After sharing some of Andrea’s thoughts from the September-October issue of Needlepoint Now magazine in last week’s All Stitched Up!, we continued reading and came across an article entitled ‘The History of an Heirloom Rug’.

Having just written about how needlework journeys begin and continue, we read on with much interest as Carlotta Beck unpacked not just the story of a UFO that was decades in the making, but also the details of how one lady’s passion for all things needle and thread was passed from one generation to the next.

The article centred around Lenora Smith who took her daughter, Sydney, as well as her best friend, Carlotta, to a needlepoint shop in the mid-70s. Upon their first visit, both Sydney and Carlotta purchased a blank canvas and charted design, and it was these simple purchases that began a lifelong love of stitching for both girls.

Upon a subsequent visit to the same needlepoint shop, whilst Sydney and Carlotta had moved from purchasing blank to painted canvases, Lenora purchased a 40” x 60” (100cm x 150cm) oriental painted rug canvas as well as all the threads to complete the project.

In the coming years, not only did Lenora needlepoint the rug at home, but she folded the canvas neatly and bagged her threads, placing both in a canvas tote so she was always able to carry the rug with her. The rug went on many a journey with Lenora as she laid stitch upon stitch as the years went by.

Unfortunately, Lenora developed age-related dementia that saw her lay the canvas aside once she was no longer able to stitch to the high standard she’d set for herself. ‘The tote bag along with her prized needlepoint rug sat undisturbed for several years’.

That was until Sydney came across the unfinished rug and threads while settling Lenora’s estate after she died at the age of 94. Two years after taking the rug home, Sydney laid it on her dining room table, and whilst she felt determined to see the rug complete, quickly came to realise what a daunting task that would be. Having not stitched regularly for years, the only solution Sydney could think of was to pay someone to complete the project her mother had started all those years ago.

In what they now see as a serendipitous twist of fate, the shop Sydney and Carlotta approached to finish the rug was no longer accepting such commissions, and so they decided to set up a stitching schedule between them to see Lenora’s needlepoint through to completion.

The rug travelled between Sydney and Carlotta’s homes, spending two weeks at each house until Sydney laid the final stitch, completing the rug some 50 years after her mother placed the initial stitch. The rug now ‘drapes the wall in Sydney’s home and will be passed down to Lenora’s other daughter, and then down the line of future family members.’

Carlotta credits her own journey with needle and thread to that initial shop visit with Lenora.

While Sydney and Carlotta regret not being able to complete the project before Lenora’s passing, the rug has become ‘not only an heirloom but also a representation of Lenora’s love of needlepoint.’

More so than that, the rug now represents how one simple act in our own pursuit of needle and thread can encourage others to do the same, ensuring the passion we hold so close is passed from generation to generation.

Our first featured project for this week is all about celebrating the echinacea flower. This vibrant pink flower, also known as a coneflower, is native to North America where the roots, flowers, and leaves are used in traditional medicine. It is believed to decrease inflammation and help build up the immune system.

In this striking piece created especially to appear in the 30th birthday issue of Inspirations magazine #120, designer Jo Butcher’s focus is on the simplicity of the flower and the vibrancy of the pink petals. Using both surface embroidery and stumpwork she succeeds in bringing life and movement to this minimalist composition.

As with Jo’s other projects, she works on a hand-painted background fabric, adding another layer of movement and individuality to the design.

Once the background is painted and the design is transferred, the stitching commences by filling in the cones using a subtle variety of straight stitches underpinning Jo’s philosophy of simplicity:

‘I don’t use hundreds of different stitches, I have a limited selection that I like to use as I know they keep the attention on the effect I’m trying to achieve, rather than the stitch itself. My favourite is the French knot, but others I use are straight stitch, detached chain, fly stitch and bullion knots.’

Once the cones are in place, the next step is to create the leaves and stems, again using straight stitch as well as whipped back stitch. With the background surface embroidery complete, it is now time to create the detached flower using stumpwork techniques including covering paper-covered wire with a combination of couching and blanket stitches, before filling in the leaves and cone with straight stitches.

This project allows you to try your hand at painting the background fabric, or if you choose to buy the kit, a pre-printed background is included.

Stitching this delightfully vibrant project is enough to boost anybody’s immune system and general well-being without taking any medication!

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Echinacea by Jo Butcher features vibrant coneflowers in surface and stumpwork embroidery against a watercolour background.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Echinacea includes everything* you need to re-create this charming picture: Fabrics (inc. pre-printed panel), wires, embroidery threads and needles.

Alliums & Topiary by Jo Butcher from the book Where Meadows & Gardens Grow features globes of purple allium flowers and the neatly clipped sphere of a topiary ball.

Irises by Jo Butcher from the book Where Meadows & Gardens Grow showcases the rich, velvety petals of the purple iris, rising above a sea of sword-like leaves.

For those who prefer to avoid the hassle of transferring designs onto fabric, we have a special announcement just for you…

The list of projects that you can now access with the design already printed onto the fabric includes O, Tannebum from Inspirations #108, Bumblebee, one of our Handpicked projects and a collection of designs from issue #119.

Click below to our browse our new collection of pre-printed fabrics - you’re sure to find something to inspire your creativity.

Have you seen the newest Corinne Lapierre kit to join our collection?

Made from quality wool felt mix, this soft and endearing mouse family comes with all the materials required to make four of your very own mice; two parents and two children.

Perfect for those new to stitching, or anyone on the hunt for a creative gift.

Can you believe it’s almost time to turn our Inspirations wall calendars to the final page for 2023?!

Neither can we, but Di Kirchner’s gorgeous Buon Natale is the perfect way to finish the year.

A simple yet sophisticated tree ornament, Buon Natale is made with reticella embroidery. Originating in the 15th century, this exquisite form of needlelace is elegant and eye-catching.

Adorned with silver metallic thread and finished with a tassel and pearl collar, this stylish ornament will take your Christmas decorations to the next level.

Available in an instant to download as a digital pattern, you don’t even have to wait for the postie to start stitching…

November feels like it has flown by at a record speed. Luckily we have still managed to comb the socials for our monthly stitching account recommendations! Here they are:

@cathycullis: Cathy, living in Surrey, UK, creates wonderful portraits of a regal nature, showcasing her inspirations from historical art and her interests in pattern and colour.

@kamandhandmade: Tablecloths, cushions, napkins… you name a homeware and we’re sure you will find a beautifully stitched piece of just the sort on this profile.

@respoakeembroideryartframes: The people at Respoake Embroidery Art Frames create wonderful handmade frames from antique objects. If you’re looking for a bespoke way to frame a piece look no further!

@sashikonami: It is sashiko galore for Japanese artist Nami and we love it!

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.

Corinne Lapierre is renowned for her adorable, easy-to-stitch felt kits, and with Christmas fast approaching, her 12 Days of Christmas kit is the perfect seasonal project.

Great for anyone looking for a quick and easy weekend project or maybe even a family project that everyone can work on together over the holidays.

Including all the materials needed to make 13 soft and adorable tree ornaments, this is the perfect quick Christmas stitch or a crafty gift.

This is your friendly online shopping assistant reminding you that for any purchases from Inspirations you’re planning as Christmas gifts, you need to be ordering NOW for pre-Christmas delivery!

Orders received by this coming Sunday Nov 26th will be despatched on Tuesday 28th and, while we can’t promise anything, we will use all our Christmas magic to try and get them to you in time for the holidays.

Please note however, this timeframe is not applicable for orders that include any products on backorder.

If you’d like to know more about expected delivery timeframes to your location, please visit the Australia Post website HERE.

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

Our latest book The Design Collective | Christmas not only features 12 spectacularly stitched Christmas projects, it also tells the story of the 12 creative and life journeys travelled to bring each piece to life.

One of the most touching and poignant stories in the book is about the project Pat’s Bonbon by South African designer, Hazel Blomkamp.

Hazel created this multi-use Christmas cracker, in honour and memory of her dear friend, Pat. ‘I had known Pat for perhaps thirty years and she had worked for me for fifteen of those. Aged in her 80s, Pat enjoyed working two mornings a week, watching my business grow.’

Pat, who was a keen quilter, came to work for Hazel one day in 2022 with the prototype of a quilted cracker made using two pieces of plumbing pipe split in the centre with a zip keeping the two halves together.

Then, only a few weeks after Pat passed, Hazel received our commission to design a Christmas-themed project for the second edition of The Design Collective books, she knew instantly what she had to do…

Reflecting Hazel’s trademark flair, Pat’s Bonbon uses a variety of different bead embroidery styles. This includes beads attached directly onto the fabric and three-dimensional beading where the beads are attached in the hand creating a bead ‘fabric’ which is then joined together before being attached to the bonbon.

The two pieces of pipe or cylinders are covered in green felt before being inserted into the outer bead-embellished fabric layer. Red satin ribbons at each end add an extra festive finish.

Pat’s Bonbon is a wonderful way to create both a lasting Christmas gift and a festive decoration that conveys special meaning and can become an heirloom for future generations.

Special Note – The Inspirations kit team has done an amazing job sourcing all the materials you need to re-create this spectacular project. If tracking down materials is not an aspect of stitching you enjoy and you just want to get started with the fun part – this is one kit that is definitely for you!

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Pat’s Bonbon by Hazel Blomkamp is a bonbon to use every year, adorned with sparkling poinsettias, flowers and leaves in three-dimensional beading.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Pat’s Bonbon includes everything* you need to re-create this sparkling bonbon: Silk fabric (unprinted), wool felt, zip, ribbon, dark green sewing thread, pipe, beading threads, beads and needle.

Golden Glow by Penny Wolswinkel from Inspirations issue #104 is an ornamental candle with gleaming goldwork perfect for a Yuletide display.

Mistletoe Bell by Julie Kniedl from Inspirations issue #100 is an elegant three-dimensional mistletoe decoration for Christmas.

On this date one month from now, Christmas preparations and celebrations will be approaching fever pitch. This week we’re having a dress-rehearsal for the big day as we present some wonderfully festive stitching from our What Are You Stitching? files, to help jingle and Ho! Ho! Ho! us into December.

Bev, what exquisite ornaments! We’re so glad you love Jenny’s designs and that you have continued embroidering over the years. The quality of your stitching and finishing is excellent.

‘Finally, in June of 2016, I got them out, worked on them all summer and finished them four months later. I wasn't able to purchase the cow so she's missing, but this is one of my favourite accomplishments.’

And what a wonderful accomplishment this is, Gail! We love your beautifully bright scene, perfectly stitched and joyously displayed. The characters themselves are all so endearing. Also, no doubt it was very satisfying for you to finish a WIP that was 37 years in the making! Well done.

Have you stitched any ornaments? Finished a Christmas WIP?

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

Become part of the Inspirations family by subscribing to the magazine... we'd love to have you join us!

A festive collection of Christmas fabric and adorable Reindeer garlands - a perfect starting point for any Christmas project!

Cinnamon & Sugar by Hazel Blomkamp is a small cushion with an elegant motif showcasing four needlelace patterns.

~ David McCullough ~

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