We’ve had a lot of requests for Ana Mallah’s first book, In Bloom, published this year by Inspirations Studios, and I wanted to let everyone know that, yes! We have it! You can find it here in the shop!
Let’s take a look at it up close, shall we?
In Bloom is a beautiful book full of beautiful projects. After all, it’s published by Inspirations Studios, so we wouldn’t expect anything less.
The book is 140 pages, soft bound, and not only good for use as an instructional book, but pretty enough for display. If you’re a coffee-table-book-person, this is a nice one – and it would certainly stimulate conversation!
Ten lovely dimensional embroidery projects burst forth from the pages with stunning realism. Featuring gorgeous blossoms and blooms, each project is a little masterpiece of ingenuity with the needle.
While some of the projects are presented framed, many of them finish into dimensional items – like little bouquets, potted florals, and decorative containers.
So, with many of the projects, you’ll learn not only the embroidery techniques, but you’ll learn finishing techniques that will add to your own repertoire for creating future projects.
Many readers ask me how to “get good” at finishing, or how to get better at embroidery, or how to improve their ability to choose appropriate stitches or colors for their own projects.
One of the best ways to improve in all the aspects of needlework – from designing, to planning, to stitching, to finishing – is to work through beautiful projects that have already been designed for you.
Every project that you work from a book like this improves your abilities and boosts your confidence to take on more challenging projects or to design and execute your own projects.
That’s why I love books like this one, and others from Inspirations. Besides the fact that they are beautiful and inspiring, they always contain top notch instructional content, often with fabulous methods of finishing embroidered items.
In Bloom is no exception. I think it’ll make a great learning book, as well as a diverting project book for anyone who wants a project that’s a little challenging, who wants to stitch something a little different, or who wants to try some unique finishing techniques.
For each project in the book, you’ll find a thorough materials list, step by step instructions accompanied by photos and diagrams, and lovely photos of the finished piece with clear details so that you can see just what you’re aiming for as you work through the project.
I love the little “pots” in this book! The daffodils are exuberantly cheerful…
…and the daisy and ladybug together combine elegance and whimsy in one sweet little project.
And then there’s this different type of pot – the perfect indoor plant that you can’t kill. This would be ideal for my home. I’m remarkably unloved by live indoor plants.
If I were going to select one project from the book to work, though, I think it would be these pretty violets. They’re so graceful and simple in design, and the colors are lovely.
Second on my list would be this little bouquet. I imagine making many of these, bundling together the little flowers in larger and smaller groupings, and scattering them about through the branches of my Christmas tree. I know you don’t normally picture floral bouquets like this at Christmas, but I think they’d be so pretty!
I could see using these as bridesmaid’s gifts from the bride, or as boutonnieres in a wedding, too. Wouldn’t that be fun? Or just special gifts for special friends and loved ones, for no reason at all.
Mmmmmmm, mmmmmm, mmm. They are delectable projects all around!
In the back of the book, you’ll find a pull-out pattern page with full-sized patterns for each project.
Where to Find It
You can find In Bloom available here.
The books will ship this week via Priority Mail or Ground Advantage (depending on your location), packaged carefully, insured and trackable.
Hope your week’s off to a great start!
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