Susan

‘My name is Susan and I live in Massachusetts. I’ve been doing Japanese Bunka since my 20s after learning from a Master. Bunka is thread painting using a punch needle with rayon threads on a pre-printed rayon fabric. The Goddess of Music and the Pansies are my favorites although I have many other completed projects.’

‘I also do counted cross stitch. The Legong Dancer was a gift to a friend who had lived in Indonesia. The Train of Dreams is a one over one whimsical addition to my collection.‘

‘I love reading your newsletters. Your magazine is inspiring me to work on crewel and embroidery.’

Susan, your pieces are so unique and just stunning. Your many years of experience are evident in the quality and diversity of your work, and we are honoured to hear that our publications have provided you with inspiration. Thank you for sharing this with us.

Elizabeth Dorward

‘I am quite new to embroidery but have had the beauty and creativity imbibed from a very young age. My mother and I use to do cross stitch during the hot Adelaide summers (school holidays) inside watching the cricket. She became very adept at it and has made some stunning things and done many designs from Inspirations.’

‘I am now living in London and my artistic mother is no longer with us, but I recently received a subscription to Inspirations for my birthday and have become hooked (or should I say needled!) on your magazine, designs and newsletter.

This is my first kit from you and I am loving it, but taking my time to get it right, so have not completed it yet. It is the small lamp cover, Bright Spark by Carol Mullan, in the making!’

We love learning how our readers came to cherish the art of embroidery, and your story beginning in Adelaide (where the Inspirations head office is based) makes it all the more special, Elizabeth! Your first piece is coming along so beautifully, no one would guess you’re a beginner. Welcome to the wonderful global needlework community you are now a part of and please know that we are all cheering you on and encouraging you to keep on stitching.

Morena Gozzi

‘I love stumpwork, which I interpret in my own way, using a mix of various techniques and materials. I use printed fabric, embroidery and Miyuki seed beads and different types of threads that are not always the classic threads for hand embroidery.’

‘I also love creating fascinators with small elements that are embroidered. This is a leaf-shaped fascinator I made with Miyuki seed beads and with the same pattern, in smaller sizes, I created a mini fascinator (in black) and a brooch.’

‘I love creating buttons and pins, which I sometimes embellish with tiny crochet flowers, small stumpwork flowers or leaves, or a simple embroidered daisy.’

‘I have also created a moth with feathers and a stumpwork butterfly’

Your mixing and matching of both techniques and materials make for incredibly unique and eye-catching designs, Morena. It is clear how much time, dedication and joy goes into each of your pieces. Your creativity is admirable, and we are thrilled you took the time to share your work with us.

Have you been practicing embroidery for years? Or have you recently embarked on your very first project? Do you use a unique mix of techniques and materials to complete your pieces?

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