What Are You Stitching?

Inspired by Nicola Jarvis’ Linnet and Barbara Kershaw’s Leaping Hare in this week’s issue of All Stitched Up!, it was small birds and tiny creatures that we were on the hunt for in our What Are You Stitching? files this week!

‘I have been working on this picture for several months for my Great Granddaughter’s second Birthday. I have enjoyed every stitch and hope she will have fun looking for all the little creatures in it.’

Charmaine, your Great Granddaughter will enjoy the fruits of your stitching labours for years to come, what a fabulous gift!

‘Mabel the Raccoon started as a doodle only to pass the time and then I decided to bring her to life with threads and fabric.’

‘I hope she is part of a series, but as I am not actually that great of a doodler, while I have heaps of ideas, the process is going slowly.’

‘People often comment they think she is a fox, but when I get around to making the fox, they will rethink that!’

CaLynn, we think Mabel is just gorgeous and look forward to the arrival of her many friends!

‘I want to thank you for the beauty and peace that comes into my life every Friday morning with your newsletters. I can relate to most of the topics and enjoy reading about other’s experiences. I want to share with you my latest piece, not only because it is cute, but also because it is the result of stepping out of my comfort zone to dreaded Goldwork!’

‘I have been intimidated by this technique from the first time I saw it in one of your magazines. I’ve decided that this year is going to be my Goldwork year. In preparation for this I looked through my issues of Inspirations, bought some books and enrolled in a beginner’s course with Natalie Dupuis in Montréal. I discovered a true textile artist with such creativity and high-level embroidery skills and yet her Goldwork design was simple enough for me to dive into. I learned and had fun with the technique, so much so that I am planning my next Goldwork projects already! Keep inspiring us with beauty – long live Inspirations.’

Ginette, your snail is full of technique and personality! It was an absolute joy to see you share one of Natalie’s designs as we’re currently preparing to photograph another of her projects for Inspirations #103, so make sure you look out for it.

‘I thought you might like to see how my Sunbird by Renette Kumm from Inspirations #99 turned out. I worked it on linen which was a challenge and added some South African native flora which featured in Embroidered Flora and Fauna by Lesley and Nikki Delport. Birds are such a wonderful subject to embroider!’

Janet, we love your version of Renette’s Sunbird! The additional native flora has truly made it your own and the way you’ve finished it into a cushion will ensure your work is well used and loved.

Have your needles and threads created a fine feathered friend or a personality-filled critter? We’d love to see it! Email photos of what you’ve created along with a few details about your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com