but having a smaller piece to work on is always a nice instant gratification hit when you’re in between some of the more involved designs Margaret has created.

From the striking diamond grid pattern that forms the outer skin of the large pomegranate, the use of Mill Hill ruby beads to emulate the fruit seeds or arils, through to the wide diversity of colours and finishes used in the leaves, there is so much clever stitching on display it is a true joy to both stitch and behold.

We love the ric rac trim, the use of warm natural linen to contrast again the bold red, even down to little surprises like the fact that this is a needlefold without the usual pages inserted. Instead, Margaret has chosen felt for the lining, which means you can house your needles quite comfortably directly in the inside of the fold itself.

The Pomegranate Needlefold is such a beautiful piece, we have loved finding this hidden treasure to share with you all.

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Pomegranate Needlefold by Margaret Light is a delightful depiction of a pomegranate from flower to ripe fruit for needle storage.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Pomegranate Needlefold includes everything* you need to re-create this intriguing needlefold: Fabric with pre-printed design, wool felt, interfacing, cotton tape, ricrac, sewing thread, embroidery threads, beads and needles.

Lavender Reverie by Heather Moody from Inspirations issue #41 is a fragrant lavender-filled book stop - a quick and easy project for a special gift.

Deerfield by Deborah Love from the book The Design Collective | Pincushions features graceful buds and stems worked in harmonious blue shades, finished with a beaded edge.

Inspiration can come from infinite sources. From travel and history to nature or the arts. Even current events can inspire what we stitch so today’s What Are You Stitching? features some recently completed projects…

‘I find the rhythm of filling large areas quite therapeutic, I like the way by altering your angle, length and stitch direction, you can create folds in fabric for example the swags in the Union Jacks in the Coronation Embroidery, the blending of different colours also allows you to create naturalistic effects especially when stitching wild flowers.’

What a fitting way to celebrate the King’s Coronation, Madga. Your design has been thoughtfully curated and the stitching is flawless. Thank you for sharing some of your journey with needle and thread, we look forward to seeing what you stitch next!

‘I embroidered it on linen instead of a carry bag, as was Jenny’s original design.’

Margaret, this is a lovely version of Jenny’s design and looks perfect in a frame. We love the addition of grass in the background and your little bumblebee, they tie everything together beautifully!

What wonderful gifts, Rhonda! We love all the charms that we’re sure symbolise many happy family memories. Your granddaughters will treasure these beautiful hearts.

Have you finished any projects recently? Been inspired by current events? Or do you stitch projects for significant life events?

Whatever you are stitching, we’d love to see it! Email photos of what you’ve created with needle and thread along with a few details about your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com

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The Inspirations 2024 calendar is now officially in stock and available for purchase.

Bargello & Blackwork by Betsy Morgan is a tall, elegant pincushion worked in counted thread embroidery.

~ Paul Dolan ~

Stay informed of upcoming needlework events taking place all around the world in our What’s On page on the Inspirations Studios Website HERE.