Hi <<First Name>>,

Don’t Die With The Needlework Still In You. Recently we’ve been reflecting on the benefits of needlework, mainly from an introspective point of view, as to how as individuals we enjoy its rewards. The true power of the stitch however lies in helping others. Wayne Dyer’s famous quote ‘Don’t Die With The Music Still In You’ paints this beautifully potent message reminding us that we all have something this world needs and part of our purpose is to live it out. Lux Narayan recently analysed 2,000 obituaries from the New York times in a quest to discover if these tributes to the departed can teach us something about life.  In summary he noted that one of the key phrases people used to commend others life work was they HELPED others.  This is clearly something we all value. We have a gallery of needlework projects inside us the world needs.  Creating them is part therapeutic, part storytelling, part social bonding, part showcasing the art for the furtherment of the craft and part inspiring others to pick up their needles and stitch. The world is waiting… release your inner needle artisan today. Share your needlework journey with us at news@inspirationsstudios.com

A BIG THANK YOU

The entire team at Inspirations Studios pours our heart and soul into all we do. We strive to ensure everything we produce passes ‘The World’s Most Beautiful’ test. Embroidery News included. But what is it that we love even more, than that we choose to ply our trade to each day?

‘Butterfly’ by Catherine Laurençon – Inspirations #85

It’s when our beautiful needlework community lets us know we passed the test, and occasionally even surpass it.

Today we wanted to share Paddy’s ‘tick of approval’ from East London in South Africa and take the opportunity to thank everyone who appreciates what we produce, for without you our work would return void.

‘Good morning Embroidery News Team . . . what a glorious way to start my day when I opened your recent newsletter EN #79! I always look forward to receiving Embroidery News, but today’s was so full, that I quickly skimmed through it to see what was there - and what a lot there was! I then returned ever so slowly to savour every single detail. Thank you so much for all the eye candy, the information and inspiration that your letters generate. Regards, Paddy Garrett’

New Digital Patterns Recently Added:

‘CENTAUREA’ BY SUSAN O’CONNOR – INSPIRATIONS #65

Store your scissors and pins in style with this elegant matching scissor sheath and pinball featuring a curving stem of pure blue cornflowers and graceful leaves.

> Centaurea – Digital Download Pattern Available HERE

'SWEET SECRET' BY MARGARET LIGHT – INSPIRATIONS #73

The red pelargonium flower is the perfect decoration for this lovely jewellery pouch, featuring a zippered pocket and lined with red silk.

> Sweet Secret In Digital – Pattern Download Available HERE
> Sweet Secret In Print - Inspirations #73 In Print Available HERE

MANDALA MUSINGS BY HAZEL BLOMKAMP

Bold, confident, striking, memorable and plenty of wow factor.  These are all words that aptly describe both Hazel Blomkamp the person, and her magnificent designs.

‘Mandala Musings’ created by Hazel as featured in Inspirations #93, embodies all these wonderful descriptors and more.  It’s just one of those great needlework pieces that instantly grabs your attention and draws you in.

Symmetrical in design, the repeating pattern gives you plenty of opportunity to perfect the techniques and the project itself is a lovely size to work on, being 27cm (10 ½”) in diameter.

In trademark Hazel Blomkamp style, Mandala Musing incorporates numerous fascinating techniques including needlelace, opulent beading and intricate weaving which, combined with surface embroidery, utilise a total of 21 different stitches to create this magnificent floral design. You certainly won’t get bored stitching it!

We particularly loved Hazel’s use of beads to embellish the design and bring the bling that she does so well and her application of needlewoven areas to create patterned fabrics that fill some of the elements. 

If you are looking for something to really make a statement, you can’t go wrong with a Jacobean design, they are by nature quite an eye-catching motif.  Couple that with brilliant thread colour choices, techniques and the overall design aesthetic that Hazel brings to everything she does, you have yet another Hazel Blomkamp masterpiece.

Whether you frame it, use it on top of a footstool, or for a cushion, Mandala Musings is an absolute head turner and well worth the effort to stitch yourself.

MAKE YOUR OWN MANDALA MUSINGS

‘Mandala Musings’ by Hazel Blomkamp from Inspirations #93 is an opulent, beaded Jacobean design with needleweaving and needlelace.

Step 1 – Purchase Inspirations Issue #93

Issue #93 includes all the information you need, along with step-by-step instructions, requirements list and full size pattern sheet.

> Inspirations #93 - Available In Print HERE

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The ‘Mandala Musing’ Ready-To-Stitch Inspirations Kit includes everything you need to make your own MM: fabrics, beads, embroidery threads and needles.

> Mandala Musing - Ready To Stitch Kit Available HERE

GETTING YOUR HAZEL BLOMKAMP FIX

Here are some other ways you can enjoy more of Hazel’s brilliant designs:

MASTERPIECE – INSPIRATIONS #70

‘Masterpiece’ by Hazel Blomkamp is a superb foot stool richly decorated with ornate Jacobean embroidery.

> Masterpiece In Digital - Pattern Download Available HERE
> Masterpiece In Print - Inspirations #70 In Print Available HERE

SMALL CHANGE – INSPIRATIONS #90

‘Small Change’ by Hazel Blomkamp is a charming coin purse with a vibrant Jacobean design.

> Small Change In Print - Inspirations #90 In Print Available HERE

SUGARPLUM – INSPIRATIONS #92

‘Sugarplum’ by Hazel Blomkamp is a magnificent bauble adorned with beaded flowers and drops.

> Sugarplum In Print - Inspirations #92 In Print Available HERE

HAND STITCHED CRAZY PATCHWORK

In Hazel’s latest book ‘Hand Stitched Crazy Patchwork’ she shows you how to make ordinary patchwork extraordinary, through a fabulous mix of embroidery techniques and bead embellishments.

> Hand Stitched Crazy Patchwork Book In Print - Available HERE

FOR EVEN MORE HAZEL BLOMKAMP

> Check out her website HERE

As always, What Are You Stitching showcases the ‘music’ created by needle and thread.  This week inspiration has come from last week’s EN featuring our feathered friends and our needle artisan of the week, Hazel Blomkamp. 

‘I loved the bird embroideries in the last newsletter! Here is an embroidery I did from a sketch my mother did before she died. It is my first embroidery that isn't from a kit. Cheers, Keryn Cooper’

Keryn, we love that your Heron has allowed you to celebrate the ‘music’ of your Mum’s sketching as well as your love of needle and thread all in one spectacular piece!

‘My name is Helan Pearce and I tutored at Beating around the Bush in 2014. As you were asking about feathered friends in your newsletter, I thought I would send my peacock embroideries that I designed and worked last year.’

‘The blue one’s tail section is in crazy embroidery on a contrasting silk fabric using silk ribbons and a variety of threads, then beaded. It is then appliqued, and quilted to another contrasting piece of silk. The dimensional wings are wired and embroidered. The body is worked separately on a calico slip.’

‘The white one is all dimensional with the small flowers, leaves and wings being wired and embroidered separately then edged in beads and crystals, using a variety of threads secured to a grey silk background. I enjoy reading your newsletters. Cheers, Helan.’

Helan, what delightful and creative interpretations of one of our more regal feathered friends!

From the celebration of fine feather friends, to the celebration of some work from the very fine Hazel Blomkamp . . .

‘I’m now 77, but started stitching when I was 3 or 4 when my Mum noticed that I was happiest when using my hands. She drew a yacht on a piece of fabric and then taught me how to stem stitch. I still remember that the sails were red and the boat was blue. I have been stitching on and off ever since with the help of books and workshops.’

‘I am a big fan of Hazel Blomkamp and have completed four of her projects in total. My first attempt at Needlelace was in Hazel’s classes at Beating Around the Bush in 2014. My favourite stitch is stumpwork, but I just love Hazel’s designs!’

From simple stem stitch to elaborate Needlelace – yours is a stitching journey to be proud of Lorraine!

Now to Nicole Martin who celebrates a fine feathered friend and Hazel Blomkamp all in one delightful piece!

‘I am a great fan of Hazel Blomkamp, as well as Inspirations. This is the latest of Hazel’s projects that I have completed. Her tip about putting a protective fabric guard around your work is so essential when working in the humidity of Queensland.

Also, as a knitter, I discovered that using a row counter was a wonderful way of keeping track of where you were up to in her weaving patterns. I agree, embroidery is a great way to destress! Nicole.’

Before we go, a quick update from Jerome Speekman whose colourful parrots were a sight to behold last week.

‘This is the one I’m working on at the moment… Cheers Jerome.’

Jerome, seeing your work in progress is a real treat as it helps us to understand where to begin the process of taking an incredibly intricate photo and representing it in thread. We look forward to seeing the finished result, or perhaps even an update on your progress if you feel so inclined!

We know you have some stitching music that’s just waiting to be shared with the Embroidery News Community! Please email photos of your work as well as some details about your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com.

JOIN THE FAMILY…

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

Mini Hoop Idea

‘Birdsong’ by Gary Clake from Inspirations #93 is a perfect project to use with a Dandelyne™ Mini Hoop and these are available for purchase through our website.

Created in a variety of shapes and sizes, Mini Hoops can be used either as a wearable brooch or can hang from a chain so that you have a perfect, personalised piece of embroidered jewellery.

For ‘Birdsong’ we would recommend using either a 40mm or a 55mm circle hoop which you can purchase as a brooch or necklace.

> Browse our range of Dandelyne™ Mini Hoops HERE

> 40mm Hoop HERE       |      > 55mm Hoop HERE

BLOSSUM – INSPIRATIONS #90

Gary has designed this delightful compact whitework zipped bag as featured in Inspirations issue #90.  Stitched with a single flower from a stunning repeating design finished in a gentle monochromatic colour scheme.

> Inspirations issue #90 – Available In Print HERE

HUMMING BIRD – INSPIRATIONS #83

Humming Bird from issue #83 is a unique organza embroidery of a dainty hummingbird.  Issue #83 also includes a fascinating ‘Meet Gary Clarke’ article.

> Inspirations issue #83 – Available In Print HERE

MORE FLORAL THEME PROJECTS

‘EARTH’S BOUNTY’ BY HEATHER SCOTT

‘Earth’s Bounty’ by Heather Scott from Inspirations #61 is a set of four white linen placemats showcasing an artfully portrayed pink coneflower, flax flower, chamomile and spotted geranium.

> Earth’s Bounty – Digital Download Pattern Available HERE
> Earth’s Bounty - Inspirations #61 Available In Print HERE

‘ROYAL BLUEBELLS’ BY ANNETTE RICH

Stitched onto cream silk with vibrant silk threads in rich shades of sky blue, avocado and cream, ‘Royal Bluebells’ by Annette Rich is an amazing stumpwork picture of native bluebells.

> Royal Bluebells – Digital Download Pattern Available HERE
> Royal Bluebells - Inspirations #61 Available In Print HERE

What: London Calling – Quilts at the Library | An Exhibition by London Quilters
Where: Swiss Cottage Library | 88 Avenue Road London
When : to 15 Apr
Details: Click HERE

What: 2017 Scarf Festival | Galaxies – A Textile Journey to Infinity & Beyond
Where: The National Wool Museum | 26 Moorabool Street Geelong, Victoria
When: Entries Close 30 Apr
Details: Click HERE & scarffestival@geelongcity.vic.gov.au

What: Jeanie Baker’s Circle Exhibition
Where: Royal Botanic Gardens | Domain House | Dallas Brooks Drive South Yarra Victoria
When: to 14 May
Details: edserve@rbg.vic.gov.au

What: The Language of Flowers | The Embroiderers’ Guild of SA Museum Team Exhibition
Where: 16 Hughes Street Mile End, South Australia
When: to 30 Jun
Details: Click HERE  

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

What: Fibres West 2017
Where: Cloverdale Exhibition Park Grounds | 6050 176th Street Surrey, British Columbia
When: 17 & 18 Mar
Details: Click HERE

What: Embroiderers Guild of Victoria - Castlemaine Branch | Colour Magic Exhibition
Where: The Mount Alexander Golf Club | Wimble Street Castlemaine, Victoria
When: 18 to 22 Mar
Details: Click HERE

What: Grampians Texture
Where: Grampians | Victoria, Australia
When: 18 to 23 Mar
Details: Click HERE

What: Hand & Lock | Haute Couture Tambour Beading Workshop - Sydney
Where: Carriageworks | 245 Wilson Street Eveleigh, NSW Australia
When: 3 to 5 Apr
Details: Click HERE

What: Hand & Lock | Heritage, The Now & The Future of Embroidery Conference - Sydney
Where: Carriageworks | 245 Wilson Street Eveleigh, New South Wales
When: 6 Apr
Details: Click HERE

What: International Quilt Festival | Chicago
Where: Donald E Stephens Convention Center | 5555 N River Road Rosemont, Illinois
When: 6 to 8 Apr
Details: Click HERE

What: The Artisans of Geelong Inc Exhibition | The Fabric of our Community
Where: The Bostock Gallery | Corner Gordon Ave & Fenwick Street Geelong, Victoria
When: 8 to 9 Apr
Details: Click HERE

What: Needlework & Textile Exhibitions | Festival Fleurieu
Where: Fleurieu Coast, South Australia
When: 14 to 30 Apr
Details: Click HERE

What: Exquisite Needlework |
Exhibition by Barossa Branch of the Embroiderers’ Guild of SA
Where: CWA Hall | Murray Street Tanunda
When: 19 to 23 Apr
Details: Click HERE

What: The Australasian Quilt Convention
Where: Royal Exhibition Building | Carlton Gardens Melbourne, Victoria
When: 20 to 23 April
Details: Click HERE

What: South Coast Embroidery Exhibition | Silver Threads
Where: RSL Hall | 10 The Strand Port Elliot, South Australia
When: 22 to 23 April
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
news@inspirationsstudios.com

Happy Stitching
The Embroidery News Team