Mistletoe Bell by Julie Kniedl

Selecting which project appears on the front cover of each issue of Inspirations Magazine is quite the process. Trying to find that perfect shot of just the right project to aptly convey the theme for the issue is often more luck than science. It’s an alchemy to which the formula is seemingly always changing and can end up requiring a re-shoot or two and countless hours of work by our graphic designer, Lynton, to ensure it looks like the world’s most beautiful.

So, you can imagine the pressure and expectations that were riding on the cover selection of issue 100.

To our surprise it ended up being easier than we had feared and the secret lays in its simplicity.

Mistletoe Bell by Julie Kniedl is fashioned from silk threads, wire and wooden beads. It uses only 3 stitches, wrapping, 9 beads, 4 different threads and 4 round crimpers.

The result is a delightful three-dimensional sprig of mistletoe featuring fresh green leaves and ivory berries. Shown on the cover tied around the neck of a brass and timber bell, it would equally be at home hung in a doorway, used as a tree decoration or placed on top a gift box.

Inspired by the simple elegance of Julie’s mistletoe, our photography and styling team had the idea of creating a stripped back monochromatic Christmas table setting accentuated with a traditional Italian Panettone cake.

A series of stunning photographs ensued that beautifully captured Julie’s imaginative and creative needlework together with the essence of Christmas, which in turn allowed us to unanimously agree on selecting the perfect image to become the cover of issue #100.

Special shout out to Susan O’Connor for the 14 hand drawn illustrations included in the magazine article to ensure everyone can easily follow the instructions on how to re-create the Mistletoe Bell. Is there no end to Susan’s talent; she appears to be as adept in her use of coloured pencils as she is with her needle and thread?!

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Mistletoe Bell by Julie Kniedl is an elegant three-dimensional mistletoe decoration for Christmas.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Mistletoe Bell includes everything you need to re-create this stunning decoration: Fabric (unprinted), wire, silk ribbon, embroidery threads, beads, crimpers and needles.

And now we have a very special announcement for you…

Many of you within the Inspirations community will be very familiar with Julie Kniedl’s work, which has featured at regular intervals in Inspirations Magazine and books in recent years. You may also be aware that Julie is no longer with us, having passed away unexpectedly last year leaving behind her incredibly supportive husband, Peter.

As a team, we are extremely honoured and proud to announce the release of our brand-new book, Botanica | The Three-Dimensional Embroidery of Julie Kniedl, which is a celebration of Julie’s remarkable legacy.

As the book progresses through the various techniques of three-dimensional embroidery, the 12 projects help introduce a new concept or element to discover.

Some of the projects you will be familiar with (Julie’s cauliflower and succulent spool for example) most however, are brand new and have never been published before, including a stunning pear, bright red cherries, golden wattle and the pinnacle of her achievement, a coastal banksia.

You’ll be hearing a LOT more about this book in coming months, but for now if you’d like to be one of the very first to receive Botanica, you can order today and we’ll ship it to you as soon as we’re back in the office during the week of January 8^th.