Hi <<First Name>>, Love. In his book ‘The 5 Love Languages’ Gary Chapman proposes the notion that we all draw from 1 of 5 different ways we express our love to others and prefer to receive love ourselves. He defines these ‘languages’ as practical actions such as Quality Time, Words Of Affirmation, Acts Of Service etc. and encourages us to identify these languages in one another as well as in ourselves, to allow for effective exchanges of love. If we apply this to needlework, can we chose techniques that best align with our love language?  For example, if quality time is important to us, perhaps the more intricate and complex projects are best.  If getting words of affirmation from others is what we seek, choosing a flamboyant, eye catching piece might be the go.  Then there are those who love to give their needlework away as acts of service and so we chose appropriate projects. Whichever your preferred way of giving and receiving love may be, there is a needlework technique that will fit you perfectly.  So if you need to rekindle your love for needlework, don’t be afraid to switch it up and try something new today. Share your needlework journey with us at news@inspirationsstudios.com

For your stitching pleasure we present some projects expressing their own form of love in one way or another…

‘FOR LOVE OF COUNTRY’ - INSPIRATIONS #17

Straight from the Inspirations archives, ‘For Love Of Country’ by Kathryn Trippett is from issue #17 and was famous for introducing us to the quillo.  What is a quillo?  It is an ingenious combination of a quilt and a pillow!

> For Love Of Country In Digital – Pattern Download Available HERE

BUNNY LOVE – AS&E #97

‘Bunny Love’ by Julie Graue is a charming sleeveless romper and matching shoes, embroidered with an adorable toy bunny, coloured blocks and a striped ball.

> Bunny Love In Digital – Pattern Download Available HERE

QUEEN OF heart's – INSPIRATIONS #86

‘Queen of heart's’ by Kim Beamish is an elegant Hardanger mat which is ideal for beginners.

> Queen of heart's In Print – Issue #86 Available HERE

heart's DELIGHT BY KIM BEAMISH

When we talk about keeping the flame of love for needlework burning bright by trying something new, Pulled Thread technique might just be for you.  This is a truly unique and underutilised technique that is unlike any other style of stitching.

Kim Beamish has been wowing us with her magnificent whitework pieces for many years, most often in the area of Hardanger.  With her new project ‘heart's Delight’ in Inspirations #94 she has created a wonderfully elegant mat that is the perfect introduction to pulled thread.

Pulled thread embroidery can magically transform a plain piece of fabric into the most delicate lace.  It’s all about the tension – no, not how stressed you are, how tight you pull the thread!  Normally when stitching you avoid creating too much tension so that the fabric is not distorted, however with pulled thread you do the exact opposite and deliberately create varying degrees of tension to create patterns.

By working carefully placed stitches and tensioning them firmly, the weave becomes distorted, opens up holes and alters the angle of the embroidery stitches.

Repeating this technique across the linen, you create a vast array of beautiful patterns which, when caught in the right light, reveal the most delightful textures.

Kim has created this sweet little mat utilising just five pulled thread stitches to fill a variety of large, small and medium heart's. Subtle, delicate and stunning, Heart’s Delight is sure to win over your love and steal your needlework heart.

MAKE YOUR OWN heart's DELIGHT BY KIM BEAMISH

Step 1 – Purchase Inspirations #94

Heart’s Delight by Kim Beamish is a charming pulled thread mat with heart motifs, finished with a neat blanket stitch edge.

> Inspirations issue #94 - Available In Print HERE

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kits for ‘Heart’s Delight’ includes everything you need to re-create your mat: fabrics, embroidery threads and needles.

> Heart’s Delight Ready-To-Stitch Kit Available HERE

MORE KIM BEAMISH

With her debut in Inspirations #59, Kim Beamish from Canada has treated us to the most elegant and refined whitework projects.  Here is some more of her work:

CLASSIC WHITE – INSPIRATIONS #59

‘Classic White’ by Kim Beamish is a traditional Hardanger doily with heart design.

> Classic White In Print – Issue #59 Available HERE

RESTING PLACE – INSPIRATIONS #90

Enjoy counted work with this graceful Hardanger project ‘Resting Place’ by Kim Beamish.

> Resting Place In Print – Issue #90 Available HERE

MORE PULLED THREAD

If you are looking for more pulled thread embroidery, with more than 800 projects featured in Inspirations since issue #1, you might be surprised to know the only other pulled thread project we have featured was in issue #92:

DOUBLE DELIGHT – INSPIRATIONS #92

‘Double Delight’ by Jennifer Kennedy is a pair of pulled thread work Christmas stockings using contrasting lustrous perlé threads and satin ribbon with a hessian ground fabric.

> Double Delight In Print – Issue #92 Available HERE
> Double Delight Ready-To-Stitch Kit - Available HERE

This week we celebrate the love of needle and thread – the love of colour, detail, technique, subject matter and even a little love for Inspirations Magazine and Embroidery News!

LOVE OF COLOUR & DETAILS | Jules Parkes

‘I absolutely adore Inspirations and eagerly await its delivery. During the long winter evenings, I so enjoy rereading past issues.’

‘On a visit to the Quilting and Stitching Show in Birmingham I saw Lorna Bateman's stall and just had to purchase the ‘Counting Sheep’ pincushion. Having only ever cross stitched before I was pleased with the result.’

‘I have also managed to sew 3 pincushions designed by Sue Hawkins. I love Sue's colour choices and the little details such as the bells and shisha mirrors. Thank you for such amazing inspiration. Jules Parkes, UK.’

LOVE OF TECHNIQUE | Peggy Kimble

‘I have recently returned to a first love – Mountmellick. Using part of an Yvette Stanton design and an old pattern I had on file I have made a small cushion.

 I buttonholed around the edges, then crocheted the Lace into it. Peggy Kimble, Canada.’

LOVE OF SUBJECT | Charmaine, Marina & Mavis  

Charmaine Goodman - ‘I love the birds in Inspirations Issue #93! Here they are ready to be framed for my great granddaughter’s wall.

She is 3 years old and they just had to be pink! Charmaine Goodman, Australia’

Marina Pastushenko - ‘I have been a subscriber to the world's most beautiful embroidery magazine since Issue #46 and I treasure each one of them. Embroidery has been an integral part of my life since childhood. It moved with me from country to country, always by my side and close at hand. It was with me at very sad moments, a refuge from sadness and despair, and at the most joyful moments, preserving and multiplying good memories. 

It has filled my life with content. For the last 15 years I have found great joy in sharing my stitching experience with others and teaching the art of embroidery has become my purpose.’

‘I've recently finished my Peacock - I love peacocks! Marina Pastushenko, Turkey.’

Mavis Brown - ‘I do love doing birds! I think birds look lonely all by themselves, so I try to put them into a setting.

This has led to various threads, fabrics, padding and stumpwork so I can achieve a complete picture.

I give all my pieces away. If they give pleasure to someone then they need them and I can always make more. Enjoy, Mavis Brown, UK.’

LOVE OF INSPIRATIONS | Louise Tomlinson-Sylvest

‘I'm a new reader from Warwickshire in the UK and I stumbled across Inspirations magazine a few months ago, when looking for some project inspiration. I've been a subscriber, via the Android App for the last few issues and I love all the projects and stitches stories!’

‘I've been sewing for around 4 years and at the beginning of 2016 wanted to make a gift for my husband and was attempting some free motion machine embroidery, but as I just couldn't get the result I was after I resorted to hand stitching. This first piece of needlework started my journey down the rabbit hole of hand embroidery and I am now well and truly hooked, with my sewing machine taking a back seat.’

‘As I work night shifts on call, a hand embroidery project is perfect to be able to pick up and put down between calls and keep me occupied in the quiet periods. In the last 6 months or so I have discovered stumpwork and have been exploring the techniques myself. I love the beautiful delicate floral stumpwork pieces I have seen but I've never been a pretty delicate floral type of person, so I've started doing some anatomical stumpwork pieces. I hope you like them! Louise Tomlinson-Sylvest, UK.’

LOVE OF EMBROIDERY NEWS | Ann Martin & Edna Taylor

Ann Martin - ‘I just love your newsletter and reading about what’s happening in the embroidery world, it's heartwarming to read the other’s stories.

‘After many years of stitching, putting it away and then bringing it out again, I've finally finished Verma's Garden Quilt by Ngaire Brooks of New Zealand It’s been simple stitches such as these that have helped me along my way to try more difficult stitches and embroideries. Thank you for sharing my work, Ann Martin, New Zealand.’ 

Edna Taylor - ‘I love the part in your newsletter about inspiration! I have been doing crewel embroidery since I was 8 or 9, but in the last year I found needlepoint and have been surprised to learn that many of the stitches are embroidery stitches simply done on a needlepoint canvas! 

All I have left to add are the whiskers for Rascal P and he will be complete. Learning to do the long and short stitch on a needlepoint canvas was both challenging and fun. Since January I have become addicted to stitching again! Edna Taylor, Texas USA.’

We love that there’s so much to love about needle and thread! Jules, Peggy, Charmaine, Marina, Mavis, Louise, Ann and Edna, each of you have shown what remarkable things can be created when we take something we love and choose to represent it through needle and thread.

As we now think about what it is we love, you’ve inspired and challenged us to work out how to represent it through needlework and for that we thank you!

What is it that you love about needle and thread? We’d love to hear about it, so please email news@inspirationsstudios.com and tell us what it is about your needlework journey that you love the most.

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 continued our ‘Time Out’ odyssey with Inspirations #94 and got our vintage groove on with Victoriana…  

VICTORIANA BY ANNE DAVIES

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

> Inspirations issue #94 - Available In Print HERE

VICTORIANA READY-TO-STITCH KIT

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kits for each ‘Victoriana’ design include everything you need to re-create your own brooches

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

MORE ANNE DAVIES

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

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

DIGITAL PATTERNS RECENTLY ADDED

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

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: Jenny Adin-Christie | Fine Hand Embroidery Workshops
Where: Our Lady of Fatima Church Hall | 10 Foss Street Palmyra, Western Australia
When: 11 to 18 Jul | Registrations Close 30 May
Details: Click HERE

What: The Needles Excellency Exhibition
Where: Ashmolean Museum | Beaumont Street, Oxford 
When: to 4 Jun
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 to 9 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: 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: Ashmolean 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