Giannina D’Carlly

‘Last year, celebrating International Embroidery Day, I showcased Burst of Colour from Inspirations issue #118 as a work in progress. I call it ‘A Stroll in the German Garden’.’

‘I began this piece when my husband was diagnosed with MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment). It has been a constant companion through the quiet moments, the solitude, and the devastation of his cognitive decline. In its creation, I found refuge.’

‘I've decided to frame it as a testament to my journey of becoming a caregiver, and as a reminder that sometimes, even from sadness, something beautiful can emerge.’

Giannina, thank you for sharing this deeply personal and moving reflection. The way you've channelled your grief and quiet strength into something so intricate and vibrant is profoundly inspiring. Wishing you gentle days ahead and many more moments where needle and thread bring you comfort.

Vasana Abeysekera

‘This is my Willow Tree. It is my own design, and my first venture into stumpwork. I completed it a couple years ago, but at the time, I didn’t have the courage to share it.’

‘I have received a lot of encouragement and support in my embroidery adventures from the wonderful members of Virtual Threads, the online chapter of the Embroiderers’ Association of Canada. I feel like I can share it now.’

‘I was hoping to complete this piece before the birth of my second daughter, but she arrived early. Here she is keeping me company while I tie the strands on the branches. I’m so glad she was part of this project. She is now 3!’

‘Also, here is a more recent completion. An experiment in combining canvas work and beadwork. The evil eye is a symbol of spiritual protection while the leaves and colours in the centre of the pendant are meant to evoke the sunrise and the eternal cycle of nature.

This is surrounded by four Jessica stitches using perlé cotton and metallic thread, which I hope gives a sense of swirling movement.’

‘I would love to re-do this project in the future and improve the stitching and use better quality, more consistent beads. I really learned a lot about how the different materials work together both structurally and aesthetically.

I hope you enjoy seeing my pieces as much as I enjoyed making them. Embroidery adds so much to my life and feeds my soul!’

Vasana, your Willow Tree is not only a meaningful and personal piece, but also an amazing first attempt at stumpwork. Made even more impressive by the fact that it’s your own design! It’s inspiring to see how you’re not only creating but also growing and learning through each project and that is certainly shining through in every stitch. Well done!

Susan Hobkirk

‘My daughter got married on 31st May. She has extra narrow feet and can’t get shoes to fit so she bought a pair of snow-white Converse trainers that she wanted me to decorate.’

‘Then I found a company who did personalised laces. I hope she likes the result!’

What a fun and creative solution, Susan! We’re sure she absolutely loved them, not just for how they looked, but for all the care and thought you put into them. What a perfect way to step into her new beginning, comfortable, full of personality, love, and a touch of flair!

Have you recently had a piece framed? Do you enjoy creating your own designs? Or have you pimped some Converse?

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