Hi <<First Name>>, Making a Difference. A story is told of a young boy walking along a beach who comes across hundreds of star fish stranded on the sand. He begins to pick up the stricken starfish and one by one throws them back into the ocean, when a fisherman comes by. ‘Lad, there are too many starfish here, your efforts to save them won’t make any difference!’ The boy picks up another starfish and, tossing it back into the ocean, replies ‘Well it made a pretty big difference to that one!’ Sometimes it’s the small things we do for one another that make the biggest difference. As stitchers we have the power to bring beautiful into the lives of others in so many ways. The very notion of us stitching even a small gift, or monogramming something, can speak volumes as to how much we cherish someone.   For a fellow stitcher, a kind word of encouragement just at the right time can mean the difference between giving up on a project, or pushing through and finishing, knowing someone else was thinking about us. We don’t have to save the world over night, but we certainly have the power to make a difference, one stitch at a time.

Do you have any stories of how your stitching has made a difference?  We’d love to hear about it, please email us at news@inspirationsstudios.com

Do you sometimes struggle with a lack of confidence? What project would you start right now if self-doubt took a holiday? Anita from Londonderry in the UK shares tales of her growing confidence and where she is today on her crafters journey.

“As a subscriber to Embroidery News, I read your comments about confidence, and was INSPIRED to write. I am a keen embroiderer and craftsperson…but I struggle with confidence, or more correctly lack of confidence!

Today I design and make embroidered felted items and miniature handmade dolls, which I sell on Etsy and supply local craft shops, however let me start at the beginning…   

My sewing adventure started with a little cross stitch kit. I moved onto patchwork, and made lots of large quilts. I ran out of space to display them so turned my attention to small, complex embroidery projects. One project involved hardanger. I thought it was a beautiful technique, but a leap of faith to cut holes in something stitched so carefully. I was inspired by Yvette Stanton’s work.

Using her book, Elegant Hardanger Embroidery, I started my own project. I couldn’t decide which pattern to use so I selected patterns I liked and put them all together! I found a photo of an old sampler in Stitch magazine (totally uncharted), and various other borders and stitches.

It was mad and if the plan went wrong, it could be a frustrating waste of time. Out came the graph paper, and I set to marking out the patterns, counting and colouring little squares. I can’t recall how much time (including dithering time) went into the project, but the piece is now framed and hanging on my wall (see photo above). I love it! I didn’t think I could cope with the intricacies of this work, but am glad to say I pulled it off. 

In terms of my career in science, I have gone through redundancy four times. Some ended in job loss, some in a change of job description. It’s not easy and my confidence has taken a knock. The last redundancy spurred on the idea of starting my own business, selling handmade items, under the name of The Craftsmyth. With help from an enterprise company and some welcome advice, I did just that!

I’ve still a lot to learn, but it really is amazing when someone buys one of my creations, and leaves lovely positive review. It makes it all worthwhile.”

Anita, career ups and downs can be very stressful, and you’re right, confidence can take a huge beating. We love the way you have found a creative path to bolster your confidence and step into the business world. We wish you luck as you go! For anyone interested in Anita’s work, you can visit her ETSY store HERE.

Last week we announced that in response to Inspirations #94 selling out, all projects from this issue will be released as digital patterns.

Two projects have already been released and this week ‘First Mate’ by Julie Graue is now available.

FIRST MATE – INSPIRATIONS #94

‘First Mate’ is a beautiful example of classic baby clothing. Elegant, traditional styling, superb fabric and the addition of a timeless monogram make this perfect for a Christening, naming day or any special occasion for a baby boy.

> PATTERN – First Mate Digital Pattern Available HERE
> KIT – First Mate Ready-To-Stitch Kit Available HERE

> Issue #94 Patterns – Browse HERE
> Issue #94 Kits – Browse HERE

CAN’T SEE THE FOREST BY BETSY MORGAN

At Inspirations we feature some of the very best needlework artisans around who, time after time, deliver astonishing needlework for us all to admire. 

Betsy Morgan from the USA is one such designer who has been gracing the pages of the magazine for over 10 years now, and her project ‘Can’t See the Forest’ from issue #96, yet again shows why she is the Queen of Counted Thread.

‘Can’t See the Forest’ takes you for a wander in an enchanting forest, full of beautiful trees and alive with birds and animals. Betsy has captured it all perfectly in counted thread work on this superb little sewing box, complete with pull-out drawer and matching tasselled scissor fob.

Each side of the box is adorned with the most gorgeous trees and wildlife, and it is such a stunning design we just had to ask Betsy where her inspiration for such beauty came from…

‘The idea began with a sampler I saw on a visit to England in 2012. It had a band which was made up of different stylized trees. I liked the way it looked and parked the idea of it in the back of my mind. 

Then I was playing on Pinterest one day and found a photo of an 18th century pin cushion which was set into the top of a box which had a drawer in it. 

	Image courtesy of Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

I had never seen anything like it before and thought that it would be a fun jumping off point for a new design. Finally, I was sitting at my desk one day looking out the window at the deer grazing with our horses in our back pasture, and the idea came to me. 

We see lots of wildlife on our farm and we have a few acres of woods as well, so I combined the wildlife and the trees on a variation of the pin cushion box I saw on Pinterest and ‘Can’t See the Forest’ came to life.’

Betsy also reminded us that the top of the box is padded so it doubles as a pin cushion – now that’s clever!

‘Can’t See the Forest’ is made up of five stitched panels (three sides, base and top) each with a unique design, plus a double-sided scissor fob. This really is just one of those feel good projects that make you want to grab your needle and thread and start stitching. It’s fun, achievable, practical and delightful all in one package – or one box with a draw in this case! 

BONUS CHART – EMBROIDERY NEWS EXCLUSIVE

We have some super exciting news for anyone who is a fan of Australian animals.

Betsy has created a bonus chart of Australian animals to give you the option of swapping out any of the original animals (deer, badger, squirrel, skunk, fox, rabbit, cardinal, owl and butterfly) for the Aussie equivalents: lorikeet, koala, cockatoo, Tasmanian devil, platypus, wombat, kangaroo and even a Ulysses butterfly.

This bonus chart has been added to the Inspirations website as a digital PDF file and is available to download for FREE!

> PATTERN – Can’t See the Forest Aussie Animals Available HERE

Whether you create ‘Can’t See the Forest’ as it appears in the magazine, or create a ‘Can’t See the Outback’ version by adding some Aussie animals, the finished result is sure to be gorgeous!

MAKE YOUR OWN CAN’T SEE THE FOREST
BY BETSY MORGAN

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

‘Can’t See the Forest’ by Betsy Morgan is an enchanting counted thread box with a pull-out drawer and matching scissor fob.

> MAGAZINE – Inspirations #96 Available HERE
> PATTERN – Can’t See the Forest Digital Pattern Available HERE

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for ‘Can’t See the Forest’ includes everything you need to re-create this thread box: interfacing, wadding, comic board, embroidery threads, beads and needles.

> KIT – Can’t See the Forest Ready-To-Stitch Kit Available HERE

LOOKING FOR MORE SWEET PROJECTS FROM
BETSY MORGAN?

SWEET SOUVENIR – INSPIRATIONS #72

‘Sweet Souvenir’ by Betsy Morgan is a delightful scissor etui with a variety of counted thread stitches.

> PATTERN – Sweet Souvenir Pattern Available HERE

SWEET TREATS – INSPIRATIONS #92

‘Sweet Treats’ by Betsy Morgan is a set of cute little pincushions showcasing a variety of counted thread designs.

> MAGAZINE – Inspirations #92 Available HERE
> PATTERN – Sweet Treats Digital Pattern Available HERE

SWEET SURPRISE – INSPIRATIONS #61

‘Sweet Surprise’ by Betsy Morgan is an elegant embroidery accessory – the ideal gift for a stitching friend.

> PATTERN – Sweet Surprise Digital Pattern Available HERE
> MAGAZINE – Inspirations #61 Available HERE

MEADOW SWEET – INSPIRATIONS #57

‘Meadow Sweet’ by Betsy Morgan is a beautiful stumpwork study featuring a stunning gold dragonfly.

> PATTERN – Meadow Sweet Digital Pattern Available HERE
> MAGAZINE – Inspirations #57 Available HERE

Counted Thread Embroidery is any embroidery in which the fabric threads are counted by the embroiderer before inserting the needle into the fabric, and this week’s WAYS celebrates those who have been busy doing just that – carefully counting fabric threads and then inserting needles!

LISA RONALD

‘I have been embroidering for just over a year and love Inspirations!I am currently working the counted thread Etui project ‘Tall Year Square’ from issue #93 in my class at The Embroiderer.

I've loved working on all my projects and look forward to each new issue of Inspirations, excited to find inspiration for my next embroidery challenge.’

Lisa, it’s amazing to think that it’s just over a year since you started your needlework journey! Your willingness to take on Betsy Morgan’s ‘Tall Year Square’ shows just how many skills and confidence you’ve developed in such a short time. We can’t wait to see photos of the finished piece!

JOYCE BARGH

‘I started stitching before I went to school as I wanted to make skirts for my dolls. I guess my Mum must have taught me to do some simple embroidery stitches and in those days (the 1950’s) we were also taught embroidery at school. I have embroidered all my life, but it wasn’t until I joined The Embroiderer’s Guild that I was encouraged to further my needlework by something as simple as using a hoop. I was also introduced to many techniques, some of which I got hooked on.’

‘At the moment I am going through cancer treatment for Myeloma which diminishes my vision so I cannot manage any fine work, but I have been assured my vision will return. I have many fine pieces put away until that time, but as every stitcher will know, I still need something to be creating in my hands, so I am doing crewel work and canvas work in short periods at the moment and enjoying them.’

‘I love Inspirations Magazine and go through them taking note of the projects I want to do someday, although I already have too many to complete in my lifetime! I have threads that I never intend using, but just love to look and handle them - there must be a medical term for this disease!’  

Joyce, we love that you’ve made the best of a difficult situation by putting your hand to some new embroidery techniques! You’ve taken to canvas work well, but we do hope you’re back to stitching your fine work in no time at all.

JETTE SAUERBERG

‘As I am an enthusiastic miniature dolls house maker and also love to embroider, I have combined both these hobbies.’

‘The doll’s house carpet measures 20 x 20cm (8” x 8”) and the miniature screen is just 13cm (5”) high.

They are both made in petit point on 40 count silk gauze and I had to make them with a magnifying glass.’

Jette, what incredibly fine and intricate pieces. To see that much detail on such a small scale is simply breathtaking!

CHRISTIANE PARIS

Again, we feature the work of Christiane who’s become quite the regular in WAYS over the last few weeks! These are her latest pieces – Blackwork…

Christiane, it is the striking simplicity and incredibly fine stitching on your pieces that always catches our eye!

Have you been carefully counting your fabric threads before inserting your needle? We’d love to see what you’ve created! Email us photos of your work and a few details of your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com.

NOT A SUBSCRIBER? JOIN TODAY…

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

SUBSCRIBE TO INSPIRATIONS MAGAZINE

PRINT | For a print subscription fill in our secure online form with your details HERE.

DIGITAL | Digital subscriptions can be purchase through Zinio direct HERE or through the Inspirations APP which can be downloaded via the iTunes and Google Play stores, by searching ‘Inspirations Magazine’.

CALL US - If you have any questions regarding an Inspirations subscription or just want to have a chat, we’d love to hear from you.  You can call us from anywhere in the world on +61 8 8293 8600 anytime and if we’re not in, leave a message and we’ll get back to you.  For anyone within Australia, call us on 08 8293 8600.

Otherwise email us anytime at subs@inspirationsstudios.com

MAKE YOUR OWN TIMELESS TREASURE BY MARY JO HINEY

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

‘Timeless Treasure’ by Mary Jo Hiney is a beautiful hexagonal box using cartonnage techniques.

> MAGAZINE – Inspirations #96 Available HERE
> PATTERN – Timeless Treasure Digital Pattern Available HERE

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for ‘Timeless Treasure’ includes everything you need to re-create this beautiful box: fabric, lace, interfacing, batting, flexible cardboard, firm cardboard, silk ribbons, embroidery threads, beading thread, beads and needles.

> KIT – Timeless Treasure Ready-To-Stitch Kit Available HERE

MORE BOXES TO STORE YOUR TREASURES

HIDDEN SECRETS – INSPIRATIONS #61

‘Hidden Secrets’ by Angelique Benseghir-Vergnault is a fascinating embroidered etui.

> PATTERN – Hidden Secrets Digital Pattern Available HERE
> MAGAZINE – Inspirations #61 Available HERE

HOME SWEET HOME – INSPIRATIONS #91

‘Home Sweet Home’ by Anne Davies is a handy pincushion and container inspired by basket beehives.

> MAGAZINE – Inspirations #91 Available HERE

TINY TREASURES – INSPIRATIONS #65

‘Tiny Treasures’ by Betsy Morgan is an exquisite cross stitch etui stitched in a rainbow of silk threads and filled with a collection of dainty sewing accessories.

> PATTERN – Tiny Treasures Digital Pattern Available HERE

TREASURE CHEST – INSPIRATIONS #73

‘Treasure Chest’ by Yvette Stanton and Janie Hubble is a dainty box using traditional Hardanger in contemporary colours.

> MAGAZINE – Inspirations #73 Available HERE

What: Jeanie Baker’s Circle Exhibition
Where: Tasmania Museum & Art Gallery | Hobart, Tasmania
When: to 26 Nov
Details: Click HERE

What: May Morris | Art & Life
Where: William Morris Gallery | Lloyd Park, Forest Road Walthamstow, London
When: to 28 Jan
Details: Click HERE

What: Bungendore Quilters’ Annual Quilt Exhibition
Where: Bungendore Memorial Hall | Molonglo Street Bungendore, New South Wales
When: 25 & 26 Nov
Details: Click HERE

What: The Embroiderers’ Guild of Queensland | Christmas Craft Fair
Where: 149 Brunswick Street Fortitude Valley, Queensland
When: 26 Nov | 8:00 to 12:00
Details: Click HERE

What: Christmas Shopping Day at Create in Stitch
Where: 433A Fullarton Road Highgate, South Australia
When: 29 Nov | 9:30 to 7
Details: 08 8377 7792

Send us details about events, exhibitions and celebrations happening in your place of stitch and we’ll include them in Embroidery News. Contact us at
news@inspirationsstudios.com

Happy Stitching
The Embroidery News Team