If you have ever contemplated doing something amazing, like taking a class at the Royal School of Needlework, you’re going to enjoy our first article this week. And if you haven’t thought about doing an RSN course… maybe you should!

It was only a few weeks ago we excitedly announced the release of our brand new book A Life in Seasons | Winter & Spring by Nicola Jarvis. Well, luckily there was still some helium left in the balloons as we need them again this week for the release of the latest issue of Inspirations magazine issue #121.

Our feature project this week is one of the smallest we’ve had for quite a while, so hopefully you’ll have time to fit that one in at least!

And we celebrate more needlework, hand stitched from our community in another segment of What Are You Stitching?

Read on for stitching joy…

Throughout the global needlework community, we are blessed to have some remarkable pillars of industry that underpin and complement the passionate pursuit of our art.

Without doubt, one of the most significant contributors to the world of needlework is summed up with three letters - RSN.

Steeped in history, the Royal School of Needlework offers unrivalled expertise in the techniques of hand embroidery. So, when it’s time to announce the line up for their 2024 International Summer School, it’s definitely worth taking a moment to find out more.

As their reach continues to grow globally, that elusive dream of one day taking an RSN class is becoming more and more achievable. Read on to discover more and find out how you can get involved…

FEEL PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER

From a wide range of embroidery classes to talks and special events, the Royal School of Needlework’s International Summer School 2024 offers sew much! Immerse yourself in RSN expert tuition and treat yourself to a festival of stitch this July and August.

NEW TO EMBROIDERY?

There is a wonderful variety of techniques to explore for those starting out on their hand embroidery journey, through to the advanced stitcher. So, whether you want to follow a kit-based design, explore your creativity using your own materials in a more contemporary way, or focus on developing your own personal design skills, there will be a class for you.

The RSN Tutors have delved in to the RSN’s extensive embroidery collection with a selection of historically inspired classes designed to allow students to create their own piece of embroidery history.

These include the ‘Coronation Goldwork Coach’, whilst ‘Windsor Celebration’ harks back to the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

ALREADY AN ACCOMPLISHED EMBROIDERER?

The RSN International Summer School classes will provide experienced embroiderers with an opportunity to engage in a longer or more advanced project whilst allowing those newer to the world of hand embroidery to try a shorter course to build and develop their skills.

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT NOW AVAILABLE

The RSN is offering an early bird discount until 31st March, with further reductions when you book two or more classes, as well as a 10% discount when you become a UK or International RSN Friend!

Whether you’re planning on attending in person, online or a combination of the two, discover more about this fabulous event using the link below.

Have you ever had the opportunity to use a Jacob’s ladder toy? It’s one of those amazing pieces of engineering that is akin to voodoo and hard to believe it’s real.

Is it too much of a stretch to consider a cantilever storage box in the same mystical way?

Every time we use one of these new Milward cantilevered wooden storage boxes here at the office, we can’t help but be mesmerised by the beautiful smooth way all these wonderful storage compartments just suddenly appear out of nowhere.

It’s the best new toy, sorry needlework storage unit, we’ve added to our line up so far this year, so if you’re looking for something really nice to store things, the Milward Cantilever Storage Box is a great option. We love ours!

Did you know that a new issue of Inspirations magazine is released quarterly, like clockwork, every year?

Every February, April, July & October you can look forward to an announcement like the one we’re making today - it’s new magazine day!

Why? Typically the October issue carries a Christmas theme, so it’s about now we’re looking for a new fix of Inspiration to set up the new year. And that fix is coming right now, here, today…

Hold up though, just before we get fixed, a quick side note about the October issue from last year; as it was our special 30th birthday release, issue #120 wasn’t very Christmassy. Don’t worry though, when you see what we’ve got planned for the October 2024 issue, you’ll think all your Christmases have come at once. Literally.

Ok, now let’s get to the release of the brand-new Inspirations magazine issue #121, which is called Natural Rhythm.

Here is what you can expect inside:

Become immersed in beautiful florals in a range of dimensions and styles, from exquisite silk ribbon embroidery and raised techniques to lace-like deruta sfilato and detailed surface stitching, utilising a kaleidoscopic palette of threads.

The list of projects within issue #121 includes:

Arts & Crafts Hellebore – Stunning surface embroidery of hellebores by Margaret Light.

The French Birdcage – Counted thread etui with workbox and six accessories by Christine P. Bishop.

Perfect Pink – Softly shaded crewel embroidery by Di Kirchner.

Conversations – Schwalm whitework with bird motifs by Deborah Love.

Fleurs Sauvage– Cottage garden pincushion worked with threads and ribbon by Lorna Bateman.

Jacobean Flower – Sparkling purse in Japanese-style bead embroidery by Margaret Lee.

Constable Country– Landscape study in silk embroidery by Helen M. Stevens.

Hummingbirds– Softly shaded hummingbirds and flowers in the style of art nouveau by Noriko Livingstone.

You’ll also enjoy our usual collection of articles and editorial pieces that will motivate, educate and fascinate.

Printed copies of issue #121 are now available to purchase online using the link below.

PS – Subscriber copies of issue #121 have now all been despatched, so hopefully if you haven’t received your copy already, it will arrive any day. Also, we want to thank our New Zealand subscribers for their patience as there was a slight hold up in our shipment to you, which has since been resolved. So again, your copies are making their way to you right now.

The good news is, if you like working from digital patterns, all the projects from issue #121 are now available to purchase and download. Plus, we never run out of digital patterns - unlike our Ready-to-Stitch kits!

About that… all the projects from issue #121 have also been released as Ready-to-Stitch kits, however some projects are already sold out.

We’re working on restoring supply, but in the meantime to get a jump on the queue it’s a good idea to become a subscriber to the magazine as you’ll typically get your copy of each new magazine before everyone else.

Also, another suggestion is to click on the #121 kits link below to see if there are any projects you like. If so, the early stitcher gets the kits so consider making your purchases sooner than later.

Our final tip is, if the kit you’re looking for isn’t available, keep your eye on the This Now In segment below as that is where we’ll let you know once a kit is back in stock.

For now… happy issue #121 kit shopping.

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

What a beautiful gift for your son, Zohra! Your stitches are wonderful and we recognised the influence right away. You’ve re-created the brushstrokes in stitch masterfully and we’re sure he will treasure the piece for many years to come. Stunning.

‘Of course, it's impossible to do it justice but it's a fun reminder of our journey. It is stitched on a recycled table napkin with a single strand of cotton.’

A beautiful way to remember one’s journeys, Lucy! The composition certainly echoes the iconic images of Greenland and you’ve made excellent use of recycled material.

Ann, it’s amazing to hear about all the layers that have gone into your piece! The colour palette is especially intriguing, and we love how you’ve achieved compounding textures into some of the shapes.

Have you recreated art in stitch? Embroidered a piece inspired by a holiday? Or incorporated images into your stitching?

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

Throughout the book Life in Seasons | Winter & Spring, Nicola introduces us to some truly wonderful creatures that form part of her nature journey through the seasons.

Varying in stature and number, some creatures you will be familiar with, others you may have never seen or even heard of before.

Aptly called the ‘Small Blue Butterfly’ this ‘tiny, jewel-like creature’ as Nicola describes it, may never have been around to enjoy its fame as a stitched piece of art, if it wasn’t for some vital intervention. Nicola explains…

Nicola has captured the beauty of the small blue butterfly by creating this wonderful, stitched study using a combination of 10 different techniques worked in silk and metallic threads to add lustre to the delicate wings.

Modest in size, with the finished design measuring 3.5cm x 6cm wide (1 3⁄8" x 2 3⁄8"), this is the perfect foray into your adventure following Nicola through the seasons.

Once you’ve completed your splendid Small Blue Butterfly, it might become the insert for a paperweight, a patch to sew onto a cap, a duffle bag or piece of clothing, or maybe form part of your ‘projects on display’ collection.

However it happens, we’re confident that if this becomes your first Nicola Jarvis project, it won’t be your last…

We have all the materials you need to re-create this project yourself, from easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions to a Ready-to-Stitch kit with everything sourced for you.

Flights of Fancy by Nina Burnsides from Inspirations issue #102 is two exquisite designs of stumpwork butterflies delicately resting on a head and hands in contrasting line embroidery.

Lepidoptera by Fiona Hibbett from Inspirations issue #102 is a stunning panel of nine stumpwork butterflies.

Fragile Beauty by Trish Burr from Inspirations issue #82 features superb threadpainted butterflies stitched onto a needlebook and bookmark.

Ulysses by Helen M. Stevens from Inspirations issue #72 is a beautiful study capturing the fragile delicacy of this superb butterfly and the blooms of the Christmas bush.

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

We’ve added to our collection of Susan Clarke original charms available to purchase individually.

Warwickshire Hare by Nicola Jarvis is a striking hare surrounded by a pussy willow wreath.

For a list of upcoming needlework events, click HERE.