For something that only happens four times a year, we hope it will be ok with you if we make a little bit of a song and dance about it…?

The song we’re singing this week is ‘New issue of Inspirations magazine out now’ by the hit group called issue #122. There are eight performers in the line-up, and we think you’re going to love them once you get to know them!

On the dance card for tonight is the Whiteley Scissor Shuffle, the #122 Kits Out Now 2-Step and the star event for the evening will be a flamenco performance by Ladybird, Ladybird.

Intrigued? Read on…

If you’ve never heard of Whiteley scissors before, you might want to get acquainted with them by reading this short piece on our website HERE.

As a quick refresher for the rest of us, William Whiteley & Sons design and manufacture hand-crafted scissors in Sheffield, England using traditional techniques passed down for centuries.

This week we’ve re-stocked supplies of their iconic sewing shears and legendary epaulette embroidery scissors, plus we’ve added a new star performer, the rose gold embroidery scissors.

10” Sewing Shears

The moment they arrive you’ll know you’ve made the right decision. Presented in stunning packaging, you carefully remove them and feel the weight and quality in your hand.

The Whiteley sewing shears even feature a cleverly designed handle that is angled in such a way to allow the shears to cut flat along a table so as not to disturb the fabric.

Left-handers rejoice – these 10“ sewing shears are available in both LH & RH configurations.

Embroidery Scissors

Whiteley’s epaulette and rose gold scissors are the Rolls Royce equivalent of your general purpose embroidery scissors, thanks to the quality of craftsmanship used to individually handmake each pair.

Some things have to be experienced to be appreciated… click below to order your experience now!

Inspirations magazine is a lot of different things to a lot of different people.

Some of you reading this newsletter have a complete collection of all 121 magazines released to date, including issue #01 that is 31 years old this year. To you, Inspirations is like a close friend who is always by your side throughout all of life’s triumphs and tribulations.

Then there are those who religiously follow a quarterly ‘Inspirations magazine arrival day’ ritual and spend their time slowly and carefully admiring all that the world’s most beautiful needlework has to offer, perhaps without even their needles or threads in sight.

One experience we do know of that is common for all of us, is a wonderful feeling of ‘all things bright and beautiful’ whenever a new issue of the magazine is released.

The cover says it all, featuring the stunning project Papilio Zalmoxis by Martina Frank, a three-dimensional swallowtail butterfly. It’s every bit bright and beautiful.

Inside you’ll find another seven projects, of which we’ll let you decide which ones are bright or beautiful, including:

Forest Fungi by Denise Mackey | Toadstools reach skyward as they rise above the leaves of the forest floor.

Tulip & Sunflowers by Luzine Happel | Linen hand towel embellished with classic motifs in Schwalm embroidery.

Strawberry Delight by Mary Jo Hiney | Strawberry pincushion and scissor fob.

Meadowsong by Deborah Love | Sachet showcasing Mountmellick embroidery.

Bon Voyage by Gail Doane | Versatile needlework tote storage for stitching tools, project and supplies.

Ribbons & Roses by Taetia McEwen | Softly coloured floral wreath with textural elements.

Richelieu Butterfly by Joanna Jakuszewska | A graceful butterfly created in traditional Richelieu embroidery.

Four feature articles, book reviews and our regular Loose Threads editorial by Ansie van der Walt also await as you enjoy every moment of all things bright & beautiful in issue #122.

Arrival of magazine subscriber copies is imminent, if you haven’t received your copy already, and single-issue copies can now be purchased using the link below. Enjoy!

Get your fill of all things Bright & Beautiful from issue #122 with Ready-to-Stitch kits and digital patterns now available.

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

‘On my first visit there I was drawn to a display of exquisite hand-dyed silk threads. Equally rich, blended colours of cotton threads; even suedes cut slim enough to fit through the eye of a needle. I couldn’t resist choosing a number of these threads to bring home despite the fact I hadn’t decided on a project. An idea arose to utilise the front portion of a vest pattern, traced onto a piece of fine needlepoint canvas. I began to fill in the vest shaped panel randomly playing with colour, texture and stitch combinations letting the designs evolve as the sampler grew. There was no pre-designed plan, which kept each day’s stitching lively and free flowing. Silk threads of golden yellow, turquoise, sunset pinks, lavender blues, willow greens and velvet black suede highlights were eventually surrounded by a background of royal blue cotton thread woven into the needlepoint canvas. The completed variety of stitches subtly referenced aspects of my life.’

‘This stitch sampler, titled ‘Partial Investment’, brought about such enjoyment!’ What started as threads has turned into a beautiful project, Carol. We love your idea of using the pattern outline from a vest to contain your dazzling array of colourful stitched patterns that all complement each other beautifully. Your story is a great example of what wonderful outcomes can be achieved from simply giving into the impulse of purchasing gorgeous threads on a whim!

Wow Abby! These jackets are amazing. We’re so pleased that that you were inspired by Laurence Lieblich’s design and we’re sure she too will enjoy seeing how you’ve adapted her piece, Burst of Colour, into wearable art. We love the colourful sequins you have added on the denim, they look like glistening sprinkles! Also, we can only imagine the number of hours of work that went into your remarkable 2022 jacket. It’s great to hear you’re getting good use of them all, wearing embroidered art like this is a fantastic way to inspire others to stitch.

‘I am currently working towards an exhibition in Sydney, May 2024, entitled 'Forests to Foreshores’ and will be showcasing about 15-18 photographic embroideries using photographs I have taken in various parts of Australia. Two of these projects are part of the exhibition. The circular works, which I thoroughly enjoy doing, were from past exhibitions. My Instagram profile is @alissa_cook_photoembroidery and Facebook is Alissa Cook Photography.’ Alissa, you’re a double act! Not only are your stitched pieces stunningly beautiful, but your photographs are incredible as well. This is a wonderful way to mix your two favourite hobbies, you’re a ‘natural’! We’re not surprised they sold immediately. Hopefully some of our readers are able to see your work in person at your Sydney exhibition. All the best with it! Have you purchased the threads, before the project? Stitched yourself some one-of-a-kind clothing? Or tried joining two of your favourite hobbies together?

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

Ladybirds are one of those wonderful little gifts we have in our world that are a treasured find.

Whether you believe they bring you good luck, you benefit from their voracious appetite to rid your garden of aphids, or they simply bring a smile to your face as you admire their delicate beauty, we can all agree the world is a better place with ladybirds in it.

When South African designer extraordinaire Trish Burr set out to create a series of gorgeous, embroidered portraits depicting some of the world’s most favourite insects and bugs, adding a ladybird to the line-up was an easy pick.

This fabulous project is now available as a Ready-to-Stitch kit with full colour instructions included along with the design pre-printed on the fabric. You can also purchase the project instructions in print or as a digital PDF file to download.

Ladybird, Ladybird, is worked with stranded cotton onto fine white linen using Trish’s trademark technique, whitework with colour.

In this piece Trish has accurately captured every aspect of this astonishing insect including her glossy red elytra studded with coal black spots along with some fantasy flora added for embellishment.

The finished design measures 9.5cm x 12cm wide (3 ¾" x 4 ¾") and is a companion piece to Trish’s previously released project Bumblebee. Keep an eye out for Trish’s third design in this series that is scheduled for release along with Inspirations magazine issue #125.

For now, we’ll leave you with the famous Ladybird, Ladybird poem that, if you have never read it before, probably requires a content warning – it’s quite a dramatic tale! Like many vintage children’s fairytales, it deals with dark themes but luckily does end on a happy note, thanks to some quick thinking by little Ann.

If you do re-create your own Ladybird, Ladybird, perhaps you might consider calling her Ann, in honour of her miraculous survival!

Ladybird, ladybird,
Fly away home,
Your house is on fire
And your children all gone;
All except one
And that's little Ann,
And she has crept under
The warming pan.

All the materials you need to re-create this project have been sourced for you in our Ready-to-Stitch kit. The design comes pre-printed on the fabric and, as this project is part of our Handpicked range, the kit includes the printed instructions.

Grapevine & Ladybird by Jane Nicholas from Inspirations issue #120 features a golden trellis supporting a stumpwork vine with beaded fruit and a visiting ladybird.

Flower Pots by Ana Mallah from the book A Passion for Needlework 2 | Factoria VII is two gorgeous trinket pots embellished with exquisite stumpwork flowers, and a cute ladybird.

Adorable hand-painted ladybug charm from Susan Clarke Originals.

Expand your knit and crochet repertoire with this delightful menagerie of miniature bugs and beasts: from creepy crawlies and weird wrigglers to beautiful butterflies and splendid metallic dragonflies… and cute ladybirds!

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

Flowers for Elizabeth Blanket Kits are back in stock and Flowers for Elizabeth pinwheels kits are 20% off! Enter and apply the code FESTIVAL20 at checkout to enjoy 20% off the entire range of Susan’s Flowers for Elizabeth Pinwheel Kits.

Conversations by Deborah Love is a wonderfully challenging sampler with little birds amongst flowers showcasing Schwalm embroidery filling stitches.

~ J. Patrick Lewis ~

For a list of upcoming needlework events, click HERE.