Paula Doherty

‘Slowly working my way through a Jennifer Bennett design, 'English Cottage Garden Needle Book'. I am very pleased with the outcome of my couching to create the skep, an old-fashioned straw beehive.’

Paula, we too are impressed with the outcome of your couching on this wonderful project. Thank you for sharing it with us, all the best for completing it and we’d love to see it again once it’s finished.

Lisa Gibbs

‘Hello! I thought you might like to see my first piece of stumpwork, the Christmas Bouquet by Julie Kniedl from Inspirations issue #88.’

‘I very much enjoyed stitching this and will certainly be trying my hand at other stumpwork projects. As I have two young cats who love Christmas decorations (see below photo from last Christmas… help!), I decided to frame this piece to keep it safe from inquisitive paws.’

‘I managed to find a flattened acrylic bauble which worked perfectly in the box frame. Many thanks for a beautiful pattern.’

What an excellent first stumpwork piece, Lisa - anyone would think that you’ve been doing this for years. Finding a flattened bauble suitable for a box frame was a very creative solution to the roaming paws your other Christmas decorations are subjected to. Congratulations on your achievement.

Henrietta Gotts

‘This is the scarab beetle from Jane Nicholas’ Beetlemania project in Inspirations issue #88. I stitched it using materials from my stash and used substitutions as needed. I stitched him on purple silk, which I then made into a little pillow. The pillow was put into a glass case, reminiscent of a specimen display.’

‘It was a gift for my 5-year-old grandson who loves bugs. He was so enchanted that he drew a picture of it, which to me is more precious than the needlework!’

What a wonderful piece, Henrietta. Your thread substitutions have turned out beautifully, your Scarab Beetle looks right at home in his display box, and we wholeheartedly agree that your grandson’s drawing is very precious!

Have you tried your hand at a new stitching technique? Do you find creative display solutions for your finished projects? Or have you been gifted a piece more precious than your embroidery?

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