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Mary Corbet

writer and founder

 

I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more

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Give-Away #6: Inspirations All Around!

 

Amazon Books

Finally, A Stitcher’s Christmas #6!

If you’ve been following along with my series of pre-Christmas give-aways aimed at the Enthusiastic Embroiderer, you’ve seen some pretty jolly gifts so far! And from what I hear, are already enjoying their prizes! Just think – the next one could be you!

So let’s move on to give-away #6 in the series, shall we?

A Stitcher’s Christmas #6 is courtesy of the folks at Inspirations Studios, the publishers of Inspirations Magazine (the world’s most beautiful embroidery magazine) and other beautiful needlework publications.

Stitchers Christmas Give-Away - Inspirations Magazine, Kits, Calendar

A Stitcher’s Christmas #6 features a lovely little bundle of prizes – in fact, it features five bundles, one for each of five winners!

The first item in the package is a copy of Inspirations issue 96.

Now, if you’re not familiar with Inspirations magazine, I should probably tell you that receiving an issue of the magazine is like receiving a vacation in the mail. Every issue is a full-blown project book, replete with gorgeous embroidery projects, materials lists, patterns, and step-by-step instructions for each project in the book.

Stitchers Christmas Give-Away - Inspirations Magazine, Kits, Calendar

Each issue is also a masterpiece of photography & clear graphics, interesting stitching stories from around the globe, and readable columns to keep you up to date on needlework happenings. Accompanied by a cup of coffee and a comfy chair, the magazine provides a pleasant escape into the world of embroidery. You’ll find yourself perusing it from cover to cover, over and over!

In issue 96, some rather amazing embroidery projects cover a wide range of needlework techniques.

Stitchers Christmas Give-Away - Inspirations Magazine, Kits, Calendar

Whether you’re a beginner, an intermediate stitcher, or a pro who’s been plying the needle for years, there’s something for everyone in every issue!

Stitchers Christmas Give-Away - Inspirations Magazine, Kits, Calendar

In addition to the magazine, you’ll also receive a copy of the Inspirations calendar for 2018.

If you’re like me, you like to have a calendar (or two or three) hanging in your house to keep track of important dates and upcoming events.

Admittedly, I have three scattered about the manse – one in my kitchen marked with appointments and family happenings, one in my office space (read: bedroom, where my computer is) marked with work-related stuff, and one in my workroom where I do all my stitching stuff. The one in my workroom is always the Inspirations calendar. It features gorgeous needlework – and I love looking at gorgeous needlework! It keeps my creativity on its toes!

Stitchers Christmas Give-Away - Inspirations Magazine, Kits, Calendar

And what’s a needlework gift without something to get you stitching right away?

The third item in this package is a complete kit for Simple Stitches, two small hoop projects featuring a bright burst of cheery flowers and a vibrant lorikeet, designed by Chloe Redfern of the UK.

Chloe’s hoop art style is fun and imaginative, bursting with color, and utilizing simple stitches that are accessible to any level of stitcher. Because the projects are small, you get the satisfaction of a relatively quick finish! And because they’re relatively easy, the whole experience is one of relaxed enjoyment.

The kit includes ground fabric, felt, thread, and needles, and the instructions can be found in your brand new copy of Inspirations issue 96!

Give-Away Guidelines

If you’d like to join in on today’s give-away, please follow these guidelines:
This give-away is now ended. Thanks for participating!

1. Leave a comment on this article on Needle ‘n Thread. You can follow this link directly to the comment form, if you’re unsure of where to go.

Please do not leave your comment as a reply to someone else’s comment. Comments submitted via email or left on any other page or social media page are not eligible. The comment must be left on Needle ‘n Thread, at the end of this article.

2. Please fill out the comment form correctly. Here’s what you need to know about filling out the comment form:

Use a recognizable name in the “name” line (this can be first and last name, first name with last initial, a nickname, your first name and where you’re from, etc.); use a valid email address; leave the website line blank if you do not own and operate your own website; do not put any personal contact information in the comment area itself.

3. Answer the following in your comment:

What’s your favorite subject matter for embroidery? Are you a floral person, do you like stitching wildlife, do you like geometrics, stylized designs, sampler motifs, figures of people, exuberant Jacobean designs, wording, monograms, primitive figures or scenes, religious motifs, symbols, illustrations of stories or buildings or landscapes? In other words, what’s your Thing when it comes to embroidery designs?

4. Leave your comment before 5:00 am Central Time (that’s Kansas, USA time), Wednesday, December 20th. The winners will be randomly drawn that morning and announced here on Needle ‘n Thread.

5. Only one comment per person, please. The give-away is open to everyone.

And that’s all there is to it! The question might take a little thought, but other than that, the whole process is pretty simple. So go forth and comment, and hopefully, by the time the New Year gets a little underway, a beautiful package of these needlework goodies will land on your doorstep, eager to entertain you!

If your comment does not appear on the website immediately (it will read “awaiting moderation” or something to that effect), don’t panic and please don’t resubmit it. The comments are queued until I approve them. This prevents spam on my website. It will show up eventually. Thanks!

 
 

(1,112) Comments

  1. I love Inspirations magazine. My cross stitch group Friends of Counted Embroidery occasionally does projects from the magazine. They have excellent kits too.
    My favorite subject to stitch is sampler reproductions. I did crewel as a teenager, but the got hooked on cross stitch. I would love to get back to crewel and winning this package might inspire me.

    1
  2. I like embroidery , all embroidery I prefer flowers but all embroidery catch my attention and admiration

    Thank you for your blog and all embroideres (old , presents and futures )who make to dream

    Happy hollidays

    2
  3. Right now i am up to my eyeballs in Jacobean crewel work. I am returning to embroidery after a long hiatus. I was largely self taught; now I am taking the online class from EGA and I am learning a lot. I love the stylized and fantastical nature of Jacobean motifs.

    4
  4. Oooooooo! What amazing giveaways. The perfect gift to keep busy all through 2018! I’d love to win

    5
  5. I really like doing swirly doodles in embroidery, often just sketching them out as I go. But my favorite piece so far has been animals – a rabbit greeting an elephant. That one I sketched the outline out ahead if time and transferred it like normal, but all of the details I made up as I went along. I’m not much of a planner 🙂

    9
  6. I love stitching wording – a favorite quote or something unique to myself or a friend – and then adding floral or bird embellishments to make it special.

    12
  7. My favourite subject for embroidery is landscapes. However, as a canvaswork designer, I lean heavily to geometrics, and my goal is to get landscapes to work in this medium too.

    13
  8. What a wonderful give-a-way! At this point in time, my main use of embroidery is to accentuate applique. It’s nothing drastic but some embroidered fern fronds sure add a lot of interest to a basket of appliqued flowers.

    17
  9. Where to begin? Traditional samplers, blackwork, Jacobean, the list goes on. But probably my favorite type of embroidery involves botanicals of flowers and herbs. They give you a chance to shade to your heart’s content.

    18
  10. My favorite things to stitch are animals, especially deer, and birds, especially parrots. There are so many ways to stitch animals and birds and so many fibers that allow you to explore different combinations of stitches and colors.

    19
  11. I love to stitch birds and flowers. I love using lots of beautiful colors and a variety of surface and three dimensional stitches.

    21
  12. My mother got me started with embroidering tea towels, then pillow cases. I graduated to painted needlepoint canvases . I eventually took a night class in embroidery design where I was introduced to the many forms of embroidery. My current focus is counted work, mostly samplers and blackwork.

    22
  13. It is difficult to pick only one area of embroidery, but if I must, I choose the stitching I use to adorn my Victorian crazy patch Christmas stockings.
    Thank you for the always informative newsletter.
    My stitching has improved since reading it regularly.
    Merry Christmas.

    23
  14. My very favorite would be florals. However, I also love borders with interesting stitches.

    Merry Christmas to you Mary. Thank you for the wonderful inspiration that you are.

    24
  15. I love stitching geometrics but really like whatever I am working on or what catches my eye. I really enjoy your postings and read them right away. I wish I could do all the projects you discuss. Time is a factor! Thank you and Merry
    Christmas

    25
  16. I love to stitch animals. I just finished a needlework of my sister’s Samoyed dog for this year’s Christmas gift. 44,100 stitches by my count. I’m now learning silk shading. I love this art form

    26
  17. Florals and geometrics are my favorite themes for needlework, although when I’m traveling I tend to take ideas from the surroundings (geologic features or cityscapes) and weave those (no pun intended) into my work. The Inspirations kit would be a very special gift to myself through which I would give to others through the years!!

    27
  18. I can say unequivocally that Inspirations is my all time favorite magazine, but asking for a “favorite” motif is downright impossible. But, I’ll say geometrics at least until my next floral, or animal, or landscape . . . Oh, dear!

    28
  19. My favorite subjects are flowers and plants- closeups. I also love monograms but still
    learning! Love the Inspiration magazines!

    30
  20. My favorite subject matter for embroidery…. oh my gosh that is a hard one. Flowers?

    31
  21. My favourite subject is undoubtably animals but I also like bands and patterns with a variety of different stitches and techniques. Love inspirations magazine, cannot afford to buy it but lucky enough to see a friend’s copy fairly regularly!

    32
  22. It would be much easier to say what I don’t want to embroider! But I am especially drawn to animals, flowers and geometrics. Whitework is a great enjoyment to me, as are your kaleidoscopes. I am all over the place, it appears, wanting to try almost everything.

    33
  23. That’s a hard question because I like the stitch choices more than the design but if I have to pick it would be flowers because I can use many different stitches and also make them 3 D. Thanks for all the giveaways.

    34
  24. I absolutely love bargello and the queen stitch. One of my favorite forms of stitching is to do 17th/18th century men’s pocketbooks. I am fascinated by the talent of those before me who had the creative thoughts to come up with patterns/designs for the men in their lives……
    Merry Christmas
    Ann

    35
  25. While I enjoy stitching many different subjects, my favorite for embroidery has to be Jacobean patterns. I just think they are so interesting and the colors are exquisite.

    36
  26. Mary, thanks again for all you do. I haven’t won anything, but I sure have enjoyed the questions and responses. For me this is a hard question. Since I am primarily a crazy quilter, my thing is mostly seamwork. Designing seams and keeping a piece balanced is always a. Hallenge for me. However, the motifs that inspire me most are trees and creatures. I love to look at embroidery of all types of trees, bugs, birds and other types of fauna.

    38
  27. Favorite subject matter for ALL my fiber endeavors, from embroidery to knitting to weaving: SHEEP! I love all things wooly 🙂

    39
  28. I love stitching animals. Flowers are good too but animals are my favorite. People and geometries are only okay, they look good framing the animals!

    40
  29. My favorite subject matter I would have to say is birds. I am just entering the amazing world of embroidery as art and am astounded by the variety! I love birds and they provide an opportunity to practice many forms of stitchery without getting overwhelmed with a big project. since so many other people enjoy birds also, these little projects make great presents.

    41
  30. My favourite subjects are animals in nature. Whether it is a landscape dotted with farm animals or an alpaca with a rainbow afro love putting my own perspective into my embroidery.

    42
  31. I enjoy stitching Christmas themed
    projects or anything floral. Thank you for needlenthread I look forward to all of your posts ❤️

    46
  32. There is no special subject that I like to embroider. I love to do flowers and landscapes, but I also love doing figures of animals and people. Just relaxing with my needle and thread makes me happy.

    47
  33. I usually stitch flowers. Your trees look amazing so I may stretch my stitching and try a few of them.

    49
  34. My favorite subject matter is Samplers. My Dutch mother in law gave me my first kit although I had done a welcome sampler from a kit that my husband had brought me from the Smithsonian in Washington. I prefer historic samplers.

    50
  35. My very favorite work is Jacobean because it has so many different stitches; some are just a wonder to behold. But, of course, there are also amazing bird designs. But then, there are also beautiful florals. . .

    52
  36. Flowers! I love flowers, from highly stylized to a glorious mess! One cannot have enough beauty in one’s life.

    53
  37. Hello! My favourite subject for embroidery is fantasy flowers, especially in crewel! Thank you for the chance to win!

    54
  38. My favorite kind of stitching is little creatures in nature. I like to see the layers of stickly fur and the different colors to make the fur look real. And I like the end points in ears or tiny toes.

    55
  39. My favorite subject matter for embroidery is florals. Florals encompass such a wide variety of styles and techniques — detailed and accurate depictions of actual flowers in silk shading; fantastical imaginary flowers in crewelwork; and stylized simple flowers in cross stitch.

    57
  40. Inspirations is such a treat. I love each issue. I tend to stitch floral pieces but they differ in style, everything from oriental themes to monograms embellished with flowers. I would love to have their calendar, to brighten my sewing room.

    58
  41. I love stitching in general, but my favorites are geometrics and samplers of all era’s I have been stitching since I was about 7 years old and I am now in my eighty’s. Stitching still excites me and I always look forward to my stitching time every day

    59
  42. My favorite embroidery subject depends on what the piece is for. If it is a gift, then it will be something that the recipient likes (i.e. lady bugs in the design if it is for my sister, giraffes if it is for a particular friend). If it is for me it will likely include flowers, dragonflies or other designs I find pleasing.

    Inspirations is a really fantastic magazine. Read it cover to cover whenever I can. Too many projects, Too little time.

    60
  43. While I enjoy all forms of embroidery, the one I always go back to is samplers with inspiring quotes, my first love.

    61
  44. I have started very late in life to begin embroidery . So I have to stop myself from trying everything. The Inspirations Magazine has been a fantastic ideas platform for helping me with my goal, which is everything from crewel to stump work. If only I had my life over again I could have achieved so much more. So never, never leave it until tomorrow the earlier you start the more you will learn.

    62
  45. I never really thought about my favorite theme for embroidery before. Usually it’s the technique. Looking back at all the items it would be “Floral”

    63
  46. Flora and fauna drive my stitching- seasonally these items carry me through every year! Never ending subject matter

    65
  47. I like to stitch flowers, animals, and landscapes. I would like very much to learn more about stitching and embroidery. Thank you for this great giveaway. Merry Christmas!

    66
  48. I like to stitch quotations, funny or serious.
    My current one, for a wedding:

    Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God.

    68
  49. Valentines is one of my favorite times to give a stitched gift. I make the Valentines using vintage fabrics, trims, beads and stitches. I like the stitches to enhance not take over and use them to embellish the overall piece.

    69
  50. The Tree of Life motif is my very favorite! I started out with wonderful crewel work kits back in the 1970’s and now I am designing my own. Jacobean is my all time fave, but I currently do variations of the Scandinavian look and fun whimsical trees.

    70
  51. Depending on the technique, I like different themes. For example, I like a lot of geometrics for canvaswork. But my all-around favorite theme is Christmas – I could stitch that all year round. It could be ornaments, stockings, pretty much anything – bring it on!

    72
  52. My favourite subject to stitch right now is a floral design, although that could change at any moment! I’ve done geometrics, landscapes, and stylized designs previously, and would like to do more in future. I love Inspirations, and this is a fabulous giveaway I’d love to win. Thanks for the chance Mary.

    73
  53. I tend to lean toward florals. I do not have a green thumb and therefore no garden so I enjoy my garden on my walls and shelves.

    74
  54. Again, another special giveaway! I receive Inspirations emails and love them. My favorite subject matter really depends on the type of stitching I am doing. Love geometrics for needlepoint, really like wildlife and Jacobean for surface. In the end, I guess I love it all! Thanks you!
    Mary Kay

    75
  55. My favorite subject is birds. I like to embroider and subject matter is secondary, but I do love birds.

    76
  56. I love scenes! As a child I watched Bob Ross and wanted so badly to be able to capture those lovely scenes. By the second grade I realized that I was never going to be an artist. For some reason, I can stitch a little better than paint, and as I stitch you may here me whisper; “lets add a little more color to this little tree. “

    78
  57. I love embroidering flowers but more recently I have done a couple of mixed media embroideries, a beach scene and a busker playing a saxophone. These were done on a painted background with machine stitched background and hand embroidered foreground. I loved stitching people and being able to use the line of the stitches as part of the shading.

    79
  58. My favorite themes include samplers, jacobean crewel motifs, florals & trees, animals, and stylized floral themes for hand embroidery.

    81
  59. Currently I love stitching to show off color! When I first started, I did projects from certain designers (Shepherd’s Bush) and holidays….but now I have found The Thread Gatherer’s Silk Pearl 5 and am enjoying showing the rich colors off!

    85
  60. Another tremendous giveaway! And so “Inspiring”. My favourite needlework subjects are usually from the natural world (flowers, trees, critters) but my all time favourite piece that I have actually completed is a canvaswork wreath made up of squares of different stitches – so it’s naturally geometric I guess. Go figure.

    86
  61. My favorite embroidery projects are Christmas and other holiday ornaments. Usually small, fairly quick to finish and then I can give them away for gifts. A win all the way around!

    Merry Christmas and thank you for all the inspiration you give!

    88
  62. Favorite subject to embroider is Jacobean designs. Favorite magazine is Inspirations. This is great fun, Mary. Fingers crossed in South Florida

    89
  63. I’m new to the wonderful world of embroidery and could spend hours going through your website and seeing the beautiful works. I’m completely taken with Jacobean motifs – they invoke a trip to the past when beauty was both functional and inspirational. As I work through the ‘how to’s’ of this new form of expression, I look forward to journeying with you each weekday through your fun and informative emails. Keep up the great work and thank you.

    90
  64. I have heard about Inspirations magazine for years but I recently bought an old issue at a fabric store just to see what it was about. It’s a beautiful magazine! My favorite type of embroidery is flowers, I love to do them.

    91
  65. Variety! I like a variety of stitches in my project to make it more interesting and to practice. And I enjoy a variety of types of work. I love crewel work, wording, and useful projects like my little gold bee scissor keeper. Jacobean embroidery always calls my name. But the most important thing is variety.

    92
  66. My ‘thing’ when it comes to embroidery designs is making whatever the design might be, a one of a kind project….a work of art…like no other. That can be something very simple or very elaborate. Thank you Mary for all the work you have done for the holiday giveaways! Happy Holidays!

    94
  67. Lately I have been inspired by geometrics. I get satisfaction when one area is completed and encouraged to move on.

    95
  68. My inspiration comes right out my living room window capturing the changing seasons. I do find before I have completed it, the season has changed. My last project was the changing colors of the leaves which had all dropped by the end of my picture.

    96
  69. Wow, love this mag. Just got one on digital. Would luv to hold one in my grips. I have been a floral stitcher for years but recently I’ve gotten the monagram itch. Also the jacobean flowers are calling out. So many beautiful projects. At times I feel overwhelmed on which to choose and become a collector of projects.

    97
  70. My thing is nature…animals, leaves, Christmas trees!, and most recently, dinosaurs. I have stitched some 16 X 20 Dino’s and mounted them on prestretched canvas for my grandson’s bedroom. Had a blast doing them, and really love seeing my work on the wall!
    I spend a lot of time on your website, learning, and appreciate everything you do for us. Thank you!

    101
  71. I love to look at all embroidery but I am a novice, and haven’t embroidered much. My favorite subjects are flowers and birds, but I love the 12 Christmas Trees which I have downloaded and am looking forward to stitching. I have subscribed to the
    Inspirations newsletter and love their magazine, but so far haven’t ordered it yet.
    I will though. I am itching to get started.

    102
  72. I love plants of all kinds. Everything about them is magical and worthy of interpreting in thread. In Canada, where the four seasons offer many choices of plant life, it is never difficult to find inspiration. Right now, I am looking at my ‘winter garden’ – remnants of stalks and flower heads from last year’s hydrangeas poking through the snow. And promises of new growth still dormant in the soil. Here’s wishing peace, health and happiness to everyone in the new year.

    103
  73. My favorite embroidery subject? Flowers. Simple sticks to elaborate Jacobians; easy loop stitches to fancy shading;monochrome to glorious colors. Flowers.

    104
  74. Animals, mostly squirrels and rabbits! But since their coats are mostly neutral colours, they need to be surrounded by flowers and greenery.

    105
  75. My favorite embroidery object is something from nature, especially flowers. Such pictures give so much joy to others, particularly sick people. Something bringing inside the outdoor world even in bad weather.

    106
  76. I ike finding and stitiching simple designs to add to the quilt blocks for my quilts.
    This allows me to have hand stitching when I am not at my sewing machine.

    107
  77. I’m drawn to all types of needlework. Band Samplers with a variety of specialty stitches including white work, double running, montenegrin, etc. are irresistible. I would say that’s my favorite, except…Jacobean crewel designs always catch my eye, and those are irresistible too! Perhaps that is why I enjoy Inspirations Magazine so very much, it offers a wonderful variety.

    108
  78. My favorite theme for stitching is Japanese motifs. I love the floral, bird and geometric designs associated with that culture.

    110
  79. I like to stitch geometric designs. For some reason I end up stitching a lot of flowers, though! And Christmas things! Probably because I mostly stitch to give away as gifts.

    111
  80. My favorite subject matter when I embroider is a piece of nature. Since I live in part of the country where we have many changes every season, I love to see how nature gives us a rainbow of colors. Winter reminds me that white is beautiful and clean. Spring very gradually emerges from under the frozen tundra. Summer explodes in vivid colors. And fall gives us richness beyond our imagination. The beauty of it all when it is captured with needle and thread gives us a glimpse of heaven.

    113
  81. My very favorite thing to embroider is either floral or fluffy, furry animals. It’s so fun to make them look fluffy! Birds are also a favorite. Love your blog, it’s been very helpful with tips and tricks

    114
  82. Words and foliage are my favorites. Usually small embellishments. Love all the ideas and instructions in this e-newsletter.

    116
  83. My favorite subject matter would have to be vibrantly colored flowers. There are so many beautiful options for design, color, and stitch combinations!
    Thank you, Mary, for the great site and this awesome giveaway! Fingers are crossed for this one!! Merry Christmas!

    117
  84. Hi Mary,

    I always look for your emails first when I open my laptop, thank you so much for all the interesting and useful information. Please know that you are deeply appreciated. I enjoy doing primitive landscapes which usually people and or animals, or I’ll include an Angel. I love watching how the image itself is transformed by each newly added stitched part. It’s always a lovely surprise as they seem to have a life of their own, it’s as though God makes the final decision, which I love. So hand embroidery for me is an opportunity to slow down and be still and allow something else to come through, which of course doesn’t happen all the time or even very often. Thank you so much for being you.

    119
    1. Claudia, what a lovely answer. I sometimes have the wish that I could meet the writer of one of these answers to Mary, and this is one of those times. Hugs to you, God bless and Merry Christmas.

  85. My favourite stitching subject are flowers and leaves. The technique can be anything, cross stitch, surface embroidery, kasuti, etc. I never get bored or tired of those designs and I don’t think I ever will.

    120
  86. I love stitching things for people I love. The subject doesn’t matter, I get so muvpch pleasure thinking about the surprise they are going to have!

    122
  87. My favourite subjects for embroidery are flowers, Jacobean designs, and sampler motifs. But many times it will be the colour and techniques that inspire me first, I love learning about all types of embroidery.

    123
  88. Most of my stitching is for gifts so I like to choose the type of design and technique with a particular person in mind. I have done flowers, samplers, animals, buildings, geometrics, etc. It is all good.

    124
  89. Thank you Mary and Inspirations for the chance to win this wonderful gift! I have typically done counted work so Sampler motifs are my usual subject matter, but I have been spreading my wings with surface embroidery and I’m loving the Jacobean designs.

    Mary in Billerica

    125
  90. How funny that I have never considered this question, but when I look back on my projects, the answer is most assuredly animals.

    126
  91. I love simple – vintage – child-like designs – which would include animals, flowers, people and the like. I like to use bright – non-realistic colors – as in those cute preprinted bluebird patterns from Martha and Workbasket. That’s me!!

    127
  92. Since I am as enamored of machine work as well as handwork, my favorite stitching subjects usually have something to do with sewing machines, stitchery saying samplers, and things of that ilk.

    130
  93. My favorite subjects to stitch are birds. They could be northern birds or the beautifully colored birds of the Amazon. I love them all!

    132
  94. I don’t really have just one favourite subject of embroidery, I’ve tried flowers, birds and some of the Jacobean designs are beautiful. At present I’m finishing off a dragon but after that it will be back to flowers. I’d like to have a go at stumpwork when I can fit it in.

    133
  95. I love to stitch samplers! However, I stitch many other things. I have stitched many smalls.

    134
  96. I love stitching birds and animals at the moment, but if I can find a pattern that also includes wild flowers and woodland scenes then I’m captivated! Thank you for all you do!

    135
  97. I usually find “inspiration” in nature for my stitching matter – most often flowers and garden creatures (butterflies, dragonflies, beetles, bees, birds) but sometimes like to do a scene, especially beach related.

    136
  98. What I love with embroidery is to meet with my embroidery friends and to be inspired by their ideas and make new friends that way. Myself I’m inspired by flower and trees designs and everything scandinavian.
    Merci Mary et Joyeux Noël !

    137
  99. I would love to receive this gift. I am just getting back into embroidery and am so inspired by this gift. My favorite type of embroidery is primitive/reproduction of 1800 century works. I also love monogram lettering.

    138
  100. My favorite subject for my embroidery is peacocks – I have at least 10 peacock-themed projects stitched so far! They are part of many antique and modern samplers, and I love their bold, jewel-like colors.

    139
  101. My passion in life is gardening. As soon as I can in the spring, I’m out the door working in my yard and flower beds. So, it’s floral designs and flowers for me when it comes to embroidering! Thanks for the fun, Mary!

    Merry Christmas!

    141
  102. I love embroidering birds and flowers, especially with needle painting and trying to get the shading correct.

    143
  103. My favorite embroidery is landscapes and Jacobean initials. I like the freedom in landscapes and the beauty of using many different stitches in Jacobean initials.

    144
  104. I love to embroider vines, leaves, natural woodsy things…. twisting and twining, maybe a few flowers if I feel like it.

    145
  105. What a great giveaway for five happy stitchers. My favorite designs are birds and primitives, odd choices yes. They can be in the same project or not. Happy Holidays!

    146
  106. I have wanted an Inspirations Magazine for soooo long, but the expense is just too high for me. How I would like to be one of the lucky winners!
    I would have to say at this point my favorite design would be either a landscape or wildlife, as that is what I design myself to do as art pieces. The landscapes work so well with the stitching technics. I was honored to learn a few weeks ago that one of my miniature stitching/painted pieces won a first place award at an international show in Florida!!! It is a miniature art show, I wasn’t even sure my unusual miniatures would be juried in! What a shock, surprise, and “walk on Cloud 9” that was! Thanks Mary, once again for this chance.

    147
  107. My subject matter can change but lately it’s been animals, cactus, plants, and mandalas. It totally depends on what I feel like working on hence the WIP pile! I have other special projects. One is a set of weird looking sea creatures from illustrations from the 1600s.

    148
  108. My favorite embroidery subject is anything depicting leaves or flowers. Since my stitching is not always “perfect” I like the fat that leaves or flowers do not have to be so precise.
    Inspirations Magazine is total eye candy!

    149
  109. I love ” Pretties” so flowers, birds, small’s are my first choice , but I also love Jacobean designs and samplers . Inspirations magazine is just plain beautiful from cover to cover !
    Keeping my fingers crossed .

    151
  110. Is there a favorite embroidery stitch? In my opinion they are all lovely, but I do so love bullion roses as a lovely accent.

    152
  111. I love to take pictures with my camera and then create a design using the photo as inspiration. I use a different number or type of stitches as I go along. I can even change the colours. I let my imagination guide me. This allows me to step outside of the box and have fun:))

    156
  112. Hello Mary,

    I like very much to stitch birds. I’ve made many ones, from T. Burr, T. Berlin, and some personal ones. And to vary, I stitch geometrical forms.
    I hope you are well and I wish you a very nice Christmas period.
    Diane from Montréal in Québec

    157
  113. My favorite subject for embroidery is animals, especially cats and rabbits. I don’t always create them myself, but as I browse Pinterest I am always drawn to these subjects.

    158
  114. I am not familiar with Inspiration magazine but am very interested and intrigued by your article. I am going to persue getting a copy of this magazine for sure.
    I like a variety of needlework. Samplers I love because they are timeless. I also like geometric shapes and styles.

    160
  115. My typical subject is birds. I have most of the Trish Burr birds as well as many other birds. I do other subjects from time to time, but keep coming back to birds, so they must be my favorite, right?

    162
  116. Hi Mary 🙂

    Your question is an easy one. Birds! I love birds. And I love stitching birds. Heck, I even love watching birds. My darling hubby even set up bird feeders so I can stitch while watching birds. They make me happy :). I stitch birds while watching nature shows about birds, lol. I am a little bit obsessed with them. Oh, I do stitch other things, but it always comes back to the birds, lol.

    Thank you for the chance to win. Have a lovely weekend.

    163
  117. I like using ethnic designs to create embroidery. I’m especially partial to those designs used by women to decorate clothing or homes. This was a hard choice, as I also love to use mathematics in my designing….

    164
  118. My favorite thing to stitch is sayings and verses accompanied by pretty flowers or sweet figures of people or animals.

    165
  119. My favorite subject matter is anything that was inspired by nature. My particular interest is in birds, but I always feel they need flora and fauna to give them natural looking surroundings, and they usually look lonesome without a friend or two.

    167
  120. I keep trying to expand my repertoire, but apparently my inner goth is the stitcher because I keep coming back to flowers and skulls. At least it’s not all black.

    168
  121. One of my goals is to delve into the fascinating world of embroidery. This newsletter is very inspiring and has lots of information for an experienced beginner like me! Thank you!

    170
  122. What a wonderful site, I am so pleased to have found you.
    I have a passion for learning new techniques.
    My current projects include wildlife and pets

    Wishing you a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.

    171
  123. My favorite things to embroidery are flowers and wildlife, especially birds.
    I love Inspirations magazine!

    172
  124. I love Inspirations and your description is perfect. The other items are such a bonus. I would be hoppy with any one of them. I am also glad that your cancer journey is not so intense. As a recent survivor I know a little of what the road was like.

    173
  125. My favorite subject matter is the Jacobean style because it is so colorful and can have almost anything in the design, flowers, animals, figures. My favorite thread is wool but have also used cotton floss.

    Marysue C

    174
  126. I love embroidery – all playing with threads. My favorite is nature – flowers, critters – be it “natural” or “stylized.” Inspirations is a phenomenal magazine with amazing pictures and projects.

    175
  127. What a gorgeous prize package!

    My favorite subjects for needlework are flowers and other plantsman , though I do seem to have a fair number of birds that have crept in… I also seem to have a weakness for monochromatic samplers. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

    176
  128. Hi Mary,
    Thanks for the new give away for very special time the year!!
    In my case, I love stitching floral designs, everything related to nature; scenes from countries that include landscapes. My passion is stitching Chatelaines, which includes different types of fibers, beads and treasurers. Another of my passion is construction using stitches pieces and making boxes, bags, etc.
    Thanks you so much for giving me the opportunity to be part of your blog and for this give away!
    Merry Xmas!!!
    Vilma.

    177
  129. I’ve mainly done simple redwork but the ones I’ve been fondest of after completion are the floral designs.

    179
  130. I could use the inspiration from this Inspiration package. I would love to have the magazine and calendar! I like to embroider flowers and wildlife.

    181
  131. My favourite subject for embroidery is flowers but a very close second is butterflys both you can sew very pretty (prettily) with nuance of colours.

    182
  132. I must admit that my favorite embroidery subjects for years were classic Jacobean motifs. I love the beautiful colors of crewel wool and enjoy the touch of history. But now I’m trying to incorporate a little adventure into the mix. I like the idea of contemporary geometries as a design element. It’s so outside the box for me that it’s all brand new… again.

    183
  133. I´m a flower type person, so many, so much colour & they can be stylized or representative wherever your imagination takes you.

    184
  134. My favorite subjects for embroidery are flowers, herbs, other plants and animals – scenes from nature.

    185
  135. This question prompted much furrowing of brow(s). I have design binders and folders all over the house labeled according to subject matter. A new project starts when I have a recipient or event in mind. Most frequently, I am stitching something “symbolic” for a gift (could be a birthday flower, Christmas angel, pets, words of wisdom, color schemes, etc.).

    187
  136. My favorite subject to embroider would have to be anything to do with the sea.
    I’m so inspired by the great wonders in the ocean whether it be realistic such as seashells, fish, octopus, coral, seahorses or whimsical such as mermaids. I love bright colors and the sea offers much in the way of fantastic inspiration in shades of them. I don’t get to go to the sea very often on vacation but I can go there on a creative trip just sitting at home embroidering.
    Merry Christmas to all!

    188
  137. I’m mostly using embroidery as an embellishment for quilt blocks, but would love to do more. I can’t deny I’m a flower person through and through.

    189
  138. Stitching Ambrosia Honey at the moment and find I’m loving stitching geometric with a theme. It’s a wonderful combination.

    191
  139. I love to stitch those things that mean something to me. Like a cardinal on a sunny morning or a hibiscus in bloom in my yard. Things that I can relate to in my life.

    193
  140. My instinctive answer is buildings, but I don’t think I have any finished embroideries of buildings.

    195
  141. Hey Mary,

    My inspiration for embroidery and quilting is Jacobean. I look for designs all the time.

    I cannot explain why but these patterns makes me happy. Inspirations is the most beautiful magazine that is published. To expensive to get it in Canada, and impossible to find anywhere here. So I just decided last week to by the digital version. It’s not the same as having the paper version.

    So thank you so much for making such a great give away for all of us.

    Merry Christmas to you and your family.
    Louise

    196
  142. I am looking around my apartment and seeing that seventy five percent of my completed projects are flowers, with the other twenty five percent mixed up in fruits, sunsets, seashells, and my initials. Funny, but I never took inventory before! Of course, so much of what I’ve made has been gifted, and those are more diverse depending on the receiver. I love reading about new ideas and projects, and would love that calendar hanging in my kitchen!

    198
  143. The thing that catches my eye the most are birds. Like the lorikeet above. Next would be bright & colorful designs that are simple.

    Thank you.

    Jean B.
    Kent WA

    199
  144. My fav embroidery subject depends on my mood so it varies from day to day, but mainly something that is timeless in its beauty.

    200
  145. I like many embroidery subjects for sure, but my favorites are religious symbols and wording! Thanks and blessings!

    201
  146. I used to have a subscription to Inspirations. I still have every issue I received. When mailing became higher than the price of the magazine I had to give it up but I would love to have any issue.

    202
  147. Thanks for the give away. My favorite embroidery topic is things in nature – flowers, birds, animals, etc.

    203
  148. I do love floral motifs because I love colors. I love to carry out the motifs in needlepainting or surface embroidery.

    204
  149. Most of my embroidery is seams or small motifs on crazy quilts. I also enjoy kits from the Crewelwork Company in England. My favorite has a squirrel.
    Thank you for the chance to win. I absolutely adore Inspirations but can no longer afford it since being widowed,

    205
  150. I love it all but when I look around my house at what pieces I keep for myself I find they all contain some form of flora and fauna. I find myself adding the wonderful stumpwork insects even if the pattern does not show any.

    206
  151. My thing is random impression stylistic embroidery, I think as I’ve never been asked to describe it before. Inspiration magazine is my love.
    I embellish my simple designs with beads, vintage laces and ribbons similar to crazy quilting.

    207
  152. Without question my favourite subject for embroidery is the natural world. I love all animals but i think when it comes to embroidery my favourites would be birds and insects. There are such a variety of shapes and colours to work with which allows you such a wide range of materials to pick from. My current project i started yesterday is a needlepainting of a fox that was rehabilitated at the Wildlife Sanctuary…not a bird or an insect…so there you go!

    209
  153. I usually embroider quick, simple small patterns like the Christmas trees. Your recent mandala posts have caught my eye though, I may try that next! Especially loved the color palette. Thank you for all the inspiration!

    211
  154. My favorite topic to stitch is color. I like bright colors in most any project, it attracts me and I love to see it develop when I am stitching. I am fascinated with fractal patterns, but haven’t attempted one as yet. I love to go out looking for new patterns. Red is my favorite color for Christmas.

    212
  155. Good morning
    My favorite subject are flowers. I don’t try to replicate nature. Rather, flowers from my own imaginations using what I have learned recently. Love it. Love Inspiration magazine also. Thank you.

    213
  156. When browsing Inspirations magazine, Pinterest, etc., I’m always attracted to the landscapes. A favourite piece I did years ago was a winter nighttime snowscape on navy aida cloth. I would love to hone my skills sufficiently to do a northern lights or misty forestscape sometime. Thanks Mary. Answering your contest questions has helped me think more deeply about my craft.

    214
  157. I recently discovered how much I enjoyed doing hand embroidery. Seems as though I was always too busy to do it. I just love it and it is so relaxing. I like regular hand embroidery and Brazilian Embroidery. I love to do floral embroidery. Haven’t tried birds yet but animals look so interesting I will be trying some of that soon. Thanks for this site. So inspiring.

    217
  158. My favorite subjects to embroider are floral and seasonal designs. I love to decorate my house with them.

    218
  159. My favorite is anything nature-related – usually some little scene with freeform/abstract trees, flowers, mountains, etc on a pieced fabric background.

    219
  160. I am also a quilter so I combine embroidery and quilting when I can. I enjoy embroidering reproduction patterns that remind me of my Mom stitching and teaching me. I then add some fabric for a quilted border for wall hangings or quilts. The mouse hanging spool ornaments on the tree in the Inspirations magazine would definitely be my first project to do if I win this magazine.

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  161. I have always favored embroidering flowers due to their variety of colors and types. I am also very fond of birds, probably for the same reason. Thanks for the giveaway, the magazine sounds heavenly!

    223
  162. What a beautiful prize package! As a new stitcher, I have not had the pleasure of seeing an Inspirations magazine yet. It might be time to subscribe and learn some new techniques.

    I like to stitch animal and nature themes so far. I have also enjoyed stitching Mill Hill Christmas ornaments to give away this year. I had never stitched with beads, or used perforated paper before. Thanks for the opportunity to learn something new.

    224
  163. Love, love, love Inspirations magazine. Most of my embroidery is more of the crazy quilting kind, however, I am trying to stretch my boundaries by trying new techniques.

    225
  164. My favorite subject for embroidery is flowers. To be honest, I haven’t embroidered for a year or so because of the cataracts in my eyes. I’m having the second one done on Monday, then I will be able to see well enough to do some fine needlework again. I would love to try whitework with color. The ones I have seen intrigue me enough to want to try it.

    226
  165. Wow, what an amazing giveaway!

    I am a total floral and animal person. From the whimsical to the more realistic depictions. I love the soft, pretty flower garden designs. Totally girly and I love them! If I feel like more abstract, I like modern interpretations of Jacobean designs with lots of color.

    Merry Christmas!

    227
  166. I love to stitch anything related to nature such as flowers and animals. My last project was a Jacobean tree of life bell pull a crewel pattern. My next needlework project is a beautiful floral garden cross stitch pattern with hummingbirds and butterflies. These are the types of patterns and designs that inspire me in my needlework, applique and quilting. I’ve only seen your comments through the years about the lovely Inspirations magazine and would love to have a copy of an issue to look through and enjoy along with the calendar and kit.

    228
  167. My favorite for embroidery is crazy quilting. This can include many of the possibilities listed on your blog — my current favorite is geometric designs done on waste canvas.

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  168. My favorite embroidery work is on crazy quilt squares to either turn into a quilt or needle book for use in my many project in boxes. The hold every tool I will need when working. It goes without saying that I have tools by the dozen to keep in my books. I also enjoy making needle books to give as gifts.

    230
  169. My favorite is Jacobean stitching but I also like doing mottoes with decorative borders. I get the Inspiration newsletter but would really like a copy of the magazine.

    231
  170. Oh my! Another great gift. Thanks to you and All if the generous contributors. I love to stitch flowers, birds, Jacobean designs. I love to embellish my applique with Stitches. My ambition this year is to improve my Thread painting and crewel work.

    232
  171. I really like a lot of variety in what I stitch, both in techniques and in subject matter. But Christmas designs will always catch my eye. Besides those, I am attracted to roses. Probably my favorite project I have done is DebBee’s American Beauty. And I hope to do an original rose design this year in goldwork. I’m collecting supplies and design ideas already.

    233
  172. Hello,
    My favorite subject matter for embroidery is Flowers: so many colours, shapes, choice of stitches.
    Thank you for all.
    Caroline

    234
  173. Do you even believe those strawberries? Oh my goodness! I do love Inspirations. As for me, I’m dreadfully romantic and old-fashioned, so roses are my very favorite subject matter. Any other flowers appeal to me too, but roses just don’t go out of style. So I must say, I like natural subjects much more than geometrics or trendy designs that will later on scream their date. Remember the 70s? I still have orange Tupperware . . .

    These giveaways are wonderful. Thanks so much.

    236
  174. This is actually a difficult question to answer. I love embroidering antique-style samplers, but I also love Jacobean designs and flowers. I think it depends on the day and whatever my new inspiration is, something often taken from the Inspirations magazine.

    237
  175. My favorite thing to stitch is geometrics. I just love seeing all those crisp lines on canvas. I can embellish the patterns with beads, ribbons, feathers or found objects to make the picture so much more interesting. I have an “Inspirations” subscription on my Christmas wish list because I love the variety of needlework and the beautiful photographs that lead to well, inspirations. I do get the e newsletter and it’s always so much fun to read but to actually hold a copy in my hands would be fantastic.
    Thanks for all the great giveaways.

    238
  176. My favorite subject matter for embroidery is anything with lots of colors. Especially teals and turquoise. Just looking at all the colors of thread for a project, all organized and ready to sew, makes me happy.

    239
  177. Everything Inspirations Studio does is full of beauty and wonder – just like the holiday season.

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  178. I am definitely a fan of geometrics but in later years I have also come to love sampler motifs. I’m currently working on “Panoply of Peacocks” by Tempting Tangles.

    242
  179. I don’t really have a favourite subject I just enjoy doing different shapes, styles and techniques. I love Inspiration magazine, without a doubt the best needlework magazine on the market

    243
  180. Vegetation is common as it is so easy. The lazy daisy, feather, fern, and fishbone were all picked uo in my youth. When a new stitch is being learned it goes in too. Trellis and lattice work do not seem like foliage, yet they work well as background stitching.

    244
  181. Tough to narrow down. I love primitive designs but I’m also attracted to modern designs that have clean aesthetics. A great design can attract me anytime.

    246
  182. My favorite subject matter for embroidery is flowers. If I can replicate a lovely rose, iris, or daisy, that’s wonderful, but I’m not above making up “fantasy flowers” when needed!

    247
  183. My favourite needlework style …….. I just cannot decide. It is between the rich vibrancy that you can create with geometrics and the muted splendour of Jacobean. If I really could take only one style to a Desert Island I think it would have to be geometrics with an unlimited supply of coloured threads in various thicknesses and finishes.

    248
  184. Subject matter isn’t of much importance. It’s the colors. So Christmas and Halloween tend to be favorites. One that stands out as a favorite was a free pattern from DMC years ago, Bluebird Oranges. Couldn’t wait to get back to stitching that one.

    249
  185. My favorite subject matter for embroidery is nature scenes such as animals, trees, flowers etc. Inspirations is one of my favorite embroidery magazines. Thanks to the publishers for offering the five bundles.

    250
  186. I am a botany lover- flowers definitely top that list. Not just any flowers but colorful are my favorite. Beautiful give away. Someone will be most fortunate.

    251
  187. In the past, most of my needlework projects have been floral and wildlife, such as ducks and birds. But I love JacobEan designs and would love to start some new projects featuring JacobEan and monograms in the new year.p

    252
  188. My favorite thing to embroider is Jacobean Crewel. The bunny hanging spools of thread is adorable, my second favorite is embroidering cute animals or gnomes.

    254
  189. Now that I have a new granddaughter, I have been interested in stitching for her. I have embroidered different styles of monograms based on your tutorials.

    255
  190. If I have to pick just one favorite subject it would have to be color. I love florals and birds and mandala and many other designs, but they are all excuses to use lots of color!

    256
  191. My favorite kind of embroidery is “scene-level” plants. By this, I mean that I love stylized trees, flowers, etc, especially when they’re put together into a picture of a pretty place. (Detailed needle painting is beautiful, but not my style.)

    257
  192. I am an AVID sampler stitcher. I prefer reproduction and antique style samplers. I am particularly drawn to samplers with cats, or by Sara(h) or other family names.

    258
  193. How fun! I’m very much a novice to embroidery, and find the creations stunning. I love the samplers. I am a rug hooker, and I also enjoy wool applique and punch needle, all in the primitive style — looking forward to a new to me form of needlework!

    260
  194. Flowers have to be my favorite thing to stitch – they show off the Brazilian embroidery’s 3D effects so nicely. But I like to scatter little critters (bunnies, squirrels, snails, bees, spiders, ‘possums, etc.) throughout the flowers, and my favorite subject is always birds, particularly hummers, peacocks and junkos.

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  195. Picking one favorite is really difficult. I would have to embroider a piece with a Jacobean/geometric design including flowers, birds and a monogram!
    Susan

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  196. Love the magazine and the articles about other stitchers. Small projects are great to work on in between bigger ones

    266
  197. My favorite stitching subjects are botanicals. I grow flowers in my garden and as a watercolorist I also paint botanicals so it is not surprising that I enjoy stitching flowers as well.

    Happy Holidays to all!!

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  198. Most of my stitching is crazy quilting and I love to make complex, multilayered seams using simple stitches

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  199. Hi Mary,
    Again, many thanks! For this giveaway and for everything all year,\.
    I like stitching geometrical patterns, angles, lines, even circles. Sometimes those elements are found in white work and Jacobean, which is why I like those, too. One of my favourite pieces was a Frank Lloyd Wright pattern that had lots of architectural elements.

    Merry Christmas!

    270
  200. Hi Mary,

    Love your blog! It keeps me insprired! The favourite images I love to stitch are angels. They inspire hope, and reflect the good I search for in this world.

    Thanks for everything that you do.
    Techiya in Ontario

    272
  201. I just love Inspirations magazine!!! I tend to try stitching just about anything, but I guess I would have to say geometrics are among my favorites to stitch.

    274
  202. Inspirations magazines are just so wonderful! My favorite subject in stitching are birds, followed closely buy flora & fauna! Sewing items either to display or use are also on my fave list! Thank you for this wonderful giveaway, Susan

    276
  203. What a lovely giveaway, thank you Mary & Inspirations!

    This is a hard one, I have a lot of “things” – angels, gingerbread houses, flowers, santas, Valentines and I just recently got obsessed with samplers…

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  204. I wouldn’t have said that I favored a particular motif, but taking a look around and I see fruits and flowers every where. That is definitely the designs that I pick first to stitch using all different techniques. Thanks for these wonderful give a ways!

    278
  205. I like stitching almost anything, and I usually choose a design for the person who will be receiving it (i.e. a baby sampler), but I do have favorite finished pieces, and they are all animals. I’m especially fond of the portrait of my golden retriever.

    281
  206. Hi Mary!
    My favorite embroidery subjects are florals, landscapes, holiday themes and double running sampler bands. I love Inspirations for their smalls and boxes and raised work designs. Thanks so much for offering these give-aways!
    Happy Holidays!

    282
  207. I am a counted thread embroiderer; that is I like techniques that require exact counting, such as drawn thread, cross stitch. Joyce

    283
  208. I seem to gravitate towards geometrics but lately having been getting more into samplers with more subtle colors. I just completed a Christmas sampler just in time to hang for Christmas.

    284
  209. Wow, that’s a tough question! I am drawn to many types of embroidery but I guess birds are my favorite – sometimes appliqueing the bird then bringing it to life with embroidery stitches.

    285
  210. You’ve had me drooling over Inspirations magazine for years now. It would be terrific to actually peruse one at leisure. My favorite stitch subjects are florals and Jacobean. Your Christmas give-aways have been amazing. Thank you for the opportunities.

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  211. When it comes to my stitching I don’t really have a favorite style or anything I just do whatever comes to mind! Most of the time I am making something for someone so I tend to think about what they love and set up pictures or scenes myself to stitch for them. I am always open to learning new stitches to use in the pieces I make too!

    287
  212. I love working on all kinds of needle work. But particularly embroidery with different kinds of flowers, and animals are a favorite also!

    289
  213. I think I gravitate to more stylized designs, floral stuff, monograms and wildlife – specifically birds – more than anything else. I like whimsical designs, unusual monograms, but I also like realistic birds – especially very colorful ones. The challenge with birds is the shading and getting the feathers to look right, because when you get that right it just grabs you!

    291
  214. Oh Mary,
    I love to work on birds, flowers, angels, monograms and ribbons; and if they are combined, even better. Ribbons done in thread painting are particularly beautiful to me and I am working on mastering them.
    Thanks once again for Needle ‘n Thread and for these give-always. Have a blessed Christmas and a very healthy New Year.
    Floss

    292
  215. My favorite subject matter for embroidery is anything resembling Celtic culture…knots, symbols or animals. Love the very old stuff.

    294
  216. My favorite type of embroidery is geometric patterns. If you were to look on my walls of my house you would see that over 50% of them are geometric designs.

    295
  217. I love following your blogs and web site! It gives me so many ideas. I often go to the stitch tutorials to learn new stitches! I am inspired by nature and your 12 Trees pattern was right up my alley! I’ve downloaded it and have purchased the supplies and when things settle down here, i’ll Have time to stitch them up! Inspiration looks like a lovely magazine! I see the parrot stitchery and love birds. Birds, trees, flowers, and plants- I love to stitching these things the most!

    296
  218. Hi, Mary, I grew up doing florals. That is what my mom taught us. I really love a delicate floral.. I also love birds in flight. They fascinate me… have a very Merry Christmas and New Year! May all your stitches be neat and straight.. hugs!

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  219. I like and admire many forms of needlework and embroidery. But religious-related embroidery is such a pleasure to look at. When going to church, like this morning, I will sit, look around and wonder what I could ever make them for an altar or ?? someday if I ever get good enough.

    299
  220. As I was perusing the Inspirations issue on your website, I was nearly sent to tears by the amazingly beautiful projects done by my sisters in the needlework world. They were so imaginatively conceived and excellently executed! I’ve done cross stitch for many years with some drawn thread work; but I feel the need to move back to free embroidery and see whether I can come anywhere near what these artistic people have accomplished. What a challenge!

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  221. I probably stitch abstract designs the most. Most of what I do ends up a gift or in a quilt for someone and its always personalized for them. So it can range from flowers to cats to geometric shapes.

    301
  222. Trying to pick a favorite thing to embroider is hard, but I guess it would have to be sampler motifs and wording or primitive Santa’s. Thanks for offering all the Stitcher’s Christmas goodies! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

    303
  223. My favorite subject to stitch are Jacobian designs, but i also love doing floral embroidery using elaborate 3-dimensional stitches.

    304
  224. I’m relatively new to embroidery and came to it recently as a knitter who would like to embroider on hand knits. I’ve been watching your tutorials and practicing using fingering weight wool on an old lamb’s wool sweater. Many of the stitches don’t lend themselves to the coarse fabric, but I’m enjoying the basics and am getting hooked. I may graduate to finer fabrics at some point.

    305
  225. This was a tough question for me to answer. Since I like Hardanger and Bargello, I suppose geometrics are my favorite type of design. However, I really am not limited-right now I have an outdoor scene as #1 on my list to be done next.

    306
  226. Merry Christmas! Who in their right mind mind does not absolutely love “Inspirations”? What a lovely giveaway. I like all embroidery but I think landscapes always call to me and mostly trees and mountains. With all the techniques being done now, there is no end to the possibilities!

    307
  227. I enjoy stitching flowers and geometric designs the most. Actually I enjoy the colors and like to stitch anything.

    308
  228. I am into embroidery and beads on wool following Sue Spargo’s embroidery stitch book. I follow your blog and want to get into that type of embroidery…..so far just reading about it, pinning embroidery pins, and “getting ready to do it”. This is the perfect prize for jumping in and doing it. I WANT this prize! If I don’t win, I will have to purchase the calendar anyway.

    309
  229. My favorite subject to stitch are bees- alone, in a sampler- it doesn’t matter!
    I love Inspirations magazine, thank you!

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  230. I love Inspirations magazine. I love anything embroidery. I tend to gravitate toward the Jacobean style. It is loud and bright and cheerful. However, the Bobbin Tree in the last issue has my interest peaked really high.

    I also love calendars. I too have three or four hanging around.

    312
  231. My favorite designs to embroider are florals such a sprays of lavender, Queen Ann’s Lace then there are butterflies and dragonflies and then are tea cups and then there are ravens dramatic in hues of black and purple-always something to embroider on my clothing.

    313
  232. Dear Mary,
    Thank you so much for everything you do! I’m constantly inspired by your work and your enthusiasm. I also love reading all of the responses to your giveaway questions!

    I don’t really gravitate to one particular subject matter over another, when it comes to embroidery. I enjoy thinking conceptually about how the art of embroidery fits into the Arts generally, and I like to play around with various subjects while designing projects that help me work through those concepts. Right now I’m reading and learning about Ottoman embroidery, and I’m playing around with geometric designs in a few new (to me) stitches from that culture (for example musabak).

    Sending you so much love and gratitude, and heartfelt wishes for a peaceful holiday season.
    Patty

    314
  233. I do love Inspirations magazine, so this is a delightful opportunity. My favorite subject matter for embroidery is birds. I like to make them with applique, stitch, and beading so that they look like an illustration in a funky little hand-made book!

    315
  234. Canvaswork with a variety of fancy stitches and fibres are are probably my favourite ; but also enjoy doing samplers both historic and more modern .
    Thanks and happy stitching.

    316
  235. I think all kinds of nature subjects are my favorites. Having said that, I enjoy all kinds of designs. Thank you for the wonderful Christmas giveaways.

    318
  236. My favorite subject matter is geometics in bright colors. That is my current passion. Tomorrow……it could change.

    319
  237. Such beautiful gifts. Thank you so much for all the give a ways. It’s hard for me to pick a subject matter. I like to do modern designs I guess. I did a pair of geometric owls last Christmas for a gift. I recently finished a pair of horses. I do love flowers though. I have lots of needlework of flowers in my livingroom.

    321
  238. My favourite subject to stitch would be horses in any way, shape or form. Either cross stitch, embroidery, silk ribbon or stump work I cannot seem to do enough of these majestic animals.

    323
  239. I got so excited. I forgot to mention my favorite. I am a sampler lover but I also love small embroidery motifs on table linens

    324
  240. I love antique sampler. So anything to do with them becomes my favorite thing to stitch!

    325
  241. For embroidery, I am especially drawn to floral patterns, realistic or abstract, although I am a fan of all of it!

    326
  242. I had never thought about the subject matter of my stitching, but I suppose most of it is floral. I would love to try some needle painting projects though, especially Trish Burr’s many birds.
    Thank you Mary, for all the wonderful ways you inspire and teach us!

    329
  243. I enjoy stitching things I can give to others who appreciate them. My husband collects dragons (not the live variety). That means I enjoy stitching dragons. We have a lovely collection of stitched dragons in a variety of needlework styles including cross stitch (for his dress shirts) and canvas work. Most of these are in the “music room” where we have a piano (1850’s vintage, restored) and a reed organ (1890’s vintage, restored). That combines his collection with my keyboard interest.

    330
  244. For years, I was hooked on counted cross stitch and did lots of tea themed projects and also thatched roof cottages and English street scenes, but now I enjoy projects, like crazy quilts, that have me learning a variety of embroidery stitches, which is why I love your tutorials!

    331
  245. Flowers and more flowers are my all time favorite embroidery subject. Vases full of flowers, flowers in a row, in a bunch, scattered randomly around are my go to subjects.

    333
  246. I love embroidering unusual things and at the moment that means strange creatures that appear in illuminated manuscripts. They are fun to draw and then embroider, and usually make people smile.
    Have a happy Christmas Mary
    Barbara

    334
  247. I love floral embroidery, but also anything a bit unusual – when I was 15 I embroidered flames all around the hem of a black skirt because I needed a break from flowers!

    335
  248. I have been following your emails for a while now. I am most definitely a floral and geometric person. I am a quilter and embroidery embellishment is now huge and so effective! I am learning so much about threads! I hand embroider my quilt labels and now I have a grandbaby, been making fabric books and embellishing the pages with embroidery! Thank you for the giveaway opportunity!

    336
  249. Above all, I think I love texture and pattern. So the actual subject matter isn’t as important to me as the textures and patterns of the stitching. I love abstract designs with lots of different textures (I loved the little Christmas tree design in the last Needle Arts magazine. I also love designing inspiring words surrounded by interesting borders and patterns. Thanks, Mary!

    337
  250. I’m returning to embroidery after many years. I’m very drawn to Jacobean designs and love seeing historical embroidery too. Love reading your blog and looking through Inspirations magazine. Thank you for all you contribute to the world of needle art.

    338
  251. Thank you so much for the opportunity, I love the gift pack.

    I really enjoy doing hardanger, canvaswork, geometrics, sampler motifs and Jacobean designs. Maybe I should of mentioned them all!

    Teresa

    339
  252. I so look forward to your Needle ‘n Thread emails. They are always worth reading and now the fun of the Christmas giveaways!
    I have no favorite needlework designs. I enjoy working on any project that catches my attention. I have probably done something in every category that you mentioned. I do love the variety.

    343
  253. I have two favorite stitching subjects. The first is Native American Motifes, both figures, backgrounds, art, and just about anything Indian.
    The second is flowers. They are so complex and yet so simple and beautiful. I particularly like the leaves, they can be shaded so they look very different from each other and yet they are the same leaf. Thanks for the chance to recieve the beautiful magazine. I have a couple of copies, that I leave out for everyone to look at. They enjoy them too.
    I enjoy doing my take on the DeGracia pictures, He combines flowers andIindian figures, my favorites.

    344
  254. My favorite type of embroidery stitching is baskets of flowers. My grandmother embroidered baskets of flowers and made them into a quilt. I’m working on one now. The short projects right now look so good. Also I love Inspirations magazine.

    345
  255. My very favourite stitching is whimsical, very often primitive style. Quite often that involves birds, animals and flowers….

    346
  256. Being a new convert from needlepoint to surface embroidery, I have not done much but geometric motifs seem to draw my attention the most.

    347
  257. Flowers are my favorite thing to stitch because of their wonderful coloring and the vast array of stitches used. Mother Nature is so fascinating and flowers fit my idea of beauty to perfection.

    Tanis

    348
  258. oh, I love to do an embroidery motif matching Victoriana, in my crazy quilt blocks… Trees, flowers, little bugs, especially spiders as is the lore of CRAZIES. I embroider with silk ribbon, silk threads, Presencia & Edmar. And, I love doing designs of dimensional embroidery, flowers & bugs.
    I guess we all like to work with 3-4 calendars in our homes each year, but I try to get at least 1 that gives me beauty & instructions, patterns for a new beauty.

    Thank you for this opportunity, Carol Griffin

    349
  259. I enjoy the geometric look of blackwork as well as stylized floral embroidery. This give away is fantastic. Thank you.

    350
  260. What’s my favorite subject matter to embroidery? That’s a hard question because I really like to do a variety and it depends on what or whom I am doing it for! I probably end to like floral, delicate, old fashioned projects, or religious projects. Sometimes I like to be challenged!

    351
  261. Hi Mary,

    thanks for this wonderful give away.
    I like to stitch flowers most, but some graphic designs and monograms are on my list, too. And sometimes I love to work beaded embroidery. It depends on the style, my mood and how all the single elements of the project merge together to one piece of hand work.
    Have a nice week an a beautiful christmas.
    Steff

    352
  262. Needlework of all kinds catch my eye but I am drawn to needle-painting. Birds are especially a favorite of mine. Every year I select something new to learn (keep that brain going!) and this year I plan to learn how to stitch beautiful needle-painting designs.

    353
  263. I like stitching floral or animal motifs mainly in thread painting or stump work. I use my own photos for the motif and color selections.

    354
  264. Thank you for your helpful, informative website. My favorite type of embroidery is floral with an Japanese flair. I am a beginner and therefore, find all your articles of interest.

    356
  265. Thank you Mary for this wonderful series of Christmas gifts and to Inspirations for this generous donation. I don’t have one particular motif or type of image I like to stitch more than others. For me it’s more about the style of the design. I like designs that look either realistic or complex to stitch or sophisticated as a whole. I have stitched garden scenes, stylized pieces, figurative pieces, florals, cats, designs in the style of a particular artist, religious motifs, quotes with original design borders, geometrics, ethnic embroidery style pieces, and religious icons. It is easier to say what I don’t like to stitch – primitives, country style designs, copyrighted cartoon type images, and designs that are so simple they look pixelated or cartoony. If I am going to spend my time making something, I want it to be something timeless and enduring.

    357
  266. I’m a kind of promiscuous stitcher, but generally I love doing realistic plants (including flowers) and throwing in a bug or two.
    My eye was definitely caught by the embroidered strawberries…

    358
  267. My favourite style of embroidery at the moment is floral. I am doing a geometrical stylised day lilly flower design that resulted from a design class I attended. I am enjoying having to think of what colours and stitches to use.

    359
  268. I like to stitch curlicues and swirls, for lack of a better term. Often, I make up the design as I stitch instead of having a definite plan or pattern.

    360
  269. Trees and flowers are my favorite embroidery subject especially using variegated thread. Inspiration is an amazing magazine and company. Love what they produce…so inspiring.
    Merry Christmas and thank you for all your inspiration.

    361
  270. I’ve been embroidering for about 60 years. My mother taught me the basics long ago. I don’t think I have a favorite subject. Each new project is fun and inspiring. I’m thrilled that embroidery has made a resurgence in popularity and interest. It’s my stress reliever.

    362
  271. Right now My favorite would be simple redwork embroidery but I am looking to expand my stitches. I am really interested in doing some nature/animal work to move on to a next level of embroidery.

    365
  272. I actually like the florals combined with wildlife. What I really like now, as I gaze out into Michigan whiteness, is something that will make me think of Spring!

    Linda

    367
  273. Nature is my favourite subject Especially beautiful landscapes. But I get inspiration everywhere. It’s finding time that’s the problem.

    368
  274. My favorite subject matter for embroidery is flowers and greenery. Thank you so much or the chance to win!

    369
  275. Since I subscribed to the weekly Inspirations newsletter, it became the first person talking to me every morning at breakfast. There cannot be a more enjoyable start of the day. 🙂

    I got into embroidery with the idea of illustrating fairy tales, fantasy novels etc. That’s why I was looking for “needlepainting” – and lo! there was such thing indeed! Now, six months and a couple of samplers and ventures later, filling myself up with Loreena McKennitt, Gregorian chants and plenty of other mystic and Celtic stuff while stitching, I’m still bent on painting with my needles in the not too distant future, but they will be my own images, that is I mean to depict the landscapes and scenes of my inner world.

    Angela from the Ore Mountains

    370
  276. I am a geometric kind of stitcher – counted work and such. I am trying to step out of my box and do some surface work – but I feel like I don’t have the “Improvisation gene” to make it my own.

    371
  277. Christmas Day is over I look forward to Boxing Day, no cooking – cold meat and salad , my workbox handy I can relax and sew to my hearts content knowing I have done my best for everyone, today is my day – what delights await me.

    Thankyou Irene

    372
  278. Since I started stitching again when I retired, I stay with simple projects. I do enjoy reading your posts. Thanks for the chance at the giveaway.

    373
  279. Ooohhhh, Love Inspirations! What a great gift! I love to do free form embroidery with lots of flowers, leaves, vines, and little critters. I’ve done some big embroidery projects and want to focus on more but smaller projects – samplers with florals and designs.

    375
  280. My favorite subject matter to embroidery is actually two things. I have collected angels since I first saw the collection of Marbek Angels by Serendipity Designs probably around 1983. Since then I have included Lavender and Lace angels. The second favorite is Nativity scenes. The colors are always so beautiful and it is like painting with thread and needle.

    376
  281. I have discovered that my favorite stitching comes when I am stitching geometric designs. I find they are more relaxing and soothing than other stitches. That said, I also love Christmas/winter stitching. The redder the better.

    377
  282. I used to love doing people and their clothing. I could dress them up or down, experiment with color and embellish.
    The past couple of years I have learned stumpework and needle painting using flowers and birds as subjects. It is amazing to me how beautiful the results are. I love your website and Inspiration magazine, without I’d still be doing embroidery with the very basic stitches and with no demention. I look forward to new techniques.

    378
  283. I don’t get their magazines but I do receive their facebook posts, the stitching is incredible. Don’t think I really have a favorite style, just finished a redwork Patriot quilt for my brother. Am learning different stitches from a Brazilian Dimensional Embroidery group and am incorporating them into a Crazy Quilt group that I am in. Love your posts, they are so inspirational and encouraging. The little kids are just adorable. Thank you for a chance to win such a wonderful prize.

    379
  284. Once again, it is really hard to pick one motif. I like to do themed pieces, samplers, flowers. I actually did a whole quilt of embroidered flowers and greens. I have not seen Inspirations magazine but would love to get one for inspiration for me!

    380
  285. I love to stitch Christmas because it always makes me smile — when the project is finished and when I’m working on it. I like everything from nativity to Santa and his reindeer. They are always fun to work on.

    381
  286. Thank you Mary for these fabulous give-aways!!
    My favorite designs are geometric and stylized. If I don’t win, I’m going to have order myself an Issue 96 anyway.

    382
  287. I love stitching ocean-themed projects and also samplers. I know that seems an odd mix but that’s what I love to do!

    383
  288. I like geometric, nature and fantasy designs the most. Inspirations is a beautiful magazine! I haven’t got any in a long time though.

    384
  289. Like most people; I’m sure, I don’t like to define my likes too narrowly, but I do tend to respond to linear patterns–geometrics, swirly patterns, paisleys. and if they make up a picture of some sort, so much the better. I’m very fond of blackwork, but also like patterns with lots of color.

    385
  290. My favorite subject for embroidery is nature. I love to enhance my applique leaves, flowers, trees, and butterflies, ladybugs and with a variety of embroidery stitches to bring these pieces to life.

    389
  291. Hi, Mary!
    I’ve recently subscribed to “Inspirations” digitally because, as a military family, I need to keep weight down for our frequent moves. However, I think I’ll have to break down & order the paper subscription because I would enjoy it so much more! Thanks for an inspiring blog & all the wonderful projects & ideas you share with us!

    390
  292. My favorite embroidery – I have two! I love flowers and little insects, especially together in a piece. It could be one flower with a bee – the simplest pieces seem to be the nicest to stitch. ❤

    392
  293. Hello, i like to stitch samplers repro , what catches me most is the scene and overall composition. And it has to have some tricky-technique parts, for example needlelace

    393
  294. I have done embroidery of many different subjects. My most favorite would be either florals or people.

    394
  295. I’ve never really thought about a special type of embroidery. I haven’t tried that many but I really love anything that’s raised. Whether it’s knots or padded, ribbed. Anything that varies the surface.

    395
  296. My favorite stitching subject matter is birds. I am owned by an African Grey parrot so that is a factor but I am also a bird watcher so I love to stitch the wild birds too.

    396
  297. As long as the find it cute I will stitch anything. I have a bunny stitching embroidery project that will become a quilt someday!

    397
  298. Jacobean designs are my favourite, worked in brightly coloured silks and gold work. I takes me forever but the end product is so satisfying.

    398
  299. I like all sorts of subject matters in stitchery. I’m partial to historical designs, some primitive, and a new obsession is sashiko (oh, and temari) . . . so geometric designs, too.

    399
  300. I love your blog and have learned so much from reading it. You have enlightened me to other areas. Thank you for your advice. Love it! Merry Christmas!!!

    Lynette

    400
  301. I tend to stitch hardanger, blackwork or Goldwork so I guess I’ll have to say I love to stitch shapes. If I’m pushed I’d say hearts because I’ve done a few hardanger, blackwork and cross Stitch hearts. I also like to make three dimensional objects – so have made hardanger doves and angels.

    401
  302. What’s not to enjoy in this bundle?! Thank you Mary and Inspirations magazine. My favourite subject to create are personalized dog portraits for family, friends, and clients.

    402
  303. Everything Cristmas. Names on stockings, small hands on a tree skirt. I have a large Christmas project I pull out every year and resolve to finish every New Years. Now Christmas trees small and manageable. Thank you Mary

    403
  304. My favourite work is crewel. I love the designs, colours and working with wool or linen threads to create them.

    404
  305. I love trying to capture nature—leaves, branches, birds, flowers—as vividly and colorfully as possible.

    406
  306. Thank you for the chance to win this wonderful package. I am wiggling like a puppy on Christmas morning. As to my favorite subject matter for embroidery? It is hard to pick just one for a favorite. I have drawn up my own design with the initial of my sister’s last name entwined with morning glories. I have been working on several other projects and can not wait to get started on it. I guess it would be everything that stretches my imagination and my abilities.

    407
  307. Love Inspiration magazine. Wait for it impatiently! Favorite thing to embroider: Children’s themed, cartoonish. Like that rabbit at her bobbin tree!

    408
  308. Good morning Mary
    My favourite subject for needle work is leaves. I seem to be totally infatuated with them. particularly the maple leaf (as on the Canadian flag).

    I have done several in crewel and am now working on some with silk thread on Dupioni silk. This is becoming a bit of a struggle. Eyes are not what they use to be!

    I do volunteer work at a local hospice. A maple tree is beside the front door. I took a
    leaf and a seed pod from the tree and am working on a spring coloured, summer coloured, and fall coloured leaf. They will be finished in a vertical manner with a seed pod as the fourth frame. The cycle of life is the intent. When finished, they will be given to the hospice.
    I am allowed to work on these when I am on duty at the front reception desk. Isn’t that nice! Visitors give me great comments and input.

    409
  309. It’s so hard to say exactly what style I prefer for embroidery because I think I go through phases as my experience grows and broadens. Currently I am very into line art in which I work very fine small detailed designed using many lines. But who knows what I’ll be into a week, month, year from now. Possibilities are endless and I absolutely love it!!!!

    410
  310. What a beautiful giveaway! I’ve done so many different types of embroidery but I guess that samplers…..with some type of uplifting or soothing message are probably my favorite.

    411
  311. I’m a birds, butterflies, and flowers oh my kind of girl-no particular style. What’s not beautiful in thread?

    412
  312. What a beautiful and inspiring giveaway packages. I love all kinds of embroidery, but I must admit the floral designs are my favourite. I love that there are so many ways to make flowers and that they come to life as you stitch.

    Thank you for this opportunity and for all your amazing work. You are a true inspiration. Happy Holidays.

    413
  313. Hello Mary! Once again, thank you for hosting this give-away! Hmm, I think my favorite thing to embroider are landscape type scenes, like the ones created by my favorite designer, Rosalie Wakefield! That being said, I also love the floral patterns created by the same designer, as well as designers like Sharon Shetley, of Threads-n-Blooms! So hard to choose the next project sometimes!

    414
  314. Love your questions – I’ve pondered this one for a while and honestly, I don’t think I have a favorite. I enjoy them all!

    415
  315. My two favourite things to stitch are flowers and birds. Love hummingbirds so they are what I am drawn too.
    Thank you for having these give always we really enjoy trying to receive them.

    416
  316. I find that I really enjoy stitching words – inspirational, funny, meaningful – and seem to add a lot of florals and nature based images as well. But I want to keep growing and expanding my skills and subjects so perhaps I’ll branch out a little in 2018!

    417
  317. Florals and 30’s & 40’s kitsch is probably my favorite. I absolutely adore the wildlife, but have been too nervous to try. I don’t want all that work on a cute squirrel to turn out looking more like a deformed badger. I’ll get there, just need to build my confidence up a bit more first on other subjects.

    419
  318. I enjoy embroidering bugs and flowers.
    I am working on Mary’s Octoberfest design now. I do like the repeated stitching in these kaleidoscope designs.
    Robin

    420
  319. I have Inspirations Magazine all the way back to Issue #1! It is fabulous and has maintained its quality through all these years!!
    My favorite subject matter?? Hmm, I think that flowers are probably the most fun to stitch, for the challenge of it. But sometimes big, solid cross-stitch pieces are fun to do as you can watch the whole thing develop, stitch-by-stitch.
    Reticello’s linear designs are really fun to get “into” as well.
    Face it: It’s embroidery. It’s FUN!

    421
  320. Please, I’m 70 years old and would like to learn how to do ribbon embroidery. It is something I have wanted to learn for the last 40 years.Way back when you had to know someone to teach you. Thank you for doing this.God Bless everyone involved in this blog. Have Peace and happiness this Christmas.

    423
  321. I am a quilter so I like to use embroidery to enhance my appliqué and give texture. For example I might use Colonial knots in the center of a flower or some stitch to make a fine vine.

    424
  322. Favorite subject? Disney characters! Make great framed art in the nursery and keepsakes for years to come.

    425
  323. OMG! another great giveaway,can’t find the right word to qualify it. Thanks Mary and Inspirations.
    Generally I like all kind of embroidery but cross-stitch, I don’t like embroider little letters, bugs, love geometric, stylized designs, sampler motifs, whitework or ton-sur-ton work —well so many things more.

    427
  324. I couldn’t pick just one favorite subject matter — my top two would be natural things (animals, flowers, small landscapes — see how I “cheat” by sticking three things in the first one on the list!) and interesting patterns (celtic knotwork, medallions, etc.).

    428
  325. My thing is anything Floral. Little flowers, big flowers anything floral, flowers with trees, flowers with birds, flowers period! Currently I am working on some roses I copied from a color book I have. It is such a pretty simple picture that I copied it to some linen and am stitching away. I love to stitch flowers in the winter when there are not many flowers. However anytime of the year works for me to stitch. I learned to stitch when I was 8 from my great grandmother. That was over 50 years ago.

    429
  326. Until you asked this question I didn’t realize that I have a favorite embroidery subject. I thought about all the project I’ve started (including the ones I’ve stalled out on) and I find that I love flowers, animals (birds in particular) and insects (bees and dragonflies). I love Inspirations – it is the only publication I subscribe to.

    430
  327. I love to stitch nature themes…birds, animals, trees, flowers…anything with life in them. I like to combine free hand stitching within basic shapes and add a little 3D to bring them to life…

    432
  328. The natural world calls to me perennially – that is, until I see a master needle-worker stitch a building or geometric with pizzazz. One thing: I love to see embroidery stitched onto, around unusual spaces and for unusual reasons…like those strawberries! What an idea!

    433
  329. I stitch a variety of subjects, but I seem to always fall back on flowers. I enjoy thread painting and flowers allow for many colors and shapes making my stitching quite interesting.

    435
  330. What a wonderful bundle. Thanks Mary and Inspirations! My favorite subject to stitch must be OWLS. I have stitched 3 already and am working on Hazel Blomkamp’s Owlfred. A huge undertaking.

    436
  331. My favorite stitching subjects are flowers, animals and birds, and folk art. Flowers are especially cheering to stitch in winter and I love the simplicity of folk art—it just seems to instinctively fit with needle and thread! Thank you for this wonderful giveaway!

    437
  332. It is really hard to pick a favorite stitching project. I guess it depends on what catches my eye. I do love Jacobean and made my Mom a needlepoint pillow. I’m also drawn to Trish Burr’s projects. Sigh… there is not enough time in the day. Thank you, Mary for your newsletter. I look forward to them.

    438
  333. I used to do cross stitch and have stitched a multitude of types of pictures, scenery, cute, flower fairies, the queen and the Beatles in monochrome. I have since tried zenbroidery and following that I have stitched the Coloris Kaleidiscope pattern by yourself. Really enjoyed that one. I am now getting into crewel embroidery and have done a few simple modern designs, but now wish to progress to the Jacobean style.

    439
  334. I’m a crazy quilter, so I enjoy combining stitches for embellishment of seam lines, but I also love creating floral “bouquets” for the individual patches.

    440
  335. Hola. No sabría decir qué me gusta más bordar, talvez flores o monogramas. En realidad, muchas veces bordo por el placer de hacerlo nada más. Después viene el problema que siempre tengo y que echo en falta casi siempre en los blogs que visito, y es que no sé qué hacer con los bordados. Aprovecho para pedir desde aquí, que nos mostréis no sólo el bordado, sino también qué hacéis con el. Manteles, cuadros, ropa, bolsas, lo que sea, siempre es de gran ayuda tener muchas más ideas. Porque casi siempre vemos el trocito de tela con el bordado, pero no el conjunto.
    De todas formas, me encanta ver tus labores tan perfectas.
    Un saludo desde España.

    441
    1. Un saludo Helena desde el Québec (Canada). Descubri sus pays en 1980 y me encanta. Volve alguna veces. Me gusta Espana. J’adore l’Espagne.
      Louise

  336. I like stitching things that are clean lined and a bit contemporary. I’m not sure I have a clean idea of my “type”. I may have to ask my group of stitcher friends!

    442
  337. My fav is crewel work with wool yarn. And the gorgeous Jacobean designs. However I am also into miniatures & now like to do the designs in mini with embroidery thread. At my age my eyes are not so good so thank goodness for those microfying helps. thanks for your newsletter & a chance to win neat items. jc

    446
  338. I like your comparison to vacationing when opening an Inspirations magazine. Years ago, when in university, I would look forward to a favorite magazine just so I could have a mini vacation from all the studies. When my budget allows, Inspirations will be one subscription I will buy.
    Merry Christmas. Thank you for your blog, it is inspirational.

    449
  339. Hi Mary,

    Another wonderful giveaway; thank you so much for your generosity! My favorite subject matter for surface embroidery is definitely floral designs; even your kaleidescope patterns I like to think of as giant flowers. I’m okay with including Christmas trees and sheep and hedgehogs frolicking among little flowers in the category too LOL!

    Thank you again, Cathy in PA

    450
  340. I love animals embroidered. Especially the expert ones with realistic blended colors. I have a few patterns to try, and some books, but I’m not quite brave enough just yet. Human animals, too.

    451
  341. Flowers, plants and trees for me! Love to do landscape embroideries as is a fun way to play with thread.

    452
  342. I love embroidering flowers and wildlife, especially birds. Thank you for the generous give-away. It’s always a treat to read your posts, too, so thank you for your hard work posting throughout the year.

    453
  343. In my other post, I forgot to say anything about my favorite embroidery. I dearly love to do redwork. There are so many shades of red available now that I often use the shades to accent the redwork designs. Also, I have changed the style of traditional redwork from outlines to varied stitches and fill stitches.

    454
  344. Interesting question. I started looking around at what was on my walls and I sure have a wide collection. Ladies, animals, geometric, flowers, outdoor scenes. I think some of my favorites are scenes such as a cottage with a pond and a bridge. That’s in my bedroom and very relaxing. I have another with several victorian buildings and greenery around them and it’s a beautiful scene. I also have a lovely southern lady sitting on a porch surrounded by flowers. So hard to choose…..Oh, and then there are the holidays. Love the bunnies. I want to do the bunny by the tree with the spools..

    455
  345. I find myself stitching mostly traditional designs, and nothing gets me more inspired than historical embroidery pieces – so lots of scrolling florals. My absolute favourite designs I think are found in traditional costume of Europe and the Middle East. That passion was started thanks to your series on Hungarian embroidery!

    456
  346. I’m especially fond of embroidering flowers … and monograms … or the two together. And I love traditional crewel work. Gosh, I just love it all! Thank you for the wonderful giveaway! Merry Christmas.

    458
  347. My favorite subject matter to stitch is a landscape. But maybe I should say anything that is nature related is my favorite subject matter because I love doing such things as trees, shrubs, leaves, grasses and of course they are all part of landscapes.

    459
  348. Nice giveaway package! I like doing flowers, landscapes, and houses, but I think my very favorite subject matter is girls and women in gowns, dresses, and hats.

    460
  349. I don’t have a favorite subject for embroidery. Many, many things appeal to me. I just like to embroider and the more intricate, the better. What I like is bright colours and detail.

    461
  350. I love florals and sampler alphabets, but my favorite stitching would be Nordic style embroidery motifs.

    462
  351. I like geometric designs the most but anything where I can enjoy the colours as they unfold I good.

    463
  352. Thank you so much, Mary, for sharing your passion and expertise with all of us. I don’t have to think to long to know what my favorite subject for stitching is. I actually have two and they are sampler motifs or Christmas designs. These just scream “stitch me”! Merry Christmas!

    464
  353. Mary,
    I am enjoying getting reacquainted with embroidery. Your work is beautiful, and your videos make the stitches so doable. Thanks for all you do.
    Merry Christmas.

    465
  354. I have a delightful time embroidering florals & especially leaves. Your tutorial is fabulous & I’m creating some sweet looking leaves on a neck scarf for church right now.

    467
  355. I’m not sure I have a favorite, I love all kinds of textile work. But I’m very, very ready for some Inspiration!

    468
  356. My favorite thing to embroider is flowers. My very first embroidery projects were two sets of pillow cases (His and Hers) that I tucked away into my hope chest. Something most women my age never had. The chest itself was homemade, but I loved making things to save for that point in time when I go married. I still remember that both sets were embroidered in pink and purple which are colors I still like in my bedroom. My first blue ribbon embroidery project was a motto surrounded by flowers. My last blue ribbon project was a set of botanical prints of a tulip, rose, and a lily in counted cross stitch. The only thing I ever forked over money to get them framed. I never understood how to make the flowers more life like. Other than a few skeins of floss, a needle, a hoop and one set of Aunt Martha’s transfers, I knew NOTHING about how to embroider. Just followed what my mom had told me, but she didn’t know how to make the flowers more life like either. I’m only understanding and learning more in the last few years.

    472
  357. I don’t that I have a favorite subject. I like to stitch samplers. I also like hardanger and this time of year I like to do Christmas projects.

    473
  358. Oh my goodness! Each one of these prizes is fabulous. I’m a re-newed embroideress, and have started following you. I am in awe of all you do!

    474
  359. That is hard. I think I chose by the overall design and purpose of the piece. I am not sure I have a favorite.

    475
  360. In New Zealand we have a variety of common and native birds. I love stitching birds. Inspired by Trish Burr technique needlepainting and quirky birds using a variety of stitches. Great fun. Put the eye in and they come to life!

    477
  361. The current embroidery project I`m working on needs to be my favorite. I believe if my heart says this then I will pour my heart and soul into finishing the project and it will be loved. Even if it is an old WIP, I need to respect my decision at one time to devote my time and energy.( I am partial to crewel flowers & animals)
    Karole

    480
  362. My favorite subject is flowers and birds, presently. But I confess that I am a mood person. I had a ‘blue and white mood’, then a ‘crinoline lady mood’, etc.

    482
  363. Oh what a wonderful giveaway, I was subscribed to Inspirations magazine during a year so I know what beautiful needlework it contains. I haven´t really any particular embroidery subject preference although flowers always draw my attention.

    484
  364. My favorite subject to stitch or embroider are trees, followed closely by florals. I haven’t embroidered wildlife yet, but I know I would love that also! I love coming to your website several times a week Mary. I always learn so much from you!

    485
  365. My favorite embroidery subject matter? Whatever I see that I think is beautiful, creative and worth the time to finish it. I embroider on blouses, pillows , Christmas ornaments – you name it. I like hardinger too. I like the stitches and am glad to learn new ones.
    Thank you for this offering – it is so generous!

    486
  366. I was initially drawn to embroidery after seeing the lovely textures and natural themes of crewel embroidery. I have dabbled in other themes since, but still prefer nature overall.

    489
  367. Hi Mary!
    What an awesome prize! I like to embroider words. I have done many sayings, poems, names, etc. Some times I use my own handwriting and other times I print the pattern out.
    Merry Christmas!

    490
  368. When I do embroidery, I like to do natural subjects like birds, ferns, mushrooms, cactus and flowers. It is fun to use the different stitches to make them look as realistic as possible, though I am not as good as the ones shown in Inspirations magazine!

    491
  369. I just love embroidery, everything about it. I love stitching, with colors and more colors. The samplers that tell a story within a story. I’m fasanated by creators who stitch with fabulous design and add spectacular colorful floss. I just love to get a chart and go with my imagination and purchase the colors that speak to me, for each piece. Which then makes each one special and unique!
    That’s me! That’s what I love to do!

    Michelle B
    Arkansas

    492
  370. I love symbolism in art, so illustrations – to songs and poems. I have a few ambitious project ideas in this area, but since I’m quite new to surface embroidery, it will take some skill honing and help of an artist friend to actually get to one.

    493
  371. Î love stitching flowers, as a relative newcomer to stitching, but a very keen gardener, embroidering flowers has become my new passion, especially in winter when I can’t play outside. I plan to make a quilt next year with 12 panels with a British wild flower (read weed) in each panel.

    494
  372. Thank you so much for offering these giveaways! Having been an English major in college, I particularly enjoy embroidering text. I also like to use embroidery to create texture in quilt projects. Right now I am working on a small 3-D cottage with embroidered bricks.

    495
  373. I especially like to titch modern band samplers with lots of different specialty stitches.
    But then I just like to stitch specialty stitches, the more complex the better.

    496
  374. Inspirations magazine is just what it says … inspiring. I view each of their emails with longing, and have actually ordered a couple of back issues. I’ve wondered why we don’t have such a strong stitiching community in the US as they seem to in Australia?

    498
  375. Thank you for all the inspirations!! My favorite thing to embroider is flowers……….followed close with animals. I usually embroider to give away……..thanks, lola

    499
  376. I absolutely love samplers, I find them so wonderful, especially the ones from days gone by. I love to imagine who it was that created the stitching and what she was thinking while stitching. I hope to live long enough to create one and that my eyes will allow me to complete one.

    500
  377. Hi Mary,
    I absolutely love getting email from you, Trish Burr’s WordPress, and Embroidery news/Inspirations. Oh my goodness the pictures and the stories are just wonderful!
    I’m pretty new to embroidery and thanks to your web site I am able to learn so many stitches and get wonderful ideas. I recently completed your Octoberfest complete with beads, so much fun. I’m looking forward to doing Birthday Bash with such vibrant colors!
    I just completed Let’s Bark, a wording piece. I loved that. I really want to do the gingham embroidery with watermelons too. I’ve also been trying my hand at needle painting from Whitework with Color. That’s a bit of a challenge.
    I now go to a stitching group here in Daytona.
    I guess I like more simple, relaxing projects with a little forgiveness.
    Thank you so much for getting me started.
    Kathy

    501
  378. What a gorgeous giveaway. I’ve long lusted after the Inspirations magazines. I didn’t even know they had a calendar! My tendency has been to historic needlework such as samplers, though as my eyes dim, I find myself thinking of switching to more surface embroidery, as I won’t have to find those little tiny holes… We’ll see how my theory pans out, of course. I’m probably forgetting about something…

    Thank you for such a fun and informative blog.

    502
  379. Iam a floral person! But I enjoy embroidering just about anything that catches my eye or interesting designs for a gift project. Any embroidery is fun!

    504
  380. Flowers are definitely my favorite to stitch! There is so much variety, so many colors.
    Thanks for the chance to win something from Inspirations!

    505
  381. I really love Jacobean embroidery in warm, harmonious colours, in any embroidery style I love butterflies, in cross stitch I like the landscapes and portraits and although in life I do not use/like the blue colour in needlework I tend to use or choose patterns with a lot a blue colour.

    506
  382. What a great giveaway! Since I’ve only been stitching for under two years, I’m still exploring my favorite subject matter. For the moment I would have to say it’s abstracts done with surface Embroidery. I love working with lots of different colors and shapes. Thanks for the opportunity Mary!

    Cindi Rogers, Las Vegas

    507
  383. I’m just a beginner, bought my first hoop a couple of months ago as a creative form of stress relief. So far I love embroidering illustrated quotes as gifts for family and friends.

    509
  384. What I LIKE and what I DO may differ alittle. I love, in order, monograms, wildlife and then floral. What I DO most often is some (very simple) floral. I wish my skills were better

    510
  385. I love florals and landscape, geometric and stylized, and Jacobean as well. I love both traditional and modern interpretations.

    511
  386. I’ve tried all types of subjects for embroidery projects but I always return to floral designs, especially those with a Christmas theme! The French Needle has some wonderful wreaths that I’m enjoying working with now. I keep in the Christmas spirit year ’round by working on these wreaths & other Christmas scenes.

    512
  387. My favorite stitching subject matter is definitely freeform and abstract line and design, emphasizing color and texture with the various threads used. I love color and therefore use many color ways with various hues and shades to create my freeform images.

    513
  388. My favorite is flowers, needle painting, and doing different kinds of stitches to make a pretty design. I just love it all.

    514
  389. I love to embroider simple, whimsical designs. Vintage red-and-white designs, simple flowers and figures, I love designs that are nostalgic and harken back to the past. And there are so many great design and not enough time to do them!

    515
  390. I am a rather free form stitcher, unconstraind by technique or precision. Recently I have worked on images inspired by astronomy, weather events, or a view from a window. Secretly I long to do botanicals but now lack the dexterity and vision for such. Still, I love stitching.

    516
  391. First off, my favorite subject matter would be flowers – particularly roses, but also lilies, fuschias, hydrangeas, tulips.

    The second would be garden gates, windows, doorways – where you are looking through to something beyond and only partly seen.

    518
  392. I like it all. I have done flowers, Celtic designs, buildings, Santas and have patterns for more. If only someone can organize time!

    519
  393. Landscape embroidery painting. Am in absolute awe over what can be achieved!! Am relatively new to embroidery and that is the aspect to which I would aspire. A VERY tall order ☺

    520
  394. I like to stitch trees! Mostly they’re associated with houses or sometimes woodsy scenes with animals. Sampler trees, realistic trees, Christmas trees all work for me!

    521
  395. I don’t have a favourite thing to embroider yet as I am finishing up needle felting commissions before leaping into embroidery with both feet. I find Inspirations very inspiring, and probably just need a sweet kit to tilt me over into embroidery madness!

    523
  396. I’m a bit of a magpie as my favourite stitching includes borders, alphabets, and crewel work. Thanks!

    525
  397. My favorite things to embroider are religious motifs (love your e-book, Mary!) and then surrounding them with flowers or curlicues or what have you. Thanks for the opportunity to participate!

    526
  398. My experience has been with simple flowers and the stylized patterns of Hardanger. I would like to take a crack at birds!

    527
  399. My favorite thing to do with embroidery is…whatever I happen to be working on at the moment. I love monograms, lettering, poetry in thread. But I also love florals, samplers, critters, blackwork, redwork, specialty stitches. You get my drift.

    528
  400. I enjoy stitching items of nature the most. Yet, at any given time, it really depends on the mood I am in. That is why I have about 8 projects going on right now.

    529
  401. It’s really hard to choose, but I love the whimsy of Jacobean embroidery and its fanciful representations of nature!

    530
  402. I love to embroider anything botanical – flowers, trees, fruit and vegetables. So many interesting shapes and beautiful colors.

    531
  403. I love to do religous motifs. And in that line I would really love to do persons like Jesus, the blessed Virgin etc. I have done a few but Not much because I am not so good at it. But if I get step by step instructions I try.

    533
  404. My favourite embroidery subjects are flowers followed by animals, birds insects. Wishing all a very Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays where you can find some time amongst the busyness to do some stitching or read that Inspiration mag you have won

    534
  405. My favorite thing to stitch is animals. Not just cats and dogs, but everything in between – horses, birds, hedgehogs, farm animals, wild animals. Any animal to stitch up just calls my name. Thanks.

    535
  406. I’m a sucker for anything depicting our local wild fauna and flora, or the landscape around here. I can’t work outside on the land any more, so I like to stitch it instead!

    536
  407. Lately I’ve been drawn to geometrics, but I truly like to do and have done everything except… hardanger and stump work. Thanks for the give-away.

    537
  408. I do a lot of tea towels that I sell. But if I stitch for pleasure I love floral basket or samplers.

    538
  409. Well, the field is wide open on that question. For myself I am partial to flowers but I also like landscape designs, animals, or anything that just speaks to my soul.

    539
  410. Whatever technique I seem to stitch in, generally it tends to be floral with perhaps a pretty insect or two added in.
    i have a great number of issues of Inspiration and often go back through them for just the right project for a gift.

    540
  411. I stitch monograms and religious motifs. I enjoy the religious motifs, but monograms are my favorite. They’re quick and easy, and look so nice on an item.

    541
  412. My current thing is flowers and bees or dragonflies . I think I am drawn to these more so in the winter when the garden is under its blanket of snow.

    542
  413. I like to stitch wildlife but I also enjoy stitching flowers. I have recently finished a wild rose design by Trish Burr as an insert for a music box. I absolutely love Inspirations!

    544
  414. I simply adore Inspirations Magazine and currently have 2 projects from the magazine in process but slowly working them into my other projects calendar weekly.
    I love making silk ribbon flowers to decorate boxes and pillows with and decorative three dimensional and whimsical plants and vegetables/fruits with thread embroidery the most. Right now I have the Cauliflower Pin Cushion about halfway completed and am gathering supplies for the beautiful Thimble Holder which involves lots of different skills. Have not started it as yet but the instant download PDF pattern I paid for on line is detailed and well done. A pleasure to make projects from this magazine and best of all browsing their beautiful newly designed website. I don’t belong to a group of embroiderers so do everything on my own.

    546
  415. I’m a self proclaimed nut about samplers and of course CCS. I originally did crewel and moved on in late 70’s to CCS. I still have crewel in my stash. Major crewel project is for a valance for the living room. I have the first foot almost finished LOL. It will end up being my oldest UFO, but it is definitely on my 2018 list. I LOVE INspirations magazine, wish I was a little richer and could subscribe 🙁 Sincerely, Pat in SNJ

    547
  416. Hi Mary,
    What a good gift it would be for my 60th birthday on December 31st. Since it has never been a good time of the year to celebrate… always forgotten in the midst of all the other celebrations.

    Inspiration magazine is the best!

    If I do general embroidery I would prefer flowers and everything relating to nature. I am a volunteer guide at Jardin botanique de Montréal (Montréal’ s botanical garden, in the province of Québec, Canada) which in renowned for its collections. Of course I like to reproduce the beauties of gardens.
    But I also like to do canvas work and in this case, it is not necessarily plant or flower related.

    Thanks again Mary for your great blog and website.

    Long healthy life to you and to all the members of your family.

    Louise from Montréal

    548
  417. I really like to stitch samplers. I bought the 2017 Inspirations Calendar. Such beautiful photos.

    549
  418. I would love the bundle giveaway. Inspirations is a awesome magazine. I used to buy one when I had the money. They are pricey but worth every penny. I don’t even know a place to buy one here. I live in assisted living now and would gladly share the magazines with others here after I’ve filled my head and heart with their wonderful art!
    I am stitching tiny Biscornus for the ladies who help me here. A little gift for their wonderful kindness.
    Pat

    550
  419. Thank you, Mary, for another great give away!

    My favorite stitching is silk shading of flowers, especially in shades and hues of periwinkle, lavender , and violet.

    551
  420. Although I stitch whatever speaks to me, I really like doing Christmas themed designs that I can add to my quilted postcards. I try to send out several cards each holiday season to friends and family.

    552
  421. That is really a nice giveaway from INSPIRATIONS.. Iam an Architect and was working till i got married….Now im more into taking care of my family and spending my free time in embroidery…iam selftaught right now and eager to do stitchwork on buildings with 3d, raised embroidery and some stumpwork….Happy holidays

    553
  422. I guess I am a floral person, but I will try anything – love the strawberries in Inspirations 96. I really like ecclesiastical embroidery, too.

    554
  423. Hello- My favorite thing to embroidery is animals. They can bring a smile to anyone’s face. Since reading your news letters, I have been inspired to try thread painting of animals. Still working on it 🙂 Kim

    556
  424. My favorite subject to stitch is flowers…in all their glorious forms. I am especially fond of Jacobean designs. I love leaves and flowers all intertwining! But I stitch florals of all kinds!
    In the Inspirations magazine I love Trish Burrs Partridge in a Pear tree and the darling bunny and thread tree. The calendar would be a good reminder, every month, to slow down and stitch. And the hoop kit looks like fun…I am teaching my granddaughter some basic stitches. I think she would like those sunflowers!
    Thanks for offering this Give Away! Happy Holidays Mary!!

    558
  425. Love this mag. Have one on digital. Been stitching florals for years but monograms have been calling to me recently.

    561
  426. Hi Mary
    Thanks for running Give-Away Competition #6. I’d love to have the Inspirations Studios calendar in my workroom (read rowing and yoga room too) and to be motivated to stitch the Simple Stitches sunflower kit over the Australian summer. Here’s hoping I’m lucky.
    Merry Christmas to you Mary, and thanks for the blog,
    Di

    563
  427. Very difficult to pick a favorite. Guess I would have to say samplers because you can stitch floral designs, letters, geometric as and sometimes buildings all in one piece. I think I might have to say florals if I had to choose just one thing.

    567
  428. My favorite motif for embroidery is floral. I love flowers – growing them, painting them, arranging them, stitching them. Love, love, love. Wish me luck and stitching expertise.

    569
  429. Favorite subject matter? Symbols, slogans, bugs… Anything, really! That’s why I like crazy quilting — I can just put anything that strikes my fancy on a slice of fabric!

    570
  430. I love all subjects, at the moment my stumpwork is a mixture of animals, flowers and people. I also have a needlepoint almost finished of 5 of ours days. I suppose in the end it’s whatever catches my eye.

    572
  431. Merry Christmas! I like to dabble in all things stitchery, but I am always drawn to Jacobean themes, even if I spend more time putting names on handbags. Thanks also to Inspirations, they always have such lovely items to daydream and drool over.

    573
  432. My embroidery guild chapter wants to make the strawberries on the cover of the magazine. I would love to try it first as it may be above my skill level but looks very intriguing! Maybe this will be my lucky time to finally win and venture out to a new technique.

    574
  433. Trying to say what my favorite subject is for stitching is like trying to say what my favorite food type is for cooking! Sometimes I get focused on cooking pasta dishes and stitching birds. Then I’ll get focused on perfecting Asian dishes and stitching mandalas. Later I might decide to master a variety of shrimp dishes and long and short “painting” with stitches. Recently, I’m having fun with little trees (~__*)

    575
  434. Hi, Mary. My favorite subject to stitch, if I must choose only one;) is sampler motifs. That can include such a wide range of things. Thank you for the opportunities to win great products. Thank you for such a wonderful site with so much great information. Merry Christmas!
    Sharon L. Greeley, CO

    576
  435. I tend towards geometric, stylized or abstract designs, although I’ll do whatever strikes my fancy and suits the person I have in mind.

    577
  436. My favourite topic for ribbon embroidery is flowers as the looseness of the ribbon gives a lovely soft flowing feel and sense of nature.

    578
  437. I love embroidering flowers, birds, and monograms. I am a smocker, so I also love geometric designs. I’m itching to start that gorgeous stocking from Issue 96! Thanks for the give-away!!

    579
  438. My favorite subject for needlework is something in nature. I particularly love an iris or a butterfly

    580
  439. I like clean lines and geometrics. Hardanger and pulled and drawn threads are some of my favorite but I do like a variety of stitching.

    581
  440. I do all kinds of embroidery in different subject matters. What attracts me to a particular piece is what I need it for at that time and place. What really interests me in embroidery is the number of stitch variations. You think you have seen it all and then another new variations shows up.

    582
  441. Lately I’ve been obsessed with shall-we-say whimsical designs – goofy looking houses, Dr. Seuss-like flowers, purple and orange animals – anything off the wall. But one theme that never leaves my heart is flowers. Any kind of flowers. Rustic, primitive, cottage, stylized, botanical, you name it. Other obsessions come and go, but flowers are always here to stay.

    583
  442. Absolutely love Inspiration Magazine. This magazine started me on my path to learn thread painting (just a beginner). With lots of searching on the web for articles on embroidery, I then found needle thread.com. I receive the daily newsletter in my inbox which gives me a lot of pleasure reading. Thankyou.

    584
  443. Hi there….I lean towards flowers, animals and samplers … traditional. I’m not much on geometric or very modern.

    Thank you so much for the opportunity to win.
    Merry Christmas.

    Lisa

    587
  444. Another super prize and as someone new to many styles of embroidery, this bundle would be a real treat. Good luck to everyone.

    588
  445. Ooh, I’m definitely a fan of embroidering flowers and garden scenes. I have a chronic illness which has meant I’ve been unable to keep a real garden for a number of years, so I love to look at, draw, paint and embroider flowers and gardens instead! Thanks for all you do Mary. xo

    589
  446. I do an awful lot of geometric patterns, because I do a lot of Hardanger and similar techniques. But every once in a while, I enjoy doing a flower or a butterfly, just to do something more colorful!

    I love Inspirations Magazine, and spend a lot of time drooling over every issue as it comes in! I just wish I could do more of the projects they feature.

    Mary in MN

    590
  447. I didn’t really think I have a thing, but I guess it’s botanicals. I do enjoy stitching flowers, plants and trees. I have trouble stitching animals convincingly.

    593
  448. I like the structured nature of Hardanger with its mostly geometric designs. Also the repetitive stitches, again rather geometric, in pulled thread projects. However, I’m happy stitching most any subject and technique.

    596
  449. At the moment I seem to be doing a lot of flowers for my sample stitch book, but what I really like is stuff that’s a bit more unusual, for example my next project includes the embroidery of anatomically correct(ish) heart.

    597
  450. My goal this year is to be a better needle painter. I love the subtleties. I love the possibilities. Flowers and plants are the first attractions, but I will persuade myself (easily) to move onto birds.

    598
  451. Subject matter? It is always difficult to be specific. I like stitching wildlife, especially birds, geometrics also, samplers and motifs that are included within, and wording, just to name a few.

    600
  452. I love stitching Jacobean Crewel. I enjoy the various types of stitches required to accomplish a Jacobean design. I also like to stitch samplers and do stumpwork. This is an amazing giveaway!

    601
  453. I love stitching geometric patterns in blackwork. In other styles of embroidery I enjoy stitching abstract designs and florals.

    603
  454. I enjoy stitching mostly holiday items. Since I decorate for almost every holiday throughout the year, I like to have a stitched piece (or few) for each season. My styles have changed over the years—I have gone from cutesy to more more sampler style .

    605
  455. It’s difficult to select just one subject for embroidery. I enjoy numerous subjects depending on the technique I’m using. Nature scenes and animals are favorites when doing thread painting. Samplers or patterns with a large variety of specialized threads and stitches are my preference when doing canvas work or counted work. Celtic patterns tend to be what I go to for blackwork. When I do counted cross stitch it’s holiday themes that I lean towards, especially Halloween and Christmas.

    606
  456. I love Inspirations. My favorite stitching subject is Americana.
    Thank you, Mary, for your wonderful site.
    May you have a wonderful Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year.

    607
  457. I love embroidery! My favourite work to do is dependant on my mood. Ir might be traditional embroidery one day, thread painting on another day, stumpwork on another day, but my trusty crazy quilt is always with me. I also love you, Mary as you are so down to earth and have so much to share all the time. Merry Christmas!

    612
  458. My favorite subject for embroidery is wildlife. I especially like the birds featured in Inspirations.

    614
  459. I am really drawn to geometric – the ancient designs found in so much ethnic embroidery and other types of cultural art work! They make my eyes happy!

    616
  460. What a generous giveaway! I’m in awe of this series of free goodies, wow! I would love to win any of these items.
    I’m so new that I don’t really have a favorite anything yet. I really like learning new stitches. I’ve watched all of your videos, and others’ to learn all the stitches I could find, and then made some samplers of very clean lines of all the stitches I know.
    I’m currently working on a pillow with a few big artistic words. So far, it’s my favorite piece that will be a complete project at completion.

    617
  461. I really love Jacobean style embroidery. The exaggerated flowers, leaves, the tree of life, with a little animals just touches something in me. I love the some of the new designers of this style, with the colors and different stitches they use, like Tatiana Popova, her use of color and design is so beautiful.

    618
  462. My favorite subject matter kind of depends on the technique I am using, ie. needlepoint=geometyric; silk ribbon=floral; needlepainting=animals.

    619
  463. My favorite embroidery subjects are flowers and leaves. Even though I really enjoy them I would like to discover another favorite or favorites with more experience.

    620
  464. Thank you for the opportunity to win one of your wonderful prizes. It is hard to pick a favorite subject for needlework; probably would be birds and flowers, but I am always open to many things, especially if they are done with lots of beautiful colors. The opportunity to thread up a needle with beautiful thread and then work it into fabric brings such joy and contentment, not to mention a feeling of accomplishment. I love seeing all of your beautiful embroidery projects. Thank you so much for sharing your talent and knowledge with all of us.

    623
  465. My favorite would be flowers and berries photograph both and want to do a sampler with some. Now I’m starting again on a rose crewel piece.

    624
  466. Wow, what a great give away. Inspirations really is the most beautiful embroidery magazine .
    I’ve been looking around at my embroideries and although there are a variety, 2 styles keep popping up – Monograms and Florals. Monograms are great for personalising a gift, whilst flowers just add beauty to almost anything.

    625
  467. I did several embroidery projects many years ago. A friend’s lovely embroidery is inspiring me to, put down my knitting needles and, begin to do embroidery again.

    626
  468. I love all forms of white work , even though it may take me many months to complete a piece, samplers with drawn thread work timeless

    627
  469. I love samplers for their muted and utilitarian purposes and I love the florals of Berlin woolwork for their color and depth. Definitely a Gemini. Thank you for the give away.

    629
  470. My “thing” is to find a lovely thread and that perfect piece of linen, tack it into stretcher frames, and see what comes of making a few random stitches. Maybe to “take a line for a walk,” or to make a map of an imaginary place, to use the simplest of stitches and try to re-create an object (vase, flower, bowl, tree) in only one or two types of stitches. The stitch and thread inspire me to keep on with it. Usually this kind of thinking with my fingers is the rough beginning of a larger, more thoughtful design.

    630
  471. My home is decorated in the Craftsman style, so I have gravitated toward designs that are reflective of those motifs.

    631
  472. Really, there is no one favorite subject, although i am drawn over and over to samplers, especially if they have house,trees and flowers….birds and maybe a dog or two…see what i mean….lol….

    632
  473. I love to stitch geometrics and am mostly a counted thread stitcher. I have been trying to do more surface stitching and experiment with different techniques, especially postcard sized. For postcards and experimenting, I particularly like doing landscapes.

    633
  474. Wow what a giveaway. I have to say that Jacobean embroidery and themes are my favorite. I am particularly interested in birds. Birds and flora are common themes in my work. Thanks again, Mary!

    634
  475. Due to the fact that we have winter longer then summer…I have to go with flowers…they always brighten the day and they don’t die. Second would be holiday themes….I like to change it up every few months.

    636
  476. My favorite subject is animals and snowmen. I love all those critters and
    snowmen remind me of the coziness winter brings and the happiness of
    being wrapped up and warm in a comfortable chair with needlework to do.
    Happy Stitching to all!!!

    637
  477. I start with a simple drawn shape and then it sometimes just seems to take over and is so different than i first thought. Sometimes good and sometimes not so pleasing but always original. That said i do enjoy all needlework. As long as it is stitching. Merry Christmas to you

    638
  478. My favourite subject matter in embroidery: I,m so new to all of it, and have had little chance, to dabble in any one particular style! But the few things I have done, are mostly baby animals on baby quilts, a bit of flowers on tote bags,and doing pillow case flowers. I need another life time to get everything on my list of too do,s accomplished. But thank you Mary,without your stitch tutorials, I wouldn’t know how to do any of it.

    639
  479. My favourite subject to stitch would be nature, be it birds, animals or florals. And anything Inspirations puts out would be irresistible.

    640
  480. My favorite mag. Since moving from Aust to Europe it’s probably one of the things I miss the most along with Vegemite.

    641
  481. I like embroidering birds. Sometimes mythical ones ,then I give them names which I also embroider.
    I make the finished article into lined bags, small potpourri cushions, or hanging Christmas ornaments.
    I give them away as gifts.
    Love ‘Inspirations’ it is such a lovely magazine and I am constantly in awe of the genius and high quality work of the contributors.

    643
  482. My favorite things t stitch are: floral, beautiful ladies in long flowing dress, & samplers in that order. I guess I chose floral as my first because I love color & nice bright color.

    644
  483. I love embroidering flowers mainly. I find I can use many different colours and many different stitches. I always feel happy when I am embroidering flowers. Usually I find most designs are able to be embroidered fairly quickly, thus I seem to always finish a project. Because I love flowers, sitting in my garden, watching nature and good lighting I find there is great incentive to keep embroidering and finishing the project.

    645
  484. So what is “My thing” ….I think thise who know me would advise that I am an embroidery hoarder- I quite simply want to experience it all and create beautiful things to make people smile. All who might visit would see a workshop/studio and home reflecting a love of stitch. At the moment I am basking in the glow of working with metallics and goldwork but the lure of crazy patch embroidery is never far from my thoughts…. simply a divinely cluttered mind of a passionate hand stitcher is all! 🙂

    646
  485. Inspirations has been one of my favourite magazines for years. My favourite themes are birds, wildlife and cats. I like them with a modern twist. I tend to stitch small sizes, love silk gauze.

    647
  486. What is ” My thing?”….I’m betting some would describe me as an embroidery hoarder, but I simply look to experience the beauty of stitch, traditional or contemporary to create embroideries that make people smile. Currently I am basking in the glow of working with metallics and goldwork, but crazy patch embroidery embellishment is never very far away.

    648
  487. These look amazing! So far, I’ve only been stitching for a year, and have done mostly botanical motifs, since those seemed to me like the easiest things to learn on. What I really love is narrative embroidery, but I’m still working up the skills for doing the pieces that I really want to do.

    649
  488. I love to stitch plants and their friends like butterfly’s and bees. Trees, flowers, vegetables, fruit, leaves, tendrils, buds, berries, etc.

    651
  489. Mary, thanks to you and the folks at Inspirations — another amazing opportunity.

    To your question: what’s my favorite subject for stitching: I suppose I’d have to say geometrics, but that’s not all I stitch. What I look for is a project that will be give enjoyment both to stitch and to look at / use when completed. I look for “visual texture”, whether it’s from combinations of stitches, overdyed threads, multiple types of threads, and usually a bit of “bling” from metallics and/or shiny threads such as Neon Rays. This year I’ve been working on a number of Mill Hill Button & Beaded projects from my stash — easy, fun, and relatively quick.

    652
  490. I love making flowers. I really love making necklace pendants with a spray of flowers. I like making flowers with woven picot petals.

    654
  491. My favourite embroidery at the moment would be birds & flowers. Thanks for all the prizes you’ve gathered for us to enter. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.

    657
  492. Any subject is welcome when I stitch! But I do like the lacy geometric patterns of pulled work, and I love stumpwork of any type! Thanks Mary for all you do!

    658
  493. My favorite type of embroidery is sewing samplers. Wish I could afford an antique one; until I can, a handmade reproduction is great.

    659
  494. I like just about anything. I have a Jacobean applique quilt in progress. I have been working on two memorial pieces for my Mon & Dad – “your wings were ready” & “Footprints”. I am working on my first Chatelaine. I just love having a needle in my hands.

    660
  495. That’s a hard one .If it’s for someone I think about their likes and colors. If for me I enjoy almost any design. It’s ! more about the color or the complexity of a piece at that time. Sometimes I need something quick and easy ,and at others I need a piece that takes my undivided attention. That is what I like about Any embroidery it can be as easy or complicated as you want. The color can be bright and colorful or dark and gray. It all depends on what I what to do at that time. Thank you for your site and your work.

    661
  496. Dear Mary,
    Yes, Inspirations is truly beautiful and like a holiday in a magazine. My favourite subject is everything old world. Old samplers, images, designs, patterns, and scripts that transport me back to an era when there was a quieter, slower pace to life.
    Thank you!

    663
  497. I am probably more into floral designs.

    Thank you for all the information and give away opportunities you provide.

    664
  498. My favourite things to stitch are stylised florals. I love the twisted stems ,flowers and leaves of Jacobean embroidery . They give so much scope for imagination in colour and stitches.

    665
  499. Most of my Embroidery work consists of flowers in some shape or form. At times I do stray to another topic or subject.

    666
  500. My favorite subject right now is religious themes, mainly crosses. I do most of my sewing for the priests in our area. I a new to embroidery and still learning best technique and materials. I’m embarrassed to say that I’m not sure I was aware that hand embroidery still existed until about a year ago! I thought that there was machine embroidery (and contemplated on several occasions an embroidery machine that would have bankrupted us) or cross stitch. I am amazed and impressed and so excited to keep learning.

    668
  501. Hi Mary
    I like to try many different types of needlework as well as spinning weaving and knitting, but my go to work that is always sitting in my needlework basket is Reticella. It’s small, intricate, white and just lovely. ❤️

    669
  502. I love to stitch flowers or wildlife. Thank you for offering this giveaway Mary. Inspirations is truly inspiring.

    670
  503. As I am a novice embroiderer, I like stitching floral samplers with a variety of stitches which help me to attempt to master this amazing art.

    671
  504. My favourite subject matter for my embroidery designs is birds. In particular, I have a special affinity for peacocks & swans. I love a Peacock in full plumage with their full spectrum of colours and all those eyes in their tail. Even with an all-white peafowl in full plume, it is still breathtaking. I love the little repetitive flutters they do after spreading their coverts fanned out. It is as if they are fully aware of their opulence & grandeur, gracing us with a gift although seemingly loving the attention, aware of their beauty. It is not just all of the colours of these magnificent, majestic & regal creatures that are so breathtaking. It is also their body language with their slow strut, long necks carrying their head held high along with the spray of the crown-like feathers atop their heads which they hold high in an air of confidence. All those colours are some of my most favourite. I love all the hues of iridescent greens, reds, turquoises, teals, blues and purples. Even without all those bursting colours, the white peafowl is just as magnificent in every way. In designing & stitching a peacock or even just a peacock feather, you can design it as simple or as intricate as you want with embellishments, using metallics, golds, silvers, beading colours and still stay within the realm of realism in trying to capture their essence and stunning beauty.

    The same in many ways is true with Swans also, the regalness and beauty, the nobility. Seeing a Swan just makes a sense of peace fall over me & the world seems to stop for a moment. Years ago I visited Germany & Austria. We went to King Ludwig II Castle also known as the Swan King. Everything in his castle was Swans from the huge porcelaine figurines to a secret underground passage with a canal with a Swan boat which lead to a stage and play area for him to entertain his private guests. It makes sense why in past history both birds were reserved only for nobility. Luckily, today that is no longer the case.

    I think my affection and attraction dates back to when I receiveed a custom made string puppet of a Peacock for my eighth birthday from my father. That is one of my fondest childhood memories & favorite childood birthday gifts. Also, every Sunday he always took me to the zoo & my favourite part was looking at the free roaming Peacocks & Swans in the beautiful lake. I loved it all. They were so unique, exotic and huge, that is to an eight-year-old at least. Even when I design motifs I am drawn to using feathers or like shapes and that color scheme sometimes. I love stitching birds into my designs if fitting such as a Bermuda Longtail, , Hummingbirds to a simple Chickadee or Straling.

    672
  505. My favourite subject to embroider is stylised animals, followed by geometric designs.

    673
  506. I love to stitch floral designs, but I also have a weakness for a house. I’m a sucker for a cottage! I’ve made lots of cross-stitch houses as well as ribbon embroidered Di Van Niekirk cottage panels. I like to imagine who’s living in the cottages and maybe peeping out at me from behind the curtains!

    674
  507. I love hearts! I love to stitch hearts! I love to applique hearts. But, other than that, I love to stitch brightly colored items-The brighter, the better, especially in this gray wintertime.

    675
  508. My first project was an embroidered dishtowel around age 7. I’ve probably had something going ever since, although never very prolific aside from the cross stitch craze of the 80’s and 90’s. The rest of the time I’ve been a dabbler, decorations for “hippie” clothes, hand quilted sofa pillows and baby quilts, needle point, candlewicking, crazy quilt, felt motifs, and most recently full circle back to regular hand embroidery learned on the dishtowel. Through the years I’ve become more interested in my own designs.
    This was a fun little trip through my memory. I have very few examples because I gave most everything as gifts or cutting down in my many moves. Albums would’ve been wonderful, but there was no camera phone in your pocket when I began in 1963, and at the beginning I would have had no idea what an important part of my life stitching would become!

    676
  509. My favorite things to embroidery is flowers and wildlife. I’m a beginner and I would love how to embroidery a horse. Thanks for the chance to win

    677
  510. I absolutely love monograms and any sort of white work embroidery. I have followed your emails for some years and just love all the tips and various types of embroidery you share. Best wishes for the holiday season.

    678
  511. I like to embroidery pretty much any theme…..scenes, flowers, and since I am stitching a lot of Bunka embroidery, Asian themes are among my favourites, especially geishas with a background of flowering trees, waterfalls, and pagodas.

    679
  512. My favorite subject matters for embroidery stitching are stylized design and monograms.
    And I gather inspiration from all sorts of designs and others work.
    Thanks, would love to win

    680
  513. I like stitching geometrics and designs with lots of different types of stitches. I also have a weakness for blackwork and cutwork. I had never heard of Inspirations magazine before! Nice to hear about it and I’m going to check it out.

    682
  514. My favorite subject matter for embroidery is nature. When I have more time, I want to do an embroidered series of botanicals – the whole plant with smaller sections beside like some painters do in botanical studies!

    683
  515. G’day Mary,
    And thank you Inspirations.
    I love to stitch freestyle. Just a rough idea in mind from how the lightly manipulated fabric ends up and then using whatever stitch is needed to transform a particular area to fit in with what’s developing. I love to have clusters peeping out from under folds and gathers as in a beach one that’s happening at the moment. Not realistic and open to interpretation. Usually end up small landscape-y types.
    Cheers, Kath

    684
  516. My favorite subject is flowers and letters together. Some of my best ideas have come from you! Merry Christmas to you and yours. Thanks for all the wonderful opportunities this holiday season to try for these gifts and to just be connected!

    685
  517. Love almost all of the stitchery designs! My favorite probably is words and florals that give me inspiration to stitch. Love to win one of the magazines.

    686
  518. Oh my, Mary what a wonderful giveaway! I would LOVE to receive this (who wouldn’t)!
    It’s hard to choose just one favorite subject for stitching, as I love variety and never do anything twice. I guess I would have to choose nature, flowers, fruits and trees, and I do love stumpwork and crewel, something will dimension to it.

    687
  519. I love to embroider flowers and animals, and somehow seem to alternate between the two. My last big project was a tryptych of poppies and the one before that a scene from a coral reef full of tropical fish. The one coming up is a tree frog.

    688
  520. This is a hard question, I am normally drawn to designs inspired by nature,
    As I like flowing lines, flowers and insects and animals, oh MY! BUT, I can then
    Be sorely tempted by a geometric design with not a natural element in sight,
    So guess I am fickle when it comes to what I like best. What a treat an inspirations
    Prize would be. Sue In Bermuda

    689
  521. Flowers for sure. Then a friend remarked that I seem to have birds in almost everything I make, so definitely birds too. In vibrant colors!

    690
  522. I live stitching flowers! In the Spring, my eyes see the world in threads and ribbon–a most inspiring month!

    692
  523. I like stitching florals and also animals. hard to choose one favorite. I have taken Inspirations since it began, love looking at all the projects.

    693
  524. I like to embroider fruits, holiday items (I bought your Christmas trees patterns), and animals.
    Thanks for the chance to win!

    695
  525. My favorite thing to embroider is my interpretation of museum paintings. I have several art books from around the world and I like to choose a painting from the galleries represented in the books.

    696
  526. What a wonderful give-away! Inspirations is a gorgeous embroidery magazine. There are going to be 5 very happy people!
    My subject matter for embroidery has changed over the years. Right now I tend to prefer geometrics.
    Merry Christmas and all the best for 2018! I thoroughly enjoy your website.

    697
  527. My favorite subject matter for embroidery would be Jacobean in style. I love the way landscapes are incorporated into fantasy trees, flowers, and creatures. It is fun to create a short story of what you think may have been in the mind of the person who did the embroidery and figure out why did they use those colors and stitches.

    698
  528. My favorite subject to stitch is floral motifs. They just lend themselves so nicely to the fibers!

    I just love INSPIRATIONS Magazine!

    699
  529. My favourite subject matter for embroidery is mainly Blackwork. I have several pieces around the house. I also like samplers.

    700
  530. If I had to choose what I like to embroidery the most I think it would have to be flowers of different sorts

    701
  531. I love to embroider bugs! Especially spiders and spider webs!
    I also enjoy embroidering flowers. Just getting into doing the long and short stitch.

    I love your website and totally enjoy every days comments! Thanks so very much for all of your information that you so readily put out there for us to learn from and enjoy!!
    Elaine

    702
  532. My favorite subject matter of embroidery is cats and birds. I like the Inspiration magazine and halas it is now difficult to find it in Montreal. I would be very happy to win a subscripton. Thank you.

    703
  533. My favorite subjects for embroidery are animals and I’m hoping to learn needle painting.

    704
  534. My favorite subject to embroider is … peacocks! I just love the vibrant colors and the possibilities of stitch varieties!

    707
  535. I love it all! I just don’t have time for everything so I narrowed it down to floral and nature.

    709
  536. What a fab prize! I prefer botanical for stitching. That gives a scope that never ends. I subscribed to Inspirations for the first 50 issues then collected a few until it was unavailable to purchase in a shop. Your work definitely is on the same beautiful level as any I see there.

    710
  537. I love to stitch reproduction samplers, especially the intricate motifs from the 17th and 18th centuries. Also I am especially fond of stitching the “illuminated” letters in Scottish samplers.

    711
  538. My favorite type of embroidery id of older sgructures. I like to see tbe structures come to life. Simple is a relief from everyday stress. But at times i really like a new challenge.

    712
  539. I love paisley designs ever since the 60’s. I love to colour them, embroider them, draw them! I like to make a colour theme with silk or rayon threads. Sometimes I use variegated threads. I am so happy they have been reintroduced lately.

    713
  540. I am very much a traditionalist in my embroidery projects. I love Jacobean embroidery – the swirls, flowers and birds.
    I’ve recently enrolled in a modern embroidery class. Now that is going to be a challenge. I can’t wait.

    714
  541. I am most frequently drawn to flowers although i do a wide variety of topics. I plan to do some monograms soon. Maybe with flowers…

    Happy holidays!

    715
  542. My favorite subject matter for embroidery are trees and shrubs. The idea of creating a little landscape with interesting shaped trees is always exciting. Sometimes I work with strange bark textures and other times try to capture lots of different shades of green.

    Thank you Mary and Inspirations for the opportunity to win such a lovely package.

    716
  543. I love all forms of historical embroidery especially crewel work. The Inspirations magazine is always full of lovely ideas.

    717
  544. Such a hard question, but I think it is the flowers and weeds found in nature. These illustrations started me off in embroidery nearly 50 years ago as a relief from a stressful job and I have never stopped. I think embroidery has kept me sane and laughing!

    719
  545. Animals. I am currently working on a Noah’s Ark (embroidery), a needlepoint canvas of racoons and one of a woman running with her dog!

    721
  546. I love geometric designs esp. black on white and at times combined with various other stitches…thx for all the chances you have given us..so appreciated

    723
  547. I suppose I lean toward geometric designs. I do enjoy sampler type projects using different stitches and threads

    724
  548. Oh, my, it’s hard to say what my favorite subject matter to embroider is! I do love monograms and lettering, but also really enjoy Montmellick embroidery. Thank you and Inspirations Magazine for this to win some great things!

    725
  549. My favorite emb is silk ribbon emb because it is quick & very forgiving on mistakes. What could be better than that? Thanks for the chance

    726
  550. I really enjoy stitching natures subjects in modern ways, say the outline of a Fox filled with sunsets, flowers etc.

    727
  551. I love the geometric, symmetrical designs created by hardanger and blackwork. Stitching them is quite soothing and relaxing.

    730
  552. Though I now live in Texas, which is beautiful, I can never forget the gorgeous maple leaves of all colors and fan-shaped gingko leaves we would see in the fall at home in Washington,
    D. C. – all the beautiful colors, reds and golds, and every autumny shade you can imagine. I really miss those. And don’t get me started on the cherry blossoms, dogwoods, lilacs, and other flowers we’d see in the spring. Some of the needlework I see nowadays (e.g., Trish Burr and others) captures those blossoms so well. I’m definitely a lover of “nature” in embroidery.

    731
  553. Thanks for turning me on to Inspirations! I’m a free form, make it up as I go along type of stitcher and I fell in love with Carolyn Pearce’s Home Sweet Home pattern and had to order it because of one of your posts about Inspirations. It will be fun to do some “formal” stitching again!

    732
  554. Flowers and Jacobean designs are so versatile the can be anice addition to a lot of different projects. however, birds and cute creatures are some of my favorites subjects to embroider.

    733
  555. I am definitely a floral person, sprinkled with a bit of landscape, Jacobsen, and anything else that tickles my fancy. Thanks for the opportunity to be a winner. Happy Christmas.

    734
  556. I love love love anything floral especially in whitework,goldwork, and hardanger. I just love Inspiration magazine which I pick up in thrift stores.

    735
  557. I love to work floral designs using a wide variety of techniques. Mostly ribbon embroidery and Brazilian

    737
  558. Right now I’m embroidering whales and birds. Before the whales and birds it was gardens and flower wreaths. And before that hearts.

    738
  559. I have admired Inspiration Magazine through
    through the years. It’s like a kid in a candy shop. I’ve enjoyed working on Counted Cross stitching and enjoy a verse with a scene that highlights or depicts the verse.

    740
  560. My favorite subject matter to embroidery is something personal about the receiver. Like “Kyle Loves Asparagus” or “Sarah Loves Tennis” or something I admire about their personality, a moment to remember or hobby. I embroidery an appropriate scene behind the wording to add color to the picture. I’ve done this for friends and my six grandchildren. They now have something to remember me and how much I love them.

    741
  561. Many things seem to find their place as subjects, but when I think back I can see that my favorites are Christmas-related, and second would be florals.

    743
  562. My favorites are seam treatments for crazy quilting. Sometimes they are pictorial but mostly follow the theme of the crazy quilt block.

    744
  563. Choosing my favorite embroidery theme is a difficult choice! I like florals and animals and also Jacobean!!!

    745
  564. Wow! This is quite a treasure of a prize!!! Thank you so much and thank you to Inspirations Magazine. It is a lovely magazine with endless inspiration.
    My favorite subject for Embroidery is a picture of something…a pastoral scene with animals or something floral-a vase with flowers or just a bouquet. 😉

    746
  565. I love to embroider both fur/hair and beards. I make ornaments every year and my favorite thing to do is to see what I can come up with for Santa beards, reindeer fur, bunny fur, elf hair, etc. With so many threads and yarn now available, there are so many possibilities that I feel I will discover a new fiber or stitch combination to create an unusual beard (or furry whatever) for many years to come.

    747
  566. I will stitch pretty much anything that catches my fancy. I do lean toward people and animals more along with a good dose of floral. I don’t stitch many samplers or monograms. I would like to start stitching my own designs and they will probably be floral in nature.

    Thanks for another great giveaway!

    748
  567. How wonderful of inspirations to offer us all these beautiful items, and you to let them go to us.
    Inspirations is also my favorite inspiration. So beautiful.
    Happy holidays Mary. Love you and your caring and sharing.

    749
  568. Good day Mary,

    What a beautiful gift, I have been looking at the magazine for a while and will probably become a new yearly subscriber in 2018. Because I am unable to design anything, I tend to purchase kits from well known designer like yourself, Trish Burr/Jill Buckley and Hazel Blomkamp. I also get inspired by Jessica Grimm and Yvette Stanton. So I would say that I don’t have a particular subject as a favorite but rather an original piece that strikes me. These days I am exploring Japanese headings from Margaret Lee’s gorgeous book.
    Thank you for the great gifts experience it is quite inspiring. Enjoy the Holidays with your family and friends.

    751
  569. I LOVE NEEDLEPOINT! But i have been playing with embroidery on wool…..So many wonderful patterns out there for that. Love to use the over dyed threads on the wool with many of the stitches. Anything folk art for Christmas and Halloween. winter time coming more time for stitching.
    S Vadset Thanks

    753
  570. I have lots of favorites. I do something for all the special holidays. Plus , bI never can do enough florals.

    754
  571. I love getting my newsletter from Needle n’ Thread! I always learn something and am always inspired to “create”. I will be getting subscription to “Inspiration” magazine – based solely on the beautiful pictures and descriptions in the article. Thanks so much for all of the work that you put into your newsletter!

    759
  572. Oh my goodness, what wonderful gifts. Seeing the photos would help me a great deal. Usually when I learn something new, I have to sit across from someone showing me what to do as I”m left handed and reading the instructions doesn’t always work for me.

    My favorite subject matter is a combination of landscapes, with buildings and wildlife.

    760
  573. My favorite subject matter for embroidery is floral embellishments on smocked dresses for my granddaughter and bullion animals on polo shirts for my grandson. Being able to add a personal touch to even “store bought” clothes makes it a unique gift of love from their Lally.

    761
  574. I do like florals, but find myself enjoying many different themes. Thanks for the chance to win such a lovely giveaway!!

    764
  575. Your blog is like a mini-vacation! My current favorite subject matter is flowers/naturals (like twigs, trees, leaves). I am just branching out from “patterns” to doing my own thing and it is sooo much fun!!

    765
  576. I’ve bought individual issues of Inspirations and have been slowly convincing myself to spring for a subscription. I love geometric samplers popular in needlepoint right now, but also can’t pass up a good floral pattern.

    766
  577. Hmm this is a great question that I never really considered. Probably because I am still an embroidery newb. I am not sure I have developed a motif theme yet, but I am drawn to patterns with flowers. I inherited some vintage pillowcases and there is a siamese cat with flowers and a pair of hearts made of flowers. Both make me wanna recreate them!

    This is quite a gift! Thanks for the chance to win, as always:)

    767
  578. Hi Mary, thanks for so many great giveaways. My favorite subjects for embroidery are animals. Thanks!

    768
  579. I especially enjoy embroidering birds perhaps because we feed and watch the birds year round and belong to a very active Audubon chapter.

    My husband and I look forward to your daily missives, Mary. The work you picture is just lovely. Thank you.

    770
  580. Hi Mary; My favorite motifs for embroidering are geometric designs, although I am currently embroidering a free form butterfly and a feather in gold work and have a kit for Yosemite dogwoods all of which are pulling me out of my comfort zone of drawn and pulled thread work. Have a wonderful Holiday, Joy

    771
  581. Thinking back on
    needlework projects, I realize my “Thing” is floral motifs. My favorite is a charted William Morris poppy design I did on 28 count linen working thread over two stitches. It was a challenge, but turned out to be a prize winner.

    773
  582. I love to stitch florals, there are so many beautiful flowers I never get tired of them. Thank you for the giveaway!

    774
  583. My favorite subject for embroidery is flowers! Flowers, flowers! And, I love Inspirations Magazine!

    775
  584. I have just taken up embroidery in the last three years. I found some nearly finished embroidery in my Mother’s sewing box many years after she died. It took me years to open the box as it was always Mum’s special box and I had some anxiety as to what I would find. She must have done this embroidery when I was not around as I never saw her stitching and her work was beautiful. I decided to try to finish her project (flowers in satin stitch). I have started and unpicked it so many times because my stitching is no where near as good as hers and that’s when I decided to join an embroidery group and learn how to do it better.
    I love florials, the Crinoline ladies in their beautiful old fashioned dresses and I have discovered there are so many other different styles – I love them all. Through our guild I have done projects in Redwork, needle cases, a hessian Christmas Stocking with varied threads and ribbon and I have found that the ladies are all very willing to help me on my embroidery journey. I have also done two workshops with Yvette Stanton in Sardinian embroidery and Mountmellick embroidery – I love Yvette’s work and hope that some day I can produce work as wonderful as all the tutors I have had. This year our guild is running a Blackwork workshop and a Crewel workshop – I am very excited. I think I am still looking for my favourite style because I love every style I have tried.
    I haven’t picked up my mother’s work again yet as I am still climing that mountain of excellence – I will get there eventually.
    Thank you for the opportunity to tell you my journey so far. Toni McLeod, Australia

    776
  585. My favorite thing to embroider is flowers, but I have always wanted to do animals. I am a little nervous about trying though because it would probably only be an outline like a coloring picture unless I learned how to do needle painting. Which would be cool 🙂

    777
  586. The lovely forms in nature capture my interest as a primary source of inspiration for embroidery.

    Thank you to Inspirations for this gift offer. As a subscriber, I find this magazine to be rich in information and beauty. If I win, I shall pass along the extra issue to friend.
    Thank you, Mary Corbett, for all you do for us. We keep you in thought and prayer.

    778
  587. Oh my! I used to love Jacobean, but have branched out to freestyle animals lately. But oh, give me a bird! Whether it be Trish Burr’s perfection, Jacobean, or my own freestyle designs, embroidering birds always give me joy. I have just about finished
    My abstract peacock!

    780
  588. Well my favorite subject matter for embroidery changes with the type of embroidery.
    I have been branching out and trying new things.
    I prefer florals for Blackwork, Brazilian and Thread Painting.
    Geometrics for Needlepoint and Hardanger
    Monograms are always fun with a floral or greenery designs
    But, I love animals. Wild animals mostly. Reminds me of everything beautiful and alive in the world.
    Life and beauty bring me hope. I am celebrating my birthday and my 4 month anniversary with my new lungs. My second chance at life. I am blessed
    Happy Holidays to All

    784
  589. Mary, how to decide on a favourite project? I do really love monograms though, particularly those involving floral elements 🙂 .
    Maybe I am drawn to smaller projects which fit in with my busy life!
    BTW I always look forward to your newsletter!
    Judy

    786
  590. My favorite subject matter for stitching is seasonal motifs. I love Halloween, especially in the primitive vein, and similar for Christmas designs. In general, I also love samplers and how they make feel connected to history. Inspiration magazine—yum!

    787
  591. I drool over the Inspirations site on Facebook. I’ve never held one in my hands but I love “real” books and magazines. I love to stitch wildlife and would love to learn to do a beautiful monogram properly-one of those padded one. Maybe someday. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

    788
  592. OMG this is an impossible question to answer, I love everything! I do trend towards floral and nature themes, I love antique samplers and modern brights, and decadent Jacobean designs, crazy quilting and sweet little things like biscorneau (sp?) pincushions and such. The list is endless.

    789
  593. So glad I found this article about Inspirations. I haven’t done embroidery for years, I need to start up again. I love stitching items from nature; animals, flowers, sea life. There is so much to pick from.

    790
  594. I like cutsie things like the bunny in the spool tree. It is so cute and looks like it is not a biggie project so I could get it done.

    793
  595. I really love to stitch quilt designs. My mother quilted and I always admired her work. I love the quilt designs in needlepoint and embroidery because I feel closer to her and I can also display more of them since they are smaller than an actual quilt . Although I truly enjoy using her quilts immensely!

    794
  596. Hello
    Since I semi retired three years ago embroidery has filled my time. I joined the embroiders guild and through new friends was encouraged set up inspirations magazine. As the title suggests I can’t continue to sew without this wonderful pages. My progress would suffer.

    Merry Christmas to all across the pond xxxx

    796
  597. My favourite subject is anything which reminds me of my dear husband – his Scottish clan family crest, his football team emblem, a galleon – the ship he loved and barn owls, lots of barn owls – his favourite bird.

    797
  598. I absolutely love Inspirations Magazine! I could spend all day looking at the beautiful photos!
    My thing is embroidering flowers, birds, and samplers.
    Thank you Mary for all of your wonderful stitching tutorials, I have learned so many new stitches!

    798
  599. I love so many different embroidery styles but at the moment my favourites are samplers and in particular Quaker designs. I would love to win the prize and it would be my only Christmas present. I love Inspirations.

    799
  600. Sheep! I just can’t help embroidering sheep. I’m a farmer and working Shepherd and my life revolves around the sheep and the seasonal work with them… Lambing, shearing, weighing lambs, moving to fresh grass, feeding in winter. I have my subject matter right under my nose all the time.

    Merry Christmas Mary. And thank you. X

    800
  601. I love floral designs and celtic knots. I have a large celtic design I am going to start in the new year.

    801
  602. Thank you for the chance to be a part of the giveaway. I prefer stitching realistic fauna and flora. I have never heard of Inspirations magazine but thank you so much for bringing it to my attention! I will be keeping an eye out for it from now on. It looks to be a fasinating read!

    802
  603. Lookin at the pieces i have completed, there is a real variety, geometric blackwork, goldwork mushrooms, jacobean flowers, cross stitched cityscapes… if i’d doodling a small piece, i generally chose to embroider rabbits!

    803
  604. This is really hard to answer. I do stitch a lot of flowers but I think my preference is really for birds and wildlife. I am currently stitching Nicola Jarvis’s Winter Squirrel, who is just gorgeous.
    A very Happy Christmas to you, Mary, and I hope you have a wonderful and healthy 2018. Thanks for all you do.

    804
  605. I’m not too fussy about subject matter (although I’m not that keen on hearts!), it’s the stitches and threads that I like most. Having said that, floral is almost always good.

    805
  606. This is a prize I would love it win. I love to embroider and bead flowers and leaves. Nature is a big part of my life. I also don’t have a calendar for my sewing room and need one badly. It’s the one that keeps me motivated to keep working on my projects.
    Audrey Burrows
    quiltbug@yahoo.com

    807
  607. Lately I have been working on primitive projects. I love how these projects fit in with my “country” style of decorating my home.

    808
  608. Where do I start, my love for hand needlework just grows and grows. I like to try any new type of needlework I hear about but I have my favourites I keep coming back to Stumpwork, crewel, pulled thread and egg embroidery. I am currently working on a piece of Parma embroidery and prior to that I did some Kashubian embroidery. Trying to find information on the history of each type of embroidery is also very satisfying.

    809
  609. I love Inspirations magazine and particularly interested in hardanger and cross stitch designs. I am relatively new to embroidery and am also interested in samplers.

    810
  610. My favourite thing to embroider is wildlife and birds i just love them and find some of them a challenge which i love

    812
  611. I love stitching vintage children’s designs and flowers which I incorporate into the quilts I make. Thanks!

    813
  612. I tend to gravitate towards sealife. I love the sea and love the challenge of trying to show the wonders of the sea and all its sealife.

    814
  613. My stitching preferences are mostly cros stitch and I love doing HAED patterns. Did an interesting course last winter on crewel embroidery that was very interesting as history behind the work was included, so now am very much liking Jacobean as well as crewel in the Arts and Crafts tradition. Deerfield embroidery definitely won my heart as well. Just learning needle painting and loving it. As far as subjects go, I absolutely love doing birds and flowers followed by whimsical and colourful pieces as well.Giselle Barrieau

    815
  614. As a dream destination, I would choose Phillipa Turnbull’s studio in Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria to take the 4-day course Totally Crewel Work in September 2018. I could immerse myself in crewel embroidery for days and would be taught by an excellent embroiderer and teacher who specialises in crewel work. I have not been to Appleby-in-Westmorland so this would be an opportunity to explore a beautiful part of England.

    816
    1. Dear Mary,
      This comment is in the wrong place! It should be a contribution to Giveaway #5. Please ignore or delete this.
      My apologies – a case of clumsy fingers.
      Helen

      the

  615. This is a tough one. I think I’ve done a bit of everything except religious motifs. But looking at what I’ve completed and at my stash, floral designs seem to be my favourite.

    817
  616. I prefer contemporary, updated designs that are colorful and fun. I also love some of the 3D ornaments and decorative items.

    818
  617. This give-away will provide endless days of enjoyment. Winter is a great time to curl up on the couch with the magazine and to start one of the projects mentioned or included.

    819
  618. My favorite subject matter for stitching is historical. I love history in general and the foundation of needlework seems to have been put aside in this “now” day and age. How many people think of the manufacture and decoration of clothing when buying a new dress? (etc. I could go on forever.) My favorite area of historical is the early band samplers.

    Thank you for all you do for the needlework community

    821
  619. My favourite needlework projects is something as different from the previous project as possible. I’ve gone from:

    a 20s flapper to a Japanese landscape, to a self-designed wedding sampler, to an experimental eastern Mediterranean snow scene, to a Japanese alphabet sampler* stitched with my most-loathed thread type, to a [unfinished and frustrating] mermaid. Currently, I am finishing up a bright 50s-ish sailing boat and a monochrome Noah’s arc design.

    *design by Modern Folk Embroidery, whom I strongly recommend

    822
  620. My favourite subject for embroidery is samplers where I get to do several different stitches such as hardanger, drawn thread, a wee bit of x-stitch, beading, and the list is endless. Of course, this usually involves lots of colour changes as well.

    All of your giveaways are fantastic, and I’d be a happy winner of any of them. thanks for all the great work you do, Mary. Your articles are so very helpful. Thank you so much.

    823
  621. Oh WOW! The bunny picking spools is something I would LOVE to do! Sewing themes are my number one love for stitching. My sewing room is just covered with stitcheries that I have sewn. Thanks for the chance to win this wonderful magazine. And thanks to you for all you do!

    824
  622. At the moment my favorite subject for embroidery is anything that challenges and adds to my stitching skills. At the moment I am busy cross stitching Christmas cards and working on the chicken scratch watermelon boarder. I am a big fan of gingham fabric so chicken scratch really appeals to me!!

    825
  623. My favourite subject for embroidery is The Tree of Life motif in Jacobean embroidery. I like the formality of the design, the variety of stitches used and the fanciful treatment of leaves, flowers, birds and animals.

    826
    1. they have a wonderful newsletter you can subscribe to! check out their website and you should find a link to it.

  624. My favourite subject to embroider is flora and fauna. I love how my plants and animals seem to develop a personality as I create them from scratch.

    828
  625. I love stitching vines and spirally designs! And those pictures from Inspirations are gorgeous!

    830
  626. I think my “thing” in embroidery. I’m fairly new at it and want to learn everything!!!!!

    831
  627. Multi media embroidery and birds are my favorites embroidery subject matter.
    One is to challenge myself and the other brightens my day…..
    Thank you for this giveaway….I own a few Inspirations issues and I re-read them often; they are a treasure trove of ideas and a creativity boost.

    832
  628. So far, my favorite embroidery theme is floral and landscape. I’ve also begun to do names. Thanks!

    833
  629. I love looking at all things embroidery – If I had to pick one thing for my “stitching thing” it would be Inspirational quotes with matching illustrations. Loving the work shown here xx

    835
  630. I am trying to find which style of embroidery I like best, I am sure Inspirations magazine would help me decide.

    837
  631. I love the traditional Jacobean crewelwork designs-depictions are charming, the colours so beautiful. I also love the scope for using your own imagiation, rather than just following a pattern

    838
  632. I’m drawn to flower designs, both realistic and stylized. Colors, shapes, and texture are without limits and a constant source of inspiration.

    839
  633. Flowers are my favorite needlework subject. I enjoy the colors and textures that spring to life under my needles.

    841
  634. I always seem to choose geometric patterns as well as simple wildlife motifs, especially tiny flowers and colorful little bugs. I also love the challenge of a complicated new stitch! Thanks for this giveaway, for your blog, and for all your inspiring videos and clear tutorials! Just wonderful for a beginner like me.

    842
  635. Well I know, I am not an embroiderer who does animals or persons. I love making flowers or trees. I love embroidering on photo’s or leaves. The thing I love most is just making stitches!

    843
  636. Thanks again, Mary!
    Since I have to choose :-)… My choice would be Jacobean flowers, foliage and especially the strange & wondrous creatures that fly & crawl among them.

    844
  637. Inspirations is a beautiful magazine, and I love seeing it in my inbox. My favorite things to stitch are nature-based elements used as embellishments on clothing, such as leaves on collars and cuffs, or vines running down seams.

    845
  638. I love to stitch floral themed pieces and anything garden related. Samplers also have a great appeal.

    846
  639. I generally embroider on quilts, so the subject matter depends upon the “subject” of the quilt. However, it seems that mostly, I’m embroidering words – simple words that embody the quilt’s owner-to-be. Other times, it is pathways or other enhancements to a landscape or scenes on a baby quilt.

    847
  640. Mary, for me, this is the most difficult question you have posed. I have enjoyed the old, stamped pillow slips in cottons, Jacobean wool kits, red work, some counted cross stitch, crazy quilt embellishment, Tenerife, huck weaving, beading, decorative edging on appliqué, and land banner making. What I enjoy most is choosing my own colors and stitches when embroidering naturalistic subjects–birds, mammals, herps and’or their habitats. (BTW, that bunny decorating the tree with spools of thread is delightful.) Advent blessings!

    848
  641. Hi, Mary,
    I think I prefer stitching flora subjects because there is so much versatility in the colors, shapes and sizes.
    Thanks for all you do for us.
    Shelley Wine

    849
  642. Actually I love contemporary Type Embroidery I do alot
    of Carolyn Mitchells Designs. Love her designs. Also love Trish Burrs Embroidery also. Small easy to handle pieces.Love the Inspirations Magazine I get the Digital one I find the paper one very expensive here in Canada and have no place to Store them all.
    Merry Christmas to All

    850
  643. I am so glad I switched on my computer today, I hardly get a chance to read my e-mails….over 100 today and yours was right near the top. I love inspirations but haven’t been able to get them as our exchange rate is terrible. What a joy to read about the exquisite no. 96. As I look around at my past embroidery projects so many of them have come out of past Inspirations magazines. I love so many different kinds of embroidery I have sometimes combined different designs for a project. Crewel with lots of small flowers and bright colours I would say is my favorite.

    851
  644. My favorite subject for embroidery is generally flowers. I have also done some geometric designs that I enjoyed working.

    852
  645. By far it is flowers. In any shape or form. I garden flowers, I crochet flowers and since I have recently started to embroider I have found that this is my favorite medium for creating fab color collages of flowers, I fill every inch of space with wildly delicious colored flowers! I can”t seem to help my self. I am in love with my grandmother”s craft, what a special gift!

    853
  646. Would it be floral, geometric, birds… geometric, birds, floral? A geometric background with flowers and a bird? You ask hard questions.

    854
  647. Hi !
    My favorite subjects to embroider are flowers and birds, in all possible forms of embroidery ( cross stitch, crewel, hardanger, long stitch, etc. ) I embroider other people’s designs as well as my own designs.
    The world of embroidery is ” mon pied a terre”…… Thank you for your blog and Merry Christmas !!

    855
  648. I love geometric designs, anything with regular pattern all a result I am sure of my mathematical background; canvas work and any sort of counted thread work have satisfied my desire for regularity over the years…..but having seen how important precision is to those lovely fillings in crewel work, I was brave, had a go, and I love it!

    858
  649. My favorite subject matter is nature—I love images inspired by nature, whether they are realistic or more abstract.

    859
  650. I like so many different styles of embroidery and I want to try them all. Jacobsen, however, is what first caught my eye and is still my favorite.
    Thanks for three giveaway!

    861
  651. Although I love many different subjects, it seems, based on my projects, that flowers and birds top the list. Thanks for this chance to win such lovely prizes.

    862
  652. My favorite thing to stitch is flowers, especially ones that are botanically correct. Thank you for all the patterns and ideas, it really helps a lot.

    863
  653. My favorite subject for stitching is and always has been florals. Since I have moved to a condo I can no longer plan and plant a beautiful flower garden, so stitching one is a
    happy substitute.

    864
  654. My first completed project was when I was 10. It was a fish I desinged myself. I used back stitch, straight stitch, french knots and chain stich. I’ve been partial to animals and nature scenes ever since.

    865
  655. I prefer to do animals when I embroider, but do all kinds. Love your site and thank you for all the inspiration you give!

    866
  656. Currently I am working on Christian designs for our communion drapes. I usually just pick a technique or pattern that I find intriguing nothing specific. That is why I would love to have a chance to win one of these prizes, I like it all!

    867
  657. I would say birds are my favorite subject matter because even though I don’t stitch them as much as I would like, I am always drawn to pictures and designs featuring them. Besides their beauty, there’s something universally comforting in watching them.

    868
  658. I’ve been doing embroidery for years. I usually go for embroidery with geometric designs, like the kaleidoscope pattern from this website. However, my patterns vary and I love all types.

    869
  659. A real Christmas treat Mary!! Thank you for thinking of a giveaway like this.

    What do I love to embroider? A tough question indeed. I melt at the sight of patterns be they vintage or contemporary. And you can guess I have loads of embroideries in various stages of getting done. Sigh!!! But, my head and heart and hands cannot resist animals, scenes either from vintage era or modern times. Each room in my house has a beautiful scene or a flower framed. Now I am addicted to embroidering clothes for my mother and sister 🙂 I enjoy freestyle embroidery as well as counted thread embroidery. Depends on my mood which gets taken up first 😀

    870
  660. My favorite subject matter is geometries, usually combined with some lettering or words. The geometries are because I am a shocker as well as an embroidered; the lettering/words because they imbue additional meaning.

    Merry Christmas, Mary. I’m so glad you are doing so well this year!

    871
  661. I like to stitch birds. Any kind of birds. I am an avian kind of person. At one time I had 26 birds sharing the house with my husband and I. Now we just have four. I cannot imagine not having a bird in the house. I also like them stitched up on the walls. I also like to combine them with quotes I have taken a fancy to. The other thing I like to stitch are monograms. Thank you for the chance to win Mary.

    873
  662. As I look around my house I am amazed at the number of stitched pieces there are, from framed pieces to wall hangings to cushions. They are predominantly florals, which is not surprising as my outside hobby is gardening. At this time of the year though they are competing in number with the Christmas themed items (some of which hang all year).

    874
  663. I am always researching new stitches of new and old. I am very interested in Crazy Quilting and trying new stitches so my pieces are different,

    875
  664. I think that would have to be birds; there are more of them on my work than anything else! :>)

    876
  665. Flowers would have to be my favourite, however I do other embroideries depending on what takes my fancy from Inspiration magazines. Would love to win this give away.

    878
  666. My favoured subject for embroidery is most times connected to the person I am doing the piece for as a special birthday, anniversary or other occasional gift. The subject most times reflect the person and place it is going home to.

    879
  667. My favourite style is what ever I’m working on that moment. I love it all. But if I had too choose an item it would be geometric designs to me there is many ways to change the dstn or colirs to make it yours.

    880
  668. I am currently working on geometrics, especially after doing the ornament from last Christmas. I made 4 to give away, and want to make one to put on my own tree! I am looking forward to doing a kaleidoscope in the new year.

    882
  669. My favorite subject for embroidery or any needlework is Islamic calligraphy. The sweeps and curves are so graceful, and the content is prayers, so luxury is key, and silk and gold threads fit right in.

    883
  670. Ohhhhhhh! Inspirations!! I don’t think I have a favorite subject matter. I always stitch for others, so my topics are what I think the recipient would like. Whatever that subject matter is, it makes me happy while I’m stitching because I think it will make the recipient happy.

    884
  671. Love to do a variety of design, as long as it’s easy and uncomplicated. It’s my go to stress reliever, love the look of this package ,I’ve never seen this magazine, very fascinating look.

    886
  672. Merry Christmas!
    My favorite embroidery subject is flowers – gardens, bouquets, add some berries and branches… The more realistic the better.
    Wishing everyone a beautiful holiday. Kathy

    887
  673. Wow, another great giveaway!! (I was recently going through the Inspirations mags that I’ve collected over the years; every time I think I can part with a few–to a good home, of course–I just can’t seem to bring myself to do it yet). My favorite needlework subject is nature: trees, flowers, and so on. When I think about the current ongoing projects I’m working on, one of them is a linen scarf with nature motifs embroidered on it, another is a quite large cross-stitch chart (“His Eye is on the Sparrow,” so trees, animals, and so on), and smaller embroidery projects on linen. I’m thinking about embroidering designs on a new denim shirt I got a while ago, and maybe do some Bohemian-style motifs. It’s so wonderful to indulge in the needle arts because the possibilities are endless.

    888
  674. My favourite type of stitching is counted work. You already have your pattern in the weave and don’t need to transfer extra markings.
    I love the Inspirations magazines I have seen, but it seems you need to buy a whole subscription on line and get them sent out as I have never seen them on sale in any shops.
    It would be nice to ‘flick thru’ before buying.

    889
  675. I am a serial starter – I have done lighthouses, boats, penguins, cats, dogs and a whole bunch of SAL’s with flowers, people, words & all kinds of stuff. I do like to do Brazilian embroidery and crewel embroidery. Hearts & flowers, etc. Some southwest designs – cactus & stuff.

    890
  676. I love to do “Under the Sea” pieces. I live right on the edge of the continent, and that beautiful ocean offers lots of inspiration

    891
  677. I love old samplers, copies of the same and new designs which have used the old samplers for inspiration. I love the verses and the motifs and the bands of different stitches

    892
  678. My favorite embroidery subject is scenes. My favorite so far is a red work scene of a stitcher sitting in a garden with a work of embroidery in her lap. There is a bunny watching her and a tree shading her. I just enjoyed doing it. It was a gift for my eldest daughter who cross stitches everything! I treated it like a quilt and finished it with a hanger. It is about 25″ X 30″. It hangs on her wall in her dining room.

    893
  679. Flowers and birds are my favorite subjects for drawing, painting and yes, embroidery. They give me all the color and shape variety I need and I never tire of seeing them in nature or creating images for myself in paint or thread.

    894
  680. I love to stitch wildlife, but mainly birds. I love bringing them to life with a needle and thread.

    895
  681. My favorite motif to embroider is nature – flowers, birds, trees. Though I have cross stitched a cartoon character, quote and sampler. Nature will always be my favorite.

    896
  682. I’m fairly new to hand embroidery, so I love it all! I do rather love a floral monogram though. This site has been a goldmine for this beginner, thank you!

    897
  683. I seem to embroider tons of flowers. Often the design inspirations come from our gardens. There is no end to what you can do with flowers!
    Merry Christmas to all.

    898
  684. I think my favourite subject are quotes and lettering… and finding the best wishes for a good lettering!!!

    899
  685. I would love to get this magazine. It looks inspirational!
    I enjoy patriotic and inspirational pieces which I usually give away! I have dabbled in hardanger, ribbon, counted canvas but mostly cross stitch.

    900
  686. My all time favorite is working monograms, but that has led me into many other types and subjects for my passions.

    901
  687. I love samplers in all techniques, a great way to “play” before committing to a project. It’s also a good way to work out what stitch in what colour!

    902
  688. My thing for embroidery so far is letters. I love doing monograms as gifts for friends and families, and I love playing with stitch combinations on letters to make them fun or personalized.

    905
  689. My favorite embroidery designs are landscapes, either real or imagined on canvas, fabric, or solvable ground.

    906
  690. I think Birds capture my interest the most. I have probably 10 plus birds waiting to be turned into something. A quilt, a hanging, can’t decide. It will come to me….

    907
  691. Wow! What a wonderful giveaway!!! Mary, I learned about Inspirations Magazine through your blog posts, and although I have yet to see any issue in person, I would absolutely love to win this copy 🙂 Jenny McWhinney’s “Bobbin Tree” project, with the little bunny hanging spools of thread on a tree, is so cute! My favourite subjects to stitch are florals, but I also like animals like this and am trying to teach myself needlepainting so I can stitch some. Thank you so much for the opportunity to win!

    908
  692. I love to stitch florals, especially in samplers with different stitches. Feminine motifs with curves and pinks and greens are some of my favorites!

    909
  693. My favorite subject to stitch is flowers. There are so many different types and colors, and so many different ways to depict them!

    910
  694. Who doesn’t love Inspirations. If I spent as much time stitching as I do browsing this magazine I would be a very productive stitcher indeed. However, I am in the throes of stitching those delicious strawberries. started on the Satin stitch one yesterday. Can’t wait to get them all finished and displaying on my dining table. Happy stitching and happy Christmas to all. Yvonne

    912
  695. I like so many that I have done and many, many more that are to work on in the future. I guess my favorite would be birds. The more realistic the better.

    Merry Christmas and Thank You for the opportunity.

    913
  696. I love so many different types but I would have to say I tend to enjoy the seashore or under the sea embroidery at the present time.

    915
  697. My favourite subject is flowers. It’s always a challenge to see what stitches will create the type of flower I want. Sometimes it is just a happy surprise.

    916
  698. What’s your favorite subject matter for embroidery?

    Probably animals and birds – although I would love to see some more fantastical designs available. Perhaps I will have to draw my own. 🙂

    917
  699. Hello Mary, Merry Christmas to you and your family.

    Subject matter for my embroidery that truly is a hard thing to ask. Depending on who the project is for I could end up making just about anything. As I prefer to take my friends and families wishes and likes into account. But if the project is solely for me then I love floral’s and geometric designs. Thank you for this opportunity to win this wonderful prize Mary. Julie

    918
  700. I love to do flowers on anything. Pillow cases, quilt blocks it doesn’t matter. But I also like cottage scenes. It’s so peaceful.

    921
  701. Oh my goodness, Mary, you have really made this Christmas season special with all of these great give-a-ways—-thank you so much. It is hard to say what subject I like to stitch the best, my favorite stitching is thread/needle painting and I have done birds, wildflowers, landscapes, fruit and animals. I guess I can say my favorite subject is Nature.

    Merry Christmas

    922
  702. Hi Mary
    My “thing” is embroidering flowers although I have tried other themes. It also depends on the project. But for fun I always turn to gardens: flowers and leaves.
    Lovely giveaway- Inspirations is a beautiful mag!
    Keep well.

    923
  703. My favorite form is botanicals. My favorite type of stitchery is needle turn appliqué for Hawaiian quilts.
    Jo Ireland

    924
  704. Inspirations magazine is wonderful! Always lives up to its name–Inspirations! I love embroidering most anything, but am partial to Red-work. Anything from Sun Bonnet Sue to snowmen and all things in-between. I wonder how a Jacobean pattern would look in red. I may have to explore that. Thank you for all the wonderful gifts being given away. I am sure that each recipient will be grateful. Merry Christmas!

    927
  705. My favorite is religious articles; I’m hoping to some day work up to large embroidery projects for full vestments!

    928
  706. My projects done over the years have usually been gifts for other people. I enjoy embroidering scripture verses and flowers/angels – whatever goes best with it. I enjoy embroidering people’s names as well.

    929
  707. I like geometrical things most, but I also like realistic depictions of flowers and plants done in cross-stitch. I often like mixing geometrical with other styles, so cross-stitch or needlepoint, which are ‘geometric’, with twisting lines, liked William Morris or Celtic knots, or traditional white crochet or tatting with a rectangular, geometric design.

    930
  708. I love stitching flowers.

    I think that the Inspiration magazine is the best that I have seen for various embroidery techniques.

    933
  709. I find that I am usually embroidering flowers. That being said, I do have a collection of Santas that I have done; I guess he’s my second favorite (Shh! Don’t tell)

    934
  710. I like to embroider scenes – gardens, houses, woodlands and flowers. I also enjoy embroidering Christmas scenes and motifs. Recently also enjoying redwork and stylized designs.

    935
  711. I would love to visit the Museum of London. I love period pieces and I love History. To see history told through the beautiful art of embroidery, history told by hands, what love and devotion I can imagine went into each and every stitch. Truly what beautiful works of art!

    936
  712. Hi Mary, I have recently taken up embroidery again but am very much a beginner. Love anything floral or stylised animals, but am working toward being skilled enough to tackle Jacobean patterns, they are so wonderfully OTT and exhuberant. Your regular newsletters inspire me and I rely heavily on your tutorials. Thanks heaps for all the time, effort and love you put in to everything you do.

    Avie

    937
  713. I learned all my technics with floral embroidery, and so this is what I’ve done most often. The potential for colors is great with flowers.

    But I also like monograms and geometric symbols as more “utilitarian” forms of embroidery.

    938
  714. favourite subject for myself (in xst) would be almost anything fantasy, dragons, mermaids, fairies, wizards or in canvas… geometric/art deco designs but I usually end up stitching for other people … cats, snowmen, hearts, flowers…

    939
  715. I have no idea what is my favourite subject…. it just grabs me when I first look at it and that’s it 🙂 No matter if it is an animal, flowers or some beautiful beach 🙂

    940
  716. Cats. I just love to embroider cats. they are beautifully artistic animals and their funny postures make for the cutest of designs. I have several pictures in my home made by me and I never cease to enjoy looking at them.

    941
  717. I really love flowers or something unique! I have been looking at a lot of unique embroidery lately, such as artists and how they incorporate such fine detail in their work . It is truly amazing! Thanks

    tdkcarpenoctem@hotmail.com

    942
  718. Hi Mary,

    Thank you for this Christmas giveaway series !!

    I love stitching for my kids. At present I am doing a bed spread for my book worm daughter with cartoons and drawing based on books and bookworms. Next is cartoon characters for my son – pokemons. He is ready with all printouts.
    I love to stitch anything which will be used around.

    Regards,
    -Viji Sunil, Chennai.

    945
  719. I have very eclectic taste in embroidery. If I’m designing a piece, it is almost always very free-form abstract. I just start with a basic rough structural sketch, then begin stitching and see where it goes. For projects that others have designed, I tend to be attracted to (and sometimes purchase) whimsical and folk art style patterns, both flora and fauna. I also like certain realistic-leaning animal designs, either as isolated portraits or in natural landscape settings. …And lately, I’ve been finding myself very interested in doing architecture pieces. I’ve started photographing historic buildings in my neighborhood here in Portland, Maine, a city with a rich architectural history. Working from my photos, I want to embroider a historic buildings series.

    946
  720. I love the Sampler motifs and animals, and would love to learn Stumpwork some day.
    Inspirations is THE most beautiful magazine out there!

    947
  721. I like a variety of different options when I Embroider. Some of the best things I like are floral, wildlife-birds,samplers, Jacobean, monograms, landscapes and geometric too. All in all I like most everything.

    948
  722. I love doing floral designs, Jacobean or thread painting ; but I also love to try new Stitches and genre’s so I grow my skills. Inspirations is the magazine on my bookshelf every edition has something for me to try.

    949
  723. I love colorful embroidery – so I am naturally drawn to floral patersn…… however there are quite a few abstract pieces that I have completed.

    951
  724. I do like animals, especially cats! I have 3 cats at home, sometimes they become my models in my silk shading embroidery.

    Happy Holiday !

    952
  725. I seem to do mostly floral motives, but I also love Jacobean motives, and I also did some geometrical blackwork. Always come back to flowers, though.
    Thanks for this great give-away 🙂

    953
  726. I love Inspirations magazine! I would do anything in embroidery. My favourite subjects would be peacocks or pomegranates. But all embroidery catch my attention and admiration!

    955
  727. Oh, Mary, that question revels that I am a stitching-slut. I have yet to find a subject I don’t like. Words, items, crewel, landscape, geometrics – bring it on. It is the stitching that brings the joy & relaxation, which in turn, brings smiles to others.
    Gail

    956
  728. Stitching and crafting are kind of like music to me … I do what appeals at a given time. And since I’m one of THOSE people who get bored easily, I have lots of unfinished projects to pick up and do. Lately it’s those mandalas that are appealing the most. I can appease the inner spirit that yearns for symmetry and order while also appeasing the inner spirit that demands color and spontaneity of stitches. You would think with two opposing forces like that, its a wonder I get anything done at all. (Lots and lots of unfinished projects)

    958
  729. Wow! This is a difficult question for me to answer. For me ‘the thing’ is not about the design but the challenge of trying something new. I like learning new techniques and can be happy working with a variety of design themes.

    959
  730. My favorite subject matter for crewel embroidery (my favorite technique) is traditional designs, whether they are the large, bold Jacobean designs, or the lighter, more simplistic Early American designs. I find it fascinating how the stitches used so compliment the style and designs.

    960
  731. What an amazing gift! Thank you Mary and Inspirations. I would have to say my favorite subject matter is floral. It is what I’m drawn to in stitching the most.

    961
  732. I love geometric patterns and designs, but lately I’ve been making a series of buttons for DragonCon (Atlanta’s nerd convention) that are logos of super heros, fictional evil corporations, etc. And that has been soooo much fun.

    962
  733. My favorite subject is nature – flowers, trees, landscapes, macro insects. All of it! I started out with only Christmas themed items but very quickly moved on. The stocking bug did not get me! But there’s still time….

    963
  734. I LOVE Inspirations! My favorite subject is matter is flowers. My very first embroidery was a flower grouping in High School when I first learned, and I have loved them ever since.

    965
  735. Mary, my favourite subject is anything with structure such as geometric shapes or patterns where there is balance between the right and left side. But loving to stitch, I will try anything at least once.

    966
  736. Thank you for hosting such generous giveaways! My favorite things to embroider are things like mandalas, geometric patterns, abstract patterns, and quirky little characters.

    967
  737. I think my favorite thing to stitch is The Tree of Life. I have quite a few permutations of it in needlepoint, cross stitch, crewel, and it was the first thing I purchased in 1974 that got me started needlepointing. I have seen Inspirations magazine several times and keep telling myself I should get a subscription to it. Then I forget. I have quite a hectic life and if it isn’t life and death important(don’t laugh, it is the truth) I forget things that don’t affect my job. It is not hat my crafts aren’t important, they are my sanity and I try to stitch every day. But, something won’t die if I forget my stitching.

    968
  738. Hello Mary,

    I love florals. Anything floral or leafy will excite me. I have never seen anything as wondrous as the stylized bird in the the picture above though. It might be the colors but that really caught my attention!
    Thanks for doing this!

    969
  739. I like to embroider flora and fauna. Although a also enjoy whitework and red work. Always fun and inspirational to look at others work too . Thank you again for the chance to win these amazing prizes !

    970
  740. Thanks for the great giveaway! I’m not sure if I have a favorite thing, I like animals and florals, and botanicals, and I like dense embroidery with lots of color and hidden elements.

    972
  741. I love samplers, especially the ones from Tapis Tree that are shaped like animals! The vibrant colors and variety of stitches keep me excited about the projects! I’ve done several cat-shaped samplers that form up into pillows as gifts. They are always a huge hit.

    973
  742. Thank you Mary and Inspirations for the giveaway.

    My favorite subject to stitch is flowers and Jacobean.

    974
  743. My favorites are animals and things my friends draw (which can be almost anything). Right now I am embroidering a album cover that a friend drew for a fake band and it is awesome. I also love to make day of the week towels, I’ve made ones with cars, fantasy creatures, chickens, herbs, gardens, and a few others.

    975
  744. Wow – what a great giveaway! I would sincerely appreciate receiving this one. My favorite subject is flowers/botanical themes. I have been collecting photographs I have taken to work off of – but I need my skills to catch up to my ideas a little. Thank you for posting these giveaways.

    976
  745. My favorite subject for needlework is flowers. I subscribe to Inspirations magazine and agree that it is the most beautiful publication out there.

    977
  746. Mary,
    I really wish I had a thing I liked to stitch,I might then be more focused. I do love dragonflies and butterflies and tend to stitch quite a few of them.
    I absolutely love Inspirations, and think it lives up to its billing of being the most beautiful needlework magazine available.
    Sue.

    978
  747. Artist designs converted to counted cross stitch are fun and I prefer detailed whimsical and eclectic. For surface embroidery I like florals or other designs that employ a variety of stitches. I’m doing butterflys in goldwork and also have plans to do seascapes and sea creatures. I like learning new techniques and variety in my stitching, so one technique or design style does not become boring. Thank you for this opportunity.
    Jan

    980
  748. Hi Mary,

    I think my favorite subject matter is stylized plants and animals. That is convenient since these are the most forgiving things to stitch!

    Thank you for the giveaway.

    981
  749. I enjoy stitching out Christmas and winter projects and any other thing that catches my eye. Thanks for a chance to win this wonderful prize.

    982
  750. I have several things I like to embroider, but I seem to mostly embroider flowers. I would like to branch out a little more and try some landscapes.
    -Heather in Chicago

    983
  751. As far as favorite subject matter goes, I have a hard time narrowing it down! I am particularly interested in flowers and landscapes.

    984
  752. I love to stitch birds, bunnies, sheep..I think you get the idea. I would love to win, Inspiration magazine is such a great one, always with lots of info. Thank you.

    985
  753. If I have to choose, I think my favorite subject matter is geometric designs – specifically Ukrainian embroidery.

    986
  754. Favorite motif is trees-I like to use different threads and stitches to reflect the many different trunk textures.

    987
  755. My favorite topic for embroidery is flower/landscape related. I love working the Jacobean designs even though shading the long and short stitches drives me crazy.

    988
  756. Thanks for the opportunity of this giveaway. It is hard to pick a single subject matter, but, I say my favorite would be landscapes, especially lighthouses. Good luck to all!

    989
  757. Nearly everything I’ve ever embroidered, including a couple of “mottos,” has flowers, or at least vines, so I guess my answer is pretty obvious! Plants. (I’m also an enthusiastic, if inexpert, gardener.)
    I do, however, have a project that does not contain flowers – many-many years ago, my mother started a cross-stitch of old cars (no, I mean OLD – one of them is obviously a converted buggy!), and I’m planning to finish it. It’s not a “scene,” just separate drawings, so I’m not sure what I’ll do with it, but Mr. Magpie and I both think old cars are neat, so I’ll think of something.

    990
  758. Hi Mary,
    I thought of all the pieces that I have stitched and I came to the conclusion that I am a floral stitcher, especially crewel Jacobean floral designs. Who knew?! I love your website and newsletter/blog-have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

    992
  759. My favorite embroidery so far has been motifs. I am trying to learn stitches and find motifs have a variety and is a good learning place.

    994
  760. Hi! Thank you so much for your website, as someone who is just starting in embroidery it has helped me loads to get to know the different stitches and get better at them. As I’m starting I’m not quite sure what subject I like the most, but I’ve been stitching flowers lately and I’m happy with how it has turned out. Again, thank you!!

    Hugs from Chile!

    Belén

    996
  761. My favorite embroidery subjects are religious motifs. And sometimes those incorporate florals and animals. The little projects I do for grandchildren, even the older ones, I use floral, animal, and monogram. I’ve been using machine embroidery but am getting back into hand embroidery because there is so much more that can be done by hand! Thank you for doing what you do! It’s an inspiration!

    997
  762. I love to embroider flowers, insects and animals…. nature. I also love pattern. Love your kaleidoscopes!

    998
  763. My favorite subject is strangely different between what I do and what I love to read about and study and look at. I have an absolute fondness for religious embroidery. It’s my lifelong ambition to one day embroider a set of vestments or even an altar cloth. My favorite current time stitching projects though almost always revolve around monograms. They look so nice, are quick gifts and they work up quickly!

    999
  764. I love the look of Jacobean embroidery, whether they are modern designs or old. I haven’t embroidered any, but would like to try some day.

    1000
  765. I subscribe to Inspirations magazine and love it all particularly flowers and Garden themes. And if I’m too tired at night to stitch I just go through through again looking

    1001
  766. I have to admit my go-to for embroidery is geometrics. I like looking at the work of others in the other forms, but geometrics seem to speak my language.

    1003
  767. I mainly love to do Samplers for occasions such as births and weddings and new homes. Most of all I love the samplers with stylized surrounds, lovely letters and sometimes a saying. I actually have 3 hanging in my diningroom.

    I have enjoyed Inspirations for many years, and drool over the photography. I try to do at least one thing from each issue, sometimes just a section of one, or change a bit. Absolutely the best Stitching magazine around.

    1004
  768. I mainly love to do Samplers for occasions such as births and weddings and new homes. Most of all I love the samplers with stylized surrounds, lovely letters and sometimes a saying. I actually have 3 hanging in my diningroom.

    I have enjoyed Inspirations for many years, and drool over the photography. I try to do at least one thing from each issue, sometimes just a section of one, or change a bit. Absolutely the best Stitching magazine around.

    (If this sounds as done before, I may say similar things about this subject) as your remark says after my comment

    1005
  769. I am still new at embroidery so I am trying a variety of needlework. I like the embroidery with flowers the most right now.

    1006
  770. This is a hard one I don’t think I have a favorite “type” of subject, it usually ends up being what ever catches my eye (and of course whether I can afford it or not if it is a kit)
    I would say I like landscapes and animals but geometric designs and floral are fast and satisfying if you want to see results.

    1007
  771. I like intricate designs of everything you mentioned! I do like to try a more challenging project every so often as well.

    1008
  772. Animals are my favorite subject matter. Particularly roosters – for no reason, it just turned out that way.

    1009
  773. my favorite stitching is for Christmas. Whether it be in cross stitch, embroidery or free hand styles, I do Christmas all year.

    1010
  774. I stitch all kinds of things – it depends on what needs stitching! Right now, I’m working on a pair of poppies (a wedding gift), a beautiful, beaded angel (The Angel of Love), and creating a hardanger wedding sampler pattern (another wedding gift). Coming up as soon as the two current wedding gifts are finished is a delightful tree sampler which I’m adjusting to be yet another wedding sampler for my son, and his lovely fiancee. So yeah, whatever needs stitching.

    1011
  775. My theme is whitework for a specific reason–my ethnic heritage. I research my ancestors from Norway and Germany, so Hardanger and Schwalm are a perfect fit for me!
    Judy – Wisconsin

    1013
  776. I like snarky stuff. I enjoy the juxtaposition of old timey looking embroidery, with modern sayings 🙂 Thanks for the chance to win!

    1014
  777. I really enjoy specialty stitches, so if I had to pick a favorite design, I’d probably say band samplers where the beauty comes from the colors and textures of the patterns. (That’s why I enjoy your blog so much!) Close seconds would be nature – primarily plants and birds – and Quaker motifs. Oh, and holidays – especially Halloween and Christmas….. Geez Louise, it’s impossible to pick just one!

    1015
  778. My Favorite subject tends to be the one I’m stitching — whatever I’m stitching is fun to consider and think about — and about the time the project is done — I’m ready to learn about something new.

    1016
  779. I love embordery. I love flowers and small animals. My first needle book turned out so nice I decided to make another. This one is a sampler of flowers you’ve shown on you site. Thank you Mary.

    1017
  780. I love floral motifs. I think there are so many different fibers, colors and stitches that can be used to make a beautiful and distinctive garden!

    1018
  781. I love stylized work, hardanger, Jacobean, old crewel designs, samplers, needlepoint bell hangers and most anything that can embellish clothing. I think it’s the thrill of trying something new that keeps me going and growing. If you only stitch on thing then how long can it be before boredom sets in?

    1019
  782. I think we all enjoy florals that are embroidered. I like all styles but my newest is free form embroidery. The pieces offer imagination and personal style and experimentation. I love texture and color and am able to combine colors for a new look. A lot of fun to do this style, especially with the fabrics and threads out today. Thanks again for the chance to win such great prizes. Love your website as I learn so much and always fun to see what others are doing with embroidery.

    1020
  783. My favorite subject matter is frogs. The second is geometrics. And the third is frogs again…

    joyfully yours,
    Dianne (aka joyfroggie)

    1023
  784. I enjoy doing anything that catches my eye because of its color and subject. Right now I am trying very hard to learn long and short because anything I have seen Trish Burr or Tanja Berlin do just makes me want to do them all. I especially love the birds and have bought one of Tanja’s to keep me on track.

    Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and thank you for all of your inspiration.

    1024
  785. My favourite subject for needlework is usually something flowing, organic and often floral. But sometimes I do like the precision of Hardanger klosters and ships!

    1025
  786. So many things to embroider! Thanks, Mary for this great giveaway, and thanks to the folks at Inspirations magazine. They really do present the most beautiful embroidery projects in the world. My choices for embroidery are all over the place: samplers, flowers, landscapes, and geometrics. It is the total design that usually makes me pick a project, and not the subject alone. But as I look around my room, those four things are what are scattered on my wall. There is only one animal and it is a fish! But it is a pulled canvas stylized design, with little pearls coming out of its mouth for “bubbles.” So cute! But a fish?

    1026
  787. Hi Mary,
    Thanks for A Stitcher’s Christmas, it’s been such fun! My favorite thing to stitch is trees. Lots of trees.

    1028
  788. I have just discovered Reproduction Samplers and enjoy so much any history or back story linked to the charts.

    1030
  789. My favorite subject seems to be birds, for some reason I just seem to be doing a lot of birds in my stitching. I love doing flowers and trees also. I just love stitching all sorts of things, but those would be my favorite.

    1032
  790. Patterns usually appeal to me because of color or variety of stitches or a new (for me) technique. I don’t really have a favorite subject matter. I do know I don’t care to stitch lots of words or letters although I have done some alphabets.

    1034
  791. Hello Mary, embroidery designs, ??? I like real landscapes, with trees, flowers, birds. I am currently embroidering my self-portrait, very interesting experience, I have tried to reflect my inner self in this work, greetings and many blessings.

    1035
  792. Most of my stitching projects seem to be flowers or birds or scenes that
    include them. However — I have enjoyed stitching so many different
    designs it is hard to narrow it down to any one subject — I just enjoy
    the process.

    1036
  793. I came to the realization years ago that I am most attracted to designs containing flowers, birds, and/or female figures.

    1038
  794. Nature!! I’m a conservation biologist, so themes of nature are my go to subject matter!
    Wishing you the best of the season Mary, and luck to everyone in the draw.

    1041
  795. Thank you, Mary, for this series of giveaways.

    Right now my favorite subject matter for embroidery is monograms. (Your monogram ebook is on my wish list!)

    Since my internet connection is pretty much nonexistent these days, and I may not get back here, I’ll wish you a wonderful Christmas today. May it be truly joyous!

    Thanks again for the chance to win such lovely goodies!

    1043
  796. I enjoy stitching flowers, landscapes and crewel designs but I think my favourite is stitching wildlife and birds particularly our native fauna

    1045
  797. I think my favorite thing to stitch is Quaker sampler motifs. I do enjoy stitching almost anything though to be honest.

    1046
  798. My favorite is Jacobean, monograms and lettering. I love to make small motifs of initials and flowers as a gift to those who appreciate my embroidery.

    1047
  799. I’ve been working on the Marbek angels for years, and I’ve done a few smaller ones. So it’s angels for me!

    1048
  800. Hi,
    I’m a sucker for baby animals, houses, and anything having to do with sewing implements. A baby mouse, rabbit, kitten in a thimble would be a homerun! Merry Christmas!

    1049
  801. I am so glad you are having this give-away. It is fun to read some answers you get. My favorite subject matter for embroidery is religious symbols. My plan is to stitch Chrismons (I have a set of patterns) for ornaments on our tree at church. At this point, the project may have to wait until next year and/or if I can get some help. I’m not sure how many others would be able to help.

    1052
  802. My favourite subject matter for embroidery involves nature, so that includes wildlife, plants, flowers , trees, rock formations, you name it. Since the colours found in nature are breathtaking, one doesn’t have to look too hard for inspiration!

    1053
  803. As a beginner stitcher I haven’t done a lot of embroidery projects yet, but I think that the styles that I am most attracted to are floral designs and stylized designs and pictures.

    Thank you so much for hosting this wonderful give away. Merry Christmas!

    1055
  804. I can’t say that I prefer any one type to stitch… One day I can’t wait to work on the Hamsa design I drew out and the next day I’m stitching squiggly lines and circles on a felt animal. I just enjoy doing it and let my creativity take me where ever it will!

    1056
  805. I heard about Inspirations magazine from Needle n Thread and since then managed to get my hands on a copy and it is so much more beautiful in real life,they do a great job. I am only just starting out in embroidery but so far have been drawn to floral designs, going for something simple but pretty to start off with.

    1057
  806. Inspiration is gold worth and that is why I love to follow your website. At this very moment I am in to heirloom monograms. Generally floral, in all its forms, is my favorite.

    1059
  807. Love your site, Mary. I’d love to win this package. It would be a wonderful Christmas gift to myself!

    1061
  808. Happy Holidays! What a great gift package you are giving away I would love to see that under my tree! I usually stitch nature themed projects which includes flowers and animals, but I do other types of stitching s well. thanks for the chance to win!
    ~Gin K.~

    1062
  809. Depending on the technique I change my favorite subject. For Stumpwork I prefer flowers and insects, for cross stitch I like geometrical designs and for needle painting I like animals. For me it is more important to have a subject that meets the technique then to stick to a preferred motive.

    1063
  810. I am a floral, wildlife, monogram stitcher, and I also enjoy crazy quilting. I stitched a beautiful tiny fox for one of my crazy quilt blocks using regular sewing threads and he/she turned out beautiful.

    1064
  811. Most of my stitchery projects have been Christmas themed. I’ve focused on angels, mittens, snowflakes and ugly Christmas sweaters – to name a few. Christmas is such a wonderful time that I can’t resist.
    I also find that I can’t resist scenes with children, especially when they remind me of my sisters and nieces. They touch my heart, bringing back sweet memories.

    1066
  812. I used to like geometric designs but have recently done some jacobean designs and really liked them. I’ve learned a lot more stitches and started understanding how using different stitches in different ways can change the whole look. The more I stitch the more I appreciate what a brilliant site needlenthread is and the depth of Mary’s experience. Thank you Mary

    1067
  813. My favorite style is geometric and stylized designs on fabric art. I would love to have this prize package, need to work on my skill level!

    1068
  814. My favorite to embroidery is flowers. Just getting into embroidery and checking out Inspiration Magazine. Thank you for the Christmas giveaway.

    1069
  815. I don’t have a favorite subject to stitch; however, I tend to stitch things to gift to others, so each project’s subject is my favorite in that moment because it’s tied to my fondness for the recipient.

    1070
  816. My favourite subject matter is always birds. I don’t intentionally go after bird patterns, but I tend to find I’ve done an number of them every year.

    1071
  817. I would SO love a copy of Inspirations.

    My favorite subject matter is fantasy — fairies, dragons, magical kingdoms, dancing mushrooms (LOL) anything along that line. I like them in counted xstitch or embroidery.

    Thank you for all you do Mary and I hope you pick me!

    1072
  818. I love embroidering flowers, mostly folk style. But I have also done lots of geometric designs in cross stitch.

    1073
  819. I’m not sure if I have a favorite subject matter but I do enjoy Stumpwork and love to make flowers and bugs.

    1074
  820. This is a fantastic giveaway! I like to embroider flowers and geometric patterns about add much as each other.

    1075
  821. At the moment I tend to pick floral designs for embroidery; I’m still a beginner and flowers seem to be quite forgiving as a subject matter. I’ve seen incredible wildlife designs though, and suspect I’ll be stitching lots more animals once I feel a bit more confident.

    1076
  822. What I really like to stitch are floral designs that I can use in my miniature houses. I stitch them on 32 – 48 count silk gauze. That way I have the fun of the stitching but I also have furnishings for my doll houses. They are somewhat tedious but so beautiful.

    1078
  823. Am just learning about Inspirations magazine. I have been embroidering sets of tea towels for gifts. So various designs appeal to me. Enjoy your newsletters!

    1079
  824. It would be primitive…I love all the things you can do with the project once it
    is completed…..Also, dyeing or tea staining the fabric is just a bonus.
    Thanks so much
    Nannett

    1080
  825. I love stitching Reproduction Samplers. With each band or motif I feel that I have accomplished something and it is so satisfying when the samplers are finished. Thank You Mary for all your wonderful giveaways. Merry Christmas to all!

    1083
  826. What a delightful prize!

    Samplers are my stitching passion, and my favorite stitchery subject has to be the bits that make up a sampler – the borders and bands, motifs (especially houses!) and alphabets.

    1085
  827. Hi Mary

    I love all forms of embroidery and really can’t decide on just one as my favourite. At the moment I’m embroidering some fruit designs for table napkins.
    Regards
    Delia

    1086
  828. This is a lovely give away. I like all types of embroidery. But I must say that a have a little more love for the flower/nature type . 🙂 Have a wonderful day !

    1087
  829. It all depends on the technique. I love more geometric designs when doing blackwork, but floral designs are my favorites most of the time.

    1088
  830. My favorite website for my needlework indulgences is needlenthread, and my most desirous object is Inspirations magazine.

    I am a third generation stitcher. If it fits through the eye of a needle I stitch it, if not, I couch it.

    Jacobean crewel is my personal preference for my surroundings, but many a gift has been stitched in flowers, animals, lighthouses, and city scenes.

    Good luck to all who entered, as this give-a-way will surely provide many hours of joy.

    1089
  831. How can anyone choose one type of needlework as a favorite when there are so many that one wants to do? But I would say at the moment mine would be buildings, city or sky lines. Have a lovely Christmas with family and friends.

    1090
  832. So much inspiration, but I am particularly drawn to florals and monograms. Ideally interwoven.

    1091
  833. Hi Mary, love your blog. My current stitching obsession is your birthday Bash from your latest PDF download. Loving it. Happy holidays.

    1092
  834. My favorite subject matter for embroidery since I was four years old is animals. I started with birds and from there went on to flowers and monograms. There is something about embroidering animals that is always exciting, as they seem to come to life slowly as the colorful threads fill in the little creatures. My mother, now long gone to a better place, taught me to embroider, and birds were the first subject and will always be the most cherished in my heart and memory.

    Thank you for this opportunity, Mary, to win a copy of that gorgeous magazine that is still beyond my budget, a calendar and an embroidery kit to boot!

    1093
  835. I tend toward simple shapes like flowers or geometrics. A recent favorite is an interpretation of a Frank Lloyd Wright stained glass window which was a class offered at an EGA seminar.

    1094
  836. My favorite topics to embroider are flowers and domestic animals…dogs, cats, chickens! Love embroidering them on fabric that I use to make doll clothing and other articles.

    1095
  837. First thank you for giving us the chance to win such fantasic gifts.

    I am a flower person either as a stumpwork and/or needlepainting project. Trying to add other topics to my embroidery.

    1096
  838. My favorite subject for embroidery is a wild and funky, and the more colorful it is, the more I like it.

    1098
  839. My favorite subject to stitch are flowers and floral motifs. I especially like working with silk ribbon.

    1099
  840. Hi Mary–

    Interesting question. It made me mentally review my favorite finished (!) projects and those moments when I am simply stopped in delight by something I see. The result was twofold–1)I stop breathing when I find something that is emotionally/mentally satisfying and/or makes me happy, and 2) I am totally a visual stimuli and by-feel (texture of threads and textiles) person. So in real time my favorite is either a style that reminds me of/is for family, or (very often) white work–church linen or home linen–with stitch variety for texture.
    Merry Christmas, Mary. I send you my hope and prayers for you and your family to have the happiest and healthiest 2018.
    jo

    1100
  841. I really enjoy completing small designs often of flowers which I like to incorporate into quilt blocks. But; now I am following your wonderful emails and, seeing your designs, I am developing an interest in designs like your kaleidescope patterns. they are spectacular, I have to to improve my stitching but hope to attempt one later in 2018.

    1102
  842. I love mostly Jacobean embroidery with a bit paisley design influence. But really, any and all forms of embroidery are fun.

    1103
  843. It just has to be flowers. This is such a diverse subject, and the colours can be vibrant or subtle to suit the mood of the project

    1104
  844. I am definitely a floral person. No matter what kind of embroidery or applique, whatever. There are so many types of flowers and foliage. As well as whatever flower you choose each individual flower is different than the next. Very forgiving. Great colors and unlimited beauty. Never boring. Maryann

    1105
  845. I like stylized floral motifs, monograms and a ton of others. So I don’t have one particular thing I like

    1107

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