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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Forget the Adult Coloring Books – This is Much More Fun!

 

Amazon Books

Adult coloring books are all the rage, and while they’re a heap of fun in a lot of ways, I think I’ve found an even better outlet for needle and thread lovers!

Careful, though – it might become addictive!

This weekend, I finished the kaleidoscope design I’ve been playing with.

When I put the last stitch in, I was almost sorry to see the end of the project. I say almost, because my brain was churning with ideas for the next one!

Kaleidoscope Embroidery Design Sample
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Needlework News Snips – July, 2016

 

Happy Saturday! Time to grab your favorite cup, fill it up, and pull up a chair for a little online browse!

In Needlework News Snips, I like to share little embroidery-related snippets that I’ve come across online, hither and yon.

Usually, my Snips are a hodgepodge of inspiration, information, and instruction – a pretty picture or a neat project that caught my eye and that might inspire you; embroidery products, sales, or resources that sound interesting; or maybe a tutorial here and there…whatever happens to pop up whenever I have time to browse about through online embroidery haunts.

It’s a good time for me to share any newsy bits specifically related to Needle ‘n Thread, too, so I usually throw those in at the end of the list.

It’s a meandering journey, sometimes short, sometimes long. And the only thing required to enjoy it is your favorite morning beverage!

(A pastry probably wouldn’t go amiss, either.)

Shall we browse?

Needlework News Snips July 2016

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Summer Stitching Ideas

 

What makes a good summer stitching project?

The answer to this will vary, undoubtedly, depending on what you like to do in the summer, the type of climate you live in, and whether you’re a “seasonal” stitcher. And of course, there’s the whole question of what you like to stitch, too!

For me, a summer stitching project should have a few key attributes. I’ll share my ideas on those below, and then suggest some projects that would make a good fit for summer stitching.

Gingham Embroidery
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Late Harvest Update & A Personal Note

 

Good morning, friends, and a Happy Saturday all around!

Here in the US, it’s a holiday weekend! And while the Fourth of July weekend usually smacks of outdoor weather, picnics, sunshine, fireworks and the like, here in my part of Kansas, we’re finally getting (a lot) of rain! In fact, it’s practically flooding. In the Midwest, it’s never a good idea to complain about rain. Whenever it comes, it’s a good thing. It’s good for the crops, it’s good for the cattle…

… and it makes great indoor weather to catch up on stitching-related pursuits! So that’s my plan!

Today, I’m going to share with you two things: my last stopping point on Late Harvest, an embroidery project designed by Hazel Blomkamp that I’ve been slowly working my way through and sharing here on Needle ‘n Thread; and a personal update, because many of you are inquiring how things are panning out with my Big Life Adventure with Cancer.

First, Late Harvest! Then, I’ll share the personal update with via a link to a PDF file (so that you can skip it if you want to).

Late Harvest embroidery project
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Foral Alphabet Letters: I, J, K and L

 

This morning, I’m sending out to you four more letters in the floral script monogram alphabet – letters I though L.

If you’re just joining us recently on Needle ‘n Thread, you’ll find all the earlier letters in this beautiful alphabet available here, on the monogram index, and I’ll be adding the rest of them as I get them cleaned up for you.

You’ll also find stitching tips and ideas on each article for these letters, if you’re looking for ideas on how to embroider them.

So, here are the next four letters with some more stitching ideas!

Floral Script Monogram: Letter I
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Just Doodling About with Embroidery: A Colorful Kaleidoscope

 

Lately, I’ve been doodling about, playing with some designs that I call kaleidoscopes. These are repeating designs drawn on a radiating grid of spokes, which vary in number depending on the type of design.

Some of the designs are made up of many straight lines, while others are scrolly, floral, and a bit loose. Whether linear or scrolly (or a combination), they’re all fun to embroider!

Embroidered Kaleidoscope Design
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