About

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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Happy 2017! Looking Back & Looking Forward

 

Amazon Books

Happy New Year, my friends!

I hope you enjoyed a peaceful, joy-filled holiday season and that you’re already testing the 2017 waters and finding them just fine.

2016 ended on a very quiet on my end of the computer screen – which is a good thing!

I indulged in quite a bit of stitching (not to mention 3.5 audiobooks). I didn’t enter the workroom once with the intention of organizing. (Why is it so easy to put that off until the “new year”?) And I filtered a lot of paperwork while messing with editorial calendars, idea lists, and all kinds of planning and goal setting. It was a semi-productive week!

Spending some time looking back on Needle ‘n Thread in 2016 helped me gauge my ideas and goals for 2017 (and 2018). So here’s a little glance backwards, and a broad glance forward!

Needle 'n Thread in 2016, Looking forward to 2017
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A Stitcher’s Christmas: The Wrap-Up!

 

I really had a great time running A Stitcher’s Christmas this year!

For those just joining in, A Stitcher’s Christmas was a series of ten give aways leading up to Christmas, featuring some really wonderful needlework-related gifts.

Thanks to all who participated in the series, and a Huge Thank You to the small needlework businesses who offered the prizes! It was a lot of fun!

Today, I’ll wrap up the series by announcing the winners of the last two prizes – this collection of A-Z needlework books, and these two miniature tapestry kits.

Stitcher's Christmas Final Wrap Up
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A Stitcher’s Christmas #10: More Embroidery Books!

 

Welcome to the last give-away in A Stitcher’s Christmas 2016 – this year’s series of embroidery-related give-aways for Christmas here on Needle ‘n Thread.

It’s been a super-fun series this year, and I hope that you all have enjoyed it as much as I have! Thanks so much for participating in the series – and a Huge thank you to the small businesses who have joined in and made such nice gifts available for the give aways!

The final gift in the series is another collection of needlework books, compliments of Search Press. Towards the beginning of the series, we had three A-Z books, perfectly suited for beginners. Today’s collection is for embroiderers who want to go a little further with their stitching pursuits and tackle some more advanced embroidery techniques.

I’ll also announce the winner of A Stitcher’s Christmas #8, this gorgeous needlepainting kit from Trish Burr.

A-Z Embroidery Books from Search Press
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Needlework Gifts that Keep on Giving

 

With only a few more days until Christmas, I hope you’re not feeling any of the typical holiday pressure that builds up this time of year.

I generally avoid Holiday Burnout by putting things into perspective. I loathe the notion that Christmas is just about giving gifts for the sake of giving gifts.

A gift, in my mind, should always be something thoughtful, something tailored for the recipient, something that will delight, something given out of love, to make someone happy – and it doesn’t have to be complicated! If it’s none of the above, well…skip it. Giving your time, your friendship, a shoulder to lean on, cheerful encouragement, help when there’s need – those are the best gifts, anyway, and they can be given at any time.

Still – it’s fun to receive prezzies! A gift that delights, that surprises, a gift suited perfectly to you, with real thought behind it – who doesn’t like that?!

If you’re worried about giving a gift to a fellow needlework enthusiast – or if you know that your children, your husband, your wife, your parents, your loved ones are in a state of consternation over what to get you for Christmas – here are some excellent gift ideas for creative people that can’t miss the mark. They’re gifts that keep on giving, and that can still be had without paying overnight shipping – or, better yet, without going on some crazed hunting frenzy in crowded shops late into the night on the day before Christmas.

Embroidery Subscription Box
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A Stitcher’s Christmas #9: Miniature Tapestry Kits!

 

Good morning, and welcome to A Stitcher’s Christmas #9!

A Stitcher’s Christmas, 2017 is a series of pre-Christmas give-aways here on Needle ‘n Thread, featuring delectable needlework prizes from a variety of excellent small needlework businesses known for their beautiful products and terrific service!

So far, we’ve had 8 give-aways in the series. From threads, to books, to kits, to tools, to classes – each give-away has featured lovely embroidery-related goods for the needlework enthusiast.

We still have two more to go in the series – and today is one of ’em!

Today’s give-away is for two kits – one to each of two winners – but they aren’t just any kits. You’ll want to pay a little attention to the details here, because you’ll want to know you’re getting into with these kits before you commit to them!

I’ll also announce the winner of the Rouge du Rhin Christmas wreath embroidery kit, so read on, read on…

Miniature Tapestry Kits
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A Stitcher’s Christmas #8: Trish Burr Needle Painting Kit!

 

Good morning, oh stitching world! And Happy Monday from a freezing cold Kansas!

Two Monumental Things happened in my life this past weekend: I actually did get the tree up (all three feet of it), and we had snow (all three inches of it)!

It doesn’t take much to make me happy!

Today, we continue with my Christmas 2017 give-away series, A Stitcher’s Christmas. This one is for all of you who want to try needle painting, but haven’t taken the plunge yet; for those of you who have tested the needle painting waters and want to improve your skills; or for those of you who love needle painting and just want a fun kit to work on!

I’ll also announce the winner for A Stitcher’s Christmas #6, the Inspirations Calendar shown here, and I’ll tell you about a challenge I’ve received (repeatedly).

Trish Burr Needle Painting Embroidery Kit
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