Hilary Graham

‘Here is my doorstop of Floe the Fairy Penguin. I really enjoyed making her and am very pleased with the result.’

‘Thank you, Inspirations, I have had many happy hours with projects from your magazine.’

Hilary, we’re so pleased to see Floe has made herself right at home at your place! It’s also fabulous for us to hear that you have enjoyed many hours of stitching joy from Inspirations magazine, we trust there will be many more to come…

Julie Harvey

‘I like to work on something seasonal for the holidays, and Balthazar was my Christmas project last year.’

‘I love stumpwork pieces and took an online goldwork class last year, so Balthazar was the perfect design!

He certainly was fun to stitch, with so many techniques and interesting materials all packed in to one small project. I decided not to make him into a brooch but have him sitting on a wooden tray with another stumpwork piece from Inspirations called Cornus.’

‘Currently, I'm working with a friend on Nature's Delight by Colleen Goy from Inspirations magazine issue #119. Since it's such a large piece we hope to finish it by the end of this year.

Thanks again for your wonderful magazine and weekly newsletter. They always bring so many hours of enjoyment.’

Julie, Balthazar sounds like it really was the perfect festive project to combine your new goldwork skills and your love for stumpwork. You’ve done a wonderful job of recreating Tania Cohen’s beetle, he is superb. And we love that you’re sharing your creativity and inspiration with a fellow stitcher - we wish you both all the best in achieving your deadline.

Caitlyn Salkind

‘I have ADHD, and when I attend Bible study and other social events, I find it easier to focus on the conversation if I have an embroidery project with me.

Several months ago, I decided that it was annoying to select and pack up an ongoing project every Thursday morning before Bible study, so I created a project with minimal supplies that I could leave in my car, so I would never forget it. This is the result.’

‘The embroidered fabric is cotton chambray, pieced together from a pair of shorts a friend was getting rid of. The design is inspired by the Renaissance lace patterns found in this sample book at the Met Museum.

Once the embroidery was done and the Bible study was almost over for the school year, I rushed to finish the dress (from Kwiksew 4305, an apron pattern) so I could wear it and show everyone on the last day of Bible study!’

This is such a resourceful project, Caitlyn! To reuse a garment and have something you could easily transport to aid your concentration was a great idea. What a proud and joyful moment to wear it on your last day for the year.

Have you stitched a doorstop? Do you have projects for festive seasons? Or have you a project just for travelling?

Whatever you are stitching, we’d love to see it! Email photos of what you’ve created with needle and thread along with a few details about your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com