Hi <<First Name>>, Peace. Where do you find peace? For some it’s listening to music, others it’s through nature and the great outdoors, prayer and meditation works for many and then there is needlework…  A stitcher can instantly feel at ease the second the needle is in their hand… it’s like ‘this is what I was born to do’.  Even admiring the work of others, or planning your next project can help you find peace. Peace can mean to be whole, or a state of not being interrupted or annoyed by worry, problems or noise. Any mother can appreciate the absence of peace, especially when trying to take a bathroom break!  Really… not even 5 mins? Once peace is found however, everything changes.  Thinking speeds up and becomes clearer, new ideas are birthed, creativity flourishes.  It’s a wonderful place. While we’re on a Time Out odyssey with Inspirations #94, how is your pursuit of peace going?  What will you do today to seek out tranquility in your life? Share your needlework journey with us at news@inspirationsstudios.com

INSPIRATIONS STUDIOS NEWS

Here are some gorgeous projects that have just been recently added as digital downloads for your stitching pleasure…

VIOLETTE – INSPIRATIONS #81

‘Violette’ by Carolyn Pearce features sweet violets in numerous shades beautifully thread painted onto chartreuse silk to create these glorious needlework accessories.

> Violette In Digital – Pattern Download Available HERE
> Violette In Print – Issue #81 In Print Available HERE

THE LITTLE ELEPHANT – INSPIRATIONS #45

‘The Little Elephant’ by Jenny McWhinney is an endearing child’s blanket featuring a baby elephant flying a colourful kite.

> The Little Elephant In Digital – Pattern Download Available HERE

‘FOR LOVE OF KNITTING’ – INSPIRATIONS #60

‘For Love of Knitting’ by Gail Doane – Keep your knitting needles safe and secure in these beautifully embroidered needle cases.

> For Love of Knitting In Digital – Pattern Download Available HERE
> For Love of Knitting In Print – Issue #60 In Print Available HERE

VICTORIANA BY ANNE DAVIES

The word ‘bespoke’ is becoming quite a popular terms these days.  Mainly used in association with the resurgence of handmade goods, it seems everyone is looking for something bespoke, or made to order, as we turn away from mass produced products and designs.

Hooray!  It’s so great to see people appreciating the art of handmade once again.  Funny though when you consider the word bespoke first appeared in the Oxford English Dictionary back in 1607... one can only deduce therefore, it just helps prove the saying ‘everything old is new again’.

	‘Victoriana | Hollyhock’ – Inspirations #94

‘Victoriana’ by Anne Davies is a glorious example of making something old, new again.  These classic vintage brooches are both reminiscent of a bygone era, and so chic and on trend as they enable you to create your own bespoke, wearable embroidery.

Using ribbon embroidery to create two different, equally stunning floral arrangements, these are petite projects requiring only a few, carefully considered stitches.  In fact, as a technique, ribbon embroidery is typically used in more voluminous floral designs, however as Anne Davies is quite the master at all things intricate, here we see her using ribbon embroidery on a very intimate scale with delightful results.

	‘Victoriana | Rose Bouquet’ – Inspirations #94

Anne also incorporates unique materials such as Mary Jo Hiney’s hand dyed silk velvet in ‘green algae’, which provides the perfect foundation to the intricately stitched ribbons and the combination creates a lovely textural contrast.

Another superb finishing touch is the lacy border of tiny glass beads around the edge of each brooch.   The back of each brooch is finished with co-ordinating silk and each one fastens with a gold pin.

To ensure nothing is left to chance, the project Victoriana comes complete with over 20 easy to follow step-by-step images, templates for the design and even instructions on how to construct and finish the brooch.

If you can’t choose between the ‘Hollyhock’ or ‘Rose Bouquet’ designs, this is the perfect opportunity to play your ‘Time Out’ card and declare you shall stitch both!  After all… can one ever own too many fashion accessories?

MAKE YOUR OWN VICTORIANA BY ANNE DAVIES

Step 1 – Purchase Inspirations #94

‘Victoriana’ by Anne Davies are enchanting silk ribbon brooches, edged with delicate beading.

> Inspirations issue #94 - Available In Print HERE

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kits for each ‘Victoriana’ design include everything you need to re-create your own brooch : fabrics and interfacings, batting, brooch pin, bee charm (Hollyhock only), beading thread, embroidery threads, silk ribbons, beads and  needles.

> Victoriana Hollyhock Ready-To-Stitch Kit Available HERE
> Victoriana Rose Bouquet Ready-To-Stitch Kit Available HERE

MORE ANNE DAVIES

Anne Davies first appeared in Inspirations back in issue #68 with the project ‘Busy Bee’ which set the tone for the enchanting designs we have enjoyed ever since. Here is some more of her work:

BUSY BEE – INSPIRATIONS #68

‘Busy Bee’ by Anne Davies is a gorgeous tasselled scissor fob embroidered with vibrant silk ribbon blooms.

> Busy Bee In Digital – Pattern Download Available HERE
> Busy Bee In Print – Issue #68 Available HERE

FLORENTINE – INSPIRATIONS #89

‘Florentine’ by Anne Davies is a stunning velvet and silk bag with beaded lace embroidery and glorious tassel.

> Florentine In Print – Issue #89 Available HERE 

HOME SWEET HOME BEEHIVE – INSPIRATIONS #91

‘Home Sweet Home Beehive’ by Anne Davies – Silk ribbon blooms adorn this handy pincushion box inspired by basket beehives.

> Home Sweet Home Beehive In Print – Issue #91 Available HERE

OTHER BROOCH IDEAS

	‘Birdsong’ by Gary Clarke – Inspirations #93

If you’re looking for other brooch ideas, Inspirations issue #93 featured the project ‘Birdsong’ by Gary Clarke which can also be made using the fabulous Dandelyne™ Mini Hoops.

Created in a variety of shapes and sizes, Mini Hoops can be used as a wearable brooch or can hang from a chain to create a personalised piece of embroidered jewellery.

> Bird Song In Print – Issue #93 Available HERE
> Birdsong Ready-To-Stitch Kit - Available HERE
> Browse our range of Dandelyne™ Mini Hoops HERE

BOOK REVIEW – EMBROIDERED HOME

If you are looking for fun ways to add a little embroidery to your life, then ‘Embroidered Home’ by Kelly Fletcher is the perfect book for you. Full of fresh, modern designs worked with simple stitches and appealing colours, it offers a fabulous collection of ideas for embellishing a variety of homewares.

Without being overly complex, all the designs featured have a lovely, clean, spare vibe that is very contemporary and appealing. Projects include designs for more traditional items such as cushions, bags of all sizes, placemats, napkins and aprons plus some newer essentials such as a laptop case and tablet sleeve.

Much of the charm of this book lies in the flexibility of the items and embroidery designs as they can easily be swapped around – love the coral design but don’t want it on a cushion? It can easily be worked on the apron, tote bag, throw, table runner or as wall art instead.

This book would make a perfect gift for someone beginning their stitching journey plus it also offers a wealth of ideas for those looking for engaging projects that are on the quick to stitch side of the scale.

> Embroidered Home Book – Available In Print HERE

Anne Davies’ Victoriana Hollyhock and Rose Bouquet brooches celebrate the beauty of flowers (with a little bee added in for good measure) through ribbon embroidery all done in miniature form. The results are colourful, detailed and feminine as are all the projects in this week’s WAYS!

We start with Elisabeth whose work celebrates flowers in all their colourful glory.

‘You can see what I've stitched with your patterns. My stitching is not the best, but I have done them with pleasure. Elisabeth in France - very far from you!’

Elisabeth, the most important thing about what we do is that we do it with pleasure, but you underestimate your stitching ability, as your work shows you have done it with great care and attention to detail.

Now to Ann Martin from New Zealand who we recently saw in Issue #71 of EN (HERE)...

‘I’d like to share my current project - Rosa Victoriana - from Inspirations Issue #57. I have admired this quilt from the moment I laid eyes on it, but at the time I was still very limited with the number of stitches I was able to tackle. I'm now working on the heart blocks that are found on the quilt and then I'll start on the others. Thank you so much for producing such a beautiful magazine!  Ann Martin.’

It’s said that you should always start in the way you intend to continue, and Ann the start you’ve made with the individual heart blocks show that your finished quilt will be as gorgeous and lavish as Kris Richards’ original! We look forward to seeing the finished result.

To someone else who’s no stranger to EN – Susan Hahn from Washington State in the US – who has created some beautiful ‘music’ with her Symphony of Flowers . . .

‘At the start of this year, I temporarily put away my crewel threads and picked up my silk ribbon stash, and foraged through all my past issues of Inspirations Magazine. I was struck with Merrilyn Heazlewood's 'Symphony of Flowers' creation from Issue # 15.

I traced it onto a spring green satiny fabric, changed up the colors some, added a few more charms and I am pretty pleased with the result.  It was fun, though tedious at times as silk ribbon requires a gentle touch. All the best to you, Susan S Hahn.’

Susan, your floral patchwork is indeed a symphony – a symphony of well-chosen ribbons, colours and flowers whose detail make us think they might just smell as good as they look!

And now a bee added in for good measure just like Anne’s Hollyhock Brooch!

‘I thought you would like to see my first attempt at gold work. I really enjoyed the project which was a kit by Sarah Homfray. I cannot wait to get going on my next project! Penny Taylor - South Wales, UK.’
  
You’ve done an amazing job of creating a realistic Bumble Bee Penny and if they’re the results you achieved with your first attempt at Goldwork we can’t wait for you to get going on your next project either!

Have you created something colourful, detailed or feminine? Why not share it with us at news@inspirationsstudios.com? We’d love to see your piece and hear a little about your stitching journey to date.

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

Last week we began our ‘Time Out’ odyssey with Inspirations #94 and got All Tied Up…  

ALL TIED UP! BY GIOJA RALUI

‘All Tied Up!’ by Gioja Ralui is a handy fabric tray with tied corners worked in Sardinian embroidery.

> Inspirations issue #94 - Available In Print HERE

ALL TIED UP! READY-TO-STITCH KIT

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for ‘All Tied Up!’ includes everything you need to re-create your own fabric tray: fabric,  interfacing, ribbon, embroidery thread and needles.

> All Tied Up! – Ready-To-Stitch Kit Available HERE

MORE SARDINIAN STITCH…

SU CABONISCU – INSPIRATIONS 87

‘Su Caboniscu’ by Gioja Ralui from Inspirations #87 is a handy blue and white book weight decorated on each side with a traditional motif of a stylised cockerel and worked in traditional Sardinian stitch.

Purchase a copy of Inspirations #87 to enjoy the project ‘Su Cabonsicu’ PLUS the article ‘The Art Of Punt’e Nù'.

> Inspirations #87 –  Available In Print HERE

INSPIRATIONS ISSUE #94 – OUT NOW!

SINGLE COPIES OF
INSPIRATIONS ISSUE #94 NOW AVAILABLE

Printed copies of Inspirations #94 are available to order direct from our website and be delivered to your door anywhere in the world.

> To order your copy of issue #94, click HERE.

#94 KITS NOW AVAILABLE

To help you get started with some time out, Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kits for issue #94 are out now.

> Browse The Range of Inspirations #94 Kits HERE

DAVID SMYTH’S GARDEN – KITS NOW ON PRE-ORDER

One of the most popular Ready-To-Stitch kits from our book ‘A Passion For Needlework’ has been ‘David Smyth’s Garden’ by Susan O’Connor.  Having sold out shortly after the book was released, more stock is now on its way.  Avoid missing out and pre-order your kit now. 

> David Smyth’s Garden Inspirations Kit – Available HERE

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 Needles Excellency Exhibition
Where: Ashmolean Museum | Beaumont Street, Oxford 
When: to 4 Jun
Details: Click HERE

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: Inspired by Gardens & Landscapes of Tatton | Altrincham, Chelford, Manchester & Warrington Branches of the Embroiderers’ Guild
Where: Steward’s Room, Tatton Park| Knutsford, Cheshire UK
When: to 30 Jul
Details:  Click HERE

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

What: Quilters’ Guild of SA Exhibition | Dare to Differ 2017
Where: Galley M | 287 Diagonal Road Oaklands Park, South Australia
When: 1 to 25 Sep | Online Applications Available 1 May to 9 Jun
Details: Click HERE

What: The Embroiderers’ Guild of Queensland | Mother’s Day Craft Fair
Where: 149 Brunswick Street Fortitude Valley, Queensland
When: 7 May
Details: Click HERE

What: History & Conservation of Ecclesiastical Vestments | Lecture
Where: Embroidery House | 170 Wattletree Road Malvern, Victoria
When: 17 May @ 6:30pm
Details: Click HERE

What: Holy Stitches | Exhibition of Antique Embroidered Ecclesiastical Textile
Where: Embroidery House | 170 Wattletree Road Malvern, Victoria
When: 25 May to 8 Jun
Details: Click HERE

What: The Needles Excellency | Raised Work Embroidery
Where: Ashmoleum Museum | Beaumont Street Oxford, UK
When: 27 May
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