Barbara Dare

‘In All Stitched Up! Issue 514, you published pictures of some of the pieces I have done towards the RSN Diploma of Technical Hand Embroidery, which included an image of my Border Terrier Toby.’

‘I have now finished the Diploma and have had time to complete a picture of my other dog Kya. I enjoyed doing all these pieces.’

Congratulations on completing your Diploma, Barbara, what a terrific achievement! Both Toby and Kya’s portraits are charming and they make a beautiful pair. We’re so pleased you shared this update with us.

Monique Johnston

‘Nicola Jarvis’ Langdon Lane Pheasant was a quick stitch, completed in a week. The stitches were easy and such a gorgeous design. I just loved stitching it.’

Hi Monique! For anyone who doesn’t know, Monique is one of our esteemed tutors at The Bobbin Tree and has had numerous designs published in Inspirations magazine, so she is a powerhouse of talent. Monique, we love how you chose to switch up this design, which was originally finished as a handbag, and turn it into a framed piece - it looks great! For anyone visiting The Bobbin Tree anytime soon, you might be lucky enough to see this piece yourself in person. Thanks for sharing Monique.

Beryl Banester

‘I have been doing needlework for many years now but only recently discovered Inspirations magazine. I was visiting my favourite needlework shop, Northgate Needlecrafts, owned by Susan Todd in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk and she showed me ‘The Design Collective | Christmas’ which I bought for myself.

I then looked you up online and found out you were based in Adelaide, Australia. I already had a trip planned to visit Australia earlier this year so I emailed and was given details of the ‘drop in’ classes that would be running at The Bobbin Tree, and what a fabulous shop. I spent far too much money buying threads and kits and was made very welcome in the store.

Robyne Leaney, one of the members of the stitching group at The Bobbin Tree, had two copies of the Ana Mallah book In Bloom and as I had bought the Violets kit from that publication she very kindly dropped the book off at my hotel as a gift while I was on a trip to Kangaroo Island so I had the instructions that I needed. We have kept in touch and when I got home I started on the Violets kit.’

‘Three weeks later, I finished Violets and have really enjoyed making them.

I keep looking at the book and thinking, ‘What shall I do next?’, as there are so many wonderful projects in this book.

I still have the other three kits I purchased and a few issues of Inspirations Magazine with projects I’d like to complete. Whatever I decide to do next, I am sure I will enjoy stitching it as much as I did making Violets.’

‘I am so glad I was introduced to your magazine and found time to visit The Bobbin Tree in person. I will be visiting Australia again in 2028 and will be allowing myself some time in Adelaide to go back to the Thursday morning group and visit the shop to buy myself some more lovely kits.’

Beryl, we are so pleased to hear of your wonderful visit to The Bobbin Tree. We certainly believe we have one of the best needlework communities out there, and we’re delighted you got to experience this. Your Violets piece is simply stunning, and we have no doubt your next projects will turn out just as beautifully. We can’t wait to welcome you back in 2028.

Have you since completed a project to accompany a piece that we featured in What Are You Stitching? Have you recently completed a Nicola Jarvis project? Or have you experienced the kindness of our community in helping you complete a project?

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