Hi <<First Name>>, Merry Christmas… in JULY!  This week we’re giving you some good reasons to break out the tinsel and bonbons mid-year… LOOKING BACK Christmas is often a chaotic time rushing to do this, make that, go here, there and be everywhere, yet somehow amongst it all enjoy time with the family. Maybe mid-year is a good time to take a moment and reflect on last Christmas, re-live the highlights, high-five yourself for all the projects you (hopefully!) finished and be thankful for all the friends and family you spent time with. LOOKING FORWARD We don’t mean to alarm anyone, but with less than 23 weeks until Christmas, it’s time to fire up the projects you want to stitch in time for the festive season. Perhaps it’s a new decoration for the tree, a gift for that special someone, new home décor items, or just a promise you made to yourself to start/finish your current favourite project. To help launch you into action, this week we share some Christmas projects to inspire you plus announce the re-release of some popular Inspirations Christmas projects as ready-to-stitch kits.  Merry Stitchmas!

Share your festive needlework projects with us by sending photos and a little about yourself to news@inspirationsstudios.com

A STORY BY WIKIPEDIA
PICTURES BY INSPIRATIONS

	‘Sugar Plum’ by Hazel Blomkamp – Inspirations #92

The earliest known occasion to use the phrase ‘Christmas in July’ was in July 1933 at Camp Keystone, a girl's summer camp in North Carolina, that celebrated with a Christmas tree, gifts, and a visit from Santa Claus. In 1935, the National Recreation Association's journal, Recreation, described what a Christmas in July was like at a girl's camp, writing that "all mystery and wonder surround this annual event."

	‘Glad Tidings’ by Anna Scott – Inspirations #72

The term, if not the exact concept, was given national attention with the release of the Hollywood movie comedy Christmas in July in 1940, written and directed by Preston Sturges. In the story, a man is fooled into believing he has won $25,000 in an advertising slogan contest and proceeds to buy presents for family, friends, and neighbours, and proposes marriage to his girlfriend.

	‘A Christmas Carol’ by Susan O’Connor – Inspirations #72

In 1942, the Calvary Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., celebrated Christmas in July with carols and the sermon "Christmas Presents in July". They repeated it in 1943, with a Christmas tree covered with donations. The pastor explained that the special service was patterned after a program held each summer at his former church in Philadelphia, when the congregation would present Christmas gifts early to give ample time for their distribution to missions worldwide. It became an annual event, and in 1945, the service began to be broadcast over local radio.

	‘Santa’s Helpers’ by Jenny McWhinney – Inspirations #92

The U.S. Post Office and U.S. Army and Navy officials, in conjunction with the American advertising and greeting card industries, threw a Christmas in July luncheon in New York in 1944 to promote an early Christmas mailing campaign for service men and women overseas during World War II. The luncheon was repeated in 1945.

	‘Double Delight’ by Jennifer Kennedy – Inspirations #92

American advertisers began using Christmas in July themes in print for summertime sales as early as 1950. In the United States, it is more often used as a marketing tool than an actual holiday. Television stations may choose to re-run Christmas specials, and many stores have Christmas in July sales.

	‘Prancer’ by Trish Burr – Inspirations #88

Some individuals choose to celebrate Christmas in July themselves, typically as an intentionally transparent excuse to have a party. This is in part because most bargain retailers tend to sell Christmas goods around July to make room for next year's inventory.

Thanks to Wikipedia for the use of the above material, which appears in the article ‘Christmas In July’ HERE

Thanks to Sue and her team of hard-working elves in the Inspirations Kit department, we have four ‘Christmas In July’ ready-to-stitch kit specials for you. Some of our all-time most popular Christmas projects have been re-kitted and for a limited time are now BACK IN STOCK.

KIT | TRUE LOVE – INSPIRATIONS #68

‘True Love’ by Susan O’Connor from Inspirations #68 is a stunning Christmas ornament, stitched with lustrous stranded silk threads onto silk satin.

> KIT – True Love Ready-To-Stitch Kit Available HERE
> PATTERN – True Love Digital Pattern Available HERE
> MAGAZINE – Inspirations #68 Available HERE

KIT | WINTER’S SONG – INSPIRATIONS #88

‘Winter’s Song’ by Trish Burr from Inspirations #88 is a sweet thread painted robin resting on a sprig of holly, lightly dusted with snow. Worked in stranded cotton threads, he is the perfect symbol of a winter Christmas.

> KIT – Winter’s Song Ready-To-Stitch Kit Available HERE
> MAGAZINE – Inspirations #88 Available HERE

KIT | CHRISTMAS BOUQUET – INSPIRATIONS #88

‘Christmas Bouquet’ by Julie Kniedl from Inspirations #88 is a stunning three-dimensional embroidered bouquet.

> KIT – Christmas Bouquet Ready-To-Stitch Kit Available HERE
> MAGAZINE – Inspirations #88 Available HERE

KIT | DOUBLE DELIGHT – INSPIRATIONS #92

‘Double Delight’ by Jennifer Kennedy from Inspirations #92 is a pair of delightful Christmas stockings created using pulled thread embroidery.

> KIT – Double Delight Ready-To-Stitch Kit Available HERE
> MAGAZINE – Inspirations #92 Available HERE

If you’re looking for some ideas or suggestions as to what to stitch for Christmas this year, here are a few projects we’ve put together to help inspire you…

GOOD TIDINGS – INSPIRATIONS #24

‘Good Tidings’ by Jenny Brown is two gorgeous Christmas cards depicting the very essence of the festive season with the Christmas Tree, and the symbol of love and giving with a heart shaped wreath. 

> PATTERN – Good Tidings Digital Pattern Available HERE

WHITE CHRISTMAS – INSPIRATIONS #56

‘White Christmas’ by Yvette Stanton from Inspirations #56 is a beautiful white-on-white Christmas tree ornament reminiscent of a delicate snowflake.

> PATTERN – White Christmas Digital Pattern Available HERE
> MAGAZINE – Inspirations #56 Available HERE

DECK THE HALLS – INSPIRATIONS #56

‘Deck the Halls’ by Jenny McWhinney from Inspirations #56 is a delightful Christmas table runner, featuring two little thread painted robins perched among ivy leaves with beaded winter snow falling around them.

> PATTERN – Deck the Halls Digital Pattern Available HERE
> MAGAZINE – Inspirations #56 Available HERE

Let this week’s celebration of stitching from Christmases past inspire you to think about what you’ll stitch for Christmases yet to come…

Doreen Snyder from the Indian River Chapter of the EGA likes to ‘stitch with themes and for this particular Christmas the theme was Christmas Stockings. Each of the stockings was a gift for a family member.’

‘I stitched Flora McSample's stockings from Lizzie Kate (pictured above) and Gingerbread Stocking Ornaments from Victoria Sampler designed by Thea Dueck (pictured below).’

Doreen, the time and talent poured into each of your Christmas Stockings make them gifts to be treasured!

Sara Faddy from Queensland, Australia has taken the very popular Winter’s Song project from Trish Burr and made it her own by finishing it in a creative way.

‘I made a Christmas Bauble from Winter’s Song. To fit in the bauble, I could stitch only one leaf and a few berries. The bauble was purchased from my local Post Office and is a lovely reminder of the robins I would see in winter when I was growing up in England.’

Sara, we love that you were able to adapt an existing design to fit inside the Christmas Bauble you found. It’s a beautifully stitched and lovely addition to your Christmas Tree, especially because of the memory from childhood it evokes.

Angela Grasse from Ontario in Canada has created some very special Christmas Ornaments over the years. 

‘The star shaped ornament has special meaning as I have used fabric that came from clothing my Mom and Dad had worn. I saved a piece of clothing when each of them passed. I originally wanted to make an ornament for each of their grandchildren, but in the end decided to teach two of my nieces how to do crazy quilting so that they could make their own ornament with fabric from their Grandma and Grandpa. Teaching them to make the ornament ended up being very special as it was a lovely bonding time with them.’

‘The other ornaments I made as Christmas gifts for my children's Sunday School teachers. Many years after receiving them, one dear lady commented to me that she puts them on her tree every year as they are so precious to her.’

Angela, what a beautiful way to connect with family both past and present! We think that the time and thought you’ve poured into your handmade ornaments is what makes them such precious gifts to receive.

Janet Granger from Staffordshire in the UK, has created some incredible Christmas Stockings that are a surprising size.

‘The Christmas Stockings I have produced and stitched use 40 count Silk Gauze, with one strand of Rayon Thread. The design is counted from a colour block chart and is just an inch and a quarter tall, when finished.’

Janet, the detail you’ve managed to capture on such a small scale is something to behold. Christmas in your dollhouse must be a magical time of the year!

Designed to scale for the ‘adult’ dollhouse, the full range of Janet’s intricate stockings can be seen HERE

It turns out Christmas Stockings are a popular choice when it comes to festive stitching! Helen from Tasmania, Australia also has her own collection of treasured stockings.

‘I am a member of the Devonport Branch of The Embroiderers Guild of Tasmania and I live in Latrobe, north west Tasmania. Each year our group has a Christmas decoration challenge and the results are exhibited in our annual exhibition in November, after which they are taken to our local picture framer who uses them for their Christmas window display. In 2015 I saw a post on Gary Clarke's Facebook page of a Christmas stocking he had done for his grandson and on request Gary very generously reproduced the pattern for me. After completing my second stocking, I was hooked! So, into my bead stash I went and out I came with dozens of beads and sequins, some of which belonged to my Grandmother’s stash. I ended up creating 12 in total.’

‘It is a tradition in our house that the last weekend in November my grandchildren come to help decorate my Christmas tree and each one chooses a new decoration to take home. Katie, who is 13, was delighted to think some of the beads on her stocking came from her Great, Great Grandmother. I feel a stocking is not quite right unless it opens up so you can put something inside, so each stocking is backed and lined, with a little Father Christmas chocolate popped inside! This year we are doing bells and I am just starting to think about that. Best wishes and happy stitching, Helen.’

Helen, what memorable traditions you’ve created each year through your stitching. From the stitching itself through to the decorating of the tree and the gifting of the ornaments to each of your grandchildren, Christmas is indeed a special time of the year in your household!

Has this week’s WAYS inspired you to start or continue some Christmas stitching?! Make sure you share it with us by emailing your photos and some details about your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com.

Since first appearing in Sweden in 2011, the 30th July is now marked on many an embroiderer’s calendar. Why? It’s World Embroidery Day!

Now is the perfect time to decide how you’ll celebrate this important day… will it be on your own or with others? Will you stitch behind closed doors or take your needlework to a public space? Will you employ a favourite technique or take a leap and try something new? Will you pick up one of the many UFO’s you are yet to complete or start something fresh?

However you choose to mark this day, we’d love to hear about it! Tell us what you did to celebrate your love of needle and thread on World Embroidery Day and email any photos you have from the day to news@inspirationsstudios.com.

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Otherwise email us anytime at subs@inspirationsstudios.com

NEW BOOK BY INSPIRATIONS
THE ART OF BEAD EMBROIDERY

The brand-new Inspirations book ‘The Art Of Bead Embroidery Japanese-Style’ by Margaret Lee is now available.

Discover a whole new world of beading through the pages of this superb book that include detailed step-by-step diagrams, full descriptions of the techniques involved and fabulous photography for nine stunning pieces.

> The Art of Bead Embroidery Japanese-Style – Book Available HERE

NEW READY-TO-STITCH KIT - CIRCLES BY MARGARET LEE

The project ‘Circles’ from the new book ‘The Art Of Bead Embroidery Japanese-Style’ is now available as a Ready-To-Stitch Kit. Including all the materials you need to re-create your own fabulous piece, the kit contains: fabric, wadding, sewing thread and beads. For instructions, please ensure you purchase a copy of the book separately.

> Circles Ready-To-Stitch Kit Available HERE

LOOKING FOR MORE MARGARET LEE?

MARGARET LEE BOOK –
THE ART OF CHINESE EMBROIDERY

Margaret’s first book ‘The Art of Chinese Embroidery – Foundation Level’ is an immaculate how-to study and introduction to this unique embroidery style.

> The Art of Chinese Embroidery – Book Available HERE

THE BUTTERFLY AND THE ROSE – INSPIRATIONS #24

‘The Butterfly and The Rose’ by Margaret Lee is an elegant black satin jewellery box.

> The Butterfly and the Rose in Digital –
Pattern Download Available HERE

COLLECTOR’S ITEM – INSPIRATIONS #21

‘Collector’s Item’ by Margaret Lee is a collection of white textured waffle weave bath linens, adorned with flowers.

> Collector’s Item in Digital – Pattern Download Available HERE

LOOKING FOR MORE BEAD EMBROIDERY
JAPANESE-STYLE?

HANA – INSPIRATIONS #91

‘Hana’ by Merrilyn Whittle is a delightful scissor fob embellished with Japanese bead embroidery.

> Hana Ready-To-Stitch Kit Available HERE
> Hana in Print – Inspirations #91 Available 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: Wangaratta Contemporary Textile Award Exhibition
Where: Wangaratta Art Gallery | 56 Oven Street Wangaratta, Victoria
When: to 6 Aug
Details: Click HERE & exhibitionsofficer@wangaratta.vic.gov.au

What: Stitch at Home Challenge | Summer of Love
Where: San Francisco School of Design & Needlework
When: Deadline 15 Aug
Details: Click HERE

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

What: Barbara Rowney – A Passion for Textiles | The Embroiderers’ Guild of SA Museum Exhibition
Where: 16 Hughes Street Mile End, South Australia
When: 21 Jul ->
Details: Click HERE      

What: Out of Hand | Stitching & Beyond Exhibition
Where: Long Gallery & Sidespace Gallery | 77 Salamanca Place Hobart, Tasmania
When: 28 Jul to 8 Aug
Details: Click HERE

What: SALA Exhibition | Aviarius (Concerning Birds)
Where: 16 Hughes Street Mile End, South Australia
When: 4 to 12 Aug
Details: Click HERE

What: 30 Years of Needle & Thread | Leongatha Country Group Embroidery Exhibition
Where: St Andrews Uniting Church | 16 Peart Street Leongatha, Victoria
When: 31 Aug to 2 Sep
Details: helenp.williams@bigpond.com

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