Hi <<First Name>>,

When society talks about addictions, it’s always in a negative context.  Rightfully so when it comes to the ugly nature of substance abuse, but is there such a thing as a positive or healthy addiction? In western society, we have perfected the art of excess and more than ever before need to heed the advice ‘all things are best in moderation.’ However, needlework addiction can yield some wonderful outcomes like quieting a frenzied mind, soothing a troubled heart and replacing chaos with tranquillity. So if you’re smitten with stitchin and can’t put down those needles, don’t worry you’re in good company… we’re all the same!  We can  attend needlework rehab together and stitch some spectacular jackets with long sleeves for us all to wear! Now for our town crier update:  ‘Hear Ye! Hear Ye!  Stitchers gather round.  We’re down to 4 weeks till Christmas so it’s now or never.  Stitch me something great, or don’t stitch me anything at all!’ Do you have a stitching addiction and want to talk about it?  We’d love to see and hear what you’ve been up to!  Email us at news@inspirationsstudios.com

Have you noticed that when we find something we adore, it’s difficult to just have one?  This might apply to items such as shoes and handbags, pets like dogs and cats, and some even collect cars and boats!  Most of us have a collection of something we love, it must be part of our human nature as gatherers?  Today we want to show you something else that you’ll want to collect!

SWEET TREATS by Betsy Morgan

‘Sweet Treats’ – Inspirations issue #92

Betsy Morgan is renowned for creating exquisite counted threadwork sewing accessories which are a perfect balance between beauty and function.  Her elegant designs borrow from traditional samplers, motifs from ancient chinaware, geometric shapes, flowers, and even animals from the farm where Betsy lives.  Each project is refined, intricate and enchanting, drawing you in not only to admire the exceptional needlework, but also to discover the wonderful function each piece has been designed to perform.

Her latest project is a series of adorable pincushions called ‘Sweet Treats’.  As tempting as the sweetest treat, these delicious little pincushions are decorated with a range of beautiful counted thread techniques including Assisi work, bargello and blackwork.

One of the many aspects of Betsy’s projects one admires, is how as delicate as each piece may be, it still has a purpose.  Therefore you can chose to make these for their intended purpose as a pin cushion, or mix it up and use them as Christmas Tree decorations, show off your needlework with a bowl of them sitting on your coffee table, or even make one as an accessory for an etui or necessaire. 

At a finished size of 3cm x 4.5cm wide (1 ¼" x 1 ¾") they are a perfect ‘quick to stitch’ project which means that even with only 4 weeks till Christmas you still have time to make some for that last-minute gift you may have forgotten about.

The best part is, you really can’t just make one can you?  These addictive cuties will have you stitching one after the other as once you see how adorable the finished product is, you’ll be hooked!  Betsy knew this and generously supplied us with a 6th pattern as a bonus chart which is included in the magazine.  Once you’ve made all 5 pictured, you can complete your half dozen collection and make just one more!   

MAKE YOUR OWN ‘SWEET TREATS’

Step 1/. – Purchase Inspirations Issue #92

‘Sweet Treats’ by Betsy Morgan is featured in Inspirations issue #92.  Complete with a comprehensive project requirements list, detailed instructions, 6 charts including the bonus pattern, and illustrations on four-sided stitch, all the steps are covered off.

> Printed copies of issue #92 are now available to order HERE.

Step 2/. – Purchase Sweet Treats Kit

Kit contains everything you need to re-create the 5 pin cushions shown in the magazine with each finished pincushion measuring 3cm x 4.5cm wide (11/4" x 13/4").

Ready To Stitch Kit contains: fabrics, batting, ribbons, buttons, beads, self-cover button kit, embroidery threads and needles.

BACK IN STOCK – After selling out in the first weeks of release, the ‘Sweet Treats’ kit is now back in stock.  Limited quantities so don’t miss out.

> Purchase ‘Sweet Treats’ Kit HERE.

LOOKING FOR MORE BETSY MORGAN? 

Betsy’s stunning and extremely popular needlework pieces have featured in numerous issues of Inspirations over the years, some of the highlights include:

TINY TREASURES – Issue #65

Exquisite cross stitch etui, stitched in a rainbow of silk threads and filled with a collection of dainty sewing accessories.

> Purchase Digital Download of ‘Tiny Treasures’ HERE.

SWEET SOUVENIR – Issue #72

Stitched onto lilac evenweave linen, this scissor etui is lined with lavender silk and uses a combination of solid colour and variegated threads and ribbons.

> Purchase Digital Download of ‘Sweet Souvenir’ HERE.

SEASONS – Issue #87

No matter what time of year it is, this sweet pin cube and scissor fob will keep your embroidery essentials safe and close at hand.

DID YOU KNOW – Issue #87 also features the article ‘Meet Betsy Morgan’ where she talks about her needlework adventure to date and showcases more of her work.

> Purchase Printed Copy Of Inspirations Issue #87 HERE.

Betsy Morgan Website

You can also visit Betsy’s website ‘Willing Hands’ and check out more of her projects and recent blog posts HERE.

‘White Linen’ by Deborah Love

10 weeks ago we launched our brand new book ‘Inspirations – A Passion For Needlework’.  At the time we made this bold statement:

Our mission is to create the ‘world’s most beautiful needlework book’.    

Whether we achieved this feat would ultimately be decided by you, our awesome needlework community, and the results are in.

‘David Smyth’s Garden’ by Susan O’Connor

‘I've just received my copy of "A Passion for Needlework" - what a beautiful book!   I've been a subscriber since Inspirations' beginning and have quite a few Inspirations books, but this one is the very best.   Sincere congratulations to all involved.   And may you all continue to inspire all needleworkers for ever.  Monica Pook, Victoria Australia.

Thank you for the kind words, Monica we’re thrilled you like the book.  We are also humbled to have another fan who has graciously taken to her blog to review APFN.

Here is an excerpt from Mary Corbett’s website ‘Needle N Thread’:

‘Prepare yourself for Something Stunning.

I’m telling you, this book is all about beauty and presentation! If you want a needlework book to drool over, to sigh over, to practically cry over – this is it.

When I opened the package, I just wasn’t prepared!

I don’t know if I’ve ever been flabbergasted by an embroidery book. But I think this one did it. It’s just that pretty.’

Inspirations does "beautiful" in the needlework world like no one else, that's for sure!

‘Forest Kingfisher’ by Trish Burr

Mary you are making us blush!  Thank you so much for your very kind words, we are so fortunate to receive such a high commendation from a respected and trusted industry great as yourself.

We encourage everyone to read Mary’s full review HERE, and if you don’t already receive her outstanding email newsletter, sign up HERE. 

‘Serendipity’ by Susan O’Connor

If you are yet to experience the pleasure of reading ‘A Passion For Needlework’ for yourself, the good news is we haven’t sold out just yet!

> Printed copies of the book are available for purchase HERE.

Beautiful Needlework.  Sold Here.  www.stitchology.com.au

There is so much talent and creativity out there in our stitching community, it never ceases to amaze us.  Yet again this week we bring you more spectacular needlework and design skills for your viewing pleasure, starting off with Marjolein van Vessem from Amsterdam:

Dear Embroidery News, I am so jealous of all the people who recently attended Beating Around The Bush! It must have been a real feast!  I embroidered some leaves I found in my garden.

I used organza and goldthread. It depends on the fall of the light as to whether you can see the embroidery or not.

The leaves in themselves are beautiful, I think, but I could not stop myself from embroidering.  Thank you for your beautiful magazine!  With greetings, Marjolein van Vessem.

Absolutely Stunning Marjolein!  Your embellishment of beautiful leaves has created something even more beautiful.  Mother Nature would be very jealous we’re quite sure!

Margo Brooks from the USA has also given Mother Nature a run for her money:

Hello, As I split my time between Rhode Island and Colorado in the US, I have been working on an Inspirations project in each place. In RI I am working on the shadow work butterfly curtains from Inspirations 70. I liked my practice piece so much I framed it!

In Colorado, I just finished the stumpwork rose from Inspirations 87. I made it into a corsage and sent it to my mom for her birthday. Thank you so much for the wonderful projects and great directions. Both techniques were new to me!

Wonderful pieces Margo, fascinating to hear how you have a different project in progress in each location you live, great way of getting the spice of variety in to your life.  Also we enjoyed learning of your creative uses for both projects, framing the butterflies instead of using as curtains and the Briar Rose would make a gorgeous corsage, well done.

The butterflies featured above are from the project ‘Flutter’ by Yvette Stanton.  You can purchase either a printed copy of issue #70 HERE or a digital download of ‘Flutter’ HERE.

Susan Cuss from Canada is up next:

‘Hi everyone. I've been enjoying Inspirations’ Embroidery News immensely, and thought I would share with you a piece I designed and stitched as a wedding gift.

The embroidery was created to celebrate the setting of the wedding, as well as the bride and groom. Their wedding was held in a winery, so these elements were incorporated into the wedding piece. I created stumpwork wine leaves and beaded grape clusters. Since rose bushes grew at the ends of each row of grapes at the winery, they were also included in the wedding embroidery. Taking approximately eight months to complete, the couple received it in time for their first anniversary and loved it.  I hope you enjoy the photographs. Thank you.’

You have certainly put a lot of careful thought and meaning into your design Susan which is reflected in the attention to detail of the finished piece itself.   Very lucky bride and groom to receive that as their first anniversary gift, much better than the traditional present of just paper!

Bringing us the final piece for this week is Alessandra Marcellan from Texas in the USA:

Hello, I always love reading Inspirations and Embroidery News, especially the section where people sent their own embroidery.  Today I’d like to share with you my latest fun project, a sewing necessaire of my own design.   I love nesting dolls and made them my theme for this piece.  The front cover is done in “or nue” technique and edged with needlelace work.

The back cover is from a piece of my canvas stitches practice… once I did stitch four books of stitches just to practice, the one I used is a piece from that “blanket”.

The inside is full of fun things. This will be my traveling sewing necessaire with the tools I will need to stitch including: Scissors holder, mellor and tweezers holder, magnetic pincushion, pincushion with emery on the inside, pin holder, needles holder and more…  Enjoy !  Alessandra

Alessandra we can only imagine how many hours of planning, designing, stitching, construction, love and patience has gone into creating this masterpiece.  It really is extraordinary, everywhere you look there is intricate needlework to enjoy.  Thank you for sharing it with us, we love it.

What Are YOU Stitching?  We’d love to see it… send your photos, a description of the project and a little about yourself including where you live, to news@inspirationsstudios.com

Did you receive a billing notification email this week for Inspirations Issue #93? 

All current Inspirations print subscribers were sent a reminder regarding the upcoming billing dates for issue #93.  If you haven’t received it, please let us know

Not A Subscriber?  Join Today!

Have the world’s most beautiful needlework magazine delivered right to your door 4 times a year,

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@inspirationsmagazine.com.au

DIGITAL PATTERN RECENTLY ADDED:

‘The Work Basket’ by Carolyn Pearce from Inspirations issue #21 is now available as a digital download.  This beautiful project is all about taking a humble cane basket and transforming it into a work of art, designed to store your own works of art in progress!

> To purchase click HERE

BARBARA JACKSON FAVOURITES:

‘Summer Garden’ - issue #40

‘Summer Garden’ by Barbara Jackson is a beautiful traditional crewelwork sewing purse.

> Purchase printed copies of Inspirations issue #40 HERE.

‘Woodland Berries’ – issue #67

‘Woodland Berries’ by Barbara Jackson is a collection of charming crewel needlework accessories.

> Purchase Digital Download of ‘Woodland Berries’ HERE.

‘Needle Nook’ – issue #70

‘Needle Nook’ by Barbara Jackson is a stylish cream linen needlebook, embroidered with wool threads.

> Purchase printed copies of Inspirations issue #70 HERE.
> Purchase Digital Download of ‘Needle Nook’ HERE.

'Little Bits' – issue #78

‘Little Bits’ by Barbara Jackson helps you keep stitching supplies close at hand with these dainty crewel embroidered accessories.

> Purchase printed copies of Inspirations issue #78 HERE.
> Purchase Digital Download of ‘Little Bits’ HERE.

What: Opus Anglicanum | Masterpieces of English Medieval Embroidery
Where: Room 38 | Victoria & Albert Museum
When: to 5 Feb
Details: Click HERE

What: Undressed | A Brief History of Underwear
Where: Room 40 | Victoria & Albert Museum
When: to 12 Mar
Details: Click HERE

What: RSN | Stories in Stitch Exhibition
Where: Hampton Court Palace
When: to 31 Mar
Details: Click HERE

What: Albury Wodonga Doll, Bear & Hobby Show
Where: Mirambeena Community Centre | Martha Mews Lavington, New South Wales
When: 26 & 27 Nov
Details: Click HERE

What: Bungendore Quilt Exhibition
Where: Bungendore War Memorial Hall | Molonglo Street Bungendore, Australian Capital Territory
When: 26 & 27 Nov
Details: Click HERE

What: The Embroiderers’ Guild Queensland | Christmas Fair
Where: 149 Brunswick Street Fortitude Valley, Queensland
When: 27 Nov
Details: Click HERE

What: The Bobbin Tree Opens | Jenny McWhinney’s Embroidery Boutique
Where: 31 Payneham Road College Park , South Australia
When: 28 Nov @ 10:00 | NEW DATE
Details: jennymcwhinney@bigpond.com

What: The Embroiderers’ Guild of South Australia | Summer School 2017
Where: Westminster College | 1/23 Alison Avenue Marion, South Australia
When: 18 to 22 Jan | BOOKINGS CLOSE 1 DEC
Details: Click HERE

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
embroiderynews@inspirationsmagazine.com.au

Happy Stitching
The Embroidery News Team